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[Sequel to Puppy.] Zain was just a dog walker. It was an unconventional job for a werewolf, even a brand new one, but he liked dogs and they liked him. It only seemed to make sense... right up until the point a vampire called him in to take care of his human pup. When his life collided with Liam and Caleb's, none of them were prepared for the directions it could take.

Especially Zain.

But between the sexy pup and the vampire's creativity, the power struggles pitting dominance against submission -- and acceptance -- the two might be too intriguing to just walk away from...

When M.A. Innes, bestselling author of sweet taboo romance, and R. Phoenix, author of playful dark erotica, paranormal romance, and horror team up, you should leave your expectations at the door. The duo responsible for Almost Strangers, a sweet contemporary romance with more than a few taboo themes, has collaborated again to bring you something from the other side of the force.

That said, here are a few notes from Raissa:

This is not an alpha / omega / beta tale, at least not in the usual sense (designation at birth, slick, heats, mpreg, primary focus on the werewolf part, etc.). Alas, "Alpha" in this universe is completely different and refers more to status. I hope you'll give it a shot anyway, but please don't expect A/B/O dynamics! (Though there are plenty of Big Os in here. Just saying.)

To M.A. Innes's Readers:
I've temporarily corrupted your favorite author. Don't worry; it isn't permanent. Seriously, though, please do not go into this book thinking it is a typical M.A. Innes book. It isn't. Innes is writing in my world -- and my world is a much darker place. The warnings are there for a reason, darlings!

To R. Phoenix's Readers:
Hello, my loves! It's great to (finally!) get back to Caleb and Liam. Thanks so much for being patient. I know it's been a while, but I hope you'll agree this was worth the wait. You know the drill -- this is playful dark erotica, emphasis on the dark. If you've read Puppy, you're (probably) ready for Alpha. ;-) Give a warm welcome to Zain!

Other Notes:
*This is the sequel to Puppy by R. Phoenix, which should be read first. Sorry, loves, it's definitely not a standalone.
*(Warnings/Potential Spoilers) Prepare for M/M/M, puppy play, body modification, humiliation, dehumanization, and other stuff I'm forgetting about right now. Not every dynamic or element is 100% consensual.

151 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 25, 2018

90 people are currently reading
203 people want to read

About the author

R. Phoenix

81 books564 followers
R. Phoenix has an unhealthy fascination with contrasts: light and dark, heroes and villains, order and chaos. She believes that love can corrupt and power can redeem. Her muse is a sadomasochistic slave driver who thinks it's terribly amusing to give her the best ideas when she just got comfortable and warm in bed, and she passes on that torture to her readers. She also tries entirely too hard to be funny, and she mercilessly inflicts her terrible sense of humor upon anyone who speaks to her. She'd love it if you'd say hello!

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5 stars
158 (39%)
4 stars
135 (33%)
3 stars
82 (20%)
2 stars
19 (4%)
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10 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Mimi.
2,456 reviews
May 31, 2018
I have one word CRAZY!

4 Puppy licks 🐕🐕🐕🐕

Well it has been a full year since I read Puppy by R. Phoenix. And at the time it was really a weird story. Who would have thought that a Vampire would want a human as a pet let alone a dog 🐕. Not me.

So fast forward to Alpha: Tamed and Trained book 2 we meet Zain who was transformed into a werewolf at the age of 9. He is a lover of dogs and his Alpha tells him about a dog walking job but doesn't let on the She knows what he is in for.

Liam and Caleb are still Puppy and Master but Liam isn't getting the results that he wanted so he hired Zain and that's where this story begins.

This series coexist within The Fate of the Fallen series. You don't have to read it to understand this one but to understand the back story about how the human race is no longer in charge be my guess. I only got through two of them myself.

I'm not sure if M.A. Innes had anything to do with it but I some parts of the book I was laughing my ass off and I didn't expect that this go around.
Profile Image for Chris.
2,070 reviews
May 20, 2018
Wasn’t sure where to his was headed - erotica, paranormal and kink but surprisingly it worked. I’m really keen for book 3 to get Liam’s perspective as Master. This is definitely not for everyone but if you like a little edge to your kink then you may well enjoy this. Certainly easy to read !
Profile Image for Trio.
3,615 reviews207 followers
March 15, 2019
I enjoyed the dynamic between Caleb and Liam in Puppy, but boy is the timing right for a little help! Thankfully Zain shows up to get them headed in the right direction.

