When Ruby gets the news of the death of her chosen mate, she decides to run away and live among the humans so as to not meet her Fated Mate in honor of his memory. With the help of her friend, the witch, she can even placate her wolf in the back of her mind with the help of a simple potion. Meanwhile there is a war coming to all in the shifter world. While working one day, Ruby gets a call from her Alpha father, Jack, asking her to come home as her presence is needed immediately to avoid a takeover from a neighboring pack. She is now in line to be Alpha of the Crystal River pack and she must accept this time. She does not accept the title of Alpha, but she does begrudgingly accept to visit home to help and be there for her family. She walks in her father's office upon return and freezes in her tracks after being hit with the most intoxicating scent... "Mate?" she heard her wolf for the first time in five years.