Book excerpt: Help isn’t coming. When Carise wakes up on an alien planet running is her only chance at escape, even if being caught means death. She’d rather die than face whatever her captors plan to do to her. Guerran is no safe place for healing and every moment is fear. Until Jaek, a gentle giant of an alien, makes himself her protector. But when their fragile bond is tested, Carise knows she must find strength within herself to become brave enough to survive Guerran. This time she won’t let herself be taken. And she’s not leaving her mate behind.