Quick Summary: An overworked alpha and abused half-wolf come together to lead a growing pack. But not everybody is happy with the pack’s success.
Overall Impression: Romance and action combine in this engaging first novel in a M/M paranormal romance series. A delicious story that creates an interesting world with many possibilities for the future. I also adore big stories with fun supporting casts where just about everybody is gay.
Rating: 5 out 5 fresh baked cookies
Issues and the people who have them
Being the alpha of a thriving supernatural pack is a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it. That somebody is Ric. He’s tough but fair and takes his alpha responsibilities very seriously.
Keeping track of all the ins and outs of his growing pack is difficult, and things can slip through the cracks. Like the two wolfs who were stealing from the pack. On the list of people you don’t wanna piss off, alpha werewolf should be number one but I guess they thought they were weren’t gonna caught?
When Ric and his enforcers go to deliver justice, they see stealing was tip of iceberg. Because the two elder Kings are keeping malnourished abused wolves in the shed, the dad’s children from an affair.
Kai comes out of the shed swinging a rake to protect the younger ones. Not exactly a meet cute but memorable. The kiddos then become under Ric’s protection but they are naturally cautious, afraid, and suspicious.
Kai is the eldest. He’s protective, nurturing, and of course very desirable to Ric. But his fresh and traumatic time with his father make a relationship complicated.
The push and pull between them takes up most of the novel and is done just right. A slow but not too slow burn romance as Kai heals that leaves you wanting more and fully satisfied when finally delivering on the sexual tension. The romance hits you in the feels, the steamy scenes hit you in the… other parts. Very good stuff on both counts.
Pack Justice
One little detail is that Ric originally intended to punish the Kings by banishing them and branding them. The punishment increases when finding the mistreated children and he ends up taking a hand from them each. Which, yep, sounds extreme, though this is the more traditional punishment that was common in the old days.
The harsher old ways of the old days haven’t completely been eradicated in modern times. Many packs have harsh rules where only the strongest survive, which is part of Ric’s pack grows as people seek sanctuary in his more accepting territory.
The dynamic between barbaric werewolf culture and more tolerant modern ways is highlighted many times throughout the novel. I think it’s fascinating to see the two different styles and a ‘realistic’ element for a story about werewolves, torn between two mentalities of brute strength vs. acceptance.
The writing is good at balancing romance and action with darker and deeper elements. I didn’t realize at first but there’s a lot of layers below the surface. And a little bit of magic and magical rituals, which also adds flavor.
Two Halves of One Whole
As Ric’s pack grows, it’s harder for one person to take care of everything. While it takes him a while to wise up, Ric is desperately in need of a complementary partner from the beginning. A lot of novels use this approach where it takes two to lead a pack, an alpha and mate, and both parties bring different strengths to the table. I thought it was particularly well done in this instance. Even right from the title, alpha and his king. Two superior forces that work even better together.
Quote
The Alpha and His King
When Kai flies out of a shed, swinging a rake, Rick’s life flips upside down.
As alpha, Rick’s dedication to his pack has never wavered—until Kai. The pull he feels toward the younger man is more than a simple distraction, but Rick won’t let himself lose focus. Not while a hidden enemy is drawing near.
Moving in with the grumpy alpha who saved him is a big change for Kai, and it isn’t long before he begins to ache for something he can’t have. As a half-human shifter responsible for his three younger siblings, he knows he can never be Rick’s mate.
Pushing aside their doubts and insecurities, they grow closer. But when the pack’s enemies strike, bringing their fears to fruition, Rick and Kai have to decide if they’re willing to risk it all to be together.
The Alpha and His King is the first book in the Kincaid Pack series and features a quick-tempered and possessive alpha; a sweet and feisty alpha-mate; shifters, seers, and witches galore; massive amounts of hurt/comfort; and a happily ever after.
Kincaid Pack Series
Gay Paranormal Romance 