I prottetori del branco

The Stars of the Pack #3

by N.J. Lysk

Forse un beta può conquistare il cuore di un alpha, ma può tenerselo?

Alec è una persona razionale, un uomo di scienza. Sa che ci sono delle cose che non si possono cambiare. Non può essere più estroverso, non può smettere di preoccuparsi di cosa pensano di lui le altre persone, e non può smettere di essere gay.
Però è intelligente. Abbastanza da comprendere che potrebbe andargli peggio. Anche se i suoi genitori si aspettano che lui sposi una donna, almeno è un beta e ciò significa che può completare gli studi prima che inizino a fargli domande a cui non può rispondere.
Ama il suo corso di laurea e la sua famiglia, anche se non sa come parlare con loro. Ma è sufficiente: la prende con calma, studia tanto, e non si ficca nei guai.
E poi incontra un lupo alpha in un club e scocca la scintilla.
Gabriel è tutto ciò che Alec non è: potente, sicuro di sé, dominante, libero. L’ultima cosa che si aspetta è che Gabriel ritorni per avere di più, dopo aver passato una luna piena assieme, e quando lo fa, Alec non è capace di dire di no. Anche se sarebbe opportuno, anche se sarebbe saggio.
Con ogni bacio si innamora sempre di più, con ogni abbraccio aumentano i suoi bisogni… Anche se sa che a un beta non sarà mai permesso tenersi a lungo un alpha.

Genres: M M Romance, Shapeshifters, Omegaverse, Paranormal, Werewolves, BDSM, M M M

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2017

About the author

N.J. Lysk (pronouns: whatever) is a queer one—in almost every sense of the word—for whom stories have always been their one true home. She studied linguistics and literature (which is to say, someone offered him a genuine excuse to read professionally) and ended up teaching, but writing is their one true love.

Addicted to angst, enamoured of mpreg and always ready to try a new kink (in a book, that’s it!) she became hooked into the Omegaverse through fanfic (but he doesn't have the patience to write other people's characters) and has recently expanded from werewolves to hockey players.

Check out my shelves if you want some recommendations, including books that inspired me ;)


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Reviews

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was book 3 in "The Stars Of The Pack" series. This book went back and fourth between past and present of Alec the doctor and an Alpha who turns out had a relationship with the other Alpha Gabriel who he is in love with. Turns out the two met in a club both looking for a hook-up. Alec who was in med school and hasn't presented as an Alpha yet. Alec is a rational person, a scientist. He knows there's some things you can't change. He can't be more outgoing, he can't stop worrying about what other people will think of him, and he can't stop being gay. Alec knows that their is something wrong with Ray and although they didn't say but I think he is pregnant from being raped by Nicholas. Alec is also dealing with his feelings for Gabriel so he begins collecting data from people in the pack about the kids and also talking to another omega about what is happening to Ray. This book had a lot of guilty feelings and feeling sorry for themselves including Ray I wish that they would get over it. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book I this series.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Protectors of the Pack by N.J. Lysk. I loved getting to see how Adam and Gabriel first met and how their relationship evolves and changes from when they had met three years before mating Ray and how it changes after mating Ray and starting a new pack. I also loved the dom/sub dynamic between Alex and Gabriel even though they are both alphas. Poor Alex should have been born the omega instead of Ray. Alex would have been a perfect omega. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nora Phoenix · Rating 3 out of 5]

(This review is of all the first three books in this series as I read them all back to back)

Let me start off by stating that this series is unique. I’ve never read a book where the main character had five lovers, or mates in this case. The story gives a solid reason for this, which is the need to start a new pack and a shortage of (male) omegas. So far, so good. I’m cheating a little here, by the way, because I’ve already read the three books available in this series (Alpha for the Pack and Protectors for the Pack) and will say something about the other two books as well in this review.

Ray, the omega and the main character, turned out to be my biggest issue. With six people in a relationship, distinguishing one person from the other is usually hard. The writer made the smart choice here to tell the story strictly from Ray’s POV, allowing us to get to know the other through his eyes. It made it relatively easy to get to know the other five men, but…having Ray as the only voice also turned out to be the weakness in this book.

