Top 10 Shifter Heroes & Heroines: Fierce Alphas, Loyal Protectors
From powerful alphas to fearless heroines, these shifters are wild, devoted, and impossible to resist.
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Top 10 Shifter Heroes & Heroines: Fierce Alphas, Loyal Protectors
Do you love all things that howl at the moon and start sprouting fur when angry? Well, we do. You may have to start emptying your vacuum cleaner a little more often and investing in some Febreeze to get rid of that wet dog smell, but their brand of wild loving and fierce devotion have won over UTC. Totally worth it. So let’s chat about some of our favorite shifter heroes and heroines who’ve captured our hearts.
We Do We Love Shifters?
Ah… shifters, be they the traditional wolf or a big cat, or even bird, dragon, bear, and on one odd occasion a rat, I love them. I don’t know what it is about shifters, but as soon as I know that a PNR or UF is based on them, my interest is immediately piqued. Maybe because of all the supernatural folk you can get, I always think that the shifters have the edge on intensity. The single minded way they pursue their mates sends all kinds of good shivers up my spine.
Maybe in real life this chase could be considered stalking…but hey, I am not into reading romance for the gritty realism. I can’t help but enjoy the intense focus a shifter has on his mate, especially in the bedroom department; they certainly know how to channel that raw and wild energy into pleasurable pursuits. However, maybe I short changed shifters, and romance in general, with that gritty realism quip. There are some absolutely amazing shifter PNR and UF series out there, which really go into the logistics of how a pack of shifters would work and the authors weave some fantastic books with this concept. Not only do they have the romance, they have exciting and intelligent plots where whole new worlds are shaped straight from the authors imaginations.
What about you? Why do you love shifters?
Top Ten Shifters We Love
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10. Lachlan “Lock” MacRyrie from
The Mane Squeeze (Pride #4)
by Shelly Laurenston
Whenever I think about Lock, I can’t help but let out a little sigh and a big grin. He is literally a cuddly teddy bear, although he is a teddy bear that can transform into a huge actual bear if you piss him off. But mostly Lock is sweet, yet hilarious with a fixation on honey and able to do some interesting things with his mouth.
The Mane Squeeze by Shelly Laurenston
A grizzly shifter with a soft heart meets a snarky, no-nonsense hybrid big cat who doesn’t believe in forever. Lock is huge, quiet, and completely gone for Gwen—who thinks she’s way too independent for a teddy bear like him. But when trouble comes clawing, Lock proves he’s anything but soft.
9. Vane Kattalakis from
Night Play (Dark Hunter #5 Were Hunter #1)
by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Okay, I admit I might be the only person in the PNRverse who isn’t a huge fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon. However, she has still won my eternal devotion for writing up the beautiful Vane. Vane is a wolf shifter with a tortured past who managed to steal my heart with his warm heart and mad changing room sex skillz.
Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon
A broody, battle-scarred werewolf and a curvy, no-BS human find themselves thrown together by fate. Vane knows Bride is his mate, but convincing her that supernatural creatures—and soulmates—are real? That’s a whole different fight. Especially when his enemies would rather see him dead than happily mated.
8. Mercy Thompson from
the Mercy Thompson series
by Patricia Briggs
A coyote shifter surrounded by big bad (and in some cases sexy) wolves, Mercy is a character you wish you could be friends with. Smart, loyal and tough but with a heart like a marshmallow. Mercy is the kind of heroine I love reading about.
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
A tough, no-nonsense coyote shifter trying to mind her own business (and run her mechanic shop) gets pulled into werewolf pack drama when a young wolf needs her help. Between growly alphas, dangerous fae, and vampire clients, Mercy’s about to learn that keeping her head down isn’t an option.
7. Damon from
the Colbana Files
by J.C. Daniels
Strong, powerful, gorgeous. All these are words that can apply to cat shifter Damon. Of course arrogant and manipulative are also traits that can be attributed to him, but it is all part of his appeal.
Blade Song by J.C. Daniels
A sharp-tongued assassin and an infuriatingly smug cat shifter cross paths on a case that turns deadly fast. Damon is possessive, dangerous, and exactly the kind of complication Kit doesn’t need—but with enemies lurking, walking away from him might be the real risk.
