Well, quite the journey that was... I'll say you know how to get something started, had my attention with that beginning, quite well written that, another surprising bit is how everyone actually doesn't like Reaver, barely tolerating him but knowing full well that when he's there you better worry, and if he drops his banter tread lightly. Something I did feel like the game sort of glossed over, Page was the only one who seemed to actually hate him. The relationship was very well done, realistic progression made it completely believable.

Liked that Von isn't like most Male Original Characters, for one thing, appearance, short brown hair, blue or brown eyes, amazingly muscular and tall enough to be considered as such, taller than his love interest really, but conveniently somehow manages to be shorter then any of the big bads but it makes him so much more powerful that he can intimidate them despite that. Personality is pretty reserved which I like, not "I have to be the center of everything" Also he's surprisingly lacks the 'dark' past, I mean yes dark shit happened before the story but not "my parents are dead but somebody raised me good so I have the excuse to be mostly good but when it makes me seem edgy I'll do something bad." Also not a casanova, like everybody else's characters, in fact he hates the character considered one. So it was quite a breath of fresh air. Maya was also great, headstrong but still has her insecurities.

All in all, this was an excellent story, hope to see the sequel soon. Until then, Semper Fi.

this is an amazing story

Well I enjoyed each and every part of the story, though I wished Shiloh was allowed to stay and became an adopted daughter of Von and Maya.

Anyways awesome story!

Honestly, this was a great story. I really enjoyed it. HOWEVER. It had one extremely major downfall.

IT TOOK FOR-FREAKIN-EVERRRRRR.

I know you put a lot of work into this story, but I've been following this story for over a year and I gave up on you ever actually finishing a while back. Try to update a little bit sooner sometimes. Maybe cut the super long chapters in half and make that two updates. Or something.

Good work!

HURRY UP WITH THE DAMNED SEQUELLLLLLLL :p

So now that I have schoolwork out of the way and some time to actually think of a constructive review, here goes.

Bravo! You did it! Fin, finito, the end! And the ending was full of emotion. Gah, the simple line of "Walter died with a soft, contented look on his face" really did it for me. Eh D; And yes! The sequel! Where we will find out about everything else mentioned in Wolves! Huzzah!

However, as a reader, I have to say that there are some things that left me wanting. The biggest thing I want to know, as a reader remember, is Von's past. I think you mention in the chapter where Maya gives him his lightning scar thing something along the lines of "Ezra knows everything the moment it happens. It had made his youth rather difficult." That's bait for a reader to take, and I took it, expecting you to elaborate on Von's past. What was so difficult about his youth? Was he bullied by Ezra? In beginning chapters of Wolves, you referred to Ezra's first mate, the one who bore Shiloh, that he had "liked her, but never loved. Ezra never truly loved anyone" or something like that. I wanted to see how that corresponded with Von, how his past molded him to be a bit withdrawn and guarded in the Family (that's my interpretation on him, I could be wrong). But again, when Von comforted Maya during her miscarriage and told her that Ezra was dead, you wrote something along the lines of "he wanted to hang onto the memories of his brother when he was still loving." That confuses me; you previously stated that Ezra never loved anyone, but then he used to be loving?

The second thing is balverine custom. From Wolves, I gather that balverines have mates, a bond that is more powerful and emotional than marriage. I get that licking is a sign of affection/lust/desire. I get that physical actions mean more than words to balverines (when Von and Maya were doing some heavy petting in Aurora, that's what I gathered). Sons inherit power and the position of Alpha, not daughters. And a balverine's coat is unique, theirs, and is their identity; it's their signature. But I feel that there could have been more tradition/custom-wise. You mention that the Family had a priestess, Nairna, and as a reader, I wanted to know what she does. She laid Mathias to rest after Von and Maya reclaimed his pelt, I understand that. But what else does she do? What is so significant about a priestess that Shiloh would have become one (as Von said during Blood & Fire, I believe)? And, what happened to Nairna? Is she dead with the rest of the Family? I feel that she could have been a really neat character. If she is a priestess, then I can assume she knows the most about their traditions, values, customs, beliefs, etc., and I feel that she might have had some words to say to Ezra for going against their ways. From what I understand of priestesses in general, they can provide words of wisdom/advice for their superiors, although the superiors don't have to listen to them. Still, I feel that if you gave a character a name, a duty, and dialogue, that character is a round character. I feel that Nairna could have been a really neat round character, but she's static and flat, and never mentioned past Blood & Fire.