I get that him presenting as an omega was a huge disappointment for him. I also understood that having five mates shoved down your throat was less than ideal. However, when the main character remains whiny and bitchy, it makes the story a hell of a lot less enjoyable than it could have been.

In book two, this is still going on strong. Book three was a surprise, since it focuses on two of the five characters mainly, who develop their own romance within the bigger relationship (pack) of the six men. While this made the concept of the six men together more bearable, it also raised some questions about earlier statements of one of these men with regards to his feelings for Ray. However, that wasn’t a biggie, and I liked where the author was going with this. Book three was actually the best one out of the three books so far, as it was more of an actual romance.

Going back to the first two books, there’s some dubcon and some definitive noncon sex in there. If that’s not your thing, you may want to stay away from this series. There’s also a pregnancy, lots of wolf babies, and all the complications that brings.

As for the writing, it’s decent but there are tons of spelling mistakes and typos. The books really could have benefitted from a solid round of editing and proofreading.

All in all, I have mixed feelings about this series. The premise was intriguing, but Ray didn’t really grow on me, and some stuff in book two (keeping it vague here to avoid spoilers) felt unnecessary to me. I like where the story is heading towards the end of book three, however. I’m guessing there will be more books, and I’ll probably read them since they’re on KU, but so far, I’m not a huge fan.

[Tristan · Rating 1 out of 5]

2/5

Maybe I'm jumping into this series half way, but I was struggling to understand the plot.

_______________________

Re-read 1/5

First time I read this, it was out of order. This time, however, I read it right after the second book and... well... I hate it even more now.

I felt like this one should have been a 2.5 or a spin-off, because after the high of the second book, this one is a big drops. The issue of the last book was left aside, while they are trying to focus on the budding romance of the 2 alphas. And this is when I realize this series is not what I envision.

See, I thought it was gonna be a true harem, but what we get instead if a breeding arrangement with all the alphas off being happy and poor Ray is just suffering in the mist of it all. (I know Ray is supposed to fall for Josh next installment, but really? What's the point, he's still the other 4 alphas breeding-stocks. I really see no romance in this) Also the author handle the rape really poorly. It's just all around bad tastes.

[Giada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recensione completa sul blog: https://trelibrisoprailcielo.com/2020...

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book did a good job of giving us the history of Alec and Gabriel, and it wasn't annoying the way the story shifted from past to present like I often find these types of books to be. However, the editing was a major issue. Not only were there typos, but there were very awkward and incorrect sentence structures that made most of this book difficult to comprehend. I can usually overlook this in self published authors (I'm taking a guess that this book was self published), but in this case the errors interfered with the comprehension of the storyline. I often had to reread passages multiple times to understand what was trying to be conveyed, and even then, I still didn't always understand. I like the storyline, and thought this was a much better depiction of a romance between Alec and Gabriel than what we got with Sergi and Iesu, but still, it could have benefited from some serious editing. Also, there were times the author vaguely described something or alluded to something that was hard to follow or didn't make sense to the reader. We were left trying to connect dots to make sense of things. There were also things that were never explained. For example, I'm still wondering how Gabriel's cousins were able to have children even though they were lesbians and one was an alpha and the other a beta. No omega in that equation, so how did they procreate??? I will continue on to the next book in this series, as I am curious how everything turns out after reading 3.5 books in this series.

[llv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3 stars
Full disclosure: I skipped all the chapters dealing with the past. I had no interest in going back in time to the start of Alec and Gabriel’s relationship. I was more interested in the here and now. I was glad that this book didn’t deal much with Ray and focused on Alec and Gabriel who I both liked. I really liked Alec and was glad he could find happiness with Gabriel.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Ray, the guy needs a break and hopefully with what Alec figured out, they may all be happier, especially Ray.

