Half-shifter Shaya Critchley may keep a submissive part in her wolf pack, however the petite redhead refuses to let an Alpha male interfere in her life. Furious and humiliated after her partner refused to state her, she runs off to hide among the human beings. Why wait around for an Alpha male to love her when he’d obviously prefer to ignore her? Nick Axton can barely control his urges for Shaya, however the Alpha can never claim her – not really if he truly cares on her behalf. His degenerative brain condition will ultimately damage him, and he’s afraid of turning his mate into his caretaker. However when Shaya runs away, Nick can’t let her go. He pursues her, vowing to finally state his rightful partner. And despite Shaya’s spirited and passionate level of resistance, Nick’s fiery determination just might be the best aphrodisiac.