Axe

Devoted Guardians MC #1

by Harley Wylde

Emma -- I’m a coward. I know it. Being with Josh is nothing but one long nightmare, and I need to leave him, but I can’t escape. He’ll hunt me down, and I’ll pay. I’ve survived for the sake of our son, Cody, but for how much longer can I hold out? I’m not afraid to admit I need help, but do I dare reach out to someone? Moving to a new town might give me the opportunity. I just need to find the courage to run.

Axe -- As an alpha wolf shifter, I’ve lived a long time. I have my brothers in the Devoted Guardians MC, and the townspeople of Wolf Creek. What I don’t have is a mate and family of my own. So I give back where I can. I accept an assignment to mentor a kid who needed a Big Wolf. Instead I find the family I’ve always wanted. Emma is my mate. My wolf knows it. But she’s in trouble. Before I can claim her, I need to get her away from the abusive human she’s with. Then I’ll tackle the biggest issue of all -- Emma has no idea shifters exist.

WARNING: This is a Devoted Guardians MC novella and contains adult scenes that may trigger some readers. Guaranteed happily-ever-after, no cheating, and no cliffhanger. For audiences 18+.


**Also available at other retailers**

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Shapeshifters

Kindle Edition

Published December 23, 2022

About the author

Harley Wylde is an accomplished author known for her captivating MC Romances. With an unwavering commitment to sensual storytelling, Wylde immerses her readers in an exciting world of fierce men and irresistible women. Her works exude passion, danger, and gritty realism, while still managing to end on a satisfying note each time.

When not crafting her tales, Wylde spends her time brainstorming new plotlines, indulging in a hot cup of Starbucks, or delving into a good book. She has a particular affinity for supernatural horror literature and movies. Visit Wylde's website to learn more about her works and upcoming events, and don't forget to sign up for her newsletter to receive exclusive discounts and other exciting perks.

Reviews

[Tanya]

Fantastic
I love Axe and his strength
And yet his gentle soft side

Emma is amazing and braver than she gave her self credit for.
Her love for Cody was so sweet. A mothers love melts my heart

[Laura Criddle]

So... I haven't met a Harley Wylde book I didn't truly enjoy and Axe is no exception! Emma was living a miseralbe life with an abuser with some serious skeletons in the closet. Her focus was surviving and keeping her son safe. She was looking for a good influence for her son when she met Axe. Not sure what to think of him at first other than he is pretty easy on the eyes and seems to connect with her son. However... Axe knows the truth immediately. He has found the missing piece to his puzzle. His protective instincts kick in as he realizes something is seriously wrong and plans to get them away from the devil in their lives. The one hiding secrets that could affect their entire shifter community. Being the President of the club gives him the support he needs. We are introduced to the Club and get a glimpse into their lives when they all come together to help Axe. They are all amazed that he found his mate and long for their own. When Axe learns that Emma has fallen victim once again he rushes in to save his mate and the boy he thinks of as his son. I am so excited for this shifter series- combining the best two genres! This is a great first book to the series but I am looking forward to more!

[Dawn Greaves]

Another great series starter from a wonderfully talented and imaginative author.
Harley brings us the first book in the Devoted Guardians series. This is Axe and Emma's story, and lets not forget about sweet Cody.
Emma and Cody move to Wolf Creek with Cody's dad, Josh. He is abusive and an all around horrible person. To get Cody a positive male influence, Emma signs up for Big Wolf, where Cody will get the mentorship that he lacks in his life. Emma does not know that this is for shifter kids.
Axe signs up to mentor a young shifter and get Cody, who is human. After meeting Emma and Cody, Axe realizes that Emma is his mate. Right away, Axe treats them as his own and brings them into his club for protection.
The journey to happily ever after is wrought with danger, drama and acceptance.
Harley immersed us in this wonderful, exciting world of shifters and brought each character to life.
I absolutely loved this story and am very excited for the next one to come out.

