In search of distraction, Aster, a prickly young mage with barely controlled power, and Nash, a packless werewolf, find themselves in the same MMORPG. Aster's not much for chatting, but Nash doesn't mind-he's just grateful for the help fighting spiders in an area he's underleveled for. Neither expects their connection to extend beyond the game, but fate intervenes when Aster finds himself stranded one night. With no other options, he reluctantly reaches out to Nash for a ride. As Nash arrives to help, both are stunned to realise they've met before.

[Sequel to Frayed Ties] Fanner has spent his entire life being an unwanted failure of a Companion, so even if training to become a healer means a life of isolation and pain it isn't so bad because at least it's something he's good at. At least he's valued. And then one day things go too far and he proves himself the ultimate failure at that as well. Afraid of the consequences of his actions, he runs away. Yore isn't expecting to find an injured Companion of all things on his way back home, and he's immediately suspicious. He wants to treat the young man kindly and tell him everything is going to be okay, but there's too much at stake to risk telling him anything until Yore can be sure he's not there to spy on them. Can they find trust in one another while they're both holding onto so many secrets?