Summary:
Vale Valley Season One #4
An Alpha wolf and an omega swan can’t be fated mates… Right?
Abandoned by his swan herd and lost in a snowstorm, Kellan has nowhere to go. When he’s near death, he’s discovered by a wolf shifter in the woods surrounding a mysterious town filled with magic and hope. Could there also be love?
Vic, the owner of Vale Valley Inn and Restaurant, has been alone since a virus claimed the lives of most of his pack. He’s found acceptance and built a good life for himself in the beautiful town that has become his home. Still, facing another Christmas without a mate is heartbreaking, even if he’s accepted that he’ll never find his true wolf omega.
When Vic rescues Kellan, he plans to do anything he can to help the skittish man forge a new life in Vale Valley. He’s all too familiar with having to start over. But as they grow closer, something else starts happening that he’s not familiar with—the mating pull and a swan’s heat.
A Swan for Christmas is the fourth book in a multi-author series about Vale Valley, a small town open to everyone in need of love and a home. Each installment can be read as a standalone.
This mpreg romance story features an omega virgin desperate for love, a lonely Alpha who is perplexed by the mechanics of nesting and a whole lot of hurt/comfort and smexy times.
Five Gold Rings by Xander Collins
Summary:Vale Valley Season One #5
Chris and Jason thought they’d lost their way home, but wound up finding the exact place … and person … they’d been looking for.
A young couple--Chris, a beta, and Jason, an omega--come upon a small, snowy town that seems too magical to be true. Is it just the snow and the Christmas season that makes them feel like anything is possible? Or does that feeling really come from the knowledge that nothing is holding them back from a relationship they never could have imagined in their wildest dreams?
Rafe Montgomery has been single for over five years. He lives with his daughter, Grace, and some staff in his enormous mansion in the woods. As much as he tries to give everything to Grace, he still can't give her the comfort and security that comes with having both an alpha daddy and an omega daddy. But he's sworn off love after losing his cherished mate in an accident. When he sees Chris and Jason he's struck by something he doesn't understand, but soon realizes that the three of them fit together in a beautiful relationship he'd never even considered.
Five Gold Rings is the fifth book in a multi-author series about Vale Valley, a small town open to everyone in need of love and a home. Each installment can be read as a standalone.
It is about a relationship between an older, tall, dark, handsome, and wealthy, alpha dom, a young beta sub, and a young omega sub. You will find incredibly hot sex between three men, male pregnancy, loads of holiday decorations and snow, and a very sweet, cuddly HEA in front of a roaring fire.
Vale Valley Season One #6
Can a cheery reindeer omega help heal a grinchy snow leopard?
Max Drum
Max is a snow leopard alpha trying to forget a painful childhood. He left his hometown at 19, settled in Vale Valley, and never looked back.
By day, he's a hard-working carpenter. By night, he's an aspiring novelist. He's happy living a solitary life. Or so he thinks.
Then, he meets Ren. The thought of relying on anyone emotionally sends Max into a panicky tailspin, but he can't resist Ren's scent, nor his delightfully delicious crepes, so they decide on a casual relationship full of heat and passion. When tragedy strikes, the blurred lines are tested.
Another complication arises when Max’s brother begs him to forgive their father for inflicting so much misery on them as children.
Does he have the faith and courage to take the leap into the unknown? And can Ren help him see the true meaning of Christmas?
Ren Svenson
Ren, a reindeer omega, is all about holiday cheer, at least at first glance. Rejected by his reindeer herd as a child, he settled in Vale Valley and is now on his way to realizing his dreams after opening his very own creperie, Sweet Bites.
He’s been content to dabble in casual affairs, but something changes when he gets a taste of Max, a handsome and brooding snow leopard omega.
Misfortune brings them closer than they intended, and when he finds out about their own special Christmas bundle of joy, he has to consider how to navigate their relationship going forward.
Can he learn to trust again and let Max into his heart? Or will his childhood rejection continue to cripple his ability to commit?
His Christmas Lullaby is the sixth book in a multi-author series about Vale Valley, a small town open to everyone in need of love and a home. Each installment can be read as a standalone.
It features a sassy omega, a brooding alpha, delicious crepes, and enough holiday spirit to last you all year! Grab your hot cocoa, snuggle up on the couch, and settle in for a knotty, heartwarming holiday read!