[Shelby]

Emma and Cody are just trying to survive in a near impossible situation. Cody's dad, Josh, is abusive and horrible to both Emma and their son. New to Wolf Creek, Emma is hoping that by signing Cody up for the Big Wolf Little Wolf he can have a positive male influence in his life.

Axe is not only the president of the local MC but he's also a wolf shifter. He believes fated mates are a myth since he's never seen that happen in his long life. Axe agrees to being a mentor to a Little Wolf and agreed to meet him and his mom at the park. Imagine his surprise when he's at the park and he catches Emma's scent. Now he's questioning everything he's even thought about fated mates.

Now Axe realizes he's finally found his fated mate, she's been abused, she's human and she knows nothing about shifters. Talk about a lot on his plate! This was an amazing story of healing and acceptance. Harley Wylde / Jessica Coulter Smith created an amazing world in Wolf Creek!

[Jan]

Axe didn’t expect two humans. When Emma and Cody happen to be signed up for Big Wolf Little Wolf, Axe didn’t know what to say. Ashton Grove is known to only be known why shifters. No human has ever come to Wolf Creek. What is more shocking is that Emma is Axe’s fated mate. With bruises on her from her boyfriend, he needs to save her. Emma needs to save her son. If Josh ends up killing her from one of his beatings on her, she will have no one to protect her son. With Axe, she feels calm and safe. I do love that Axe jumped right in to protect her from her evil boyfriend. We learn that Josh isn’t just human.
I do wonder if others from the Ashton Grove MC will make an appearance here. That would be fun. I love this series. It was a difference from our Reapers. I do love Emma’s strength. Looking forward to the next in this series.

[Readiculous 📚🖤👱🏼‍♀️]

I needed this to be longer! I really enjoyed this shifter novella. Was it perfect? No. Was it expensive for the length of the story? Yes. But I don’t care, it was just what I was craving. A super protective alpha man, who is loyal, strong, possessive and sexy as heck! Emma was having a rough time (trigger warning: domestic abuse on page!) and Axe is her savior. This novella had sweet romance, hot spice, fated mates, a brotherhood and quite some action. This would’ve been perfect if it would’ve had a bit more world building, a bit more body. But for a novella I enjoyed this one a lot and will definitely be checking out other books by this author! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Safety:
No OW
OM: h is being abused by her boyfriend, H saves her
No cheating
No separation
Domestic abuse on page
Violence and gore

[Lauren]

𝐹𝒾𝓇𝓈𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈 𝒻𝒾𝓇𝓈𝓉; 𝐼 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀!
𝒜𝓍𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝒾𝓇𝓈𝓉 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 ‘’𝒹𝑒𝓋𝑜𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝑔𝓊𝒶𝓇𝒹𝒾𝒶𝓃𝓈 𝑀𝒞’’ 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. 𝒜𝓍𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝓇𝑒𝓈𝒾𝒹𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝓋𝑜𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝑔𝓊𝒶𝓇𝒹𝒾𝒶𝓃𝓈 𝑀𝒞 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒶 𝒶𝓁𝓅𝒽𝒶 𝓌𝑜𝓁𝒻 𝓈𝒽𝒾𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇. 𝒲𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝒽𝑒 𝓂𝑒𝑒𝓉𝓈 𝐸𝓂𝓂𝒶 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓈𝑜𝓃, 𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝑜𝑜𝓃 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓈𝑒𝓈 𝓈𝒽𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓂𝒶𝓉𝑒. 𝐸𝓂𝓂𝒶 𝒾𝓈 𝒾𝓃 𝒶𝓃 𝒶𝒷𝓊𝓈𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝓁𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓅. 𝐻𝑒𝓇 𝓈𝑜𝓁𝑒 𝓅𝑜𝒾𝓃𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝓉𝑒𝒸𝓉 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓈𝑜𝓃.
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓂𝒾𝓈𝓉𝓇𝓎 𝒷𝑒𝓉𝓌𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝒜𝓍𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐸𝓂𝓂𝒶 𝒾𝓈 𝒸𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝑒𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐼 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓂 𝓉𝑜𝑔𝑒𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇.
𝐼 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 𝓁𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓌𝒶𝓇𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀𝓈 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓈𝑒𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈.

