Gabe and Naomi are best friends, but Gabe is ready to move to being mated, and happy in love. Naomi, a latent shifter has just taken a new place of prominence in her Pride and doesn't want to jeopardize anything. Plus, her past has her feeling like she won't be able to mate with Gabe.

Gabe coming up with a fake arranged marriage to ask Naomi to get him out of it was so funny and ridiculous. Lol. It made me laugh out loud. Only a man would think of something so convoluted. But he was serious about his mate. I loved that he was so broody, and grumpy. I also loved his grunts that were the bear language, lol. His hatred of locks was hilarious. Nothing was going to keep him from Naomi. I wanted to hug her so tight, poor worried thing. I understood her fear and her past was a tough scar. But Gabe was sure enough for both of them until she was too and it was so passionate. Those two were also pretty sexy. Gabe turned his Naomi all the way out and she soaked up his attention and loved it. It was so good. 

Brent and Mercedes feel a kind of instant attraction, but their kinds don't usually mix. Mercedes is a witch, with the power to coax, calm, and soothe. Shifters worry about being manipulated, especially in their animal form, so they usually steer clear of witches. Except Brent can't. And doesn't want to. He agrees to be Sadie's "secret" lover, but he knows it's forever, even if she won't admit it.

I really liked the forbidden love aspect of this. Brent only reluctantly becoming the alpha and needing a mate but stuck on one deemed unsuitable was a great internal struggle that gave him layers. I loved how confident he was, but also how vulnerable he was, and fearful of losing control. Mercedes was a great match for him, and her powers suited him. She was powerful and demanding of his true self--she didn't let him hide. He couldn't wear a mask with her and he was better for it. The two of them were passionate and very sexy. Her grandmothers offered some lightheartedness and comic relief. The alpha challenge was a pretty emotional and gave the story some heft. This one was full of feeling. I was sad when it was over.