Jo Barton

She left her past behind when her world crumbled—betrayed by love, abandoned by her pack, and burdened by loss. One wild night in Europe changed everything: a s*xy stranger, stolen kisses, and her first time… that left her with a surprise she never expected. Now a full-time writer and single mom, Elara returns to her old pack after years away, only to walk straight into the wedding of the century—the Alpha King’s wedding. But when the groom turns to her, their eyes lock, and he growls one word that stops the ceremony cold: “Mine.” Oh. Crap. Worse? He just noticed her toddler. And growled again: “My pup.” Let the chaos begin. Weddings, werewolves, jealous exes, awkward family dinners, steamy revenge kisses, and fated mate drama collide in this uproarious, s*xy, and heart-melting ride of second chances, found family, and unexpected love.

"You're not my mate!" Beta Gavin Marino screams, his anger evident. "I can't accept you. No one will ever accept you after what you did." "I reject you, Gavin Marino!" The words stun me even as I say them. My heart aches, but it's what's best. He hates me. No one will ever love me. I cry silently, but I wipe my tears away. Crying doesn't change anything. I need to leave this pack before I lose myself completely. Gavin accepts my rejection, though he seems to be in pain, even though it's what he wanted. I turn and walk away, heading back to the packhouse where everyone treats me with disdain. A few days later, I feel relentless. I can't bear the pain any longer. On a rainy night, I make my escape. However, I'm brutally attacked on the border of the Sapphire Lycan Royal Pack. Falling in and out of consciousness, I hear a roar that shakes my core and the ground beneath me. "You touched my mate; you'll pay for this!" It can't be—it's the voice of the most powerful man in the realm, the Lycan King, Alpha Nicholas Lavista. I feel sparks and tingles in my arm. "I've got you now." Those words guide me into the darkness. Apphia's life has been harsh and brutal. She has faced mistreatment from her pack members and suffered the pain of her mate's brutal rejection. Feeling completely alone, her circumstances take a dramatic turn on a fateful night when she encounters her second-chance mate—the powerful and dangerous lycan Alpha. Little does she know that she is in for the ride of her life. As things become increasingly complicated, Apphia discovers that she is no ordinary wolf. Tormented by threats to her life, she must confront her deepest fears.