Surprise!
Love this series and how Carrie Ann Ryan manages to keep it fresh. Yes, it's boy meets girl, go through troubles (end of their world, anyone?), learn to depend on each other and mate. But she adds so much more. And just when you think you have it figured out, you don't.
Aimee and Walker's story pretty much followed the outline, but it's the bullets under the heading that kept my attention. Aimee is a human, but something more. Her health was a major issue as we learned in Dawn's book, but she was fierce and strong, a trait that I adore in female leads. Walker, as a healer, was less 'alpha' than his brothers and cousins. His sensitivity was a major turn on for me.
Of course, as a healer, he, and/or his wolf, was drawn to the sick beauty, and as for her, who wouldn't be attracted to a Brentwood? Their courtship was backwards, as her illness forced them to do things a bit differently. As a wolf, Walker recognized his mate, but had to slow down because of her humanness. Throw in the surprise, which I won't spoil here, and that's when it really gets good.
I love the two character leads and how they are described. Aimee has been the strong one of her group for so long, it takes her some time to let someone else in, to let someone take care of her for a change. I can only imagine how scary it must have been in her shoes, to be facing her own mortality, but not knowing why. Walker's patience is amazing, though, and I enjoyed watching his growth as well.
Although this does have a HEA, it fits into the ongoing storyline with Blade as the antagonist and this story builds on it. I can't wait to read the next two books, they will be explosive!