Torment

by Alisa Woods

Shifters live in the shadows of Seattle, just under the skin of the alpha male, dot-com entrepreneurs who are building a new Silicon Valley in the Emerald City.

Jak enjoys the female human population of Seattle as much as any wolf, but his heart belongs to a female shifter who’s already mated. Worse, she’s the mate of his alpha’s brother.

Arianna was captured from her pack when she was only twenty and mated to a wolf whose dark side takes full advantage of her unbreakable bond to him. Her nights belong to him, but her days are free to explore other things… including feelings for a wolf she can never have.


Is love stronger than magic? Or will breaking an unbreakable bond destroy them both?
Torment (Dark Alpha 1) is 60 pages or 15,000 words. It's the first of six episodes in the Dark Alpha serial.
Adult content. Ages 18+.

Genres: Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Paranormal, Supernatural, Erotica, New Adult

60 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 19, 2015

About the author

Alisa Woods, Paranormal Romance Author

GET A FREE STORY: http://smarturl.it/AlisaNewsletter

Reading Order:
Dot Com Wolves (formerly Shifters in Seattle)
Claiming Mia (Book 1)
Saving Arianna (Book 2)
A Christmas Wish (Book 3)

Riverwise Private Security
Jaxson (Book 1)
Jace (Book 2)
Jared (Book 3)

Wilding Pack Wolves
Wild Game (Book 1)
Wild Love (Book 2)
Wild Heat (Book 3)
Wild One (Book 4)
Wild Fire (Book 5)
Wild Magic (Book 6)

Fallen Immortals
Lucian & Arabella
Kiss of a Dragon (Book 1)
Heart of a Dragon (Book 2)
Fire of a Dragon (Book 3)
Leonidas & Rosalyn
Chosen by a Dragon (Book 4)
Seduced by a Dragon (Book 5)
Touched by a Dragon (Book 6)
Leksander & Erelah
Loved by a Dragon (Book 7) 
Marked by a Dragon (Book 8) 
Claimed by a Dragon (Book 9)

Of Bards and Witches (Book 10) Leonidas's Story

Fallen Angels
A Deadly Sin (Book 1)
Guardian of Light (Book 2)
The Sin of Wrath (Book 3)
Seraphim (Book 4)
Prince of Shadow (Book 5)
Tempted: Tajael's Story
Kiss of an Angel: A Christmas Story

Legal Magick
Ever Strange (Book 1)
Mercy Strange (Book 2)
Verity Strange (Book 3)

Broken Souls
My Dragon Lord (Book 1)
My Dragon Keeper (Book 2)
My Dragon Mate (Book 3)
My Dragon Bodyguard (Book 4)
My Dragon Lover (Book 5)
My Dragon Master (Book 6)

Reviews

[Nancy❤The❤Bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

~~3.75 Hearts~~

Arianna was taken from her life to be Mace’s mate and her alpha. Jak is Mace’s brother, Gage, beta but he’s in love with his Arianna. Arianna has been claimed and nothing good can come from this. The only way the magical bond between an alpha and his mate can be broken is if the alpha dies and becomes nonexistent or if the alpha’s mate dies. Female wolves are rare but it didn’t stop Jak from falling for the one he could never have.

Jak also had a magical bond to Mace. They’re linked through their blood that went beyond brotherhood. Bound together which made them a pack. He didn’t think Mace deserved Arianna, but he was only a beta and couldn’t compete. I think Mace was such a jerk. The way he treated Arianna was like a prize to showcase and with no respect. I am wondering how this will all play out. How can Jak break this magical bond between Mace and Arianna? I am ready to see how they are going to calm the storm that’s about to come to their front doors.

[Linda ❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Hearts







This is the first in the sister serial to True Alpha Serial by Alisa Woods.

