Rise of the Alpha Books 1-3

There can be only one Alpha…

Killian Blackcrown knows there’s only one way to get out from under his father’s murderous rule: he must leave his pack. Abandoning his duties, he not only forfeits his birthright as Pack Master, he’s also leaving his brother in the hands of the madman. Meeting his fated mate is not part of the plan and Killian must find the power inside himself to not only rule his new pack, but to fight back against his father.

Lucian Blackcrown wants the Alpha role for himself and fighting his brother for it is the respectable thing to do. No Alpha just hands over the role of Pack Master and runs away unscathed. That is, until he meets his soul mate, the woman who makes him second-guess everything. She’s the only person he can trust with his darkness, but will it drive a wedge between them?

The two brothers could use their wolf shifter strength and work together to take down the most vicious of monsters, but can they forgive each other and become the Alphas of their own packs?

NOTE:
*Trigger Warning: Violence, hints of sadism and masochism, various implements of torture and pain, united with fast-paced adventure and fast-burn romance, resulting in a binge-worthy read.

Killian Blackcrown wants nothing to do with his pack anymore. His father the Pack Master has ruled with fear and intimidation. Dominance fights are a regular thing, and the blood lust incites everyone. Everyone but him. He’s supposed to fight tonight, instead he shifts and leaves. His father disowning him as he flees leaving the position of heir to his brother Lucian. Killian has set up a cabin far from his pack, it’s here he will become a lone wolf, he wants no pack affiliation.

Cordelia Golden is the oldest daughter of the Pack Master. Her pack is a good one and her father has been a good leader. But he’s dying and trying to get her to mate for the sake of the pack. Cordelia doesn’t want to mate with any of her pack, no one attracts her and the one who wants to be Alpha is self-serving and determined to mate with her. After visiting with her ailing father, Cordelia makes the decision to leave and search for her true mate. Of course, her plan is a bit vague, in her wolf form she just keeps asking for this unknown entity to help her find him. When she scents someone different, she is concentrating on him and running at full speed, she literally runs into a tree. The impact is hard enough to injure her to the point of unconsciousness. It’s in this state that Killian finds her.

There is no doubt they are fated mates, but Killian has plenty of reasons not to want to be Alpha and Cordelia had plenty of reasons for him to become one.

This is a favorite scene.

They were connected, lovers, soul mates.

Top it off with the ability to talk to her about everything he was, how he was brought up, the brutality of his father, and everything that came with him…and she never once judged him for it. It was wonderful to have that with someone, to share, to know you have that one person who would be there, no matter what.

But in the back of Killian’s mind, he still wondered if this was what he was meant for? Was this what he wanted, to walk out of one pack and step into Alpha role in another?

He wasn’t meant for pack life. He wasn’t Alpha material. Even if Cordelia’s township recognized him as an Alpha the moment he stepped into town it wouldn’t sway his feelings one way or the other.

His father told him every day of his life that he was never going to be man enough to be Alpha of their pack.

“You’re too much of a pussy, son. You need to fight for what you want and kill anyone in your way. Even if that one person is me. This pack will never respect you. They’ll over throw you first chance they get. You’ll bring shame on yourself and this family. Hell, Lucian would be a better Alpha than you!”

He often told his father to give it to Lucian if he wanted it so bad. His brother salivated to lead, to become the Pack Leader. Lucian wanted this. Killian did not.

“Where’d you go just now?” Cordelia asked. She intertwined her fingers with his and leaned into his body.

He shook his head. “It’s nothing. Just getting in my own head space.”

“You know you can tell me, right?”

He nodded. “Yes, I know.” As they approached the outskirts of her village, he pulled her to a stop, then lowered his eyes to the ground. He kicked at a rock as he procrastinated telling her how he felt. How would she handle it? Would she be upset? Would she scold him? Would she tell him he was not worth the fight and she’d made a mistake?

“Killian,” she whispered. “I can barely hear your whispers. Whatever it is, we’ll face it together. We’re destined mates. I’ll always be by your side.”

“That’s just it,” he started, then met her gaze. Her bright blue eyes were warm and welcoming. She had a sincerity about her that broke his heart. She was so good and deserved so much more than what he could offer her.

“Tell me,” she whispered, and cupped his face. “Please.”

