Nothing has gone as it should… Balar led his band of five brothers from the warring savannahs in the south to the human land of Eirea on the promise of two things: safety and mates.
In the growing village outside the human city of Dundúran, they’ve found the first. Yet, year after year, Balar watches as others find their destined mate, but never he nor any of his brothers.
What could an orc or fae have that he, Balar, a manticore in his prime, does not?
Everything is starting to go wrong… Imogen is a woman alone, and she likes it that way. Burdened with a large red birthmark upon her face, she’s kept herself apart from others.
With just her dog, donkey, and goats, she’s built a good life for herself out in the wilds beyond the village.
Everything is just as it should be—until one morning, she finds a big manticore sleeping on her land.
Life can change on a whim of fate… Imogen doesn’t like people. Or visitors. And especially not suitors. Too bad for her, this overgrown housecat has decided she’s his mate, no matter what she says.
Balar hasn’t come this far, talked to this many women, and waited this long to be denied. He’ll have his mate, prickles and all. Now, just to convince her.
And keep his nosy brothers in line long enough to woo her.