Jak is in love with his Alpha's brother's mate, Arianna - and there's nothing he can do about it. Because if he ever attempted to claim her, the powers from both of them will kill her. It could even cost him his life for even thinking about Arianna, but there's a pull between them that they can't ignore for the life of them. (Pun intended)

Jak finds out that Arianna has had a crush on him for quite some time now, so add that to the equation: destruction. I thought that Torment was a very fitting name considering the two main parties involved.

I loved Alisa's True Alpha serial so I know this one will not disappoint. Definitely looking forward to see what's going to come from this blossoming forbidden love.

[Crazy for Books (Stephanie) · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided through NetGalley for and honest review.

3 Desperate Love Stars

We got to meet Jak in the True Alpha serial when he helped Mia get away from Mace. Now we get to meet the girl that he spoke about in that series who was previously forced to mate with Mace, Arianna Stefan. Arianna has been with Mace for the last six month and basically on home lockdown. Now that the mating bond is a little stronger, Mace has allowed Arianna, at his father's wishes, to go back to school. She has to have a guard though and Jak is that guard.

Their time together allows them both to feel what they probably would have felt for each other if they'd met and Mace hadn't been around. Jak sees the beautiful and sweet in Arianna and wants nothing but to make her happy. Arianna knows that when she's with Jak, she feels safe, free and able to express herself fully.

This was a sweet beginning, but I didn't dig it as much as True Alpha . In True Alpha , there was so much happening with Mia figuring out what she was and having her wolf know that Lucas was her mate, but him fighting it because he'd already lost a mate. In this one, I don't feel the same pull between the two characters. Maybe because Mace is mucking up the works, but I don't think I will go further with this one. In True Alpha , I couldn't wait to read each new episode. I was freaking out waiting to know what happens. In this one, I a little ambivalent. Maybe if I'd read this story first, but I keep waiting for Mia to try to help or something. Obviously I want those characters back.

[J. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Low budget porn...

[Blondies Little Book Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

*This review may contain spoilers*

I was given an ARC for an honest review

She was another wolf’s mate, the brother of his alpha. There were no less than a hundred reasons, including pack law and an unbreakable magic bond, as to why she didn’t belong to him. And never would. That didn’t stop him from wanting her all the same.

This book was everything I wanted and more. It was hot, funny, sexy and sweet. I am starting to really love these serial series. They are addicting and keep you wanting more. Especially if they are written as well as these books are.

Dark Alpha is Jak and Arianna's story and it will grab you from the very first page and not let you go till you finish. 
We first meet Jak towards the end of True Alpha and there is just something about him that I wanted to learn more about. So going into this book, I couldn't wait to start it. The story is told from both Jak and Arianna's POV'S which I love. We get to see what they are both are thinking and feeling. I am loving Jak the more I read about him. He is Sexy, Sweet and Loyal. He is definitely growing on me. Jak is chosen to be Arianna's bodyguard while she attends school and Jak was more than willing to comply. He slowly stars falling for Arianna, even though he knows nothing can come of it. She is mated to his Alpha's brother after all. Arianna was the perfect dose of sweet innocent, naive, smart and beautiful. She starts feeling things towards Jak that she knows she shouldn't. But there is just something about him that she can't seem to resist. The more time they spend together, the more they become aware of their feelings that could ultimately destroy the foundation of everything they were ever taught. Now the ending. Oh. My. Word. That was intense, sexy and hot as hell *wipes brow*. I can't wait to see what happens next. 

These books are definite must reads. Who doesn't love Sexy as Hell shape shifters?! I know I do. I absolutely loved Lucas in True Alpha, but I have a feeling Jak is going to take his spot.

I am so honored to have been given the opportunity to read these books. Alisa Woods is an Amazing author, who has a way with words and writes a beautiful story that you will LOVE and want to read over and over again. 

[bookaholic ge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved every second of this book! It was short, sweet and barrels of hot sexiness! I received this book as an ARC from Alisa Woods and I am so thankful and excited; I simply cannot wait for the next book to come out.

