Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance Heat Level: 3 Word Count: 17, 000 ISBN: 978-0-3695-1354-0 Editor: CA Clauson Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Claiming the Rejected Mate by Jade Marshall

Heat Level 3
$3.99
SKU 978-0-3695-1354-0
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Moon Bound Mates, 1

Rejected.
Broken.
Left to die.

Thorne thought her mating ceremony would seal her destiny. Instead, Gabriel shattered her in front of the entire pack, tearing away her bond and leaving her to bleed in the forest.

But fate isn’t finished with her.

Altero, the Stygian Pack’s exiled loner, never wanted a mate and never wanted to be tied down. Yet when he finds Thorne half-dead on his land, the bond between them ignites … wild, dangerous, and undeniable.

He’s her second chance. She’s his greatest risk.

But when the past comes knocking, will their bond survive?

 

Excerpt:

I want to tell her the truth, that I pulled away because touching her feels too damn good, too dangerous. That I’m one second away from claiming her and never letting her go. That if I lose her after that, it’ll destroy me in ways even Maddox never could.

But I don’t. Because I’m a coward.

Instead, I turn, clenching my fists, forcing the beast back into its cage. “Sit down before you fall on your ass.”

She doesn’t answer. But the silence that follows is worse than any scream ever could be.

Her eyes drop, her lashes hiding the storm swirling there. She turns from me, moving stiffly back to the bed, her shoulders hunched under the weight of my words. The quilt slips, and I almost step forward, almost catch it, almost fix the damage I just caused…

But I freeze instead. Like a damn coward. She crawls back under the covers, curling into herself, her back facing me. Small. Alone. The faint tremor in her shoulders is a knife I can’t pull free.

I stand there for too long, my chest burning with words I’ll never say.

Finally, I force myself toward the stove, adding logs to the fire with more force than necessary. Sparks leap and wood splits. I tell myself the noise will drown out the sound of her breathing, the quiet sniffle I swear I hear, the salty tears I can smell in the air.

But it doesn’t.

It echoes. Every broken inhale. Every silent tear I know she’s trying to hide from me.

I rake a hand through my hair, pacing again, my beast thrashing under my skin. Go to her. Fix it. Hold her.

But I don’t. I’ve ruined enough things by wanting too much.

Eventually, her breathing evens out, softening into sleep once more. The bond thrums, gentler now, tugging me back toward her like it always does. My feet move before I decide, and I end up at the edge of the bed again.

She’s curled tight, clutching the blanket like a shield. Her face is damp, her lashes clumped from tears. My gut twists. I’m a real fucking asshole.

Carefully, I sit beside her. Not touching, not close enough to wake her. Just … there.

Her scent wraps around me, clean now, faint traces of herbs and firewood mixed with something uniquely hers. It fills the hollow spaces inside me, the ones I swore no one would ever touch again.

I drop my head into my hands, elbows braced on my knees. The words scrape out of me in a whisper too quiet for her to hear.

“I’m sorry.”

It’s not enough. Not close. But it’s all I have.

I stay there until my body aches from holding still, until sleep drags at my bones. The fire crackles low, shadows crawl along the walls, and still, I can’t make myself leave her side.

Because no matter how many times I tell myself bonds are chains, no matter how much I fight it … I already know.

I’m hers.

Series:
/series-moon-bound-mates/

Product Reviews

Score: 5 out of 5 (based on 35 ratings)
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5/5
From Rejection to Redemption—A Fierce, Emotional Second-
Written by Shae B on 19th Jan 2026

