Andi's been a fighter for as long as she can remember. Her greater size, speed, and stamina make her irreplaceable on the field, and a key player in her father's war against the rival Lion clan. When her father fell in battle, it became her duty to lead and protect her people. After a decade of bloodshed, both sides are ready for peace. But the patriarchal Lions won't treat with a female, even if she is queen. Finding a mate and bearing heirs wasn't an option when the survival of her clan was at stake. Now Andi needs a mate, and she waited so long that there are no eligible males to be found. Troy, a former slave taken from his clan at a young age, needs answers, answers only his own kind can provide. Without them, he'll lose the most precious thing he has. He treks south, dodging Human patrols for unchipped shifters. As time grows short, his desperation rises. In a Human bar, he finally finds what he's looking for. A chance meeting with another Panther leads to a night of passion, but in the morning he's left with nothing but an empty bed and a name. Andi. They should be the answer to each other's woes, but it's hard to trust when hidden truths threaten the survival of an entire race.