This book is about 60 pages long but well worth the read. Alisa did a fabulous job of giving you everything that you needed within those 60 pages.The reader will not feel like they missed any vital information in this introduction to this series. All of the characters were very well developed, the story line ends in the perfect place because you get the introduction of the charecters, the attraction, action and passion in those 60 pages.

Great Job Alisa you have me hooked on this series!

Jak is trying to fight the attraction he feels towards a female shifter who happens to be mated to his alphas brother. Although he tries to fight it he can't help but feel like he needs to protect and love every single inch of her body and soul.

Arianna was captured when she was 20 and was forced to mate with a wolf who controls every aspect of her life. Arianna cant help but glance at Jak and see her future in his arms.

In this book Jak and Arianna are proof that everyone deserves a chance to fall in love with the person of their dreams; even though they know there will be hell to pay when or if they are discovered!

[➦Paulette & Her Sexy Alphas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dark Alpha Series begins with Torment, and appears to be a spin of series from True Alpha. Arianna is finally excited to be able to leave Mace's side. Ever since she was taken away from her family she hasn't been able to leave the house. She is going back to college and is happy. Loves that she gets to continue doing what she was before her life was disturbed. But she has to have a body guard. Can she resist the urge to try and run? Can she run or is the bond too strong?

Jak's thought he was happy with life until he met Arianna. He wants he and knows he can't have her. But he feels a pull to her. How can he want her so bad and not be allowed to claim her. He is determined to find a way to get her, but how do you break a magical bond? Can it be broken without her dying?

[Itsy Bitsy Book Bits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Werewolves live amongst us and in Seattle the Red Pack rules. Jak owed his life to Gage Crittenden. He rescued and welcomed him into the Red Pack, got him through school then gave him a job at Red Wolf Inc. He was an alpha to be respected. Unfortunately, his brother Mace was not.

Jak would watch Arianna as the sun would shimmer on her brown hair and make her blue eyes shimmer. The way her jeans hugged her curves just so. Unfortunately, Arianna belonged to Mace, he already claimed her. The magical mating bond was for life, it was unbreakable.

The thought of Mace putting his hands on Arianna made Jak’s inner beast growl. Jak knew it was wrong to love Arianna, it was against pack rules. If Mace ever found out, there would be hell to pay.

Torment (Dark alpha 1) is a novel separated into seven mini novellas; Torment being the first in the series. The book ends before it has a chance to start, leaving me baffled and frustrated but the writing is good. If you’re looking for a short story, then it is perfect.

[Lexi Cubbins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, neither paranormal nor NA is my favourite genre these days, but this one looked interesting enough.

From the very beginning, I felt like I was missing something. I literally checked if I have started reading from the first chapter or if there was a prologue I accidentally skipped.
I'd have liked a little more background story to these two, because I didn't really feel their connection. Maybe I need to read the author's True Alpha series to learn more about them?!

It was a short, sweet story after all, the suspenseful twist at the end was great, left me hanging, wanting to read the next book, too, even though this was was "only" a 3 star read for me.

Thanks to Sworn Secrets Publishing for providing me with an ARC copy via Netgalley.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really not sure how to do an overview on this one without giving to much away, so I will just not do one.


This was a VERY short read. The characters were interesting. I do feel a little let down by the plot, which I know is do to the fact it was so short.
I felt like it was more of a part of one book, rather than a first installment of a series.
Overall it was a good read, just be prepared to be left hanging.

**I received a digital copy of this book in exchange of an honest review**

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received a copy of this from the author

Great start to this serial. Hot, sexy, and funny. I enjoyed the beginning to Jak and Ari's story. I really, really want to punch Mace. I can't wait for the next part.

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

It was a great set up to the world and situation at hand. I can't wait to discover more. Forbidden relationships are one of my favorite things to read so I'm definitely rooting for a HEA.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Torment Jak feels that way about Arianna, a claimed female in his pack. He is a Beta and unlikely to ever mate, while Mace, the son of the Alpha for the pack has taken Arianna and made her his mate after kidnapping her.

