After Ariela's abduction at Lane Livingston's Catwalk premiere, Lane returns to the Valley of Fire hoping demands will soon be made regarding Ariela's possible release. Angst-ridden, he turns to a former submissive and Ariela catches him in the throes of passion. Distraught over Lane's behavior, Ariela sets some ground rules.
Lane Livingston loves his mate but he won't let her run over him. Ariela isn't one to share even if a dominant man expects more liberal freedoms. Ariela's mates willingly share her due to the demanding lioness breeding bouts and she expects mutual understanding. After forgiving Lane for his indiscretions, Ariela and Lane mate for the first time. As their fiery passion burns wild, Ariela senses her other mates slipping away.
Jagger, Leon, and Sanchez go to the desert in hopes of finding Ariela but when they discover Ariela at Lane's home, they realize she is in awe of her new mate. Ariela is pregnant with Lane's child and is inexplicably drawn to him, something Lane Livingston knew would happen all along. In fact, he planned for it.