A Swan for Christmas by MM Wilde
Chapter One
Kellan shivered against the vicious chill of the night air. Snow had fallen in fluffy piles, blanketing the unfamiliar forest in white that sparkled where the moonlight filtered through the tall pines. If he didn’t shift back to his swan form soon, he would die.
So far, he’d been able to complete the change every five minutes or so, then warm up for about an hour before he would abruptly change back again. But even though he didn’t have a way to tell time, the ability to shift again still eluded him and he was sure he’d been in his human form for at least ten minutes already.
Why is this happening to me?
While shifting back and forth too many times in a row could make the process difficult until sufficient time had passed—which allowed the energy reserves to build back up—he’d never experienced a situation where he couldn’t stop himself from shifting. His intention had been to stay a swan for as long as possible so he wouldn’t freeze to death.
Until I figure out what I’m going to do.
But none of that mattered in the face of getting out of the elements in the next few minutes. His future would no longer be an issue if he was dead.
Kellan bit back the rising tears as he vigorously scrubbed his arms in a futile attempt to warm up. He stood on a patch of moss under the boughs of an enormous pine but could no longer jog in place to keep his circulation going. When he’d fallen from the truck he’d been traveling in with his herd, he’d hurt his ankle and it had begun to swell. Although the large tree kept him sheltered somewhat from the wind, and he wasn’t standing right in the snow, he was still freezing his ass off.
He closed his eyes, concentrating with all his might, pressing his lips together in a tight line as he struggled to initiate the shift. Kellan let out a helpless whimper. No tingle. No heat simmering beneath his skin. No warning ache in his joints. Nothing.
I’m going to die.
Kellan gasped at the loud snap of a branch. He curled in on himself as he frantically glanced around to discover the source of the noise, his swan at the forefront of his mind as if he was about to shift, even though it no longer seemed possible. His eyes went wide and he covered his mouth with the back of his hand in terror.
Wolf!
Even though he knew he was close to dying anyway, being torn to pieces by a wolf would be so much more horrible than slowly descending into darkness.
The massive beast advanced toward him then paused when it came to the edge of the small river right across from Kellan. He’d been using the narrow waterway to travel on whenever he’d been in swan form, hoping it would eventually lead him somewhere he could seek shelter. But the minimal expanse of water wouldn’t be large enough to save him from being eaten by the wolf. The hulking animal with a thick brown and grey coat wouldn’t be stopped by such a paltry barrier. One hearty leap would place him right in fang and claw range of Kellan.
Kellan jumped then yelped, his feet sliding out from under him, his ass hitting the ground as the wolf instantly changed into a tall, rugged man with solid, corded muscles filling his frame. The man’s gaze bore into Kellan, his eyes still retaining the leftover glow of his wolf. He struck Kellan as being like a lumberjack or hunter. In addition to his hunky body, he wore a long beard, had bushy eyebrows and his hair hung long over one side of his face.
Or maybe he’s just a hipster. The man was also as naked as Kellan was.
“What are you doing out here like that? You’ll freeze to death!” Despite no longer being in wolf form, the stranger easily made the leap across the river.
Kellan’s body shook so hard from the cold, his teeth chattering so violently, that he was unable to form words in response. But the man didn’t seem concerned about waiting to hear what he had to say. Instead, he scooped him up, jumped back over the water and jogged at a fast clip through the woods.
He’s so warm.
His initial instinct had been to fight and struggle, but where would he go? What would he do? He was doomed if he didn’t accept the stranger’s help.
Kellan snuggled against the firm, muscled chest of the man, his heat and scent so comforting. Safe. Surely, his swan would protest if he were in danger? Kellan tensed. Then again, his swan hadn’t been working so well for the past few hours. I need to stay on guard. When it wasn’t even safe to trust his own family, how could it possibly be a wise move to trust a stranger?
“Here we go. Let’s get you warmed up.”
The man slowed as he approached an older pick-up truck with red paint fading in spots and supported by giant snow tires. The lone streetlamp that lit up the gravel-covered parking area was just enough for Kellan to get a vague idea of his surroundings. The man yanked open the passenger side door, shoved a pile of clothing aside, then set Kellan down on the seat. The moment he was released by the stranger, the sharp bite of cold surrounded him again and he noted that the stranger seemed to be in the same predicament. The man rubbed his hands together as he darted around the front of the cab then got in on the other side.
Once he was inside, Kellan’s would-be rescuer fired up the engine and let the heat blast. He remained silent as he dug through the clothing.
