My Chosen One

by Natalie Arthur

Ares

I always dreamed of finding my fated mate like my parents and my sister. But one look at Sakura has my bear growling “choose her”. Something inside me shifts and I just KNOW that she’s my chosen one. Rescuing her was the easy part. Now all I have to do is convince her that we belong together. Shouldn’t be too hard, except there’s something holding her back. Her family is missing. Good thing my family is excellent at finding people.



Sakura

First my family goes missing and then I’m captured and forced to remain in my shifted state. I lived in a constant state of fear. Then in walks the most handsome man I’ve ever seen and he rescues me. My panda screams “choose him”, but how can I do that when a part of me is missing? He makes me feel safe in a way I haven’t felt in a long time, but I just don’t know if I can live with what will happen if he finds his fated mate and I’m left all alone.



Can Ares convince Sakura that the choice is worth the risk? Can he make her feel complete by finding her family and giving her a life she never thought she’d have again? Or will it all come crashing down around them?

186 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2025

About the author

My name is Natalie. I published my first book, Aftermath in August 2021. I've been lucky enough to find my own insta-love-at-first-sight person. We have a daughter who drives us crazy and a corgi who adds to the chaos. I love hockey (Chicago Blackhawks), MotoGP (Motorcycle Racing), and baseball (Chicago Cubs). When I'm not writing, you can find me studying or crafting. Or crafting when I should be studying.

Reviews

[Havok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED that Ares finally got his own book! The sibling banter was on point and top tier! This book had me on the edge of my seat constantly with all the surprising twists the author threw in! I love the collab books but the stories of the original Lake Renegade characters will always have my heart! Family comes first and once you’re claimed as theirs you become their family too. Now I will impatiently await for Adonis’ book 😂

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

My chosen one was so good! This book had me laughing, crying and screaming WTF. Instead of them being fated mates in this book they are chosen mates but even then their connection is strong! This book also gives a glimpse of the couple in her November book and I can not wait to read their story!

[The Bookworm Hermit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading about the shifters in Lake Renegade. This one touched on some heavy topics of shifter and human trafficking. As sheared the family comes together and helps remove threat. This has a chosen not fated mate but is still the most amazing style of Natalie

[La Taye]

Ares has always been my family in this family and I was so happy to finally get to read his story! We need to discuss why kept getting hurt though! Overall it was an amazing story and so a funny one! Can’t wait for the next one!

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fighting for his fated mate

My Chosen One is the second book in the Hidden Destiny Series. I have read a number of the author's books over the years and always enjoyed them, and this book is added to that list. It is a sweet and steamy PNR with fated mates between a polar bear and a red panda. Sakura Minamoto and Ares Athanasiou make a great couple in a lot of ways. She was held in captivity for ten years before Ares rescues her when he ran across a group of traffickers that had her. One look as he knew she was meant to be his. Lucky for him Sakura has the same reaction and that means they were meant to be. But Sakura's family is missing so Ares, his family and the community begin to look for them. What will they find?

[Jenia Tortora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ares is a shifter and a MMA fighter in the special shifter league. A routine fight turns into a this unexpected twist and they rescue shifters and humans locked away together. Sakura has been a captive for 11 years and being set free has changed everything for her. Now she has a mate and hope again. Their love is a choice and so is the future they build but their bond is intense and truly beautiful. I loved this story and the way it unfolds is absolutely beautiful. I can’t wait for more in this world too.

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

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy and am voluntarily reviewing it. I always love reading books about the families at Lake Renegade. What I really love is that you can pick up this series from any point and jump into a story. Every book is standalone with the backstory that makes readers feel like they have been there all along. We are with the shifters. Ares Athanasiou is a fighter in the Shifter Mixed Martial Arts (SMMA). He and his family usually fight on the same night so they can see each others' fights. They ran across a group that was trafficking humans and shifters. They, of course, rescued them. Ares' polar bear choose one of the shifter animals, the red panda, as his. Ares always thought he would wait for his fated mate, but his polar bear was steadfast.

Sakura Minamoto had been held in captivity for ten years. She was now being forced to fight. Her red panda saw Ares and immediately announced that she chose him. Her parents and her twin brother were also taken. Sakura did not know if they were even alive. Ares' family accepted her right away and started looking for information on her brother and parents. Everyone came together. That's what I love about these books. Ms. Arthur gives readers a close knit family that you want to be a part of. I am not going to get too much into the book. The fun is in the discovery. Just know that it has it few heart stopping moments. Get ready to fall in love with a couple that made the choice to be together.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This the next book in the author's Lake Renegade world. Ares is the oldest of polar shifter/triplets, they all compete in the Shifter Mixed Martial Arts (SMMA). One fight night the sense fear and investigate. They find humans and shifters in cages, someone was trafficking them thru the facility. Ares is drawn to the red panda, his polar bear is on board.

