Fate pulls them together—and fear tears them apart.

The last thing Elijah Blackwood wants is to be tied down by a fated mate. His carefree bachelor lifestyle and ambitions to rise within the pack are all he needs—until he meets her. The bond he feels with Celine is undeniable, but Elijah’s fear of losing control, of opening himself to vulnerability, keeps him at a distance. He’s seen the devastation rejection brings, and he’s not willing to let fate decide his path. But can he ignore the pull of his heart for long?

Celine Vance has spent her life searching for something more. As an artist with dreams of building her career and finding a place to belong, she longs for a fated mate who will choose her not out of duty, but out of love. When she meets Elijah, the bond between them is instantaneous, but his hesitation leaves her questioning everything. Can she truly trust that he sees her for who she is beyond the bond? Or will she always be second to his ambitions and his fear of emotional attachment

As Elijah and Celine struggle with their growing connection, the conflict between duty and desire threatens to tear them apart. Elijah fears losing his freedom and status, while Celine craves the deep connection she’s always yearned for. If they can’t learn to trust in each other and accept the bond, they risk losing the one thing neither of them realized they needed most—each other.