Wolf

Once Upon a Villain

by Bianca Cole

When I took a vacation to Mexico, I never could have imagined the deadly game of hunter and prey waiting for me…

Kidnapped by the cartel along with my friends, I’m thrust into a brutal world where survival depends on submission. Matias, one of the cartel’s most feared enforcers, also known as the wolf, is tasked with breaking me. He’s wild, untamed, and fixated on me. Every instinct screams to hate him and resist, but he’s relentless, stalking me like a predator.

In the midst of this nightmare, I begin to see another side of Matias beneath his savage exterior. His primal nature both terrifies and mesmerizes me, igniting a forbidden attraction that defies reason. While I struggle to maintain control, the line between captor and captive fades, and I find myself caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

When the leader of the cartel is murdered by her second in command, a chance for escape emerges. With the help of the new leader, Matias, and his brother Thiago, we make a daring bid for freedom. But Matias isn’t ready to let me go. He follows me into my world, determined to claim me as his own. I insist our twisted bond can’t survive outside the nightmare we shared, but he’s resolute. Love, especially one born from such primal instincts, doesn’t follow the rules.

Wolf is the Sixth book in the Once Upon a Villain Series by Bianca Cole. This dark, cartel captive mafia romance explores themes that may be disturbing to some readers. No cliffhanger and a happily-ever-after ending means this book can be read as a standalone, but it would be better to read Unhinged first to understand it.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Dark

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2024

About the author

Author of dark romance and lover of anti-heros.

Reviews

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kali and her friends are vacationing in Mexico when they are kidnapped. She is given to Matias aka Wolf, who is tasked with breaking her. What will happen when they fall for each other? Fast-paced dark mafia read with loads of drama, suspense and intense chemistry. The characters have lots of depth and their story really draws you in, I was hooked from beginning to end. I loved it.

[Donna reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wolf is on the hunt and he has chosen his prey!!
Holy moly this book is thrilling.
From beginning to end this book is entertaining.

Matias and Kali’s story is definitely dark, a little twisted and STEAMY.

There’s some CNC however it’s clear that Kali is into it, for those who haven’t looked at the trigger warnings.

These two characters are so very different from one another and thats what makes the pull/chemistry between them so explosive and interesting.

Matias is unhinged, a touch psycho obsessive, dominating and touch her and die, but that what makes him so fascinating and HOT. His dirty talking, controlling and possessive personality has Kali in a tailspin with her emotions. He may be her captor but she still wants, needs and craves him carnally and affectionately.

Their story is wickedly sinful ( love it), intriguing and engaging.

