Lance Fitz is an orphan, lost in the foster care system. He's a survivor and tough as nails. Attacked and beaten, his attacker is murdered. Lance, with blood on his hands and a broken spirit, flees to the solitude of the peaceful pine forest of the Black Hills of South Dakota. Andrew Reed, a handsome shape shifter discovers a man in his barn loading a duffel bag with supplies. Before he can ask questions, the young man spots him and runs. Andrew chases after him. What he discovers at the end of a fast paced run through the woods astounds them both. Can Andrew help Lance heal enough to trust him? Can he convince Lance to stay before he runs out of Andrew's life, forever beyond his reach and the slavery that has him bound to the land and vampires?