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The Other Wolf #0.5

Defender of the Pack

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I have a wolf in my head. Her name is Esme, and she likes killing things.

I’m Lucy, alpha werewolf of a pack that hates me. I inherited the pack when I mercy-killed the current alpha at his behest. I did the right thing, but it’s left me head of a werewolf pack who resent that I still live and breathe while their old alpha doesn't.

The problem is, I wasn’t born to the Other realm so magic is all new to me. I’ve got to get up to speed – fast. Luckily, I have super soldier Greg Manners on side to help me, or this loneliness would be crippling.

My new packmates are making it clear that I’m about as welcome as a malodourous, flea-ridden mutt. Disrespect is one thing, bullying is another. I’m trying to take their pranks as light hearted fun, but my gut tells me there’s no affection behind them. I’m going to have to find the pranksters and put a stop to their shenanigans before they erode what little shred of authority I have left. Because if the pack doesn’t respect me, I’ll be replaced as alpha. It’s a position you can’t resign from. It’s do or die.

It's time to get my paws dirty…

65 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 15, 2022

66 people are currently reading
353 people want to read

About the author

Heather G. Harris

48 books1,248 followers

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5 stars
337 (42%)
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272 (34%)
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150 (18%)
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32 (4%)
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8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
Profile Image for Ronda.
890 reviews179 followers
November 23, 2023
So this novella is a prequel/side step to The Other Realm where we learn about Jinx's best friend Lucy and the reason she became alpha!
I am dying to get into the next book because of this dam cliff hanger.... and I love that the reading order will eventually lead me back to The Other Realm with my favourite characters 💜
Profile Image for TJ.
3,285 reviews280 followers
August 4, 2023
This is an intro but nothing more. Good to read to set-up what’s coming in the first book of the Other Wolf series, though.
Profile Image for Beba Andric.
1,575 reviews104 followers
July 8, 2024
This novella fits in so perfectly into the series, it shows Lucy's struggle to gain acceptance and respect from her Pack. The disdain for Lucy from her Pack as the new Alpha is palpable, leaping off the pages with the disrespect and bullying, but hey, she DID kill the previous Alpha, not because she wanted to but because she had to. It describes to absolute perfection Lucy's demeanor and trials. And featuring strongly is the yummy Greg Manners, love his easy manner as if nothing can rattle him, but even though he appears non challante, he's very protective of Lucy. I adore the complexity of their emotions, the will they, won't they had me seriously spurring them on in my head!

Lots of action, brilliant storytelling and a magical world! The underlying humour is wonderful, Lucy's thoughts and E edsme's replies had me giggling out loud. I dare you not to laugh out loud! Yes, I know I'm dribbling little crumbs, but you honestly shouldn't hesitate one second to snap up the entire series! This author knows EXACTLY how to present a story, how to engage a reader, how to get a reader completely hooked!
Profile Image for Kass.
23 reviews8 followers
December 15, 2022
What a perfect addition to the series! It’s a great way to introduce Lucy but also show her beginning as alpha and the struggles she is facing. My heart ached as she was bullied and rage fueled, as much as her wolf Esme, when she was disrespected.

Speaking of Esme, talk about laugh out loud moments, cringe moments, and endearing moments, basically Esme has me all in my feels.

But Esme isn’t Lucy’s only ally. We cannot forget the “mate-able,” according to Esme, mister Greg Manners himself. Lucy hasn’t failed to notice his muscles have muscles, he’s loyal to a fault, strong, can take an order, and pretty much everything a girl could ask for. I sense a slow burn and I’m here for it!!!!

What else do you need to know? Defender of the Pack is full of amazing world building, creative character development, action packed, and masterful story telling. I’m telling you, I lost sleep over this series and I have no regrets!
Profile Image for SheLove2Read.
3,106 reviews203 followers
April 9, 2023
I think I liked it? I spent the first several chapters completely lost, thinking I'd missed a book. Turns out I missed an entire series. This is an offshoot from another series and I think it's best to read that one before continuing this one. While this was only a short prequel, it did end in a cliffhanger, which was slightly annoying.
Profile Image for Madhellena.
636 reviews19 followers
January 27, 2023
This one wasn't as great as the Jinx series, but it was ok. The romance was pretty lame, Greg could have been anyone else.
Profile Image for Janice Mahn.
259 reviews1 follower
May 9, 2025
Nice intro