So lose yourself in this primal, suspenseful and alluring romance.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolf is the Sixth book in the Once Upon a Villain Series by Bianca Cole. This dark, cartel captive mafia romance explores themes that may be disturbing to some readers. No cheating or cliffhanger and a happily-ever-after ending means this book can be read as a standalone, but it would be better to read Unhinged first to understand it. The story is interconnected with characters from the previous books making appearance and contributing to the story. Wolf is a dark captive mafia romance story with dark themes and certain subjects that may be triggering and upsetting for some readers. A fast paced, dark, twisted, sultry, and decadent. Dirty. Sexy. Compelling. Devious. Captivating. Hang on to your kindle and brace yourself for this tantalizing rollercoaster ride of emotions and cravings. An absorbing addictive and unputdownable read. Immerse yourself in a world of heart-stirring emotions. Wolf is sexy, sizzling, emotion-filled delight. This book demands to be read and screamed escape from the everyday life and gave that something extra that I was looking for. "Holy hell this book is smoking HOT." A story with complex individuals that captures the reader attention right away and keeps you riveted and on the edge of your seat with it's savagery, depravity, pulse-pounding action and twist and turns.
A dark Cartel romance, OTT possessive alpha antihero story, captivity story, organize crime story, forced proximity, predator-prey story, dark mafia romance, gothic romance, taboo romance, contemporary romance, lust-at-first-sight story, insta-love romance, insta-everything romance, action and adventure romance, damsel in distress story, off-limits relationship, criminal underworld story, protective hero story, protector romance, romantic suspense story, captive-captor story with kidnapping, Dub-Con, Non-Con, power and control, stockholm syndrome, different worlds, friendships, tension, emotions, angst, anger, love, human sex trafficking, darkness, fear, spice, scorching hot passion, madness, trauma, drama, secrets, obsession, hatred, danger, steam, possessiveness, intense rough sex, pleasure and pain, debauchery, voyeurism, survival, praises, dominance, dirty talking, submission, despair, captor-captive, bondage/restraint, spanking, violence, primal play, suspense, mayhem and love.
Kali's journey started in Unhinged after she and her three best friends Alice, Blake and Luna who all attends Brown University and lives together. It's their last year of college and this semester is about to be their toughest so they decided to spend some time together before the new semester begins and go on a vacation to Mexico City. Alice plan the trip, and since the girls didn't have a lot of money they decided to stay at a resort, but it wasn't in a good part. Ileana Navarro a.k.a. The Red Queen is the ruler of the Navarro Cartel. She attack the Guerra gang in Mexico City killing everyone and kidnapped the girls to be sold into the sex slave trade. Matias a.k.a. Wolf was instantly drawn and obsessed with Kali from the moment that he laid eyes on her. He was task in training her to be sold as a sex slave for the highest bidder. The girls are kept in cell and Matias went to get her. He forcibly kissed her and she fought him off, but she's confused about the feelings that he stir inside of her.
Matias told her that she was his and he wasn't going to let her go. She fought but he traitorous body yearns for him. He strips all of her resistance away leaving her vulnerable. Matias wants to break her, he thinks she's special than the others and wants to keep her for himself. Kali is defiant, fiesty and challenging and she fights him every step of the way but her body continuously betray her and she craves his touch. Ileana treats her soldiers poorly and it didn't take a lot of convincing for them to turn against The Red Queen. She was the ruler until her son Taren with the help of her rival Damien Vasquez of the Vasquez Cartel and some of her soldiers who was tired of her ruling Matias, his twin brother Thiago among other defeated The Red Queen.
Because of his obsession with her he will not allow her to be sold, so he and Thiago helped Taren to plan a coup to help bring her down. Taren got his revenge and is now the leader of the Navarro Cartel he send Matias to New York because there's something going that he wants to know about. Matias is savage, monstrous, ruthless, dangerous and vicious. However, as he train her Kali noticed a softer side to Matias that he rarely shows amongst the other soldiers. I am going stop here.

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

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Once Upon A Villain serries each can be read as a standalone hang on and you might want to make sure to double check that you are buckled up, dangerous men, alpha’s personified, possessive, oh, gorgeous, brooding all the makings of a story consisting with three D’s (dark, delicious, and dirty) 😊. There will be suspense, darkness, secrets revealed, hope, forgiveness, and maybe even love along the way! Kali a sweet student attending brown to become an architect vacationing in Mexico with friends when they are kidnapped by the cartel while hanging out on the beach given to the guys to be prepared for human trafficking and they are sure how they are going to get home back to their lives back home or their families. Matias, Thiago, Taren sexy as all get out kidnappers of the American college girls directly off the beach, but this is more about our guy Matias boy does he live up to his name as the wolf he is the darkest so far out of the guys, he is a twisted full-blown psychopath, rough, brutal, dangerous, and it seems he has met the one women who has tamed him in the best way. The magnetic pull is there despite him kidnapping her he needs her just as much as she needs him and the more, she fights it the stronger the pull between them grows but it creates a problem because he is supposed to be breaking, training her to be sold not keeping her for himself meaning there will be others coming after them but can he protect her, will she ever make it back home, will her live ever be normal or what she considered normal, will she make it back to school, and is there some form of happiness for the two of them?

[GrimReadings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ★★★★☆
Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
Primal Play, Forced Proximity, Dark Mafia Romance

Wolf by Bianca Cole is a wild ride, perfect if you’re in the mood for something heavy on heat and light on plot. The story kicks off fast, with our protagonist already in the clutches of the cartel’s enforcer, Matias, aka the Wolf. From there, it’s 10% plot and 90% spice, so if you’re looking for intense, boundary-pushing romance, you’re in the right place.
This book dives headfirst into a dark, twisted relationship that might make you question your sanity at times. The chemistry between the characters is off the charts, but don’t expect much in the way of relationship development—it kind of just happens without much explanation. It feels like we’re seeing the background relationship of a bigger story, but we’re missing the main event. However, if you’re here for the spice, you probably won’t mind.
There are a few moments that might leave you scratching your head, like a character reappearing without explanation and a time jump that feels a bit off. Plus, we don’t see the abduction—it starts right in the thick of things. For a standalone, it feels like maybe reading the rest of the series would help fill in some gaps, but if you’re not here for the plot, it’s easy to overlook.
Overall, Wolf is a dark, spicy read that’s perfect if you want something raw and primal. Just be ready to dive into the deep end without much context.

