In the Mark of Lycos series, gods are very much in play. You have the Wolf in the Forest, the Bear in the Cave, and even the Fox in the Den. But other worlds exist as well, like the plane on which the athmae–demons–live. Demons aren’t the stereotypical evil. There are many different kinds, and they have a purpose, same as the humans, sorcerers, and shifters do. But only the Wolf in the Forest seems to know what Anson’s purpose is.
This is a very steamy story, complete with gods and a truly evil villain. So if hot, steamy group scenes and some fun m/m action are your thing, check out Wolf Wanted. Read the excerpt below, and don’t miss the $10 Amazon e-gift card giveaway!
Cleaned up EXCERPT (note UK spellings)
The priest stepped forward once more and chanted the words that the crowd gathered closer to hear. Praise to the Wolf in the Forest, thanks to the Living Wood, cries of joy that the Silver Clan would continue to thrive and populate a world needing the rawness only natural creatures, like the wolf, could bring.
Anson felt a spark deep within, a burning that seared him from his heart, through his blood and lungs and brain. No, not the claiming. I have no mate in this pack! None of these females is worthy of Lycos’s heir.
His brother had seen a glimpse of his future, and it wasn’t tied to anyone here that he knew. Twin orbs of fire would light Anson’s way, whatever that meant.
Concentrating, Anson pushed past the pain filling his body. He jumped to the ground and watched as several women flocked to the dais, around which stood the other helpless candidates. The newly mated wolves tried to look brave. A few managed grins, pretending enthusiasm for their mated status. But Anson knew what they truly felt, what he felt. Dread. Oppression. Doom.
The seconds ticked into minutes as he continued to wait next to his uncle. Another woman claimed her mate, dragging him with her back into the woods. Older wolves laughed, enjoying the ceremony. A few of the couples began mating in earnest before one and all. With their young tended to in the deep forest, what few inhibitions the wolves held disappeared before one and all. Soon, the festivity turned downright carnal as an orgy unfolded.
And still, no one stepped forward to claim Anson. The tightness in his chest eased.
“I don’t understand how you did it.” His uncle growled. “Damn, Anson. You really are a stubborn bastard. Just like your father.”
“Who was your identical twin.”
Mike shook his head. “Go find your brother. I’ll give you three days. Then I expect you home. And tell Fenris his bride will be waiting for him.”
Anson stared in horror. “You contracted a match for Fenris? You can’t do that.”
Mike shoved Anson to the ground and put his hand around Anson’s neck. “I love you, pup, but you really have to stop telling me what I can and can’t do.”
The urge to snap at his uncle shocked him, and Anson deliberately shrunk into himself. “Sorry, Uncle Mike,” he rasped.
His uncle let him go and yanked him to his feet by his shirt. “You don’t fool me, Anson. I know you don’t fear me.” He tugged Anson close. “You and Fenris are one day going to fight to rule. And I couldn’t be prouder that a Barton will once more lead the clan.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.” Anson looked anywhere but at his uncle. No way would he ever fight Fenris to the death, and especially not for a title he didn’t want.
He heard a sigh and felt a shove. “Go on. Keep to notions of freedom for as long as you can. But you can’t outrun the Wolf in the Forest, pup. It’s in your blood. You’ll do great things some day, wolf. Great things.”
Panicked at the yoke of responsibility drawing close around his neck, Anson tore off his clothing – the damned ceremonial garb that clung to him like a second skin – and shifted into himself. He didn’t bother going after Fenris just yet. Anson needed time to digest all that had happened tonight. Racing on four feet through the forest, he settled into a comfortable gait, away from the sexual energy frothing in the pack. Unfortunately, some of it remained within him, the urge to take pleasure in the joining of souls.
He could still feel the burn of something magical in his blood, and the taste of brewing power called to him. Since he’d never gone through the ceremony before, he didn’t know if what he felt was normal or not. But he’d never heard a wolf mention so much heat inside him when he mated.
To his surprise, thoughts of the burn caused it to flare. Enflamed with lust, Anson slowed down. Hell, he really ached. Pausing, he wondered just how badly he’d offended the Wolf in the Forest by rejecting the notion to mate. He said a silent prayer asking for forgiveness.
Between one blink and the next, the forest changed. Then it changed again, as if Anson had leapt miles away from the familiar. Beyond the trees he smelled oil, the rot of excess and decay—humanity–and knew something was seriously wrong with him. Because despite his alien environment, his body trembled with the need to release.
A sudden blow knocked him off his feet and singed his fur. Rolling to his side, he tried to rise but couldn’t. Then his vision faltered, and his nose filled with the overpowering scent of sandalwood—non-wolves. Enemy spore.
