Mate - Ali Hazelwood

Koen acts like Serena means nothing to him, even though she is his mate. The way he speaks to her makes it easy to believe she isn’t important, and Serena feels that deeply. But his actions tell a completely different story. The lengths he goes to in order to protect her make it clear just how much she truly means to him. It’s in the small things too, every touch, every look, the quiet moments that reveal the depth of his care even when his words don’t.

Serena, on the other hand, carries so much on her own. She hides parts of herself from everyone, believing it’s the best way to protect them and their feelings. That includes Koen. But the more he realizes what she’s keeping from him, the more it frustrates him. He understands her reasoning to a point, but she’s his mate, and he doesn’t want her facing everything alone. That tension between wanting to protect and needing to be let in creates such a strong emotional pull between them.

And then there’s the tone of the story itself. The wit, banter, and constant back-and-forth make it such a fun read. It’s not just between Koen and Serena either, but with his Seconds as well. Their interactions add this layer of humor and personality that balances everything out, making it feel both light and meaningful at the same time.

Cute how she thinks he'd ever let her out of his sight.