Dark Alpha

Dark Alpha #1-6

by Alisa Woods

He’s her bodyguard… but he can’t protect her from the monster who owns her soul.

Jak owes his life to the alpha of his pack’s dot-com investing firm. But when he asks Jak to guard his brother’s mate, Jak knows he should run like hell. Because he wants to save beautiful, sweet Arianna from his alpha’s brutal brother, but she doesn’t belong to him… and never will.

Arianna was mated against her will, the magic of the mating bond holding her captive, but she’s never stopped dreaming of being free. She’s convinced Mace to let her go back to school—to help with the pack’s business—and her bodyguard is a breath of fresh air in a life that feels like it’s choking her. But when he saves her from an attack by rogue wolves… everything changes .

Is love stronger than magic? Or will breaking an unbreakable bond destroy them both?

Saving Arianna is a super-hot complete story with HEA, the second in the Dot Com Wolves series.

Genres: Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Contemporary

450 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 30, 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

[angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, excellent, I highly recommend reading this.

[Tia Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this exciting, heartbreaking, SUPERHOT story!

Jak and Arianna are so beautiful together, and Mace is such a despicable character.

I knew J & A would have a rocky road to being together, but I never expected the twists this story took. It is such a fun, exciting read!

I've always preferred vampires to werewolves, but Alisa Woods is quickly changing that with her hot and sexy shifters.

Just like the first set "True Alpha" this set is FIVE STARS!

Can't wait to see what she dreams up next.

[Cyn Mistress Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this story. LOVED Jak. I also liked Arianna and thought she was so sweet and strong even after all she had gone through.

Just did a re-read

[Coco.V]

🎁 Books 1 & 2 in the Series are FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (5/31/2023)! 🎁

[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!!

Book 2: Pleasure

Good Grief!! If you thought the plot thicken at the end of Torment, you have no idea what you are about to walk into. Things continue to heat up between Jak and Arianna’s mate Mace as the news of their attack hit home. Couple that with Jak and Arianna’s sordid affair becoming more and more dangerous being added to the volatile mix and you’ve got the recipe for disaster on the horizon. The additional characters that are new to the ever thickening plot bring to light something that may affect Jak and Arianna‘s desire and need to be each other’s mate. Jak is faced with likely on the hardest decisions in his life. Do you die trying to save the one you love or fall to your knees in defeat?

Book 3: Deception

Uh oh… here we go! Big Decisions are about to me made and be damned the consequences. The revelation from the witches have set in stone the action Jak must take in order to liberate Arianna from Mace. The question is whether or not she’ll be willingly to make the same sacrifice for freedom and love. Deception sets the wheels in motion for heart pounding suspense and action. The cliff hanger in this book is the best so far of the series!! Things are about to go bat crap crazy in the Red Wolf Pack!!

Book 4: Escape

Ahh!!!!! I don’t know where to even begin with this review. This is the turning point in the series! Our star crossed lovers are on the run and their lives are about to forever change. Holy crap this novella series is good and it only continues to get better and better. Now if they could only break that mate pesky mate bond ;)

Book 5: Penance

Heartstoppingly Good! Woods has literally stunned me. I was not expecting the twists and turns that have unraveled for Jak and Arianna. The cliffhanger is enough that it made me cry knowing I had to wait to fight out what was going to happen in the final chapter. I was screaming at Jak at the beginning of Penance and crying for him at the end. Grab the tissues.. you’re going to need them!!

Book 6: Loved

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!! This serial novella set is just mind blowing. After the emotional tearjerking cliffhanger, I wasn’t sure what to think about going into Loved. I knew that my heartache would fall into one of two categories, mourning or sweet romance. It would be spoiling to tell you which one will happen.. so I guess all I have left to say is… READ IT!!!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story. Love how all these wolf packs that Alisa Woods has written about are all inter-connected, even if only by a small thread in the story or just a few characters. Jak & Arianna are almost star-crossed in their love of each other in spite of the danger that it creates. They are adorable together, you can't help but cheer them on & hope they get their HEA. It's fantastic that they develop love for each other without having the mate bond or something fated as in all the other wolf stories out there. Loved what happens to Mace in the end, he so deserved it. Interesting twists & turns in this story's plot that I didn't expect. Always glad to see the HEA us readers always want for the characters we adore. Hoping to see more of Sarra & Marco as well. Would also like to see Circe find a wolf mate, she seemed to be a "good witch" in spite of the bad reputation all the witches seem to have with the wolves in Alisa Woods' books. I received an ARC of this book from the author for an honest review.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story where disregarding the pack rules is the right thing to do. Jak is a hero. He knows that Arianna needs saving and that if anyone is going to do it, it has to be him. He is ready to give his life to save her and it comes very close. Jak and Arianna are a great couple and they get their happy every after. Jak gets more than just the love of his life he gets the family he has always craved.

