When Tempest Riverrun is taken from Earth, survival is the only thing on her mind.

She had already reached the end of her rope back home, standing on the edge of a life she didn’t want anymore. But instead of death, Tempest wakes up on Thraqe, a brutal alien world scarred by war and ruled by customs she barely understands.

The High Council gives her a choice.

She can wander into the alien wilderness alone and try to survive among the predators, or she can choose a mate from the warriors of Thraqe and live under his protection for six months.

To the people of Thraqe, the decision should be simple. Their species is struggling to rebuild after years of war, and human women are seen as potential mates capable of restoring their future.

But not every warrior is considered worthy of a human bride.

Dron has spent his entire life being feared.

The black scars that twist along his arm mark him as cursed, a man destined for violence and military service. When battles end, he isn’t celebrated like other warriors. He’s hidden away behind reinforced walls, treated as something dangerous that must be contained.

No woman on Thraqe would ever choose him.

Until Tempest does.

What begins as a desperate decision quickly becomes something far more complicated. Dron may look terrifying, but the brooding alien warrior proves to be surprisingly gentle with the fragile human who chose him when no one else would. Beneath the scars and the reputation is a fiercely loyal male who has never known affection, never known touch, and never imagined someone might want him.

Tempest must learn to navigate the strange customs of Thraqe, the harsh alien wilderness that surrounds them, and the powerful instincts of the alpha male who now considers her his mate.

But not everyone believes humans belong on Thraqe.

Some see Tempest and the other abducted women as the only hope for the future. Others believe mixing blood with humans will weaken their people forever.

And the moment Tempest chooses the most feared warrior on the planet, she becomes part of a conflict far bigger than herself.

Because on Thraqe, mates are not temporary.

And the warrior everyone calls cursed is beginning to believe that Tempest was meant to be his all along.

Dron rushed to the door and tried to push Tempest behind.


She knew what he was doing. He was trying to protect her. Trying to make it so she wasn't around when the bad news came.


Tempest refused to be pushed aside. She wanted to be there from the very moment they got the results. If Rynax was gone from this world, she wanted to know.


Gushex looked from Dron to Tempest and then back to Dron again.


Dron sighed and shook his head as if he knew that Tempest wouldn't be detered.


Tempest steeled herself. Whatever Gushex was about to say she wanted to promise that she wouldn't lose it. She didn't realize how much Rynax meant to her. All the problems that they had on their journey to find Dron meant little to her now. All she wanted was her friend to be okay.


She sucked in a breath. In through her nose out through her mouth. Over and over again. Her fingertips tingled, and her heart batted against her ribcage.


Chapter 229 - Chapter 229