Chance Mate Story Claiming the Rejected Mate hits hard right from the opening and never really lets up. Thorne’s rejection is brutal—not just heartbreaking, but deeply humiliating—and it sets the tone for a story that’s more about survival, healing, and reclaiming your worth than it is about instant romance. What I loved most is that Thorne doesn’t magically bounce back. Her pain lingers, and it should. Watching her slowly find her footing again—especially after being cast aside so publicly—made her feel real and easy to root for. Enter Altero: the exiled loner who never wanted a mate and definitely didn’t ask for fate to drop one, half-dead, onto his land. He’s rough around the edges, wary, and surprisingly gentle when it counts. Their bond doesn’t feel easy or neat. It’s intense, yes, but also cautious and earned. Altero doesn’t try to overwrite Thorne’s past; he gives her space to decide who she wants to be now. That balance between protectiveness and respect made their connection feel stronger than a typical fated-mates setup. This is a short read, but it packs in a lot of emotion—hurt, anger, hope, and that deeply satisfying feeling of watching someone who was discarded rise again. If you enjoy rejected mate stories with bite, a gruff outsider hero, and a heroine who refuses to stay broken, this is a solid start to the Moon Bound Mates series.

5/5
the bond ...
Written by Kimkim on 19th Jan 2026

loved it !! a great start for this new series !! love Thorne and Altero !! but, not Gabriel.. this is their story... a fast paced rom/drama... Thorne thought her fated mate was Gabriel, they had the bond but, when he brutally rejected her in front of the whole clan and brutally tore out the bond.. left her broken and almost dead... she crawled to the forest to die... Altero is exiled and loves his forest home... then, he finds her, almost dead on his property... the bond snaps... he takes her back to his cabin... but, he never wanted a mate... so good !!

4/5
Great read! ??
Written by madhatter831 on 19th Jan 2026

This was a great rejected mate story. I loved how the first mate who rejected her, came back later wanting to claim her - and I loved even more how she and her new mate ran him off! The spice was spicy and the story flowed quickly. Definitely recommend.

5/5
Amazing
Written by Heather1145 on 19th Jan 2026

Wow I was engaged from the beginning. The pain she went through was very bad. But with him finding her and knowing they were fated mates he fought it but it was to strong. Amazing characters and storyline.

5/5
Amazing Fated Mates
Written by Ssirren on 19th Jan 2026

Oh wow. This book wrecked me in the best way. Thorne being rejected and disposed of like trash. Bleeding and broken with no one to help her. Not even her own family. And then she discovered by Altero on his land. Near a river, dying. He draws near only to find that mate bond suddenly grab him. But I don’t blame him for being afraid. He wanted solace, didn’t want to be with someone. But there she was. And it pulled me in when he took me to his home and tended to her. Made sure she was okay. And the poor woman washed to feel the same bond. Both are in a world of the unknown at this point. She doesn’t want to be rejected again. This story was so beautiful. The way their trust was found as time went by. That their hearts healed as they got to know one another. Mates. And in time there were able to come together and be such. Their love was deserved, earned, protected. And I loved this for them. This was an absolutely amazing book. I’m so looking forward to the others.

5/5
Erotic fated mates romance
Written by itsthejo on 19th Jan 2026

This is Book 1 of the Moon Bound Mates series. I look forward to more from this world. 'Rejected. Broken. Left to die.' The characters were very complex and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. All in all a great start to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend. Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!

4/5
Love through the pain of rejection
Written by -Luvs2Read- on 19th Jan 2026

Claiming the Rejected Mate is story about finding your inner strength through intense pain and rejection. It's about allowing yourself to feel love and forgiveness when it feels like all is lost. This is a good short read that ends with a well deserved HEA.

5/5
Thorne is reborn
Written by Maleficent on 19th Jan 2026

Thorne never felt like she really belonged in her pack. She figured her mating ceremony to Gabriel, her fated mate, things would be better. When he rejects her as his mate, the pain almost kills and no one in the pack helps her. She is found almost dead by Altero, an outcast who lives by himself. His wolf knows she is his mate, something he never wanted after leaving his pack. He tries to fight the pull while she heals, thinking that would be best for her, but it is not. This is a steamy read with so much angst and drama, looking forward to the next in the series.

