7. If the pupcubs turn out to be wolves, will they be DarkRiver or SnowDancer? (spoiler question) But wherever he goes and whatever he chooses to do, he will always be a packmate, and DarkRiver will always have his back. The boy has the drive, the courage, and most of all, he has the heart of a true alpha, a heart that will draw others into his fledgling pack. If I had to bet, I’d say Kit will form his own pack. Our ages are too close for him to be my successor and I’m too experienced for him to challenge (not that I believe Kit would ever choose the latter option – the bonds between us are too strong). Stay with DarkRiver and become a sentinel, or create his own pack. When he’s ready to be alpha of a pack, he’ll know. He can grow into his skin at his own pace. I became alpha at a very young age because it was right for me and necessary for DarkRiver, but Kit has no need to take up the responsibility so early.

He didn’t know it then, though I’m sure he’s consciously aware of it now. I-all of us-have been teaching Kit how to be a good alpha since the moment it first became clear he had the strength to be alpha. 6. Will you groom Kit to be your alpha replacement now that Kit is a full soldier? (spoiler question) I plan to encourage her to bite and claw hard, maybe tear off an ear to make the message clear. Yes-Naya’s clearly using the thing to practice biting and mauling wolves. 5. Have you managed to get rid of The Toy That Shall Not Be Named? (spoiler question) *growling sounds* Um, right, let’s move on to the next question. What’s there to think about? I heard your mate thinks you two are friends. 4. What do you really think of Hawke? (spoiler question) A cardinal who fascinated my leopard, even though she was ice-cold and businesslike on the surface. The second time, I was a man and sitting across a negotiating table from a cardinal Psy with eyes like the night sky. The first time my life shifted on its axis, I was a boy and I was covered in blood.

3. What have been the most critical moments of your life? It was as a teenager that my dominance became so powerful that instinct turned into knowledge. It’s always been a deep instinct within me, though as a young child, I didn’t have a name for it. I give them room to grow and to stretch themselves, and in return, they give me their strength and their loyalty. My leopards are strong, independent changelings. It’s what I was born to do-to protect my sprawling family, because Pack is family. What’s it like being alpha of a leopard pack? The ever-popular Psy-Challenging series by Nalini Singh has a cult following and after thirteen instalments, the cover of the first book in the series–Slave to Sensation–just got re-vamped!!! To mark this occasion, I am so honoured to be able to share with you a very special character interview with the one and only Lucas Hunter, Alpha of the DarkRiver Leopard Pack… 1.

Slave to sensation series