After years of being in a walking coma, Jeremy, an elephant shifter, isn’t sure he wants a mate, but when the crab shifter who took care of him during his illness makes the ultimate sacrifice to give him a second chance, all of his resistance breaks down.

For Jeremy, being awake and aware again is a miracle. He’s been in a walking coma for years, and knows his recovery could be temporary. No one knows why the medicine worked, or how long he’ll have before a possible relapse. Jeremy plans his days only hours ahead and can’t make commitments further out than that just in case.

Which is why he absolutely cannot have a mate. He won’t force someone else to live with him while he’s being a zombie again. It wouldn’t be fair.

Ansel knows he’s Jeremy’s mate. He’s known it for years, and he helped take care of him when he was in Florida. Now he’s traveled to Washington to be with him and no matter what happens to Jeremy, Ansel is prepared to stay by his side. Ansel loves him, he only wishes that Jeremy would take him seriously for once and stop pushing him away.