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In a beta-ruled world where betas are sterile and population growth is at stake, alphas and omegas are forced into breeding programs.
But there are secret, underground compounds where alphas and omegas live free and hidden from the regimented laws of an unjust beta government.
Solo's love story takes place in one of these compounds.
Includes: Beauty and beast themes, size difference, the perfect gift makeover, heat-sex, opposites attract, unexpected bonding, HEA. (There is no on page mpreg in this novella, though there is mpreg in the series.)
But there are secret, underground compounds where alphas and omegas live free and hidden from the regimented laws of an unjust beta government.
Solo's love story takes place in one of these compounds.
Includes: Beauty and beast themes, size difference, the perfect gift makeover, heat-sex, opposites attract, unexpected bonding, HEA. (There is no on page mpreg in this novella, though there is mpreg in the series.)
111 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2022
About the author
Wendy Rathbone
142 books297 followersWendy Rathbone has had dozens of stories published in anthologies such as: Hot Blood, Writers of the Future (second place,) Bending the Landscape, Mutation Nation, A Darke Phantastique, and more. The book "Dreams of Decadence Presents: Wendy Rathbone and Tippi Blevins" contains a large collection of her vampire stories and poems. Over 500 of her poems have been published in various anthologies and magazines. She won first place in the Anamnesis Press poetry chapbook contest with her book "Scrying the River Styx." Her poems have been nominated for the Science Fiction Poetry Association's Rhysling award at least a dozen times.
Her recent books include:
"Pale Zenith," science fiction novel
"The Foundling," male/male romance novel
"None Can Hold the Dark," sequel to "The Foundling"
"The Secret Sharer," science fiction romance novella
"Unearthly," omnibus collection of 7 out-of-print poetry booklets
"The Vampire Diaries: The Myth," available from Kindle Worlds
"The Vampire Dairies: Deep In the Virginia Woods," available from Kindle Worlds
"My House Is Full Of Whispers," erotica short story collection
"Letters To An Android," science fiction novel
Upcoming very soon:
"Risque Science Fiction," short stories by Wendy Rathbone
"The Red Fountain, Where Vampires Come to Drink," short stories and poetry by Wendy Rathbone
Look for more novels and short story collections coming up in 2014.
She lives in Yucca Valley, CA with her partner of 32 years, Della Van Hise.
Her recent books include:
"Pale Zenith," science fiction novel
"The Foundling," male/male romance novel
"None Can Hold the Dark," sequel to "The Foundling"
"The Secret Sharer," science fiction romance novella
"Unearthly," omnibus collection of 7 out-of-print poetry booklets
"The Vampire Diaries: The Myth," available from Kindle Worlds
"The Vampire Dairies: Deep In the Virginia Woods," available from Kindle Worlds
"My House Is Full Of Whispers," erotica short story collection
"Letters To An Android," science fiction novel
Upcoming very soon:
"Risque Science Fiction," short stories by Wendy Rathbone
"The Red Fountain, Where Vampires Come to Drink," short stories and poetry by Wendy Rathbone
Look for more novels and short story collections coming up in 2014.
She lives in Yucca Valley, CA with her partner of 32 years, Della Van Hise.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 10, 2022
DNF at 19%
This had an interesting world-concept, but unfortunately it was ruined by the extremely pushy omega who can't take no for an answer. And just because you stop saying no, doesn't change your 8 no's to a yes.
Excuse me??
This isn't meant to be, or at least its not tagged as dubcon, so this is unacceptable to me. I'm all for dubcon...when it's on purpose. This just makes me wildly uncomfortable.
There's ways to write domineering and arrogant characters without crossing this boundary. Instead, we have a sad alpha who is struggling with his role in society and being taken advantage of by the omega, who doesn't respect him as a person or his boundaries whatsoever. Any 'submission' the alpha is going to offer the omega is now sus and tainted for me.
Overall, the writing was decent and I was intrigued by the world concept...but it was ruined by the above. Might try other books in the series, in the hopes that there's not creepy sexual assault vibes.
This had an interesting world-concept, but unfortunately it was ruined by the extremely pushy omega who can't take no for an answer. And just because you stop saying no, doesn't change your 8 no's to a yes.
“No.” “You keep saying no, but I don’t hear no.”
Excuse me??
I said nothing. “That’s a yes!” He smacked the water with his palm and little splashes sprinkled a cool shower over me. “I didn’t say yes!” I protested. “You didn’t say no.”
This isn't meant to be, or at least its not tagged as dubcon, so this is unacceptable to me. I'm all for dubcon...when it's on purpose. This just makes me wildly uncomfortable.
There's ways to write domineering and arrogant characters without crossing this boundary. Instead, we have a sad alpha who is struggling with his role in society and being taken advantage of by the omega, who doesn't respect him as a person or his boundaries whatsoever. Any 'submission' the alpha is going to offer the omega is now sus and tainted for me.
Overall, the writing was decent and I was intrigued by the world concept...but it was ruined by the above. Might try other books in the series, in the hopes that there's not creepy sexual assault vibes.
February 9, 2022
I haven't read anything else in this series, but this novella worked perfectly fine as a standalone. I like novel takes on omegaverse relationships and I have a weak spot for gentle giant-type characters, so despite my hesitance due to the dystopian setting (just not my thing) I ended up enjoying this one. Although it could have done with less dubcon vibes at the start (being flirty, pushy and dominant is one thing, ignoring continual 'no's is another).
January 26, 2022
Yes you did good nice change of pace you know what you are doing good job and I hope you find yourself.
April 3, 2023
In the fourth book of the Captive Alpha series very rich families were able to escape the persecutions to their children and other relatives born Alpha or Omega. Alphas were imprisoned and "milked" while the Omegas were expected to bear children regularly. These rich families were able to live "normal" lives. Alphas and Omegas were free to marry or mate and even seek out lovers.