4/5
Engaging and unique
Written by LBing on 19th Jan 2026

This was an engaging series opener that starts off with tragedy and pain. Thorne gets publicly rejected by her mate and is left to flee and die on her own. Altero, an exiled shifter, finds her and immediately feels the mate bond to her. He, however, didn't want a mate. Had intended to live his life out on his own. Well, fate had other ideas and it took a while for her to heal enough to be claimed. These two had a strong connection that had challenges to overcome but ended in a fab and steamy HEA. I do wish the book was longer to smooth out their journey more but I really enjoyed how this unfolded. I'm looking forward to the next. Good fun!

4/5
shifter romance
Written by GoRogue on 19th Jan 2026

I loved how the author stretched the mates bond to extreme in this intense romance between Thorne and Altero.

4/5
Hurt, Healing, and Heat
Written by A.K. Shaw on 19th Jan 2026

Claiming the Rejected Mate kicks off the Moon Bound Mates series with exactly the kind of emotional punch I want from a new shifter romance: high stakes, intense emotions, and a love story that has to fight its way into the light. Altero and Thorne both carry wounds that cut deep, and what hit hardest for me is that those wounds weren’t inflicted by enemies. They were caused by the very people who should have loved and protected them. The pack dynamics are brutal, and the betrayal has real consequences, shaping who these two characters are and what they believe they deserve. When one of them is left to die in the forest and the other becomes an unexpected savior, the story snaps into focus: this is going to be about survival, trust, and rebuilding a sense of worth from the ground up. Their relationship is a slow burn in the best way, not because the chemistry isn’t there, but because the healing has to come first. One of them has to unlearn the idea that love makes you weak. The other has to discover that strength isn’t just about endurance, it’s about choosing yourself and choosing your mate even when the world says you shouldn’t. Watching them grow into that, step by hard-won step, is what made the romance so satisfying. And for readers who like their romance with teeth, this one delivers: starting with the betrayal and rejection, drama that keeps the tension tight, suspense and action that hit at the right moments, a couple of interesting twists, and steam that feels like a payoff instead of a distraction. Even when the turmoil is relentless, you can’t help rooting for Altero and Thorne, because every victory feels like something they’ve bled for. If you love rejected mate stories with emotional depth, protective instincts, and a bond that’s forged through fire rather than convenience, Claiming the Rejected Mate is for you. This is a strong start to the series. I finished it already eager for the next book in the series.

4/5
Moon Bound Mates
Written by Samkat on 19th Jan 2026

This was a good story about love, betrayal, rejection and second chances. A good first book to a new series. The only critique I have would be to add some more detail throughout the story to help the reader clearly picture this new world. This is our first time reading about this setting, so when there’s not enough detail, it can leave unanswered questions. Other than that, it was a good read.

5/5
Shifters
Written by LestWITCH on 19th Jan 2026

Claiming the rejected mates book one of the moon bound mate series. This book is a emotional roller coaster ride. I like books that make you feel and this one did that. You feel for Thorne. Altero is a light in the dark. A very good shifter story.

4/5
Claiming
Written by Chrissy L on 19th Jan 2026

This rejected mate was everything to him. The book was well-written and engaging, exploring themes of love, acceptance, and the strength of connection. The characters were compelling, and the story kept me turning the pages.

4/5
a true cabin romance
Written by Emmellen on 19th Jan 2026

Claiming the Rejected Mate is a literal cabin romance. That’s where Thorne ends up when she’s publicly rejected by her fated mate Gabriel and nearly dies from the severed connection. But I guess if one mate bond is gone another can form, as self-exiled loner Altero knows Thorne’s his mate when he finds her perilously close to death and takes her to…his cabin. I struggled a bit with Marshall giving these wolf shifters the ability to form another mate bond almost instantly. That seemed a bit wild when someone would be healing from the trauma of a severed bond. But if you can work with that, you’ll enjoy this book. Both Thorne and Altero are good at heart even when each is dealing with rejection. And their longing for one another is palpable. The ending was a bit pat, with rather inexplicable actions on Gabriel’s part. But I had a good time reading Claiming the Rejected Mate, and I bet you will, too.

