Is a puppy too much to ask for? Lions may rule the concrete jungle of New York City, but the hidden world of beastwalkers, unseen by humans, contains a multitude of kingdoms, and not all of them share the same commitment to peace. Far to the south in New Orleans, King Azure rules the Kingdom of Venom with power, cunning, and treachery. And the scheming serpent has just found an animus he wants in the Big Apple. It turns out, Lola Katz isn't the only new animus-the human females gifted with the ability to bring out a beastwalker's true animal form-to be discovered. Lola's friend, Katy Dire, also has the gift, and Azure has taken her for his own vile purposes.Lola refuses to sit idly by while her friend is in the clutches of the cold-blooded king of snakes. Her new mate, Callon Leo, prince of the Kingdom of Claws, vows to bring the entire might of their kingdom down upon Azure to ensure Katy's safe return. But the lions may already be late to the party. Someone else has his sights set on Katy's rescue. As soon as it was discovered the girl bears the tattoo of a wolf and should be rightfully mated to a member of the Kingdom of Fangs, No, the kingdom's alpha, dispatched his most fearsome warrior to New Orleans-the Dire.From their first electric meeting, Gage, otherwise known as the Dire, recognizes Katy as his mate, destined by Visata. But sinister forces conspire to keep the fated pair apart. Gage is a powerful ancient warrior, a guardian of the shaman, but even he may outmatched by the might of the Kingdom of Venom. Gage must race against time to save Katy and expose Azure's wicked plans before it's too late. But once they've grabbed hold of their prey, snakes never let go.