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Black River Pack #1

Rejected by the Alpha

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No one rejects their fated mate. Right?

As the Alpha of the Black River Pack, Killian has to be strong. He’s been the leader since he won power from his father and now it’s time for him to think about finding his mate. When he pictures her in his head, she’s strong, maybe a wolf like him.

Then he smells her and she’s nothing like he thought she would be.

Sascha is a deer shifter. She’s always been the runt of any pack and has been cast aside more times than she can count. She’s always gotten over the hurt because she knew that one day she would find her fated mate and finally have a place where she’s wanted.

Then she meets Killian and he’s nothing like she thought he would be.

After Killian rejects her, he realizes his mistake. Will he be able to win her back or has Sascha been pushed away one too many times?

*If you like sexy, shifter paranormal romances, with humor, steam, a tough heroine and a sexy hero, then this book is for you!

95 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 26, 2021

484 people are currently reading
679 people want to read

About the author

Skye Alder

49 books435 followers

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5 stars
341 (24%)
4 stars
344 (24%)
3 stars
426 (30%)
2 stars
190 (13%)
1 star
82 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
Profile Image for Angie.
1,411 reviews234 followers
May 6, 2022
"Mine," I tell her over and over as she drifts off to sleep. Never again will my mate feel loneliness or rejection. She belongs right here with me. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life proving it to her.

5+ stars!!

I loved this book so hard!! This had so many of my favorite shifter tropes all shoved lovingly into one novella, and I absolutely devoured every word. One of my favorite fated mates pairing is when a predator (wolf shifter) is mated to a prey (deer shifter) and rejects them simply on the belief that they are weak. And damn, does our heroine prove Killian wrong!

My heart just broke for Sascha and everything that she's been through. She was so wholesome and genuine in her yearning for a family, and seeing her heart break because of Killian's callousness broke my damn heart. However, seeing Killian's guilt and remorse over how he reacted made me forgive him, especially after he grovels. This is absolutely one of my favorite shifter novella I've ever read, and this makes sense seeing that the authors are Cameron Hart and Shaw Hart! I will definitely be adding this book to my reread list and read more from these authors ♡
Profile Image for Darlene I read WAY to many books.
3,692 reviews2,457 followers
March 27, 2021
I have to admit this one got me teared up in the first chapters because what mate would REJECT HIS MATE!!!! yesss Killian the alpha in his town didn't like that his mate Sascha a deer shifter was his mate.. he wanted someone stronger and he rejected her making her feel humiliated. Even if his wolf wanted her he refused. My heart broke for Sascha because all she wanted was to belong now she feels she alone until she saves some kids from their pack Killian sees that mother nature was right in picking her as his Mate but now he has to work hard to get her forgiveness.

I did wish he would have grovled more for the pain she felt in those few hours.. it didn't feel enough 😭😭😭 and we got hints of the next couple ;)

Low angst, No ow/om drama, no cheating, slight secondary character, tiny drama, sexy times, both virgins

Recommend-yes/maybe
Cover-⭐⭐⭐
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶

Slowinsta
Ting push away from H
Shifters
Safe
No condom
Hea
Epilogue
Profile Image for em.
367 reviews731 followers
April 3, 2021
this totally pulled at my heartstrings for such a short novella whoa
Profile Image for Hart's Reader Group.
899 reviews42 followers
May 24, 2021
I was REALLY hoping the heroine didn't fall on the hero's dick so soon after he humiliated her. What ever happened to the rage of the jilted woman? He should have had to crawl on his knees through broken glass and lemon juice to get her back.
Profile Image for Jac K.
2,535 reviews497 followers
Read
March 15, 2022
DNF @ 55%

I will LITERALLY click on ANYTHING that has rejected mate in the title. It’s my booknip…BUT I feel like authors are getting loosey-goosey and slapping rejected mate on anything… or at least my idea of a rejected mate story is different.

