If pride goeth before a fall, what does bitter and nasty get you? If you’re Romeo Gatti, you end up a lonely recluse with no friends and no love life to speak of. He might be part of the Wildcat Hills Pride, but with his prickly personality, he’s not going to be a candidate for pride mate of the month anytime soon. A nasty break-up has hardened his heart and also his resolve to never be hurt again. That is, until Jules Armitage breezes into Wildcat Hills. Politics might be the art of the possible, but diplomacy can be a balancing act, even at the best of times. Which these aren’t. As ambassador, Jules finds himself walking a dangerous tightrope. One misstep can spell disaster. When he finds himself tossed off pride lands by Alpha Xander himself, Jules has no choice but to leave his unclaimed mate behind, to both their chagrins. Behind the smoke and mirrors lies truth. But will Jules ever get the chance to tell Romeo the reality of his situation, and will the other man even be willing to listen? Sometimes honesty can get you killed, if it falls into the wrong hands…