[Denise Wehrle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saving Arianna 2 1/2 stars

This story has an awful beginning. If you have anxiety when reading about a woman being sexually assaulted, this story it's not for you. It starts off with a kidnapped woman being forced repeatedly. I skipped about a half of the story. The ending was ok.

[Angel Graham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okayish.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Debra Johnson]

Amz Purch. May 31, 2023

[Judy Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORIES I'VE EVER READ !!!
ABSOLUTELY EXQUISITE !!!
Title: Dark Alpha Complete Box Set
Series: Dark Alpha
Designation: Volumes One through Six, Standalone Novel
Author: Alisa Woods
Reading Platform: Kindle Unlimited
My Rating: FIVE EXQUISITE STARS *****
WOW! Like really, really WOW! This is my very first time reading anything written by Alisa Woods but it certainly won't be my last. When I started reading this book last night, I had no idea what to expect but I can honestly say that I never dreamed it would be so completely captivating. This saga is, without a doubt, one of the most touching love stories I've ever read. It is an exquisitely written tale, rich in gut-wrenching emotion and steeped with raw unbridled passion, expertly crafted and skillfully executed by an author who is quite obviously a master of her trade. The story was exciting, fast-paced, easy to follow, sweet, heartwarming, heartbreaking, romantic and sensual. The narrative was exceptionally well written in the third person with alternating his and her points of view from the male and female protagonists of the story. The dialogue was smart, realistic and flowed effortlessly. But the characters, well, they are the very heart and soul of this heart-stopping tale. They are fascinating, captivating, intriguing, engaging, sexy and well developed. My heart bled for the hero and heroine while my hatred burned against the villain. I sobbed uncontrollably, screamed and railed against injustice, then cheered and hoped for love to somehow prevail against evil. It left me completely breathless! It was absolutely magnificent!

Wolf-shifter Jak Roberts may only be a beta but that doesn't stop him from longing for a love he can never hope to have. He has fallen in love with another wolf's mate and even worse, the woman he loves is the wife of his alpha's brother, Mace Crittenden. His can only ever be an unrequited love for the beautiful she-wolf, Arianna Stefan, who was kidnapped from her family by the vile, dark alpha wolf and is being held captive by a forced mating. Although Jak owes no loyalty to Mace, he does owe a debt to his brother, Gage Crittenden, the man who saved him from death at the hands of Jak's own brothers. For the last eight years, every month on the full moon he has willingly pledged his fealty to his Alpha - until now. Armed only with love, conviction and the will to do what's right, his loyalty, strength and determination will be tested beyond the limits of endurance for any man or wolf. Can true love conquer evil??? Will right defeat might??? I wonder???

Beautiful she-wolf Arianna Stefan has been kidnapped from her loving family and is being held captive by the cruel, dark alpha wolf, Mace Crittenden. Full blooded she-wolves are rare and are considered a prize for any alpha but Mace sees Arianna as a possession rather than a treasure to be valued and loved. For six months she has been abused and mated against her will. Arianna has lost all hope of ever being free - until now - until Jak Roberts. Will true love be enough to save these two star crossed lovers??? I wonder??? Handsome beta wolf-shifter who is more alpha than he realizes-check! Beautiful tortured she-wolf who has been forcibly mated by one wolf but is in love with another-check! A dark, evil alpha who is beyond redemption-check! Two sexy, dangerous witches who even surprised me-check! A wonderful cast of supporting characters-check! Danger, drama, kidnapping, abuse, betrayal, magic and heartbreaking angst-check! Heated attraction, fiery passion, sweet romance and dreamy sex-you bet! That and a whole lot more! Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I received a copy of the first book in this series through NetGalley, I chose to wait until the series was completed and purchase it as a box set. I like to read the whole story at once as I'm not so great with patience and cliffhangers. :) I do appreciate Ms. Woods releasing this as she released the final instalment rather than waiting weeks/months as some do.

I mentioned in my separate review of the 1st in the series that Jak's character in True Alpha seemed a little more mysterious and darker. He does the right thing in the end by Mia, but he seems to be struggling internally (and we didn't always see that) and walking slightly on the wrong side of the line. In Dark Alpha, we quickly learn Jak is an honorable and protective "alpha" even though he's beta to Gage. Miles (also introduced in True Alpha) is still a twerp and the little brother/runt of this pack. Although this pack was introduced in True Alpha, I think you can easily read Dark Alpha on its own. I was a little disappointed the Sparks pack didn't make an appearance other than briefly mentioned a few times in passing. True Alpha remains my favorite of this world and I do highly recommend reading it!

