Ancient Guardian

I think this is one of my favorites in the series. Violet and Orion have been circling each other for a long time. You can feel the tension from them. Orion is keeping some big secrets from everyone, including Violet. Lots of mystery and suspense. Orion loves Violet and finally stops fighting his feelings for her. They come together in the best way possible.

Ancient Guardian by Katie Reus
Ancients Rising series #9. Paranormal dragon shifter romance. Post apocalyptic. Can be read as a stand-alone. All prior books were in and around New Orleans. This book is still in Louisiana but outside the other parish and while there are two characters from prior books brought into this story, it’s as secondary actors.

Violet has been the assumed leader of the farming community since The Fall. She and her sisters have organized, doctored, and worked hard to keep the group healthy and fed. Orion has been there for a year and helps keep the borders safe but vampires and werewolves are a growing threat. Orion is urged by the neighboring New Orleans alpha to step up and claim the territory to both protect the inhabitants and reduced the outside threats. But to do that, Orion will have to admit to being a dragon shifter to Violet, which he is loath to do.

I highlighted so many passages in this book. Throughly enjoyed the romances, (yes 2!) the humor and the double steamy scenes from two different couples setting up this new location. The relationship between Violet and Orion is caring and tame until he finally reveals how he has always felt for her, and they it gets spicy. But a lot of the book is his longing looks and Orion not feeling worthy. While also being an acting Alpha and protecting the area by killing vicious vampires and werewolves. I don’t think that is a spoiler since we know it’s Violet and Orion’s story.
I also find the confidence of the dragons so amusing. Not the man, but the dragon form.
Plenty of suspense too as the threat becomes immediate.

Dragon thoughts (excerpts):
“Please,” his dragon sniffed. “They will want to worship me once they see how powerful I am.”

“Not yet”, his dragon snarled sulkily. “She saw you in beast form and was impressed.”
“You can’t know that” he [Orion] snapped back to his beast.
“Of course I can, I am stunning.”
Excerpt from Ancient Guardian

This is a wonderful story of acceptance for who we are. Orion came into a new world that he did t understand. He was alone however he felt the pull to Violet, so he joined her community to keep her and others safe. The threats are growing and he needs to let her know who he is. When others come calling Orions time has run out and he needs to claim Violet and the territory before they all perish. This story has it all, secrets, heat, suspense and old friends who reunite, the best is the love story between two strong survivors making a community.