And overly large and unkempt Alpha while excellent in his position in the family business was very lonely. He never expected to find a mate. He cannot fathom why the beautiful and promiscuous Omega was pursuing him. But he was adamant in his repeated Nos. The Omega was not used to anyone telling him No. He only wanted an Alpha to help manage his heat. He never returned to a formerly used lover. Then why did he feel compelled to go after an Alpha no one wanted. This sensual story was excellent as Wendy Rathbone series books usually are.
And overly large and unkempt Alpha while excellent in his position in the family business was very lonely. He never expected to find a mate. He cannot fathom why the beautiful and promiscuous Omega was pursuing him. But he was adamant in his repeated Nos. The Omega was not used to anyone telling him No. He only wanted an Alpha to help manage his heat. He never returned to a formerly used lover. Then why did he feel compelled to go after an Alpha no one wanted. This sensual story was excellent as Wendy Rathbone series books usually are.
March 11, 2023
Fourth in an intriguing series, a universe with only male alphas and omegas controlled by betas - in quite a different type of setting, this time.
This one isn't in the milking prison-castle (not prison of a castle, as anyone who read the previous stories will remember -vividly!), but in the "underground" society living outside the tremendously cruel Beta-enforced control system, yet the alpha-omega dynamics are just as overwhelming.
The essentially non-con situation is in a different setting, the bewilderment, angst and eventual finding of their own emotional balance takes place through forced choices, not just from a coupling forced upon them, so there is perhaps a more in depth sensation of helplessness in the face of their instincts.
Conflicting, lump-in-the-throat, tooth-grindingly emotionally involving story.
This one isn't in the milking prison-castle (not prison of a castle, as anyone who read the previous stories will remember -vividly!), but in the "underground" society living outside the tremendously cruel Beta-enforced control system, yet the alpha-omega dynamics are just as overwhelming.
The essentially non-con situation is in a different setting, the bewilderment, angst and eventual finding of their own emotional balance takes place through forced choices, not just from a coupling forced upon them, so there is perhaps a more in depth sensation of helplessness in the face of their instincts.
Conflicting, lump-in-the-throat, tooth-grindingly emotionally involving story.
May 9, 2022
"Solo" received FOUR stars.
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
* gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
* gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
March 14, 2022
I throughly enjoyed this Book Boyfriend Novella set in the Captive Alpha world. I did not realize going in that this book was apart of an already established series so I probably lacked some of the world building, but honestly it just made me curious enough about the world to go back and read the series. I loved Solo as an awkward, nerdy, submissive alpha and he made the book for me.
January 10, 2022
This was a nice addition to the series. I loved seeing the underground compounds and how life is different (and stressful in a different way) than what’s happening above ground. There’s a little twist here and I loved how the characters presented themselves.
September 25, 2022
In an Omegaverse where Alphas are held captive, we find Solo, an Alpha who likes to bottom, and who is looking (desperately) for an omega or Beta who prefers to top.
Inka, a rich, determined omega, has set his sights on Solo, not realising the unlikely outcome.
A quietly, pleasant story.
Inka, a rich, determined omega, has set his sights on Solo, not realising the unlikely outcome.
A quietly, pleasant story.
Shelved as 'dnf'
December 2, 2023DNF 13%
If something is dubcon or noncon it should be stated as such. "I told you no" "yeah but you didn't mean it" ummm no thanks or at least let me know ahead of time. Any connection made after that point wouldn't feel genuine.
If something is dubcon or noncon it should be stated as such. "I told you no" "yeah but you didn't mean it" ummm no thanks or at least let me know ahead of time. Any connection made after that point wouldn't feel genuine.
May 2, 2024
3.5 stars
I wanted more! I really liked Solo and Inka but there is more sex than substance. This book does mention a little of the overall world, but I think I’d appreciate it more if I read the other books in the series. For a quick in between book it works.
I wanted more! I really liked Solo and Inka but there is more sex than substance. This book does mention a little of the overall world, but I think I’d appreciate it more if I read the other books in the series. For a quick in between book it works.
January 2, 2022
4.5 stars
January 11, 2022
That was really sweet!
January 12, 2022
3 stars - novella
January 16, 2022
Inka found his mate!
February 18, 2022
A decent installment to this series, I guess things in this universe are just going to be building up slowly.
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October 30, 2022Free read via Your Book Boyfriend's Boyfriend! at Prolific Works. LINK.
February 11, 2023
I wasn’t sure about this at first but I kept going and the second half was much stronger than the first. I’m glad I read it.
March 17, 2023
Too short
Loved the story! But wish there was another chapter! I wanted to know what happened next. It needed a design studio for sure.
Loved the story! But wish there was another chapter! I wanted to know what happened next. It needed a design studio for sure.
March 12, 2023
good story
A good HEA love story of an insecure alpha and a dominant omega , good storyline . Enjoyed this very much
A good HEA love story of an insecure alpha and a dominant omega , good storyline . Enjoyed this very much
March 10, 2023
This is Book #4 in the CAPTIVE ALPHAS SERIES. These Books can be read alone but this is a MAGNIFICENT series in the Alpha/Omega genre. This is about the rich hidden society in the Beta controlled area. Solo is a rich Alpha who is not the typical Alpha. He keeps to himself and doesn't socialize much. Inka is an Omega who refuses to be trapped. Independent, very vocal and doesn't care about his unsavory reputation. These two meeting was against all odds. Their unlikely pairing leads to everything they were missing. WENDY RATHBONE has once again written a remarkable page turner!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND THIS CAPTIVE ALPHAS SERIES!!!!!!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews