The winter solstice is a time for friends, family, and festivities… and me driving out to my cabin in the woods to avoid it all, just like I do every year.

But when something trips my repair shop’s alarms, and the security feed shows my human receptionist half-dressed in the staff room, looking like she’s about to hunker down for the holidays all alone, my protective instincts has me turning the transport around against my better judgment.

I’ve craved Abby from afar, but she deserves so much better than a grumpy, washed-up ex-mercenary. Too bad the mate bond has other ideas, especially when the forecasted storm blows in early, snowing us in together.