Haunted by the Past

In the shadowed woods of Scotland, young Uilleam MacRieve is seduced and manipulated by the succubus Ruelle, believing her to be his fated mate. Her predatory love leaves him physically and emotionally scarred, culminating in tragedy when his mother is killed trying to save him. The trauma of abuse and loss fractures his family and warps his sense of self, setting MacRieve on a path of self-loathing and mistrust. The memory of Ruelle's violation and the destruction it wrought becomes the crucible in which his adult identity is forged, haunting him for centuries and poisoning his ability to trust, love, or accept happiness.

The Unraveling Game

Chloe Todd, a fiercely competitive soccer star, is on the brink of Olympic glory when her senses begin to change in inexplicable ways. Her father, Dustin Todd, is distant and secretive, and Chloe's reality is upended when she overhears him discussing supernatural beings and captures. As her body and mind transform, Chloe's carefully ordered life unravels. She is forced to confront the possibility that she is not entirely human, and that her father's love may be conditional on her remaining so. The game she's always played for control and victory is now one of survival and self-discovery.

Secrets and Awakening

Chloe's awakening accelerates: her senses sharpen, her appetite vanishes, and her dreams turn erotic and strange. Her father's sudden disappearance leaves her alone with a cryptic book of Lore, hinting at her true nature. As she tries to maintain normalcy, Chloe is abducted by witches and thrust into the hidden world of immortals. Her identity as the daughter of Webb, the most hated man in the Lore, makes her a coveted prize. The secrets of her lineage and the stirrings of her own power force Chloe to question everything she knows about herself, her family, and what she truly wants.

Captured and Auctioned

Chloe is put on the auction block at a crossroads teeming with supernatural factions, each vying for the tactical advantage her capture could bring. MacRieve, tormented by his past and recently freed from human torture, is drawn to the auction by the scent of his fated mate—Chloe. The wolf's Instinct, long silent, roars to life, compelling him to claim her. In a violent, chaotic rescue, MacRieve's beast emerges, and he tears Chloe from the clutches of the Pravus, setting in motion a collision of trauma, desire, and fate that neither can escape.

The Wolf's Instinct

MacRieve's Instinct recognizes Chloe as his mate, but her humanity—and her father's legacy—ignite his deepest fears and prejudices. Chloe, injured and terrified, is thrust into the Lykae world, where she is both protected and resented. As she heals, the bond between them grows, but so do the barriers: MacRieve's self-hatred, Chloe's confusion about her nature, and the threat of the Lore's enemies. The wolf's need to protect wars with the man's inability to trust, and Chloe's awakening powers threaten to tip the balance between love and destruction.

A Mate's Dilemma

As Chloe recovers, her transformation accelerates, and her attraction to MacRieve becomes undeniable. Yet, the legacy of Ruelle's abuse makes MacRieve fear his own desires, convinced he will hurt Chloe as he was once hurt. Chloe, meanwhile, struggles with her new hunger and the knowledge that feeding from MacRieve could bind him to her forever. Their mutual longing is fraught with peril, as both are haunted by the possibility of repeating the past's mistakes. The dilemma of whether to surrender to fate or fight for autonomy becomes the heart of their struggle.

Clash of Beasts and Hearts

The tension between MacRieve and Chloe erupts in violence and passion. MacRieve's beast, unleashed by jealousy and fear, terrifies Chloe, who is still coming to terms with her own monstrous side. Their confrontations are as much about survival as they are about love, each testing the other's limits and vulnerabilities. The clan's suspicions, Chloe's struggle to control her succubus nature, and MacRieve's inability to forgive himself threaten to tear them apart. Only by facing their deepest fears can they hope to find common ground.

The Price of Survival

Chloe's need to feed becomes critical, and MacRieve must decide whether to risk the venom bond that once enslaved him. Their first sexual encounter is fraught with pain and shame, echoing MacRieve's childhood trauma and leaving Chloe humiliated. The aftermath is a reckoning: both must confront the cost of survival in a world where love is dangerous and trust is hard-won. The venom bond, once a symbol of enslavement, becomes a test of whether they can rewrite the meaning of connection and choose each other freely.

Boundaries and Betrayals

As Chloe's true nature is revealed, she is rejected by MacRieve and the clan, echoing the abandonment she suffered from her father. The arrival of her succubus relatives and the revelation of her mother's heroic legacy challenge everything MacRieve thought he knew about her kind. Meanwhile, Chloe's father, now transformed into a monstrous immortal, returns with his own agenda, forcing Chloe to choose between the family she was born into and the one she might build. Betrayals old and new threaten to destroy any hope of happiness.

The Making of a Monster

MacRieve, desperate to break free from the chains of his trauma, returns to the site of his childhood abuse and burns Ruelle's cottage to the ground. This act of destruction is both a catharsis and a turning point, allowing him to finally see Chloe for who she is, not what he fears. As Chloe succumbs to the odium curse—poisoned by feeding from an unwilling mate—MacRieve must confront the truth: only by loving her freely can he save her, and himself, from becoming monsters shaped by the past.

The Truth of Venom

In the Ubus Realm, Chloe's life hangs in the balance. The succubus curse, meant to protect men from enslavement, now threatens to kill her. MacRieve learns that Chloe's inability to strew is not a flaw but a sign of her unique nature—and that her love can only thrive if given, not taken. Faced with the choice of letting her die or risking the bond that once destroyed him, MacRieve chooses love, vowing to be the mate she deserves. Their union, forged in pain and acceptance, becomes a new beginning.

Burning the Old Wounds

MacRieve's confession of his abuse and self-hatred to Chloe is an act of ultimate vulnerability, breaking the cycle of silence and shame. Chloe, in turn, chooses to stay and fight for their love, refusing to let the past dictate their future. Together, they reclaim Conall Keep as their home, forging a partnership built on honesty, strength, and mutual respect. The act of burning the past—literally and figuratively—frees them to imagine a life not defined by fear, but by hope and possibility.

The Choice to Heal

With the full moon rising, MacRieve and Chloe face their final test: can they trust each other enough to risk everything? MacRieve, for the first time, controls his beast, making love to Chloe as a man, not a monster. Their mutual acceptance and the completion of the venom bond heal old wounds and create new strength. Chloe's acceptance of her own power and MacRieve's willingness to be vulnerable mark the true beginning of their life together. The choice to heal, rather than to hide, becomes their greatest victory.

Forged in Fire

As MacRieve and Chloe settle into their new life, they embrace the challenges and joys of building a family and a home. The scars of the past remain, but they are no longer chains. Instead, they are reminders of what has been overcome. The couple's love, tested by fire and blood, becomes a beacon for others—proof that even the most broken can be made whole. Their union is not the end of struggle, but the beginning of a shared journey, stronger for having faced the darkness together.

Claiming the Future

Chloe, once an outsider in both the human and immortal worlds, finds her place as MacRieve's mate and the lady of Conall. Together, they train, fight, and love, forging a partnership that is both fierce and tender. The acceptance of her succubus family and the reconciliation with her own identity allow Chloe to move beyond survival and claim a future of her own making. MacRieve, too, finds peace in belonging—not just to a mate, but to a family and a purpose greater than himself.

The Shadow of Webb

The return of Chloe's father, now transformed into a monstrous immortal, forces a final reckoning with the past. Chloe must choose between the man who raised her and the mate who loves her. MacRieve, in turn, must let go of his need for vengeance and trust Chloe to make her own choices. The confrontation is both a battle and a release, as Chloe asserts her autonomy and MacRieve affirms his faith in her. The shadow of Webb is dispelled not by violence, but by the strength of Chloe's will and the couple's unity.

The Battle for Family

As MacRieve and Chloe prepare to rescue Munro from the clutches of the warlocks, their bond is tested once more. The fight for family—chosen and blood—becomes the ultimate expression of their love and loyalty. The story ends not with a final victory, but with the promise of new battles, new challenges, and new beginnings. The journey from brokenness to wholeness, from fear to love, is ongoing, but MacRieve and Chloe face it together, stronger for all they have endured.

Characters

Uilleam MacRieve (Will)

Will is a Lykae alpha haunted by childhood sexual abuse at the hands of a succubus, which left him emotionally crippled and unable to trust. His relationship with his twin, Munro, is both a source of strength and a reminder of what he's lost. Will's journey is one of confronting trauma, learning to be vulnerable, and risking love despite his fear of being hurt again. His development is marked by a gradual acceptance of his own worth and the realization that true strength lies in healing, not in hiding. His relationship with Chloe is both a crucible and a salvation, forcing him to choose between repeating the past and forging a new future.

Chloe Todd (Chloe MacRieve)

Chloe is a driven, competitive soccer star whose life is upended by the revelation of her supernatural heritage. Her transformation into a succubus is both a curse and a liberation, forcing her to confront issues of autonomy, desire, and self-worth. Chloe's relationship with her father, Webb, is fraught with betrayal and longing for acceptance. Her bond with MacRieve challenges her to embrace her own strength and to demand respect and love on her own terms. Chloe's arc is one of moving from survival to belonging, from fear to agency, and from isolation to partnership.

Munro MacRieve

Munro is Will's steadfast brother, embodying the Lykae values of loyalty, family, and resilience. He is both a mirror and a foil to Will, sharing his pain but choosing a path of hope and healing. Munro's role is to challenge Will's self-destructive tendencies and to advocate for Chloe's acceptance. His own journey, hinted at in the epilogue, suggests that the struggle for love and redemption is ongoing, and that even the strongest need saving.

Dustin Todd / Preston Webb

Webb is Chloe's father and the commander of the Order, an organization dedicated to eradicating immortals. His love for Chloe is conditional, and his inability to accept her true nature mirrors MacRieve's own struggles. Webb's transformation into a monstrous immortal is both literal and symbolic, representing the dangers of unchecked hatred and the loss of humanity. His final confrontation with Chloe forces both to reckon with the cost of loyalty and the meaning of family.

Ruelle

Ruelle is the succubus who abuses Will as a child, setting in motion the trauma that defines his life. Her manipulation, cruelty, and ultimate destruction are the dark mirror against which Chloe is measured. Ruelle's legacy is one of pain, but her memory also becomes the catalyst for Will's eventual healing and the burning of the past.

Gisela and Nieve

Gisela, Chloe's aunt, and Nieve, her cousin, represent the possibility of a different kind of succubus—one defined by loyalty, healing, and strength. Their presence challenges MacRieve's prejudices and offers Chloe a sense of belonging. Gisela's role as a healer is crucial in saving Chloe, while Nieve's fierceness echoes Chloe's own.

Rónan and Benneit

Rónan and Benneit are young Lykae fostered by the MacRieve twins. Their presence highlights the importance of family, mentorship, and the possibility of breaking cycles of trauma. Rónan's irreverence and Benneit's quiet strength provide both comic relief and emotional grounding.

The Clan and the Lore

The Lykae clan, the witches, the Pravus, and the Vertas are not just background—they are living forces that shape the characters' choices and destinies. The clan's acceptance or rejection of Chloe mirrors the larger themes of prejudice, loyalty, and the struggle for belonging. The Lore's complex web of alliances and rivalries provides both the stakes and the context for the personal battles at the heart of the story.

The Beast (MacRieve's Inner Wolf)

The beast within MacRieve is both a source of power and a symbol of his wounds. It rises in moments of fear, desire, and danger, often threatening to overwhelm the man. Learning to control, accept, and integrate the beast is central to MacRieve's healing and his ability to love Chloe fully.

The Order and the Warlocks

The Order, led by Webb, represents the human fear of the other and the drive to control or destroy what cannot be understood. The warlocks, with their power to enslave and transform, are a reminder that the struggle for autonomy and identity is never-ending. Their role in the epilogue sets the stage for future battles and the ongoing fight for freedom.

Plot Devices

Trauma as Destiny and Obstacle

The narrative is structured around the enduring impact of childhood trauma, particularly sexual abuse and betrayal. MacRieve's inability to trust, love, or accept happiness is not just a character flaw but a plot engine, driving conflict, misunderstanding, and eventual catharsis. The story uses flashbacks, confessions, and symbolic acts (like burning the cottage) to externalize internal struggles, making the healing of trauma both a personal and a communal act.

The Fated Mate Bond

The concept of the fated mate is both a blessing and a curse, raising questions about free will, consent, and the possibility of rewriting destiny. The venom bond, which can enslave or heal, is a central metaphor for the risks and rewards of intimacy. The narrative structure uses the mate bond to create tension, drive the plot, and ultimately to explore whether love can be chosen, not just fated.

Duality and Transformation

The story is built on dualities: human and immortal, beast and man, victim and perpetrator, past and future. Characters are constantly transforming—physically, emotionally, and morally. The use of parallel arcs (MacRieve's healing, Chloe's awakening) and mirrored events (abuse, rescue, rejection, acceptance) creates a sense of inevitability and symmetry, while also allowing for surprise and growth.

The Heroine's Agency

Chloe's journey from being a prize to be won, a victim to be rescued, to an agent of her own destiny is a key plot device. Her choices—whether to feed, to stay, to fight, to forgive—drive the story forward and challenge the hero to rise to her level. The use of sports metaphors, training sequences, and moments of defiance reinforce her agency and the theme of earned, not given, belonging.

The Burning of the Past

The literal burning of Ruelle's cottage is the climax of MacRieve's internal arc, a plot device that externalizes the decision to let go of trauma and embrace the possibility of happiness. The story uses such symbolic acts—burning, biting, claiming, forgiving—to mark transitions and to signal the characters' readiness for change.

Foreshadowing and Parallelism

The narrative is rich in foreshadowing, from the prologue's trauma to the epilogue's new dangers. The use of parallel structures—Chloe's and MacRieve's transformations, the cycles of abuse and healing, the repetition of vows and betrayals—creates a sense of coherence and inevitability, while also leaving room for hope and surprise.

Analysis

MacRieve is a dark, emotionally charged exploration of trauma, healing, and the power of love to transform even the most broken souls. At its core, the novel asks whether fate is a prison or a promise, and whether the wounds of the past must dictate the future. Through the intertwined journeys of MacRieve and Chloe, the story confronts the legacy of abuse, the dangers of prejudice, and the challenge of choosing vulnerability over fear. The book's use of supernatural metaphors—venom bonds, beastly transformations, immortal wars—serves to heighten the stakes while also making the characters' struggles universal. In a world where love can enslave or set free, MacRieve ultimately argues that healing is possible, but only through honesty, agency, and the willingness to burn down the old to make way for the new. The lessons are clear: trauma can be survived but not erased; love is a risk worth taking; and the future belongs to those who choose to fight for it, together.

Last updated: September 23, 2025