Destined Mate

By Katie Reus

Two hundred years ago, Angela Lavigne and Alpha werewolf Knox had a shared a passion neither could control. Then Angela was turned into a vampire and disappeared. The last thing Knox expects is for Angela to show up on his doorstep centuries later on a rescue mission, as sexy and irresistible as ever. And he can sense how much she still wants him, too. She's gone against both their species' rules and trespassed on his land. By law he can keep her as long as he wants – and Knox doesn't intend to let her go ever again.

As their desire explodes once again, Knox is more sure than ever that he's must claim her forever. But as vampire and werewolf, they are natural born enemies. Can she truly be his destined mate?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: May 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781460823828

Katie Reus

Katie Reus is the USA Today bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Angela inhaled the various forest scents and tried to steady her breathing. She knew she was insane to sneak onto the land of the most powerful werewolf in the United States. But she had no choice.

Her best friend had been taken by these animals and she planned to get her back. She didn’t care what her tribe leader, Titus, said. She’d been stuck living with his coven for the past fifty years and while she normally didn’t mind his Draconian rules, she’d gladly suffer the consequences to get Natalia back. If she was still alive. Who knew what those animals had done to her by now? Natalia had only been gone about a week but the animosity between vampires and werewolves went back thousands of years. It didn’t matter that in a few months their two species would be signing a peace treaty. Right now nothing had been signed and her friend was fair game.

The icy wind whistled through the leaves of the giant red oak trees. Even though it was January, a lot of the foliage was still thick and would help block her scent.

She peered around the giant tree she’d been using as cover. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted the outline of a huge male by another tree about forty yards away. Even though he was in human form, she knew he was a shifter. Of the wolf variety if she scented right.

Luck was on her side since she was downwind of him. Withdrawing her gun, she glanced around the rest of the forest but didn’t see or smell anything else unusual. Since his back was to her, she darted twenty yards closer until she hid behind another large tree.

She wasn’t sure if she could take on a trained, warrior wolf by herself so she knew she couldn’t miss this first shot. Raising her weapon, she held her breath and aimed directly for the spot below his skull.

The small puff of noise the tranquilizer dart made as it shot through her suppresser was enough for him to notice.

He stiffened but it was too late.

By the time he turned toward her, the tranq was already embedded deep in his skin. The giant shifter stumbled once, twisted in her direction then narrowed his gaze at her before he fell face-first in the dirt and grass.

Her friend Mick had been right. Those sedatives did their job fast. Unfortunately it wouldn’t last long on a shifter his size. She quickly secured his hands behind his back with silver bindings, took his weapons and his radio.

If others found out about her presence, she’d know about it soon enough. She hooked the radio on her belt and tossed his guns and blades behind a nearby tree before continuing north. She’d been traveling on foot for miles so she knew it wouldn’t be long until she reached her destination.

The sound of nearby male voices made her freeze in her tracks. Instead of trying to hide, she crouched down where she was. Until she figured out where the voices were coming from, she didn’t want to make any sudden movements or risk anyone scenting her.

I’ve been trying to get King on his radio but he won’t pick up, one of them said.

Another male chuckled. He’s probably getting a piece of tail… Hey, what the…

Crap. They’d spotted her. With her heightened night vision she could finally see the two outlines of male figures near a tree line. Judging by their stiff and alert posture, they’d seen her, too. It didn’t matter that she wore all dark camouflage, blended in with her surroundings and had a much lower heat signature than they did. All they’d have to do was see something about her that didn’t blend in with nature. Like her eyes. They likely looked like freaking Christmas lights to them.

She had two options. One was running. Even if she escaped it wouldn’t matter. Her friend would still be captive.

She’d have to take the other option—go on the offensive.

Wordlessly she jumped from her position and sprinted at them. From what she could scent, there were only two of them and they hadn’t made a move to notify anyone of her presence. Probably because they thought they could take her on their own. And maybe they could.

