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I've loved him forever, but he can never be mine.
brittany is determined to prove herself to the Dark Guardians. And yet she's been keeping a devastating secret: She hasn't experienced any of the intense, early signs of change that mark a Dark Guardian's transformation. The only intense feelings she has are for Connor—and she's kept that a secret, too. But she knows she'll never truly have Connor's love if she's not a Shifter like him.
At the first full moon after her birthday, her greatest fear is realized: She doesn't transform. Brittany is so desperate to become a wolf that she'll go to extremes she never thought possible . . . and put all the Dark Guardians in incredible danger.
Dark Guardian #3: Dark of the Moon
Chapter One
Eight days earlier.
Tonight was the big night, the one I'd waited for my entire life. The awakening, the first shift—the loss of my moon virginity.
A few minutes earlier, I'd removed all my clothes. I sat on them now in a small clearing deep in the forest, surrounded by towering trees. Chill bumps erupted along my skin. It was summer. July. But our hidden compound, Wolford, was located in a national forest that bordered Canada. When the sun retreated, the nights grew cool. Brimming with impatience, I waited. I'd never wanted anything as badly as I wanted this. Well, except maybe a mate.
But I couldn't help but believe after this momentous night—after I'd proven myself worthy—that the right guy would finally step forward and claim me.
I'd celebrated my seventeenth birthday three days earlier. The first full moon since that day was rising in the night sky. When it reached its zenith, I would transform into a gorgeous creature—into a wolf.
I'd envisioned it a thousand times. I would shed my human shell to reveal what I'd always known resided inside me. I willed it to happen. Even though I knew I should be terrified I wasn't. My fur would be blue-black, just like my hair. My eyes would remain a deep blue. Earlier in the summer, Connor had told me that they reminded him of an ocean surrounded by more ocean. We'd been drinking beer with some campers at the time. I knew his slurred words didn't mean anything, but they'd still given me hope that somehow Connor would become my mate. But the hope had finally shriveled into nothingness, and Ifocused on the larger picture, the greater good.
For as long as we'd existed, the male of our species had chosen his mate after his transformation and before hers. He went through his alone, but he stood by his mate when she endured her first shift, guiding her so she experienced more pleasure than pain. No female had made the change alone in generations—and the ones who had in the past were considered myths. Legend proclaimed that without a mate, a female faced excruciating pain followed by certain death.
Guess I was about to find out, because no one had claimed me as his mate. The elders, the wise men of our clan, the ones who guided us with their wisdom, had even tried to connect me with someone—Daniel—so I wouldn't have to go through this night alone. I knew they meant well, were trying to protect me, but I didn't want just anyone. I wanted Connor McCandless.
So two nights ago, I'd slipped away from Wolford in the middle of the night. I knew with his sense of smell that Daniel would be able to track me if he wanted to. But I also knew that he was the type of guy who would respect my decision to leave without him. Somewhere out there was the right girl for him, and we both knew it wasn't me.
The first transformation was an intimate, personal experience. I didn't want to go through it with someone who was serving as a stand-in for the real deal, for my true mate. In my heart, it would always be Connor. If I went through this with another guy, I'd feel like I was cheating on Connor. It was an irrational thought because we'd never be together. Still I couldn't control how I felt.
Earlier in the summer, my mom had even offered to go through my first transformation with me—but that was as creepy as the idea of going to the prom with her. Some things I simply didn't want her to share with me. So I'd encouraged her to take her annual summer trip to Europe. I was fine on my own.
But now as I stared at the yellow orb that possessed more power than humans realized, an uncharacteristic loneliness washed over me. Tonight Connor was with Lindsey because she was going through her first shift beneath the full moon, too. Last summer he'd declared her his mate in front of the entire pack. He believed she was his true love. I wasn't as convinced. Lately, I'd noticed her staring at Rafe. I thought maybe she wanted him, but she'd been promised to Connor, and our traditions weren't meant to be broken.
I couldn't help wishing that Connor had selected me. He had this cute way of using his fingers to comb his shaggy blond hair out of his stunning blue eyes. He was tall, strong, and possessed a body honed to perfection by the constant shifting. Like all male shifters, he was predatory and dangerous. Totally hot.
Not that I was into Connor because of his physical prowess. It sounded stupid to say I loved his mind, but I was into the way he read situations, considered strategies, and never jumped into Shifter mode at the first sign of trouble. He weighed options.
I just wished his heart had been as cautious before he'd announced Lindsey was his mate. Following the ancient tradition, he had a Celtic symbol representing her name tattooed on his shoulder.
I fought not to think about Connor and Lindsey standing together wearing only the ceremonial cloaks reserved for mates preparing for their bonding. I'd heard that going through a transformation together was an incredibly soul-binding experience. That it wasn't only the moonlight that caressed, that touched, that whispered—
Groaning, I banished the haunting images. I would suffer enough tonight without thinking about them and the attraction that would pull them into each other's arms.
I lifted my gaze to the star-filled sky. The moon that guided our destinies was high overhead. I should start to feel something at any minute.
As a rule, no one ever discussed their first transformation. It was as private as the loss of your virginity. But I'd felt as though I had no choice but to seek advice on what to expect. So I'd spoken with Kayla, who had survived her first shift during the last full moon. She'd told me that it had felt as though the moonlight was actually touching her, coaxing her beast to reveal itself.
