Secluded Alpha

Omegas Inn Love #4

by Lorelei M. Hart

Collin

Like the owner of the Bearclaw Inn, I lost my mate over two decades ago. We were madly in love, although he was not my fated. His time was up too early; we’d never even had cubs. I miss him every day.

I want to love again. To find a mate, but I don’t know where to start. I’m not as young as I used to be and have secluded myself in grieving the life we should’ve had. But my bear insists it’s time to start living again.

Hugo

I’ve tried all the apps and dating sites to no avail. The thing is, I crave an older alpha. He doesn’t even have to be a leopard like me. Just someone who can take care of me and who doesn’t fool around like most of the alphas I’ve met. I want to settle down and know I’m safe with him.

Then I got a letter in the mail from the Bearclaw Inn. It may just be the ticket to my future. No one leaves the Bearclaw without a mate, right?

Secluded Alpha is the fourth book in the Omegas Inn Love Series. It is a sweet with knotty heat MM shifter mpreg romance featuring an alpha bear shifter who’s ready to stop grieving, an omega leopard shifter ready to find a true alpha, the magic of Franklin and his Bearclaw Inn, and a guaranteed HEA. Each book in this series can be read as a standalone. If you like your alphas hawt, your omegas strong, and your mpreg with heart, download your copy today

Genres: Omegaverse, Paranormal, M M Romance, Romance, Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance, M M Shapeshifters

167 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2024

About the author

Lorelei M. Hart is the cowriting team of USA Today Bestselling Authors Kate Richards and Ever Coming. Friends for years, the duo decided to come together and write one of their favorite guilty pleasures: Mpreg.

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collin & Hugo
Rating: 3.5 ⭐

- Paranormal
- Bear/Leopard Shifters
- Fated Mates
- MPREG
- Widower
- Age Gap

This is the fourth book in this series, with a new couple at the Bearclaw Inn. The book can be read as a standalone, but I encourage you to read the other books in the series to gain a better understanding of the inn and how it gained its purpose.

In this installment Collin is good friends with Franklin, the inn's owner, because their mates were childhood friends and they died on the same day. Collin has been mourning the loss of his mate (they weren't fated) for over two decades, isolating himself on the farm fulfilling his mate’s last dream. He's starting to realize how lonely he is now but he doesn't think that his mate would ever be replaceable and that he could love again. Franklin invites him to the inn to catch up and maybe help him finally move on. Collin doesn't want to move on but he doesn't mind visiting an old friend and maybe meeting a new one. Hugo has been unlucky in trying to find the Alpha of his dreams and has given up on dating for now. Hugo knows what he wants but he just hasn't been able to find the right man to settle down with. He gets a mysterious invitation for a weekend trip to the inn but he's unsure about going, until he learns that no one leaves the inn without a mate. Why not give it a shot, so he attends the scheduled weekend.

There are a few hiccups with Hugo's travel to the town and the first meeting between the MCs. Collin pushes back on the notion of having a fated and possible new love, at first. Once he gives in though, he's all in and tries his best to support this independent Omega. There are moments of grief and guilt that Collin goes through in here but Hugo was a patient and supportive partner for him. Hugo is a strong, independent, and stubborn Omega that has to learn how to lean on someone else and trust that they have his back no matter what. These two have insecurities to work on but they communicate and work on them together.

"It was different, and no shame to what I’d had before. But a fated mate, a true mate, was exactly what everyone said. Made just for me as I’d been for him and nothing in either of our pasts mattered in the slightest."

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Verse: No
HEA: Yes
POV: Dual

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book four of the Omegas Inn Love series and the main characters are alpha bear shifter Collin, and omega leopard shifter Hugo. Hugo is fed up with alphas trying to hit on him all the time and loves to spend his spare time baking, mostly different breads, which he sells at market on the weekends. Giving him a lovely change from his soul destroying day job in an insurance claims firm. Collin lives on the small holding he bought with his mate, who he lost in a car accident along with Franklin’s mate some two decades ago. His mate William had big dreams of them growing all their own food on the small holding and making a living from selling the excess, but he never lived to see it even get up and running. Franklin is the owner of the Bearclaw Inn and only lives about an hour away, but Collin has been really bad at keeping in touch or visiting. When Franklin invites him up to his B&B for a long weekend, he can’t refuse, even though Franklin makes it plain he will be hosting an omega he believes is Collin’s mate and has set up loads of events for the pair of them. Collin has been finding life lonely, working his day job and then spending his evenings and weekends in the garden and with his chickens. But he doesn’t want to let go of his love for William.

