Rejected By Her Fated Mate, Claimed By A New Alpha?

Synopsis

Zac who was previously the Beta to Blood Moon, is now the new Alpha of Red River pack. Zac is learning the ropes, and trying to better his new pack when Lauren, a beautiful she-wolf turns up working in a bar run by humans. Zac finds himself drawn to her, he wants to get to know more, but she seems to be hiding something.

Lauren never imagined that when she found her fated mate on her birthday, that it would be the Alpha of her pack. She also never imagined that he would want nothing to do with her. When she can’t take it anymore, she flees, and ends up in a small town in the middle of nowhere, on the other side of the country.

It’s scary to start over, not knowing anyone, and cut off from having a pack, but she takes comfort in an old friend of her mothers, and maybe a new one.

A stand-alone book, but also a spin-off of “A Mother before a Mate” If you plan to read “A Mother before a Mate, please do so first. There are some spoilers in here.

\*Book #2 in the ‘Alpha’s United’ series.

(18+ Mature scenes and language.)

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Review

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Rejected By Her Fated Mate, Claimed By A New Alpha?

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Alright, let’s talk. If you’re scrolling, desperately searching for that next read that sinks its claws in and refuses to let go – the kind with a possessive Alpha, heart-wrenching angst, and chemistry so thick you could cut it with a knife – then lean in close, because “A Beta Before An Alpha” might just be your next obsession. Prepare your heart, because this story kicks off with a blow and then throws you onto an emotional rollercoaster you won’t want to get off.

The story immediately draws us into Lauren’s world, and honestly, my heart ached for her from the very first chapter. We meet her reeling from the ultimate betrayal: finding her fated mate on her 18th birthday, only for him – the *Alpha* of her pack, no less – to look at her with utter disgust and walk away. The raw pain, the confusion, the physical panic attack… it’s visceral. You feel her world collapsing. We witness her initial attempts to understand, the self-doubt creeping in as she questions her appearance, her strength, her very worth based on his cruel rejection. It’s a devastatingly relatable portrayal of heartbreak and the feeling of not being enough, especially when it comes from the one person supposedly destined for you.

But Lauren isn’t just a victim. Watching her journey, even in these early chapters, is incredibly compelling. The strength it takes to endure Nathan’s continued cruelty – his verbal abuse, his deliberate attempts to flaunt his chosen mate – is immense. Yet, the true turning point is her defiance. When she finally rejects *him* and then rejects her pack, Claw Moon, it’s a moment of pure, gut-wrenching bravery. It’s the act of a survivor choosing herself, even when it means leaving behind everything she knows – her brother, her mother, her home. Her escape to Red Riverview, facilitated by her mother’s old friend Peggy, marks the beginning of her healing and reclaiming her life. She’s cautious, scarred, but determined. Her kindness shines through, especially in her interactions with Peggy and later, the children at Zac’s pack daycare. She’s building a new life, finding her footing, and it’s impossible not to root for her every step of the way.

And then there’s Zac. Oh, Zac. He’s the titular “Beta Before An Alpha,” having recently won the Alpha title of the Red River pack after the previous Alpha’s demise. He’s stepping into a new role, determined to strengthen his pack, reminiscent of the powerful Black Moon pack he came from. From the moment he meets Lauren working at Peggy’s bar, the connection is undeniable, even if it doesn’t present as the typical fated mate bond. Zac is instantly captivated, protective, and intrigued. He’s not the cold, calculating Alpha Lauren just escaped. He’s approachable (as Lauren herself notes), confident but not arrogant, and genuinely invested in his pack members, from warriors down to omegas and children.

What makes Zac so compelling for this genre’s reader? It’s his complexity. He’s undeniably an Alpha – strong, possessive (that “MINE” moment? *Swoon*), and ready to protect Lauren without hesitation, even before he fully understands her past or their connection. Yet, he also shows remarkable tenderness and thoughtfulness. Bringing her cupcakes because she loves cake, worrying himself sick when he can’t reach her, offering her brother and mother a place in his pack – these actions reveal a depth beyond mere Alpha dominance. He’s wrestling with his unexpected, intense feelings for Lauren, someone who isn’t his fated mate (or so he initially thinks), but his conviction grows rapidly. He doesn’t want *a* mate; he wants *Lauren*. His declaration, “I’ll never want someone more than I want you,” feels utterly sincere and incredibly potent.