“Take this.” The man held out a red and black flannel shirt to Kellan.
Kellan accepted it, not wanting to look up. To act like I’m as good as him. Finn would always berate him if he slipped up and made eye contact.
“T-thank you.”
Kellan shrugged on the shirt, buttoning it with trembling fingers as the truck gradually warmed. He chanced a peek at the stranger, trying not to stare brazenly at his cock when he lifted his ass out of the seat to tug his jeans on.
He doesn’t have any underwear on. Kellan lowered his eyes again, his cheeks heating. He’d never seen such a handsome, hunky man before. None of his swan herd were built that way. Kellan held the fabric of the soft cotton shirt to his nose, inhaling the masculine, gorgeous scent. It was like pine mixed with spice and musk. Never had anything been so alluring to him—which was odd—since they were different shifter species. But then again, Kellan had never met a wolf before, so he wasn’t sure what they were supposed to smell like. Maybe they all had an amazing scent. Wolves certainly seemed very popular amongst shifters.
Unlike swans.
“Take these, too.” The man shoved a pair of brown socks at him. “I’m worried about your toes. You can get frostbite a lot quicker than you’d think.”
As Kellan started to yank one of them on, he tugged a bit too hard on his bad ankle. “Ow!”
“Are you hurt?”
The man sounded very worried.
“I… I fell. Twisted my ankle.”
Kellan peered up at him, he couldn’t help himself. His curiosity had gotten him into plenty of trouble over the years, but he wanted to see the stranger, needed to know what he was thinking, if he was annoyed with Kellan or truly as concerned as he seemed.
Oh…
The man was even more handsome now that he could get a good look at him inside the lighted cab.
“Lemme see.”
Kellan held up his foot for inspection, peeling the top of the sock back enough for an appraisal. The man frowned as he checked it, lightly poking it where there was some swelling at the ankle bone. Kellan hissed.
“Is that tender?”
Kellan nodded. “Yeah.”
“Okay.” He lowered Kellan’s leg, and the same as it had been when he’d set Kellan down in the truck, he felt the loss of the man’s touch somewhere deep inside. “It doesn’t appear too bad, I’m thinking you’ve got a mild sprain. When we get back to the inn, I’ll get you a wrap for it.” He twisted his body around then plucked a fluffy down jacket from behind the front bench seat, then presented it to Kellan. “Put this on too. I don’t know how long you were out there like that, but I’m thinking it was lucky I came along when I did.”
Kellan’s stomach roiled as he held the coat in front of him, not wanting it to touch his skin. The man’s scent was there, but so was another one. A sickening one. “I don’t want you to think I’m ungrateful, but…” He wrinkled his nose. “This is filled with smelly old dead feathers!”
The stranger furrowed his brow, his elbow draped over the steering wheel as he considered Kellan. “I don’t understand. It’s filled with goose down. Are you allergic?”
Kellan gasped then threw the garment, the jacket smacking the man in the face. He sputtered and choked then pulled it away, clutching it in his lap as he frowned at Kellan again.
Oh dear. Already I’m making him not like me.
“What was that for?”
“I’m sorry! But those are my cousins’ feathers! I mean, not my actual cousins, probably, but I don’t know where they came from or how they got there. If they were being used outside in a nest with the fresh air, that would be one thing, but they’re suffocating in that synthetic fabric.”
A smile tugged at the corner of the man’s mouth and Kellan huffed. He didn’t see what was so amusing.
“Now I understand why I found you out in the Vale woods. You’re a goose shifter who needs a home.”
Kellan crossed his arms and huffed again. “I am not a goose shifter. I’m a swan.”
The still-shirtless man ran his gaze down Kellan’s body then met his eyes. “A very lovely swan.”
He dipped his chin. “My apologies.” He angled his body around, but this time when he retrieved something from behind the seat, it was a red, wool blanket. “Do you have any sheep cousins?”
Kellan was working up to a snit, but he caught a slight twitch at the corner of the man’s mouth. He chuckled. “Not that I know of.” Kellan ducked his head. “Thank you. You’ve been so nice to me, saved my life. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“It’s okay, don’t you worry about that.” The man’s voice had softened. “Why don’t you wrap that around yourself, though.” He adjusted the thick cover over Kellan’s shoulders and gathered it so the blanket covered his bare legs. “There. That’s better.” The man offered him a smile. “How about I introduce myself? I’m Vic, the Alpha of a very small pack and owner of the Vale Valley Inn and Restaurant. And you?”
