as an undercover reporter working in an upscale shifter bar, ava cassington's mission is to expose dragon shifters who murdered her coven and entire family of witches. she's got a job to do and no dragon, no matter how handsome or swoon worthy, will stop her from doing what she knows is right.damon skyler, a dragon shifter reaching the half-century mark, is a rich playboy who has evaded fate so far. who needs a mate? not damon. he's convinced that a life without beauty is preferable to finding a mate. love and marriage lead to death and misery when the human half dies, leaving the shifter to slowly go insane. and while the delectable little witch makes him wonder, he's sticking to his guns.when damon and ava discover their joined fates, damon hides while ava has a potion and a plan that will not only reveal the deadly dragons but set damon on the path to his own destruction. it's a race against time before they collide and destroy each other. can damon convince ava not all dragons are out to hurt people, or will ava reject their once-in-a-lifetime bond?