A young woman named Irena, unaware of her family's cursed past, arrives in New Orleans to reunite with her brother Paul, who she has not seen since their parents' untimely deaths. The siblings share a mysterious familial heritage that they are only just beginning to understand. As Irena struggles with feelings of loneliness and a desire for connection, her bond with her brother deepens, revealing a sensual and dangerous family secret. Irena attempts to navigate her new life and starts working at a local zoo, developing a special affinity with the big cats, particularly a majestic leopard.

Irena meets Oliver, a zoo curator, and they quickly form a romantic relationship. However, Irena's newfound happiness is overshadowed by her growing fear of intimacy, as the family curse looms over her. Paul, becoming increasingly unstable, pressures Irena to accept their destiny, and their dark heritage begins to surface. Unnatural occurrences linked to Paul unfold, forcing Irena to confront the terrifying truth about their bloodline and the inescapable curse that dictates a chilling transformation triggered by passion.