After the death of her mother and brother at the hands of the MacKays, Brenna has hidden her identity, pretending to be a lad named Bren. She is comfortable with this guise until she meets a warrior trekking across the Highlands to join the Bruce. That man happens to be Rafael MacKay, a devilishly handsome Highlander who is also in hiding. He’s taken on the name of Rafe MacLeod, as his MacKay kin are despised by many. And when he meets a strange lad named Bren, he has no compunctions of keeping that lie going. Until Rafe learns that Bren is really Brenna, and he understands why he had such an odd reaction to her.
But she knows him as Rafe MacLeod. Her hiding is a result of a tragic history, and the last thing he wants to do is complicate matters by admitting who he truly is. Unfortunately, as his love for Brenna deepens, he learns more of her history and realizes if she ever discovers who he is, she would hate him forever. But he doesn’t expect her to fall for him as well, and they have to keep their love hidden from the distrustful eyes of her clan. When the moment comes that Rafe’s true identity is discovered and he realizes he could lose everything, Rafe is most distraught that Brenna might turn from him, that his MacKay ties will be stronger than his passionate ties to Brenna. And at that final hour, Brenna must make a choice – a choice that will mean life or death for Rafe.