He snarled but could manage no more than a half-hearted yip before strong arms lifted him and pressed him to a broad chest. Muscles rippled against his fur, and without meaning to, he shifted back into his human form. A steady heartbeat thrummed against his ear.
“So pretty,” a deep voice rumbled. Others joined him, commenting on everything from Anson’s unusual golden hair to other, more impressive parts of him. Thankfully, the man holding him didn’t seem to notice. He stroked Anson’s forearm, over the mark of Lycos. “Well, well. My wolf is truly a prize after all.”
Before Anson could question his circumstances, time and space compressed around him, and he knew nothing more.
Thanks for the chance! Great excerpt!
I have not read this one of yours yet, but I will soon. Loved the excerpt.
wow one hot story
Any book by Marie Harte is a winner but a rewrite only means twice the reading pleasure as more is added.
Nice and sexy cover. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love your books! Thanks for the give-away!
Would love to read all The Mark of Lyco’s books!
I enjoyed the excerpt thank you.
looks interesting
It looks scary by its cover!
WOW! This sounds like my kind of book!
Thanks so much for the chance!
Love the excerpt and look forward to reading the book.
Looks like a winner!!
I am always looking for new authors to read. Your book sounds like the kind I like to read.
Love the interesting cover
Great excerpt. Adding this series to my wishlist.
Thanks for the great excerpt! Sexy~!
Sounds too hot to handle!
it sounds like a great book! Can’t wait to read it! =)
sounds like a great book and i really like the cover
Sounds good. I am a big fan of shifters.
One more book to add on my TBB list!
Sounds very interesting-looking forward to the read
I just love shifter books and wolves are my favorite.
What a beautiful book cover! I definitely enjoyed the excerpt! I’m looking forward to reading the book
I love the cover. Thanks fo the opportunity
A great looking cover which makes me interested in reading the story.
that book cover is beautiful!
I enjoyed the excerpt aznd looking forward to reading the rest of the story 🙂
I enjoyed the excerpt and looking forward to reading the rest of the story 🙂
Sounds interesting and thanks for the chance in the drawing!
Thanks for the chance!
Wonderful and fabulous giveaway!!
Love this excerpt! AND the covers!
Interesting that you took some time to flesh out the story more. It must be so tempting to want to go back and update some of your stories. I know I’m that kind of person that just keeps playing with words and am unable to let go.
Werewolves are my favorite Shifter and this looks like a great series.can’t wait to read it.
love this cover. And sounds like a good read.
I love your books. Great excerpt.
Can’t wait to read it!
Great work!
I look forward to reading this as I missed it the first time around 🙂
This book seems to be muy caliente 😀
Sounds like an interesting read. Keep up the good work. I hope that I win.
I love all the different paranormal stories. Thanks so much.
I’ve loved every book, by Marie, that I’ve read and this one was no different! Can’t wait to read the next one!
I don’t know why, but the “truly evil villain” part sold me on the story!
Love Marie Harts books so i can’t wait to read this one 🙂
Sounds like a hot read!
sounds like a fun one!
I’ll make sure to look for this book.
Sounds like an awesome story to read
The book was tantalizingly scrumptious and oh so naughty. Great Read and even better author. Thank you for the treat! Anxiously awaiting next book‼️
This sounds like a very interesting read! Thanks for the chance to win.
Looks good. Can’t wait to read.
want to join the giveaway
I LOVE YOUR BOOKS
Great covers would love to get it! Great stories too.
Marie, send Anson my email. I’m r–e–a–d–y in my lair!!
Great covers would love to get it!
I love the mystique surrounding wolves
I really enjoy her stories.
This sounds like an amazing read. Thank you for creating such amazing worlds.
Love to read all genres; this is another hit.
love your books
Marie Harte books are wonderful
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM AWESOME COVER MARIE! JUST WANT TO LICK!
The book sounds interesting, thanks.
I liked the excerpt, thank you.
Love your books have been reading them for years.
Congrats to Marie on the re-release.
Love this blog- always find great new reads
Congratulations to Marie on the release of Wolf Wanted.
Sounds like a good read. Would love to have it.
Love this book have read it several times and loved each and every time, I hope there is going to be more stories about the athemae Demons as they were exceedingly fun to read about, especially there antics lol
Adding this book to my want list! 🙂
The book sounds great, thanks for the chance.
This is such a good series, as are ALL of Marie Hartes’ series. She’s one of my “must buy” authors.
I so enjoy Marie Harte’s contemporary books. Will have to make sure to check this one out!
Love this author and this sounds smoking hot.
Love Marie’s books! I’m not much into M/M books but this sounds like an interesting read!
Really enjoy reading Marie Harte books