Killian is the alpha (wolf) and shocked when he meets his mate Sascha. Not only is she prey (deer shifter), she’s also smaller than average. She approaches him in what I pictured as the town square, and he rejects her. It's over quickly and not super angsty. He almost immediately realizes his mistake and starts wooing her.

Bottom Line- This is fluffy not gut wrenching. The h is almost childlike which I found off-putting. Instead of dying inside, she’s planning how to redecorate his cabin. 🤷‍♀️
Profile Image for Lori [semi-hiatus].
276 reviews156 followers
April 1, 2021
3.5
The angst was good. If this had more groveling it would have gotten more stars.

Safety:
Profile Image for ♡Tonya♡.
2,062 reviews568 followers
April 2, 2021
A new author to binge on 4.5 stars

This was my first book by this writing duo and it won’t be my last. I am going to definitely check out the other books they have released (hoping they are safe too). I always say that a mate story should have virgin H/h. That was the case with this story. A little twist was the hero initially rejected his mate for not being what he expected (she was timid and he always thought his mate would be strong). What he didn’t realize at first was she was strong in a graceful way. She may not have physical strength but she was caring and loving. She ended up being the perfect match for him.

-no cheating
-no ow/om drama
-dual virgin
-mild steam towards the end of the book (if it had been steamier, it would have been 5 stars)
-epilogues one year and 10 years later
Profile Image for Granger McGringot.
1,440 reviews218 followers
March 28, 2021
One fragile yet strong-hearted h shifter was rejected by her one true mate, despite the fact that the H knew she was his one true mate. Publicly humiliated, heartbroken, and filled with insecurities, the h left and something eventful happened and turn the table.

I like the wholeness plot. A good thorough plot with some emotional fillers. We could really feel the emotional turmoil of both MCs. Buttt, I feel that the H didn't grovel enough. I felt that he got away easy. The forgiveness was easily given. Oh well, it was all because of the mating moon and pull. Oh I wish there're more grovelling.
description

One true mate universe
Dual virgin
No condoms
Deer shifter h, wolf alpha shifter H
No cheating, No OW/OM, No exes
Safe read, HEA, Epilogues
Overall score: 3,5 shifter romance stars
Profile Image for Kate V.
1,857 reviews373 followers
March 27, 2023
Rejected by the Alpha is the first book in the Black River Pack series and features Killian and Sascha. Killian basically killed Sascha with his rejection.

description

Sascha is a deer shifter and Killian is an Alpha wolf that sees her as weak and lets her know. Sascha just wanted a home and a place in life and her heart breaks when Killian so rudely rejects her. She runs off and ends up saving some young wolfs in Killian's pack.

Feel bad now don't you Kill?

description

That's what I thought.

This was smutty and Killian could have groveled some more...and then some. But I enjoyed it!
Profile Image for Marcia.
496 reviews82 followers
November 29, 2021
Great short read that hit you in the feels right away. Despite everything happening so quickly, it was easy to empathize with Sascha and her rejection. Killian was great following his initial mess up with Sascha and how he worked to redeem himself.

Definitely recommend if you're looking for a quick rejected mate shifter story.
Profile Image for Jesslan Rose.
1,140 reviews50 followers
April 8, 2021
Rejected By The Alpha
By Skye Alder

When wolf shifter Killian finally meets his mate he immediately rejects Sascha because she is a deer shifter and he assumes she is weak and therefore not worthy of him. After an act of heroism on Sascha's part Killian realizes he made a big mistake and tries to win her back.