[Clara Cavaleri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Rozanna's fantasy romance & smut corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

i am not a happy camper read book 1 ,2 and 3 in 1 day and the fact that ray is alone depressed, miserable and suffering breaks my heart while his mates are pairing off around him. i wished his mates where not only aware of what their lack of knowledge and combination dies to their pack..that this way nobody can be the best version of them self when their omega isn't save to emote.. not proces in safety about his body dysmorphia his rape or his pregnancies.. shifting to a female "bitch" or skipping dating getting to know sombody and building binds before bieng forced to mates. all the while people around you your mates are finding love in eachother but you..

its heartbreaking and I'm holding out hope it gets better.

[Marolyn B · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF, weird cast of characters and I didn't quite understand the dynamics of the relationship.

[Ζωή Παππά · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alec is my favorite character and this book was just perfect for me. I loved every word. I really really loved it!

[Libri e Altri Disastri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recensione di Viola

Grazie a questo volume sono riuscita finalmente a capire il personaggio di Alec, che nei precedenti volumi aveva catturato la mia attenzione per il suo esser Alpha ma caratterialmente non sembrarlo affatto.
Con un salto temporale di circa tre anni dal punto della storia in cui l’autore ci ha lasciato col volume precedente, conosciamo un Alec ancora Beta, lontano dal suo branco per poter studiare medicina, interessato a tutto ciò che sia scientifico e disinteressato a coltivare amicizie, a presenziare alle feste del suo branco o organizzate dalla propria famiglia che cerca di accasarlo con qualche ragazza e soprattutto per niente interessato a frequentare locali o discoteche. L’unica valvola di sfogo che si concede è entrare in qualche club per soli uomini per cercare compagnia, soprattutto quando la luna piena sta per arrivare e il suo lupo interiore ha bisogno di sfogare i propri istinti. Ed è in una di queste occasioni che conosce, anzi riconosce, Gabriel, il nipote del capo del loro branco, già apertamente dichiarato con un carisma e una presenza tipica di un Alpha: deciso, sicuro di se e dominante. Tutto ciò che Alec non è e tutto ciò che ad Alec piace in un uomo, ed essendo un Beta può concedersi di lasciarsi andare con lui e farsi trasportare dalle emozioni che lo investono come un treno quando Gabriel lo bacia…

Sapeva che l’altro era felice di prendere il comando e che non gli importava quando lui non riusciva ad articolare i propri pensieri. Era facile lasciarlo scegliere, e lo faceva sentire… lo faceva sentire sicuro.

Ma sappiamo che Alec è un Alpha, che ha accettato di far parte del branco con Ray e gli altri Alpha, quindi l’intermezzo della sua rivelazione ve la lascio scoprire da soli senza rivelarvi altro.

La narrazione si divide in due spazi temporali, passato e presente, che si mescolano fino a portarli ad intrecciarsi. Questo capitolo è quasi del tutto incentrato su Alec e Gabriel ma comunque porta avanti anche quel che ritengo necessario su Ray e gli altri membri del branco considerando il finale del precedente libro. Vorrei essere esplicita ma devo cercare di non rovinare la lettura dei precedenti volumi a chi per caso legga questa recensione senza averli appunto letti.

Alec e Gabriel sono i “protettori del branco”. Alec per le conoscenze scientifiche e gli studi che sta facendo sulla licantropia e nello specifico anche per quel che riguarda Ray e il suo modo di reagire a ciò che è successo e di come il branco stia reagendo di conseguenza. Gabriel ha i mezzi e le conoscenze per permettere ad Alec di approfondire le ricerche, di confrontarsi con altri branchi e così poter arrivare a una diagnosi rivelazione che porterà a decisioni da prendere e a far traballare gli equilibri già precari del proprio branco.
Con questo volume vediamo anche il cambiamento di Alec, piccoli passi a prender sicurezza e a dimostrare che il suo rivelarsi Alpha alla fine era logico.
Questi due personaggi si sono rivelati una piacevole sorpresa, se Alec aveva attirato le mie attenzioni per essere così particolarmente atipico per essere un Alpha devo confessare che invece per Gabriel avevo inizialmente provato un leggero senso di antipatia mutato in questo capitolo in comprensione per le scelte fatte nel primo libro quando è nato il branco di Ray.

