Best friends to lovers theme paired with an interesting paranormal world make for a delightful story!

Quade Danas, bodyguard for Roman Howell, is also a jackal shifter. He joined the military after being forced to leave his pack by his homophobic father. Roman is working on convincing Quade that the two of them should take their relationship to the next level, but now the pack desperately needs him back. Quade must now deal with pack issues and his potential relationship with Roman.

Quade may grumble quite a bit, but there is no doubt that Roman is his heart and soul. I loved his character and his voice as he tells his story. In typical Calmes fashion, almost everybody adores Quade and wants to be by his side at all times. I know I certainly did. He was both powerful and tender, leaving no doubt that he would always love and protect Roman.

Roman had been in a serious accident which left him with quite a bit of scarring. This definitely played into how most people treated him, but it didn’t stop him from being kind and compassionate toward others. It was always entertaining when he felt the need to bring out his more caustic voice. Since Quade had been protecting Roman both before and after Roman’s parents died, Quade was concerned that Roman wanted him for the wrong reasons. It was fun to watch Roman convince Quade otherwise. The story was split nicely between their romance and the pack activities.

Dealing with pack politics, Roman’s business ventures, Quade’s former lovers, and the other side characters all made for a very enjoyable story. I really hope the author continues to write in this world, since there are several characters that have a story to tell.

Beautiful and captivating story about friendship and loyalty told within the world of shifters.

Originally reviewed for The Romance Reviews. Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

BLURB

When jackal shifter Quade Danas was banished from his pack for being gay, he spent years in the military escaping his father’s prejudice before returning to civilian life as a bodyguard for Roman Howell, the teenage son of a very rich man. After Roman is in an accident that leaves him physically scarred and emotionally distant, Quade is the only one who can get through to him. As Roman becomes a man, he realizes what he wants—his bodyguard by his side and in his bed. Unfortunately, Quade can’t seem to see past the kid Roman once was to the man he has become, certain Roman’s feelings are merely misplaced gratitude. But Roman knows a lot more than Quade realizes, and he’s used to persevering, no matter how many impediments life throws his way. He wants the chance to prove to Quade that he’s strong enough for a jackal alpha to call mate.

Despite the decades Quade has been away, and the heartache of his father’s rejection, his inborn loyalty to the pack remains, and his abrupt departure left the jackal shifters without an alpha heir. As a psychopath shifter staking claim as alpha draws Quade back home, and Quade feels compelled to heed the call, he may be forced to make a choice he never anticipated. But doing so means he must leave Roman behind… unless somehow they find a way to make loyalty and love work together.