Hugo wants an older alpha, who will look after him and care for him, whilst not fooling around like many younger alphas do. Not that he exactly has much time to try dating these days with his job and his baking. He brings in his new creations for his work colleagues to test, before making more for the weekend, making for a sleepless night of baking to make fresh bread for the market. Looking through his post, he sees what he thinks is just yet another invitation to a wedding or baby shower and leaves it till he is on the bus the next morning to read it. The passenger sitting next to him notices the fancy seal and that it is from Bearclaw Inn, and tells Hugo about how all guests at the Inn somehow come home with their fated mate! He had almost ignored the invite and now has only a day or two to get ready. Nothing goes well on his longer than expected journey there, arriving very late at night, but met by who he thinks is the owner, Franklin, and is attracted to him, but needs to wait and meet who he has been brought there to meet! Franklin uses some of Colin’s produce to make them breakfast and even a picnic lunch, and Collin and Hugo get to know each other and feel the pull of their inner animals towards each other. It seems Franklin’s magical touch has found a perfect pair of fated mates, however he manages to do it.

Collin and Hugo have their normal lives to return to, with Collin willing to do anything to be with his fated mate, but for Hugo the choice is easy and while it might take time, the two of them will be together soon. Another lovely alpha omega romance, with fated mates brought together by the magic touch of Franklin and his magical weekends at his B&B. Nice backstory with Collin having known Franklin for so long and the connection between the deaths of their former mates in the same accident. I would love to see Franklin get his own HEA ending and find another mate. Collin and Hugo set up their life together and Collin is the one to realise that they may soon have an addition to their little family, to add to their HEA ending. I love how both turned to working the small holding and adding to the baking with Collin even getting some lessons. Another nice tale and a fitting pair of fated mates to see find happiness and a future together.

I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alpha bear shifter Collin lives on his own after losing his mates two decades earlier in an auto accident but as much as he misses his mate, his bear insists it’s finally time for them to look for another. Omega leopard shifter Hugo works at a draining job and hopes to find an older alpha to be his protective mate. Collin is invited by Franklin, his friend and owner of the Bearclaw Inn, to come for a weekend, and knowing his friend’s matchmaking abilities, Collin agrees though he wonders if he’s really likely to find his fated mate. Hugo receives the wax sealed, handwritten invitation to an all-expenses paid vacation at Bearclaw Inn and his troubled arrival has Collin wondering if the omega even likes him. A couple of Franklin-devised dates and things quickly heat up between Collin and Hugo, and the two have to figure out how to merge their lives together as they build their home/business and family. Hugo was really supportive of Collin who has to come to terms with balancing his feelings of loss for William and his feelings of happiness with Hugo. I loved that we are getting a little more Franklin and how it tied in with Collin. Lovely MM shifter fated mates romance with a side of heat, lots of feels, a little bundle, and a sweet love story.

[John Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Great Addition To The Series

I have read this book via Kindle Unlimited and this is my honest opinion of the novella.
Two great characters with personalities that were flawed but equally balanced them out.
I enjoyed the progression of their relationship with a wonderful HEA.
Just a few glaringly obvious plot points.
Chapter One - A great opening, going into such detail of Collin's love of William, but how "cruelly William was taken from Collin by an aneurysm. That William called Collin to say he has a headache..."
Unfortunately, William doesn't make it outside the offices when he passes away.
In all subsequent chapters, that isn't how William and his bestie are both killed in a RTA. This is mentioned several times throughout the other chapters.
Another Clanger is the horrendous grammatical errors strewn through the story.
This took away from what would undoubtedly be one of their best works.
It was nice bringing in some new characters that may be potential fated mates in future episodes of this series.

[Sharon L · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Franklin had a reputation for matchmaking"

This is book 4 in the series, Omegas Inn Love, by the writing team of Lorelei M Hart and the 4th book I've read as well. I started this series with book 1 that I received an ARC of from Booksprout. I've read all of these as ARCs and I've loved them all.

