Monster Mate Hunt

Can an orc commander protect a lonely woman from the dangers in his world? Rhoslyn When my sister is chosen for the Monster Mate Hunt-an annual event where two women must sacrifice themselves to the orcs for the good of us all-I volunteer in her place. The orcs hunt me as I bolt through the forest. I'm captured by the gruff, growly Commander Jaus, who expects me to cook and clean, plus sleep in his quarters with him at night, despite insisting he doesn't want a mate. Then something changes, and his dark, brooding gaze turns my way . . . Jaus Rhoslyn's beautiful, spitting mad, and determined never to be my bride. I take her to my home in the orc city, and in no time, I long for what I don't deserve-a mate and a life full of joy. When the city's attacked, and her life is in danger, I'll destroy everything just to protect her. I'm going to defeat our enemy, and then I'm going to make Rhoslyn mine. Contains mature themes.

Can a lonely widow and an orc with secrets find true love together? Lyneth After my husband's death, my village pushes me into the forest during the monster mate hunt, where I'll be claimed as an orc's bride. I've vowed I'll never love another, but then I'm claimed by Madr, a strong, handsome orc who I suspect is hiding secrets. On his dragon-like vox, he flies with me toward his home. His warm arms keep me safe, and his teasing touch makes me reconsider every assumption I made about my past and my future. Do I dare give my heart to an orc? Madr When I abdicated the orc throne, I planned to live a simple life. I never expected the fates to bind me to Lyneth or that I'd fall for her so fast. But someone's out to kill me, and if I don't stop them, I won't survive long enough to claim my new bride. Contains mature themes.

Alwen: A year ago, one of the males in my village hurt me. When he tried to do it a second time, I took care of that problem-permanently. Then I'm selected for the annual Monster Mate Hunt where two village women must enter the forest to be claimed as an orc's bride. If an orc tries to take me, I'll handle him just as I did the man in my village. To my dismay, I'm captured by a band of treacherous thieves. I'm planning my escape when an enormous, snarly orc attacks the camp. He slays the thieves and announces I'm his fated mate. I won't go down without a fight. If only I didn't swoon whenever he comes near. Zickar: I have one purpose: to find my brother, Dakur, and bring him back to our clan. When the path leads me to Alwen, she sparks my clan pendant, proving she's mine. She fights me at every turn, and I can tell she was hurt in the past. This pretty maiden deserves to be treated gently, and I'm just the male to do it. In no time, I can't imagine a life without her. But when someone steals her from me, I'll cross the ends of the continent to save her. Alwen's my fated mate, and I'll do anything to make her mine. Contains mature themes.

Can a wounded orc hero protect his treasured mate from a cruel captor? Nia: I spend my days healing those forced to battle in my stepbrother's arena and my nights hiding. I've resigned myself to the fact that with my burn scars, I'll never find love. Until my stepbrother commands me to heal his latest acquisition-an orc who was severely injured during capture. I've only heard of orcs, but I do my best to heal him and prepare him for the battles he'll soon face. As I care for Dakur's wounds, we exchange glances that slowly grow heated. It's not long before I'm falling in love for this gruff, stoic warrior who's as trapped here as me. Can we find a way free to finally be together? Dakur: I barely remember being captured, and I've suffered since, forced to fight in a ring while humans bet on the outcome. The only good thing in my life is Nia, the human woman who sparked my clan's pendant. She's my fated mate, though I doubt I'll live long enough to be with her. But as we fall deeper in love, I know I must find a way. I'm going to get us out of this trap, and then I'm claiming Nia as mine. Contains mature themes.

I want to begin a new life far from my village. Will that life include an orc who vows to adore me? Kaila When a man in my village makes demands I'm not willing to give into, my younger brother and I flee into the forest. It's the night of the Monster Mate Hunt, but the orcs who are gifted with brides in exchange for protecting the village will be too busy with the other woman to notice me. Until Turren claims me as his mate. I'm not interested in marrying, and orcs scare me. But there's something sweet and endearing about this one. My brother and I planned to make a new life far from our village. Could that new life be with Turren? Turren Kaila's fierce and strong-willed, and I can't imagine a world without her. In exchange for taking her and her brother to the new village on the edge of the forest, she agrees to let me woo her during our journey. And me, a male of very few words, has talked her into giving me three kisses. I'm going to do all I can to convince her we're destined to be together, even if that means speaking of feelings and my past, things I've shared with no one. When we reach the village, will Kaila leave me, or will she agree to be my mate? Contains mature themes.