Short and sweet. Nice intro to the next series. Writing is excellent and I am excited to see where this series will go.
Profile Image for Becky.
492 reviews7 followers
December 15, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this snippet of Lucy and Esme’s first days as alpha! The dialogue between these two are always entertaining and more often than not, heartwarming. I enjoyed seeing Lucy face her first few trials with strength, grace, and a sense of humor. She hits back at her bullies and deals with her unexpected attraction to her hot tamale of a beta, Greg Manners. Lots of fun to be had with this novella!
Profile Image for Jas.
1,032 reviews
June 4, 2023
This is the prequel to the series, and we get to see Lucy just after she has inherited the pack from Lord Samuel, and only days after becoming a werewolf herself. She is an accountant, not a werewolf, and certainly not an Alpha!!
But she is now the Alpha of the Home County Pack, and they need her, whether they know it or not (and at this point, it’s more a not, as most of the pack comes across as hating her given that she has just killed their Alpha that they all liked, especially Archie, given it was his Dad!).
No time for pity-parties though!!
Luckily for Lucy, she has a secret weapon – the super-solder Greg Manners, who has also just become a werewolf, is brethren, used to work for Emery the Prime-Elite of the Dragons, and is friends with her best-friend Jess ‘Jinx’ Sharp, a private investigator who also happens to be one of the most powerful beings in the Other.
Lucy also has another secret, she is a Piper, meaning that she can talk to animals (think pied piper, except instead of just rats, Pipers can commune with all animals). This allows her to talk with her Wolf, Esme, something that no other Werewolf can do. It also allows her to snap-shift, she can change in seconds, whereas all the other werewolves can take between 2 to 5mins to shift between human and wolf (and back again). It makes Lucy and Esme exceptionally powerful.
At the start of this book, Lucy has just come into the role, and the pack is not happy with her. Greg is with her, and she suggests that there will have to be a tourney to sort out pack order, as Greg will be her second eventually, he will have to fight the current second for it, Mark Oates. At that, Mark challenges Greg, and the two of them start to fight.
Lucy is initially terrified, worried Greg is going to get hurt or killed, even though Greg is deadly on two legs, he is new to the four-legged version of fighting.
Once the fight is done, things only get worse for Lucy. The pack decides to challenge her further, with continuous pranks, bullying and disrespect. Lucy decides that eventually she has to do something about it.
This leads directly into the first book into the series. It is short, but it is actually full of really great backstory and for fans of the series, this is an absolute must read as it provides a lot of really great information about different characters. We get some great insight into Lucy and her insecurities at taking over the pack initially, but more than that, we get to see why from all of the different pack members, Mark, Seren, Tristan, Archie, Liam, Noah, Greg, Mrs Dawes. There are so many different characters introduced in this short story that we get to see bits of their origin stories.
There is some really awesome pack-politics as well, making it a must read for fans!
If you have read any of the Other Wolf Series, this is an absolute must read!!
Profile Image for CarolKat.
2,280 reviews29 followers
November 3, 2023
This book opens as Lucy addresses the pack for the first time since becoming Alpha. It's not a position she ever saw herself in, but circumstances have made it so. She also informs the pack she expects, Greg Manners to be her second so there would be only one dominance fight for now. That would be between Greg and Mark Oates, the current second of the pack. She didn't expect it to happen the minute the words were out of her mouth though. Greg wasn't even a little bit upset about it as Mark began his change. Greg started his and was done two minutes before Mark, a feat unheard of for a new wolf. Lucy's shift takes only seconds but she's different than other wolves in more than one way.

I got a kick out of Lucy's wolf Esme's commentary on the fighting, and of course Greg won and went to one knee in front of Lucy where she pronounces him Beta to her Alpha. Shortly thereafter the pranks start, first Marissa brings her coffee with salt instead of sugar. She excuses that one mistake but gives a hint of using an interesting palate cleanser. That was meant for Esme but said aloud, only Lucy can talk to her wolf, since when Glimmer was used on her she became a piper. That means she can talk to and compel animals.

The second prank isn't directed at Lucy, rather at one of the pack pups, Bobby. He comes to her for help when he can't find his stuffed wolf, Ham, he's the toy since he was born. The other young wolves told him he should ask her, and he expects her to shift to do it. While the pack has seen her in wolf form none of them have witnessed her shift, and she's not revealing that yet. Instead, she follows Bobby to the living room to look for the toy. First asking those there if they've seen it. Of course, no one answers her. She finds it far out of Bobby's reach and returns it, making it clear to those present she will not tolerate bullying. It also becomes clear it's not Bobby who's being bullied, it's her.