He held out his hand and Kellan let his smaller one be swallowed up by it. After two quick pumps, he released him. As it had been with every other touch from Vic, Kellan was sorry it was over.
“Nice to meet you, Vic. I’m Kellan, and as you now know, a swan shifter.” Kellan chewed on his bottom lip. “You mentioned your inn. I don’t have any money, or anything at all, to offer you in payment. But I work very hard and I could pay you back if I could stay there for a few days? I’ll even give you double what I owe.”
Vic shook his head and Kellan’s stomach sank. Oh no. Now what do I do?
“You don’t need to pay me, Kellan. I’m sure I can find something for you to do around the inn or restaurant if you want to help out. My inn tends to be a place where a lot of the new residents start out when they first arrive. Some stay on and work there, others find the place in town where they were meant to be. For them, the inn is merely a stepping stone to where they belong in Vale Valley.”
“Wow.” Kellan tilted his head. “Is there something special about Vale Valley? It sounds as though there are a lot of shifters here and people who have nowhere else to go.”
Vic tugged at his beard, his brow wrinkling. “Yeah, that’s about right. Vale Valley is where a lot of us ended up because we were drifting. The town’s origins are with the Vale family, but there are also a large variety of shifters, Alphas and omegas and even dragons and witches. But we all watch out for each other, keep each other’s secrets from the prying eyes of the rest of the world.”
Kellan’s eyes rounded, and he clutched the blanket tighter around him. He glanced around, but all he could see were the black silhouettes of the trees. “Dragons and witches? Do they eat the residents or cast evil spells?”
Vic choke-snorted, then seemed to get hold of himself. “No, little Kellan. Like any town, there have been some unsavory characters, but our residents are all good souls. Even the dragons and witches.” Vic winked. “I can’t think of another place I’d rather be.”
Kellan considered Vic’s words along with how protected being with the big wolf made him feel. And he’s even an Alpha. Wow. “Vale Valley does sound like a special town. Do you think I’ll be allowed to stay? I can keep secrets, too.”
“I have a feeling you were led to us, Kellan.” Vic smiled then put the truck in gear. As he reversed out of the parking area, bunches of snow kicking up behind his tires, he gave Kellan a quick pat on the shoulder. “That’s how it usually works. I’ll have Rosemary Vale, the town mayor, stop by the restaurant tomorrow. If you still want to stay in the Valley, she can add you to the population records.”
“Then I would belong in the town?”
Vic shifted gears then pulled onto the small plowed road. “Yes, you would belong.”
Kellan sniffed back the emotion burning in his throat. Maybe he could have people in his life who truly cared about him and who didn’t think he was worthless.
Maybe I can have a real home.
Five Gold Rings by Xander Collins
Chapter 1
Jason
“How much farther?” I craned my neck to see the GPS of my boyfriend’s phone, the glare coming in through the car windows and making it almost impossible to see the screen.
“I don’t know.” Chris took the phone off the dashboard holder. “I don’t think this can be right. It says we’re fifteen minutes away from our destination.” Chris handed me the device while he kept his eyes on the road. “Check out the route and see how many more miles there are until the lodge.”
I tapped the screen a few times and brought up the directions. “We stay on this highway for another five miles then turn right onto Old Dusk Road. We’re only eight miles away. But that doesn’t make any sense at all. There’s no snow on the ground.” I caught a glimpse of the rolling green hills in the distance through a break in the tall, evergreen trees lining the sides of the highway.
“This is crazy. How can there be no snow in December?”
“Global warming?” I laughed. But it wasn’t funny. We’d saved for this vacation for months. Chris and I were both poor college students living in the most expensive city in the United States, which left almost no money for things like dates and recreational activities. We’d both pretty much been surviving on potatoes and rice the entire semester to afford books and supplies.
I didn’t want to think about what was going to happen once our loan payback kicked in. It wouldn’t be for a little while after we graduated, but it was looming in the distance. I was especially nervous since employers weren’t necessarily clamoring to hire someone with a general liberal arts degree. Chris might have it easier than I did, though. He was studying economics with a specialty in market analysis. I didn’t understand a single thing he told me when he excitedly tried to explain things happening in the market. I would roll my eyes and call him Captain Brainiac then get back to watching Game of Thrones.
“I mean, I checked the route before we left to make sure we wouldn’t hit ice or a big snowstorm,” Chris said. “But I didn’t think to check to make sure there was actually going to be snow on the ground.”
