Life can change in the blink of an eye, even for a powerful Bracadyte healer. Zaureth finds out the hard way when the northern band of Bracadytes storm Aukrabah, demanding blood and vengeance. With his home, his mate and his life suddenly thrust into danger, Zaureth has no choice but to resort to the one thing he hates the most: violence. But this enemy is more powerful than any the Bracadytes have faced before; leaving Zaureth no choice but to awaken the beast within, or risk losing everything he's come to love... including his bonded mate, Amy.