The third prank is a rotting fish in her office, which Greg handles, and sends her off to have an early night away from the pack.

After a bit of an adventure while recharging in the Common with Greg, Lucy takes a stand with the wolves playing the pranks.

However, it seems the pack itself is still going to test her worthiness to be Alpha.

I loved this prequel, it gives us a look at Lucy, her dynamic with Greg and also the beginnings of earning the respect of the pack.
Profile Image for Heather.
2,764 reviews19 followers
Read
June 10, 2024
I have a wolf in my head. Her name is Esme, and she likes killing things.
I’m Lucy, alpha werewolf of a pack that hates me. I inherited the pack when I mercy-killed the current alpha at his behest. I did the right thing, but it’s left me head of a werewolf pack who resent that I still live and breathe while their old alpha doesn't.
The problem is, I wasn’t born to the Other realm so magic is all new to me. I’ve got to get up to speed – fast. Luckily, I have super soldier Greg Manners on side to help me, or this loneliness would be crippling.
My new packmates are making it clear that I’m about as welcome as a malodourous, flea-ridden mutt. Disrespect is one thing, bullying is another. I’m trying to take their pranks as light hearted fun, but my gut tells me there’s no affection behind them. I’m going to have to find the pranksters and put a stop to their shenanigans before they erode what little shred of authority I have left. Because if the pack doesn’t respect me, I’ll be replaced as alpha. It’s a position you can’t resign from. It’s do or die.
It's time to get my paws dirty…

Heather's Notes
This was a short introduction to Lucy and Greg. I think Lucy needs to get a better grip on reality. This is her pack not a group of friends. That seems to be happening at the end. I didn't care for the very abrupt stop. She was fairly violent in her glimmer books, I would have liked to know exactly what happen with the ex. Did she kill him? Just beat him up? What? Maybe book one tells us.
Profile Image for Leigh Brooker.
225 reviews2 followers
May 6, 2025
This is a great little novella serving as the introduction to Lucy's series, and I have to say the continued world building is fantastic even in only 65 pages.

Starting her reign as alpha, Lucy is finding it difficult gaining the respect of her pack, while trying to negotiate pack politics. It wasn't a job she wanted, rather it was thrust upon her by the previous alpha when she had to kill him at his behest. Of course that doesn't stop the pack from openly hating and disrespecting her at every turn or that someone is trying to undermine her authority with bullying and petty pranks. Thankfully she has a couple of allies, her wolf Esme, who is a wee bit bloodthirsty and utterly hilarious and wants to bite first to show them who's boss. And the totally scrumptious Greg Manners, who is unrufflable but takes his position of protecting Lucy very seriously (Yeah I really wouldn't want to be on his bad side). There definitely seems to be a spark between the two and I'm looking forward to seeing how their relationship progresses throughout the rest of the books.

I can already see that Mark Oates is going to be a thorn in Lucy's paw, but I have a feeling that my sunshine girl, along with Esme and Greg will be able to handle anything he decides to throw at her.

I'm off to start book 1 as I simply can't get enough of this phenomenal world, or of the characters of Lucy and Esme who have me laughing like a loon at their banter. And I'm dying to see Lucy becoming the kickass alpha I just know she will be. Highly recommend 😁
Profile Image for Darin Roodman.
118 reviews3 followers
October 25, 2023
Meet Lucy. She’s one of those natural beauties that every girl loves to hate and every guy KNOWS is out of her league. Airhead bimbo? Nope! Kick-butt accountant! Lucy’s a true triple threat. Life’s good, she has a great job, great friends, getting over her super-toxic ex, just another day in the neighborhood, right? She wishes! Lucy’s also a VERY recently turned werewolf, no biggie, right? Except in a fight for the fate of the Other Realm, she ended up becoming her pack’s Alpha. Oh dear. Thank goodness she’s got Greg Manners, Brethren-turned-werewolf as her second! Piece of cake, right? Tell that to the rest of the pack… including the former Alpha’s son.

It’s ok! Lucy’s organized, loves her some spreadsheets, and people love her. It’s going to be fine! Right? Riiiiiiight. Werewolves apparently take hazing to a brand new level, and they’re just getting warmed up. Where in the demon dimension did they dig up her old boyfriend? Here’s goes everything!

