A Human hybrid and an Alpha Were claw against the bonds of fate in the highly anticipated companion novel to the New York Times bestselling Bride.

Serena Paris is orphaned, pack-less, and one of a kind. Coming forward as the first Human-Were hybrid was supposed to heal a centuries-long rift between species. Instead, it made her a target, prey to the ruthless political machinations between Weres, Vampyres, and Humans. With her enemies closing in on her, she has only one option left—if he’ll have her.

As Alpha of the Northwest pack, Koen Alexander commands obedience. His authority is so absolute, only a fool would threaten his mate. It doesn’t matter if Serena doesn’t reciprocate his feelings, nothing will stop him from keeping her safe.

But power-hungry Vampyres and Weres are not the only threats chasing Serena. Sooner or later, her past is bound to catch up with her—and Koen might be the only thing standing between her and total annihilation…

This book is wild, funny, and unapologetically filthy in spots. It’s the companion to Bride—which I liked but didn’t fully love—and somehow manages to be even more entertaining. I think that was because this time, I went in knowing what kind of world Hazelwood had built, and that helped a lot. The blend of paranormal politics, sharp humor, and over-the-top steam hits just right when you’re in the mood for chaos and claws.

The story follows Serena Paris, a Human-Were hybrid caught between warring species. She’s half human, half werewolf, and a reminder of the centuries-old rift between species that no one’s ready to fix. Her only shot at survival lies with Koen Alexander, the intimidating Alpha of the Northwest pack. He’s the kind of man (or wolf) who exudes dominance and protectiveness in equal measure.

What follows is part supernatural action, part deeply horny romance, and part political intrigue. There are pack hierarchies, betrayals, and enough sexual tension to power a small city. The pacing never really slows down, which makes this a fast, fun read. It helps that Hazelwood has a knack for writing sharp, crass humor, and it shines here. There’s a running undercurrent of self-aware absurdity that makes the book feel like it’s in on the joke.

The chemistry between Serena and Koen is undeniable, though it’s also where the book might lose some readers. Koen is the textbook Alpha: possessive, protective, occasionally overbearing. Personally, that dynamic doesn’t do much for me. The whole “you’re mine, no one else can look at you” routine always grates a little, but Hazelwood writes it with enough humor and self-awareness that it doesn’t feel suffocating. Still, it’s there in full force,so if alpha energy makes your eye twitch, brace yourself.

On the other hand, Serena’s wit balances it beautifully. She’s clever, sarcastic, and far from a passive heroine. Her banter with Koen gives their relationship an edge that keeps it from becoming pure dominance fantasy.

And yes, let’s talk about the spice. If Bride was steamy, Mate turns the thermostat all the way up. There’s a lot of sex. A lot. And you will learn far more about werewolf anatomy than you ever thought possible (or necessary). Some of it’s so over-the-top it borders on parody, but that’s part of the fun. These werewolves are nothing if not very, very knotty (pun intended).

Beyond the heat, the worldbuilding is solid. Hazelwood expands on the politics hinted at in Bride, adding layers of tension between the Weres, Vampyres, and Humans. The stakes feel higher, and the inclusion of Serena’s hybrid identity adds an interesting layer about belonging and identity. You can tell Hazelwood’s having fun with this world, and it’s infectious.

For me, this one worked better than Bride. It’s tighter, funnier, and more confident in what it’s trying to be. Sure, it’s not perfect. The possessive alpha trope still drives me a little nuts, but the humor and heart make up for it. Hazelwood knows exactly what kind of story she’s telling, and she leans into it with zero shame. If you like your romance with bite, your humor unfiltered, and your werewolves just this side of unhinged, you’ll have a great time. Just maybe don’t read it in public. It’s very spicy.

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