Ora non ci resta che aspettare il capitolo finale di questa serie e scoprire se anche Ray avrà un lieto fine nonostante lui sia l’Omega di questo branco, di questa famiglia allargata.

[ewqqa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waiting is (not) fun

I’ll start from the end saying that the last chapter and the epilogue are the best part of this book. They alone have made me give it one star more. There’s insight into the alphas’ side of things—which was much needed. If someone still doesn’t like Gabriel after the second book, they may change their mind.

I don’t want to say the rest of the “Protectors of the Pack” is weak. Like, from what I’ve seen, it’s the best rated book in the tetralogy… It’s important to the story as a whole, and to its continuation, but not as engaging as the ending and previous books in the series. We go from an almost-cliffhanger in the second book to a very slow paced narration from Alec’s POV. Alec & Gabriel basically go in quest for some answers. And WE go in their shared “distant” past to uncover some interesting (and spicy) things that give more depth to the characters and their relationship…

“Alpha of the Pack” left me breathless and desperately wanting to know how Ray is doing. Then N.J. Lysk makes us wait and focus on Alec & Gabriel. And I was like, “who cares about them, give me Ray (& Josh)”. 😉 So unless you skip this one and go straight to some (hopefully) lovely bits in “Beloved of the Pack” which may or may not include Ray fINalLY getting his (hopefully) happy ending with (hopefully) Josh (and the rest), you have to dive into Alec & Gabriel’s past (and present) and just wait. And wait. And w… In meantime, Ray will be healing off-page. And Josh will be working (a lot). So. A lot of Alec & Gabriel. Yay.

But yeah. The ending makes all this waiting worth it. It’s really sweet. And I’m very excited for the next one. (!)

[Emily Seelye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book and my favorite of the series. For one, it's more of a love story, and two, there's a HEA.

It focuses on the relationship between Gabriel and Alec. It's told in Alec's POV, and he's a good narrator because he's actually pretty observant and doesn't focus on himself. The story alternates chapters between the past starting when he meets Gabriel to events picking up from where book 2 left off. I wish it was a linear timeline, but at least the flashbacks are in chronological order.

Alec and Gabriel have a history together. They meet at a human club 3 years ago, before Alec presented as an alpha. As the only known gay members of the pack, they became lovers. When Alec presented, he mistakenly thought the other man would no longer want him, so he cut off contact.

In the present, the men spend a lot of time together working on a project and get closer. Eventually they are comfortable enough to confront their feelings, and admit they had loved each other in the past, and that the feelings had never gone away.

Even though this book shifts focus from Ray and the pack to one couple, it's not a stand alone.

I do recommend this book.

[Claudia Lezár · Rating 4 out of 5]

PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!

To my ratings:
A 3,5* is clicked with a 4* but in review marked as 3,5*:

5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-Away-book like ‘Jesse's Smile’ or ‘Joey’ from Angelique Jurd, ‘Save the the kids’ series
from EM Leya, ‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or ‘Liberty’ from Seth King),
it's like an A+

4* - very good and will be often reread and is a WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises (like most of Andrew Grey books and Davidson Kings 'Haven Hart'-series)
it's like an A

3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few times (most romances where you can enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+

3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader (2-3 times a year),
it's like a B

2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-reader (I wouldn't recommend it heartily, but it was ok)
It's like a C-, D

1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an absolute NO-GO). It's like failure in the
whole line, dismissed, repeat the class

[Vikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read, book 3 didn't disappoint. Taking a different route than book 1 & 2 and bringing Gabriel and Alec more into the story was brilliant. I loved reading about their past and everything that brought them together todate.
I was a Gabriel fan before book 3, now I'm even more of a Gabriel fan. He's so strong in mind and body, yet so caring and has such a big heart, you can't help but fall in love with him.
Alec being his complete opposite in everyway, makes him the perfect match for Gabriel. It's true what they say opposite attract. And OMG are they hot in the bedroom.
The book is beautifully written and has a way for gripping you. So much so, I didn't even know I was coming to the end. I could have kept reading about these two for days.
I'm really really looking forward to book 4.
This whole series is fabulous.
You have to read this book it is truly amazing. You won't be disappointed and you will be gripped from page one. It is definitely on my "read again list"
Received as ARC
Pre-order is available on Amazon.