Jak tries to put his feelings for Arianna aside until they are attacked by bounty hunters on campus when he is assigned to be her bodyguard. This is the start of a series and ends with a cliffhanger.

[Myra Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again I have found a good book in this story. I found it hard to put it down until the end.

[Dorian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short

Well it is not the complete story it only partial of it, not really sure how to rate this book.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Denne bog har jeg modtaget igennem NetGalley*

Endnu engang er jeg kommet i gang med en bog, som desværre ikke er på særligt mange sider. Til start bekymrede det mig en smule, grundet den dårlige oplevelse jeg havde med den sidste korte historie jeg læste, men denne gang var selve historien og den måde det hele var skrevet på, dog noget helt andet, og jeg nød virkelig historien – også selvom den desværre var pokkers kort. Det skal dog siges, at der udkommer i alt seks små bøger i denne serie i løbet af året, så i sidste ende vil man nok sidde med hvad der svarer til en almindelig længde bog.

Som noget af det første vil jeg gøre opmærksom på, at bøger som denne bestemt ikke er for de sarte sjæle. Ikke fordi den er voldsom og blodig, men mere fordi den er ekstremt seksuel, og som jeg sagde, da jeg skulle forklare det til min mand ”det er en bog hovedsageligt om sex og lyster, med en lille historie på sidelinjen”. Nok en smule på den overdrevne side, men der er ikke meget forkert i den forklaring – og jeg elsker det! Ja, det er på ingen måde en ungdomsbog, men jeg kan simpelthen ikke stå for en god hed sex-scene ind imellem, hvor begæret for alvor får lov at udfolde sig.

Jeg kunne vildt godt lide denne historie og dens personer. Det seksuelle fylder godt nok ekstremt meget, men der er alligevel en ganske interessant historie, som gjorde, at jeg bare måtte læse videre. Arianna er en pige med spræl i, som dog lader sig dominere – som det er forventet af en alfas kvinde, mens Jak som blot er en beta, ikke har en chance. Og alligevel forelsker de sig i hinanden, og bryder samtlige regler, for at være sammen. Hvordan denne kærlighed udvikler sig, er nok ikke nogen stor hemmelighed, men jeg er dog stadig spændt på at se, om de næste par bøger kan byde på en overraskelse eller to. Ariannas behov for at gøre hendes alfa glad, var dog lidt irriterende, for han er seriøst en dum skid. Godt nok har de et magisk bånd, som tvinger hende til at være underdanig når hun er i nærheden af ham, men derfor irriterede denne del mig stadig, for jeg kan langt bedre lidt kvinder der kæmper imod, end kvinder der bare gør som de får besked på. Men that’s just me.

Bogen er på blot 47 sider, så den er hurtigt læst, men allerede nu sidder jeg og kan næsten ikke vente på næste bog, for den slutter altså utroligt spændende – får han mon den pige han elsker til sidst, eller må han leve et liv vidende at de elsker hinanden, men at hun tilhører en anden?

Der er ikke meget at skrive om denne ene korte historie, og i sidste ende bør man nok kigge på de seks bøger som en samlet historie, og derfor får den heller ikke mere end tre roser. Historien når kun lige at gå i gang, og så slutter den igen, men dette er på ingen måde en dårlig start (selvom hele underdanigheds-delen irriterede mig), og jeg glæder mig til at læse mere af denne forfatter!

[Barb Shuler · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, let me thank Alisa Woods for providing me with an ARC of Torment to read in return for an honest review. I became a fan of Alisa Woods last year when I came across her first series, “The True Alpha Series” and I have to say… the lady knows how to write growly ass shifters. So much alpha male hotness. (Laughs) Gotta love it!