The dynamic between Lauren and Zac is the absolute heart of these chapters. It starts with instant intrigue and a spark of recognition (fellow werewolves in a human town). Their banter is natural and charming, quickly building a level of comfort that surprises them both. You can feel the pull, the growing attraction that defies werewolf norms. That first kiss in the rec hall feels earned, a culmination of simmering tension and undeniable connection. It’s electric. From there, their relationship accelerates, fueled by honesty and a mutual sense of ‘rightness’ despite the complications.

The emotional resonance here is high. You have the deep angst of Lauren’s past trauma with Nathan hanging heavy in the air, creating suspense and a constant undercurrent of potential danger. Then you have the incredibly swoon-worthy moments with Zac – his protectiveness, his gentle pursuit, his open admiration, and finally, his declarations of love. The confusion and intensity of their feelings, the mystery surrounding whether they might be a rare “second chance mate” pair, keeps you utterly hooked. You feel Lauren’s fear and hope, Zac’s certainty and possessiveness. It’s a journey packed with feels.

Now, let’s talk about the heat. While these chapters don’t dive into fully explicit territory, the romantic and physical tension is *palpable*. From Zac’s possessive touches and stares to Lauren’s internal acknowledgments of his overwhelming attractiveness, the desire crackles between them. The kisses are described as heated, intense, and addictive. The story doesn’t shy away from acknowledging their physical responses – Lauren’s arousal is mentioned multiple times (leading to Zac’s hilarious “crack a window” comments), and Zac’s own struggles with control are evident. Lauren’s dream and her moments of self-pleasure, fueled by thoughts of Zac, add another layer of intimacy and highlight the depth of her longing. It’s a tantalizing build-up that promises significant steam as their relationship progresses past the “let’s wait until the full moon” agreement they *try* to adhere to.

The plot, while centered on the romance, has solid grounding. Lauren’s escape from her abusive mate provides the core conflict and lingering threat. Zac’s efforts to build his pack and navigate his new Alpha responsibilities add another layer. The world-building sticks to familiar werewolf lore (mates, Alphas, rejection, pack bonds, shifting), making it easy to dive into, but the focus remains tightly on the characters’ emotional journeys and the developing relationship against this backdrop. The introduction of the “second chance mate” possibility adds a fascinating twist to the established werewolf rules.

Supporting characters like Julien, Lauren’s fiercely protective older brother, and Peggy, the warm, sassy mother-figure who runs the pub, provide essential support and grounding for Lauren. They add depth to her world and act as crucial allies. Nathan looms large as the antagonist, his cruelty established effectively through Lauren’s memories and the tense phone call, creating a necessary sense of stakes and danger.

The writing itself flows smoothly, making it easy to devour chapter after chapter. The dual points of view (alternating between Lauren and Zac, though mostly Lauren in these initial chapters) give valuable insight into both characters’ thoughts and feelings, deepening the connection for the reader.

Honestly, “A Beta Before An Alpha” hits all the right notes for fans of intense werewolf romance. You have a resilient heroine healing from trauma and finding unexpected love, a powerful Alpha who is utterly captivated and possessive but also genuinely caring, and a connection that feels fated, even if it defies traditional werewolf bonds initially. The emotional depth, the simmering heat, and the looming threat from Lauren’s past create an addictive cocktail that will keep you turning the pages (or scrolling, in this case!).

If you’re looking for a story with high emotional stakes, a captivating Alpha finding his match, undeniable chemistry, and the delicious angst of a second chance romance blooming under dangerous circumstances, you NEED to read this. Don’t wait. Dive into Lauren and Zac’s world – you won’t regret it.