Eddie encounters , a hardened hunter who views all werewolves as soulless monsters due to the violent loss of his own family. Despite Castor’s coldness and the brutal nature of his captivity, Eddie feels a profound, inexplicable attraction to him—seeing Castor as an "avenging angel" who might offer him the punishment or purpose he craves. As Eddie learns to navigate his human form and the hierarchy of the Church, the two are forced into an uneasy partnership that challenges Castor’s prejudice and Eddie’s self-loathing. Key Characters

A complex, "aloof and cold" protagonist driven by trauma and a rigid sense of duty. His internal conflict stems from the slow crumbling of his hatred as he begins to see the man beneath Eddie’s wolf exterior.

Dark Cravings by Joel Abernathy is the first installment in the Hunters of the Church series, a dark M/M paranormal romance that blends gritty fantasy with high-stakes emotional conflict. Released in 2022, the novel explores themes of redemption, monstrous nature, and the thin line between hunter and prey.

Abernathy employs classic dark romance tropes, including forced proximity , slow burn , and Omegaverse-inspired elements like ruts and pheromonal attraction to build tension. Critical Reception