Audiobook: Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

Hunting Ground
Author: Patricia Briggs
Narrator: Holter Graham
Publication: Penguin Audio (Aug. 25, 2009)
Length: 8 hours and 24 minutes

Description: Anne Latham didn't know how complicated life could be until she became a werewolf and was mated to Charles Cornick, the son—and enforcer—of the leader of the North American werewolves. She didn't know how dangerous it could be either...

Anna and Charles have just been enlisted to attend a summit to present Bran's controversial proposition: that the wolves should finally reveal themselves to humans. But the most feared Alpha in Europe is dead set against the plan—and it seems like someone else might be, too. When Anna is attacked by vampires using pack magic, the kind of power only werewolves should be able to draw on, Charles and Anna must combine their talents to hunt down whoever is behind it all—or risk losing everything...

My Thoughts: Anna and Charles travel to Seattle to attend a conference of the European werewolves which Bran has called. The purpose is to let them know that Bran is going public about the werewolves in North America. He wants to offer help to the European packs if they need it.

There are lots of tensions among the European packs. Jean Chastel, who is known as the Beast of Gévaudan, is the most dangerous the European wolves. None of the others want to oppose him. Arthur Madden, who is the British Alpha, is relatively safe since Chastel doesn't seem to want Britain but he's afraid of him too. Arthur believes that he is the reincarnation of King Arthur. He was an amateur archaeologist before becoming a werewolf and discovered a sword he believes is Excalibur which fuels his obsession.

Bran has arranged for the fae in the person of Dana Shea to keep the peace. Dana is a Grey Lord and Bran's old acquaintance. Charles doesn't know what kind of a fae she is despite having been her lover sometime in the past. Dana shares that tidbit to try to make Anna jealous which backfires on her. So much of this world is new to Anna. Since her mating and marriage with Charles, she has been gradually getting to know his world and her own powers as an Omega wolf.

Things start out interesting right away when Charles and Anna meet a troll under a bridge who warns them not to trust the fae. And then vampires try to abduct Anna and also manage to kill Arthur's human mate.

Charles and Anna would love to believe that Chastel is behind the attacks since he is the instigator of the conflict at the conference. But it isn't his style. If he wanted Anna kidnapped or dead, he would have done it himself. They need to find another villain since the attacks both by vampires and magic aren't letting up.

This was a fast-paced and exciting story. I love the growing relationship betweeen Charles and Anna. I love that Anna is learning more about her powers and an Omega and is teaching Charles that she is an equal partner with him.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.