Caleb is torn, he clearly wants to be a pup (plus it's a heck of a lot better than living in the slums), but he's treated so poorly by Liam that it's still a tough adjustment. Zain helps Caleb embrace the parts of being a pup that he gets off on and gives him hope for the future. Yay, this is all going to work out for him. He's such a sweetie, I'm glad Caleb can get some pleasure in his life.

I'm not as worried for Liam's state of mind, but Zain does shake him up and give him direction on how he needs to treat his pup - plus Zain shows him the side benefits are so worth it.

I loved Zain's reactions throughout the whole story, he's a great character. Entering into this triad is a win/win for Zain, of course, but what he brings to Liam and Caleb is amazing.

Really fun series.

The narrator, JJ Jenness, has a good voice for this series. Each of the characters, plus the narrator, is completely unique.

an audiobook copy of Alpha (Tamed & Trained, #2) was provided to me by R. Phoenix for the purpose of my honest review
Profile Image for Kirstin.
2,095 reviews19 followers
July 6, 2019
I found this soooo very interesting.

Caleb was torn between wanting to be a human and giving himself over to his puppy. He had no worries, nothing to do, just happiness. But as he gave into that part of him, he felt his humanity slipping away.

This book just gripped me. I can't wait for the next one!
Profile Image for Fay MMBookworm.
3,076 reviews66 followers
March 11, 2019
A great follow up book from Puppy.

The start was ruff to read but as it went and Zain enters the story things change.  Calab fights who he is and what he desires.. Lol Poor Zain he had no idea what he sees at the Vamps place but he handles Calab and Liam wonderfully lol. A great book with a difference, the ending was fantastic and Liam definitely got some adjustments to his thinking. 

Liam (Vampire Master) and Caleb (human pup who pushed his masters buttons ) where moving into a new house. 
Zain (werewolf 19 yrs ) was to be Caleb's new dog walker.
Profile Image for Varya.
768 reviews100 followers
February 20, 2021
Hmmm...this one was less fucked up compared to the last one. It focused more on puppy play and less on the non-con, depraved stuff. (And since I am entirely too much crazy, I didn't like the transition that much lol) . However, it was still hot and intriguing ...along with some yummy scenes with 3 males🔥🔥 where's the fucking fire department🔥🔥
Profile Image for Ana.
1,042 reviews
May 6, 2018
This was interesting. It is a book out of my comfort zone. I really don’t like puppy play but I liked the previous books from the author so I couldn’t miss this one. What I found interesting about it is that, even though I’m not going to lie and say I loved the puppy play in it, there was a lot of the book that I did loved and I even enjoy it a lot more than I expected.

What I liked about it were the characters. All of them had something interesting to add to the story. I loved Caleb the most, especially at the beginning when his defiance was more frequent, when the book start to advance and he was more into puppy headspace I start to struggle a bit with him, but I still enjoyed his point of view the most. I liked Zain as well, but had the opposite reaction with him, I struggle a bit at the beginning of the book when, he seem a little plain, but the way his character developed was really nice. I liked his defiance as I liked Caleb’s. Liam was also great. I think he was the one that had fewer chapters but those few ones where really good ones. I loved his mischievous behavior. I also loved the presence he had, he didn’t needed to say or do much to demand the attention of the others and that they seek his approval, at least in some kind of way.

I guess the only issue I had with the book was the poppy play. So, if any reader likes it I wouldn’t doubt in recommend it.
1,384 reviews6 followers
April 27, 2018
So much yum

I loved this book. I red it in KU and then I ehas to buy it. I loved Puppy, but this one is so much more. I embrace the unwavering commands and demands of Liam, but love the caring understanding and expectations that Zane brings to the fold. Caleb wants to submit, but doesn't think that he should. He needs to be able to get out of his head to enjoy what he really wants. Zane helps them communicate and understand each other while adding another dimension to the relationship.
This story is well balanced with the caring and humor that Zain provides, the doubt, need and wanting from Caleb, and the autocratic ruling of Liam.
I stopped the book I was reading so that I could demolish this book. I want to read this again and I want that first time feeling again. Such a wonderful book. I can't wait to read the next book.
Don't shy away from this, just because it says dark. I don't actually consider this a dark read, maybe a pewter gray. You need to read the first book, Puppy, to understand and appreciate this story.
Profile Image for SaDeAn.
587 reviews3 followers
July 19, 2018
3.5/5

I told myself I was done with these books. I was horrified after I read Puppy (Tamed & Trained, #1).

