After claiming Zora Mason as his mate, and fighting off a threat to the MacKinnon pride, Mac is more than ready to get back to managing his coffee bar and settling into mated bliss. But just when it looks like things are quieting down, Mac and Zora find more challenges ahead. Plans for Zora and Mac's official introduction the to the pride, and the opening of the new coffee bar may be derailed when, gripped by a mysterious blood fever lingering after the leadership challenge, Mac is driven to the edge of his endurance as he fights to keep his inner lion under control. Juggling her responsibilities in the business and her position as the mate of the pride leader becomes even more challenging when Zora is forced to confront her fear that Mac is changing into someone she doesn't recognize. As the fever pushes Mac to the edge, the revelation of an old, painful family secret proves to be the key to saving Mac's life. Zora and Mac come up with a plan to end the threat of the fever forever, but that same plan can destroy them both. Is their love strong enough to defeat the blood fever, so they can live happily ever after as mates?