“Wouldn’t the lodge have called us if they knew we wouldn’t be able to ski?”
“Well, maybe not everyone goes up there to ski.”
“What else would they do at a ski lodge?” I asked as the car slowed down.
“Looks like this is the turn off,” Chris said. “Still no snow.”
I stared out the passenger side window as the dark, forested scenery whizzed by. “Maybe we’re at too low an elevation.”
“We’re in the mountains now. We’ve been climbing steadily for the last hour. If there was enough snow for skiing, we’d definitely be seeing it here.”
I sank down into my seat and rested my head against the back. I’d been looking forward to this. I didn’t really care so much about the skiing. That was really Chris’s favorite pastime. At least it had been when he was growing up. His family used to go on ski trips regularly until his alpha dad lost his job and they had to sell their house a year before Chris started college. And thankfully his dad’s financial records showed the family was living below the poverty line, otherwise Chris wouldn’t have gotten any financial aid.
But I felt terrible for him. For both of us. He wanted to spend the next few days on the slopes, and I fantasized about the two of us spending the evenings curled up on a big fluffy couch next to a roaring fire with cocoa or hot buttered rum warming our hands. I guess we could do that with no snow on the ground, but it didn’t seem like it would be as special.
Neither one of us spoke as we pulled up to the lodge. It was a beautiful building with massive walls of glass that looked out over the mountains. Mountains barely sprinkled with a coating of snow. As we approached the building, I glanced up at the strings of lights running along the eaves, following the sharp peaks of the roof, and wound up the huge logs holding everything up. This place would’ve been magical if there’d been snow on the ground, or even a crisp breeze. I almost started to cry when I got out of the car. It was so warm I didn’t need a jacket.
“Wow,” Chris said as we stepped into the lobby. “When my family came here in the beginning of December a few years ago, that whole front room was full.” We stood near the reception desk which bordered a large lounge with a vaulted ceiling and one of those massive walls of glass. The view was stunning. “I remember thinking it was so fancy and sophisticated the way everyone had a drink in their hand while they stood around that fireplace. There’s not a single person here. This sucks.”
The fireplace was gorgeous. It was a round stone structure in the center of the room. I could feel the heat of the roaring fire from where I was standing, halfway across the room. Chris was right, this did suck. But maybe that meant Chris and I would have this whole place to ourselves. We could sit by the fire and have drinks, but a hot mug in my hands didn’t sound so nice all of a sudden.
I was so immersed in my fireside fantasy I jumped when a woman showed up behind the counter and welcomed us.
“How are you this evening?” she asked. “Do you have a reservation?”
Chris and I looked at each other, then back at the woman. It didn’t appear we needed a reservation. Neither one of us had said it out loud, but we didn’t need to. I’d been able to read his face since the day I met him. He came off as somewhat distant and emotionless to most people, but I always knew from his eyes what he was thinking. He didn’t want to stay.
“We were a little surprised on the drive up here …” Chris started.
He was much better at this sort of thing than I was. He didn’t seem remotely bothered by expressing his dissatisfaction to a salesperson or someone who worked at a business. They’re here to serve us. To make sure we’re happy, he would always say. And while I understood the concept, I could never bring myself to complain or stand up for myself when I felt I was being treated unfairly. Whether it was someone cutting in line in front of me or a cashier giving me the wrong change, I would always accept the hand I’d been dealt and walk away.
“Yes, I’m sure the traffic is very light. I can imagine the two of you made good time,” the receptionist said with a brusk but friendly tone.
“Yeah, especially since there’s no snow on the ground.”
“Unfortunately, we haven’t built up a base yet. Every time it does snow, the next day we get sun, and everything melts. The lodge is functioning the same as in previous years, though. The restaurant and bar are open, and our full menu is available for room service or to enjoy in the front lounge near the fire pit.”
“But there’s no snow,” Chris repeated. “We came here to ski.”
“Yes, I understand, sir. And I apologize. But we have no control over the weather, and we do require at least forty-eight-hours’ notice for cancellations.”
Clearly, this wasn’t her first time having this conversation. She had her responses down pat.
“I understand your policy,” Chris said in his most official-sounding tone. The one he used whenever he was on the phone with someone he wasn’t very interested in talking to. “But this is our vacation. We booked this lodge expecting to spend the next few days skiing.”
