Reviewed by Donna
TITLE: Belligerent Beta
SERIES: Pack Partners #2
AUTHOR: Poppy Dennison
PUBLISHER: Wilde City Press
LENGTH: 30,000 Words
BLURB: When a human is chosen to lead the pack instead of him, Beta Dan Keller struggles to find his footing in a rapidly changing environment. Committed to his pack and not one to turn away from a challenge, Dan follows his Alpha’s request and works with Nathan Ross, the new pack Omega. Though he is initially concerned that Nathan’s weakness will harm the pack, Dan learns there is more to the shy wolf than meets the eye. As Dan struggles to balance his growing feelings for the young wolf with his responsibilities to his pack, new threats emerge and Nathan’s loyalty is questioned. Not understanding the basics of being a wolf leaves Nathan vulnerable and the pack at risk. Can Dan embrace the true role of a beta so he can protect the man he has grown to love and save his pack?
REVIEW: I tend to go through phases of what books I prefer to read and for the last few months I’ve developed a previously unexplored obsession with shifter stories. Usually werewolves, of course. As luck would have it I only read Accidental Alpha, the first book in this series, a couple of weeks ago and so I was rather excited when Belligerent Beta popped up on the upcoming release list.
This is Dan and Nathan’s story, two characters introduced in the first book. If you haven’t read Accidental Alpha I’d definitely recommend you do so before starting this story.
Dan’s not really much of a people person. He’d gleaned the entire look carefully from years of experience. What look scared the shit out of most humans? Scary tattoo-covered biker guy. Tatted up and bulked out was a universal trigger that moved people to the opposite side of the street. Whatever worked to give him more space and less hassle. When we first met Dan he had just been passed over for the role of the new alpha of his pack. He was beta to the previous alpha and naturally assumed that upon the alpha’s death the position would fall to him. When a turned human instead became the new alpha, Dan was pissed and confused but never considered questioning the decision because his trust in wolf instinct is absolute. Aidan had made the best choice for the pack based on his instincts. Dan trusted the instincts of the wolf more than anything.
So he remains beta to Lex’s alpha but Lex is not like most alphas. Lex forces Dan to reassess the way he sees the lower ranked members of the pack. To Lex they need extra help and guidance, to Dan they are a weakness to the entire pack. “What weakens us more than an omega in our pack is a beta who doesn’t see his pack as individuals as well as a whole group.” Dan is man enough to acknowledge his mistakes so when the pack’s weakest wolf, Nathan, is in trouble Dan does all he can to help.
Nathan is a shy, awkward, endearing character but because the story is told from Dan’s point of view much about how his mind works remains a mystery. He appears scared and intimidated by his own pack and doesn’t make much of an effort to fit in. So when he turns to Dan for help and pretty much attaches himself to the older man everyone thinks he’s making progress.
What makes this series stand out for me? The touchy feely cuddliness of the wolves, even while in human form. I read one review of Accidental Alpha that said it was weird and creepy when the pack all end up in bed together but I really loved that aspect. The way they puppy pile to sleep after the full moon and the way they’re always hugging and rubbing and stoking each other to give comfort is so damn adorable. And in no way is there anything sexual about it. Everyone tended to huddle around Lex, each of them touching him in some way. Dan found he slept best down by Lex’s feet where he didn’t end up covered by half a dozen pack members trying to snuggle with their alpha.
For all the fans of Accidental Alpha there is still plenty of Spencer and Lex in this book. And now that they are more comfortable being a couple, their interactions are even better to read about. “No, you do it.” Spencer demanded.
“No. I’m your alpha. I command you to do it.” Lex scowled and crossed his arms over his massive chest.
Spencer snorted and turned to the fridge. “Well, I’m your mate, and you can kiss my ass.”
Along the same lines as the first book the MCs in this book don’t actually become a couple until right at the end. The focus is instead on the pack and considering both books are fairly short, I felt connections, obviously at varying degrees, with a surprising number of characters.
Lastly, the cover. I’m loving quite a few of the covers coming from Wilde City recently. I mentioned one in another review I wrote just last week. This cover! I admit I have a love of muscly, hairy bears. Especially hot tattooed ones. I really just wanna lie on that chest and make snow angels (can you call them that if there’s no snow?) in his chest hair.
Don’t go into this book expecting the usual shifter posturing, fighting and claiming. The lack of all that is why I rated it 4 stars. Don’t get me wrong, I love all the chest beating and “mine” roaring. However, reading a shifter book without all that made this book stand out for me. It felt fresh and sweet and I hope the series continues.
RATING: 
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