Bride by Ali Hazlewood

Here is a summary with spoilers of Bride

The story opens with Misery Lark, a Vampyre, preparing to marry Lowe Moreland, the Were Alpha, despite never having met him. This political union is meant to secure peace between their species. Misery’s brother Owen is skeptical about her chances of survival, and her father, Henry Lark, reminds her that it is her duty. When she finally meets Lowe, she finds him handsome, but his reaction is unexpectedly hostile—he grabs her and demands to know why she smells the way she does.

A flashback reveals that Misery had been living in disguise among Humans, working at a tech company, until her father’s lead guard uncovered her whereabouts and forced her return to The Nest, the Vampyre stronghold. Henry Lark, a member of the ruling Vampyre council, informs her that she has been chosen as the latest “Collateral,” a long-standing practice where individuals are exchanged to ensure peace. Misery protests until she hears Lowe Moreland’s name—because her best and only friend, Serena, disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a cryptic note with the initials “L.E. Moreland.” Misery agrees to the marriage, hoping to use her position to uncover what happened to Serena.

At the wedding, the Human governor, Davenport, privately informs Misery that Lowe has a mate—Gabi, the Were Collateral sent to live among the Vampyres. Were mates experience a biological change, though emotions may not always be mutual. Later, Misery observes Lowe settling an argument between Vampyre and Were children and is impressed by his fairness. As they dance, he tells her it is his job to protect her—an oath he immediately fulfills when an assassin attacks. Shielding her, Lowe is injured and walks away, bleeding, warning her they should keep their distance.

On her first morning in Lowe’s home, Misery is startled awake by Ana, Lowe’s little sister, who is curious about Vampyres. Though nervous around her, the Were showing her around, Alex, bonds with her over computer coding. However, an unstable Were named Max later attacks Misery when she’s alone. She defends herself, but the other Weres blame her. Lowe seems unsettled by her presence, and Misery assumes it is because he finds her repulsive.

Due to the incident, she is assigned a constant escort, though only one of them, Mick, is friendly. She speaks with Owen in their Vampyre language about Serena’s disappearance, but he has no updates. One night, Ana sneaks into Misery’s room and mentions that Lowe is dealing with the Loyals, a faction opposing his rule. Misery is surprised by how much she enjoys the little girl’s company. When Lowe is away, she sneaks into his room and discovers sketches—including one of her face.

Feeling isolated, Misery watches a pack gathering from a distance but soon notices Max leading Ana into the woods. She rushes after them despite the sun burning her skin. Before she can intervene, other Weres appear—Max was walking into a trap. Injured and barefoot, Misery offers to use the Vampyre thrall to make Max talk. The Weres are both awed and wary of her power.

Later, Misery breaks into Lowe’s office to search his computer, but he catches her. She tells him about Serena, and then Ana enters. Misery realizes Ana’s full name is Liliana Esther Moreland—potentially the "L.E. Moreland" in Serena’s planner. Lowe decides to trust Misery and reveals that Ana is half Were, half Human. He is concerned that a journalist like Serena may have been investigating her existence. In a surprising moment of levity, he also discovers Misery secretly enjoys peanut butter.

The pack’s treatment of Misery shifts after her rescue of Ana. She attends a gathering and volunteers to accompany Lowe on a trip to meet Emery, the mate of the former Alpha and a suspected Loyal leader. Misery will use her computer expertise to plant tracking software.

That night, she finds Lowe on the roof, his usual place to think. He asks why she hides her fangs and persuades her to show them. When she does, his reaction is intense, though unreadable. He tells her not to hide who she truly is. Before they leave, Lowe marks her with his scent to signal to other Weres that she is under his protection.

They fly to California, where they have an uneasy meal with Emery’s pack. Lowe watches Misery feed from prepackaged blood for the first time and is visibly affected by the transformation it causes in her. Later, when he claims his insomnia will keep him awake, Misery absentmindedly runs her fingers through his hair—and he falls asleep.

During their mission, they claim Misery needs to feed as a distraction while sneaking into Emery’s office. When they are nearly caught, Lowe insists she bite him to maintain the illusion. Though Misery has never fed from a living creature before, she does as he asks, and the moment is unexpectedly intense for them both. The act repulses the guards, allowing them to continue their infiltration unnoticed. Emery remains unaware of their deception.

Their mission is cut short when news arrives that Ana is gravely ill with a human disease. Misery identifies the necessary medication, and Lowe rushes to get it. Though Ana recovers, Lowe is deeply shaken by his inability to protect her.

Misery consults Owen about her reaction to feeding on Lowe. He warns her that such bonds can become powerful and dangerous. Later, she and Lowe discuss finding Ana’s real father and whether he was involved with Serena. As they are about to share their first kiss, Misery suddenly collapses—the peanut butter she was eating was poisoned. Lowe barely leaves her side and remains in wolf form, keeping close watch. When she wakes, he is there, and they find comfort in each other’s presence.

Days later, Lowe prepares for potential conflict with the Vampyres over Misery’s near-death experience. Meanwhile, Owen contacts Misery with an update: Serena’s apartment was broken into, and they have a lead on a man named Thomas Jalakas—possibly Ana’s father—who died under mysterious circumstances after meeting Serena.

Misery and Lowe meet Davenport, the former Human governor, and pressure him into confessing that he had Jalakas killed to cover up government embezzlement. They then reunite with Owen and Gabi, the Were Collateral. Misery is emotional, believing Gabi is Lowe’s mate, but Lowe shows no signs of being bonded to her. Owen reveals he is planning to overthrow their father, Henry Lark, and establish true peace. Lowe agrees to support him.

Misery is later kidnapped by Mick, who has been secretly working for the Vampyres because they are holding his son hostage. She wakes up alongside Serena in The Nest. Together, they trick a guard and attempt to escape, only to realize they are still in Vampyre territory. They are brought before Henry Lark. He reveals that Serena is also half Were, half Human—something she was just beginning to suspect when she was investigating Ana’s origins. Henry believes such hybrids are dangerous and had placed Serena with Misery as a child to monitor her. Now, he wants Ana.

Owen, secretly allied with Lowe, brings in a bound and wounded Lowe. Henry plans to kill Misery in front of him, believing Lowe will surrender Ana to prevent the pain of losing his mate. Serena covertly signals Misery, revealing she can shift into a Were. Misery relays a coded message to Lowe, and at the right moment, Owen sets him free. In the chaos, Lowe and Serena transform, overpowering the Vampyre guards.

Afterward, Owen and Lowe ask Misery if she wants to claim leadership over the Vampyres. She declines, as well as any say in her father’s fate. Serena apologizes for keeping her suspicions secret.

Days pass, and Misery hasn’t seen Lowe. Owen informs her that the Collateral system will be abolished and that she can choose where to live. Misery takes Serena to Were territory and confronts Lowe, demanding to know if she is truly his mate. He tells her she shouldn’t base her choices on duty, but she insists that she chooses him. He finally confesses that she is his mate.

As they embrace their future together, they prepare Ana’s room to welcome her back. When Koen, Lowe’s friend, arrives with Ana, he catches Serena’s scent—and immediately recognizes her as his daughter.

Thanks Super Summary

https://www.supersummary.com/bride/summary/?searchId=fb9be696-9fb7-41bb-acdc-9af8330ec9bf&searchPosition=1