“I completely understand,” the woman said, the look in her eyes finishing the sentence for her … but I really don’t care. “If you had concerns about whether or not there was snow on the ground, you could have checked online. We do have a twenty-four-hour video camera pointed to our main ski lift. That would’ve given you information about the slopes and skiing conditions.”
“I suppose I should have checked, but it didn’t cross my mind. You must have had some cancellations. This place is completely empty.” I could tell Chris was past agitated and verging on angry.
“Yes, we have had some cancellations, but as I said, we do require at least forty-eight-hours’ notice. You have a cabin booked for five nights. I can credit your card for the last three nights of your booking if you’d like to cancel now.”
Between the woman’s cold tone and the edge in Chris’s voice, I started to regret that we’d come on this trip at all. I stepped back away from the counter and shifted my eyes around the lobby, avoiding the conversation between Chris and the receptionist, and wishing I was anywhere but there in the middle of what was turning out to be a very uncomfortable moment.
“What the hell happened to the customer is always right,” Chris said as he pushed his way through one side of the glass entry doors. When we got to the car, he slammed the door so hard it almost made my heart jump into my throat. I felt terrible that Chris was so angry, and I understood why he canceled the whole reservation, including the first two nights, which wouldn’t be refunded. But that meant we had nowhere to go. I was pretty sure I would’ve done the same thing if I were him. But if it were me having to deal with that lady, I would probably just have accepted the sad, snowless conditions and sulked in the lounge for the next five days.
“What are we gonna do?” I asked. Chris started the car but sat there with it in neutral. He had his eyes closed and was taking deep breaths, something he’d been practicing for a while now when he felt his temper getting the better of him.
“I don’t want to drive all the way back to the city tonight,” I continued.
“I’m not sure if we are going to have much choice,” he said, dropping his head back against the seat and sighing. I could tell he felt horrible, which made me feel even worse. This wasn’t his fault. “It’s Friday night, and the woman said it could take a couple of business days before I see the credit on my debit card. I think I have … maybe fifty bucks in my account. It was a special deal here. All the meals were included in the room rate, so I didn’t think we need much extra money. I feel like a total idiot now.”
“I have about fifty bucks in my account too. We can find something, can’t we?”
“I don’t know. This is a pretty expensive area. It’s all lodges and resorts. And if we do find a room under one-hundred dollars, including tax, how are we gonna eat? Jesus, this sucks so bad.” Chris slouched down into his seat. “I’m so sorry, Jason. I really wanted this to be special for you.”
“It’s not your fault. And I don’t want you to worry about me,” I said. “I’m okay. Really. We’ll figure something out. Everything’s gonna be fine.” But as the words came out of my mouth, and I heard the slight trembling in my voice, even I didn’t believe them.
His Christmas Lullaby by Leyla Hunt
1
Max
What the hell am I doing here? I must have asked myself that question a thousand times since arriving at Incubus, but the answer eluded me.
The lively rock music reverberated throughout the two-story bar and pounded in my head. It wasn’t a bad place to spend a Friday night in Vale Valley in early November, especially when you had nothing else to do.
I guess I could’ve been sleeping. Some rest would’ve done me good after a hard day of work making and installing cabinets, but I got stir crazy at home and had to get out before I went nuts. I couldn’t even concentrate on writing. My snow leopard couldn’t stay cooped up at home for very long before threatening to show his claws.
The crowd watched the live band on stage with rapt attention, downing bottles of their preferred brew and keeping an eye open for a hot body to share the night with. It wasn’t a bad idea at all, as far as I was concerned. It had been a while since I’d felt a hot omega’s ass under my hard body, and the deprivation was starting to wield its effects. I couldn’t sleep, and was constantly on edge.
I thought I’d have a beer or two and head home to either work on my novel, or zonk out and get a good night’s sleep, but something kept me glued to that stool. The bar was kind of a free for all. Whereas some bars in town were exclusively for humans, others were for shifters or other supernatural creatures. Club Incubus was frequented by shifters and non-shifters alike. It made for a colorful night.
“Hey, watch that elbow!” A high-pitched voice right next to me rose above the live band’s blaring music, and I whipped my head around to see what the commotion was.
A cute omega with a scrunched up, angry face was checking the damage done to his shirt by a drink that had somehow ended up all over it. His light brown eyes caught mine when he looked up, and his expression brightened. It was early November, but his skin had a healthy olive glow.
I took a sniff of the air. It was crowded, but he was close enough that I could place his scent – this fiery omega was a reindeer shifter.