*** slight spoiler alert ***

Jak, Beta to Gage Crittenden, tech analyst at Red Wolf and a member of the Red pack has been ‘assigned’ to guard Arianna today for her first day back to college. Mase, her mate -brother to Jak’s alpha, a dark alpha who is cruel to the bone- and an alllllll around asssssshole of the pack has her all but caged. He never lets her go anywhere alone. The fact that he kidnapped about six months ago may have something to do with that though. See, again, he is an ass. (but if you read the True Alpha series you already know this. LOL)

Arianna is being allowed to attend college in order to be able to put herself in the business of Red Wolf. Old man Crittenden wanted her to go but she knew Mace would shut it down if he really didn’t want her to go. After one day with Jak, then another with another wolf. Needless to say she did not have an entertaining time with the other wolf. Not only was she late for class and getting home it just wasn’t a good day. Jak made her feel something...so she requested Jak be the one that took her to and from school.

When Jak’s alpha Gage talks to him about a new project file he tells Jak that Arianna had requested him he was a bit thrown. Though his alpha was not wanting to make him a ‘glorified babysitter’ but he did want him to do it. This way he could keep an eye on her and maybe learn something from her about Mace. Gage really is keeping tabs on his brother. But I don’t blame him, after last summer’s exploits. Jak agrees to do it. He looked forward to it. The next day as Jak escorts Arianna around campus after class… they are attacked. A fight ensues and the attackers are run off.

Jak carries Arianna to the car and has to make sure she is okay. Things were going to tense until she was home and he told the pack what happened. What would Mace do when he found out she was attacked? Would he ever let her out again?

Okay so it’s safe to say… I looooooooved it!! I am so excited to see how and where this goes. I am allll for Jak and Arianna. They are so damn cute together. Bwahaha… (bounces) Now… we have to wait until the next episode is out. It’s due to release on 2/2/15. (Twiddles my thumbs) I am going to wait not so patiently and be ready to pounce on it when I can get it!

[Caroline Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the True Alpha series, I was thrilled to hear that there would be a new series from Alisa Woods in Dark Alpha. Fans of True Alpha, or indeed paranormal and shifter fans will love this hot story with it’s emotion, passion and action. I would recommend that True Alpha be read first to provide the reader with the full background (although not essential).

Jak is young, hot and turns many a human girl’s head. He is liked within his pack, the Red Pack, and his alpha looks out for him. Little do the pack know that he betrayed them once, and morally so. Jak has his wits about him and knows that Arianna was mated to his alpha’s brother, Mace, against her will. Now she has no choice but to be with Mace. But Jak can’t help feeling a little hot when in her company and wants her for himself.

The intensity of Jak’s feelings for her multiply as he is asked to bodyguard her when Mace allows her to attend University – instructions from his father, with the hope that Arianna can gain qualifications that she can bring to the family business. This does not please Mace as he’d much rather keep Arianna at home, but he can’t really go against his father, his alpha.

This is an opportunity of some freedom that Arianna has been waiting for, as opposed to feeling trapped in Mace’s home, bored, and nothing to look forward to as she knows Mace will have his way with her when he comes home. No, this is freedom, and what’s more she has been left with hot, young Jak to mind her!

Torment is a perfect title as both Jak and Arianna are feeling strong attractions to each other. However, as the magic bond between Mace and Arianna can only break in one of their deaths, it looks pretty unlikely that these two can get together. Not to mention what Mace would do to them if he were to ever find out that Jak so much as looked at Arianna. It would certainly be the death of Jak.

Tensions run high between Jak and Arianna, but what will the future hold for them?

This short story holds a little of everything, including action towards the end. Readers won’t be disappointed and Torment is just the beginning of the Dark Alpha series. I cannot wait to read what book 2, Pleasure, will hold for us!