“You are so good. Your pack is strong and they respect your father. I come from Hell and my father is the Devil. I feel like a jerk coming into your life and thinking I could ever be an Alpha. It’s not me or in my nature.”

“Stop that right now, Killian Drake Blackcrown.”

He frowned. “I didn’t tell you my middle name.”

“I snooped,” she smirked. “Now, you listen to me. You are not your father, and thank fuck for that. You are also none of the things he said to you about never being good enough. You are enough, Killian. I just wish you could see yourself through my eyes and how much you’ll mean to this pack, and to me.”

“I feel like I’ve let you down. You came to find your mate and you got me instead.”

“Yeah, I got you,” she repeated. “And I’m damn proud of that fact. I’m proud of you. You left what you didn’t want, to do better for yourself. You didn’t want to bring what you know into the life of what you could have. I totally respect that. My father will as well.”

The pair stopped talking for a moment, then Cordelia spoke up once more. “I’m going to give you long enough to get out of your head and realize you’re an amazing man, partner, and mate. I know you’ve been to Hell and back, Killian, but you left. Leave your past behind you so you can appreciate what is coming. And trust me, it’ll be amazing.”

He offered a hint of a smile. This woman was truly a gift, and he didn’t deserve her, but he would fight through the rest of his life to earn her as a mate, as a lover, as a wife, and maybe someday soon, as the mother to his children.

“Okay,” he whispered.

“I’m sorry, I can’t hear you.”

He smirked. “Okay,” he said a little louder.

She nodded. “That’s what I thought you said. Now, let’s go and meet up with my father.”
Julie Morgan. Rise Of The Alpha: Books 1-3 (Kindle Locations 1521-1557). Kindle Edition.

Now this new development for the Golden Manes pack will be an adjustment. Killian hasn’t yet accepted the Alpha role but he is definitely Cordelia’s mate.

James McBeal will be the first one to start trouble. He’s wanted the Alpha role for all of his life, and he won’t have it taken from him. Or so he thinks.

Killian needs to make things right all around by formally withdrawing from his pack, then things go a bit haywire.

So many things intertwine to culminate in quite the ending.

A story of love, with laughter, action, tears and sizzle.

5 Contented Purrs for Julie!

Killian’s intention when he left Cordelia and his new pack is to formally cut ties with his father what he finds instead is prison.

A messenger sent to the Golden Mane leaves no doubt that Cordelia and her sister Sophie must travel to Blackcrown territory to retrieve her mate and Alpha. They journey with two of their guards and when they are found by sentries they are surprised by their reception.

Killian’s father, Richard Blackcrown has pulled out all the stops, a huge feast is before them but still no sign of Killian. What unfolds is very interesting as Richard’s intent to have Killian fight to the death is thwarted by Killian himself.

An interesting development is Killian’s brother, Lucian and Cordelia’s sister Sarah. Although they haven’t quite realized what’s happening yet.

Richard doesn’t like to lose, so there’s got to be something else he has in mind. It just a matter of when.

Both Lucian and his father attend Killian and Cordelia’s wedding followed the next day by the Alpha ceremony. Lucian does find out his father’s plan, and it’s something Lucian wants no part of.

He’s getting closer to Sarah and wants to be Alpha with her by his side. This is confirmed even more during a tour of the pack territory with her.

This is a favorite scene.

She lifted a brow. “I’d like to hope I can since we’re kind of related now.”

“Don’t call me your brother. It will completely ruin the mood and what I have planned.”

She laughed, then covered her mouth. “Sorry, I didn’t mean—”

“Yes, you did,” he interrupted with a smile. “It was meant to be funny. Now, come with me.”

“If I want to live?” she added.

He shook his head with a grin. “Absolutely. You following me will depend on certain life and death.”

“Ooh, I like this game,” she teased.

Lucian led her between the buildings and the couple was then cloaked by the darkened shadows. He closed the space between them and Sarah back stepped until her back touched the wall behind her.

“What are you doing?” she asked with a smirk.

“Something I’ve wanted to do since I first saw you.” He felt himself falling into the pools of her eyes, as if she could see directly into his soul.

Would she run once she found out how horrible of a person he once was?

Would she give him a chance to see he’d changed his ways?

He would have to find out and run the course with Sarah.

