Monster's Find

Monsters in the Mountains #1

by Leann Ryans

I found her in the dark, and that’s where I’ll claim her so she can’t run.

My heat is coming, and nothing will stop it. They killed my father, and now there’s no one to protect me, so I run.

A cave in the mountains is the safest place I can find, but I am not alone.
Is a real monster any worse than the ones that murdered my father to take me for themselves?

This is a short romance featuring a human omega and a monstrous alpha. It was previously released as part of the Monsters After Dark anthology.

Genres: Omegaverse, Monsters, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Monster Romance, Paranormal Romance

38 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2022

About the author

Wife and mother of four, my days have been reduced to begging for the littlest to sleep so I can have time to write my books. I'm blaming my reduced schedule on Cupcake.
Facebook is the best place to find me, or you can sign up for my newsletter here (https://leannryans.com) to keep up with current and upcoming projects as well as special promotions and such, or find me on Ream!

I grew up on Sci-fi and Fantasy books with some of my favorite authors being Anne McCaffery and Mercedes Lackey. In 2013 I discovered paranormal romance and delved into a whole new world. After reading Omegaverse stories from Addison Cain and Nora Ash, I had the idea for The Omega Prize and decided to take a shot at writing a book of my own. The beginning was rough, it took two months to write the first five chapters, but as my 2019 New Year’s resolution I said I was going to finish the story and committed to writing every day. It didn't take long for the book to begin telling itself, and from there I just kept going.

All of my books are Omegaverse, but they span settings from Sci-Fi, dystopian, and historical barbarians. There is even a small-town Enemies to Lovers Romance story in there. They main contain dark elements but I wouldn't call them dark romance since my alphas tend to be a little mushy in the center. I promise there's always a HEA.

Reviews

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short and spicy omegaverse

This was a sweet little book. The FMC has run away from her village to avoid being bound to an alpha there when her heat arrives and is discovered by a monster. Spicy times ensues.
I would have liked a lot more story and background, because it was very minimal. I love to feel connected to the characters. The author is good at painting a picture and I think this could be 5 stars as a longer story, even novela type length.

Spice: 5/5

Triggers: dubcon due to heat

[sarah ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

living vicariously through this novella

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't enjoy a little Monster Smut?

A human Omega on the run from the men of her village who murdered her father to get to her. Approaching her heat she takes refuge in a cave but she soon realizes that she is not alone.

She comes face to face with Me'lar the monster who lives in the cave. Me'lar is immediately enamored with the human Omega and helps her through her heat and claiming her as his own.

Me'lar was scared to show his true form out of fear she would run from him but little did he know his human Omega found her safe place with him and accepted him as her Mate and Alpha.

This was a super short read about opposites attracts and that not all monsters are heinous creatures who go bump in the night.

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

[Your_bookish_fantasy Kerri-louise Whitham · Rating 3 out of 5]

STORY ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
NARRATOR ⭐️⭐️ - nice voice, rubbish production. No enthusiasm.
🌶️🫑
Do not get the audio book.
The narrator wasn’t right for this role at all. His voice was nice but it’s like he found the story disgusting and really didn’t want to read it. Plus, the production quality was really bad, volume was all over the place, one minute he was extremely loud then he was distant. Not to mention all of the post recorded edits- it obvious he recorded this book, listened back to it and didn’t like a few of the lines. Therefor he re-recorded some and insisted them post production. The reason it obvious is because the sound quality and again volume, are vastly different! Really ruins the smutty vibe these books are aimed at!

As for the story- I loved it, it was a love. Is blind kind of theme and it just hit the spot. I do wish there was more foreplay involved and a bit more umph in the smut but that’s clealrly personal preference. I will continue listening to this series.

This is a series of books that are ll STANDALONE in an interconnected world. They can be read in any order or just one off.

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

« Fun little story » they say while the monster shamelessly takes advantage of the omega’s heat and forcefully binds her to him for life.

[cc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read worse.

[jennifer | offmyredcarpet · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 // This is a great little erotic romance novella. An omega in the run from her village alphas takes refuge in a cave during her heat only to draw one of the local monsters with her scent. I love that he is patient with her, waiting for her to come to him, knowing she is scared of what he is while also being drawn to his alpha scent. And that he won’t come into her nest until invited is a sweet gesture that contrasts with the behavior of the human alphas.

