Marked by the Alpha

This is a really dark omegaverse story with alpha/beta/omega dynamics. And when I say dark, keep in mind, that means swimming in a sea of non-con, dub-con, abuse and violence. Nolan is an omega who has the misfortune to be born in one of the cruellest packs in this shifter society. As the only son in a family with 3 beta sisters, he is the biggest, deepest, shameful disappointment of his parents when he presents as omega in his early teen years. In a pack where designation is everything, being an omega means to be the lowest of the low, a rag doll for the alphas to play as they please. The lack of family support in his case, means also lack of parental support, care and love. Even though the abuse and non con started in Nolan's teen years/ before 18/, they were only mentioned and described in the prologue but not seen on page. But when the actual story starts, Nolan is already in college and the nightmare he lives in, unfolds in its staggering, breath stealing depth and details. What we do feel seeing his life, except the despair, loneliness and pain, is his deep need to belong, to find his mate, to be loved. Despite the hardships, Nolan is a bright beam of sunshine, sensitive, cautious, soft spoken and incredibly smart. But his smaller, delicate stature also puts a target on his back as a convenient victim. Something Simon - the alpha's heir of Nolan's birth pack - uses non stop as an advantage.

But not all packs of wolves in this fictional world abuse and mistreat their omegas. There are some where shifters live as tight knit families no matter the designation and everyone contributes as much as they can for the common prosperity. Sebastian is a part of such kind of pack - where people genuinely care and respect each other. When he meets Nolan on campus and realises the tantalising aroma of apples is his mate's scent, he doesn't have any idea how many challenges, pain and struggles, they both have to overcome to be together. And part of the problems are Nolan's lack of self preservation instinct and bad choices.

The story ends with really hard won HEA. I liked the pace, the plot and the characters. It would have been awesome if it was a beginning of a series, not only standalone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.