He took her chin between his index and thumb and gently tilted her head up. Lucian lowered his mouth to hers and once their lips touched, a power surged through him unlike anything he’d ever experienced. He pressed harder against her body, his chest and pelvis pressed against hers. Then, Sarah placed the palms of her hands against his chest. Fear clinched his chest, but soon released when she didn’t push him away. Instead, she moved her arms up around his neck, pulling him ever so closer to her.

He tilted his head the other way and deepened their kiss, his tongue gliding across hers as a growl interrupted the silence. He pulled back just enough to look at her with a grin. “Was that you?”

She grinned and lowered her gaze to the ground. “Maybe?”

He tilted her head up once more. “Look at me. You’re beautiful and the fact I could make you growl by simply kissing you makes me believe there’s much more to you than meets the eye. And I, for one, am looking forward to getting to know you on a much deeper scale.”

She pressed her lips together. “I’m happy to hear that. And thank you for not embarrassing me.”

He touched her cheek with the back of his fingers. “I never would.”

“Good. So, let’s continue our tour before someone catches us making out in an alley.” She took his hand in hers and led them back into the sunlight.

Lucian grinned like a schoolboy with his first crush. His heart fluttered and all matters of evil and doom seemed to have disappeared into the abyss.

“I want to show you our town cemetery.”

“Wow, this went dark quick,” he teased.

She lifted her brow and glared at him. “Dark would be creating some kind of ritual over someone’s grave. I’m simply asking you to view land with me.”

“Right,” he started with a grin. “Let’s go then.”

Moments later, they walked through the entrance to “Golden Cemetery” park. She guided them through the burial ground, past a large oak tree, toward a large cement angel that overlooked a grave. She stood in front of it and let go of his hand. Sarah bent down and tugged at the weeds that grew around the headstone.

He lowered himself as well and looked upon the name.

Brady Caldwell Golden
Born 1948 Died 2020
Devoted father, brother, and son

“I wish you could have met him,” she whispered. “He was such a great father and leader for our people.”

Lucian studied the name and frowned. Memories surged through his mind of past fighters and… Brady Caldwell Golden. Brady Caldwell. Then, he remembered. He looked at Sarah.

“Your father was Brady Caldwell, the Alpha fighter?”

She nodded. “Once upon a moon years ago, before Cordelia and I were born. Hell, before he met our mother, may she rest in peace.”

Both of her parents were gone and her father was one of the greatest fighters he had read about. His father made mention of not wanting to tangle with the Caldwell fighter, but Richard had no idea the territory they were now on. Lucian planned to keep this piece of information in his back pocket for now.

“He was a fantastic fighter, one of the best, honestly, in my opinion.” The pair stood together and she reached for his hand once more. “He taught us just because you can kill doesn’t mean you should. Always err on the side of kindness. You know, give second chances.”

Her words ripped through his once blackened heart. It was as if a dark cloud hung over Lucian’s head, and it killed him to consider what he once wanted to plan. To take over as Alpha by destroying everything Killian loved.

He shook his head and closed his eyes. “Sarah,” he started, “there’s so much I need to tell you.”

“Shh,” she held her finger over his lips. “No, you don’t. I saw you in the beginning and I see you now, Lucian. You’re not the same man. I can see it and so can my sister.”

He opened his eyes to her and his brows rose. “You can? She can?”
Julie Morgan. Rise Of The Alpha: Books 1-3 (Kindle Locations 3862-3908). Kindle Edition.In the

Lucian also finds something to stop his father’s plans for Killian and his pack. Although it causes so much more to occur.

There’s plenty of intrigue, suspense and sizzle as this story unfolds.

5 Contented Purrs for Julie!

Killian and Lucian take their father’s body back to the Blackthorn pack. Killian, now Pack Master of the Golden pack has no desire to acquire this one.

When Lucian traveled to the Golden territory for his brother’s wedding and subsequent Alpha ceremony, he was very much like his father. The members of his pack feared him and were sure he would keep the status quo once his father was gone. Now Lucian not only has to face the pack with what he’s done, he has to convince them he’s changed and there will be no more fights or intimidation.

He also has to come to terms with the darkness within him and win back his mate. Sarah, Killian’s sister-in-law has turned her back on her mate on learning Lucian had killed his father. It didn’t matter that he did it to save them all, or did it?

Killian and a very pregnant Cordelia travel to Lucian’s Alpha ceremony, only for her to go into labor. Sarah had chosen not to accompany them so now Lucian has to get her there for her sister.