4/5
Claiming the Rejected Mate!
Written by Mary on 19th Jan 2026

I could not put this story down until the very end. My only negative, if it is one, is I wanted MORE! The story has a little angst with a rejection, a spark, reluctance and fated. I enjoyed every bit of the story. The story is about Thorne and Altero. She is rejected by Gabriel, in front of the whole pack, including her parents, who do nothing. She is hurt and left broken and deserted. Altero finds her and immediately knows what she is to him. He fights it, more for her, than him. Both have their own baggage they need to get through to realize what truly is meant to be and important.

4/5
Great read
Written by Laura Ann on 19th Jan 2026

The Stygian Pack is meeting for the ceremony of a prophecy being fulfilled as the Moon Goddess had chosen Thorne and Gabriel, her fated mate. Thorne had grown up, different from those of her pack and she grew up with Gabriel, but as they got older and knew they were fated, he became more and more held back and emotionless with her. Her mother is Vitamancer Mireya, once a warrior, and her father, the keeper of the old laws. Having been raised to be the next Luna of the pack, Thorne is ready to do her duty. However, Gabriel rejects her, the pain of it, almost kills her as she runs away. Alpha Maddox had once had a brother, and they were raised by their father and Alpha to be rivals. Altero is Maddox’s brother and the loser, and he lives alone outside the border of the pack’s land. There he finds Thorne and realizes that she is his fated mate. He doesn’t like this and yet, he is able to save her life because of it. As they talk, they begin to admit the feelings for each other that being a fated mate brings to them. Things get weirdly romantic and steamy then. Then, someone from the pack shows up and causes a bit of a problem that they need to deal with. I loved this book, even if I felt it was too short. lol. I can’t wait to see if there are more books in the series. I cried for her pain a few times and once for Altero’s.

4/5
Great read
Written by Laura Ann on 19th Jan 2026

The Stygian Pack is meeting for the ceremony of a prophecy being fulfilled as the Moon Goddess had chosen Thorne and Gabriel, her fated mate. Thorne had grown up, different from those of her pack and she grew up with Gabriel, but as they got older and knew they were fated, he became more and more held back and emotionless with her. Her mother is Vitamancer Mireya, once a warrior, and her father, the keeper of the old laws. Having been raised to be the next Luna of the pack, Thorne is ready to do her duty. However, Gabriel rejects her, the pain of it, almost kills her as she runs away. Alpha Maddox had once had a brother, and they were raised by their father and Alpha to be rivals. Altero is Maddox’s brother and the loser, and he lives alone outside the border of the pack’s land. There he finds Thorne and realizes that she is his fated mate. He doesn’t like this and yet, he is able to save her life because of it. As they talk, they begin to admit the feelings for each other that being a fated mate brings to them. Things get weirdly romantic and steamy then. Then, someone from the pack shows up and causes a bit of a problem that they need to deal with. I loved this book, even if I felt it was too short. lol. I can’t wait to see if there are more books in the series. I cried for her pain a few times and once for Altero’s.

5/5
Loved It
Written by Jocelyn W on 19th Jan 2026

Claiming the Rejected Mte is the first book in the Moon Bound Mates by Jade Marshall. Rejected, beaten and left for dead by her family and supposed mate, Thorne thought her life was over. The last thing Altero expected or wanted was to find his mate dying on his land. He immediately bond with her. Thorne is hopeful and frightened at the same time, fearful of being rejected again. Two lost souls finding love when they least expected it. Love it.

5/5
Loved this one!
Written by Mistie B on 19th Jan 2026

This was really good! Altero doesn't believe in fate or mates but when he finds a lovely woman injured in the woods, he realizes that he may have been wrong about everything. Thorne is publicly rejected and humiliated and when Altero finds her, she doesn't know what to think. Loved this second chance story!

