After recovering from a deadly case of Vax, Dawn Reavers awoke on a space vessel with no way to return home to Earth. The stern alien she'd befriended refused to listen to her pleas and take her back so she must adapt to this new environment. Venik Avar was reluctantly intrigued and attracted to the human he'd rescued from her backward world. Instead of being grateful, she's aggressive and stubborn despite his attempts to show her consideration. When an attack targets the soft skinned human, Venik ignores protocol and follows his instinct to protect what belongs to him.