A sensitive wolf shifter and a vicious vampire challenge history, greed, and the very fabric of their beings in order to stay together until forever comes.
Plagued by pain and weakness all his life, Ethan Abbatt is a wolf shifter who can’t shift. Hoping to find an honorable death by joining his pack mates in a vampire attack, Ethan instead learns two things: draining his blood releases his pain and his wolf, and he has a true mate - a vampire named Miguel.
Over four centuries old, strong, powerful, and vicious, Miguel Rodriguez walks through life as a shadow, without happiness or affection. When a young shifter tells Miguel they’re true mates, destined to be together, Miguel sends him away. But Ethan is persistent and being together comes so naturally that Miguel can’t resist for long. The challenge is keeping themselves alive so they can stay by each other’s side until forever comes.
Word count: 60,702
Chapter 1
I’m going to confess that this here was not how I had seen the night going. Trapped in a dark—and, might I add, stinky—alley. Surrounded by bloodsuckers. Two pack mates in wolf form passed out against the wheel of a truck, not clear whether they were living or dead. The rest of our ragtag crew had already skedaddled, frantic to make it home so they could lick their wounds before they passed out. And the tall, fierce vampire responsible for fully half of the pummeling we’d taken still looked fit as a fiddle as he stalked toward me. His long black hair blew behind him while he swiped his hands on his shirt to remove shifter entrails, spit on the ground to ensure that the blood in his mouth wouldn’t get absorbed into his system, and glared at me furiously.
“Ralph, don’t,” Scariest-of-Them-All growled at the bloodsucker that…
This book was simply music to my ears, right down to the most non-descript moan.
I would definitely recommend it in either format.
As I am writing this review, I am realizing this book has a bit of a Romeo and Juliet feel. Two lovers from opposite worlds with families that hate one another, destined to be together despite their differences and the disapproval of others. It is subtle, but definitely there as we explore the worlds of both vampires and shifters in this story. I just love that combination, and author Cardeno C does a great job creating this world where the two exist as enemies. ... It was an interesting take on these two paranormal groups and one that was well developed. But the highlight of this story for me is Ethan and Miguel. I just adored both of them. Ethan is a force to be reckoned with. Despite being small and sick and much younger than Miguel, he has determination and passion for what he believes. Once Ethan realizes Miguel is his mate, he doesn't hesitate one moment in his conviction that they are meant to be together. He is willing to give up his old life and march himself right into Miguel's, despite Miguel's bewilderment at this force of nature. ....I just adored Ethan. Despite being small and young, he is brave and committed and full of determination. I found him incredibly endearing and couldn't help but root for him. Miguel is also a great character. He is the fiercest of all the vampires, old and powerful and dangerous. But he treats Ethan with such care and love right…
Ethan may be very young and naive, but he was willing to fight for what he wanted and Miguel would be his! Miguel lived a long time alone, never expecting to find happiness, so when Ethan arrived; he had to fight his need to keep Ethan safe versus his own desires. The love and acceptance between Ethan and Miguel was inspiring as they stood by each other to overcome their problems together.