It was a good story, but they didn't have a lot of chemistry. (A ton of almost overkill sex but chemistry not so much.) While I did like Sascha's character Killian's was disappointing. He came off as a wuss and not as an emotionally or physically strong pack alpha. She also forgave him way to easily. There was very little conflict/angst between them over how badly he treated her and humiliated her in front of the pack.
Profile Image for Bookreviewgirl_xo.
1,204 reviews101 followers
May 7, 2025
Sascha + Killian

✔ Deer Shifter/ Werewolf Alpha
✔ Rejection
✔ Push from H
✔ Dual POV
✔ HEA

This was the fourth book I read by Skye Alder. I liked this one. My heart was breaking for the female protagonist because of the things she went through. However, I think she let Killian off too easily. He realized his mistakes and all but didn't really grovel. Or maybe it's just me. I'm not really a big fan of second chances. Anyway, I still enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Shelby.
354 reviews22 followers
March 23, 2021
I have been waiting for Sascha's story since we were briefly introduced to her in Maya's book. OMG my heart absolutely broke for Sascha and everything she has endured through her life. Yet, she still remained hopeful and optimistic that once she found her mate she would find love and acceptance. Only when she finally finds Killian he publicly rejected her. Of course Killian struggled with his choice to reject his fated mate because he had a certain image of his mate in his head. One look at her and he didn't think Sascha could measure up to what he thought an Alpha's mate should be. Wow, was he a fool and luckily Killian quickly realized he judged his fated mate without knowing anything about her. At first I thought maybe Sascha might be a pushover and too quick to forgive but that wasn't the case at all. She is just kind hearted and has so much love to give that she doesn't waste time on things that can't be changed. Sascha shows Killian that strength comes in different forms - it was so sweet to watch him realize that she is exactly what he needs and is his perfect mate. I just wish we could have seen her interact more as the Alpha's mate with the rest of the pack.

Sascha and Killian are now my favorite couple out of the 3 packs (Ash Mountain, Red Ridge and Black River)!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sandra.
461 reviews8 followers
September 17, 2022
Al perder a mis padres a manos de cazadores furtivos he estado sola desde que tenía 5 años, rebotando de familia en familia, de manada a manada.
Nadie quiere ser responsable de mí, son amigables pero siempre manteniendo las distancias y más aún al ser una cambiante de siervo demasiado pequeña incluso para un cambiante. Solo me consuela el hecho de que mi compañero predestinado me dará el amor y el hogar que tanto anhelo porque el si me querrá, soy su para siempre.

