Ondine: Vol. 1 A Cash City Omegaverse Story

by Shasta De Leon

Ondine has been living on her own for a year, playing piano for money and staying clear of alphas, but when an unexpected heat spike has her claiming a beta worker at the Heat Clinic, Ondine is on the run. Escaping her mistake leads her right into the clutches of Pack Meier.



Jake, Sebastian, and Shadow were just rejected from enrolling in the Alpha-Omega Placement Institute. They don’t know why, but they assume it’s because of Jake Meier's diagnosed personality disorder. They need an omega, though. Shadow is not doing well and it’s making their bond suffer. Inviting a strange omega into their home may prove to be more than they were prepared for. What will they do when the contract ends before they are able to make a better impression on the omega that captured their hearts?



Ondine's story is:
Contemporary
Why Choose/Poly
MFMMMM
Omegaverse romance



There are intense sexual themes and personal healing journeys. Read for the spice, stay for the romance. Ondine and her men find their happily ever after in Vol. 2.



Ondine was first published by the chapter on Kindle Vella. Shasta compiled the story into two books, which are made available here for the first time in its entirety.



Current edition has now professionally edited by Cupid's Inkwell

Genres: Omegaverse, Why Choose, Dark, M M Romance, Romance, Polyamory, Forced Proximity

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 28, 2025

Reviews

[Jillyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first official Omegaverse story & it did not disappoint! I finished this book in 4 days!

I was drawn in by the complexities of Ondine being an Omega. This woman just wants love & a stable life, yet she is at the mercy of her biology. It was both scary & heartbreaking to read. I love that this pack accepted her even in her devastated, messy state. I enjoyed the message of acceptance & self love. I also really liked how each of the men have endearing personalities & they each meet her needs in their own individual ways.

I hope she can find a way to be with all her darlings.

[Maria F · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH WOW! I absolutely devoured this duet and it left me wanting SO MUCH MORE in the Cash City Omegaverse. I LOVED the level of heat and angst so much! The action of this book picks up SO fast and I had such a hard time putting it down to pay any sort of attention to real life.

❤️This duet brings multiple character arcs that show development and growth. There were a couple of characters that I really disliked in the beginning (idiot sandwiches) but by the end between their personal growth and the developments in the relationships around them I ended up loving every member of the pack and the personal flair (& balance) they bring to the group.

Characters were well-fleshed out, their arcs were executed well, and the plot was so gripping. There were external conflicts and internal conflicts which really kept everything moving along and incredibly engaging!

This duet may become a new favorite for me, I adored the vibes and the plot and the pacing so much! It was a perfect combination that I will enjoy rereading SO MUCH!

The Vibes
💙Hot and Angsty with a super satisfying conclusion❤️

What’s Inside
❤️Omegaverse
💙Why Choose
❤️MMFMMM
💙So Spicy
❤️Fast Paced
💙Contracts
❤️Office Pet
💙Feral Alphas
❤️Scent Matches
💙Idiots to Lovers
❤️Nesting
💙Groveling

Overall 4.75/5 stars ⭐️

[Parkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An angsty slightly dystopian omegaverse book is ALWAYS going to fix my reading slump, Ondine is no exception. Fantastic. Fun. Perfect.

[Hissin' and Kissin' - Jess and Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a unique take on the omegaverse genre. I enjoyed the bisexual representation, as well as MM pairings. -Sarah

[Shasta Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello readers! To celebrate the release of the paperback versions this month, I’ve had both Volumes of Ondine professionally edited and updated. All eBooks and paperbacks are now professionally edited and available!
xxx Shasta

[SnowyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ondine: Vol. 1 & 2 A Cash City Omegaverse Story by Shasta DeLeon
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
⤷I devoured this story until 5 am, and have no regrets! I could not put it down! I loved this new omegaverse city, with its urban settings, high stakes, and steamy spice! I loved all the characters and how unhinged and obsessed all the MMCs were. I absolutely loved this duet, and I’m diving straight into Mads Next!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✦ Omegaverse
✦ Why Choose MFMMMM⚔️
✦ Unhinged, Obsessed & Possessive Alphas
✦ Fast-Paced
✦ Morally-Gray MMCs
✦ Pack Dynamic
✦ Scent Matches
✦ Heat Emergency
✦ Relationship Contract
✦ HEA

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
📌Ondine (O): Newly turned Omega, Pianist Career, touched starved (Vanilla Ice Cream)
📌Jake (A): Pack Meier Lead, who is a diagnosed narcissist & hinged & extremely obsessed alpha. Works in Private Security. (Birthday Cake)

“There are two types of people in this world. Those who play fair. And those who win.” (Vol.2)

📌Sebastian/Sabbies (A): The one Ondine is the most possessive (Whiskey Oranges)

“I lean in closer to smell that orangey whiskey scent. It makes my mouth water. Sebastian and his emotions are just irresistible.”