Sakura has been held captive since the last time she saw her brother, living in a constant state of fear. Her panda immediately chooses Ares, he makes her feels safe for the first time.

The clan at Lake Renegade take in Sakura as one of their own, determined to find out what happened to her family. There is something more sinister going on with those that had Sakura than just trafficking and illegal fighting. I loved these two, even though their size as shifters were so mismatched, but our girl holds her own.

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

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes a really unique approach to the shifter world—where else do you get a red panda shifter (adorable!) alongside polar bears and white tigers? The storyline is engaging and has some intriguing mystery woven in, while also hinting at mafia and motorcycle club elements that don’t play a big role here but tie into the larger series. Luckily, the author includes a detailed family tree at the back, which helps keep track of the many names and connections.

That said, a few details pulled me out of the story—like polar bears and white tigers being based in Greece, which didn’t feel believable at all. Still, the characters are likable, the plot is entertaining, and the mix of unusual shifters makes it stand out. If you enjoy paranormal romance with creative twists and don’t mind suspending disbelief, this is a fun addition to the series.

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

[Iluvbks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how they talked about fated mates and choosen mates. Both her panda and his bear said I choose you. This story have A LOT of characters and at times is very hard to keep them straight. It is a slow steady read. The timelines threw me off some. It got better towards the end of the book - the timelines were explained better. She seems to adjust rather quickly for being held captive for 10 + years. There are a few unanswered questions but they are sure to be answered in future books. There was not a lot of descriptions of people or places. Also when they went on missions to rescue people it just happened no details. The story had a good plot and their love was so sweet. A few love scenes. I did enjoy the book.

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

[Carissa Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Natalie's world a long time ago. I always love getting to see how everyone comes together no matter who needs help they're all there. It warms my heart to see the Easter eggs of people I've read in other books and it makes me long for the books yet to come. The story line here was so interesting. I kept trying to figure out what the bad guys were really after. There were a few things that I did NOT see coming. I also really like the idea of chosen mates versus fated mates. It shows that not everyone is lucky enough to find their fated mate, but that it's not impossible to find a deeply rooted love for another.

[LizJ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Chosen One Book 2 of Hidden Destiny Series by Natalie Arthur is a really intense, so captivating and I love the romance between fated mates. I'm new to Ms. Arthur's stories so this is my first from this series and my 3rd overall I've read and let me tell you I am so happy I got bored and started going through the backlog here, she is one HELLAVA author!! My only problem now is getting all her other books!! I can't wait to read more!!.

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

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY CHOSEN ONE is Book 2 of the Hidden Destiny Series. I have been waiting for a book on Ares and it did not dissapoint. Ares is a hunky polar bear shifter who is a fighter in the SMMA. Sakura is a panda bear shifter who was trafficked and being held captive. Ares is part of the rescue and claims her, but Sakura is worried he will leave for his fated mate. Can he show her that he has chosen her and is all in? This was another great story with hot chemistry and a happy ending after the danger and twists. I loved it.

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

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ares is a polar bear shifter and an MMA fighter in a shifter league, and Sakura is a red panda shifter who has been held captive for years. When Ares rescues Sakura, he knows they are meant to be together. I love how after everything they went through, they chose to be mates. My Chosen One is book one in the Hidden Destiny series, and I loved it. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. The writing is well done, and the characters are well developed. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Jj · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has a lot of potential but needs editing. The plot is interesting but has holes and there are so many secondary characters and names and details about them that it's hard to keep up with who is who and serves no purpose. The dialogue can get repetitive and very immature or basic without actual depth. The spicy bits are brief and boring.

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

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I like how when they investigate something strange that Ares and his family rescue shifters and humans from their captors. I liked how Sakura and Ares chose each other as their mate. It was nice how they were able to reunite the victims with their families. I'm glad Sakura gets her family back. Even better is her captors are captured and will face punishment.

[A Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Chosen One is book 2 of Hidden Destiny series. This is a great shifter romance that kept you wanting more. The story line flowed well and was interesting. The characters were likable, had chemistry and were enjoyable. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more from the series!.

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

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a suspenseful story that pulls us into the lives of Sakura and Ares. The heart pounding story keeps us turning the pages with connection, fears, danger and action.

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

[Cynthia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of Hidden Destiny Series story of Sakura and Ares. This one gives you a few surprises and twists. I couldn’t stop reading to find out the truth. This is an adventure with a romantic surprise. I can’t wait for more.

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

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Ares and Sakura. One is a Polar bear and one a Red Panda. I love shifter stories and this one I was engaged with from the beginning, Amazing story, and characters are wonderful together,.

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

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Chosen One
Book 2 of Hidden Destiny Series
I liked this shifter read and the book was well-written.

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