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It’s officially time for Alpha Showdown 2013! You made your nominations and we have 16 of the most badass, alpha characters from urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels locked into the bracket. Only one will be named champion and today’s first bout is sure to end in a knockout.
Round five is shifter time. Both Adam and Dragos know how to lead their people, but how will they fare in a fight? Who’s the most alpha of the alphas?
Read the pitches, then make the call. Who should advance to the next round in the Alpha Showdown? The poll at the end of this post will be open for two days. Remember, alphas don’t share titles. Your votes decide who advances in the Alpha Showdown 2013.
New for 2013! Every (non-spam) comment on an Alpha Showdown post will enter you to win books featuring the final four alphas. So make sure to join the discussion and cheer on your favorite alphas.
Adam HauptmanYou know him from: The Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs
First appeared in: Moon Called
Supernatural status: alpha werewolf
Championed by: Mandi from Smexy Books | @smexybooks
“Mercy,” said my mother thoughtfully, “you never told me your werewolf neighbor was quite that hot.”
Why can’t we all have a hottie neighbor? One that is not only a security specialist but one that would literally eat anyone who annoyed you.
“Sorry to disappoint you,” Adam told Kelly in silky tones. “But I prefer rabbits. Humans taste like pork.” And then he smiled. Kelly took an involuntary step backward.
*dreamy sigh*
Adam Hauptman is not only a smart businessman, but also an alpha werewolf commanding a pack of shifters that bow down to him on a daily basis. He is an alpha extraordinaire! This is the “Alpha Showdown.” I’m not even sure I need to give anymore evidence to make Adam the clear champion. But if I must…
I think what makes Adam stand out against all the other weasly wannabe alphas *smirks* is that he is a well-rounded alpha. He not only has the strength to fight off any enemy and to fight those in his pack that challenge him, but he has the smarts. He is extremely intelligent which ladies…we can all admit is a very sexy trait. He is cunning and doesn’t have to waste his energy unnecessarily.
So we know Adam is smart and fierce. But how does his alpha tendencies relate to his mate? Perfectly of course.
“I like her just the way she is, Bran.” And he meant it, greasy overalls, broken fingernails, and all.”
Is there anything better? While his protective streak runs deep with Mercy, he respects her for who she is. And that right there is the key to everything.
Intelligent. Dominant. Respectful. Gorgeous. Ladies and gents. We have a winner.
Dragos CuelebreYou know him from: The Elder Races series by Thea Harrison
First appeared in: Dragon Bound (VBC review)
Supernatural status: Dragon shifter
Championed by: Jenese from Readers Confession | @JLeon09
“He had been born along with the solar system. Give or take” —Dragon Bound
He is an ancient of the Elder Races and is feared by all. Over the years he’s been referred to as The Great Beast with the stories surrounding him being legendary. While in dragon form he will leave you in aw at his sheer size (think airplane) and beauty.
At present day he is known as Dragos Cuelebre, leader of all the Wyr kind, dragon shifter and head of Cuelebre Enterprises.
There is no match for him in the corporate world or in battle. In his human form there is no question how irresistibly gorgeous he is. Women fall all over themselves for a chance to warm his bed. Dragos is now happily mated to Pia though. Naturally that doesn’t stop the ladies from still swooning. Did I mention he can also enter your dreams? He originally seduced Pia there. It also makes it impossible to hide from him. There is no place on Earth that an enemy can go to escape him. Oh this dragon is unstoppable when he puts his mind to something or someone.
Adam who? That werewolf? He is zero competition for Dragos. Adam leads a few measly werewolves, not even ALL of them. He’s just another pawn, foot soldier for the Marrok. Even though Dragos has accustomed himself to modern times, he could eat Adam for lunch.
This poll will be open for 48 hours. Alpha with the most votes will advance.
Oh come on, Dragos is a Dragon people, of course he’d win! 😀
Adam! I love him. 😀
What Alpha things does your dragon shifter do? He’s old? BFHD.
All I’ve seen is a stalker who brainwashed his “mate” into accepting him.
Love, Love Adam!
Adam can take Dragos any day. Like it said in the description, he is a well rounded hero: able to beat down anyone who threatens his pack and true love, and strong enough to let Mercy fall in love with him rather than force it like a certain dragon.
I love Adam! He takes care of his pack, his daughter, his mate, and the unsuspecting humans around them. He’s tough, but charming. Perfect!
