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Kathryn (she/her)'s avatar

Oh this is so interesting and might explain why I very much related to this very ummm inconsistent... book. I think your theory is especially interesting in the context of the blurb for the follow up book "Mate" on Ali's site. The book is about Koen (the other pack leader) and Serena (the best friend Misery is searching for throughout Bride). It reads to me like Koen is very much mated with Serena (we get a first glimpse at the end of Bride but in the blurb it's all in) and Serena is just... not. Of course Misery is a Vampyre and Serena is a Were x human hybrid so they both, may not have (M) the hardware, or have fully functioning (S) "hardware"/Were mate system dynamics.

FYI, I think this update of the synopsis was fairly recent:

Mate

OUT: OCT 7th, 2025

A Human hybrid and an Alpha Were claw against the bonds of fate in the highly anticipated companion novel to the New York Times bestselling Bride.

Serena Paris is orphaned, pack-less, and one of a kind. Coming forward as the first Human-Were hybrid was supposed to heal a centuries-long rift between species. Instead, it made her a target, prey to the ruthless political machinations between Weres, Vampyres, and Humans. With her enemies closing in on her, she has only one option left—if he’ll have her.

As Alpha of the Northwest pack, Koen Alexander commands obedience. His authority is so absolute, *only a fool would threaten his mate. It doesn’t matter if Serena doesn’t reciprocate his feelings, nothing will stop him from keeping her safe*.

But power-hungry Vampyres and Weres are not the only threats chasing Serena. Sooner or later, her past is bound to catch up with her—and Koen might be the only thing standing between her and total annihilation…

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Cath's avatar

Oh, I am very sold on this metaphor! (Also, I feel like most books in the Aliverse have one or more ace-coded MCs? One of the novellas definitely does, Under One Roof)

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