After a tragic turn of events claims the life of Madadh's mother and four sisters, Maddy and her father are driven to seek refuge in Acarsaid Reach with a clan of werewolves who inhabit the mountains near the sea. Her father is named the new clan's beta with a swift stroke of good fortune. Being without a pack for so long, he and Maddy are eager to contribute to the success of their family. Finding friendship with the alpha king of their lands makes their transition smoother, but the alliance with the king ensures they are caught up in the tailspin of the clan infighting and the rumblings in the East Mountain, where old grievances are slow to die. When another catastrophe fractures what's left of their tiny family, neither Madadh nor her father can fathom the heartless actions of their king and friend, Arregaithel. Returning to their clan lands, they learn too late that the rightful king has been overthrown, and the usurper is tracking down any who might raise an army to claim the throne. Madadh's father swears allegiance to the new leader in exchange for the promise of sanctuary, claiming he has a grudge against the king. Lending his sword to the new king's army, the beta is intent on discovering where his old friend has gone and how he might restore him to his rightful position-an act of deception that may cost Madadh and her father their lives. Maddy has her own set of problems. Finding a mysterious necklace bearing stones of her mother's house, she must uncover what secrets lie in her past to assume her rightful place in the kingdom, but not without trying to return to the only home she's ever known and to the arms of the one who has forever held her heart.