A copy of Torment (Dark Alpha #1) was provided by the author in return for an honest and fair review.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1: Torment

Jak wants what he cannot have. He shouldn’t want another alpha’s mate, but since setting his eyes on Arianna she’s all he can think about. The consequences for even thinking about her is sure to lead to his death, but when he she’s how lonely her eyes are and her need to feel real love and freedom, can he continue to deny what he feels?

All Arianna wants is a chance to run free and to know what it truly means to be free. Stolen away from her home and mated against her will, she lives a life of seclusion and torture in the form of her mate’s sexual passion for her. She feels empty, but when the chance to finish her degree gives her a taste of what’s she’s yearned for so long, she has to take it. But, its when her bodyguard turns out to be the guy she’s crushed on her entire time with the Red Pack, she has to decide whether to drop her guard or live the lie forced upon her.

Woods picked the perfect title for the beginning novella. Torment aptly describes what both characters are currently facing. Though the torment may not exactly be the same, it has changed their lives for the worst. The only shining light they have to cling to is whatever is developing between them. What could be a budding friendship will blur pack lines and the line in the sand when it comes to mistreated mates. Readers will not be disappointed in the latest addition to a new novella series by Alisa Woods. Bring on the Pleasure!!

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first episode of a new six part Paranormal romance serial based in the Seattle area which is the sequel series to 'True Alpha" which is based in the same region by the same author. This episode is only 60 pages (about 15,000 words) long and is targetted at 18+ ages because of the content. This episode introduces the main characters. There are two leading alpha males - Gage and Mace. Mace has captured and mated with Arianna and uses his mating powers to control and dominate her. Against his desires, his father insists she should be allowed to continue her education so she is sent to college with another shifter, Jak, as her bodyguard. The two are attracted to each other but know that mating magic means that should Jak attempt to mate with her she would probably be killed in the process. Also, he's only a beta and if it becomes known that he's even thinking about her it could easily result in the Alpha killing him.

Will Arianna resist the temptation to run whilst at College? Will the two resist the temptation that torments them? Mace is a vindictive shifter, not loyal to Arianna and seems a ruthless character whilst his brother Gage seems more reasonable, better respected and higher in the social hierarchy. I'm not sure how he'll react to events and who he'll support.

A very short but well paced story that works well without having to read the earlier book but leaves the reader really wanting to read what happens next!

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

ARC generously provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

The Dark Alpha Series begins with Torment, and appears to be a spin of series from True Alpha. I have not read that series (Yet) but it is on my list. There are some little items that would probably make more sense if I have read the True Alpha series. That being said it is not really necessary but I believe it would be very helpful.

Troment deals with the lives of the Shifters who live in Seattle. They run a dot-com company and remain unknown as shifters to most of the humans. Jak is a lone wolf who has no problem finding company for the night but there is only one woman who truly speaks to his heart. The only problem with that is that she is already mated to his alpha's brother.

Arianna was captured from her pack when she was only twenty and mated to a wolf whose dark side takes full advantage of her unbreakable bond to him. Even though she is mated to one man it is another that puts a smile on her face and actually makes her feel alive. She knows she is already mated and it cannot be broken and anything between her an Jak is forbidden but can you truly deny love.

This is a really short story that begins the Dark Alpha series getting to know the characters. I already like Jax and Arianna and am not a fan of Arianna's mate at all, kind of hope he gets what is coming to him. Will have to read more to find out.

[Angela Withrow TheArdentReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is love stronger than magic? An excellent question!
Jak has it all, He is a shifter immune to most human diseases and ailments, he is very easy on the eyes and is never in want of human female companions. But he has not mated with s shifter, and at this rate, he may never have that chance.

Arianna did not pick her mate. He kidnapped her after another mate was rescued before he could make her his. Mase, her mate, seems ruthless to me, like a kid with a new toy that he doesn't want anyone to even see. He is overbearing and heartless. The magic in her blood that he put there makes her blind to this when they are near one another.