📌Shadow (A): The Needy Chinese Alpha, who is guarding his heart (Fig)

“I want to kiss you. I want to make love. I want to lie with you in my arms all night. Watching you and following you all day like a phantom is not enough. Ondine, I’m a hungry alpha. I want it all. I don’t want a temporary placement. I want to consume you entirely.”

📌Arnold (B): Red Haired Beta, who helped Ondine at the Heat Clinic, who specializes in all things that Ondine loves and needs.

“She’s perfect. She looks at you like she sees everything all at once. No judgment. No expectations. And no hope. She’s the saddest person I’ve ever met. I don’t think anyone has ever seen her for who she is. The first time I made her smile, I wanted to die right then, like I’d achieved something great.” (Vol.2)

📌Freddie (A): Feral, Charming & Flirty Son of Senator Wong, who hires Pack Meier.(half-brother to Shadow) (English Tea)

“God, you are as deep as the ocean. As vast as the reaches of space. As wild as I am. Don’t hold back, ever, my Ondine. I like you like this. Unhinged and in charge.” (Vol.2)

────────────────
🚨𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 & 𝐓𝐖🚨:
Please read all the author warnings, as some themes/events in this book may be triggering.

[TheVelvetHammer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Have you ever driven with someone who's a bit of a nervous braker? Maybe not a smooth turner either, constantly correcting the wheel in jerks and starts?

Well, the staccato writing style, combined with a dearth of contractions and the disjointed pacing, was kind of like that. The word flow was awkward and unpolished in an unintentional way, while relying solely on telling rather than showing.

Additionally, I had been curious about the inclusion of NPD, which was one of the reasons I thought this might be interesting. Except, from what I read, it doesn't really seem like the author has a true grasp of this personality and, perhaps, is instead relying heavily on stereotypes perpetuated by those self-appointed armchair experts plaguing social media these days... which feels a bit irresponsible. Or maybe their understanding of this disorder is purely academic and they don't have any lived experience to apply.

Either way, that disconnect was just one more thing to prevent any kind of immersion and almost goad me into giving up. Well, mission accomplished. DNF

P.S. I found myself irrationally angry at the author's incorrect use of "spent" in place of what should have been "spend" when referring to semen. "His spent dripped down her leg."

P.P.S. I feel like if more new authors remembered to actually read their writing out loud, they would better comprehend why contractions (or lack thereof) entirely change the flow, tone, and meaning of their words.
"You're kidding me."
"You are kidding me."
These are two entirely different sentences in the same way that a sharp and flat note are different.

P.P.P.S. I can't stop thinking of this when I think of the flow of this book:

[Baby Got Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very different omegaverse vibes. The characters were interesting and surprising in all their very unique individual relationship dynamics in the family/pack. I genuinely did not know how this was going to end up and who was going to end up pack!

I loved the progression of the pack and the development of characters that you might not like in the beginning. I liked that all the characters really had to grow a lot over the book.

I found the world and the characters were very urban and gritty. I loved the unique world and how diverse it felt.

I think this story has one of the most strangely put together packs I have seen in an omegaverse...I mean you def feel like they go together by the end but its a very strange fit on the surface.

If you want a contemporary, unique but gritty omegaverse story with interesting and not always likable characters this is a wild ride.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

confused

Ok so this book did pick up by the end but I have to say we started off so rough. I I had no idea what was happening at all, the beginning gave off huge dub con vibes and whilst this seems to change into more feelings I couldn’t tell you the depth of feeling as nothing was ever made clear on page. This honestly felt like a kidnapping mixed with dub con and convienence.. and then more confusion. By the time I made it to the end of the book whilst some things are clear now and yes admittedly are slightly enjoyable for this storyline Im still lost ! I feel as though we haven’t got to know our MCs, we haven’t learnt about their feelings
Or motives! Nothing!

