He had been looking for his mate for a while now, with no luck. Thinking about trying his luck at a Gathering, Ash Laswell never dreamed that his mate would land in his lap. But when she steps from that bus on a sunny summer day, he just knew that he had to have her. Christine Maxwell has finally come to live with her best friend, Jewels, after a nasty accident. She's looking for a new start in a new town as well as putting the past behind her. And for the most part, she's done well, until Ash makes it very clear that he wants her. Ash doesn't see Christine's handicap, doesn't see any flaw that she might think she has. All he sees is a woman that he stirs his blood. And when her past does show up, Ash shows his mate just wat the shifter will do to protect what is his.