[Dawnmarie Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 6th book in the Once Upon A Villain series featuring the deliciously dark captive,cartel,forced proximity,mafia romance between Matias/the Wolf and Kali/his rabbit. Kali is studying hard at school to become an architect and she never imagined when she took a vacation to Mexico with her friends that it would change her life forever. Kali and her friends are kidnapped by the Cartel and they're thrown to the wolves literally and their survival depends on their submission. Matias aka the Wolf is one of the Cartel's most feared enforcers so he's given the job of breaking her before they can traffic her and her friends. He's savage, wild and completely focused on Kali and and while she tries to keep hating him and resisting him he doesn't stop relentless in his hunting of her. However in the middle of her ordeal Kali starts to notice that there's another side to Matias hidden within his savage untamed exterior. Kali is afraid yet she still finds herself drawn to him like a moth to a flame. When the chance to escape is suddenly possible for Kali and her friends will they get to go back to their lives? Will Matthias and his brother Thiago let them go? You really need to read this deliciously dark captive,cartel, forced proximity, mafia romance to see what happens.

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

[Dorrita Winch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of a series: Once Upon A Villain. The two prior books deals with the other girls story mentioned in this book.
Kali our beautiful MFC, and her friends were in Mexico to have a vacation from college. They get kidnapped when rival cartels attack each other on the beach where they are.
The kidnappers Matias, Thiago, and Taren take the girls.
Now each girls story is different. In this book we deal with Matias and Kali.
Matias, our MMC, is a predator, a cold calculating psychopath and a leader of the Navarro Cartel.
The girls are brought in for Sex trafficking, training and conditioning.
This could be a Psychological study of Stockholm syndrome..or a discovery of unknown kinks 🤔? OR an amazing kind of love between Matias and damaged man and Kali, who where she had a normal childhood, still was drawn to Matias.
Through their curious journey of ups and downs, these two find their own kind of love.
This is a very explicit and adult story. Dealing in kidnapping and force sexual encounters, with conditioning and the sex trade.

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

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 6th story in the Once Upon a Villain Series where Kala and her 3 friends while on vacation in Mexico are kidnapped into sexual slavery to be sold. When the men who are responsible for getting them ready are unable to claim them for themselves. We find that Matias finds his darkness only calms when Kali is around and she is originally fearful of him and when he awakens something in her she’s never known does her mind become torn with his attention and dark twisted games he plays with her. Everyone knows to watch out for his brutal and rough ways as they consider him a psychopath with no boundaries. Their feelings for one another are extremely crazy with Matias being one possessive man after the 1 woman to calm his heart and mind! When trouble finds Kali, Matias becomes the animal needed to bring her safely back to him. This is one unusual love story where Kali and her friends rediscover themselves with the men who stole them and their hearts! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brandi-Lynn Weiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matias definitely lives up to his name as Wolf! He’s the darkest & most twisted of the guys, & I’ve been dying for his story since Gaston & Blake’s! Matias is a psychopath, he’s rough & brutal, but holy hell how he shows his feelings for Kali in the end was epic. He really does care for her in his own possessive & twisted way. The dirty talking mouth on him is just sexy as sin & will melt your panties off! I loved his character, even through his darkness, there was humor. I had to laugh when he was showing Kali around the apartment & how he was describing the rooms. Then when he told Thiago he was busy going primal w/his mate, lol. He really was something else. One minute he was cold & brutal, then he was showing some softening, then bam! His animalistic nature was showing again, then he’d surprised me again w/a sweet gesture! And I loved it all.
Kali & Matias’s story was the one I’ve been waiting for & I enjoyed every minute of it!

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written story that has drama, suspense, intrigue, thrills, action as well as a steamy spicy romance. The story also has a happily ever after ending that brings it all together.
A story about a captive and what she goes through throughout her time with a Mexican cartel that was preparing her to be sold as a sex slave and the captor who she winds up falling for as well as their time together after the captor along with his brother and another man took control over the Mexican cartel.
The story talks about the ins and outs of the couple's relationship and what trials that they had to face along the way to be with one another as well as the celebrations that took place while they’re together.
The end brings their love for each other together giving in a happily ever after ending.

