Magic has destroyed Daniel Cross’s family and now his only chance at happiness when he discovers the boy he’s in love with has a conduit dragon inside him. Already keeping his distance because of the young man’s murderous father, Daniel’s beast has started to roar, demanding that Mason be claimed before competition arrives. Daniel is so determined to keep from being a beast, he chooses to exile from the magical world completely. Mason Blackthorne will not be ignored. Unless he can find someone powerful enough to protect him, he will be enslaved, tortured and used by terrible warlocks to possess his power. He’s chosen Daniel, and if he can get the boy close enough, he knows he can convince him to be his bondmate. A powerful suitor has come to court Mason, but the mysterious man holds evil, blood soaked intentions. Can Daniel find a way to put the obligations of the dead behind him long enough to save Mason, or will his quest for revenge lose the only boy he's ever loved to the same monster that killed his family? Disclaimer: 18+ This novel contains explicit m/m sexual content, graphic language and violence. The shifters transform from human to humanoid with respective dragon and lion characteristics and behaviors, including mating and breeding (but not impregnation), bonding, and some minor blood play. Any violence inflicted on the main characters is not sexual in nature.