Encontrarme siendo el alfa tan joven es algo que me ha llevado a ser un alfa justo y solitario, siempre velando por el bien de la manada. Se que mi compañera será alguien fuerte y de carácter. Cuando la huelo creo que es un mal chiste un pequeño ciervo no puede ser y la rechazo en frente de todos.
Luego ella me sorprende salvando la vida de 3 niños de mi manada, mi lobo está como loco sabe que es mi culpa que ella ahora esté herida y me lo recrimina sin basilar. Tan mal juzgue a esta chica que a pesar de su tamaño fue capaz de arriesgar la vida por los míos aunque yo la repudie. Tengo que enmendar mi error.
Profile Image for JudyAnnLovesBooks.
2,126 reviews79 followers
March 26, 2021
I’ve come to enjoy losing myself in Skye Alder’s shifter romances. They are quick and easy, read in one sitting romances that leave me with a smile on my face. Rejected By The Alpha is book 1 of their new series - Black River Pack. As the youngest Alpha to rule his pack, Killian is under a lot of pressure. Most of that pressure coming from himself. When fate sends the wolf shifter his mate - Sascha, a deer shifter, he is gutted. He quickly learns the error of his ways when Sascha proves to be exactly what this pack alpha needs. Rejected By The Alpha has me looking forward to the rest of the books in this series, TBR and enjoy!
Profile Image for Syd Springer.
4,057 reviews6 followers
March 26, 2021
4.5 Stars
This was a fantastic book. I loved Sascha. Sascha is sweet yet shy and she is prefect for Killian. I thought Killian was arrogantly rude when he rejected Sascha; he should have known that Fate has a plan for all fated mates. I thought Sascha should have made Killian grovel a little more but I think her need to be loved and accepted push her to forgive Killian. These two really are a sweet couple; Fate made a great couple with these two. I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I would recommend this book and Ms. Skye as a must read author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,723 reviews7 followers
March 23, 2021
Sascha was so happy to find her mate because she had been rejected all her life but Killian thought he had to have someone strong so when he saw her he rejected her. She went into the woods but hunters found 3 of the little ones of his pack and took the shots and saved them. When Killian found her, she as almost dead, he worked hard for her to forgive him because he took back the rejection. She helped him to live life. Great book!
Profile Image for Silvia.
1,156 reviews41 followers
February 6, 2022
I'm on the hunt for good "rejected mates" books, this one is extremely short, so it's not a well developed book and there wasn't enough groveling from Killiam (which is what I like about rejected mates), but it was fun and sexy.
Profile Image for A-reader.
1,598 reviews50 followers
April 6, 2021
This book has such great imagery in the first few chapters, you can feel Sascha running through the forest in her deer form, you can feel her excitement and anticipation of seeing her mate, finally finding acceptance from the one person who is supposed to love her unconditionally, her fated mate. Then you see Killian look at her for the first time and he immediately rejects her, in front of his pack, in the town square. You can feel her pain, her anguish as she runs away and hides.
Sascha is a kind gentle soul who has known hardship and rejection so many times. She can’t wait to find her fated mate, that special someone who will cherish her. Killian is alpha of his pack, he thinks he needs a strong alpha woman to help him lead his pack. So when he sees this tiny slip of a woman who is nothing like what he was expecting the universe to send him as a mate he publicly rejects her.
Having cried herself to exhaustion she awakens hearing hunters nearby, then she hears the voices of young children, she hopes they smell the hunters and go back to the town. But they don’t notice the hunters nearby and shift. Sascha jumps out from her hiding place and runs to the young and tells them to run back home. While saving the kids she gets shot, she shifts back to her human form and hides. Killian’s wolf is giving him a real hard time for rejecting their mate. He is not happy with Killian. While pissed at his wolf and the universe he hears shouting, the kids have run home and then with their parents and they have all rushed to Killian’s to tell him what happened. The kids tell him his mate saved them but was shot. He shifts and runs into the woods and finds her. He brings her back to his house where the pack doctor removes the bullets and patches her up. When she awakens Killian is right by her side. She confused by his behavior, especially how he acts jealous when the doctor comes back to check on her. He tries to be nice and take care of her. The mating pull is hitting him real hard and he thinks he made a mistake rejecting his mate. They go for a walk around town where pack member after pack member stop to chat with her, she kind and patient with everyone and so caring. The pack members are so at ease with her. Killian realizes this is what he needs, a mate who cares for his pack. After taking her home he has two young pack members come by to ask them how to win her back. They aren’t sure but think of things that sound good to Killian. Sascha having heard their voices sneaks out of bed and listens. She figures out that Killian is trying to court her, she is thrilled but wary, and her deer is so happy. Killian tries to woo her but it seems everything he does goes wrong. She confesses she overheard him talking to the two young pack members and if he would like she is willing to give them a second chance. His wolf and he are more than willing. Lots of sexy times follow with teasing and laughter and love. He tells her Mother Nature choose the best mate for him. Epilogue one year later with her pregnant and ten years later with four kids.
It took a while but Killian learned that Sascha’s kind gentle nature was her strength.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dee.
5,087 reviews58 followers
March 26, 2021
The addition starts with the book covers….yeah…yeah…yeah don’t judge a book by its cover they say ….well we all do it and this one here it is the scratch to your itch or better yet the filling to your oreos! Speaking of filling…..wait, that’s for later. Within the first chapters you get the panoramic view of whom you’re dealing with! Oh, the heat is HOT, and the physical chemistry is captivating so be careful you may just get burned all the heat coming off these pages. There were some "oh no" "oh wow" " what the what" moments and add in uncanny mishaps, and shenanigans the good kind that makes you keep turning the pages till last page has been turned. Sascha didn’t have a great life growing up and rejection is the constant in her life, yet she kept her sweetness, optimism and hopeful that happiness one day would be hers. So, when she scents her mate and head his way for him to reject her publicly was pure humiliation for her it makes you cry for her. Killian is an Alpha who wanted, dreamed of a strong mate and when Sascha called him her mate he very publicly rejected her only to realize later she was/is his fated mate. Sascha goes into the woods to crying her heart out due to the rejection but hearing kids in the background and human hunters she knew she had to protect them. The kids were in there animal form she wasn’t about allow them to hunted and jumped in front of the bullet to save the kids by the time Killian realized she was indeed his fated mate he found her she was half dead she saves but will she just accept him as her mate, will he see that she is strong and is there a HEA?
69 reviews
March 28, 2021
Killian is the youngest alpha in the Black River Pack's history. He took over at seventeen and had to learn how to be an alpha without help from his father. While he watches over his city, his pack, and helps the packs around him, he longs for his mate. Sascha has been bounced around after her parents were killed while she was young. All she ever wanted was to be wanted by her mate. While visiting her friend Maya (Ravished by her Mates), she scents her mate and runs towards him in Black River pack territory. Unfortunately, their first meeting isn't all googly eyes and hearts. Sascha is excited to see her mate, Killian, not so much. He did not want a prey shifter as his mate. As the alpha, he always thought his mate would be another apex predator. His wolf disagrees. Running to save her pride, Sascha ends up saving several children from the Black River Pack from being caught by hunters, almost dying in the process. Realizing he was stupid, Killian battles with his wolf on what to do about Sascha when he finds out she's been hurt protecting his people. He races to her side and tries to help her recover and get her to accept his second chance. Rejected by the Alpha is the first of the Black River Pack which is next in the shifters series Shaw Hart and Cameron Hart write as Skye Alder. This has their usual flair of insta-love while trying to figure out how to juggle the differences between mates. We get minor glimpses of characters from Ash Mountain Pack and Red Ridge Pack, which is always a wonderful thing.
377 reviews4 followers
March 27, 2021
Heartbreaking but there is a hea.