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

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serious turmoil for Matias and Kali!
The Once Upon a Villain series is one of Bianca’s most intense! Kali and her friends’ vacation in Mexico ends abruptly and what happens next is a plot twist of epic proportions. The Wolf aka Matias is immediately drawn to Kali and goes all primal with her. Kali struggles with Matias’ attention, as there is something that triggers her inner principle. When the day of reckoning nears for Kali and friends, Matias’ plans with others to change their outcome is moved up. With the odds against them, will Matias be able to break through Kali’s defenses to find the harmony he craves and keep her safe from new threats? You have to read to find out and don’t expect to put the book down until you turn the last page!

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

This book was so mesmerising right from the start, the story was written well and the characters were amazing. Matias and his brother Thiago, worked for the Cartel in Mexico, Matias is the Enforcer known as the "wolf", he is an animal torturing people slowly listened to them screaming. Kali and her friends went to Mexico for a holiday that turned into the worst holiday ever, they were all kidnapped. Matias separated Kali from her friends and decided to play games with her, Wolf liked the chase the raw feral feeling would turn him on and he would make her run. Could she fall in love with the Wolf the hard core bdsm sexual desires.

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

[Cherise Traum · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the story between Matias and kali was not a bad one, thee is something that left a bad taste in my mouth about reading how someone falls in love with the person who kidnapped them to be sold into human trafficking. The main character Matias is so much more than dominant. He is the true definition of a monster. While I know love can happen is the most unlikely places I just had a personal issue with the story.
The write is very graphic and detailed in her writing. Which I think makes her a good writer. I would encourage people to read this for themselves and form a personal opinion. You might feel very different from me.

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

[Ellen Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kali's story with Maria's is dark, intense, twisted but the connection between them is strong.
He is her captor & torturer but even though she is fearful of him there is something about him that she is drawn to. He is possessive & gets pleasure from inflicting pain but he is drawn to her determined that she his is & will never escape him.
Her friends will never understand the twisted relationship between them but what they have works & they are perfect for each other.
He promises to protect her but when someone tries to hurt his little rabbit god help them.
This does drag on a bit I think k but once I started I couldn't put it down.
I've loved reading this series & definitely recommend it.

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

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolf is quite a dark tale! Kali gets more than she bargains for when her and her friends "meet" Matias. He's everything she's ever feared and ends up being everything she's ever needed. This is an intense, intriguing, dangerous, chaotic story and it's absolutely EVERYTHING we've come to expect from this author. It's dark and gritty, raw and consuming. The chemistry between these characters is flaming HOT and the storyline is fantastic. Don't forget to check the trigger warnings, it is a dark romance afterall.

"The wolf lurks beneath the surface. My wolf. The one who fuels my darkest desires and understands my primal needs."

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wolf is book six in the series and a dark romance so author trigger warnings should be heeded.
The storyline picks up with Kali one of the friends kidnapped while vacationing in Mexico.
She has become the obsession of one of her enforcer keepers Matias, and their story is an intense one. A twisted and dangerous game begins between them and when the opportunity for escape presents itself for Kali and her friends will Matias follow to get her back?
I enjoyed this tantalizingly written cartel romance with a twisted beast who may or may not be tamed by his beauty.
Standalone, no cliffhanger. HEA.

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

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted and Dark!!
Before any naysayers make their comments about assault….this is fiction and there were plenty warnings before you started reading it!
That being said, dude is an absolute psychopath, but when he falls, nothing is going to stop him. His little rabbit is a bit of a masochist and didn’t realize she loved the fear.
Seriously disturbing, but unable to put it down. I think having read the two previous stories helped some of this one make sense, but twisted beyond belief.
Still loved it! Guess I’m a bit disturbed too and I’m ok with it.

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

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolf is the sixth book in the Once Upon a Villain. Wolf follows the fascinating story of Matias and Kali. When I first read the blurb for this book, I knew that I had to get my “hands” on it. I couldn’t get enough of Matias and Kali’s story, I found them to be quite intriguing, entertaining and enjoyable to read their story. The book is an ease to read, has wonderful characters, HEA, steamy, action-packed, entertaining, and a definite page-turner. I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next from this author.

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

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last 3 books in the Once Upon a Villian series by Bianca Cole are the 3 most interconnected books and all 3 are worth the read for some context. This is Mathias and Kali's story. Mathias (Wolf) is a trainer/enforcer for the human trafficking part of the cartel. Up until now, he never cared about the women, until Kali. She and 3 of her friends were kidnapped during a trip and now are all being groomed for sale. But Mathias wants Kali for himself. Full of sizz;e, steam, action, drama, and more, this was a solid 4.5-star read for me.

