The Defiant Mate: A Romance with Indomitable Alpha

“The Defiant Mate” is as bold and intense as any other werewolf romance novel would be, with an astonishing first half and a rage-inducing male protagonist.

Jay-la gets banished from the Blood Moon Pack by future Alpha Nathan after she violently strikes his “fated mate” - the future “Luna” Sophia. Six years later, as Jay-la is finally settled in the human world, Nathan asks her to return, a request she declines out of concern for her children’s safety. Nathan decides to step into the human world in order to retrieve Jay-la, but will he succeed in bringing her back?

Author Introduction

Jennifer Francis is an Australian author who has penned a plethora of books - apart from “The Defiant Mate” - such as “Bejewelled,” “The Rejected Life of Mala Luca,” “Her Alpha’s Orders,” and “His Luna’s Already a Luna,” among many others. 

Main Theme

“The Defiant Mate” is, as the title might suggest, a story of an empowered female shapeshifter who dares challenge the prospective Alpha of her werewolf pack (initially her year-long partner).

In the context of wolf packs, Alphas are accustomed to getting what they want through sheer force and fear. In this story, we consistently see an Alpha struggling to bend the female lead’s will at the same time that he realizes he may have been unfair to her.

Nevertheless, he doesn’t stop being what he ultimately is by nature: A “douche”! (even though he does seem to harbor some good intentions). “A leopard never changes its spots” is perhaps a fitting phrase to describe his character arc.

The female protagonist’s loyalty to her children (her “pups”) is also noteworthy, as she sacrifices her standing with the pack and even her very life to protect them. In that sense, “unconditional motherly love” also becomes a prominent theme throughout.

Characters

The story follows two main characters: Jay-la and Nathan. Of course, we shouldn’t neglect to mention other interesting plot-pushers like Sophia and Jackson.

Jay-la

Jay-la could be aptly described as loyal, fierce, and independent. During the first few chapters, she appears a tad insecure as her lover meets his fated mate, but she is able to overcome a series of obstacles down the road that strengthens her. Her children become her top priority, while, deep down, she still feels for the male lead.

Nathan

Nathan is the future Alpha of the Blood Moon pack and doesn’t skimp on reminding everyone of his position. He discards the female protagonist rather quickly and even ousts her angrily. However, later on, he starts showing a bit of “remorse” (if it could be called that), meanwhile remaining resolute in his pursuit of Jay-la.

Sophia

Sophia has a more predictable character arc. She’s supposed to be the Luna of the pack (the female equivalent of the Alpha) and is portrayed as overly manipulative and relentless. She persists in her odious persona throughout most of the novel.

Jackson

Jackson is the pack's Beta and a confidant to Jay-la and Nathan. He’s slightly laid back but resents Jay-la for leaving, following Nathan’s orders. 

Point of View

“The Defiant Mate” is told mainly from the perspective of either Jay-la or Nathan, both of whom interpret the events according to their limited knowledge. This adds a nice dynamic to the novel’s storytelling.

The Plot

The Mate is Banished

“The Defiant Mate” begins with Jay-la relating how she got banished from the Blood Moon pack. She had been dating soon-to-be-Alpha Nathan for about a year, though they had already been friends since they were kids.

Sophia then came and took Nathan away from Jay-la in one fell swoop, for she was supposedly his “fated mate.” But this future “Luna” would waste no opportunity to demean and shun Jay-la, who she considers her archnemesis.

One fateful day, Jay-la snapped and clawed Sophia - or, rather, Kora (Jay-la’s inner wolf) did. This enraged Nathan, who immediately ordered Jay-la to depart from the pack. This rash reaction made the latter feel even more betrayed.

She didn’t understand what was happening at first and why Kora would react the way she did. Nonetheless, it is revealed she did so to “protect her pups,” as she had been pregnant with Nathan’s baby.

Jay-la’s “Human” Life

Despite having a rough beginning, Jay-la was already moving on, succeeding as a divorce lawyer and enjoying a tranquil life in the human world, in the company of her children and friends.

But, after six long years of no contact, she received a letter from Nathan, which she burned almost immediately. She knew if she returned to the pack, her children would be at risk because the Luna was more than willing to harm them.

Nathan would get more obsessed over Jay-la after she rejected his offer to return. This rejection prompted him to hunt her down in the human world.

Writing Style

The novel is written in standard English but with a generous dose of flowery brushes. It’s not hard to understand overall, though you might have to read several paragraphs twice to grasp what goes on in specific scenes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who were Jay-la’s most trusted human friends?

In the first chapter, Jay-la reveals that Lauren and Tony were her best human friends. Lauren was exceptional in that she helped deliver Jay-la’s “pups.”

Does “The Defiant Mate” have a sequel?

“The Defiant Luna” follows up after the events of “The Defiant Mate” and could be considered its official sequel.