[Andrea Fernandez]

A fantastic introduction to a new series. A definite page turner that held me captivated till the end. As a survivor myself, what Emma went through hit me on a deep level. If only I had a protective, understanding, caring and beautiful man like Axe step in. These are two characters that are certainly meant to be together. Their journey was not all sunshine and roses but their destination was simply perfect. Also, let’s not forget the cuteness of Cody and the way Axe claimed him as his right from the beginning. Be still my heart! I loved everything about this book and cannot wait to see what comes next.

[GKP2460]

What a great start to a brand new series! This author carries us into the world of shifters with Axe. He's President of the Devoted Guardians MC in Wolf Creek and keeping his town safe is a priority for all of the Guardians.  Emma and Cody are new to Wolf Creek and with them comes the danger they've lived with for years. Thanks to a local mentoring program, Emma meets Axe at exactly the right time. They connect in a way that surprises both of them and right away Axe knows things aren't as they seem. This is a fantastic new journey with this author and I can't wait to see what's next.

[Alice]

❤️❤️❤️/🔥🔥🔥 I Loved this from the start, this is a brilliant read and kept me captivated from the word go, the characters are so right for each other.

Emma and Axe meet, when Emma signs up for a little wolf big wolf style programme he realises from the start he wants her like no other emma is hesitant but she isn’t in a good relationship with her sons father. You really feel for her and what’s happened.

Harley Wylde has created a new excellent series which I can’t wait to read more of, your missing out of you don’t read this series and it’s SHIFTER MC as well which’s is freaking awesome!!

[Cheryl Wells]

Just amazing it’s a greater starter to the series I love all of her MC books now she added shifters which I love I couldn’t put it down I was captivated Fantastic read
I love Axe and his strength And his need to protect Emma and her son just a great book and Emma was amazing the was she just believed in Axe and his brothers then there is Emma is amazing and braver than she gave her self credit for.the way she loves Cody is so sweet and amazing the love of a mother melts your heart the way her thoughts are only for Cody . A must read ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Adair Clary]

I loved the storyline of this book. It’s set in Wolf Creek which is a town of shifters. It has a spell on it to keep humans out. The affects of the spell is a longer lifespan, however there aren’t fated mates. Until Emma and her son move there with her boyfriend. Her relationship with her boyfriend is very toxic. She signs her son up to a program that’s like big brother little brother. That’s where she meets Axe. It’s a wonderful story of their budding love about fates mates and how her son is integrated into a better family with Emma. I would recommend anyone to read this book.

[Melissa]

I can’t help but love everything Jessica Coulter Smith aka Harley Wylde writes. She is by far one of my favorite writers. So when she said she was starting a new MC series with shifters I was in! We meet Axe when Emma bring her son to meet his Big Wolf Little Wolf mentor. Emma has lived through helll and Axe and his club will take care of the trash that is her husband and the shifters past with it.

[Leslee]

How do you improve on a Harley Wylde MC story? Add shifters, of course! Emma and her son Cody need a hero, what they get is even better: an alpha wolf shifter named Axe. The energy between Emma and Axe is there from the start. The attraction is so flipping HOT, lawdy! Cody is a total bonus in this, he is the sweetest little boy. I am totally in love with this whole club. They are so protective, I cannot wait to see where this series takes us!

[Gretchen Calder]

Wow this was a book I was so excited for. It didn’t disappoint at all. Emma and Axe together were awesome. I loved their story and the way they were with one another. Also Cody who is Emma’s son is adorably cute. Is it to early to hope to see him grow up. I love the flow of this book. I couldn’t up it down with all the twists and turns. I highly recommend it. I can’t wait to find out what happens next and to visit with Emma and Axe.