This series revolves around Franklin, the owner of the Bearclaw Inn. Franklin has been able to find and play matchmaker for several fated mate couples. In this particular story Franklin invites an Alpha friend, Collin, to the inn for matchmaking purposes. Collin and Franklin's mates died together in a car crash years ago. This is definitely a new twist in the tail and I loved it.

This story was bittersweet but enjoyable. Now I want/need Franklin's book, where he will finally get a mate and a HEA. Please please say that one day that will happen!!!

Fated mates, insta-lust, insta-love, age gap, mpreg

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 4 in the Omegas Inn Love series and each can be enjoyed as a standalone. This is the story of Collin and Hugo. Collin is an alpha bear shifter who has lost his love 20 years earlier. He has carried through on all their shared dreams but is now starting to feel lonely. His bear wants to find their fated mate. Collin just wants someone to share his life with. Hugo is an omega leopard shifter. He is tired off living in the city with no room for his leopard. As well, he desperately wants to find his mate. Hopefully an older alpha. Well both their wishes are about to come true thanks to Franklin. The two are invited to The Bearclaw Inn. This is their story. I really enjoyed this story. It is well written and easy to read. Collin and Hugo are loveable characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franklin, is on a roll. Hugo, is an omega leopard who is ready to find his forever alpha. Collin, an old friend of Franklin, the owner of the Bearclaw Inn, lost his mate a long time ago and he's ready to stop grieving and start living his life. As an older man, he thinks he may be beyond the mating pool as a wanted alpha. His bear, is confident he is ready and able to find a mate. Hugo gets a letter from the Inn, and is eager to attend because of the reputation of 100% matches. There are complications on the journey to the first meet, but that just juices up the anticipation. Hugo and Collin fit. Then there is the reality of how to blend two lives. Delightful story, the Inn is still on my bucket list. I want Franklin to find his person more than ever now. Good story, Sexy cover art, nicely done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy for another trip to the Bearclaw Inn! I loved both Collin and Hugo. I was sad for Collin losing his mate the way he did and for twenty years carrying on his dream alone. But now he's lonely and longed for "a companion who would fill a hole in my heart so big I had no idea how to make it happen, and maybe it never would." I loved that he was friends with Franklin, the owner of Bearclaw whom I've loved from the first book onwards. Omega Hugo was lonely as well but gave up on finding a good alpha. "I wanted someone with wisdom and lessons that had been learned with both age and experience. Someone who knew what he was doing in life and in the bedroom. Someone who knew how to treat an omega." I really loved Hugo. He really drew me in. These two were perfect for each other. This is my favorite book in the series so far. 5 stars.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Precious little gem of a story!
This story is a breath of fresh air! It has great pacing and enjoyable characters who act like mature adults. They are Hugo, an omega leopard shifter, and Collin a widowed alpha bear shifter. Everything from their background stories, fated meeting, to their HEA is engaging to read.
Told in first person, dual POV, some additional elements I enjoyed are:
* Age Gap with size difference.
* Honest communication.
* Great secondary characters.
* Bite marking, knotting and mate bonding.
* Romance, caretaking and sweet touches.
* Natural birth and cute moments with infant.
I love this sweet, low angst mpreg story, which is a new comfort read.
Highly recommended!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugo is a younger omega whi is very independent, but still wants an alpha to care for him. Collin is an older alpha who doubts he wants or will have another mate as he is still grieving twenty years after his loss.
Being fated mates means insta-love, but you do feel a connection growing between the MC's as they get to know one another and adjust to their new situation, which makes the love feel genuine.
There is a nice combination of sweet, spicy, and emotional with likeable characters.
There was a pretty big inconsistency that threw me off.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb Swietek · Rating 5 out of 5]

An invite to the Bearclaw Inn? Here we go again.

Lorelei has a winning series here! I love Franklin and the Bearclaw Inn. That this story features his old friend is an added bonus. Collin and Hugo are made for each other. As always, the descriptions were so vivid I had no trouble visualizing them. The attention to detail, from the garden to the sourdough bread to the market, is amazing. And don't get me started on the chickens! Yes. There is a baby. HEA is assured. You need to get this book. Now! Ooh, and do yourself a favor and read the previous books. You will be glad you did.

