Wolf Touched 

             by Jen L. Grey

review by Katy Grant

On the run with no safe place in sight. With all that had transpired, Raffe and Skylar decided Olivia would continue to travel with them until they were given more answers. After reaching the pack’s home ground, Raffe and the others are informed that under King Jovian’s orders they may stay but Skylar and Olivia weren’t welcome. However, the elders were in for a surprise. Raffe denies father, breaking from the pack. While in turn Keith, Adam and Josie leave the pack and accept Raffe as their new alpha, in the face of their father’s displeasure and anger. Skylar struggles to get her wolf to conform. However, alongside her strength, Skylar had wisdom, aware that others would follow Raffe much quicker. In the end she managed to pull her wolf in line. He in turn quietly admits to her strength while whispering he would have given in to her. Time is short, danger is hunting them; they need to move now.

The cabin they rented was hours away from the pack’s grounds, so hopes were high those chasing them wouldn’t speedily find them. Nonetheless, within hours the cabin is set on fire. Battling the burning building, attacked by their former pack members and witches, during the fight Raffe is dealt a fatal wound. Sirens sounding too close, means humans are too close by. Once again, they must retreat and disappear. Raffe would die if they couldn’t find a doctor and a cure for the reason he couldn’t stop bleeding. Olivia once again offers the sanctity of her home. She promises it is a place shielded and Dru, her husband, is a doctor. Raffe is close to death by the time they finally reach their destination. Only to be confronted by several angry witches. It appears the coven is in hiding and have been keeping watch over Olivia and her family for years. It will take the help of Dru and knowledge only the witches can offer to save Raffe. It’s here they will learn of Skylar’s history and more about the first arcane born along with the rest of the story about what really took place all those centuries ago.

Danger comes for them wherever they go. The information the witches offer them shows the evil intent behind Octavia, her coven and the secret society, how they had twisted and distorted the history of the first arcane-born for their own gain. Knowing of Skylar’s abilities and lack of knowledge about her magic gave them a means to try to control her. Once again time was no a friend. So even learning of the traitor in the wolf pack who had helped to spread fear and distrust among other supernaturals, couldn’t stop the battle when the Eastern Wolves and witches came for them; believing Skylar, Raffe and those who side with them, would gain the power to destroy and finally control them. So much is hidden behind doors, masked in half-truths, fueled by greed and revenge. But how do you get those fighting to protect their own people and way of life to stop and listen?

 This final episode of the trilogy that began with ‘Wolf Mate.” It hit the ground running and never slowed down. The layers in this had me peeling the story away a bit at a time, not quite sure what I would find under the next layer, but I loved it. I lamented that some characters perished, gleefully enjoyed the death of others, got wrapped up in the players I had grown to care about, sucked up the suspense, cringed in times of danger, delighted in the spicy romance as it unfolded for several couples and felt part of the gang that rallied around Raffe and Sky. If you enjoy paranormal romance with magic filling the air, danger around every curve, cloaked enemies in the midst, death on the wind, and a heathy dose of angst, I highly recommend this trilogy. While I anxiously await the next series of tales that Jen L. Grey will come up with. And luckily the wait is to be short lived.