One man is trapped in a continual existence of hellish nightmares-the other desperately seeks to see the silver eyes of his mate glow with happiness. Ten years ago, Charlie Chaunterel was saved from the clutches of a demon-but the scars of his captivity still haunt him. Isolated and lost in the dark corners of his mind, he's pushed away everyone, except the one man who never stopped protecting him. Bryan Etchason came to Stonepass as a teenager after Charlie's big brother rescued him from the labs. The moment he laid eyes on the feisty fifteen-year-old Charlie, he knew Charlie was his mate. The bond between them was undeniable, but then Bryan's creator took Charlie and his mate has spent the last decade fighting physical and emotional demons. But while Bryan longs to hold Charlie in his arms and heal the man he loves, he also knows that Charlie needs time-time to recover, to find himself again, before their bond can truly flourish. But Charlie's healing is more complicated than anyone expected. As his mind struggles to find peace, a mysterious voice whispers to him in the dark. Gentle, soothing, and impossibly familiar. Has Bryan's attempt to use their mate bond caused irrevocable damage or will their deep connection ultimately soothe Charlie's soul? Can Charlie find the strength to heal, to accept the love that's waiting for him? Or will the past-and the ghosts it brought-shatter any chance at happiness? Content Warning: This content may be emotionally challenging and includes discussions of depression and has an on page description of suicide attempt