I admire any author who can so completely write a “slice of life” story that can have me panting for more while simultaneously giving closure. Definitely checking out more by this author.

[Laura (lady_h_reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A human omega is left to suffer her heat alone in the wilderness after her father is killed by the alphas in her village. As her heat consumes her, a monster approaches... a monster who may be more humane than the people she has been running from.

This is a quick, but sweet, heat sequence written in dual 1st person POV. I enjoyed this tiny morsel of OV goodness. It has high steam, mating bites, knotting, and tons of slick and seed.

[V.P. Nightshade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monster Omegaverse

Excellent monster omegaverse!

I like ABO stories that show the Alphas treating the Omegas well. In my opinion too many omegaverse novels show the Alpha in a cruel light, and portray him behaving poorly toward his Omega. Those stories never make sense to me. Omegas are rare and anything that is rare is a treasure. We value treasure!

This story, thankfully is not one of those! The Alpha here, even though he is a monster, treats Sasha as the rare Omega treasure that she is. Very well-written, I will be reading the next book in the series.

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh, basically just one extended sex scene. She was in heat and unable to decline the sex, though I wouldn't go far as to call it dub-con. He was as respectful as he could be in the circumstances while admittedly manipulating the circumstances to ensure she needed him too badly to refuse his 'help.' If you want a short spice-only read, it's not a bad one.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and to the point... smut

This is short and simple and to the point. Surprisingly it has a decent amount or plot considering how short it is.

[Drasevia · Rating 4 out of 5]

On my way to find those caves and Mel’ar’s clanmates!🥵 Damn, it was really good!🔥 9/10.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idk, I'm apparently into omegaverse monster smut romance now. I liked it!

[Reagan Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7/5⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I don’t know what I just read😃, but it was a good book

[JD (on semi-hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pure Omegaverse heat smut between omega Sasha and monster/alpha Mel’ar. It is what it is for an erotic novella, but consensual, evocative, and decently written.

3 1/2 stars. The usual Beauty and The Beast message about inner vs. outer "beauty." Originally published as a short story in Monsters After Dark.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

That was something.

[**Tessa** (semi hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

monster smut

No plot and barely a storyline but still oh so forbiddingly good. Straight smut. Monster smut ❤️ 4 monster smut ⭐️

[Izzah ꒰Duchess of Cabria ಇ ⭑✧ ᴏɴ ᴘᴀᴛʀᴇᴏɴ ✧ ⋆꒱ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very in-your-face, what-plot smut 😂

The MMC was not described very well, so I had trouble picturing him. Maybe a werewolf with horns but no tail?
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬
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[diana]

well, now i can say i read omegaverse too. by accident, but whatever.
since i am not the targeted audience, it doesn't feel right to rate this.

[Madelynne Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A human omega named Sasha is soon to go into her heat. She has no family, just a father who was murdered to make sure he couldn't stop the human alphas from having a free for all over Sasha who is a virgin. Sasha is on the run, desperate to be able to choose who becomes her mate.

She runs through the forest toward the mountains where she hopes to take shelter in an unoccupied cave until her heat passes. Finally she reaches a cave that seems unoccupied and beds down to rest until she's back to normal. Little does she know, but she's in a cave complex that belongs to one of the monsters that inhabit the mountains- a lonely alpha named Mel'ar who's been in search of a mate.

Mel'ar has smelled the pheromones Sasha is releasing as her heat comes upon her, and he wants to meet her. Sasha had heard scratching noises coming closer to the small chamber she was resting in, but as her heat symptoms became more intense, she became too involved in dealing with her distress to care. Suddenly Mel'ar spoke to her, offering to help her with her heat symptoms.

Of course, the only way to actually get rid of the heat is to mate with an alpha until it passes. Mel'ar may have a bedroom voice, but Sasha isn't going to let just any male have her. Mel'ar has to reassure her that his intentions are honorable. As they converse, Sasha can tell that Mel'ar is kind and caring, so eventually she accepts his offer.

