Blackwater Pack

Ryker’s been away from home for six long years, undergoing the rigorous training required of the next pack alpha. Now he’s back, ready to take his place as the leader of Blackwater’s wolves and to claim the man he’s always wanted to be his mate. Austin can’t remember a time when he wasn’t attracted to Ryker, but when Ryker left town, so did Austin’s dreams that they would, one day, be together.

Everyone has that special someone - their first love. The memory of that person who brings butterflies to your stomach and a smile to your lips. My first love was Owen Moore. He was my best friend's older brother - a broad, strapping alpha who never failed to make me feel safe. I spent most of my childhood at the Moore's house, their open warmth a welcome relief from the cold reception my own parents gave me. Owen never looked twice at me then. Now, I'm back in Blackwater, teaching at the local school. Owen's in Blackwater, too, protecting and serving as part of the police force.

I have a confession to make. I'm not used to being the center of anyone's attention. I know that I've been sheltered. I was adopted by humans, and by the time I was introduced to the Blackwater Pack, I was awkward and shy around other wolves - something that never really went away. I keep trying to claw myself out of my comfort zone, but until now, I've never had a compelling reason.

I know that I can be gruff and blunt, and I've never really been the romantic type. Still, I thought we were happy together. It turns out my ex didn’t see things the same way. He cleared out my bank account and skipped town with another man, leaving me to pick up the pieces of our broken dreams alone. Let’s get one thing clear: I'm not ready for another relationship. But that doesn't mean I'm not up for a little distraction with an attractive coworker.

I've given advice to half the town through my weekly advice column, but I can't seem to take any of those great gems and apply them to my own life. Namely: Just get over him, already! I've spent two years pining after an arrogant playboy of an alpha, watching him flirt with every unattached omega in town. All the while, my wolf has been howling at me to do something, to make this right. 

I've known him since we were kids. We were best friends, sharing everything - until I made a mistake and got a girl pregnant. Pretty soon, I was a single dad while I was still a kid myself. Our friendship suffered. He joined the military. And I thought I'd never get another chance to let him know what he really means to me. Now he's back, reeling from the loss of his newborn baby's father, and he needs a place to stay while he settles back into parenthood and small town living. I won't pressure him. I won't rush him. And if he's still not interested, I'll let him go.

It was your classic case of opposites. I was the football star; he was the class clown that put itching powder in my jockstrap. I'm laid-back; he's in-your-face loud. I've told everyone for years that I hate him...but hate has an opposite, too. His name is Tripp. He's a social media star. And he's so damn vibrant he makes my teeth ache. And I need to ask him for a favor.

I never thought I’d meet my mate at the dentist’s office, but when I take my daughter to get her tooth pulled, he’s right there waiting. I recognize Jamie’s scent as soon as I walk in, and it’s making my inner wolf crazy. And when I see how great he is with my daughter, my heart melts. I need him to be mine. We’re scorched by the heat of our chemistry, and I can’t get enough of the man. But when Jamie starts to pull away, I don’t know if I can keep the omega as my own. 

I’m investigating the disappearance of a senator’s son, and I can’t help but think the man is as dirty as they come. When I see he’s hired Percy to be his lawyer it makes me sick. The alpha is supposed to be my fated mate, but I could never want a man who protects criminals. Percy’s pure heart has him parting ways with the senator and soon we’re teaming up to find the victim. I’m losing my heart to the alpha wolf, and there’s no place I’d rather be than in his arms.