4/5
Rejected mate 2nd chance
Written by Smarie19 on 19th Jan 2026

I applaud Altero for his restraint in the start and not wanting to take advantage of Thorne . But also yes girl you go for what you want.

5/5
Good!
Written by Kimmijane on 19th Jan 2026

Good novella. Poor Thorne, rejected by her mate and unloved by her parents is rescued by Altero who fate has plans for. If you like shifter stories you’ll like Thorne’s and Alteros’s story.

5/5
Claiming
Written by Michele77 on 19th Jan 2026

A beautiful read about healing and free choice. It is a shifter story and so that plays into the story but the read really focuses on the healing aspect. The characters were strong and fit together.

5/5
Claiming the Rejected Mate
Written by Karen99 on 19th Jan 2026

Emotional Shifter Read A beautiful read with a wonderful HEA in this entertaining read with a rough beginning. After her rejection and being found, she never expected to be given the gift of a bond but the chemistry between Altero and Thorne is felt from the moment they met. Their connection is perfect and their love everlasting as this storyline takes you from a heartache of a beginning to a wonderful feeling of tenderness and love as you follow their journey into love and happiness.

5/5
Loved it!!
Written by Kimberly R on 19th Jan 2026

This was such a great read. I absolutely LOVED it. I really loved Thorne and Altero. They were amazing characters. I absolutely recommend this book.

5/5
Claiming the Rejected Mate
Written by Stacii on 19th Jan 2026

Alter and Thorne’s story has him finding her near death after she was rejected and hurt body and soul by her mate and family. Altering helps her and they feel the bond forming, but they don’t trust or know if they want a mate. But spending time together they find that the second-chance mate will help heal them both and form a never-broken bond.

5/5
Claiming the Rejected Mate by Jade Marshall
Written by LyndsayL on 19th Jan 2026

There is nothing more painful than being rejected by your mate in front of everyone in your pack. Going on the run and being scared of what is going to happen next is terrifying. This was so well- written and kept me on the edge of my seat while I was waiting to see what would happen next. Jade has really gotten into her groove with her shifter series and I have come to love her writing more and more. This is a must read!!!

5/5
From Rejected to Chosen: A Mate Worth Fighting For
Written by C Luna on 19th Jan 2026

Claiming the Rejected Mate by Jade Marshall is a raw, emotional shifter romance that grabs your heart in the very first pages and doesn’t let go. This is a story about betrayal, survival, and the kind of love that doesn’t break you down—it rebuilds you stronger than before. Thorne believes her mating ceremony will finally give her a place in her pack. Instead, she’s publicly rejected, brutally wounded, and abandoned by the very people who should have protected her. Gabriel’s cruelty is devastating, but what cuts even deeper is the silence of her family as she’s left to crawl into the forest, bleeding and broken, convinced she’s been left to die. The pain of that moment lingers, making Thorne’s journey one of the most emotionally gripping parts of this story. Enter Altero—exiled, solitary, and determined to remain untethered. He never wanted a mate, never wanted the vulnerability that comes with it. But fate has other plans. When his wolf senses Thorne and he finds her unconscious by the river, dying on his land, the bond snaps into place—powerful, instinctive, and impossible to ignore. Altero’s quiet devotion as he saves her, brings her to his cabin, and stays by her side is deeply moving. He doesn’t make promises. He shows up. When Thorne wakes and feels the bond, hope and fear collide. After being rejected once, the possibility of being rejected again is almost unbearable—especially when Altero resists giving in to the bond. That tension, born from shared trauma and fear, gives their relationship depth and authenticity. These two aren’t just falling in love; they’re learning how to trust, heal, and believe they are worthy of being chosen. The chemistry between Thorne and Altero is tender, fierce, and emotionally charged. Their connection grows naturally as they navigate pain, loyalty, and the threat of the past catching up to them. Suspense threads through the story, keeping the stakes high and the pages turning, while the emotional payoff delivers exactly what readers of rejected-mate romances crave. Claiming the Rejected Mate is a powerful start to the Moon Bound Mates series—an unforgettable tale of a broken heroine finding her strength and a reluctant hero discovering that love is not a weakness, but a lifeline. If you love second-chance mates, protective loners, emotional healing, and bonds worth fighting for, this book deserves a spot at the top of your reading list.