Another thing I'm curious about is the difference between Mathias and Ezra. Was Mathias a fair Alpha, or was he like Ezra: ruthless, cunning, and manipulative? From what I gather in Wolves, Mathias loved his sons (in Lick of a Whip, I think Von mentions something about his father being proud for not pouncing on Reaver), but maybe he viewed them as tools to keep the Family alive? After all, as you stated in Blood & Fire, an "Alpha has a duty to tend to" or something like that. And with Mathias comes Mathias's mate, who is never mentioned (she is in New Fears Arise when Ezra looks at Vienna with disinterest, but that's more like a phrase; "he looked at her as if he was looking at his mother"). From what is given to the readers in Wolves, Ezra's and Von's mother is dead. She is not even mentioned by them, which makes me wonder: they're upset about their father's death, but not their mother's? Or, I thought, maybe Nairna was their mother; if Shiloh, a female related to the Alpha, would become a priestess, then Nairna must have some ties to the Alpha as well- maybe she's Ezra's and Von's mother. But that's never clarified, and their mother remains unimportant.

And just something I noticed with this chapter regarding Maya: "When she was little and her father died, Walter became her entire world." I know for a fact you stated in a previous chapter something along the lines of "in recent years, Walter became like a father to her." Recent years and her being little? You never stated Maya's age in Wolves, but you did message me saying that she was 20. To me, "little" is something below age 10, which was at least 10 years ago for Maya, and not at all recent.

I'm sorry if this reads as a bash to you, but I did really enjoy Wolves. I like how it's a different take on Albion, how it ventures into the world of darkness not only with the Crawler, but in hearts, as well. I like the romance, I like the characters, I like the plot. I really, really don't want to discourage you, but this is a review as a reader.

And now I just have some general questions:

1.) Was Von's son, Nathaniel, by chance a reference to Nathaniel Howe in Dragon Age? (Von's physical appearance, black hair, light blue eyes, light skin, reminded me of him)
2.) Was Fredrick's name chosen as a reference to the conversation between Anders and Nathaniel in Dragon Age when discussing Ser Pounce-a-Lot's name? (and what ever happened to Fredrick?)
3.) Is Elspeth's mate the balverine Maya killed when she was a little girl? The one who killed her mother? (I don't think you ever alluded to this being possible; this is just me thinking)
4.) "Von Kaiser." I don't suppose you were playing with literal meanings here, eh? Von Kaiser, German for "Of Kings," hinting that Von will be king some day?

While I'm loving the action in this chapter, and all the fighting and slaying of the Darkness, I'm sad :( One, because we all know what's coming next chapter. T.T Two, it's the last chapter :( I'll have to reread this again and pretend I have no idea what's going to happen. Aha, a solid plan.

I'm liking how Von and Maya are a team even in combat, and I love Ben's little intrusion there XD But I'm kind of wondering what happened to Von's lame shoulder? Is it all healed now, or is it still keeping him from fighting to his fullest?

And I'm also wondering where the royal pooch is? Where'd Hale go? Is he back with Logan at the castle, or is he with the rest of the group? I liked the segments where Von and Hale would have moments, like Hale would growl at him or they would give each other looks. (Well, you know I like the dog-balverine interactions based on my fanart.)

Anywhooo. I feel weird to say "update soon!" because... well, it'll be the last update for Wolves until the sequel. :( But anyways, update soon!

gah! can't wait for more!

Ohhh I really really love your story!

:D i'm so glad to see more of this!

Well, I just, you know, um, well I thought, this is, a, you know what this is, this is, um.

WELL. When I asked for an update I didn't expect it to be this soon o.o; But no, no, no, I am not complaining. Nope. No complaints from me. Far from it. Applause, applause! Yay, another chapter, finally, it was very good, I like the advance in the plot, the Crawler's coming, you're deviating from canon and taking fanfiction into your own hands (yay!), and...

I'm giddy. I'm very happy you updated :) Tomorrow is my birthday, and so I'm considering this a birthday present to myself.

Just be careful of grammar and spelling; like I tell Angela, FLOW! You have good flow, Miss. Please do not ruin it D: But still- TWO more chapters left? Ehhhhh? Oh I'm going to be sad when this is finished. I'll cry. But I'll reread it and pretend I have no idea what will happen and fall in love with the characters all over again.

Cheers!

My flower withered between the pages two and three the once and forever blooom gone with my sins walk the dark path sleep with angels call the past for help- Nemo by Night wish i love love love your story

:O awesome!

WHERE ARE YOU UGHHHHHH. I NEED MORE. Honestly, this has been the best story I have read by far. I have laughed and cried while reading it and it upsets me greatly that this hasn't been updated.
Please come back soon.

I would have never expected a love story involving a balverine. This is so beautiful and you paced their relationship very well. I love it!