*Completed* *2018 Watty's Longlist!!* *New summary* In the forest they waited. In the forest where the trees had eyes and legs made of root. In the forest where the beasts hunted when the sun fell. In the forest they waited, they waited a girl, not just any girl, but the girl who could break the curse.

"I am never going to love you," I hissed as I backed into the wall. "I will never let you touch me, mate me or make me yours. I hate you." His face lit up with a villainous grin as he rested his hands on the wall next to my head. "You say all those things," he growled lowly. "Yet I know what I do to you, I know how I make you feel, little mate." His hand cupped my cheek and I struggled to keep my eyes open as I clenched my jaw. "You will love me. You will let me touch you and I will mate you and make you mine." I trembled a little as his thumb ghosted over my lip and his eyes glowed harsh amber. My body felt like it was on fire. Why was he making it so hard to hate him? ~ When her pack is ravaged in a violent war, Ella struggles with the fact that her mate is the Alpha who initiated the attack on her pack, which killed her entire family. After being raised to hate the Jaxton Pack her whole life, Ella is torn with her desire to mate with the glorious looking wolf that is her mate, who has the ability to set her body alight with just a few words, or stay true to the beliefs she had grown up with.

Maya, an innocent nurse, finds herself forced to accept protection from the Phantoms motorcycle gang, specifically the dangerous, irresistible biker, Jake Ford. ***** Maya has a normal life and a normal boyfriend, Sebastian. But one day she drops off a letter to a prison for a patient under her care, and finds herself being watched over by a dangerous, handsome biker. It turns out Maya is under the protection of Jake Ford, and despite her feelings for Sebastian, she can't resist the pull of Jake's strong arms, dark looks and chequered past. Soon criminals are coming after her, and Jake is the only one who can keep her safe. Will Maya hide behind her good-girl reputation, or let go and lose herself in the passionate world of Jake Ford? Content and/or trigger warning: This story contains scenes of violence and sexual activity, which may be triggering for some readers. [[word count: 150,000-200,000 words]] Cover designer: Ren T. Photographer: Michelle Lancaster Model: Jaxon Human