Ilara Depherra, aka The Shepherd, grew up on the streets of Toru City, the victim of a corrupt child welfare system that did little to protect the children in its care. Now Ilara protects them, teaching them the skills they need to survive on the streets and hiding them from the men who would enslave them. But she'll need all her skills to survive the loneliness and danger ahead, especially to her heart. Kei Rewu is an arena gladiator of inter galactic renown. When he catches a thief stealing from his precious vegetable garden, he's determined to teach the lad a lesson he won't soon forget. Imagine his surprise when he discovers the lad is not only a woman, but the one who'd picked his pocket on a local transport. It doesn't take him long to figure out who she is and call on his friend and former lover, Solae O'bora to help. Locked in battle of life and death, Ilara and Kei could lose everything they hold dear. Or find a love that will save them both. Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, exhibitionism, spanking, off-screen violence against minors.