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Bonded to the Alpha #1
Bonded to the Alpha
Bonded mates are rare, and every wolf knows that the killing of a bond-mate is punishable by death. But nineteen-year-old Callum is fully human, woefully ignorant of Pack Law, and when an accidental encounter with a frenzied beta leaves the wolf dead and Callum battered but alive, he finds himself facing the wrath of the pack -- until the dead wolf’s mate invokes the right to claim Callum as his own.
With his life on the line, Callum’s only choice is to bond with the troubled alpha, and carve a place for himself in the pack by any means necessary.
Taking the bond was the worst mistake Nero ever made. But now, with his bond-mate dead, the clock is ticking. He needs to bond again by the full moon, or his next transformation will kill him. That’s all he needs the human for, just a means to an end. At least that’s what he tells himself, but as the bond takes hold he finds himself falling deeper into something he swore he would never do again.
With his life on the line, Callum’s only choice is to bond with the troubled alpha, and carve a place for himself in the pack by any means necessary.
Taking the bond was the worst mistake Nero ever made. But now, with his bond-mate dead, the clock is ticking. He needs to bond again by the full moon, or his next transformation will kill him. That’s all he needs the human for, just a means to an end. At least that’s what he tells himself, but as the bond takes hold he finds himself falling deeper into something he swore he would never do again.
139 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2014
128 people are currently reading
450 people want to read
About the author
Robin Moray
12 books354 followersRobin Moray is a storyteller by nature, with a love for realistic characters in fantastical situations and men having complicated emotions. Preferably naked.
If you spot Robin in the wild, try approaching with snacks.
You can find Robin in the following places:
robinmoray.com
Amazon
Facebook: Robin's Reading Nest
therobinmoray@gmail.com
If you spot Robin in the wild, try approaching with snacks.
You can find Robin in the following places:
robinmoray.com
Amazon
Facebook: Robin's Reading Nest
therobinmoray@gmail.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
December 15, 2021
This was an engaging read. It had a bit of a raw, unpolished feel to it - I think the author notes it's one of their earlier (first?) works at the beginning, but I still found it enjoyable.
It had solid sexual tension, and normal tension from Callum having to blindly figure out the werewolf details. Not that he didn't struggle, but for going in blind, he did pretty well. '
There was also some interesting pack drama and dynamics, at a level that wasn't overwhelming. Interested to see where this goes!
It had solid sexual tension, and normal tension from Callum having to blindly figure out the werewolf details. Not that he didn't struggle, but for going in blind, he did pretty well. '
There was also some interesting pack drama and dynamics, at a level that wasn't overwhelming. Interested to see where this goes!
January 22, 2018
3 stars
This was not what I expected from Robin Moray (R.J.) the author of "His boy next door". That was sexy, erotic and very well written. This wasn't anything like that. There was lite submission, a lot of flip-flopping and really no communication about what should happen between Nero and Callum.
Maybe book two will be better. One can only hope.
This was not what I expected from Robin Moray (R.J.) the author of "His boy next door". That was sexy, erotic and very well written. This wasn't anything like that. There was lite submission, a lot of flip-flopping and really no communication about what should happen between Nero and Callum.
Maybe book two will be better. One can only hope.
June 12, 2019
I’m just gonna put this out there, I freaking loved this so much so that I ate up the rest of the series. Robin Moray writes some sexy wolves and also gives us a story.
June 20, 2022
Tags: werewolf, age gap, small town, mating bond
I enjoyed this. I can see what folks are talking about that this doesn’t have a HEA, but I thought it had a fairly solid HFN. Will be continuing the series.
I enjoyed this. I can see what folks are talking about that this doesn’t have a HEA, but I thought it had a fairly solid HFN. Will be continuing the series.
June 19, 2025
This started off great and given I’ve enjoyed other Robin Moray books, I had high hopes.
Sad to say: it just wasn’t it.
The push and pull between Nero and Callum was good in the beginning and it seemed like the author was setting up the MCs for some great chemistry. And then… I don’t know what happened.
It seemed like Nero’s character suddenly flipped. When we first met him he was the brooding, aloof type and suddenly (too quickly) he was all over Callum and then towards the end he gave up on him so quickly He said he was doing it for Callum but I needed him to not like it a little more. He should have been retching at the thought of having to mate someone who wasn’t Callum even if he was resigned to doing it for his benefit.