[Cynthia M Brow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secluded Alpha is the 4th book in the Omegas Inn Love series. Each book can be read as a standalone but I enjoy reading all the books in a series. This is Collin an alpha bear shifter who lost his first mate and Hugo an omega leopard shifter. We're back at the Bearclaw Inn where fated mates get to come together. I loved the dynamic between the two, one who has given up on finding his mate and the other still grieving a mate. This is another wonderful quick read in this series and I think you will enjoy it too. I would definitely recommend this book and series.

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bearclaw Inn really earned its reputation

What a pleasant surprise to find that this 4th book in the Omegas Inn Love series had released while I was very busy working this month. This was a special book which introduced a friend of Franklin's and some background story about their deceased partners.
This was such a heartwarming tale. Full of fun and laughter, finding hidden chicken eggs, and much more. This is a low angst sweet story. I highly recommend it along with the rest of the series.

[Ann Tosti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this is a good story, just one thing really bugs me about it. Mostly because it’s really obvious and could have been easily fixed. In Chapter 1, Collin’s late mate died from an aneurysm and never even made it out of the office when he collapsed. Next mention of him in chapter 3 (and for the rest of the book), he died in a car crash and he wasn’t alone but with a friend. Both mates to the two who died have mourned together. So of course the change needs to be in the first chapter.

[Shelley Chastagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collin is a bit stuck in the past. Meeting Hugo brought him conflicting emotions but with a nudge from Franklin, he's able to reach for a brighter future. I love that Hugo wants to know about Collins's late husband, he is a part of Collin and important to his mate. The ending is happy and satisfying.
Recommended author and series

[Simera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugo is a younger omega that loves to bake and hates his job. Collins lost his younger mate and took up his dream of farming. Both are lonely when they get the invite to Bearclaw Inn they are both excited and apprehensive.
Once they find each other things move quickly as fated mates.
Hugo and Collins are both sweet and enjoyable characters.

[Leonie Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so good. The main characters in this book, Hugo who is Omega and Collin who is the Alpha. There is a very well worded blurb for this book so if this is your genre then you will really enjoy reading this book. Each couple in this series are different and I have enjoyed them all so far. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bearclaw Inn does it again.

Collin has grieved for two decades over the lost of William his mate and doesn't seem to want to move forward. Hugo is in a dead end job but he loves to bake. They both receive an invitation for a weekend of relaxation at the Bearclaw Inn and hopefully, they'll be mates.

[Pamela daSilva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secluded Alpha by Lorelei M. Hart

Franklin is at again this time his friend who is a widower he is bringing a omega for him. The omega is his fated mate, the one who's a match for him. This was a sweet book to read. I really appreciated the way how you could love after a lose of a love one was handle in this story.

[Coral Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collin is older and lost his mate. He does not believe he can or wants another. Hugo is tired or his in and only wants a mate to care for. His mysterious invitation may he the answer he is looking for. Another sweet, low angst read.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked that Franklin was able to find a mate for his friend Collin. Collin and Hugo are very well suited for each other and share similar interests. It was very nice to see how they blended their lives.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colin and Hugo's story entertained me. I loved their instant attraction that they had. I loved the sweet romantic moments between the men.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story and a good to this series. I enjoyed reading along as things developed for Hugo and Collin and I appreciated their happily ever after.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ethel Nesson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful and delicious!

Between the fresh eggs, fruits and produce of the silver haired Collin and the unique sourdough breads baked by Hugo, you’re in for a treat! Enjoy these two talented and caring men as their first steamy weekend together leads to so much more!!!

[Abril · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.55 the thing is I loved the characters so much. It’s probably my favorite so far. but the books just are just very short. They are very cute and sweet, but they just don’t really have like that backbone and those details that would really bring it up to the next level.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, easy to read story. The story was good and the characters were good. Recommend reading.

[Lark Drapper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grammar mistakes, spelling mistakes, and punctuation mistakes. It's fine but it was riddled with errors.

[Kobie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zipping along, enjoying this and then, SCREECH, the "omega mine" starts at 75%. It pulls me from the story because it is so awkward. Painfully so.

[Elizabeth Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

What a lovely story and the best thing about it was the love that was so clearly present in every word. Fantastic story

[Maria Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Another beautiful read. The characters were great. The storyline was spot on. Looking forward to more. The ending was absolutely beautiful.