Loved by Wolves is the third and final book in the Bloodline series by Rhea Watson and it was amazeballs. Lyssa and her mates have gone through a lot, traumatic pasts, unstable mate bonds, and an uncertain future. After the shocking events at the end of Hunted by Wolves, things were left shaken but not for long, things were better, finally coming together but the fight for a peaceful life is far from over for the pack, not with gods afoot and an ominous feeling lurking in the background. Things are far from over but Lyssa isn't running, not anymore, she's ready to stand and fight for the pack, for the family that she deserves.
Lyssa is one of the most interesting and complex characters I have ever read and by the end of the series is a total badass. One minute she's so confident and in control, the next, she's unsure willing to give up control. Lyssa is a mix of naivety and wisdom, she's playful and serious, but most of all she's strong, not only physically but emotionally. Lyssa hasn't been afraid of telling the alphas what she wants and needs, she's just afraid of rejection but is working on it. Lyssa is open (except when her fear overtakes her), kind, caring, playful, stubborn, and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her pack together, this is the one area where she is confident and takes charge. I love Lyssa and couldn't help but feel a connection to her character. She has grown so much over the series, she's more acclimated to the human world, learning more about her mates, figuring things out, and is opening more. While she is far from perfect (except for in her mates' eyes) the best part of Lyssa is that she tries.
There's a scene in this book where everyone's past is finally put out in the open. We learn exactly what happened to Lyssa, what Lucian's history was, Soren, realizing how his childhood could impact his actions and the others and got more detail about Ewan's past. It was a beautiful moment and with everything out in the open and a deeper understanding about why they act the way that they do, everyone is finally starting to heal and form an unbreakable bond that each of them needs for one reason on another. Everyone is working on being better for everyone else in the pack and not just for Lyssa, the guys are finally forming a bond that the three should have had all along when they decided to become a pack. Soren is dialing his excitement back but using what he knows of a healthy pack to make his pack healthy. Ewan is starting to see that business isn't everything but still wants to provide for everyone, Lyssa has acknowledged that the guys aren't gonna just leave her at the drop of a hat and Lucian is still Luciean but more open. One obvious thing is that the guys now have a brotherly bond and they all love Lyssa with everything they have. Their relationship is so special and has many happy moments and beautiful scenes.
I am not really surprised all that often, I usually have some idea about what's going to happen but dang-it if Rhea didn't shock the heck out of me ending the series as she did. Don't get me wrong, I loved the ending but I was surprised by the details of the ending. One thing that happened, I saw coming because I felt the exact same way as Lucian and while I saw it coming I couldn't believe it was for that reason. Like are you kidding me, there were hints and a steady uneasy feeling growing then throw-in a few gods and some wayward magic, things got real dramatic real quick. One of the best things about this series is the detailed, vivid descriptions of feelings, smells, environment, and more, it brings the story off the page. The lush parties that just make me wish I was there, the sense of togetherness, and the magic, all made for great world-building.
Loved by Wolves is the stunning conclusion to the Bloodline series, things were rough in the beginning but they got their happy ending. With a fantastic plot filled with magic, gods, hot alphas, a few witches, the nature of wolves, and family bonds, I was enraptured with every moment of this book, it closed out the series perfectly and the bonus material wasn't bad either.