As a Pride leader, Maddox knows unification is the only chance the cat-shifters have of surviving the harsh conditions at Alpha Colony. His reputation for ruthlessness is well known, so the other pride leaders quickly fall in line. Convinced any form of cooperation is unacceptable, Dyauna and her followers are determined to defy their human captors at every turn. Still, the rest of the rebels will accept unification if Maddox can recruit Dyauna. Their relationship has always been tempestuous, but he knows how to make her purr. Her radical ideals once drove them apart, and he can’t let it happen again. He’ll take her captive for a few days and focus entirely on her pleasure. Then she’ll be forced to admit they are meant to be together, just like the cat-shifter clans.