As the series goes on, the plot and suspense escalates. Jak and Arianna are in a nearly impossible predicament that continues until the very end as to how they will get out of it. There are a few characters who didn't develop how I thought they would and that was a pleasant surprise to shake it up a bit and not be so predictable. In fact, by the end, Jak has developed a loyal "pack" of friends and supporters.

Arianna is a great heroine. She's as vulnerable as she is strong which endeared me to her even more.

I was left with a few lingering questions which I hope are answered/addressed in a future series.

Gage. I really liked him and at first wanted a series about him. Then I remembered he has 2 mates so not so sure about that and his capacity for being a likable hero. I really liked the bond between Gage and Jak that went beyond Alpha/Beta. I liked Jak calling him out for not acting like the alpha he was. It ends in a way between them that left me feeling I wanted more closure for the two friends and to see Gage personally redeem himself.

I can't remember if we meet Gage and Mace's father in True Alpha. Either way, he is never seen in this series and only mentioned that he really wants Arianna to continue attending college. I may have overlooked it, but I didn't understand why he was adamant about this. Also, is he the alpha over the whole family (even though Gage and Mace are also alphas)? If so, why let Mace become such a liability that he put his family's pack at risk?

This one isn't a lingering issue as much as a bugaboo and potential trigger for some readers. The witch, Circe, bargains with Jak - sex for information. I thought we avoided it, but then it nearly did happen. In fact, it goes a lot further than I was comfortable with, although it is not consummated. What saved it as much as it could for my personal tastes, was Circe's unexpected romantic side. The fact SHE put an abrupt halt to it helped, although it went a lot further for me to excuse Jak as not "cheating" for my comfortability no matter the circumstances.

Overall, this is a great addition to the intertwining series - Dark Alpha and True Alpha. I'm anxious to see another hero/heroine from this world. Cade (the tiger "cat") from True Alpha would be interesting as would Llyr's beta, Colin. He's got alpha written all over him!

[E.A. Turley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Alpha by Alisa Woods.
4 out of 5 stars.
Arianna was kidnapped by the Dark Alpha Mace Crittenden and forced to submit to his claiming. It's been so long now that she thinks that she's supposed to be there with him as the mating bond has taken its hold on her, making her mind fuzzy and hazy about what really happened.
Then Mace's father, the senior Alpha of the Red Wolf Pack, orders that she has to go back to uni to finish getting her business major and start working in the family company. This will be the first time Arianna's been out of the pack compound for ages and she is ecstatic about it.
But she has to have a bodyguard to keep an eye on her and Jak Roberts is the man that is put forward for the job.
Jak is the beta to Gage Crittenden, Mace's older brother, and has slowly been falling in love with Arianna since she was kidnapped and brought there. He doesn't like the way Mace just takes what and who he wants all the time and has already helped one girl get away from him (True Alpha involving the Sparks Pack) but he's not sure what he can do for Arianna as she is already mated to the Dark Alpha.
But as time goes on, Jak and Arianna get closer and their relationship deepens. But how do you break an unbreakable bond that was forced upon her? If Jak can't find a way to dissolve the mating bond between Mace and Arianna then there's no hope for them!
But then some bounty hunters find Arianna and try to take her. Jak eventually manages to trace them back to who hired them; a local firm that is known to Red Wolf industries and the Pack. They're witches and female mated alphas are known to be in high demand by witches for the powerful magic they have in their hearts.
So what do they want with Arianna? And are they really the interested party or just a front for the real clients?
I recommend this book to all wolf shifter fans and will be reading the third book straightaway A True Alpha Christmas

[Sheila Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

He had to save her from Mace and he was willing to do anything to make it happen

Jak fell in love with Arianna the moment he saw her but she belongs to Mace his alphas brother, he was on bodyguards duty Adrianna was back at school on the order of Mace father. Jak loved the closeness her smell. Bounty hunters tried to kidnap her they both shifted and fought. When it was over She fell she had been shot with a dart. Scooping her in his arms he dashed to the car. What happened next surprised them both hot hot hot that made his mind up to free her from the man and wolf who kept her captive. There are lots of twists and turns to the story and you don't want to miss any of it highly recommended and much enjoyed

[Shaly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot better than book one. I was really cheering for Jak and Arianna, I felt horrible at her predicament, getting kidnapped, forced to mate with Mace the ass and then getting sexually assaulted practically everyday while pretending she's into it just so he wouldn't hurt her further. She was to young and sweet to put up with a sadiastic bastard like him! That's why as shocked as I was that she actually pursued a relationship with Jak, I was still rooting for them! This book had me on tenterhooks the whole time, I was terrified they would get caught! Of course Jak's plan goes to hell in a hand basket supper quickly but the journey to free Arianna and basically himself was a very adventurous one.

