Kirjahaku

Love is something everyone longs for at the deepest level-but for some, love is a curse. This is most certainly true for Asher Lake, the Keeper of an unknown group of people called ani-shifts. Ani-shifts, those with the ability to shift into animal forms, compose a secretive body of individuals known simply as the Union. A wolf in shifter form, Asher lives with a curse placed upon him and his predecessors by the elusive Raven-a dark entity whose identity remains a mystery. According to the ancient archives, the Raven's curse is conditional and set in motion by one fatal decision: if a Keeper ever allows himself to fall in love, he will die. Choosing to live in isolation within the walls of Lake Manor, a private estate concealed by the dense woods of Brokenridge, Asher has vowed never to love or to fall in love with anyone believing it to be the only way to survive the curse. However, after ten years of neglecting his people and the prot g s left in his care, along with the impending threats of an uprising, Asher learns the only way to break the Raven's curse on future Keepers, thereby preventing them from suffering the same fate, is to accept his. This becomes Asher's biggest challenge of all when he encounters Elle Ison, the woman of his dreams. Does Elle hold the key? Can she help Asher change his fate?

When Elle Ison finally flees from a five-year abusive relationship, she finds that freedom is still just beyond her grasp. She has no place to run, no money and no options. That is until a band of mysterious, good-looking heroes come to her rescue, sweeping Elle up into the world of ani-shifts, humans with the ability to shift into animal form. Elle becomes mesmerized by the magic of their world-one she believed only existed in her imagination-and the mystery surrounding the Lake family. Especially the intimidating Asher Lake who is charged with leading the secret organization of shifters known as the Union, and the prot g s left in his care. Elle is lost and lonely-and wants nothing more than to be part of a real family, even one as broken and dysfunctional as the Lakes. But if Elle chooses to stay, she must bind herself all over again-this time by archival laws which dictate that she make a commitment to a man who has vowed never to fall in love. For Elle, this means forfeiting the one dream she has never realized. Elle must weigh her options: should she give in and relinquish her right to dream of love...or will she leave the safety of Lake Manor behind, along with the family she has come to care for-and never look back.

Asher Lake, a wolf in his ani-shift form and Keeper to his people and the prot g 's left in his care, knows what he wants. He wants to reform the Union, become a better man, and test fate. Determined that Elle Ison has a place in his life, he sets out to discover just what that place is-while pursuing the one thing that might open doors to provide answers, to the curse hanging over his life, namely his stolen medallion. Elle Ison, along with Asher's brothers, Ari and Nixon, share two specific things in common-a love for Asher-and a desire to keep him alive anyway they can. Even if that means setting off on a fool's quest or making certain sacrifices to keep him that way.

From the moment Asher Lake, a wolf in his animal form and Keeper to the body of ani-shifts known as the Union, walks into his office to find a stranger standing before the window, he knows things are about to get interesting. When this mysterious man, wearing red Chuck Taylor's, not only offers him a job but goes on to explain that he was specifically designed to do the job, Asher is quite hesitant and a bit confused. Still, with nothing to lose, Asher begins to set things into motion. However with a surplus of enemies always lurking-the task isn't easy. But then...when has his life ever been? And if that isn't enough-amid staggering disclosures, trials, and the customary Lake family drama, Asher realizes that not only is his fianc e struggling emotionally, her unexplained power is growing stronger. With his wedding fast approaching and wishing he could just be a normal man in love-not one cursed by the illusive Raven-Asher Lake conducts an experiment that leaves them both wondering if they will ever truly be together...