Wolf shifter Delana is strong-and desperate. After an unthinkable, brutal attack on her village left her pack without its Alpha, their very survival is at stake. Finding a new leader from among the strange new shifters living on their land is her pack's only hope. Khet's inner beast eats at his soul with ruthless intensity. A wicked curse held his people captive until it was finally broken, saving his pack brothers from its terrible legacy. But Khet's dark soul was too dangerous to be saved. Shadows consume him-and also keep him far from being suitable mate material. Yet when Delana comes to him, sacrificing her pride to ask for his help, he recognizes her as his mate. Powerless to resist her beguiling temptation, he'll do anything to protect her. Even if it means going back to the Dark Lands-alone.