Snakes, Cake, and Tension

At a pride party, Bailey's affinity for snakes unnerves her fellow shifters, but her irreverent humor and sharp tongue keep her at the center of attention. Her friends, especially Alpha Havana, urge her to rein in her reptilian companions, but Bailey's loyalty to her inner mamba and her need for connection run deep. Amidst the laughter and chaos, hints of deeper loneliness and the pride's complex social web emerge, setting the stage for the emotional and romantic entanglements to come.

Touch-Hunger and Temptation

Deke, a dominant pallas cat shifter, is tormented by touch-hunger—a physical and emotional need for contact that's become unbearable. His cat is withdrawn, rejecting intimacy, and Deke's frustration simmers. Bailey, with her teasing and unpredictable nature, becomes both a source of irritation and temptation. Their banter is electric, masking a mutual attraction neither wants to admit. The pride's watchful eyes and Deke's unresolved promise to another woman, Dayna, complicate the simmering tension between them.

Family Ties and Old Wounds

When Bailey's cousin Roman, presumed dead, reappears seeking protection from a dangerous jackal pack, old wounds are reopened. Bailey's history as a loner, abandoned by her nest after her parents' deaths, is revealed. Her refusal to help Roman underscores her hard-won independence and the pride's code of loyalty. The threat of the jackals lingers, and Bailey's sense of belonging is tested, even as her friends rally around her.

Catfishing and Deception

Deke is blindsided when a human woman, Maisy, confronts him about an online relationship he never had. Someone has been impersonating him, seducing women and sowing confusion. Bailey's hacking skills uncover a web of fake profiles implicating pride members, but the true culprit remains hidden. The incident exposes vulnerabilities in the pride's trust and Deke's own sense of self, while Bailey's resourcefulness and loyalty shine.

Unraveling Vows and Loyalties

Deke's long-distance vow to Dayna, his former lover, becomes a source of strain as he grapples with his feelings for Bailey. Dayna's absence and Deke's growing attraction to Bailey create a storm of jealousy, guilt, and longing. Bailey, meanwhile, is drawn into the pride's drama, facing accusations and navigating her own complicated feelings. The pride's intricate relationships—friendships, rivalries, and unspoken desires—are laid bare, setting the stage for upheaval.

Escalating Threats

Bailey becomes the target of increasingly violent attacks: acid, sabotage, and gunfire. Each incident is more brazen, threatening not just her but the pride's sense of safety. The attacks are orchestrated to look like random violence or the work of old enemies, but suspicion grows within the pride. Bailey's resilience is tested, and Deke's protective instincts intensify, drawing them closer even as the danger escalates.

Lines Crossed, Lines Drawn

The relentless pressure and shared danger push Bailey and Deke past their breaking point. Their physical connection explodes, providing relief from touch-hunger and forging a deeper bond. Yet, both are wary—Bailey of being used, Deke of betraying his word. Their intimacy is raw, honest, and fraught with the risk of heartbreak. The pride watches, some with approval, others with envy or suspicion.

Collision Course

The investigation into the attacks and the catfishing intensifies. Bailey's skills and Deke's determination uncover layers of betrayal, implicating pride members and revealing old grudges. The pride's unity is strained as secrets come to light. Meanwhile, Dayna's return threatens to upend the fragile peace between Bailey and Deke, forcing all involved to confront what—and who—they truly want.

Acid, Anger, and Aftermath

After surviving an acid attack and a near-fatal car crash, Bailey's anger burns hot. The pride rallies to her side, but trust is frayed. Deke's guilt and protectiveness deepen, and the two find solace in each other's arms. The attacks are revealed to be part of a calculated campaign, and the pride's leadership is forced to take drastic action to protect their own.

The Web Tightens

The investigation points to Therese, a pride member driven by jealousy and manipulation, as the mastermind behind the attacks and the catfishing. Her alliance with Gerard, Dayna's ex, is exposed. Their plot to break up Deke and Bailey, and to punish Dayna for perceived betrayals, is laid bare. The pride is rocked by the revelation, and justice is swift and brutal.

Secrets, Scars, and Surrender

In the aftermath, Bailey and Deke open up about their histories—their scars, losses, and the walls they've built. Bailey reveals her time in the Movement, a secret shifter resistance, and Deke shares the loneliness of being a dominant among submissives. Their honesty deepens their connection, and they begin to trust in a future together, even as the imprinting process between them stirs.