[Linda Crandall · Rating 5 out of 5]

section in the lives of these star-crossed werewolves, where accepting painful truths, about oneself, about others, about what can be, what should be, what could be, and what might not be possible. Written in such a way that the continuous anxiety of Alec bleeds into the words and story, conveying a constant sensation of doubt, feelings of inadequacy, and almost deathly emotional devastation in the wake of what has happened in their lives.
Although the core pack are the 5 alphas and the reluctant omega, there are secondary pairings, one on one, between pairs of alphas, and between the omega and one alpha, that tend towards the more traditional couple dynamic without loosing the need they all have to care for each other as a pack.
Exceptionally well thought out, integrating wolf mentality and instincts with human mentality and intellect.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, so other than Josh, my favorite characters in this series are Alec and Gabriel. Alec is so insecure and good, such a sweet and tender soul. Gabriel also seems so genuinely good, caring and devoted. I just love these two and am so happy to see their relationship revived. Flipping back and forth between recent and distant past (this was done extremely well), the third book in the series focuses almost exclusively on these two characters. While they are not in love with Ray, the feelings of protectiveness they feel towards their Omega make me like them even more. I think they are just trying to make the best out of a horrible situation the best they can.

[Regina Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg!!! No lo vi venir!!
Es decir, trato de no leer las reseñas y continúo con la saga para emocionarme y sorprenderme cada vez. Aquí me sorprendí porque no la vi venir!! Es que ambos personajes tenían algo entre ellos pero no se leyó más que como amistad y tremendo secreto guardaban!!!
Me atrevo a decir que fue más bonito que lo de Sergi y Iesu pero a la vez eso es resultado de que hubo más diálogos entre los personajes y más aún con un culebrón como este!!!
Omg!!! Y encima tremendo final!!! O sea, no te deja con dudas ni en ascuas. Te explica todo y al fin solucionan todos los malentendidos
Me encantó!!!

[Jennifer Veer-Boyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting Better

This book was better than the first two, in my opinion. I could feel the connection between Alec and Gabriel. I’m still holding on that Ray will finally form the bonds to his pack that I’m so desperate for. I want him to find love with Josh, but also form bonds with the other Alphas.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories just keep getting better

Each books keeps developing the characters more. I liked book 1 and 2 but I loved this one. More about the alphas past while advancing the story line. I can't wait to read book 4

[Flavia · Rating 3 out of 5]

La historia de Gabriel y Alec me gustó mucho. Fue interesante ir conociendo sobre ellos y las peculiaridades de su relación en un vaivén de tiempo pasado y presente. Pero en cuanto a la manada que forman, son poco más que compañeros de piso con muchos problemas de comunicación y bastante apáticos.

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuation of great series

The feels are what will get you in this book, high highs and low lows and not much in between. This dark romance continues the evolution of the new pack. Can’t wait to read the next one.

[poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed these books this was my favorite so far cannot wait for the next book.

[Donna Maynard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an advance reader copy of this book from Book sprout, and I am voluntarily leaving a review. This book was wonderfully different. This book was consistently good throughout.

[Kaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this.. it was an awesome next story in this series... the characters keep getting better and the writing is wonderful lol. i am glad i got to review it

[Julie Wickedly Sweet & Synful Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's great!

I loved Alec and Gabriel in this book. And of course Ray, who continues to pull at my heart strings. A wonderful book!!

[Christi Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rating.

[•Siℓvia• · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 STELLE -
Libro di passaggio che non mi ha entusiasmato particolarmente