I really adored Reid , out of the six pack Alphas , he was a bit of an enigma, silent, understanding, a bit closed off. I loved the books thus far. But there is something superficial about this story concerning their enemy , following up from the previous books. The shadow pack had been kidnapping and killing off other shifters / packs and the Six pack Alphas were working on building a squad pack to go up against them together with the Denver pack. In comes a shifter , Serena, who trespasses one night, triggering the alarm system. She was kept hostage for 6 weeks by the shadow pack. She swoops in, withholds information and is Reid’s mate. She snoops around, has no regard for the mate bond and yet no one seems to ask her questions concerned about her being fragile and so innocent , whilst she is so antagonistic and contrary, clearly having something up her sleeve. The Alphas are naive in this book as they went toe to toe with the shadow pack before, are on the brink of war with them, yet they are too afraid to even ask her for intel, respecting Reid’s wishes not to, whilst Serena is just acting out as if nothing bad ever happened to her and clearly has her own agenda. The Alphas not doing their job disappointed me the most. Alphas are responsible for the safety of their pack and they seemed all in denial, trying to let her come herself with information, letting her take the reigns. ( but I guess there wouldn’t be a story otherwise I guess) Eventually she caves, after being caught red handed and all is forgiven and forgotten, and the war can begin. Setting up a good hook for the following book n the series. I lacked a redemption arc like in Alpha Theo, which was worked out thoroughly , with good conversations between the characters. Here the story line felt thin between the characters and the romance between them was translated into Dom and Sub, which I found odd. This is a book to read continuing this series , though definitely not the strongest in the line.
This book is like a turn in CJ Primers writing. It becomes more dark, twisted and the conversations between the ( mated) couples are not as worked out as before. She evolved more into this direction with a great following for readers in this more darker genre. Good for her, I love CJ Primer , yet , I feel bereft of a romance writer, that put the six pack on the map , and gave them their HEA.