Arianna is smart and Mase's father sees her worth. He wants her to learn so she can help with the packs businesses ventures. You see they are the new silicone valley. Technology is the future. But what kind of future does Arianna have with Mase?
She meets Jak by chance, as it's his day to be her bodyguard at college.

What happens next you'll have to find out for yourself!
I don't like spoilers, but I will say that Jak seems like my kind of hot shifter! He feels things for Arianna from the start. Nothing is ever easy! I loved this first volume of the new series!
Highly recommended to lovers of a good shifter story!
This is the first of a 6 episode serial, so please be ready for a cliffhanger!

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is a new series I feel at a slight disadvantage because I've not read the previous one 'True Alpha' most of the characters and a lot of the story carry over so while it's not essential it would help to read that first.
Arianna is a prisoner she's been captured from her pack and been forced to mate with Mace the alphas brother. After six months of failed escape attempts and what amounts to house arrest she's allowed to attend college, with a bodyguard of course. On her first day her bodyguards is Jak now Jak has very strong feeling for Arianna which he realises is hopeless since she's mated to Mace but the heart wants what the heart wants.
I liked Arianna and Jak and I'm wondering what Gage is up to because something is going on. I'm not sure I like the wolves in this so much they seem more business man than animal and one of the features I've always liked about wolves is their absolute devotion and fidelity to their mates, that unfortunately is not the case here's or maybe it is if you find a true match, I don't know.
I wasn't sure about continuing on with this series but I think I will, firstly I'm going to go back and read the 'True Alpha' series and then wait for the rest of this to become available since I hate the short serial format I prefer to wait until all the books are available.

ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Letty (Cover to Cover Book Blog Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great start to Alissa’s new Dark Alpha serial.

We first met Jak and Arianna in the True Alpha series. Jak is a tech analyst for Red Wolf and works for Mace, his Alpha’s brother. Jak is in love with Arianna, but she’s already mated to Mace and this really complicates the situation. Arianna is being kept confined inside the house, but now Mace’s father instructs him to send her to college. Arianna decides she’s going to make the most of her first time away from “captivity”.

She is carefree and tries to see the positive in her situation, while Jak fantasizes about her. Knowing that nothing is possible between them doesn’t stop him from feeling as he does. While being assigned as her escort on her first day at college helps build a relationship between them and Arianna feels comfortable in his company, Jak finds himself fighting his attraction to her.

His internal struggle is driving him crazy until the day that her life is in danger. They both realize the attraction between them, but are aware of her mating with Mace and that something permanent is not a possibility for them.

Being a serial, I found myself reading it in no time and felt that it ended too quickly. It is a short and fun read and I look forward to the next part.

[Book Binge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jak is playing bodyguard to Arianna while she goes to college. Arianna is mated to Jak’s Alpha’s brother, Mace, who is also an Alpha. Jak pretty much thinks that Mace is an ass and even, at one point, helped another woman that Mace kidnapped to be his mate get away so that she would be put through it. Unfortunately when Mace kidnapped Arianna from her pack Jak couldn’t get her away in time a Mace completed the mate bond. Now Jak is longing for Arianna but knows he can’t be with her.

While at the college one day Jak and Arianna are attacked and while they get away their adrenaline is flowing. Nothing can stop them from acting on their feelings for each other but that means that they’ve just broken pack law and Jak can be killed for it.

This was a nice start to what looks like will be a good shifter story. It was a fast read at just 60 pages, that’s for sure. I liked the play between Jak and Arianna before anything happened between them. They were so cute together and even though they didn’t know much about the other I could tell that Jak cared for Arianna and what she was feeling.

Hopefully all of the stories in this series (there’ll be 6 from what I understand) will be just as good.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

[Skye Hegyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Good
I found myself routing for our main male character, a werewolf who follows pack orders (usually) and is trying to keep his nose clean around his charge, who just happens to be the woman he's fallen in love with... mated to someone else. Interesting premise and I love me a good underdog story.

