Cate C. Wells

The Lone Wolf's Rejected Mate

Lover of Romance 

“I’m the light of your life.” Sleep steals over me like a shadow, but before I fall, I hear him answer. “You’re my everything.”

“Because if this—” He stops, draws in a breath, and begins again. “If I don’t make it, I want you to know—” He coughs, and in a jagged, deep voice that scrapes softly across my skin, he says, “I want you to know that you are the most beautiful thing in the world, and even if I couldn’t have you, and even though I fucked it up, you were the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Fate has to be playing a joke. My aesthetic is delicate, sweet, romantic, cottagecore. His aesthetic is—the pants I wore all last week are fine. No shirt, no shoes, no problem. Haircuts are for the weak. I kill things with my bare hands in human form. I’ve been through hell and seen the other side.

Heads up, don’t start reading this book until you’ve read the first two books. It won’t really make sense otherwise, as this book unravels some enigmas introduced in the preceding ones.

This book’s about Mari and Darragh. Theirs is a sorrowful tale, haunted by both their gritty pasts, and to me, pure perfection.

Mari is a sweetheart with a fondness for all things pink and girly. But despite her delicate princess persona, her past is anything but. When she was still a young pup, her father, in a drunken fit, tried to kill her, and her mother ended up taking her own life. So, upon discovering her mate in Darragh, she believes her life will change—she can now have the family she always longed for. Instead, Darragh leaves her high and dry right after their heated mating with no clear explanations.

Darragh is a hardened lone wolf, older than Mari (the book never explicitly stated how big their age gap is, but it hinted at his age being in the range of 36-38, while Mari was on the verge of turning 19). He lives a solitary existence on the outskirts of the Quarry pack’s territory, protecting them from afar, because, well, he’s got issues—the very same issues that compel him to keep Mari at a distance. And let me warn you, his issues wouldn’t just tug at your heartstrings, they would rip ‘em out.

Anyway, I'll let you find out the rest of the story yourself. Just know that this book is yet another incredible piece of work by Cate C. Wells that solidifies my newfound fandom.

Ms. Mint

Heads up, don’t start reading this book until you’ve read the first two books. It won’t really make sense otherwise, as this book unravels some enigmas introduced in the preceding ones.

This book’s about Mari and Darragh. Theirs is a sorrowful tale, haunted by both their gritty pasts, and to me, pure perfection.

Mari is a sweetheart with a fondness for all things pink and girly. But despite her delicate princess persona, her past is anything but. When she was still a young pup, her father, in a drunken fit, tried to kill her, and her mother ended up taking her own life. So, upon discovering her mate in Darragh, she believes her life will change—she can now have the family she always longed for. Instead, Darragh leaves her high and dry right after their heated mating with no clear explanations.

Darragh is a hardened lone wolf, older than Mari (the book never explicitly stated how big their age gap is, but it hinted at his age being in the range of 36-38, while Mari was on the verge of turning 19). He lives a solitary existence on the outskirts of the Quarry pack’s territory, protecting them from afar, because, well, he’s got issues—the very same issues that compel him to keep Mari at a distance. And let me warn you, his issues wouldn’t just tug at your heartstrings, they would rip ‘em out.

Anyway, I'll let you find out the rest of the story yourself. Just know that this book is yet another incredible piece of work by Cate C. Wells that solidifies my newfound fandom.

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

The Lone Wolf's Rejected Mate is the third installment in the "Five Packs" series and this was utterly delightful. If you are familar with this author's writing style, then you will get a kick out of her latest installment. I wouldn't say that these books are the best PNR out there, but they are different and entertaining. There is a sense of forbidden and tormented in these books and its quite an adventure that author takes the reader on in getting them to explore the world and fascinating plot points.

Darragh, is a lone wolf of the pack. He is a wolf that keeps many secrets especially from his own mate. There are secrets that he keeps and a past he keeps closed off about, as it could threaten everything and everyone he seeks to protect.

Mari is content in being the lower end of the pack and then she meets her mate and she becomes a woman willing to fight for her mate and for what she fairly deserves even if that means putting her life at risk for a chance to be with her mater forever...