But, and I have no qualms about doing this, I am blaming the cover. It kept catching my eye. And I kept reading the blurb. And I was in a book slump. And so it wasn’t my fault.

And while these books are still more dark than I usually prefer, this one was significantly easier to read that its predecessor. There is more sweetness here and I felt like I could put this one more in a ‘romance’ category given the hope it leaves the reader feeling.

I am now committed and will likely read the third installment when it comes out. I pray though that it seriously does not have any more heinous non-con moments. My heart really cannot take them.

Xoxo.

Available on KU.

Happy Reading!
Profile Image for Genevieve.
Author 16 books11 followers
February 27, 2022
Lots of dark themed play.

“Did he look like he might have rabies? Did he actually have rabies? Oh, for f****’s sake.”

I adore Caleb. I love the Tamed trilogy, in the same world as Fate Of The Fallen, it’s a different pace. Lots of snark, and what did I read humorous moments. Liam is still an alpha supe, dominating, expecting submission. Caleb and his puppy persona is perfect.

Add Zain to the story, and it’s potentially a marking competition between a Master, Alpha and their pup.

This is not sweet romance. It’s a combination of twisted mmm, paranormal and dystopian, all mixed in with kink. My little dark heart always enjoys the weird combination of tropes so unlike any other.

Content warnings apply.




Profile Image for John-Torleif  Harris.
2,725 reviews12 followers
May 2, 2018
Perfect!

I love both of these authors and was super excited when I saw that they were working on a joint project in the FotF world. This book was excellent. I loved that Caleb truly wanted to submit, but felt that he shouldn't wasn't it such that he was constantly at war with himself over what he needed and what he thought that he should be. Zain allowed Caleb to sink into being a puppy, as well as allowed Liam to truly recognize his own needs and desires with Caleb.

I can't wait to see what we get in Master!
114 reviews2 followers
May 2, 2018
WOW! You HAVE to read this book!

I was a bit nervous to pick up this book as some others had said that R Phoenix's is dark and I wasn't sure if I was ready for her. But MA Innes is one of my favorite authors so had to try. And it was no darker than a lot of books I have read - I LOVED IT!

This is the second of three which starts with Puppy. If you're going to read Alpha, please pick up Puppy and read it first so you know Caleb. Alpha focuses on Zain and Master, I believe, will focus on Liam. I'm really looking forward to that one!
Profile Image for kerryann williams.
262 reviews1 follower
May 3, 2018
Awesome addition to a great series

Both a vampire master and an alpha ware wolf to tame a human turned let pup was a great read . Learning everyone's attitudes and pleasures were fun to see, well worth
the money spent to be immersed into to such a fascinating world. I really hope there will be more on the vamp, were and newly remade again pup. There is so much more
that could be explored between the three and their own worlds reaction to the budding relationship of the three. Loved this book and want more please !!!!!
Profile Image for Allison.
1,858 reviews13 followers
September 21, 2018
2.5 stars. I was given the audio without expectation of a review.

The story was okay, although more editing is needed. I like how they became three, and how Zain smooths everything out between Caleb and Liam.

The audio. Well ... the narrator cannot and should not try to do accents. His voice for Liam made me think of Schwarzenegger in the early 80s films he's done, it was bad. He did well with other voices, but, as I never read this I don't know if the sentences are often that short or if it was just his delivery.

Overall, I'd suggest getting the book through KU.
Profile Image for Elin.
938 reviews8 followers
June 15, 2019
Zain is one messed up werewolf. Though that fits in with the vampire and his human puppy.
Having both his master and alpha to take care of him Caleb is slowly turning in to a very content puppy, and when a few alterations are made, all are more happy for it.
Even if it's not easy to train your employer in to being a better dog owner.