[Katie Welder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ondine just did something unforgivable but is about to go in full heat. Jake just got turned down by the institute for placement. It's almost kissmet that these two should meet on the subway. From there, it's a contract and Ondine's heat. That's when things really start to develop. And it starts to look like this may not be so temporary....

I am such a sucker for the denile and give in. And I got so much of that with this book. And little did I know the author was sneaking in some new developments that helps to keep us on our toes. I'm so excited to see where all of this goes and how the dynamics shape up. And of course the spice sure does sweeten the pot 😏

[Vix · Rating 1 out of 5]

honestly i don’t even know where to start or what to say.

this is probably one of the most confusing books i’ve ever read 😃 like truly, you start thinking it’s one thing then all of a sudden the plot is another thing and the characters also have this 180 in terms of behaviors and personalities

the fmc is an idiot. like, truly. she has no brain, it appears.
nothing makes sense in how she behaves and how she seemingly accepts the men… she pisses me off because she’s pliant and submissive throughout the entire thing.

this reads like rage bait. truly.

[Lyrik · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this whole things and enjoyed it but the writing lacked all finesse. I do have to say though I was oddly engaged while being slightly confused. I'd say give it a go if you're curious and don't expect smooth writing. I care enough to continue on to Volume 2.

There is a short author's note at the beginning that provides very few details about their OV world. She even explicitly states the rules of her world will be explained in the story. While that was true technically, it was not done well. A more thorough author's note would have been appreciated.

[ChristiLovesBooks_smut · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ondine Vol 1 was ok

Ondine, Vol 1 of the A Cash City Omegaverse Duet, by Shasta DeLeon. #shastadeleon is a new author for me. Per the cover the author is Danielle Smith, but in Zon, the author is Shasta. 🤷🏼‍♀️

This was an ok book about Ondine, Jake, Sebastian, Freddie & Shadow! I did not like it enough to read the 2nd book. Tropes: Contemporary, Omegaverse, Bordering dub-con since her consent was at the beginning of her heat, Brothers, Found Family & A Cliffhanger!

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ondine's story is in a time when it's illegal for betas to be with omegas. So when her heat hits and the beta she likes, Arnie (he's an employee there) helps her out, she freaks out and leaves because she doesn't want him to get in trouble. On her way to find another location she runs into Jake - an alpha who offers her the opportunity to be a temporary omega while his pack helps her through her heat.

Jake, Sebastian and Shadow are a unique group of alphas. Jake's intent was really to help Shadow out of his funk that seemed to be making him sick. Their pack was obviously having problems.

I'll be honest - I wasn't quite sure how this was going to go at first. But as the book went on I really enjoyed it!

[Shelby Jarrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fast-paced book!

Brb going straight to book two!

[Butthisbook]

DNF at 40%

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Omega

Yeah this is not for me. The story is disjointed. The writing feels flat and this is badly in need of a proofreader.

[Jenny From The Bog · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. All of these characters are a chaotic, psycho, hot mess, but it's a fun read.

[Dana Zett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It had some good twists and turns, character growth, and once I hit the 15% left mark, I could not put the book down!

[Daniela M · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a strange little book

[Sequoia Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Odine: vol. 1

Love. The plot story and how it all comes together at first it's a bit sketchy but holds your attention

[Roanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. One of the best book in the genre until now. Good plot, not to much sex ( yes that is a thing) anf exciting. So yeah, great book.

[Stephanie Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

What?

This book is different and gosh do I want to hug Ondine. That poor woman doesn't know what's going on. Her pack needs to get their crap figured out.

[Paige Holzman · Rating 1 out of 5]

no.

[Kyara Gevers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in this series. Ondine has been a beta her whole life until suddenly she becomes an omega, because of her upbringing she doesn't do feelings, is very rational and pragmatic. She goes to a heat clinic. But when she finds herself on the wrong train, moving away from the clinic and her heat coming on fast, she has no other choice but to follow the mysterious alpha who offers to help.

The book has a lot of alpha's to get to know all different but to figure out which are good ones and bad ones.... I liked the story, and i'm excited to start the next one.

The cover is gorgeous, the spicy is very spicy, the men are sweet and naughty and Ondine finally starts to figure her omega side out more.

[Chaotic Nexus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow

Amazing beginning to an awesome new series! Complex and interesting characters make a must-read book! Can't wait to find out what happens in the next instalment