Funny, witty, entertaining, and unpredictable, this prequel novella in this "Other Realm" spinoff series called “The Other Wolf” and it is fantastic! Beautifully narrated, engaging, and something that simply cannot be put down/put on pause, this book is a must-listen for any Urban Fantasy reader! Enjoy!

I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving a review.
499 reviews
February 8, 2025
I liked this story but I do feel like I was dropped in the middle of a story without knowing the characters and why Lucy was alpha. After some research I realized this was based off the author's first series. I did not read the previous series and it looks like I should probably start that in order to fully understand this series. Still, based off what I read, I'm curious to learn more about the series. I liked Esme but not Lucy so much or the love interest but I'd be open to seeing how they change or improve. Lucy just didn't seem like alpha material until the end and I still am not sure why she was chosen based off just this book.

3 out of 5 rating for me!

(An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review. I leave this review voluntarily and I was not compensated in any other way.)
Profile Image for Aighmi*.
568 reviews
December 16, 2023
Defender of the Pack is the prequel to the fascinating Other Wolf series in the world created in Heather G. Harris's Glimmer series. I am completely hooked by all of her books. A short and...well, not exactly sweet...novella, it sets up the main conflict between the protagonist Lucy & the members of the pack to which she has abruptly become Alpha. You get a taste of the characters, a sense of the conflict and how Lucy is working to handle it, and a tantalizing glimpse into The Other Realm. Definitely a wonderful start to this urban fantasy series. I was delighted by the audio version, which is perfectly narrated by Alyse Gibbs. She makes the listening experiences so personal and even more compelling.
78 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2024
I absolutely loved the Glimmer series by this author, so I thought I’d have a listen to this novella to get a glimpse of what this other series might be about. Not a lot happens, but I think it’s worth reading (or listening to) to bridge the gap between the two series. Lucy, the protagonist, and Manners, her potential love interest, were minor characters in the Glimmer books.

It’s got the same narrator, Alyse Gibbs, who does a great job. She has a distinct voice for Esme, the wolf who shares Lucy’s mind. Alyse Gibbs is a wonderful storyteller.

I don’t read (or listen to) a lot of werewolf series, but I know Heather G Harris is a fantastic author, so I’ll definitely be giving the rest of this series a go.
Profile Image for Jessica.
811 reviews20 followers
December 15, 2022
I loved this prequel novella. It illuminates the relationship the Lucy and her wolf counterpart, Esme, have, how it differs from the other werewolves and how utterly special that makes them. It sets the tone for her leadership style while still exploring Lucy’s vulnerability as she takes the first steps into her new life. And it hints at the relationship that make develop in the future with Lucy’s sexy Beta. So many amazing aspects layered remarkably upon one another without being fleshed out into a full book. Easily enjoyable as a prequel or for the series reader that wants to take a step back and see how things unfolded for Lucy as she becomes Alpha.
Profile Image for Jodi.
Author 1 book16 followers
August 27, 2025
I really loved this small novella about Lucy as the Alpha of the Wolf Shifters. The interaction between her and her wolf, Esme, is so fun to listen to. I enjoyed the narration in the actual English (as in European English) as that’s the nationality of the characters, so that adds to the enjoyment. Also the intro into the beginning of Lucy’s reign as the Alpha of the wolves sets it up for the book Protection of the Pack. I’m going to listen to that book as well. I love the way Heather G. Harris writes her books with humor and drama mixed in. The characters feel like real people albeit in a fantasy setting.
Profile Image for Karyn.
209 reviews
October 23, 2025

Since I only recently started reviewing books online, I decided it was only fair to go back and reread and post on 5 star books that I've read previously. This series is one of those.


After The Glimmer series, I went on to read every other one in this world (Do read in order- they are better that way), and all of them are 5 star. Her world building and character development are exceptional, and the lively banter makers her books just plain fun to read, even when they are delving into deeply emotional issues.


This is the second series in this world, and focuses on Lucy and the werewolves.


Heather is a definite MUST READ author.

Profile Image for Penny.
3,127 reviews85 followers
December 4, 2022
I have read the first two books in this series when I got a hold of this prequel novel. I love Lucy and her wolf Esme, so I was excited to read this to see part of how it all came together. I loved this glimpse of both Jinx and Lucy, and it just made me eager to read about Jinx’s story since I haven’t. Add to that, I got to see how Manners and Lucy interacted with each other before this series. All in all, I loved this prequel because it’s well-written, fun, and a great way to be introduced to both series. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
Profile Image for Jilleen.
Author 47 books184 followers
December 15, 2022
This is a prequel for the Other Wolf series. Like all of Harris's books, its fabulous! We gain insight to how Lucy deals with a very hurt and mean pack after she takes over the leadership (and after killing the last alpha).

