Nicky was abandoned by his pride when he lost the challenge for Dominic's council seat the year before. He refused Dominic's offer to stay with the pride and become a member, and instead fled to the human world, where he works in a bar. The last thing he expects is for his mate to be the pretty man who walks into the bar and gets drunk.
When AndrE isn't able to go back to the mansion on his own, Nicky decides to drive him there. He doesn't know how the pride will greet him, and once AndrE is safe, he flees. AndrE is his mate, though, and he feels drawn to the mansion. He needs to keep AndrE safe, and if that means making the pride's battles his own, Nicky will do it eagerly, even if it means going against human hunters when they attack.