Don’t get me wrong, I came for the scenting, marking and possessive shit and I enjoyed that 1000% but the story wasn’t giving as much from the 50% mark. The book would also have benefited from some more character backstory. What / where was Callum’s life before all this? Why did he leave?
The second book seems interesting enough but based on reviews, the MCs just go round in circles and I’m not in the mood for that shit So that’s a no for the meantime.
Expect
- Scenting
- Marking
- Possessive MC
- Pack politics
- Small town
Sad to say: it just wasn’t it.
The push and pull between Nero and Callum was good in the beginning and it seemed like the author was setting up the MCs for some great chemistry. And then… I don’t know what happened.
It seemed like Nero’s character suddenly flipped. When we first met him he was the brooding, aloof type and suddenly (too quickly) he was all over Callum and then towards the end he gave up on him so quickly He said he was doing it for Callum but I needed him to not like it a little more. He should have been retching at the thought of having to mate someone who wasn’t Callum even if he was resigned to doing it for his benefit.
Don’t get me wrong, I came for the scenting, marking and possessive shit and I enjoyed that 1000% but the story wasn’t giving as much from the 50% mark. The book would also have benefited from some more character backstory. What / where was Callum’s life before all this? Why did he leave?
The second book seems interesting enough but based on reviews, the MCs just go round in circles and I’m not in the mood for that shit So that’s a no for the meantime.
Expect
- Scenting
- Marking
- Possessive MC
- Pack politics
- Small town
January 11, 2025
okay that was much better than i thought it’d be…or maybe it’s just that everyone, including the author, tempered my expectations into the ground so it just seems shockingly good??🤣🤣 haha the foreword from the author being like yooo so this is not my best work fyi, had me dying💀 idk, either way this was an interesting start, but i really have no idea why this needed to be split into two separate books….hopefully we’ll get some much needed development between the mcs in book 2 or this may just go awry
July 1, 2021
Bonded To The Alpha
By Robin Moray
While driving home a huge animal darts out from the forest and runs into Callum's car. After he thought it ran off it came back and tried to kill him. He killed it first. He later finds out it was a werewolf and the werewolf's mate, Nero, (the pack alpha) has 3 options...
1) Kill Callum and Nero dies.
2) Bond with Callum so neither of them will die.
3) Let Callum go which would result in the death of Nero and then the pack would kill Callum anyway.
When Nero decides to bond with Callum it isn't an easy decision for either of them. Nor does the pack like it. It turns out Callum and Nero's bonding isn't as easy as Nero thought it would be either.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was unique. I really liked Nero. Callum not so much. Only because he was very immature in some of his behavior. I know he's almost 20, but still... some of his behavior bordered on juvenile. Towards the end I liked him a lot more. I definitely liked the book enough to continue on to book #2 (of 4 total.)
The book is mostly in Callum's POV, but also in Nero's.
By Robin Moray
While driving home a huge animal darts out from the forest and runs into Callum's car. After he thought it ran off it came back and tried to kill him. He killed it first. He later finds out it was a werewolf and the werewolf's mate, Nero, (the pack alpha) has 3 options...
1) Kill Callum and Nero dies.
2) Bond with Callum so neither of them will die.
3) Let Callum go which would result in the death of Nero and then the pack would kill Callum anyway.
When Nero decides to bond with Callum it isn't an easy decision for either of them. Nor does the pack like it. It turns out Callum and Nero's bonding isn't as easy as Nero thought it would be either.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was unique. I really liked Nero. Callum not so much. Only because he was very immature in some of his behavior. I know he's almost 20, but still... some of his behavior bordered on juvenile. Towards the end I liked him a lot more. I definitely liked the book enough to continue on to book #2 (of 4 total.)
The book is mostly in Callum's POV, but also in Nero's.
September 24, 2014
Okay, you know when you enjoy something just because you enjoy it? You know flaws and all without guilt? Well that's the way I felt about Bonded to the Alpha. It was just fun. I felt the main reason why it worked so well for me was because the writer stayed with her limits. She didn't try to go for any great big bells & whistles or really high drama or re-create the entire concept of werewolves. She just wrote a really enjoyable story and I was totally in the mood for a fun, enjoyable book. Nero & Cullum were foils for each other and the sex was not overdone.
