Captain Byron Gregg sails into his home port with a bounty to collect on and a longing for someone new in his bed. When he notices a man watching him, he can’t help being intrigued. Yet once he’s collected his reward, Byron can’t find the man anywhere. He searches all over the village, delighted when he finally finds the man and manages to pull him into an alley—and into his arms. The only problem is … he’s kissing the wrong man. Byron senses the other man is also a shifter, and his inner bear wants nothing more than to claim him. Eric runs away, insisting he’s not interested in Byron. But the bear can’t get the scent or taste of Eric out of his system. He’s skilled at hunting down pirates, and now he’s setting out to hunt down his mate…

Viktor accepts a new position in Vane Godwin’s household and immediately meets a man he wants to have in his bed. But this time, it won’t be that easy. Thomas might be attracted to him, but Viktor soon learns the younger man’s heart isn’t free. Or so Thomas says… Thomas is hurt when his childhood friend Bella can’t see him as anything more than a friend, but he knows life has to go on. His new friend Viktor makes that much easier, starting the day Thomas accidentally spills the details of his heartbreak to the man. But the gods had a plan when they steered Viktor to the right city, and Thomas feels his heart recovering far faster than he’d anticipated. Thomas has always had a plan in place and every part of his life in order, but the chaos the gods bring might be just what he truly needs.

According to the priests of Arizia, the first shifters were once only beasts, not human at all. They took human form because of lust. They stayed in human form because of love. When Bran meets Adam, he’s intrigued but wary of moving too fast with the brash younger man. Their first touch enthralls him, but he worries Adam will leave the way his last lover did. From the moment Adam sees Bran, he knows the handsome soldier is what he wants, despite the older man’s resistance. He knows they have a connection, no matter how Bran protests. But when everything gets thrown into chaos, Bran begins to see another side of Adam. The arrogant young man needs his help, and Bran starts to see there are lots of reasons he wants to give it…

Matthew finds himself at loose ends when the kind man he’s spent years serving passes away. He has few skills and fewer options, and he soon finds others wanting to take advantage of that. When help comes from the last place he’d have expected, Matthew puts his faith in a man he’s heard dozens of contradictory stories about. Aiden has always been an outcast. He’s the illegitimate son who was loved more than the legitimate ones, and the fact he’s a dragon shifter and magic wielder makes some fear him and others hate him. He takes a chance when he realizes an old enemy has nefarious plans, and he ends up leaving with Matthew in tow, his heart unexpectedly joyful at the thought of making a new friend. Surprises find them wherever they go, and soon both of them are wondering if the gods of Arizia are responsible for the winding roads that led them to each other.

Stefan’s world was thrown into chaos when he met Thorne, a priest who has dedicated his life to serving Jalal, the exiled god of Arizia. But it proves a beautiful kind of chaos. He’s suffered from demon-inflicted nightmares and hallucinations ever since a mistake in his youth allowed the taint to take hold. But Thorne is not only a priest but a powerful magic wielder, and simply being near him gives Stefan freedom from all demonic influence while every touch gives him more pleasure than he’s ever known before. Thorne rushed to Stefan’s aid when a mutual friend told him of the young man’s need, but he never expected to be so enthralled by Stefan. He’s immediately convinced that his god, who is eternally separated from his own beloved, has finally led him to the perfect man to share his life with. But Stefan’s focus is on finding a permanent cure for his problem, and he seems uncertain of their relationship beyond the present moment and the physical pleasure they share. While Thorne wants nothing more than to see Stefan free of the taint that has tormented him for years, he’s also determined to convince Stefan they were brought together for a reason.

_According to the priests of Arizia, the first shifters were once only beasts, not human at all. They took human form because of lust. They stayed in human form because of love._ Ben flees his home in the middle of the night and heads to the Red Temple, the last place anyone would think to look for him. All he seeks is peace and safety, but he finds something else almost as soon as he arrives. The moment his mate’s scent hits him, he knows he was led to this town for a reason. Wulf isn’t ready to accept being Ben’s mate, but he can’t ignore his growing interest in the shifter. Unable to stay away, he finds himself warming to the idea, even though he never pictured himself with a man. And a prediction made before he was born spurs him on as he decides to find out if the gods really know what they’re doing when it comes to matehood.

After a devastating revelation, Ronan needs time to think about his next move. He sets off for the Red Temple to find the solitude he needs to reflect and come to a decision. He didn’t know if it would really help, but that was before he met his mate. 

Luke never felt he fit in until he arrived at the Red Temple. He became a priest despite his family’s objection and found the kind of acceptance he’d never experienced at home. He can’t imagine another life for himself, so finding out he’s Ronan’s mate sets his mind reeling.

 But has Luke become too comfortable within the temple walls? Ronan needs a friend more than anything, but the man obviously wants so much more from Luke. Luke can’t refuse someone who needs help, but he may soon find that the gods are the ones trying to help him.

Ramsey grew up always doing exactly what was expected of him, and he finds himself at a loss when he realizes there’s no one looking over his shoulder anymore. He doesn’t want to change anything about his life, but he’s starting to wonder what he’s missing by striving to keep everything in his world exactly as it is. Aron knows what Ramsey needs the moment their eyes meet. He wants Ramsey to see that it’s all right to pursue his own happiness wherever it leads him. Aron’s never had trouble seducing anyone before, but from their first kiss, he wants more than that. He knows he can encourage Ramsey to come out of his shell, but for the first time, he finds himself already planning how he can keep this man in his arms for more than a few nights. Fate brought them together, and they soon find that falling in love isn’t just about what you’re willing to change or compromise. It’s about how much you’re willing to give, and receive, in return.

At long last, Dash has finally found his mate. Every moment with Christopher is perfect until Dash reveals the fact he’s a highwayman. His mate runs away, saying their worlds are two different for them to ever be happy. Dash searches for months, and he finally discovers that his shy, sweet little mate is actually a prince. He understands why his mate ran, but that doesn’t deter him from doing all in his power to win the man’s heart.

Renn spent years preparing for the moment he would confront his father and take his rightful place as the crown prince of Arizia. He didn’t plan on finding a mate along the way, and he feared his desire for Simon would distract him from all his other plans. He’s held back for so long, scared to reveal everything about himself. As the day for him to make his claim approaches, he sees he’s neglected his mate, who is far more precious than the prize he seeks. Simon has been so patient with him, and Renn realizes he’ll never find fulfillment in anything unless he has Simon at his side as his true mate. He’s dreamed of sharing everything with the man he loves, and when he finally does, he can only hope the fates knew what they were doing when they set all of this into motion so many years ago…