Mel'ar has been looking for a sweet omega like Sasha, and as he makes love to her, he realizes that she's the only one for him. He marks Sasha, claiming her as his mate. Sasha is happy that she was able to choose who she would mate with, especially since Mel'ar is an slpha with a heart of gold. She knows he's not human, but the human males in her community were quite savage and it makes no difference to her what species he is because she knows they're falling in love with each other and she knows she'll be well taken care of.

When Sasha finally gets to see her fiancé, she's actually pleased with his appearance. Sure he has horns and claws, but he has bedroom eyes to go with his voice and he looks quite handsome in his own way. More importantly, Mel'ar is already treating her like a queen, tenderly taking care of her and making her feel special.

The next time they make love, Sasha marks Mel'ar, signifying that she wants to be his forever mate. An unusual HEA? Maybe, but then Sasha and Mel'ar are special and 100 percent in love.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claimed by a monster in the dark, her survival depends on surrendering to him

Omega Sasha has always relied on herself, but when danger closes in, she flees to the mountains seeking safety. Alone in a cave, she battles fear, isolation, and the pull of her heat, struggling to control instincts she barely understands.

Mel'ar, a dominant alpha with a monstrous presence, finds the vulnerable omega. His power is terrifying and irresistible, and their first encounter sparks desire, tension, and an unexpected thread of trust.

Their tentative trust grows as they navigate fear, need, and desire, each encounter pulling them closer and building the foundation for a bond that goes beyond instinct. Every shared moment tests their limits and strengthens their connection, leaving them drawn to each other in ways neither can resist.

Sasha grows from a terrified, isolated omega into a self-aware, trusting woman who embraces her instincts and needs while finding security in her bond. Mel’ar evolves from a dominant, possessive alpha into a patient, emotionally attuned partner who balances control with care. Their relationship deepens from fear and instinct-driven attraction into a fully bonded partnership where trust, intimacy, and connection allow both to find fulfillment and belonging.

Ultra-steamy, omegaverse monster romance set in isolation, exploring fear, desire, trust, and survival. It's about a young omega discovering strength in surrender, and a dominant alpha learning care within control, forging a bond where safety, connection, and belonging meet intense heat.

The Elevator Pitch: A young omega flees into the mountains to escape danger, only to encounter a monstrous alpha whose presence is as terrifying as it is irresistible. As instincts collide with desire, their tension builds into a fierce, consuming connection neither can ignore. Survival, trust, and the pull of instinct force them into a bond that is both dangerous and deeply transformative.

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥 Ultra-Steamy / Erotic Romance

Audio: Narrator Michael Coffman gives Mel’ar a commanding presence while capturing Sasha’s vulnerability. His pacing keeps tension high, and he handles intimate and intense scenes with confidence, making their connection feel raw, urgent, and compelling.

[Positively Book Mad · Rating 4 out of 5]

The full review can be found on my book review blog: Positively Book Mad

Usually, a novella can leave me craving more or with unanswered questions, so I loved how much of a rounded story I was given in under 38 pages. I felt like I was able to easily connect with the main characters, and the ending made me go ‘aw’, especially the last line that I absolutely loved. I also found the spice-to-plot ratio a good balance. But as mentioned above, the only downfall was the terminology used by the author, which sadly pulled me out of the scene enough to laugh. Therefore, I will be rating Monster’s Find Four out of Five stars.

If you’re over eighteen and looking for a short and sexy read to help you through a book slump, Monster’s Find is a great choice. It has heat, it made me laugh (I’m not sure if it was intentional, but it still stands), it has a HEA, and I think it’s a great introduction to Omegaverse, being my first full dip into the genre. I loved the bond that was found between Mel’ar and Sasha, and I loved the sneak peek given into the next book in the Monsters of the Mountains series by Leann Ryans. If you want to snap this novella up, head over to the author’s website because it is free; alternatively, you can purchase it from Amazon. I’m looking forward to downloading book two, Monster’s Obsession, soon!