July 14, 2018
2.5 Stars
This wolf shifter romance moving along pretty nicely and then it did that thing where it just ended. Like the author was going to write a serial. Bleh.
The next book in the series feature the same couple, the third one 1/4 features them and in the 4th they just some up. I have read the 4th book and its much better.
There is good writing here but so many threads that lead to no where that I am not inclined to read the rest of the books.
This wolf shifter romance moving along pretty nicely and then it did that thing where it just ended. Like the author was going to write a serial. Bleh.
The next book in the series feature the same couple, the third one 1/4 features them and in the 4th they just some up. I have read the 4th book and its much better.
There is good writing here but so many threads that lead to no where that I am not inclined to read the rest of the books.
May 10, 2019
2.5 stars
Not bad for a start. There a lot of unanswered questions, which I assume at least some of them will be answered in the next book.
Not bad for a start. There a lot of unanswered questions, which I assume at least some of them will be answered in the next book.
April 11, 2022
So this might just be due to it featuring common werewolf tropes, but I'm getting strong Sterek vibes from this.
Not that I'm complaining about that, because I can never get enough of Sterek, but if anything, this would be a watered down version of a fic. It's missing that spark between the characters, the quirks that make them distinct - and I suppose in the case of fanfic, are usually derived from the source and basically the same, but even so, it's still the certain something that makes me want to ship the two characters.
Still, an entertaining read.
Not that I'm complaining about that, because I can never get enough of Sterek, but if anything, this would be a watered down version of a fic. It's missing that spark between the characters, the quirks that make them distinct - and I suppose in the case of fanfic, are usually derived from the source and basically the same, but even so, it's still the certain something that makes me want to ship the two characters.
Still, an entertaining read.
April 12, 2015
Interesting.. different. Pretty much down and ok with it until about the last page. Is this supposed to turn into a series because the ending was very unsatisfying.
January 28, 2025
Reread three years later, still fun. On to the rest of the series!
Original review
Nearly didn't read this because of the bad reviews... however, I loved "Changed" so much that I gave it a try and I really enjoyed it
Original review
Nearly didn't read this because of the bad reviews... however, I loved "Changed" so much that I gave it a try and I really enjoyed it
March 3, 2020
I liked it, but the ending was a little disappointing. I’m sure it was to set the reader up for the next book. I love the Boy Next Door series, but this not so much.
October 31, 2014
Synopsis:
Bonded mates are rare, and every wolf knows that the killing of a bond-mate is punishable by death. But nineteen-year-old Callum is fully human, woefully ignorant of Pack Law, and when an accidental encounter with a frenzied beta leaves the wolf dead and Callum battered but alive, he finds himself facing the wrath of the pack -- until the dead wolf’s mate invokes the right to claim Callum as his own.
With his life on the line, Callum’s only choice is to bond with the troubled alpha, and carve a place for himself in the pack by any means necessary.
Taking the bond was the worst mistake Nero ever made. But now, with his bond-mate dead, the clock is ticking. He needs to bond again by the full moon, or his next transformation will kill him. That’s all he needs the human for, just a means to an end. At least that’s what he tells himself, but as the bond takes hold he finds himself falling deeper into something he swore he would never do again.
My Thoughts:
I liked this quite a bit, but the ending disappointed the hell out of me. Unless there's a sequel coming, all of this seems pointless. I guess you could call it a happy for now, but the relationship still didn't feel even solid enough for that much for me.
I did like Callum and Nero quite a bit and Vera is awesome, too. So are Gabby and Michael. Most of the time I wanted to throat punch Hamish and Ria. Ria came around in the end, but it wasn't enough to endear me to her.
This is a difficult book to review. Things do work out, but I still feel like I got left hanging.
Bonded mates are rare, and every wolf knows that the killing of a bond-mate is punishable by death. But nineteen-year-old Callum is fully human, woefully ignorant of Pack Law, and when an accidental encounter with a frenzied beta leaves the wolf dead and Callum battered but alive, he finds himself facing the wrath of the pack -- until the dead wolf’s mate invokes the right to claim Callum as his own.
With his life on the line, Callum’s only choice is to bond with the troubled alpha, and carve a place for himself in the pack by any means necessary.
Taking the bond was the worst mistake Nero ever made. But now, with his bond-mate dead, the clock is ticking. He needs to bond again by the full moon, or his next transformation will kill him. That’s all he needs the human for, just a means to an end. At least that’s what he tells himself, but as the bond takes hold he finds himself falling deeper into something he swore he would never do again.