This is a favorite scene.

It wasn’t long after the messenger picked her up, they were on the territory of the Blackcrown pack. Nervous energy flooded her and she cracked her knuckles, then her neck. The last time she was here, Killian was a prisoner and her and Lucian met for the first time.

She accused him of having penis envy, but even then, she knew he was her mate. She felt it the moment they looked into each other’s eyes.

The pain, the envy, the rage inside Lucian’s eyes melted away and it was replaced with warmth, longing, and desire. She felt it and knew he did as well.

As the driver parked the SUV, she stepped out and made her way toward the house. The driver carried her bag for her, even after Sarah insisted on carrying it herself at her home.

He knocked on the door and set her bag down. “I’ll wait here until the door—” was all he managed to get out before the door opened. “Right,” he started and took a step back. “I’ll leave you to it, then.”

“Thank you again,” Sarah told him and reached for her bag when a hand beat her to it.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Lucian told her and picked up her suitcase.

“Where’s my sister?” She didn’t look into his eyes. She couldn’t, for fear of succumbing to her hearts desire: Lucian.

“She’s inside with our doctor.” He opened the door fully and stepped to the side.

With a sigh, she crossed the threshold and pulled her gloves off, stuffing them into her coat pocket. She inhaled the scent of wood, musk, and everything that was Lucian. Tears burned her eyes and she blinked them away, but she couldn’t cover the ache she felt in her heart. She longed for Lucian, needing to touch him, feel him, to just inhale his scent and be near him.

But she wouldn’t allow herself the pleasure of it. No, she was here for Cordelia and her sister only.

Removing her jacket, she felt Lucian tug at the back of it.

“Don’t,” she started and turned to face him. Before she could stop herself, she looked into his eyes. And there it was, the connection, the pull of her mate, everything she’d been fighting against. It was crumbling down faster than she was ready for. She also noticed the dark bags under his eyes, the tiredness of his gaze, the slouch of his body. He was exhausted. It showed in his stance and the scruff that grew on his face.

“Sarah,” he started and took a step toward her.

“Lucian, don’t,” she whispered and closed her eyes. A single tear slid down her cheek and she quickly swiped it away. “Where is Cordelia?” At her words, she heard her sister scream out from a nearby room. Her eyes widened. “She’s in labor?”

Lucian nodded and set her suitcase on the floor. “I have her in a guest room with our doctor. Follow me, I’ll take you to her.” She removed her coat and laid it across the couch and followed Lucian. He was in a fitted long sleeved, black shirt with jeans and his boots. The pants hugged his ass and legs, and her mouth salivated for the man she had to keep her distance from. He knocked on the frame of the door and Killian turned toward the entrance.

“Sarah,” he started and Cordelia lifted her head. In the room with the married couple were two women. She assumed one was the doctor, the other a nurse.

“You’re here,” she cried and reached out a hand for Sarah.

She started into the room when Lucian grabbed her arm. “Can we please talk later?”

“Lucian, don’t,” she answered and placed her hand over his. She hesitated for a moment, then removed his grasp on her arm.

“I said it earlier, but I’ll say it again. I’m glad you’re here.”

She looked into his eyes once more. He was only a few inches from where she stood in the doorway. His scent invaded her and she became intoxicated with him. She looked to his lips, then back to his eyes.

“Later,” she whispered.

He offered a hint of a smile and Sarah rushed to her sister’s bedside.
Julie Morgan. Rise Of The Alpha: Books 1-3 (Kindle Locations 4904-4938). Kindle Edition.

With the birth of his nephew, Lucian has some time to win back his mate. If only he can get her to listen to him.

Sarah is conflicted, she knows that Lucian did what he had to do to protect her family and pack, but she still can’t reconcile that. She also knows that it’s dangerous to reject her mate. The pull is very strong, and she can’t deny she loves him. The question is can she accept all of him?

There are plenty of ups and downs as well as sizzling scenes in this book, along with some very telling revelations as this series winds to its conclusion.

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Julie Morgan

USA TODAY and Award-winning Bestselling Author, Julie Morgan, holds a degree in Computer Science and loves science fiction shows and movies. Encouraged by her family, she began writing. Originally from Texas, Julie now resides in Central Florida with her husband and daughter where she is an advocate for Special Needs children and can be found playing games with her daughter when she isn’t lost in another world.