The Wolf King's Mate

Marked Beneath the Moon #1

by Lola Glass

I've been abducted by the werewolf king.

He’s deadly. Violent. Cruel.

But not to me.

To me, he's almost nice.

I guess it helps that I'm the only female werewolf he's ever met.

And that his wolf has decided I'm going to be his mate, whether I like it or not.

Luckily, I can survive his pack just fine, as long as no one learns what I could do for them.

I can't tell the king the truth, no matter how much I'm starting to trust him.

Or like him.

Or want him.

I have to stay quiet about what I can really do, or I will lose everything.

Including the possessive king I'm trying hard not to fall for.

Because I could save his people's lives… but it would cost me mine.


*This is a spicy enemies to lovers romance with a happily ever after

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Werewolves, Enemies To Lovers, Paranormal Romance

394 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2025

About the author

Hi, I’m Lola! I’m a book lover with a *slight* romance obsession. My books are all steamy romantic fantasy or paranormal romance, and there is always a happily ever after.

Stop by my Facebook group, Lola's Book Lovers, for updates, giveaways and other fun!

For a full list of my work, check out my website https://www.authorlolaglass.com/

Thanks for reading!
All the love,
Lola Glass <3

Reviews

[Allie MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The worldbuilding, characters, and pacing hooked me right from the start. Aspen was a strong, likable heroine with a quiet kind of power, and Enzo nailed the grumpy-to-soft-for-his-mate dynamic. The plot felt fresh for a paranormal romance, which is insanely impressive given how many I’ve read and I flew through it in one sitting.

My only drawback was the spice. With all the tension and build-up, I was expecting fireworks but instead I got sparklers. Still fun, just not quite as intense as I’d hoped.

The romance was still satisfying, the story kept me engaged, and I’m so excited to read the next one:))

[Ainhoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun and entertaining.

And apparently I’m in my wolfie/fantasy era, so excuse while I read the rest of the series 🤓

[Welcome To My Escape · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Lola Glass, like LOVE Lola Glass…

But this one wasn’t it for me. Things that were built up in the beginning really had no pay off or equal pay to the level of fear the character had around them. The couple never actually talked about their problems - ever. What she didn’t like in the relationship or how he could meet her needs, nope, never came up. Because of that and just an overall lack of chemistry, I didn’t buy the romance of the characters at all.

I am here for the ride tho, in terms of Lola Glass’s new direction of slightly darker and longer books! Really I’m here for anything she wants to write 🙂

But ya, I didn’t hate the book, I don't begrudge my time reading it, and obviously I will be continuing the series, but ya, just not the best of her catalogue in my opinion

[Isabella · Rating 1 out of 5]

so much potential yet no romance and terrible mmc

In the afterword the author noted she managed to “finally” write a legitimate asshole and that she normally fails at that, first I will say she definitely wrote an asshole but she definitely does NOT fail at writing them even in her other books she seems to have an obsession with making her MMC’s the absolute worst possible men ever.

I don’t know why I keep reading the books of this author but they always reel me in with a good premise and start off good for the first 20% with a really good set up and so much potential for a book and yet after that once it’s time to write actual romance she just can’t. This mmc (like almost every other one of hers) spent half the book doing EVEEYTHING wrong, and the other half of the book they literally had no interaction. He was either gone because he didn’t care about her or he was present and making her upset by making it clear how much he didn’t care about her. Outside of the physical they made no attempt at an actual relationship until maybe 89% into the book. Not kidding almost 90% of the book passed with not a single romantic actual cute scene occurring between the two main characters (unless you count the fact that his wolf wanted her even though he adamantly expressed that HE didn’t actually want her)

There’s so much more to say but overall yes I would say zero romance, and the mmc was either gone or being an asshole no in between. This book failed to convince me that he gave a damn about her.

[Hannah Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay I binged all 3 books in this series in a day and what about it? Like Lola has the sauce for the perfect like cozy / easy books that I love (though like not cozy like book and themes but more like comfort read because this is the adult version of the shit I’d eat up in middle & high school on wattpad). I literally couldn’t find anything appealing to read either and then BAM there’s my girl Lola who has me binging 3 books in one day! I’m like ohhh the reading bug is back🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

3/5⭐️ but 5/5 experience (I felt like I was on crack after finishing the second book it was a time)

[Luna ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

»Don't lie to yourself. He's a fucking bastard, but he's your fucking bastard.«

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

❥ 𝑨𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
I adored her. She is a rare female wolf and had a hard life so far. Aspen is intelligent, strong willed and funny.