The Bad
Another serial, and this one ended in a way that frustrated me. The couple FINALLY gets together and... "Please continue reading in book two..." ARG!!! What?!? NO!!!

I felt like this needed more background. Why was our female MC kidnapped and forced to mate with someone she didn't love? What is the hierarchy of the werewolves that our male MC was working for the female MC's mate rather than his own alpha? It was never fully explained why all this worked out the way it did.

The Review
While the writing was decent and the story decent, it was not something that needed to be split into multiple stories. I wish it had all been tied together rather than split up. The other thing I found lacking was the details into the pack society and how everything worked. In that sense, this book felt like a sequel where it was already assumed you had a handle on the pack hierarchy, which was not the case.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of part 1 of the Dark Alpha series through NetGalley from the author/publisher for an honest review. I absolutely loved the True Alpha series which is somewhat linked to this series. I read a few other reviews where readers wondered if they should have read that one first. It would be helpful to get a sense of their world, but I think this one is independent enough you're fine to start here. Jak is briefly introduced in True Alpha. For me, he seems like a different person than when we saw him involved with Mia's kidnapping. I was left with the impression he was a bit more broodier and darker than he was in this book. Fortunately in True Alpha, he does the right thing and we know he was struggling with out to help Mia from her situation. As for his characterization in Dark Alpha, he's a strong "alpha" male. He may be a beta to Gage, but he's passionate, protective and honorable. I think this was a great start to the series and ended on a good cliffhanger to keep the reader excited for the next in the series.

[Brigitte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Torment is a good start to Dark Alpha series.

Arianna is mated to Mace who keeps her confined inside the house until his father instructs him to send Arianna to college, six months later. Mace is not known for being kind either. Needless to say that Arianna makes the most of her first time in the open after being kept inside for so long.

Jak fantasises about Arianna even though he knows that nothing can transpire between them as she is already mated. It just happens that he is tasked to be her escort on her first day at college. Arianna feels comfortable in his company whilst Jak fights his attraction to her.

When Arianna's life is threatened and Jak has to protect her, he realises that she might feel the same way about him. The fact remains that mates are for life. I now look forward to the next part in the series as I am keen to know how this story develops.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. It's a short and easy to read novel with good prospects for the next part.

[Diane Lynch Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Torment (Dark Alpha #1) by Alisa Woods Jak is in love with the mate of his alpha’s brother.  Arianna was forced into a mating so did not want.  Both need to fight their forbidden feeling for each other.
 
I loved this book.  I flew through the sixty pages, and I cannot wait to read the next release.
 
Jak is a noble beta.  I gained respect for him after he helped Mia escape in the True Alpha Series.  I want him to find the happiness he deserves.
 
Arianna is a sweet heroine whom you cannot help but adore.  She has been dealt a bad hand, and I appreciate that she finds happiness while with off pack grounds with Jak at her college campus; especially since her mate is such a jerk (putting it nicely). 
 
Torment is an incredibly well-written shot short packed with excitement.  It flows well and keeps you hungry for more.  I look forward to reading the next installment.
 
Complimentary copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review. 

[Heather Carver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another amazing start to a series by Alisa Woods!! I cannot wait for the next couple months so I can have the rest of these books!

Arianna is finally excited to be able to leave Mace's side. Ever since she was taken away from her family she hasn't been able to leave the house. She is going back to college and is happy. Loves that she gets to continue doing what she was before her life was disturbed. But she has to have a body guard. Can she resist the urge to try and run? Can she run or is the bond too strong?

Jak's thought he was happy with life until he met Arianna. He wants he and knows he can't have her. But he feels a pull to her. How can he want her so bad and not be allowed to claim her. He is determined to find a way to get her, but how do you break a magical bond? Can it be broken without her dying?

I cannot wait to see where this story takes us. I know that it is going to be a crazy, intense journey!! But it will be an amazing one!! I love Alisa Woods and how she draws me into her stories!!!