My Dark-Hearted Darling

Her Vicious Beasts #4.5

by E.P. Bali

Spicy short story. It is a Whychoose MFMM story of about 6k words and features Aurelia/Saraya/Altara's ancestor. It's best read before Her Monstrous Beasts.

Genres: Why Choose, Novella, Dark Romance, Adult, Fantasy

ebook

Published December 1, 2025

Reviews

[Lucie V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
I might give it a higher rating after I am done with the fifth book, and I understand how this short story is relevant.

This short story can be found here.

This one is tough to rate. The author mentioned that it is better to read it before reading the fifth book of the series, but we don’t know anything about the characters we meet in this short story, or where they live. Hopefully, things will click into place once I read the final book of the series, because right now, I can’t bring myself to care about Esha and her mates, and I struggle to see how they are relevant in Aurelia’s story.

For now, I have more questions than answers…


0.5 Her Vicious Beasts: The Beginning ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1. Her Feral Beasts ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Her Rabid Beasts ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Her Psycho Beasts ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Her Tortured Beasts ⭐⭐⭐


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[Luce · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hopefully this novella makes more sense after book 5…

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but I want it to make sense to the series, looking forward to the final book!

[Lee ✨✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me on a journey that at no point did I know what was going on, but wow did I eat it all up!!! This is a really cool quick trip into a new world that is parallel to the HVB universe and I am so hyped to see how it plays into Her Monstrous Beasts.

Update from Lee of the future: It is so bloody cool and I cannot wait to see more of this world in the future!!!

[Maelle C · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to admit I’m a bit perplexed after finishing this novella.

It clearly adds something to the universe of the series, but for now it mostly left me with more questions than answers. Some elements feel intriguing and almost cryptic, and at times I wasn’t entirely sure where it was all leading.

I’m assuming — and hoping — that everything will make more sense once I read the next book. For the moment, this novella remains a bit of a mystery to me, like a piece of the puzzle that doesn’t fully reveal the bigger picture yet.

That said, it definitely made me curious to see how everything will connect in the next installment.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as any other of Etkaa’s books I would have read 1000 more pages, but this tasty little treat was a fresh breath before diving into the last book of the beasts series.

Loved the princes and her mates, caught me off guard how in less than 25 pages I was already giggling and kicking my feet at their interaction.

[caitys.booknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

2026:

"We might be beasts, imprisoned without shame. But we are loyal to our pack. You share our mark. You are ours."

Super quick short story/novella from E.P. Bali.
I'm excited to see how this fits into the HVB series and ties her other series together.
There felt to be something much more ancient to these characters and their existence.
You can definitely colour me intrigued!

[Samantha Templeton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this mini story tying E P Bali's universes together def a must read if you love the Her Viscious series!

[Kaitlyn H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super short and fun to read…. But I’m confused as to why I needed to read this prior to Her Monstrous Beasts. Presumably, I will find out once I read that book.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

This seemed more like a teaser than a short story. Not sure for what yet though.

[Dahné "anotherbookchick" · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I read purple eyes I was like I KNOW I KNOW 🤣

I'm curious to see how that particular species or beast links into the final Vicious beasts book

Diving in now 🏊‍♂️

[Spider888 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and fateful shifters. Fun little read

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super fun! I would love to see more in this particular world! So fun!

[Danna]

didnt get it

[Megan Shields · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐

Excited for it to make sense 😂
Overall it was a fun and quick read

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm hoping this is the beginning of another series now that we've gotten a teaser.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was okay, not sure why the author says to read it before book #5...

Update March 2026 - I do understand why it's important for book 5 but I still think it was just okay.


#0.5 Her Vicious Beasts: The Beginning - ★★★★☆
#1 Her Feral Beasts - ★★★★☆
#2 Her Rabid Beasts - ★★★★☆
#3 Her Psycho Beasts - ★★★★☆
#4 Her Tortured Beasts - ★★☆☆☆