Well, I guess I asked to never hear the words “good girl” again, so the use of the word “kitten” shouldn’t be annoying. Pet names are a thing, I get it. No I am not a prude and I know that breathing comes at different decibels and pet names are what they are. But in Marked By My Alpha Stepbrother, breathing and moans come in a high decibel and the word “kitten” is used more often than some people change their underwear. Cameron Porras and Jenna Gilmer star in the Dramawave vertical.
While it is no secret that I think that editors do Jenna Gilmer no favors, editing her to make her breathing and moaning to sound like she’s having an orgasm doing everything from eating breakfast to standing up to well, smexy times – she’s still a good actress.
And though I said that in Vicious, Gilmer and had no chemistry, here, they do have just that. Chemistry. But we’ll get there.
There is something different about Porras in this vertical – maybe it is his tone, maybe it’s the facial expressions, and maybe it’s the bad boy routine. But there is something about the even tone of his voice that makes me both interested and scared. Scared of how much talent we’re sleeping on in this world – because the entertainment community seems to be sleeping on him and he’s quite the actor.
Porras plays Caleb, the son of the alpha (yes this is a werewolf series) and the most popular guy in school. But being Alpha Hawthorne’s son comes with A LOT of privilege in public and chaos at home.
Gilmer plays Tessa, an Omega from a lower class pack, whose Mom married Alpha Hawthorne. On the first day of school, Tessa is trying to get away from some bullies and enters the boys locker room. Not knowing who Caleb is, she asks for help and his whole thing is well lets pretend like we’re having sex.
Ya, cause that’s so much better than any other option. However Caleb and Tessa find that they are fated mates and he becomes obsessed with calling her kitten. It’s only later that night, when she’s going to her new home, that she and him find out that they are step-siblings.
He was definitely right when he told her that this could be fun.
You see, being a part of the Alpha’s family, there is no way that these two can be together. First – it is taboo and the pack would never stand for it. Second – their parents never would stand for it either. But here we are and these two have a strong attraction to each other.
Caleb is trying to antagonize her, as Tessa has made it clear that she wants to break the mate bond. She’s not like Caleb – she makes one mistake and she’s gone. He makes a mistake, he gets in trouble and he goes on with his life after getting grounded. She would be expelled from the pack.
Caleb says that he’ll protect her and he does for a lot of things. He knows that she’s getting bullied at school and that a large part of that is his fault. He’s not made anything easy and the girl who wants to be with him – well, she is so mad that she’s determined to hurt Tessa.
The thing about high school is that it is a battlefield. Everyone is fighting to be popular, important and to get to the next stage in life. Apparently when you’re a werewolf it is quite a lot worse than if you are just – human. It’s also a lot worse when rumors start to spread and people start to believe them.
ANGST
It’s the angst of will they or won’t they that makes the series head forward. She’s trying to push him away and he’s trying to pull her in. He’s stubborn and so is she. But what they are doing is taking on different stances and their communication with each other is what is failing them. They are listening, but no hearing what the other is saying.
Their parents eventually find out what is going on and the solution? Leave Tessa out in the middle of nowhere to die and send Caleb off to Europe. Only the pull of their bond is too strong and it doesn’t matter what their parents want – these two are going to be together.
Caleb literally breaks cuffs to get to her.
What we do find out is that there is a curse on all the Hawthorne men and if they don’t have a mate by a certain time – they die. Now we think for a hot second that Caleb is dead, but Tessa confessing her love and being powerful enough to save him – well, these two are definitely going to be together.
Even their parents start to understand. The mate call is deep.
Porras has definitely changed the verticals that he makes. No longer does it feel very random, instead it feels as though the actor is making sure that he has a good time on set and vibes with his co-stars. It’s never lost on him that verticals can be kind of crazy, but he’s going to have fun and that is going to come across in his characters.
Gilmer seems to always choose to play the seductress and I mean I am not hating on that, because like, pay your bills girl. We get it. But I would love to see her in more well rounded roles with a stronger character development. She’s more than just a pretty face.
The only question I have as we get to the end – did I miss where he actually marked her? I need to know, cause I don’t remember seeing that.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- When Tessa is in heat, well that was a scene 😳
- Caleb really knows when people are trying to get to Tessa and take advantage…
- I’m trying to figure out the point of the lavendar PJ’s because you might as well just be naked
- The mate ball made me cringe
- I don’t know why all mean seem to be creepy, but here we are
- I vote for no more parents whipping their children with like bull whips or at all
- Tessa’s Mom is a piece of work – what do you mean you’re sending your kid off to be a breeder?
- I have nothing against breathing and moaning and I could be wrong, but I do believe thaGilmer knows how to do more than just that
- Love that Caleb keeps reminding his Dad that he’s not going to marry for politics, but will for love.
