Sequel to the epic, world-spanning Surrogate. Alien Scum. Royal Concubine. Destroyer of Traditions. Alyward Etain Ixtii detests the hate-wielding labels others place on her, but there is one label she wholeheartedly embraces--Mom. With her husband, Leigheas, their five children, and her goddaughter relying on her, Etain manages a careful balance between her family, her diplomatic career, and her problematic, opinionated breeding instinct dubbed She-Beast. But balance can't help when Etain and her Human goddaughter, seventeen-year-old Brigit Feney, must run for their lives. Brigit and Etain have been abducted and transported via stolen wormhole technology to the planet Clkya, where the primary government, Clkya Sa, sees them as meat-production livestock. When the militaristic Znyrs religious cult offers protection from the Cycalk meat markets, Etain accepts Defender Stra Ttla and her wife Yalntry Sar's assistance and eventual affections, ensuring Brigit's survival while denying herself thoughts of family and She-Beast her greatest desire--fellow captive, multi-lingual entomologist and Earth pagan, Mateo Sato. However, Etain's dreams and She-Beast's cravings will be destroyed if Clkya Sa has its way. The blood-thirsty government wants its livestock returned and the Znyrs eliminated so they're colluding with Etain's old enemy, Usurer Serria, to accomplish their goals. The hunt is on and survival is the only option.