She fought for her freedom. He's dying without her. Fate doesn't care what either of them wants.

Laya survived four brutal Chases to remain unclaimed—the only free female wolf in generations. She chose scars over submission, solitude over a mate who would strip away her autonomy. The last thing she needs is a diplomatic mission to dragon territory.

Kaeldric, advisor to the Dragon King, has been dying for months—his dragon slowly fading because he denied a mate bond he couldn't accept. When he finally finds her, she's everything he dreamed of and nothing he expected: a wolf warrior who would rather gut him than accept destiny's claim.

One broken railing. One frozen river. One impossible bond neither can escape.

Stranded in the wilderness with only each other, enemies must become allies to survive. But survival is only the beginning. Because when they return to civilisation, their bond will either unite two warring peoples... or ignite the war that destroys them both.

A fierce wolf who refuses to be claimed. A dying dragon who's running out of time. And a mate bond that demands the one thing neither wants to give.