Low-born Vera spent a year despised and hurt by Julian, her leopard beastman — to him, her purchase was shame. Heartbroken, she asked the Guild for a new contract and came home with the dragon nobody wanted, Cedric, unbowed by three years of taming. But he chose her. He shielded her, guarded her, and gave his life against every hunter. She understood at last. This contract is not taming, but two souls leaning on each other. When a plot aims at her unborn child, this dragon will tear down the city.