A couple of years before, Virgil McBrideâs life changed... for the better. Heâd been working as a ranch hand at a cattle ranch in Texas while hiding the fact that he was a cougar shifter. Then his boss brought home a gargoyle mate. It didnât take long for staff to transition, wheedling out those humans who werenât trustworthy. Virgil loves his new freedoms, allowing him to shift and explore the ranch in animal form. While out running as a cougar, Virgil scents something amazing, and he realizes his mate is near. Searching out the source, he finds something heâs never seen before... and it isnât the dilapidated hunting stand. Virgil meets Shaw, a wombat shifter. Even though he assures his mate that he would be welcome at the ranch, Shaw isnât convinced. After learning whyâthe beta of Shawâs wombat wisdom is claiming him as his mateâVirgil realizes heâs not going to be able to fulfill his wombatâs dreams on his own. Can Virgil win Shawâs trust enough to get the help they need to free his mate and give them a future?