Wild Lands, Series by Caitlin Ricci, A.J. Marcus

With the discovery of gold in the Rocky Mountains, prospectors have been coming closer to Wild Lands Ranch. Henry Abbey is determined to protect his family’s land, and the wolves are too. Henry doesn’t know they exist, but they’ve been watching him for a long time and one is closer than he even realizes. Justus is a young wolf who has been working on the ranch to keep an eye on the humans and make sure they keep their part of the bargain... moreWith the discovery of gold in the Rocky Mountains, prospectors have been coming closer to Wild Lands Ranch. Henry Abbey is determined to protect his family’s land, and the wolves are too. Henry doesn’t know they exist, but they’ve been watching him for a long time and one is closer than he even realizes. Justus is a young wolf who has been working on the ranch to keep an eye on the humans and make sure they keep their part of the bargain. The plains belong to them, but the forest is the territory of the wolves. He likes Henry and wishes he could tell Henry everything he knows about the wolves and the pact, but it’s forbidden. The rules begin to change on both sides when miners come into the forest looking for gold. The wolves need help, and the humans need the men off their land. When Justus reveals himself while protecting Henry, they are tied together forever. less

With dust storms coming up almost daily and the whole center of the country in a drought, life on the Wild Lands Ranch is getting tough. Timothy Abbey wishes there was something he could do to help, but with the price of cattle falling to the point where people are essentially giving them away, there isn’t much to be done. Without any money coming in, his mom can’t afford to pay the hands, but they still need the help on the ranch... moreWith dust storms coming up almost daily and the whole center of the country in a drought, life on the Wild Lands Ranch is getting tough. Timothy Abbey wishes there was something he could do to help, but with the price of cattle falling to the point where people are essentially giving them away, there isn’t much to be done. Without any money coming in, his mom can’t afford to pay the hands, but they still need the help on the ranch. Timothy hates what has become of his family, and the ranch, as his mom trades her body for help on the ranch. When the men come after him too, it’s one wolf who comes to his rescue. Derek has been curious about the Abbey family for years, and especially about Timothy. The wolves watch over the humans to make sure they stay out of the forest, but for Derek it’s more than that. When he overhears the men talking about going after Timothy while he’s out with two of them on a cattle drive, Derek knows he has to warn him. But in doing so he’ll risk exposing himself, and every wolf he knows, leaving their fate up to Timothy. less

After fourteen years of being away, Ricky Pike is back on Wild Lands Ranch. He can’t wait to spend the summer running around the ranch with his birth pack, which he hasn’t seen since his parents separated when he was five. When he gets there, however, he’s less than thrilled to see a giant for sale sign in the front yard. Confronting Zack Abbey, the last of the humans on the ranch, becomes complicated when Zack’s possessive boyfriend steps in. Seeing Ricky again makes Zack happy... moreAfter fourteen years of being away, Ricky Pike is back on Wild Lands Ranch. He can’t wait to spend the summer running around the ranch with his birth pack, which he hasn’t seen since his parents separated when he was five. When he gets there, however, he’s less than thrilled to see a giant for sale sign in the front yard. Confronting Zack Abbey, the last of the humans on the ranch, becomes complicated when Zack’s possessive boyfriend steps in. Seeing Ricky again makes Zack happy. They’d been best friends, but a lot has changed since they were kids and Zack not being able to afford the upkeep on the ranch anymore is only the start of it. When Zack’s relationship with his boyfriend becomes violent, he needs all the help he can get and Ricky and the pack are glad to step in. To them the Abbeys have always been family and Ricky is determined to keep them all together on the ranch they call home. less