Shaara, a young woman, stolen from a California college, finds herself immersed in a culture she often doesn't understand. Before her husband leaves to return to his home world to battle in a brewing war, Shaara is not only bonded to four Warrior Shapechanger, but given in marriage to one of them. Her new husband is called her Second, but Shaara is unsure what that means.

Her guardians vow to keep her and her son safe, but to do so, the group finds that they must journey to an un-touched planet where they must construct a shelter and learn to live in the wilderness