[zen_s]

hmm... book wasn't terrible, just not developed well enough. felt that it went from 0 to 100 in sonic speed which totally doesn't feel believable.

additionally, the heroine's reaction towards werelock and shifter etc was not convincing at all. even if she had read a lot of paranormal books and love them, her reaction still doesn't feel right somehow.

wished it could have been further expanded instead of just ending things abruptly.

[julie winslett]

Devoted Guardians MC is the beginning of an excellent start to a new series. Axe is the President and a Wolf, he meets Emma and knows he’s her mate and she’s in big Trouble. he brings her and her son into his club to protect them. After some pretty major trials, they find their happy. And become a family! I’m excited to see who’s next!

[Debbie]

Emma is in a bad situation with her son Cody and she doesn't have the means to get out of it. Cody father moved them to a new town and she signs Cody up for a program so he can have a better role model than his father. Emma turns out is Axe fated mate and he takes her and Cody out their situation and they all 3 start their life together.

[Tanieka Pelmore]

The best of both worlds, a great MC series with shifters. Axe is the Prez of a MC located in town of supernaturals. They think fated mates is a fairy tale and when he meets Emma and realized that she is his mate. He will do anything to keep her safe. This is book one of a whole new series and I personally can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[CoffeeTimeRomance andMore]

The characters are beautifully built and the story has depth and very good messages, but I needed more to read before the romance escalated. The story felt a bit rushed to me, so even though I would read gladly again, I felt like I missed something more.

https://coffeetimeromance.com/bookrev...

[Nadine]

Great shifter book

Loved the mix of MC and Shifters. Great story line, amazing characters. The only thing I didn't get was how the Dixie Reapers fit in with this book. Left me a bit confused. But otherwise it's an awesome story. Got me hooked instantly. Can't wait for the next book in this series.

[Biser]

Good first book

I really enjoyed the mix I'd paranormal and MC. The story was filled with some twists and I loved little Cody !!! I guess my only reason for 4 not 5 stars is the writing is a bit choppy for me.
Still definitely worth reading , especially when your in between books in a series..good filler.😉

[Double T's book buddies]

Axe, Emma and Cody

Emma suffered abuse from her boyfriend for years, and they moved to Wolf Creek, where she discovered a program for her son, Cody. Axe was part of this program and when he met them at the park, he discovered a wonderful surprise. I'm going to let you read the story for yourselves to see what happens next. Happy reading!

[Carly]

Absolutely great read!!! It’s a shifter romance with a wolf shifter, Axe, and a human woman Emma and her son Cody. They’re in an abusive relationship and need Axe to protect them… plenty of steam with a touch of drama!!!

[Carol Roll]

Good

A good start to a new series. Good characters and plot along with some good twists and turns plus action and suspense. Over all a very enjoyable book. Looking forward to more books in this series.

[J. Autumn]

Another amazing book

Jessica Coulter Smith/Harley Wylde have done it again

A great shifter romance

So excited to read more

Great chemistry between characters and an exciting storyline

[Fabiola Cadet]

Axe: Devoted Guardians MC

This brand-new series by my favorite author Harley Wylde IS EVERYTHING! Axe is the ultimate book boyfriend, the love he has for Emma and Cody is very emotional. I love everything about this book, I can see this new series will do great.

[Peggy Darrow]

Axe doesn't realize he is helping a human little boy and his mother. But he soon learns that She is made for him! I really liked the world building for this new series and that it will have a few books. if your a fan of paranormal and MC!! ya gotta get this one!

[Michelle M]

Nice spin on a MC romance

Wonderful love story between a wolf shifter never thinking he would have a mate out there and a woman with a child in a horrible relationship. Love and happiness find am way for this family.

[Amanda Murch]

I really enjoyed this book

This was a great read, I’ve read all of Harley Wyldes Mc book and was honestly a little unsure how much I would enjoy a paranormal one. It was better than I thought, I loved Axe and I can’t wait to read more from the Devoted Guardians