The Catfish Revealed

The true extent of the catfishing is revealed: Therese, with Gerard's help, orchestrated the deception to manipulate Dayna and Deke. The pride confronts the traitors, and Bailey's resourcefulness ensures justice is served. The ordeal leaves the pride shaken but stronger, and Bailey and Deke's bond is cemented by their shared ordeal.

Shots Fired, Bonds Tested

As Bailey and Camden are targeted by a sniper, the pride's unity and resolve are tested. Bailey's quick thinking and fighting skills save her life, and the pride closes ranks to eliminate the threat. The ordeal brings Bailey and Deke even closer, and the pride's faith in their leadership is restored.

Imprinting and Unraveling

The trauma and triumphs of recent events push Bailey and Deke to the brink of full imprinting—a shifter's deepest bond. Both are wary, shaped by past betrayals, but their love and trust grow. The pride celebrates their union, and the couple begins to envision a future together, even as they remain vigilant against new threats.

Betrayal in the Pride

In a desperate bid for revenge and validation, Therese kidnaps Bailey, intending to sell her to extremists. Bailey's cunning and the loyalty of her snake allies turn the tables, and Therese meets a brutal end. The pride is forced to reckon with the consequences of internal betrayal, and Bailey's survival cements her place as both feared and beloved.

The Final Confrontation

The pride confronts Gerard and Dayna, whose manipulations and selfishness are exposed. Bailey's victory over Therese is both cathartic and sobering. The pride's leadership reasserts control, and Bailey and Deke's relationship is publicly affirmed. The couple's imprinting bond solidifies, and the pride begins to heal.

Healing, Home, and Harmony

With the threats vanquished and the pride united, Bailey and Deke move in together, blending their lives and quirks. The pride celebrates new life and new bonds, and Bailey finds a sense of belonging she never thought possible. Their love, forged in adversity, becomes a source of strength for them both.

Mates, Madness, and Moving Forward

As Bailey and Deke settle into mated life, their banter and passion remain as fiery as ever. The pride's eccentricities and dramas continue, but the couple faces them together, stronger for all they've endured. Their story is one of healing, acceptance, and the wild, unpredictable joy of finding a true partner—madness and all.

Characters

Bailey Bryant

Bailey is a black mamba shifter whose sharp wit, irreverence, and penchant for chaos mask deep scars from abandonment and betrayal. Orphaned and cast out by her nest, she survived as a loner before finding a home in the Olympus Pride. Her loyalty to her friends is absolute, and her inner mamba is both her shield and her weapon. Bailey's psychological armor is humor and provocation, but beneath it lies a longing for acceptance and love. Her journey is one of learning to trust, to let herself be loved, and to claim her place as both a mate and a leader.

Deke Hammond

Deke is a dominant pallas cat shifter, an enforcer whose gruff exterior and rigid sense of honor conceal a deep loneliness. Raised among submissives, he's always felt apart, and his cat's recent withdrawal is a manifestation of that isolation. Deke's loyalty to the pride is unwavering, but his personal life is complicated by a long-standing vow to Dayna and a growing, reluctant attraction to Bailey. His journey is one of breaking free from old promises, embracing vulnerability, and finding joy in the unpredictable chaos of love.

Havana

Havana is the pride's Alpha female and Bailey's honorary sister. A devil shifter, she is both a source of strength and a voice of reason. Her relationship with Bailey is a blend of exasperation and deep affection, and she is unafraid to challenge or protect those she loves. Havana's leadership is marked by pragmatism, loyalty, and a willingness to do what's necessary for the pride's survival.

Aspen

Aspen is one of Bailey's closest friends, a bearcat shifter whose humor and warmth balance Bailey's sharp edges. She is fiercely protective, quick to call out nonsense, and unafraid to get her hands dirty. Aspen's relationship with Camden is a model of mutual respect and support, and her presence is a stabilizing force in the pride.

Camden

Camden is Aspen's mate and a former loner like Bailey. His quiet strength and dark humor make him a formidable ally. Camden's past mirrors Bailey's in many ways, and their shared experiences create a bond of understanding. He is a man of few words but deep loyalty, and his love for Aspen is unwavering.