As she ran, they silently spread out to her right and left. Despite her keen awareness she couldn’t read their expressions in the dark. Knowing she’d only be able to bring one of them down at a time, she raised her gun and fired at the one on her right.

The soft thud of the tranq hitting flesh was music to her ears.

Oh, shit… He hit the ground faster than the first guy.

Before she could even think about swinging her arm around to take a second shot, a heavy weight rammed into her. Damn wolves were just as fast as she was. She flew through the air and landed on her side.

All the air rushed from her lungs but she quickly jumped to her feet to square off with the werewolf. To her surprise, the male hadn’t shifted form. He still wore black cargo pants and a long-sleeved black shirt.

What are you doing on our land, little vampire? His voice was almost mocking.

Little? Baring her teeth, she lunged at him, fist raised.

He dodged her punch but she was ready for him. She might be one of the youngest of her species but she was agile and she trained every day. As he moved his head to the left, she kicked out, high and hard.

When her booted foot made contact with the other side of his head, he grunted a string of curses. He hit the ground with a thud and she heard the unmistakable growl of the beast within him.

He’d be shifting soon. And while he did, she’d be hauling ass away from him. Werewolves were weakest when they shifted form and she knew it

Reviews for Destined Mate

[rtb_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reviewed by AprilReview copy provided by author I found Destined Mate to be a quick and enjoyable read that fit well into my love of the paranormal genre. Though short, author Katie Reus spins a well told and highly descriptive tale of love - forbidden between werewolf and vampire. Add a dose of sizzle, an action packed fight and destiny - no matter how against the grain it may be - and you have one heck of a story. Knox is a sensual, strong and stubborn Alpha werewolf. Angela is a strong-headed vampire, who was turned a century ago. At one time their love for one another was a blazing fire that could not be extinguished. The love and desire that they shared for one another was like none other. Then, when Angela is turned into a vampire, she runs, knowing Knox's extreme hatred for vampires. Both hearts shattered and broken. It is when Angela goes looking to save her dear friend that she once again runs in Knox and the sparks instantly fly. Nothing goes as planned and stubbornness fights against chemistry and passion. Which will win in the end and who will come out on top? This was my first Harlequin Nocturne Craving story and I wasn't completely sure what to expect. I was quite happy with the way the story unfolded, the bits of sizzle and sensuousness and I loved both the characters of Angela and Knox. Their personalities showed through incredibly well and I loved the push and pull between the two of them. Though short, Destined Mate was a lovely story and I greatly look forward to reading more by Katie Reus in the future.

[sedelia_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a short novella, so this will be a short review. Destined Mate gives you all of the good stuff without any of the fluff. There was just enough back story to make me interested and invested in the characters, and there were quite a few hot and heavy scenes that I greatly enjoyed.I would have liked for there to have been a bit more groundwork laid for the fight between the vampires and werewolves, but overall I liked the story. The characters were easy to relate to, the romance was well-paced and exactly what I expect from a Harlequin book, and the world is well-drawn for a story that is quite short.If you're a fan of 18+ paranormal romances, definitely pick this one up. You'll love it.

[stacyatufi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Angela and Knox where in love a long time ago and then Angela was turned into a vampire against her will and took off. Knox hated everything and everyone having to do with vampires and Angela didnt want him to see her as that so she left without notice. Now Angela has turned back up in his life and Knox refuses to let her go.DESTINED MATE was a quick easy read. I kinda wish it was longer so I could enjoy it a little longer. I really enjoyed the main characters Angela and Knox. They were both set in their ways and they butted heads but they had a great passion together which made for some hot moments. I also enjoyed the little dominance fight between the Alpha and the head vampire that takes place. It added some great suspense to the story. Since it is a novella everything happens at a quicker pace but it all flowed smoothly. Pick up DESTINED MATE to give yourself a quick werewolf/Vampire fix.

[Ruisa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The fact that opposites do attract in the most primal way .. and fight harder for their true love .. the way the author creates thru' words is amazing and shows she is truly gifted