I love these 2 authors and so far their collabs have been great. I knew from the preview in the last series and the blurb that this was going to be sad and knew I was going to go into it being mad at the Alpha. I was positive however that these 2 authors specifically would redeem him. I was sorta right... by the very end I felt good about the 2 of them, but I still feel there should have been some backbone by the h and at least a couple of chapters of extreme groveling... or any grovel at all?? I don't even think he said he was sorry to her face until after she forgave him and then still no true apology. Yes, we're in his thoughts, so we know he feels bad...but when his 1st thought after he gets past the rage of fate cursing him with her as his mate, cuz he's so fabulous and deserved better/stronger than her, is that now he has blue balls and is remembering he can only use her to fix that... fated mates and all... I needed actual grovel. His wolf did not reject her, but him as a man did. I'm not so sure his human side would've ever wanted a second chance if it weren't for fate and the mating moon. I needed her to walk away and him to have to fight to get her back... He never once explained to her why he so publicly rejected her on the spot in the 1st place... it was still an excellent story, I don't want anyone to think it wasn't... but it needed more.
Profile Image for Trish.
1,618 reviews7 followers
March 25, 2021
This is the first book in the Black River Pack series. I'm definitely adding the authors other shifter series to my reading list. I loved this book and can't wait to dig into the next book in the series. This book is a little different than most of the shifter books I read because Killian is a wolf shifter and the alpha of the pack but the pack is made up of different animal shifters. I really enjoyed this difference. It's a fun, steamy, and entertaining.