5/5
Healing One Another
Written by De'Anna on 19th Jan 2026

Thorne is rejected, thrown out like garbage, bleeding, heartbroken, body broken left with no one to help her, including her own family leaving her to die and discovered near a river nearly dead. Altero sexy as all get out banished shifter who has learned to live alone now wanting nothing, but solace didn’t want a mate, but when he saw the beautiful yet broken women by the river dying and everything in him knew he needed to save her making sure she lived. Thorne was grateful but she didn’t want to be rejected again and he wasn’t sure how to be a mate but the more they were around one another the more the bond healed their hearts, opened their minds to accept what was right in front of them allowing them to realize everything they wanted was right there in front of them in each other but is it enough, where are they headed, and have they found their happiness?

4/5
Claiming the Rejected Mate
Written by AngelaC on 19th Jan 2026

Altero and Thorne needed a second chance. What happened in the past, and not so distant past, shattered emotions and broke faith. Trusting a tenuous connection and nurturing that to a full blown relationship required hope and faith and the willingness to try despite all hesitancy. Book 1 in the new Moon Bound Mates series.

4/5
Claiming the Rejected Mate
Written by Chris S on 19th Jan 2026

This is a great shifter book that grabs you from the start and doesn't let go but I really wish it was longer. Thorne and Altero's story begins with a heartbreaking betrayal then takes you on a journey of survival, discovering the power of love and the healing strength of a bond. I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

4/5
good book
Written by cee b on 19th Jan 2026

I really liked this book. Loved Altero, the lone wolf and Thorne the rejected mate. Thorne was rejected by Gabriel the alpha, I didn't like him at all. I also didn't like her family, all of them just turned their backs on her. Poor girl is dying in the woods, when Altero finds her helps her heal and claims her. I would have liked them starting a pack of their own though.

5/5
Second Chance mate
Written by Joreads on 19th Jan 2026

Throne is cruely rejected by Gabriel at their mating ceremony. She is left for dead by everyone in the pack when Altero comes across her. Altero is surprised when he realises that she is his mate, one that he never wanted. Throne is determined to make her second chance work even if Altero is not convinced.

5/5
Claiming
Written by ChrisL on 19th Jan 2026

This is a lunch read. This is Thorne and Altero’s story. Thorne after being reflected by Gabriel feels like she is dying. Altero smells her and brings her home to help her survive. What they both don’t expect is to have a bond. Can you really have two bonds? Will Altero accept the bond or run from it? What will Thorne do after already being reject by a bond?

5/5
Emotional
Written by Kris08 on 19th Jan 2026

Altero and Thorne Tropes: * Paranormal * Fated mates * Second chance * Alpha MMC * Rejected FMC “I don’t think I can survive being unwanted twice.” This is heartbreaking for Thorne. Unwanted by everyone, rejected by her mate, and devastated by her pack’s (and family’s) betrayal. This actually hurt to read - I found myself feeling anxious from the first word. You know what’s going to happen, but you can’t help but want something different for Thorne. “Don’t you get it? He didn’t break me … you are!” Altero… I was mixed. I wanted the HEA, but to have repeat occasions where he all but says he doesn’t want her… ugh, I just wanted Thorne to be someone’s first, only (and instant) choice. “Because no matter how many times I tell myself bonds are chains, no matter how much I fight it … I already know. I’m hers.” This was emotional, spicy and delicious to read. I did like the karma returned to her ex-mate. It was short, but I relished in the slap back by Altero. The ending wrapped up a little quickly, but I thoroughly enjoyed this.

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