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

Arianna and Jak's story is one of love, heartache, and devotion. She is mated to Mace, an arrogant shifter that has no regard for her feelings. The attraction between Jak and Arianna is strong, yet they must hide it to avoid confrontations and possible bloodshed.

When Jak decides that he can no longer hide his feelings and wants to free Arianna from that mating bond, things don't turn out exactly as they hope and they find themselves on the run, trying to avoid being caught and killed.

Shifters galore, witches thrown in the mix, and you have one very intriguing and fast-paced love story that will surely be a favorite amongst shifter lovers.

Make sure to pick up your copy.

[Lisa Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

So touching and real life

This story even though fiction touches on real life issues . As with most of Ms. Woods books she puts such strength into the main male and female . I was so absorbed in this story I was so sad that I reached the end. I could of kept reading this story forever. This did put tears in my eyes at times, so it was an emotional book for me. Which any book that can do that is a must read . I will say I will re-read this book many times I liked it that much! I recommend this to everyone!!!

[Mary Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the first

This one was so much better than the first. There was conflict and tension. You could see things develop between Jak and Ari. There were a couple moments of pure stupidity, but Jak was lucky. Going after bounty hunters and witches on his own was beyond stupid and not how a normal pack would handle these things. There were a few other you got to be kidding me moments, but overall, I came away feeling satisfied.

[Janet L. Hage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freeing a captive mate

Arianna was stolen from her family and forcibly mated to a dark Alfa Mace. Mace was a cruel man and Mace's brother had his beta Jak watch Arianna. Jak's mother was also a captive mate who was killed by his father in front of him. Jack now had to free Arianna from Mace. Suspense, action, and romance are on the menu in this paranormal romance, with witches thrown just to spice it up. Adult readers due to sexual and violent content.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Jak and Arianna. Can he save her from the same fate as his mother? I can there love survive with Mace always lurking in the background. Can they truly ever be free to love each other and what are they willing to sacrifice to be together? An action packed shifter series that will melt your heart and keep you on the edge of your seat. Emotional and oh so sexy. A great read.

[Sandra Crow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Fabulous!

From the first book in this series to the final book, I was on the edge of my seat. I really did not want to put it down. Only when I had to stop, to do some things in real life. This is one of my favorite authors. She always has plot twists and a bit a suspense, action, romance, and intrigue in her stories.

[Vickey Mcgee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Shifters

OMG! This is so good. Beautifully written with amazing characters. Arianna and Jak's story. A love so strong that each is willing to die for the other. Even though I knew it had a hea, I still was in tears as Jak lay dying. There is sexual content as well as violence. If you like shifters, you'll love this one.

[Kathy Brickert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sexy shifter story

Yes, it is a hot shifter story, but it has a great plot. That's important to me. I want a story more than just sex scenes and this one was good! Taken against her will, she falls in love with her would be rescuer and the escape doesn't go as planned. But he loves so strongly, he's willing to give up his life. A true love story! You won't be disappointed!

[Robin Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This story is a wonderful addition to the series. I am so glad that Jak got his happy ever after. When he rescued Arianna and set her free I knew he had an alpha in him. I hope to hear more about his small pack in future stories. I would recommend this book to any adult reader wanting sexy shifters in her life! ; )

[BJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a lot of angst with h mated to evil shifter and the H is her bodyguard. H is in love with her, sees how unhappy she is with her mate, but there is nothing he can do. It was good, with witches coming to their rescue, a different spin from most shifter books where witches are usually evil. Pretty good.

[Jamoz23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable characters but you know what is going to happen.
This was originally a 6 part serial called Dark Alpha and due to this fact it has lots of disjointed parts and cliff-hangers.
I hate authors doing this without revamping and tidying up the story so it flows better.
I won’t pay for the same story again.

[Ann Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twists

I was not expecting the ending to be like this. There are so many twists and turns woven throughout the story that what you think is going to happen one way just might surprise you. Alisa Woods has produced a story that leaves me wanting to learn more about all of the "side" characters. I need the next book as soon as it comes out.

[William Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

This is a great read. The characters were well thought out and I loved the storyline. This is a great read. If you like shifters this is a great series to read along with her other series.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally invested in this series and Jak winning the girl that "reality" faded away in those moments when I was reading! Definitely the signs of a great series and an amazing author! Thank you Ms. Woods for many a "Calgon" moment!