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Claws and Capital
My Alpha sister ran away, leaving me—the ordinary, human sister—to fulfill the marriage pact.
Outside the banquet doors, I overheard my furious fiancé-to-be snapping at his father. "Who the hell wants to marry a human woman five years older than me?"
I pushed the doors open, wearing my most flawless corporate smile. "A pleasure to finally meet you."
We signed a 6 months to stabilize our packs' alliance, and then we divorce.
After six months, I took off my ring, packed my bags, and left without looking back.
I didn't expect the arrogant Alpha to hunt me down like a madman.
He cornered me against the wall, his feral eyes rimmed with red, his voice breaking. "Are you kidding me? You want to leave me?"
Tropes you will love in this · Grumpy Alpha × Ice Queen Human · Marriage of Convenience · Older Woman / Younger Man · Enemies to Lovers · Forced Proximity · He Falls First & Harder
Author's To ensure the best reading experience, please
This is a fast-paced, standalone short story/novella (approximately 60-90 minutes of reading time).
Heat "Fade-to-black" / Closed-door.
Content This book contains strong language/profanity.
Outside the banquet doors, I overheard my furious fiancé-to-be snapping at his father. "Who the hell wants to marry a human woman five years older than me?"
I pushed the doors open, wearing my most flawless corporate smile. "A pleasure to finally meet you."
We signed a 6 months to stabilize our packs' alliance, and then we divorce.
After six months, I took off my ring, packed my bags, and left without looking back.
I didn't expect the arrogant Alpha to hunt me down like a madman.
He cornered me against the wall, his feral eyes rimmed with red, his voice breaking. "Are you kidding me? You want to leave me?"
Tropes you will love in this · Grumpy Alpha × Ice Queen Human · Marriage of Convenience · Older Woman / Younger Man · Enemies to Lovers · Forced Proximity · He Falls First & Harder
Author's To ensure the best reading experience, please
This is a fast-paced, standalone short story/novella (approximately 60-90 minutes of reading time).
Heat "Fade-to-black" / Closed-door.
Content This book contains strong language/profanity.
103 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 11, 2026
About the author
J.J Cross
29 books6 followersHi! I’m J.J. Cross.
I write fast-paced, short reads about betrayal, revenge, and satisfying groveling, and sometimes, a sweet new romance.
Click "+ FOLLOW" so we can read together!
I write fast-paced, short reads about betrayal, revenge, and satisfying groveling, and sometimes, a sweet new romance.
Click "+ FOLLOW" so we can read together!
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 1, 2026
Claws and Capital by J.J. Cross — 4.25 ⭐
This was such a fun, sweet, and surprisingly exciting read! The relationship between the main characters was absolutely adorable, and I loved watching it develop naturally. Their chemistry, banter, and growing affection made them a genuinely delightful couple to spend time with.
The story had a great balance of romance, humor, action, and excitement without feeling unnecessarily drawn out. The length was just right, the pacing kept me engaged, and the ending was incredibly satisfying.
This is easily one of my favorite J.J. Cross stories so far. I wouldn’t change the ending or say the book needed to be longer, but I enjoyed these characters so much that I’d happily read a full-length version or a sequel featuring some of the supporting characters.
Sometimes a book leaves you wanting more not because anything was missing, but because you simply weren’t ready to say goodbye.
4.25 stars!
This was such a fun, sweet, and surprisingly exciting read! The relationship between the main characters was absolutely adorable, and I loved watching it develop naturally. Their chemistry, banter, and growing affection made them a genuinely delightful couple to spend time with.
The story had a great balance of romance, humor, action, and excitement without feeling unnecessarily drawn out. The length was just right, the pacing kept me engaged, and the ending was incredibly satisfying.
This is easily one of my favorite J.J. Cross stories so far. I wouldn’t change the ending or say the book needed to be longer, but I enjoyed these characters so much that I’d happily read a full-length version or a sequel featuring some of the supporting characters.
Sometimes a book leaves you wanting more not because anything was missing, but because you simply weren’t ready to say goodbye.
4.25 stars!
June 2, 2026
Older woman, younger Alpha…
He’s 22, she’s 27. She’s also wolf less, having been skipped genetically. Her younger sister has strong Alpha genes but has skipped out on the marriage arrangement.
She’s extremely strong and authoritative, and he’s young and somewhat hotheaded.