Adam all the way!Love that series and would LOVE to find a man like Adam
I love Patricia Briggs and her Mercy Thompson novels!! It would not be the same. Mercy wouldn’t have someone to truly push her to be the best she can be. He has faith in her, is lustful, gorgeous, protective, humorous, and all in all one of the best characters I’ve had the pleasure to read over and over again. I’m an Adam addict. :o)
Love love love Adam!!!
I love wolf shifters but sorry love dragons more…
Adam hands down Notice that all that had to be said about Adam was his Qualities. But the only thing dragos seems to have is that his a dragon. I love dragons. But I know an Alpha when I read one.
OMG! Dragos all the way!
I really like both of these Alphas. I have to go with Adam though. I’d Never bet against him. Afterall he has Mercy on his side!
Gotta pick Adam only because I have never read the other series, but sounds like I will be buying them shortly!
Love Adam!
How can you even think Adam could win?! I love him too but Dragos is Alpha of all shifters – he united them all! Wolf shifters are way down the pecking order! please!! this is an alpha showdown – not who’d you’d prefer to have dinner with!?
so very true!
ADAM!
I’ve read both of these series. Like both Alpha’s but has anyone read the pitches? Really? How great Adam is he wouldn’t stand a chance against Dragos!
I love Adam! His patience with Mercedes is…ok I can’t find the word I’m looking for, and without spoiling any of the books there is one that he just made me want to cry because of the way he stood by her and took his time …
Personality-wise, I’d say these two are pretty well matched. There’s only one thing that tips the scales…
Dragos is a DRAGON… I don’t think Adam stands a chance head-to-head.
Gotta go with Dragos here. I love Adam and he is an amazing alpha but dayum, Dragos (and Pia) rocked my world. Dragos is a pure apex predator and alpha to the core with no intentions to hide it
I love Adam but when the showdown is between a wolf and a dragon— dragon wins…every single time…Dragos it is…
I agree that in a fight, Dragos would win, but an Alpha isn’t all about the fight. Dragos is so ancient that he has trouble relating to his people. He can’t forgive Rune for mating with Carling; Adam would never begrudge another person’s happiness. I love them both, but Adam is a true Alpha.
I love you Adam.
Adam is the definition of an Alpha. A very sexy alpha at that. Hands down Adam Hauptman!
Definitely Adam!
Ooooh, I’m going to vote for Adam. The fact he adores Mercy for exactly who she is was won me over. Not to mention, who doesn’t love werewolves? Smart, sexy, and enough bark to back up his bite 😉
This was a tough choice, but I had to go with Adam. He’s proved himself time and again to be a top Alpha!
Ooooo Adam!!!
Adam, of course!
I have to go with Adam on this one.
As much as it literally killed me to have to vote for someone other than Adam – I did. Dragos is not just a dragon shifter that’s older than time – he’s much more and while he played the field (something Adam didn’t seem to do which I actually respected him even more for) – he has become completely devoted to Pia and has become a one woman man. He’s just too yummy to vote against.
Fewwww! In time to vote for the best! Adam!!!
Adam
This was HARD. I think both are awesome, but I had to go with Adam.
Dragos is THE ALPHA MALE of all time, and I love me some Alpha males!!! Show him some hot dragon love!
ADAM!
Dragon shifter…nuff said!
peeps, come on! Dragos is more alpha than Adam in every way! I love Adam, dont get me wrong, but Dragos is more alpha.Period.
I have to go with Adam!
Yay! Go Adam Go!!
Love Adam!
Mmmmm, Adam! Who doesn’t love a werewolf that secretly likes cats?
Got to give it to Adam
Dragos will eat Adam….that is Alpha!
Adragon will take a werewolf any day of the week!! Come on people!! I love Adam but he’s food for Dragos!!
Love Adam and he is very very tough, but Dragos would have him for a snack. Sorry Mercy, you are my favorite.
Dragons all the way. Werewolf vs a god/dragon. Really is this a contest?
There is no competition – it’s got to be the smart, sexy, stubbon and deadly Dragos. He would chew up and spit out a little werewolf – and quite possibly use his bones as toothpicks :-). Dragons rock !!
come on Adam! He is so alpha he drips with it!
I don’t know who’d win ina fight, probably the dragon, bu l love Adam so l voted for him.