Julia is happy with her place in the shifter community as the owner of the famous shifter bar, The Backwater. But the life she's created for herself isn't enough to satisfy her crazy-ass mother, Lucinda, who shops her and her sister, Krystal, around to the pure blood shifters like pieces of meat. Only a born shifter mate is good enough for her girls. Thomas James has his hands full as the shifter king's head of security. He certainly wasn't looking for a girlfriend during the first annual shifter gathering. He had the king and queen to protect, not skirts to chase. A childhood of emotional and physical abuse by his birth father has left Thomas emotionally unavailable and uninterested in romantic relationships. His father Tim's cruelty to his mother and brother molded him into an extremely protective person. No one messes with his loved ones without answering to him. Even though Julia and Thomas are destined to be mates, the obstacles standing between them and their happily-ever-after seem insurmountable. Lucinda insists Julia stay away from the filthy human. Tim is trying to kill every one Thomas loves. The mysterious Benevolent Sovereign, who is trying to overthrow the throne, has sent swampers to attack Thomas and destroy Julia's livelihood. With family like theirs, who needs enemies? Will Julia and Thomas's happiness be snuffed out before it has a chance to begin or will they forge through - obstacles be damned.