[Joy Pryor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a romance: SPOILERS

There was absolutely no romance in this story! There’s no world building. All that is written is that Sasha left her village to find a safe place to wait out her heat. She had no family or friends in the village, and no mention of clothing, lol! I couldn’t get past the fact that Sasha knew of the monsters, but hid in an open cave, knowing that her scent is stronger during heat!! She hears a noise and is unsure of what it could be and yet she didn’t get up to look because it was more urgent to give into her heat. When the framing is done, she hears a voice telling her to continue… From that point on it’s one chapter stretched out 2 to 3 chapters of one loooooonnnng session of foreplay and two intimate scenes and some internal dialogue. Then he tells her his name, and that he is her alpha who will cherish her…fill in the usual alpha, care for omega for life and give many babies and lots of mating! I wrote none of that to be rude. It’s just my thoughts about the lack of storyline. I was honestly bored and skipped over sex and looked got dialogue. I won’t read any of the other books in the series because this book was not my cup of tea.

[Rose Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those stories that had a really intriguing premise but didn’t quite have enough time to fully develop. The whole human omega and monstrous alpha dynamic was interesting, and there was definitely potential for something deeper and more immersive.

Since it’s a short story, I went in expecting a quick read, but it still felt a bit rushed. Things moved so fast that it was hard to really connect with the characters or fully invest in what was happening. I just wanted more, more buildup, more detail, more emotional depth.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narration was a highlight. The narrator has a great voice and brought a lot of atmosphere to the story. The only issue was that at times it was a little hard to tell who was speaking, especially between the main characters, which pulled me out of the story a bit.

Overall, it’s not a bad listen if you’re looking for something quick with a unique twist, but it left me wishing it had been longer and more developed.

[Mandy Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This erotic romance novella offers a tender, spicy take on the "monster in the cave" trope, centered on a human Omega fleeing the violent Alphas of her village. After seeking refuge during her heat, she discovers Me’lar, a monster whose patience and respect provide a stark contrast to the predatory men of her past. The narrative effectively builds tension through Me’lar’s hesitation to reveal his true form and his refusal to enter her nest without an explicit invitation, establishing a foundation of safety and mutual acceptance. While the chemistry between the leads is clear and the "opposites attract" theme is well-executed, the story is quite minimal in scope. I would have appreciated more extensive world-building and character backstory to facilitate a deeper emotional connection, but it remains a satisfying, high-tension read for those seeking a quick escape.

[☾⋆⁺ Nurse After Dark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was alone in the darkness. Or I thought I was.

I'm a sucker for an omega stuck in heat without any alphas, and this short delivered that well! Her poor attempt at a nest had me really rooting for her and whatever was moving in the dark.

"I will submit to no man." My snarled words echoed back to me even as a chuckle rumbled through the cave.
"Well, I am no man."

I would have enjoyed an expanded version of this story - though judging by the authors notes, it maybe was already expanded from its previous appearance in an anthology? I would consider checking out the other books in this series down the road, I'd like to know more about the type and society of monster we dealt with here!

[Guardian.angel54 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, steamy, but actually pretty fleshed out

I really had no idea what I would find in this short story but I was pleasantly surprised. Although it may be short in length the author does a remarkably good job at giving us a background to the storyline and great character descriptions. Yes, it's 🔥🔥🔥 but it also has sweetness and a HEA. I'm pretty sure that in Sasha's position I'd also happily accept a "monster" for a mate. As Sasha remarks to herself, sometimes man is more monstrous than the actual monsters! I found myself quite enjoying this little tidbit of monster smut and it wouldn't hesitate to try other stories by this author.

[Monsterrific Crafts · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’d never imagined anything could feel the way he did inside of me, and a part of me insisted it was because he was a monster.”

Wow... I was not expecting... well, that.

This short omegaverse story is both steamy and full of monster smut, but it also combines sweetness and lust perfectly in its pages. Surprisingly enough, the novella has enough plot and backstory for the length and the genre.

I most certainly enjoyed it!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sasha and Mel'ar

This is a precious novella introducing the Monsters in the Mountains series. Although he's a monster, Mel'ar treats Sasha with more care and respect than anyone else inher life. I found this after ready the Alpha Barbarians series. They are set in the same world. Mel'ar mentions his clansmen. I think it will be interesting for these "monsters" to find their human mates.

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know what? For what this is (a very short, 40-ish page Omegaverse novella) I really enjoyed this. We’re given just enough background to understand where the FMC comes from and a (tiny) bit about their world without any info dumping. The smut is well written and not cringy. I was rooting for the MMC even though I’d only known him a few pages, and this left me wanting to read more of the series.

If you’re looking for a short, steamy, monster Omegaverse, I would definitely recommend this.