KU with some intra pack rivalry that targets both of them. They get to their HEA and journey is fun. I liked it.
He’s 22, she’s 27. She’s also wolf less, having been skipped genetically. Her younger sister has strong Alpha genes but has skipped out on the marriage arrangement.
She’s extremely strong and authoritative, and he’s young and somewhat hotheaded.
KU with some intra pack rivalry that targets both of them. They get to their HEA and journey is fun. I liked it.
May 18, 2026
Jax and Blair HEA
Blairs alpha sister runs to a different country rather than marrying Jax the next alpha of his pack. Blair is human but they need to merge the families. A business deal in a wedding dress,
Jax hand her a 6 month contract when they get to their apartment after the wedding. He says they will perform in public and to stay out of his way. He tells her his room and offers any of the guest rooms. Blair is going to the furthest from his room when he stops her, saying it has plumbing issues and to take the one next to his.
Jax starts to watch her, keeping his hand at her back, not touching but close enough if she stumbles. He crossed the line a long time ago. He just doesn't know it yet. Blair watches him and feels something stir behind her ribs — not warmth, not quite. More like curiosity. The kind that precedes a well-timed question. “When, I wonder, is this oblivious wolf going to figure out what he's already doing?”
Read to find out how their relationship changes. There is danger and interfering mothers. Great book and an epilogue to download.
Blairs alpha sister runs to a different country rather than marrying Jax the next alpha of his pack. Blair is human but they need to merge the families. A business deal in a wedding dress,
Jax hand her a 6 month contract when they get to their apartment after the wedding. He says they will perform in public and to stay out of his way. He tells her his room and offers any of the guest rooms. Blair is going to the furthest from his room when he stops her, saying it has plumbing issues and to take the one next to his.
Jax starts to watch her, keeping his hand at her back, not touching but close enough if she stumbles. He crossed the line a long time ago. He just doesn't know it yet. Blair watches him and feels something stir behind her ribs — not warmth, not quite. More like curiosity. The kind that precedes a well-timed question. “When, I wonder, is this oblivious wolf going to figure out what he's already doing?”
Read to find out how their relationship changes. There is danger and interfering mothers. Great book and an epilogue to download.
May 14, 2026
Claws out
Jax is portrayed as young and opinionated when informed he will marry a human who is also 5 years older. However, Blair isn't that keen either.
Again, JJ Cross has masterfully written a story that captures the reader from page one to the end.
Jax is portrayed as young and opinionated when informed he will marry a human who is also 5 years older. However, Blair isn't that keen either.
Again, JJ Cross has masterfully written a story that captures the reader from page one to the end.
June 15, 2026
Human and not
This story was so good. Pairing a human with an alpha. I loved the story and it is well written. I swear the more books from J.J. Cross I read, the more I want to read. The stories are each special and different. Great job.
This story was so good. Pairing a human with an alpha. I loved the story and it is well written. I swear the more books from J.J. Cross I read, the more I want to read. The stories are each special and different. Great job.
August 24, 2026
Bargain
This is Blair and Jaxson's story. This is an arranged marriage. This was a bargain struck between fathers. This is slow acceptance of the other. When enemies come for them, they go hunting. Jaxson physically, and Blair financially.
This is Blair and Jaxson's story. This is an arranged marriage. This was a bargain struck between fathers. This is slow acceptance of the other. When enemies come for them, they go hunting. Jaxson physically, and Blair financially.
May 17, 2026
Money
Blair is human and is in arranged marriage to a wolf. But this six month deal as lots of secrets. As people are after them and money is the key
Blair is human and is in arranged marriage to a wolf. But this six month deal as lots of secrets. As people are after them and money is the key
August 13, 2026
It's a good story. But it feels like I am reading the outline of a much larger 400 page book.
September 13, 2026
Good
This story is good and I finished it, but it didn’t grab me as other stories by this author have. Probably a personal preference thing.
This story is good and I finished it, but it didn’t grab me as other stories by this author have. Probably a personal preference thing.
October 31, 2026
a great story
I found d tips to be a great story, I was hooked from the start. I fell in love with the characters, enjoyed the storyline and the steam and spice
I found d tips to be a great story, I was hooked from the start. I fell in love with the characters, enjoyed the storyline and the steam and spice
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews