Barren, unwanted—a lot of omegas would have given up. But not Holland. Tired of living down to other’s opinions, he reaches for something more and seduces the new Alpha, only to fall so far in love he can’t see the moon for the trees.Quin’s ghosts won’t leave him alone. He lives like a ghost himself, but Holland’s shining light gives him courage to reach for healing and, maybe, a family. Except … family. Except Holland has his own unhealed wounds and he refuses to mate, until disaster in another pack reminds them both how fragile life can be.
From that disaster rises a new determination, and Quin and Holland set out to change their world.
And through it all, the secret of the True Omega begins to unveil itself, bringing hope and fear in its wake.
141,000 words full of love and family, disaster and triumph.
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The Omega’s Alpha is the fourth book in the Mercy Hills Pack series and a significant installment for the overall-arcing saga. The first three books of the series need to be read beforehand to get the full enjoyment from this book. I skimmed a few other reviews, and a few people mention how long this book is and that a lot happened in it. For me, that was not a problem but a huge bonus, and something I enjoyed immensely, but I also like long, epic fantasy books like The Wheel of Time series. There are many other Omegaverse books that are short and sweet (nothing wrong with that), but I’m delighted that Ann-Katrin Byrde has given us epic-length books to add to the Omegaverse category.
Holland is an Omega who’s been beaten down emotionally his whole life. When he’s thrown out of his home for being barren, and left to live off the mercy of his family, Holland believes his life is over. But then his cousin Bax brings him to Mercy Hills where he gets a second chance at life and love, and finally comes into his own as a shifter and Omega. Quinn is an Alpha who’s been scarred by battles and war. When he finally comes home back to Mercy Hills, he’s ready to pick up as Alpha, but he can’t let his demons go. When Holland comes into his life, Quinn finally has a chance at happiness and love he never expected he’d get. Together, these two shifters are changing not only their lives, but are on the path together to change how shifters live within the United States.
I adored the characterization of Holland, Quinn, and all the other characters. They are all in depth, complex, and interesting characters with unique personalities. The feel real to me. The plot was intricate and complex, with many moving parts, but throughout it all, the love between Holland and Quinn was strong and true. Their romance was beautiful not only for the love and fluffy moments, but also how they support and cared for each other. These two are true partners and the leaders the shifters need in this time of change and discovery.
There were a few things that were odd to me when it came to the U.S. military culture (like saluting an enlisted soldier), but since this is an entirely different world, and only reflects the real world, I was able to let it go and realize the rules are different for the Mercy Hills Saga. What’s wonderful was that Ann-Katrin Byrde kept the rules consistent so they felt real and right. I love how much detail is put into the world-building and how consistent and regulated it’s all kept.
I loved Holland and Quin. Two characters deeply scarred by life who find each other and establish a rock solid relationship able to withstand strong outside forces. As much as all the characters in this story and this series, in this particular book we start to see in real depth how the world that has been created functions and how it is starting to change. The author has pulled back the curtain and we’re seeing the gears and wheels within wheels. Cannot wait to read the rest of this series.