❥ 𝑬𝒏𝒛𝒐 ࣪⋆✮
He is the alpha king and his whole behaviour screams powerful alpha male. I want one myself.

✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
Lola Glass is one of these authors for me she either is a hit or a miss. This one was definitely a hit and I devoured it. Everything was exactly how I hoped it would be. The plot, the characters and the writing style are very good and I had fun diving into this world. It is hard to find a good werewolf shifter romance and I‘m so happy Lola Glass will continue this series.
Aspen and Enzo have amazing tension and they‘re perfect for each other. Both are strong willed and it was funny to witness their banter. I‘m glad that Aspen is no push over but understands Enzos situation too. They communicate well with each other and I enjoyed following their story.
The plot was interesting and the pages just flew by. It was entertaining and overall a good read. Thumbs up!

𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?
Yes.

𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓 ׂㅤ𐙚 ࣪ ⭒
plot: 4/5
spice: 3/5
humor: 4/5
couple/tension: 5/5
world building: 4/5
happy end?: yes

𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 ᡣ𐭩ྀི₊ ⊹
possessive and protective hero, werewolf, shifter romance, instant attraction, fated mates, alpha wolf, enemies to lovers, fantasy, friends to lovers, forced proximity, one bed, found family

𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
#1 The Wolf King‘s Mate ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 The Wolf Prince‘s Mate ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#3 The Wolf Guard‘s Mate ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

sue me i had fun 3.5⭐️

[Spasticnontastic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lola is good at writing the simple fated mate trope. Simple storyline, no surprises and exactly what you would expect. Sometimes, that hits the spot.

[ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

i also had fun. sue meredith?

[Em · Rating 1 out of 5]

I almost DNF’d this. I should have DNF’d this. But instead, I sat through every cringey, ankle-fracturing, bath-denying moment like a prisoner of the moon gods.

Here’s the vibe:
- Break your ankle? Wait for the Alpha.
- Need a bath? Not without Daddy Werewolf watching.
- Not curvy, not skinny, not small? Congrats, you’re “built like a male werewolf.” (Actual quote. I blacked out.)

Somehow the FMC is both a prisoner and wildly devoted to this wolfman, who is neither hot nor particularly alpha—unless you count medical gatekeeping as a kink.

The book warns he’s not a nice guy. Plot twist: he’s not mean either. He’s just weirdly possessive in a way that makes you want to Clorox-wipe your Kindle.

There’s no tension. No stakes. Unless you count the nonexistent women wolves (who do, in fact, exist) and the extremely scientific transformation process of... getting bitten and taking a nap.

I don’t even have the strength to make this funny. One star. For my time, my patience, and the unwashed bun I now spiritually share with the main character.

[Paige IRB · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely love this series already

The humor and plot was so fun. The world building has me intrigued for the next books. I absolutely cannot wait. Aspen and her alpha were such a never let up for a minute, banter and fun story.

[Kaila · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the very first chapter Aspen is on a run and that run runs her right into a wolf. Aspen lets said wolf just pick her up and take her to the Wolf Kings pack, she’s never met this wolf before and she’s only heard of and never met the Wolf King. The wolf taking her is a wolf prince, the Kings brother. Aspen puts up no fight or tries to resist getting taken, just simply lets it happen.

Second chapter starts, Aspen meets the Wolf King and he says he’s going to claim her. Can you guess what she does… dun dun dun… nothing she doesn’t put up a fight, she doesn’t resist, she lets the Wolf King bite her. OH and what’s funny is she’s been in hiding her whole life, so no one knows she’s a wolf, she’s out of hiding, her whole life just got flipped upside down, but nope Aspen couldn’t give a single fuck, very nonchalant of her.

This book was so horribly paced, it was perfect, no world building or nothing just straight to the point, loved it

[Reen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had everything I wanted in a paranormal romance. Literally couldn’t put it down until I closed the last page.

Enzo is the definition of grumpy to everyone else but turns into a total golden retriever around his mate while Aspen embodied soft power in the best ways. She didn’t need to fight with Enzo or assert dominance outright, but she made it clear she doesn’t take orders. I ate that up!!!

The plot felt fresh and unique, which is impressive considering how many paranormal romances I’ve read, which made it even more enjoyable.

I’m definitely diving into the next book in the series. These Savage brothers have me in a chokehold.