Sacha is loving, sassy and can't wait to find her mate. She's been travelling around looking for her fated mate. She's ready have a home and a place where she belongs. Killian is stubborn but carrying the weight of the pack on his shoulders he can't afford to appear weak. He's the alpha of the Black River Pack. He believes his fated mate should be strong to help him lead the pack so when Sascha a deer shifter shows up he rejects her even though he knows she's destined to be her mate. To make it worse he did it in front of the pack. When Sascha is wounded protecting the pack he brings her back to his house to take care of her. Can Killian Convince her he wants her as his mate?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
333 reviews4 followers
March 27, 2021
Sasha has felt rejected her entire life. After her parents were killed by hunters when she was 5, Sasha had moved around a lot never really felt being wanted by anyone. She always knew that when she found her mate, she would finally know what it would feel like to be wanted by someone. Killian, as the alpha always had in is mind what would make a perfect mate for him. But when he sees little deer shifter Sasha, he rejects her immediately. Poor Sasha, with tears running down her face, runs into the woods. But when she sees 3 little kids shifting with hunters nearby, she runs in between them and tells the kids to run. But shes been shot twice. The kids immediately run to tell the alpha what has happened. Killian runs to find his rejected mate lying in the wood bleeding to death. What's going to happen when Killian realizes what a mistake hes made? Will Sasha ever be able to forgive him after he has so publicly rejected her? I loved this book!!! But I definitely would have made Killian grovel a hell of a lot more than Sasha did, that's for sure!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Leslee.
2,656 reviews76 followers
March 28, 2021
Loved the kickoff of a new shifter series by Skye Alder! Sascha's life has been pretty tragic. Parents killed, passed from family member to family member but basically alone and lonely. Desperate to find her mate, dreaming of finally belonging someone and building a family. When she finally catches his scent, she races to his pack for his is the Alpha. Killian had the mantle of leadership thrust upon him when his parents were killed. When he dreamed of a mate, he pictured a predator like him. What he gets is a shy, delicate deer. He makes a split second decision to reject her that he quickly comes to regret. He then has to convince a heart broken shifter that he is so sorry and to give him a second chance. This story broke my heart and put it back together again. It brought tears to my eyes. Sascha steals the show with her pure heart and lonely soul. I loved her so much and I wanted to whap Killian upside the head from the moment he rejected her. He did a decent job making it up to her but she was too kind hearted to make him really grovel. It fit her personality though so I was cool with it. A beautiful story, I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!
Profile Image for Lauren.
6,131 reviews57 followers
May 20, 2021
First things first; I really like the cover of this book!
Rejected by the alpha is the first book in the ‘’black river pack’’ series. This story is short, fast paced and an enjoyable read. I read this book in one sitting and was satisfied throughout. I found the writing style easy to follow, the characters likeable and the storyline enjoyable. Sascha is a deer shifter that has been alone the majority of her life. She’s been a loner and felt left out/unwanted. When she scents her mate she thinks she finally has a new home and a family. That changes when she is rejected. Killian is a wolf shifter and the alpha of the black river pack. When he imagined his mate he thought she would be a stronger animal than a deer. Without thinking he rejects his mate but will he regret his decision and get a second chance?
The chemistry between Sascha and Killian is clear to see and I liked them together.
I loved what Sascha did for the pack kids. She really was a sweetheart.
I really liked the ending and the epilogue for this story.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and it is an enjoyable read. I cannot wait for more books from this series.
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,676 reviews111 followers
June 2, 2022
4.5 Stars

I have read this book several times now. I just really enjoy it. Sasha’s parents were killed when she was young and she spent her life being shuffled around. She is thrilled one day when visiting her best friend when she smells her mate. All she has ever wanted was to find her mate and to feel like she belongs. She is devastated when they finally meet and he outright rejects her. Killian is disgusted with fate for giving him what he thinks is a weak mate. Even though it pains him he rejects her. Killian learns a hard lesson on what real strength is and he becomes desperate to win his mate back. The only issue I have with the story is I wanted Sasha to hold out on forgiving him a bit longer. But she was too sweet a soul to make him suffer.

Safety and Spoilers
Completely safe. No ow/om drama. Both are virgins. H harshly rejects the h in the middle of the town square. Feeling devastated and humiliated she flees into the forest. She comes across three children who shift close to hunters. She throws her body in front of the children, saving them and getting shot in the process.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews

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