Dayna

Dayna is Deke's former lover, a pallas cat shifter whose long absence and broken promises haunt the pride. Her return is a catalyst for the final unraveling of old loyalties and the forging of new ones. Dayna's inability to let go, her manipulations, and her ultimate defeat at Bailey's hands mark her as both a tragic and antagonistic figure.

Therese

Therese is a pride member whose jealousy and sense of inferiority drive her to orchestrate the attacks and catfishing that nearly destroy the pride. Her alliance with Gerard and her obsession with Deke reveal a deep-seated need for validation and belonging. Therese's unraveling is both a cautionary tale and a testament to the dangers of unchecked resentment.

Gerard

Gerard is Dayna's ex and Therese's co-conspirator. His manipulations and willingness to hurt others for personal gain make him a dangerous presence in the pride. Ultimately, his cowardice and self-interest are his undoing, and his betrayal leaves lasting scars.

Tate

Tate is the pride's Alpha male, a source of stability and authority. His leadership is marked by fairness, strength, and a deep commitment to his people. Tate's relationship with Havana and his willingness to trust Bailey and Deke are central to the pride's resilience.

Isaiah

Isaiah is a pallas cat enforcer whose own struggles with loneliness and longing for a mate mirror Deke's. His decision to seek an arranged mating highlights the pride's evolving attitudes toward love, loyalty, and belonging.

Plot Devices

Touch-Hunger and Shifter Physiology

The recurring motif of touch-hunger—a shifter's desperate need for physical contact—serves as both a literal and symbolic driver of the plot. It exposes vulnerabilities, accelerates intimacy, and forces characters to confront their emotional needs. The physiological realities of shifter life (imprinting, mating bonds, animal instincts) are used to explore themes of trust, belonging, and the struggle to overcome past trauma.

Catfishing and Deception

The use of fake online profiles and impersonation is a central plot device, creating confusion, sowing distrust, and exposing the pride's vulnerabilities. The mystery of the catfisher's identity drives much of the narrative, serving as a metaphor for the ways people hide their true selves and the dangers of misplaced trust.

Internal Betrayal

The revelation that the attacks and manipulations are orchestrated by pride members (Therese and Gerard) rather than external enemies heightens the sense of paranoia and tests the pride's unity. This device forces characters to confront uncomfortable truths about loyalty, jealousy, and the corrosive power of resentment.

Imprinting and Mating Bonds

The slow progression of the imprinting process between Bailey and Deke mirrors their emotional journey. The uncertainty, setbacks, and eventual completion of the bond serve as both a romantic climax and a symbol of healing and acceptance. The bond's formation is foreshadowed by moments of vulnerability, shared danger, and mutual sacrifice.

Foreshadowing and Red Herrings

The narrative is structured to keep readers guessing, with multiple suspects, shifting alliances, and red herrings. Early hints about Therese's jealousy, Gerard's manipulations, and Dayna's unresolved feelings are woven throughout, building to a series of confrontations and revelations that reward careful attention.

Humor and Banter

The story's tone is balanced by sharp humor, irreverent banter, and moments of absurdity. These elements provide relief from the tension, deepen character relationships, and underscore the resilience of the pride in the face of adversity.

Analysis

Suzanne Wright's When He's Torn is a shifter romance that transcends its genre trappings by delving deeply into themes of trust, trauma, and the messy, nonlinear path to healing. At its core, the novel is about the search for belonging—how wounds from the past can shape, but not define, our capacity for love and connection. Bailey and Deke's journey is both a love story and a psychological exploration: their banter and battles are as much about testing boundaries as they are about forging intimacy. The use of shifter physiology—touch-hunger, imprinting, animal instincts—serves as a powerful metaphor for the human need for touch, acceptance, and safety. The plot's central mystery, involving catfishing and internal betrayal, is a commentary on the dangers of unchecked resentment and the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths. Ultimately, the novel argues that true strength lies not in isolation or dominance, but in vulnerability, honesty, and the willingness to let others in. The pride, with all its quirks and conflicts, becomes a microcosm of found family—a place where even the most damaged can find home. The story's humor, sensuality, and emotional honesty make it both a compelling romance and a meditation on what it means to be truly seen and loved.

Last updated: September 26, 2025