Dark Guardian #3: Dark of the Moon. Copyright © by Rachel Hawthorne. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.Brittany's the only girl to face her transformation alone in centuries since she failed to attract her soul mate. Never mind that she has someone in mind, he's taken. The elders tried to play matchmaker, but that didn't work. She sets off alone preparing for a night of horrible pain...that never quite happens. She doesn't transform. She doesn't know what to do or who to tell. It rocks her world and will change her future. While she's still reeling from the shock, she's captured by the group wanting to prove to the world werewolves exist. They can tell by her blood she's human and Connor isn't. She'll do almost anything to keep Connor alive - but will he hate her for it?
I thought this was the end of the trilogy - that starts with Moonlight and Full Moon and should be read in order - but on the author's website, it says there will a be a fourth book in the series coming March 23, 2010. That's awesome news. They're romantic with a dash of danger and strong bonds of friendship and family. The covers are appealing too. Plus I really love the teen romances of Rachel Hawthorne. They always make me happy.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.OK, like I said, this is my favorite book out of the three by far. It was really worth the wait. I read it in one sitting, it was such a page turner. Hawthorne really out did herself with this thrilling story. From the beginning of book 1 we are introduced to Brittany, and since then we knew something about her was different. We also were introduced to Conner, third in command of the dark guardians. In this book, we catch up to both of them, and their lives have had a drastic change, just when they think they have to deal with their issues alone they find comfort in each other. This book grips you from the beginning and just keeps you wanting more. This is definitely a Must read, trust me when I say you will not be disappointed in the least.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 10, 2013
This book is briliantly written and full of details and romance and suspense and thrill this wht makes this novel nothing less thn terrifically perfect and addicitng in every way possible needless to say i loved it ! PLZ write another 5 th book Rachel! I am begging for more of ur slendidly seductive werewolf novels !
-Neveah-
Anonymous
Posted January 18, 2012
This is book 3 and it is just as good as the first and second it is romantic, sexy and completely werewolf...
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.8528916
Posted July 11, 2011
I just absolutely love this series!!! Please continue them!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 10, 2011
Love+it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Ok, this book was a little different than the first two. The title says it all. It is a little more darker. Brittany always felt different from the rest of them. She never really felt like she fit in. So when Connor is around sulking after what happened with Lindsay they turned to each to for comfort.
Brittany has always secretly adored Connor from afar. She knew she never really have a chance with him since he has already claimed Lindsay as his mate. But recent developments changes all of that. It is now Brittany seventeenth birthday and no one has claimed her yet. The elders know it is unsafe for a female shift to shift without the help of her mate. But Brittany is determined to go out alone anyway. What happens that night shocks them all. No one expected Brittany to survive the shift and everyone is asking how she was able to do it. It starts an uproar with other female shifter claiming that if Brittany can do it with out the male, then so should they.Brittany harbors a dark secret. No one knows. Not even the elders.
This is book is an easy read. The plot was good and the drama was excellent. The relationship with Connor was perfect. I loved how she was able to lean on him when she felt she had no one else. I loved how Connor was so accepting of her no matter what. In the end they both have an undying love for each other the same way as the other shifters. No curse words of bad scene. Just a good read.
Brittany 's the only girl to face her transformation alone in centuries, since she failed to attract her soul mate. In reality, she did choose. He just happens to be taken.
The elders tried to play matchmaker, but that didn't work. She won't submit to transforming with someone she doesn't love.
Stubbornly, she sets off alone preparing for a night of horrible pain...that never quite happens. She doesn't transform.
She doesn't know what to do or who to tell. It rocks her world and will change her future. While she's still reeling from the shock, she's captured by the group wanting to prove to the world that werewolves exist. They also capture Connor - the one she loves.
They can tell by her blood she's human and that Connor isn't. She'll do almost anything to keep Connor alive - but will he hate her for it?
I love this series of paranormal reads. They're romantic with a dash of danger and strong bonds of friendship and family.
jcksnelizabeth
Posted April 17, 2010
I Also Recommend:
This is a must read novel. Rachel Hawthorne is an amazing author and she has the talented writing ability to bring the reader into the book. She is able to make the reader feel like a part of the story and feel like they are friends with the characters. This story makes you live it with Brittany, and feel the high's and lows of suspense.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.tikinan
Posted December 19, 2009
I love the Dark Guardian series, and the 3rd book was worth the wait! Now I'm eager for the next one!
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Posted November 23, 2009
I really feel in love with the first book and then the second and the third. it was awesome. I really liked the story behind it and how everything falls into place in this last book..
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is a great book. It has great characters. It's also exciting and suspenseful. I would recommend reading the first two books before reading the third. All are excellent. That way you are up to date with what is going on. They are shown below. I could not put down either of Rachel's books. A defiantly must read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book was a great way to end it. You saw it coming but at the same time you really didnt want it to. the series is a great read.
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Posted June 12, 2011
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Posted March 5, 2010
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Posted December 5, 2009
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Posted September 27, 2010
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Posted January 9, 2010
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Overview
I've loved him forever, but he can never be mine.
brittany is determined to prove herself to the Dark Guardians. And yet she's been keeping a devastating secret: She hasn't experienced any of the intense, early signs of change that mark a Dark Guardian's transformation. The only intense feelings she has are for Connor—and she's kept that a secret, too. But she knows she'll never truly have Connor's love if she's not a Shifter like him.
At the ...