The exiled alien barbarian has been living alone in the desert—until he takes the female pilot as his captive. She wants to get back to her crew, but he thinks she's fated to be his. Can she escape before he can claim her as his mate? Caro thought the Dothveks who helped them when they crash-landed on the planet were big and brawny and intimidating. But the barbarian who kidnaps her is even scarier. He’s a disgraced Dothvek who’s been exiled from the clan for murder, and he’s been living by himself in the desert. Apparently, he thinks she’s his to take. Not if she has anything to say about it. Rukken has been living by himself on the sands for years when he hears of the human females living with his former clan. As soon as he sees Caro, he immediately knows she’s meant to be his mate. Too bad she isn’t convinced. He’ll just have to keep her hidden until she realizes she belongs to him. Even if it means tying her up. If only he could restrain his own desires as easily as he can restrain the small female.