Harry Davies thought the worst part of hiking the Oregon woods in December was the uphill trail to the cabin. His five gay friends all agree. It's cold, they're hungry, and it's margarita-o'clock. But Harry's worried about other things. Cougars. Bears. And some strange, animal-like creature a friend had filmed there years ago. His friends say he's being stupid. But when something dark moves in the trees around them, Harry fears they could all be in danger. And when his friends start vanishing into thin air, there's nothing to do but run—straight into the arms of animal-like creatures with technology like they've never seen. Something is pushing Vexe toward a disturbance in the sky. A ship, possibly slavers returning to capture more of his people to be sold on Bengus-6. The huge, blue-skinned Zentarans are a favorite of the Ghovik slavers, and Vexe knows he should abandon his hunt and head back to the colony. But he can't resist the strange compulsion—the —that pulls him through the harsh, snow-covered mountainside, straight for the ship, which he's sure now is going to crash. And straight for the exotic, human survivor, desperate for Vexe's help. Vexe's soulbond explodes to life, compelling him to possess her, his , his destined mate. But the little human will not submit without a fight. And there is much Vexe must learn before he can claim his rhuza, the beautiful human woman, Harry...