A mating ritual as old as time could be the death of them both...

Jax's yearly mating cycle couldn't come at a more inconvenient time. He's on the verge of ending seven years of exile and claiming his birthright, but for 24 hours he'll be vulnerable to his enemies, alone and in agony—unless he can find a willing partner. He thinks he's found the perfect solution in the beautiful slave Waverly. He'll buy her at any price, and after it's over, he'll give her the one thing all slaves crave. Freedom.

But Waverly isn't really a slave. She's a transport pilot double crossed by Junkeaters and sold to a notorious gunrunner. Escape is the only thing on her mind—and she better disappear fast, before her own heat reaches a crescendo.

Before she can slip away, the overpowering need to mate crashes over them, the intensity taking them both by surprise. But the Inter-World Council is out to hang Jax for a crime he didn't commit, Junkeaters are hot on their trail, and ruthless arms traders are gunning for them.

Their passion may burn hot enough to last a lifetime, but first they must survive.

This book has been previously published and has been revised and expanded from its original release.