P.S. I’m torn about the author mentioning her other book as the one the female lead is reading. Is it marketing genius? Yes. Is it also a little odd (at least to me)? Also, yes.

I'm still giving the book 5 stars.

[Ila Corsalini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly sexy and intringuing! 4/5 because it was super easy and fast to read, I would have enjoyed a little more articulated plot and adventure (or longing)

I loved how fierce and funny was the FMC and her relationship with her brother.

One thing I didn't like was the fact that when they changed into wolves they spoke in 3rd person and addressed their wolf like it was another being. It was very confusing.

[Tribbiani's books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro es la definición de "desbloqueo lector", lo amé.
4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 75%.

The FMC and MMC had no chemistry, spent barely any time together, and had zero personality. Both were entirely forgettable. The side characters basically all blended together and were just background noise. I legit could not tell you who’s who because they all felt like the same person.

The world building didn’t make sense and I was confused more often than not because the author did not do a good job explaining how the world worked and why.

I decided to stop 3/4 of the way through because it felt like the story was just meandering through with no purpose. I’d noticed this problem about halfway through the book, but hoped it would get better if I continued to push through. Unfortunately, that never happened.

2.5 stars.

[Athanasia ♥︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

*chef's kiss*

The story had lots of twists and turns. The characters were all very interesting and unique, making the plot a beautiful polyphony. The love story itself needed a bit of "work," but the story in its complicity was very filling.

Tags:
Paranormal MMCs👻👹😈
Paranormal FMCs👻👹😈
Matehood❤️‍🔥 ❤️
Found family 👩🏽‍👨🏽‍👧🏽🏡💗
Omegaverse/Alpha,beta,omega dynamics 🅰️🅱️🅾️
Heats/Ruts🥵 🥴👋
Nesting🛌🏿🛌🏿🛌🏿
Suspence and fantasy🔪 🗡 ⚔️
Learning intimacy💁👌😍
Angst😐😑😬
Slow burn❤️‍🔥❤️
HEA🔔🤵🏼👰🏼

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is only the second book I've ever read by Lola so I am still learning what kind of writer they are. That been said I really liked this book the reason it isn't 5stars is I was kind of waiting for something really big to happen giving it the 'umph' I was waiting for and seemed like it was building towards but I really didn't come. but again not saying it wasn't good because it was.

[Lučka · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Lenagoddelus]

DNF 57%

Uff, este libro no tiene ni pies ni cabeza, renuncio…

[BettyLovesBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3 stars. Enjoyable wolf-shifter romance, with some decent and different world-building: in this world, only males can be weres… or so everyone thought…
Really liked the character growth, and that the MCs came together in a gradual, realistic way - they may be ‘mates’ but there’s no instalove here.
Spotted quite a few basic errors that slipped through proofreading.

[T || · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC reader for this book

I highly recommend not only this read. But the rest of lolas books

I'm a huge werewolf fan in books. Bonuses for romance

This book pulled at every emotion. I felt everything the FMC felt.

And to my surprise I actually really liked the alpha by the end of the book

5* from me

I'm hoping for a book 2 to continue on their story!

[Ivy Deluca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quickish Review

This won’t be everyone’s cuppa, especially since the werewolf mate lie is different than most. No insta love, even if the claiming is fairly quick. It’s the inconsistencies in the story of that didn’t quite work and that distracted me. But it was a fairly quick read, so it’s a middle of the road rating for the whole series.

[Aleesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lola Glass and I have a complicated relationship.

There are some of her books that I have thoroughly enjoyed. And others that have left me wondering what I was smoking when I downloaded them to my kindle.

This one lands...somewhere in the middle for me.

See. I was set up to enjoy this book - I've really enjoyed her other shifter books, and what she lacks in seriousness, she oftentimes makes up with a decently interesting plotline.

And this one was no different, at first. I liked the secret-keeping and the gruff over-the-top possessive bossy alpha that Enzo was. I enjoyed their separate backstories, AND the side characters in the story.

Aspen's a decently strong and independent woman. Her wolf's got sass, and she stands up to Enzo's bossy nature beautifully. She's a perfect partner for the man.

Enzo is violent and gruff - but he also cares about his people and is soft and tender and concerned with his chosen mate. All the great things we adore in a shifter romance.

But then we get the spice halfway through and...eegh. Here I was expecting fireworks - and we got ... somebody lit a match in a dark room about 3 houses down.