My Thoughts:
I liked this quite a bit, but the ending disappointed the hell out of me. Unless there's a sequel coming, all of this seems pointless. I guess you could call it a happy for now, but the relationship still didn't feel even solid enough for that much for me.
I did like Callum and Nero quite a bit and Vera is awesome, too. So are Gabby and Michael. Most of the time I wanted to throat punch Hamish and Ria. Ria came around in the end, but it wasn't enough to endear me to her.
This is a difficult book to review. Things do work out, but I still feel like I got left hanging.
July 11, 2015
I wish I could fully understand the vague dissatisfaction I felt after reading these books. It's not that I think they're bad, but they're... I guess frustrating would be the right word. There's potential for something great here, the beginning chemistry between Nero and Callum drawing the reader in and presenting the idea that this is going to turn into an epic romance.
Sadly, it never did. For two people who can sense each other's emotions after completing their bond, they do a remarkable job fucking up and misinterpreting every damn thing the other says. They never fully connected, even when they supposedly did, so I was left feeling empty and slightly miffed.
Sadly, it never did. For two people who can sense each other's emotions after completing their bond, they do a remarkable job fucking up and misinterpreting every damn thing the other says. They never fully connected, even when they supposedly did, so I was left feeling empty and slightly miffed.
March 11, 2022
Human MC has to bond with Wolf Shifter MC after killing the shifter’s mate. This was fine. I found Wolf Shifter MC kind of boring because while he was more gentlemanly than what I’d expect an alpha wolf to be, he also didn’t seem to exhibit any other character traits. Also, Oliver Park from the Big Bad Wolf series is my new reference for non-alphahole wolves and Nero doesn’t quite measure up.
April 25, 2017
This is was pretty good as long as it was the start of a longer story. If this is really the end, and not "to be continued" . . . well, I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt. It's an interesting beginning.
January 7, 2020
3.5 Stars
Really good start to the series...immediately started the next one!
Really good start to the series...immediately started the next one!
December 19, 2021
3.5 stars
November 29, 2020
Heads up: I couldn’t bring myself to care enough to remember anyone’s name. The biggest miss for me was the world building. If the alpha lost his ability to change, then why didn’t the two who wanted him out just kill him while he was weak? The mightiest/fittest rules and all that.
What was this Trust that gave them their land/home and how did anyone make money?
The “alpha” was the most beta male I’ve ever read. Wait, what’s below that? Is there a Charlie? There should be, because that’s where the not-an-alpha would be. Even if his wolf is the largest, how is he alpha? Biggest doesn’t mean best, especially after the mess he allowed his pack to turn into and the harmful shenanigans his mate created? Speaking of his mate: she was alpha. He submitted to her, so why wasn’t she officially running the show? This is a MM read where sexuality isn’t an issue, so a female alpha shouldn’t be a problem either, right?
Ok, aside from not-an-alpha, it seems like maybe human dude’s father was a were hunter? But that went nowhere...
Also, what’s up with the sister? She seemed mysterious as he mentions multiple times he doesn’t know who she is anymore, and she seemed to be open to? aware of? werewolves, but that wasn’t clear...
I’m wracking my brain for something positive here, but coming up blank. I think I’m too offended by the fact absolutely-not-an-alpha, bitch-boi was alpha.
What was this Trust that gave them their land/home and how did anyone make money?
The “alpha” was the most beta male I’ve ever read. Wait, what’s below that? Is there a Charlie? There should be, because that’s where the not-an-alpha would be. Even if his wolf is the largest, how is he alpha? Biggest doesn’t mean best, especially after the mess he allowed his pack to turn into and the harmful shenanigans his mate created? Speaking of his mate: she was alpha. He submitted to her, so why wasn’t she officially running the show? This is a MM read where sexuality isn’t an issue, so a female alpha shouldn’t be a problem either, right?
Ok, aside from not-an-alpha, it seems like maybe human dude’s father was a were hunter? But that went nowhere...
Also, what’s up with the sister? She seemed mysterious as he mentions multiple times he doesn’t know who she is anymore, and she seemed to be open to? aware of? werewolves, but that wasn’t clear...
I’m wracking my brain for something positive here, but coming up blank. I think I’m too offended by the fact absolutely-not-an-alpha, bitch-boi was alpha.
