Detective Ethan Grainger is horrified when a public official is found dead in the park, killed by an animal. He immediately fears it's a shifter kill and heads for The Ark, where he seeks out Nuala Lazare, a Kindred pregnant by Ethan's late partner Shade. He'd come to terms with Chicago's supernatural underground, but because Nuala holds him responsible for Shade's death—and because he is attracted to her—he's avoided her until now.

Ethan is the last man Nuala wants to see, and she has enough to deal with being near term and realizing her fatherless child will be a half-breed like her brother Luc, who experienced tremendous prejudice and guilt while growing up. She plans to move from The Ark to live like a human for her daughter.

Ethan must keep Shade's child from being corrupted by the criminal element of the Kindred Lazare clan. Which means he must get close to Nuala—not an easy task. As they get to know each other, their attraction becomes unbearable. Will Ethan keep his loyalty to his murdered partner or succumb to the irresistible temptation of his chemistry with Nuala?