There's no buildup of tension or romance. She goes into heat and he has to, er, perform for her. That's it. There's no feelings, nothing to indicate that they even like each other. So the sex, while it's probably supposed to be hot, read more...perfunctory.

And, I don't know what I was expecting, but having the FMC be the one to educate the MMC about his own dick wasn't it.

While I can concede that perhaps it makes sense that there aren't many werewolves that would know about knotting - seeing as how there aren't many female werewolves around - the fact that Enzo had no idea gave me an ick I didn't know was possible.

Also it's a little weird, no? That Lola Glass has written her FMC reading one of Lola Glass' other books. That she's using the spice in said book (which wasn't anything to write home about, I'll be honest) to get herself off. The cringe just wouldn't un-cringe for me. (The book was Dark and Beastly Fae, if you're curious)

And while I can appreciate their communication - when they finally DO start communicating. We don't get the relationship lovey talk until 80% of the way through the story.

EIGHTY. PERCENT.

And then it's just Enzo awkwardly telling Aspen that he "wants to make love happen." and she tells him that's not how it works, and she doesn't feel that for him and she doesn't trust him blah blah...

Let me say this again.

EIGHTY. PERCENT.

How exactly is this supposed to be a romance, when we're having stilted conversations about feelings and the FMC is flat out rejecting the idea of being in love and being in a relationship with the MMC with just 20% of the story to go, AND when there's this huge other ongoing plot happening around them?

If this had cropped up halfway through, I'd have been FINE with it. I love an adorably awkward MMC that doesn't know how to navigate relationships. That wants to make his woman love him but doesn't know how.

That's part of the growing pains of a relationship, right? Feelings don't develop right away and that's TOTALLY fine. I actually appreciate that Glass doesn't just have these two people go all moon-eyed over each other right away.

But waiting THIS late into the story to even CONSIDER falling in love with each other?

And in the end, we don't really get to see the relationship shift at all. They agree to be "dating" or...engaged. Or whatever. But there's no dating, no couply stuff. And really, no time for it, considering the upcoming full moon (when they're supposed to make the mate bond) and all of the stuff going on with the women wanting to be turned and the rogues running around all over the place.

They just have sex a few times and then the book's over and a year has passed and she finally tells Enzo she loves him.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Glass has written way better shifter romances. I'm actually kind of shocked at how much this one didn't hit for me.

It's not going to stop me from continuing the series, because the next book's plot intrigues me, but I'm hoping that one will make a little more sense. Fingers crossed.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I go any further, I want to say that I am a Lola Glass fan for life. I stumbled upon her standalone series “Wildwood” (I recommend it) and I haven’t turned back. If I need a good cozy romance book? Lola Glass. I need some spice? Lola Glass. I need witty banter? Lola Glass. I’m in a dark place and can’t get out? Lola Glass.
“The Wolf King’s Mate” is vastly different from the other worlds that we have experienced so far from Glass, and it is all-around fan-fucking-tastic. It is darker, grittier, and the stakes are higher. The mythos of the werewolves' origins is creative, and the abilities that they have are clever. It is the first book within the “Marked Beneath the Moon” series of connected standalones. It is a Paranormal Romance set in the world of Crimson River, which I imagined to be in the Pacific Northwest in the United States.
It is important to note that this book does have a “content warning” at the beginning due to the darker nature of the situations and circumstances our characters have experienced in each of their past. In true Glass fashion, the romance is not overshadowed by the dark. Our heroes accept their darkness and find a happily ever after (this is not a spoiler, HEAs are guaranteed). In terms of spice, I would give it between 3.75-4 out of 5 peppers. It is an open door romance with the werewolf themes of “heat/rutting”, and “knotting”.
Aspen Keys is a rare female born-werewolf. Due to their rarity and several secrets I cannot reveal, she lives secretly in plain sight alongside her twin brother, Fletcher. When the brother of the Wolf King finds her running in the forest and cannot identify her scent, she is taken before Enzo the Wolf King. Almost immediately, Enzo’s wolf is determined to make her his mate during the next full moon. Aspen knows she cannot escape, but she craves freedom. She refuses to remain locked in the tower like a prisoner or a science experiment if they learn about her power. Will the possessive king Enzo be able to give her freedom within his tower? If he learns she can save their people, will he force her to use her gifts if it means she could lose her life?
I knew I would enjoy this book because I dreamt about it the first night when I was only a few chapters through. I dreamt about the world, the characters, and I dreamed about possible scenarios as though I was still reading the book. By the time I finished the book, I enjoyed imagining the future for these characters and the world they live in. Aspen is a fierce heroine. She accepts and finds happiness in her life on her terms. All while still finding love, albeit unexpectedly. I imagine if I were in her world and her shoes, I would do and behave the same. She doesn’t immediately accept her fate, nor does she curl inside herself; she feels realistic. She is a survivor, like many of us. She endures. Enzo is not the typical archetype of a Glass-iverse male, but he is still great. He is a possessive king, and it shows. He is a haunted man with a reason for his madness (he acts like a real guy).