I continued this story on audio book, and the narrator is growing on me. The story had me in all kinds of stitches while laughing and embarrassed from the steamy scenes.
Profile Image for Diana.
204 reviews9 followers
August 9, 2018
I like the first book in the series, Puppy, quite a lot. This one more than lived up to its predecessor, and in fact I enjoyed it even more. There’s something lovely about watching Caleb become more comfortable in his puppy headspace. Also, I like his tail at least as much as Zain does! Plus, the dynamic between the three men was really hot. This is shaping up to be my favorite series by R. Phoenix! Can’t wait for book #3.
Profile Image for Amber Fueston.
1,540 reviews10 followers
March 18, 2020
I love Zain, I still can't connect with Liam at all though. I kind of wish the story was written without him in it. I can feel the passion between Zain and Caleb even though they have only known each other for a day. Zain knows just what Caleb needs to be in the right head space. This one definitely took the kink a lot further in a magical way. I am hoping that Liam becomes a little more likable in the next book.
Profile Image for Denise GremoryKohta.
4,242 reviews6 followers
April 28, 2018
Better than I could of imagined!!

The perfect balance edgy darkness and sexy kink. These two authors together make magic. So descriptive I was able to get a mental picture of Caleb. Cain is by far my favorite of the three. Liam is growing in me. Caleb I bounce back and forth on. I can't wait to see what happens in Master.
Profile Image for Monica S.
243 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2018
Love is unusual

Zain a newly turned wolf only has his pack but lost his family hired to be a dog walker for Caleb and Liam but stumbles on to something different then what would be normal. Zain finds family and love in the most interesting of places. Great writing with great detail of what a pup should be.
Profile Image for Kristina.
1,589 reviews74 followers
July 17, 2018
Growth and Submission.

3.5 Stars. A very different feel from book one. This one wasn’t so involved in the fascinating world created, and was more centered around the building relationships and the addition of Zain, whom I like.
I appreciate Caleb’s further inclusion into his puppy mind set, and the fact Liam’s still
a grump - he so amuses me.
Profile Image for Sue bowdley.
1,449 reviews
June 11, 2020
Oh boy..It was great getting back to Liam and Caleb..I loved them in Puppy and in this one Zain a werewolf is added who thinks he's going to be dog walking a vamps pup..Well he didn't expect a human pup...They really were great together and there's another one to go too...Mix these two authors together and damn you get even more perfection x
1,113 reviews
March 14, 2021
Intense!

Wow! I really liked this book, but I can empathize with Caleb as I feel a bit guilty about the fact that I liked it. The content is so extreme, I feel as of I’m not supposed to enjoy it even though I do. I’m looking forward to seeing how the story resolves in the last book of the series.
Profile Image for andrea moran.
2,126 reviews
April 27, 2018
Alpha

Although I really enjoyed the first book Puppy it was a bit dark for my taste with the dubcon elements but with the addition of the wolf dog walker to bridge the gap this second book was much more appealing! Bravo ladies
Profile Image for Tatenisha.
1,761 reviews1 follower
October 6, 2018
Zain is hired to be a dog walker but he gets something unexpected and he adjusts to his situation. He turns "dog" walking into dog play and believes that he has found what he thinks is missing in his life. Zain, the dog and its owner adventure into an affair. Interesting read.
Profile Image for Angelica.
485 reviews
November 27, 2018
Zain is introduced into this part of the series, he is the dog walker but happens to get the pup to respond better than the vamp has accomplished in the weeks he has had him. I love how Zain knows how to adapt quickly to the situations between Caleb and Liam. About to read part 3.
Profile Image for J.L..
Author 14 books72 followers
January 23, 2023
This story and world get weirder, but in a way that makes perfect sense for what is set up in book 1. Definitely a nontraditional love story between people who live in a world currently a bit too effed up for what we think as romance. Still a compelling read.
Profile Image for Soryn W..
137 reviews
April 28, 2018
Loved

I have to say the wait was well worth it. Had me drooling along with Caleb. Can’t wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Jo.
1,605 reviews
May 2, 2018
Oh me likely! Please can we have some more 🙏😜
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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