“Well, well, well…do you want to help me clean this up, or are you just gonna sit there and stare?” He put his hands on his hips and cocked his head to the side. His eyes sparkled with a naughty, mischievous spirit. This boy was out for trouble tonight. I had no doubt that he’d already sniffed out that I’m a big cat shifter of some sort, so why wasn’t he off cowering in the corner somewhere?
“I don’t clean up for free,” I said, clenching my jaw and turning around to face the bar.
I was more than a little intrigued, but I didn’t wanna look too eager. Besides, I’d never had to try hard for a hot night. I didn’t go out often, but when I did, omegas practically threw themselves at me. But none of them struck me as special – until today.
I turned my head slightly and saw him out of the corner of my eye, still standing there. My cock twitched at the sight of his ass in those tight pants and fitted t-shirt. He was in good shape, the little hellion. He wore beige pants and a sky-blue shirt, which he filled out to perfection with his lean, muscular physique.
He stepped closer and stuck out a hip. “Well, I’m poorer than dirt, so I’m gonna need a discount.”
I chuckled and raised a brow. “Max Drum,” I said, introducing myself and motioning to the stool next to me, willing him to sit his cute ass down.
“Ren,” he replied brightly, hopping on and flashing me a bright smile. “Hi Max, haven’t seen you around here before.”
“I don’t go out often.”
“And why not? A cutie like you shouldn’t be hiding at home. You’ve gotta share that heat. It’s getting cold out there.” He smirked as he tilted his head to the side.
I was impressed. This one had some serious game. Maybe the night wouldn’t end so soon, after all.
“Or, let me guess…you spend all your time at the gym,” he said, eyeing my body up and down.
“I’m just fine at home. Never was a party animal. Gym, only twice a week. Anyways, what do you want?” I asked, motioning towards the approaching bartender. The truth is that I was a loner. Always have been, always will be. The few friends I had were the kind you hardly had to say three words to. We were happy hanging out watching a game or fixing a car. As for romantic involvements, I didn’t believe in them, unless they involved breakfast after a night of serious between the sheets action.
“Oh, you don’t have to,” he said.
“Don’t worry; you don’t owe me anything, if that’s what you’re worried about. Just have a drink. If you want to.”
“What if I want to owe you something?” he asked, and without waiting for a response, turned to the bartender. “Gerry, I’ll have a French martini. With an extra splash of berry, please.” He looked me up and down, obviously enjoying the view. “And what do you do all day? Do you live in the gym or something? You don’t get those ripe muscles by sitting on a bar stool, I know that much.”
I chuckled and involuntarily flexed a bicep. My face suddenly felt hot. No omega had ever made me blush. “No. I’m a carpenter. I guess it keeps me in shape.” I shrugged. I wasn’t good at talking about myself. In fact, it was a miracle this little troublemaker has managed to get two words out of me. Snow-leopard shifters like me weren’t known to be social butterflies, and it was just as well. If I didn’t see another person for a month, I wouldn’t be too bothered about it. I just needed my food, my laptop, and a clean creek to drink from.
“Oh, so you work with wood, is that right?” He took a sip of the French martini that arrived and ran his tongue along his upper lip. That shit right there distracted me. But not as much as the rock-hard cock in my boxers.
“Yeah, wood. Hard wood.” Two could play that game.
My little omega arched a brow. “You might have to show me how to work with hard wood one day. I’ve been told I’m good at raising wood.” He giggled, which would normally drive me berserk, but when he did it I found it cute and endearing. His statement also made me curious.
“What about you? Why are you here blowing off steam? What do you do when you’re not hopping on bar stools?” I asked him.
His face got even more animated as he started talking about himself. He could talk about himself all night, for all I cared. It was more interesting than listening to myself talk.
He leaned forward and bit his lip.
“I’m so excited. I’m opening a creperie in a week!”
I frowned. “A crapper?” What the hell was this omega talking about?
“No, silly!” He slapped my thigh lightly, causing my cock to twitch again. This guy’s gonna be the end of me.
He continued. “A crep-er-ie!” He pronounced each syllable loud and clear, as if to a foreigner. “It’s the French word for a place that serves crepes. You know, those skinny pancakes they make in Europe?”
I rolled my eyes and pretended I knew what the hell he was talking about. “I just couldn’t hear you over the music.”