August 25, 2018
Not the best..
I started this series from the back - book 4. And that was an awesome book! I did have some reservations, coming into the start of the series, because typically it gets better the further along the series it gets. So starting from the end, I was worried the first few wouldn’t hold up and sadly, my worries were completely valid.
I didn’t connect with this book as much. While the writing style is similarly pleasant and funny, I didn’t like the characters much. Especially Nero, even if he is pretty chivalrous and honourable. Guess I’ll skip the others unless there’s a new book after book 4.
I started this series from the back - book 4. And that was an awesome book! I did have some reservations, coming into the start of the series, because typically it gets better the further along the series it gets. So starting from the end, I was worried the first few wouldn’t hold up and sadly, my worries were completely valid.
I didn’t connect with this book as much. While the writing style is similarly pleasant and funny, I didn’t like the characters much. Especially Nero, even if he is pretty chivalrous and honourable. Guess I’ll skip the others unless there’s a new book after book 4.
November 22, 2020
Fairly typical bonded mates story. This looks like it's part of duet. Wolf alpha/human mate. No surprise tropes or out of the ordinary plot devices. Pretty hawt sex scenes.
July 31, 2022
Promising, very promising. Will review the series when I finish #4.
May 2, 2024
2020 = 3 stars
2021 = 2 stars
𝘼𝙣 𝙐𝙣𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙛𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙈 𝙒𝙤𝙡𝙛-𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚
This should've been rated 2-stars the first time I read it. It's okay, but the lackluster story kept it from being an enjoyable read.
✘ The writing is mediocre.
✘ There's no romance to speak of.
✘ The story didn't hold my attention. I had to skim to get through it (thankfully it's short).
✘ The alpha didn't act like a true alpha.
✘ His human mate wasn't all that interested in him.
☹ It takes three tries to create a bond (sex included) between the MCs. One has to submit to the other, and it's a complicated process (the human doesn't want to submit). Sex scenes are mediocre like everything else. No feelings other than lust/attraction between them. At least not on the human's side, maybe a little on the alpha's side. 🤷♀️
To show this, right after they've finally bonded, Then the book ends.
This was such a disappointment, I have no desire to read the next book. Especially after reading the reviews for it. The relationship doesn't improve much. There continues to be miscommunication and misunderstandings. No thanks, I'm not interested.
2021 = 2 stars
𝘼𝙣 𝙐𝙣𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙛𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙈 𝙒𝙤𝙡𝙛-𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚
This should've been rated 2-stars the first time I read it. It's okay, but the lackluster story kept it from being an enjoyable read.
✘ The writing is mediocre.
✘ There's no romance to speak of.
✘ The story didn't hold my attention. I had to skim to get through it (thankfully it's short).
✘ The alpha didn't act like a true alpha.
✘ His human mate wasn't all that interested in him.
☹ It takes three tries to create a bond (sex included) between the MCs. One has to submit to the other, and it's a complicated process (the human doesn't want to submit). Sex scenes are mediocre like everything else. No feelings other than lust/attraction between them. At least not on the human's side, maybe a little on the alpha's side. 🤷♀️
To show this, right after they've finally bonded, Then the book ends.
This was such a disappointment, I have no desire to read the next book. Especially after reading the reviews for it. The relationship doesn't improve much. There continues to be miscommunication and misunderstandings. No thanks, I'm not interested.
September 10, 2014
I liked the story line and that the mate bond finally worked. Callum was a funny character and I liked that even though he was strong willed and stubborn, he finally submitted to Nero. Nero kinda confused me at times. I liked that due to the bond working he could shift again and retain his alpha status. One thing I really didn't like was that the end Callum called his sister and asked if he could come and stay with her for awhile. Why was he going to stay with her if he just bonded with Nero, aren't they going to be a couple now? And I'm still really curious to what the story is for Michael, I feel there is more him that what we got.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2015
I wanted to love it, I really did. But it felt incredibly unfinished and rushed at the end. There seemed to be so much more that could be explored with the background of the two mc and the background characters. I just wanted more.
Want to read
December 14, 2014This plot intrigues me.
August 12, 2014
Great story, I would definitely like a sequel.
March 12, 2015
This is a nice, romantic story. I liked the idea of this book. Have sex to bond or die! A very hard decision ;) Though the open end annoyed me!
3 stars
3 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews