Behind the small town of Barlow lies acres of vibrant green forest, rushing rivers full of natural life, and animals all preparing for their survival of the autumnal hunting season where the men of Barlow gather together to hunt not only for food, but for sport. Although it is illegal in Barlow to hunt animals for sport, it is not, in any way, illegal to hunt one man, and only one man: Judas Sloan.
Sloan Mansion is the only home built in Barlow forest, there are no cabins, there are no campsites. There is no indication that human life has tread the forest grounds. For that, there is good reason; Judas's home was cursed, and so was he.
When Judas was only an infant, his father killed a grizzly bear who unfortunately was the sister of a well-known Barlow witch. It was an accident, but that did not stop the witch from enacting revenge on his father by cursing his son. Judas was to never be allowed to step foot out of Sloan Mansion for the rest of his life.
After his father dies from years of alcoholism, Judas is left alone in the mansion, with no social contact, no one to speak to but the bare walls of the mansion. That is, until every Autumn where he is hunted and killed. Whoever manages to shoot Judas first, gets a large sum of money. It is a game. To them, Judas is no more human than the rabbits they slaughter. After all he deserves it, his father killed a witch. He was the son of a witch killer.
Judas cannot die. Not until it is natural of old age. Trust him, he has tried many times, sometimes he does it for fun, sometimes it is out of boredom, but he always ends up waking up again. Death does not want him, and neither, apparently, does life. He finds no meaning, until the day the daughter of a famous Barlow hunter stumbles into Sloan's home, and Judas, terrified to be alone again, refuses to let her leave, even if that means becoming the villain the people of Barlow have always thought he was.
He grabbed me, and I felt tingles go up my arms. I started to thrash around trying to get out of his grip. As much as my wolf wanted him, I didn't and I wouldn't give in.
"Let me go, dammit", I practically screamed at him.
"No. You're mine", he screamed back, sending shivers down my spine as I began to relax into him. I jumped suddenly scared that if I didn't stop myself then I would never want to go. I knew what I had to do.
"I, Emma St. Germain, reject you, Aiden Douglas, as my mate."
I sent him a pitiful look as he fell to the floor, through the mate bond I knew he was in pain. "I'm sorry," I whispered before running as far away from him as possible.
*****
She didn't want a mate, she just wanted to survive long enough to avenge her family. So when she finds out that Aiden Douglas, Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, is her mate, and he cheats on her. She rejects him and runs. He is trying to fight for her while she fights her demons. What is she supposed to do when her demons become real?
*****
Disclaimer: This is not a book with a happy ending or a love story. If you want a happy ending, this book isn't for you.
July 27th, 2019 - May 29th, 2020
Highest Rankings - #2 in Rouges, #12 in Lonewolf