“Okay. So, I’m opening the creperie, and I’m so nervous! But excited and happy too! I mean, I’ve been obsessed with crepes ever since my mom took me to Europe as a child. I’ve been there a bunch of times, since she’s French, you know. Anyways, I’ve perfected my recipe, have some startup capital, and have already leased a location.”
“Wow, that’s awesome. I’m impressed.”
“Thanks. I can’t wait to open it. Will you come and check it out?”
I started to wonder whether he’d only hit on me to collect another customer. But I didn’t really care. All I knew was I had to see him again.
“Sure, I’ll come by. Where’s it gonna be?”
"I've rented a small space over on Henderson Ave. Do you know it?"
My head perked up. “Do I know it? I live there.”
“No way!” Ren sounded as excited as a kid being told he gets all the candy in the store.
I chuckled and nodded. “That’s right.”
“Awesome. That way you can come by for dessert anytime!” He giggled again.
The innuendo wasn’t lost on me. He was making it clear that he was mine for the taking. Tonight, or any other night. I didn’t have to think long and hard about it. He was hot, he seemed fun, and I was available for the taking. It was normal for omegas to fall over themselves to get with me, so I didn’t usually get too excited. But this time was different. There was something about Ren that was so refreshing and innocent, despite all the innuendo, that I was intrigued enough to actually look forward to spreading his tight omega legs.
I’d been accused of being cool and aloof, but I didn’t give a shit. As long as I didn’t treat anyone badly or lead them on, I considered myself in the clear. I had a clear rule though – I did not infringe on others’ property. That wasn’t cool.
“Where’s your alpha?” I rubbed my five o’clock shadow. Beating around the bush wasn’t my style.
Ren looked around with wide eyes, as if he was on the lookout. Then, his eyes fixed on me and his head tilted to the side as he brushed my arm. “Well, speak of the devil, there you are!”
A grin formed on my lips. He always had a zinger ready. Excellent.
“Hey, Renster! Have you ditched us for a big, hot alpha already?”
I turned my head. A group of omegas stood behind us, their leader pouting, hands on his hips. His short silver hair was obviously dyed, because he was too young to be going gray.
“Yes, I have, Joe! And he’s all mine, so shoo. I’ll see you guys later!”
Joe glanced at me and smiled. “He’s a heartbreaker, this one!” He giggled as Ren lightly pushed him out of the way.
“Don’t hate! I’ll call you later or tomorrow!”
He was back at my side in no time and ran his hand down my arm as he took his seat on the stool. His eyes flashed as his gaze met mine.
“Planning to stay much longer?” I asked.
That was my cue.
“No. Why don’t you show me where your crapperie is gonna be?”
He giggled. “It’s creperie! You silly cat!”
“So, you know I’m a cat?” I watched him, amused.
“Yeah, I can sort of sense it. But what kind of cat? I have no idea. Are you a sweet, purring house cat? Or an angry lion? My pathetic reindeer nose can’t tell.” He scrunched up his nose and wiggled it.
“A snow leopard,” I grunted, before taking a swig of my beer.
“Well, then. What are you gonna do once we get out of here – eat me?”
His teasing tone wasn’t lost on me.
“I’d play with you. Then I’d eat you.”
“Well, as long as you play nice, I guess that’s okay,” he said with a wink.
I finally made a move to get off the stool. Taking one last look at the band on the stage, I motioned towards the exit.
“All right, show me your shop.”
Ren hopped off his stool and smirked. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Saturday Series Spotlight
Vale Valley is a small town open to everyone in need of love and a home,
where were-creatures, witches, ghosts and many others can live in harmony.
M.M. Wilde is the knotty mpreg/paranormal pen name of Morticia Knight. You can expect the fluffiest of feels along with shifters, mythical creatures, aliens and more! And of course, all the heat you've come to expect from a Morticia book :).
Xander Collins write super sexy, romantic omegaverse stories with the warm fuzzies, hot dudes, and cuddly babies we all crave.
Leyla writes sweet and sexy mpreg. Her alphas are strong and protective, but sweet. Her omegas are lovable and know how to bring their alphas to their knees. And their babies are adorable!
Step into a new world by reading a Leyla Hunt book!
MM Wilde/Morticia Knight
EMAIL: MorticiaKnight@gmail.com
Xander Collins
EMAIL: xandercollinsauthor@gmail.com
A Swan for Christmas by MM Wilde
Five Gold Rings by Xander Collins
His Christmas Lullaby by Leyla Hunt
Season One