Join me in the Glass-iverse and read this book- you won’t regret it.

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

Lola Glass

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Final update:
The second half is Enzo getting his shot together and them getting on the same page so I’m much happier. What a roller coaster!


UPDATE:
I wrote the review below last night, slept, then woke up thinking about this book, so now I'm reading it. It gets better. It's just SO SAD that she's so cornered by society. That seems to be a theme in this author's books. But the hero is turning a corner and realizing he needs to do better, so it's looking up...

ORIGINAL REVIEW:

DNF 45%. As always, she’s a good writer and the plot is good but this is a trope of the woman being trapped by the man and falling for him as he cares for her.

I just can’t understand how the FMC just deals with being bossed around. She has no agency. Everything she does is dictated and he finally explains himself some but it just isn’t enough. It’s made me super sad reading this because her life is not her own and never has been.

The MMC has more going on but we don’t hear his side for the majority of the book so it just feels like an awful situation. It’s too sad. I just am skimming waiting dor a glimpse of some sort of freedom for the girl but it’s just all sadness.

[Cee · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
He says he'll change.
Doesn't.
Says he recognizes he needs to be more communicative and wants her to be free.
Girlie's standards are now 6 feet deep, so she accepts this without seeing follow through and then... loves him?
Seriously went from "I don't know how to love or if I'm ready to try" to "I love you" in the space of like a day when her disliking the situation he put her in lasted waaaaaayyyy longer than that.

Honestly, I want to read the next book because that set up sounds bonkers, but Fletcher was one of the best parts of the this book and I don't see how he'll have a bigger part in the next book. I gotta let this just drop.
Writing wasn't horrible though??? Interesting look at werewolves (if we don't dive too dive into the 1 scene of explanation too much).

[vicki.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8/5🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Lola Glass is quickly becoming one of my comfort read authors. This is a longer book than her usual but it went by so quickly!

➕
- I blew through this in a day. Easy and addictive.
- If you like wolf shifters, forced proximity, heats/knotting, a possessive and protective MMC.
- I absolutely love how Lola built this world. It's familiar and comfy with a few unique twists. For example, female wolf shifters are extremely rare.
- Both MMC and FMC have unusual but painful pasts. I did not see those reveals coming.
- I really enjoyed the balance of plot and spice, as well as how the story all came together in the end.

➖
- I wanted more MMC POV chapters.

#bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecs #shifterromance #lolaglass #thewolfkingsmate #kindleunlimited #paranormalromance

[Michelle Delp (Fazio) · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOD.

I love Lola Glass so I knew I would love this book wholeheartedly, and spoiler alert, I did. Completely and totally love it. If you love paranormal romance, shifter romance, forced proximity? Then you will absolutely love this book.

The romance? Top notch. The story line? Top notch. It is so interesting how female shifters exist in this world, nothing like I’ve read before so I really appreciated that. I won’t give it away but, it was new and exciting to me. And it really held my interest since I hadn’t read anything like it before. Also, the spice? Heaven.

I totally recommend Lola Glass books, if you haven’t read them before, you absolutely should. Happy reading all!

[Megn · Rating 2 out of 5]

What is with this book? Everything was half done. Like did they actually fall in love?? Lots of talk about not liking each other, then just their wolves liking each other, then maybe friends with heat benefits, finally admitting they might wanting to fall in love. Then next page we are just in love?

There is a king. No info about what being king means.

Groupies are human woman that want to find a wolf and can move to this place?? And they just let them? Despite it making lots of problems.

No answers on what makes some women wolves, not even an attempt at an explanation really.

Male wolves can have a human mate (no idea how it happens) but then when the human mates dies, the wolf will go rogue and then rabid and have to be killed no matter what? That’s the system?

Maybe future books clarify, but I won’t be reading.