We see the beginnings of her relationship with Greg and how they started out as allies and then friends. All in this brilliant fun little read! If you have never read one of these books, this is a brilliant start! If you have, it's a tasty treat to be gobbled up with your holiday meals!

Enjoy!
Profile Image for Marsha.
3,053 reviews58 followers
December 15, 2022
"Defender of the Pack" is a short (65 page) novella chronicling the events that happened immediately when Lucy takes control of the pack and the resulting chaos that an angry pack tries to inflict upon her. It is a prequel of sorts. The pack attempts to humiliate, intimidate and bully Lucy; but, with the aid of her inner wolf, Esme and her second, Greg Manners they give the pack a large platter of humble pie!

This read was short, sweet and to the point. I wish it had been available prior to me reading the first book in series. It would have been a nice addition.
Profile Image for Aighmi*.
568 reviews
January 29, 2023
Defender of the Pack is the prequel to the fascinating Other Wolf series in the world created in Heather G. Harris's Glimmer series. I am completely hooked by all of her books. A short and...well, not exactly sweet...novella, it sets up the main conflict between the protagonist Lucy & the members of the pack to which she has abruptly become Alpha. You get a taste of the characters, a sense of the conflict and how Lucy is working to handle it, and a tantalizing glimpse into The Other Realm. Definitely a wonderful start to this urban fantasy series.
Profile Image for Padfoot.
48 reviews
November 27, 2023
Spinning a tale is a Heather G. Harris specialty!

"The Other Wolf" series spinoff of "The Other Realm" series.

Jinx's best friend, Lucy can turn all furry! Esme is Lucy's wolfie side and she is an amazing beast! Lucy and Esme are an unbeatable team!

The audiobook really brings the story off the page! It's a fun and twisty movie in the mind! You should definitely give this series a read with both ebook and audiobook! The narrator makes the characters come alive! And as an American, I love the accent!
537 reviews3 followers
September 19, 2024
This was an interesting start to this series. After killing the Alpha at his request, Lucy is now the Alpha of the pack. She is hated by the pack, and they are trying to show that she is weak and needs to be dealt with. Her wolf, Esme, is trying to get her to show strength by using force, but Lucy wants to be diplomatic about it. She knows that a few wolves who transferred into the pack was cruelly treated, and she doesn't want that in her pack. It will be interesting to see what happens in this series.
Profile Image for Vannessa.
1,209 reviews27 followers
November 25, 2024
This was a great, short teaser into the world of Lucy and her role as the new werewolf alpha. After dealing with the aftermath of her killing the previous alpha in the last of Jinx's series, Lucy and her new second in command Greg Manners, have a challenging time ahead of them. The rest of the pack are incredibly hostile, openly so too and Lucy is definitely going to have her hands full to gain their respect.

Although this was a short read, it definitely left me wanting more so I'm off to read the next book in this series now!
57 reviews1 follower
July 17, 2023
While only a prequel, we're given a new perspective from which to see past events surrounding Jinx, her best friend, Lucy, and the dragon we all know and love - Emory! It gives us reason to mourn anew, with the Death of Lord Samuels and sees the rise of Lucy as Alpha of the Home County Pack (spoilers!). I'm glad to say, that while short, it's an ideal tale to feed to the ever-hungry book dragon within.
Profile Image for Rosemarie Roberts.
85 reviews2 followers
October 24, 2023
Heather Harris has done it again. Another amazing series. Lucy was turned into a werewolf not just any old werewolf but the am
Alpha of the pack. She was turned under strange circumstances and she has to win the loyalty if the pack as well as dealing with the connection. A savage murder on her watch. Can she solve it and get the connection of her back. You'll just have to read it. Highly recommended
731 reviews16 followers
December 11, 2023
This is the prequel to the other wolf series. It picks up where the other series left off, only from Lucy’s POV instead of Jinx. Lucy is thrust into being alpha of the home counties pack after having to kill Wilf so another pack didn’t take over. No one in the pack respects her and she is struggling with how to win them over. This is a great glimpse into the mind of her and her wolf Esme. Esme is so literal and it is just too funny! But with Esme and of course Greg Manners, she has no doubt she will win them over. This was a fun, quick listen and really sets up the other wolf series wonderfully!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews

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