Awakening the beast within Joe's heart is as rocky and impenetrable as the Arizona mountains he guards. Following the death of his partner, his dark reputation - and the ferocious cougar form he has the power to shape-shift into - spells danger to the unwary. Lyn is a woman on a mission. The dark-eyed shape-shifter has come to find out the truth about Joe's partner's death, but she quickly discovers she's vulnerable to Joe's power. As they hunt the mountains, seeking proof of Joe's innocence, can she trust her instincts about the proud loner? Especially when her judgement is overwhelmed by the wilder urgings of her heart...