6. Dragos Cuelebre
from Dragon Bound (Elder Races #1)
by Thea Harrison
Just like the other heroes we’ve picked, Dragos from Dragon Bound is at the top of the food chain. He is by reputation “wicked, cunning and ruthless”. Also the only “real dragon” of the Elder Races. Beautiful, very large and very possessive. Just the alpha we like to read about.
Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
A grumpy, possessive dragon and a thief with a secret? Sign us up. Pia never meant to steal from the most powerful Wyr alive, but now she’s stuck with a dragon who’s decided she belongs to him. Too bad she’s not the type to sit back and be claimed.
5. Kalen Black
from Black Moon (Alpha Pack #3)
by J.D. Tyler
Kalen is dark and mysterious. With that aura of alluring danger that you can’t help but get sucked in. Of course, the fact that he shifts into a sleek sexy panther might have something to do with that. And add to that he’s got magic too….Combustible combination. Sexy and intense, and all for one lucky girl you’ll be wishing it was you!
Black Moon by J.D. Tyler
A broody, magic-wielding panther shifter and a determined doctor share one steamy night—only to realize their connection runs much deeper. But Kalen is keeping secrets, and with dark forces circling, love might not be enough to save them.
4. Hawke Snow
from Kiss of Snow (Psy Changeling #10)
by Nalini Singh
Nalini Singh has written so many delicious shifters in her Psy Changeling series, but the one that we all love to talk about is Hawke. Alpha of the SnowDancer pack his ice blue eyes and tragic past have managed to ensnare us even if his resistance to accept his mate have driven us mad.
Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh
A hardened alpha and a firestarter with a rebellious streak have spent years circling each other. Hawke refuses to claim Sienna, convinced she’s too young, but the battle between them is as intense as the war brewing around them. When he finally gives in? It’s explosive.
3. Lachlain MacRieve
from A Hunger Like No Other (Immortals After Dark #1)
by Kresley Cole
I picked Lachlain because he is my favourite Lykae from the IAD series, but there are plenty to chose from, Kresley Cole is the master at writing sexy shifters. Their beast lies close under their skin ready to rise up and protect their mate and destroy their enemies, all that lethal force and barely leashed wildness makes my mouth water and my knees tremble.
A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
A raging, feral werewolf and a delicate vampire hybrid? Lachlain has waited centuries for his mate, and he’s not letting her go—even if she’s terrified of him. But Emma isn’t as helpless as she seems, and their enemies are closing in fast.
2. Charles Cornick
from the Alpha & Omega series
by Patricia Briggs
They say still waters run deep, and Charles is the personification of that saying. Quiet and intense, Charles is both beautiful and deadly. And yet, completely devoted to his mate Anna. If his hot body and gorgeous face hasn’t won you over then Charles’ love, patience and care for his horrifically abused mate is all but guaranteed to get him in your personal top ten.
Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
A lethal enforcer with a soft spot for his shy but strong Omega mate. Charles might be the scariest wolf around, but he’s utterly devoted to Anna—who is more powerful than anyone realizes. Their bond is tested when a dark force threatens everything they hold dear.
1. Curran “The Beast Lord”
from the Kate Daniels series
by Ilona Andrews
I admit, I am a little obsessed about Curran. If you look at any top list of favourite heroes/shifters/series UTC has done, you will see Curran or the Kate Daniels series there. What can I say? The Beast Lord just does it for me. Is it his sense of humour? Because he is so ruggedly handsome? Powerful? Arrogant? Clever? Loyal? Cunning? Possessive? I have no idea. But Curran never fails to make me fall in love with him just a little bit more every time I read the Kate Daniels series.
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
A mouthy mercenary and an alpha lion shifter who can’t resist pushing each other’s buttons. Kate and Curran clash at every turn, but when supernatural chaos erupts in Atlanta, they have no choice but to fight side by side—and maybe admit they like it.
What Shifters Made Your List?
Shifters bring that perfect blend of danger, devotion, and raw power that keeps us coming back for more. Did your favorites make the list? Let us know which shifter romances you can’t get enough of!
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Most of those, definitely! I'm also a fan of Sam Merlotte in the old Sookie Stackhouse series.