Alpha and Omega: A Novella from On the Prowl Audiobook

Everybody knows what it means to be the Alpha wolf. Very few know the true strength and respect held by the Omega wolf. In Alpha and Omega: A Novella from On the Prowl, Patricia Briggs introduces us to this strength.

Anna, like most other people in the world, does not believe in werewolves. The idea that they might exist never even crosses her mind, until the night that she is brutally attacked, and becomes one herself. Unlike in the teen romance novels, however, Anna is not singled out by the handsome Alpha of her pack to be the new queen of the werewolves. No, Anna's place is squarely at the bottom of her pack's hierarchy, as the Omega. And it's not a particularly pleasant pack to be a part of. The other wolves are cruel, mean, and outright abusive to Anna, and after three years of their mistreatment, she has learned the keys to survival: Never be noticed by anyone, and that goes doubly for the Alphas.

Things get complicated, however, when her lawless pack members decide to kidnap a young boy. Summoning her courage, Anna calls on the greatest Alpha of them all; the Marrok, leader of all werewolves. The Marrok sends his son, Charles, to investigate the situation, and a shocking discovery is made. Charles discovers that Anna is not the average submissive wolf who knows no better than to give in to the more powerful members of the pack. She is, rather, a rare Omega wolf. An Omega wolf who has been abused and molested by the cruel leaders of her pack.

Charles decides that this needs to change, and sets out to show Anna what the life of a werewolf should really be like. He teaches her what she really is, and the two develop a deep connection to one another. Empowered by her time with Charles, Anna is no longer willing to take the injustice of the pack lying down.

Patricia Briggs, born in Butte, Montana, has been writing fantasy fiction for over twenty years. Best known for her Mercy Thompson series, Briggs was first published in 1990, and her first novel was released in '93. She began writing multi-book stories shortly thereafter, and has won critical acclaim for her work in urban fiction.

"Alpha & Omega is a great story and the start of a great series. I loved the novella and love the two novels in the series, Cry Wolf and Hunting Ground. I re-read them all the time. This series is set in the same world as Patricia's Mercy Thompson series, and has the same worldbuilding, but it follows Charles Cornick, the Marrok's son and his mate Anna. Anna is a great heroine. She was turned against her will and her pack tries to beat her down, but they don't succeed. Even though she doesn't have much confidence, she somehow always manages to save the day through sheer grit and determination. I can't recommend this series highly enough. I just wish Ms. Briggs would write faster."

— Jennifer (5 out of 5 stars)