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

[Marie Devlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know Mathias is supposed to be the most unhinged of the guys but I was alittle dissapointed that most of the book was the two of them just having freaky time, now dont get me wrong I like reading BDSM and Mathias is a little naughty I just got over reading how pathetic Kali's excuses were trying to make out she didn't want anything...just no fight.
The last 30% of the book was the most interesting as they finally chose to get to know each other a little.
Overall I'd have to say this book didn't hit its mark with me like the rest did which is disappointing as I was hoping this would knock my socks off, oh well you can't win them all.

[Rose Belle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would have liked this book much better if it was the first book I read out of the series. They are starting to blend together. It's the same type of guy, the same type of lady...doing the same type of thing. The first couple differentiated themselves because they stuck with the story of what the title was, but now...we're off in whatevs. It's just a title. He's nicknamed the Wolf. This is a cartel ("mafia") story. It also requires a lot of prior knowledge, so you HAVE to read the first books to get the full picture. The series is just not going where I thought it was going. I'm most likely going to stop here.

[Elsa Reyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mattias!!!!🥵🥵🥵🥵

My Girl Bianca never disappoints
"I take a deep breath. “With you, I feel something different. Something I've never felt before. It scares me. It scares me how much I need you, how much I crave your touch, your presence.” Kali reaches up, cupping my face in her hands. “It scares me too, Matias,” she confesses. “This connection between us it's unlike anything I've ever experienced. It's dark and twisted, but it's also real and raw.”
I need a Mattias or Thiago or Taren!!!!😭😭😭😭😭

[Debbie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A girls trip to Mexico goes all wrong when they are kidnapped by the cartel and kept captive. This book two as we see Mathias, from the Mexican Cartel kidnapper and Kali. Book two starts after they've been kidnapped, I love the dynamic between Mathias and Kali she's so much stronger than she realizes. He lives up to his reputation as one loco monster who becomes obsessed with her. A captivating story I loved the tension and chemistry between them this is a dark romance at its best. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Kali and her friends are captured in Mexico, she is given to Matias also known as the Wolf to break in and tame. When his indoctrination begins Kali sees his fierceness, but she also spots another side to him as well that has her heart opening. When chaos erupts Kail, Matias and his brother gets the opportunity to escape. He follows her back to the US where he wants to make her his own. Will Kali and Matias relationship start anew and will it lead them to happiness.

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

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolf is the 6th Book of this Series. This story is a dark romance and tells of Kali and Matias. While Kali and her friends are on vacation they are abducted by some dangerous men. Matias is obsessed with Kali. This story is action-packed, with suspense, danger, and intense desire.

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

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matias and Kali. She and friends vacation in Mexico and are captured by the cartel. Matias, the Wolf, is an enforcer for the cartel. Hes to break her. She begins to see him, really see him confronting her rationality finding herself caught in a game of cat and mouse. When escape presents itself because of interna events they are helped by brothers. One follows her into her world. This is such a great read had a hard time putting it down to sleep.

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

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kali (FMC) has been kidnapped with her 3 friends whilst on holiday on Mexico (who all have books of their own in this series) and now she's become the focus of one of her captor - Matias. Who is fixated on her with a dark possessiveness that boarders on obsession. He was twisted my protective of Kali to the point of holding her hostage after they left Mexico.

My word though did these two characters steam up my kindle together. Wickedly hot!! This was a great addition to this series and I enjoyed reading it.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Kali and her friends get taken by the cartel when on vacation in Mexico she's given to Matias the enforcer whose need to claim her overrides his senses, he will habe her no matter what, but can Kali give into a man known as the wolf? Ven after captivity? Well written steamy desires, hot sizzling scenes drama action and more! A great addition to the series.

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

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark and twisted, but also a really story. Matias and Kali are incredible characters from two very different worlds. When visiting Mexico with her friends, Kali and them are taken. I find the dynamic between Matias and Kali is very intense, Kali seems like a balm to Matias' darker nature. The twisted relationship is mesmerizing to read. Bianca Cole has done it again, this was a phenomenal book.

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

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced story with a mafia twist and if it is dark if you don't like it then don't read it. Kali is on vacation with her friends when she is kidnapped in Mexico and given to the wolf Matias who is intent on breaking her and subjecting her to his will. Their story has action, danger, fear, sadness drama and hot and steamy moments and enough darkness to make it a great story blissful.

I received an Advance Reader sample of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review