Our story starts off when our hero and heroine first realize that they are mates and everything seems to be hopeful for their future but when it becomes apparent that there is more going on with Darragh, and he starts closing himself off from Mari, she wonders if she will be ever worthy of being someone that a mate would want to fight for. But now its been four years later, and there is still this rising tension between Darragh and Mari. But when his enemies threaten everything that could destroy them both, they will have to learn to rely on each other to be what they need but also learn to trust in each other as well as their wolves and their mating bond.

I honestly had such a blast with this one. I am not sure if this one would be my favorite, I still have such a soft spot for the first book to be honest. BUT this one was just as wonderful as I was expecting from it. It was interesting to see our lone wolf's story be grown in this story here. I was so curious to see how Mari would be the rejected mate. It was very fascinating to see these two very distinct personalities but at the same time they just balance each other out in all of the right ways. I had such a wonderful experience getting to know their story and these two so well. Their journey was such an adventure and the way in which the hero rejects the heroine, I was actually for. Its a very good reason and it makes sense why he rejects her. I didn't need a big grovel and as you read this one you come to realize he is doing it all for her and to keep her safe. I truly admired the way in which the author developed the plot and the way their relationship actually builds. Its definitely rocky at the very beginning, but as you read further into the story, the author lays out these building blocks to their relationship that only deepens their connection and the way that they find their way to their happy ever after was brilliant and I was hooked all the way through. Very excited to see what the author has in plan for the next book.

I found The Lone Wolf's Rejected Mate to be a stunning addition to a fascinating world that is captivating and so unique in the details. Its definitely worthy of your attention if you are a fan of supernatural romance including shifters and unique pack dynamics.


This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Introduction
The Lone Wolf's Rejected Mate is the third installment in the "Five Packs" series and this was utterly delightful. If you are familar with this author's writing style, then you will get a kick out of her latest installment. I wouldn't say that these books are the best PNR out there, but they are different and entertaining. There is a sense of forbidden and tormented in these books and its quite an adventure that author takes the reader on in getting them to explore the world and fascinating plot points.

The Main Protagonists

The Hero: Darragh
Darragh, is a lone wolf of the pack. He is a wolf that keeps many secrets especially from his own mate. There are secrets that he keeps and a past he keeps closed off about, as it could threaten everything and everyone he seeks to protect.

The Heroine: Mari
Mari is content in being the lower end of the pack and then she meets her mate and she becomes a woman willing to fight for her mate and for what she fairly deserves even if that means putting her life at risk for a chance to be with her mater forever...

Summary
Our story starts off when our hero and heroine first realize that they are mates and everything seems to be hopeful for their future but when it becomes apparent that there is more going on with Darragh, and he starts closing himself off from Mari, she wonders if she will be ever worthy of being someone that a mate would want to fight for. But now its been four years later, and there is still this rising tension between Darragh and Mari. But when his enemies threaten everything that could destroy them both, they will have to learn to rely on each other to be what they need but also learn to trust in each other as well as their wolves and their mating bond.

My Outlook
I honestly had such a blast with this one. I am not sure if this one would be my favorite, I still have such a soft spot for the first book to be honest. BUT this one was just as wonderful as I was expecting from it. It was interesting to see our lone wolf's story be grown in this story here. I was so curious to see how Mari would be the rejected mate. It was very fascinating to see these two very distinct personalities but at the same time they just balance each other out in all of the right ways. I had such a wonderful experience getting to know their story and these two so well. Their journey was such an adventure and the way in which the hero rejects the heroine, I was actually for. Its a very good reason and it makes sense why he rejects her. I didn't need a big grovel and as you read this one you come to realize he is doing it all for her and to keep her safe. I truly admired the way in which the author developed the plot and the way their relationship actually builds. Its definitely rocky at the very beginning, but as you read further into the story, the author lays out these building blocks to their relationship that only deepens their connection and the way that they find their way to their happy ever after was brilliant and I was hooked all the way through. Very excited to see what the author has in plan for the next book.

Overall View
I found The Lone Wolf's Rejected Mate to be a stunning addition to a fascinating world that is captivating and so unique in the details. Its definitely worthy of your attention if you are a fan of supernatural romance including shifters and unique pack dynamics.

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4/5
World Building: 3/5
Cover: 3/5
Hero: 5/5
Heroine: 4/5
Steam: 4/5
Heart & Feels: 4/5
Ending:4/5
Overall View: 4/5

Trigger Warnings:
Violence, Death of a parent, Gore




The Lone Wolf's Rejected Mate

Reviews

Highlights