Mating the Omega

Mercy Hills Pack, Volume 1

By: Ann-Katrin Byrde

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 5 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

Omega wolf Jason and his family have been on the run for six years, to keep Jason from being forcefully mated to his pack's cruel Alpha. When a brutal attack leaves his father desperately injured, Jason comes to the conclusion that it's time to call it quits. Terrified as he is to deliver himself into an Alpha's power, he makes a deal to mate with the Alpha of the richest pack in the country, and discovers that he'd rather mate the Alpha's handsome Head of Security. When Mac captures the feral shifter that climbed the walls surrounding the Mercy Hills Pack enclave, he feels for the young shifter's fear, though he knows his Alpha isn't the sort of shifter Jason believes he is. He'd be happy to see the two mated, except that, as time goes by, it becomes more and more difficult to deny his own feelings for the young, damaged Omega. A sudden turn of events sees Mac and Jason mated and expecting, but Jason's old pack isn't done with them yet.

©2016 Ann-Katrin Byrde (P)2017 Ann-Katrin Byrde

Beyond my wildest expectations!

Recap: Mating the Omega is the story of a young twenty-one year old omega, running from a haunting past, trying to find a place to call home, and the Alpha who he falls in love with. This is book one of five (so far).

I love this series, I have all the books and was beyond excited to learn that the author was going to make them audio books as well, but I had concerns too. This series, this book, is more than your typical alpha/omega tale...there is world building that incorporates elements of our past that people had struggled to overcome, some parts more successfully than others, and parts that we still must work on. The cast of characters is large, with only a limited set introduced in this first book. How was this going to work in an Audible format, would it seem too overwhelming when listening?

All of my fears were erased within minutes of starting to listen. I knew I would enjoy the story itself, but the narrator I wasnt sure about. Nick did an amazing job with each character, almost plucking the voices from my head that I would hear when I read, and reread, the books. It was an awesome experience to hear the characters that I could only previously imagine.

If you are interested in something different, that builds a world you'll both recognize and want to do what you can to change, then I highly recommend this Audible.

A good choice for dipping your toes into Mpreg

I stumbled upon Mating the Omega while looking for audiobooks narrated by Nick J. Russo that were available through the Romance Package. I was in a Russo mood and as I'm still relatively new to the Mpreg genre - I've only read two books, I think - I decided to give this a try. And I'm really glad I did because I found it to be a very enjoyable audiobook. Not only did I get to enjoy an impressive performance by Russo (thereby getting my fix), but I also fell in love with Jason, the omega wolf.

Jason's status as an omega put him in an unenviable position, especially within the pack he was born in. Because of actions made by their alpha, Jason's parents took him and fled their pack to protect Jason from the alpha. In the world Byrde has created, humans are aware of the existence of shifters and regulate them strictly - forcing them to live in enclaves (gated shifter-only communities), require them to file travel plans that must be approved prior to them leaving their enclaves, enforce curfews, and a host of other rules that left me ill. To protect him from their alpha and other unscrupulous alphas who could and would cause him harm, Jason's parents lived within the human world, breaking the law by pretending to be human and working & living among them, moving whenever the alpha's enforcers tracked them down.

When the story starts, Jason has been awoken by his dad telling him that it's time to run again and Byrde does a nice job of creating tension in the scene and keeping the reader or listener on edge as we flee with Jason and his dad several times before Jason finds himself in the Mercy Hills Pack's enclave, caught trespassing by their security team. As Jason tries to make the best of a less than ideal situation (because it's not necessarily fair to call it a bad situation compared to his old pack), we find out some of the differences in how his pack treated alphas and how the Mercy Hills Pack treats them. As Jason and his dad try to settle into life at Mercy Hills, Jason prepares himself mentally to become the alpha's mate. In the interim, he begins to develop feelings for Mac, the alpha's best friend and head of the pack enforcers. Fortunately for the alpha, Mac returns Jason's feelings and Abel is able to encourage Jason to seduce Mac -- yeah, that was an amusing exchange. Unfortunately for all involved, Jason's former alpha isn't through with him and demands that Jason be returned to him. What follows is a rather fascinating court case as Jason's former alpha tries to use the human court system to settle a contract dispute which treats Jason like chattel. Talk about leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Ugh! I won't go into the ultimate decision and the fallout from that, but I will say that it made for some good white-knuckle-reading (or listening) as I sat riveted to the story, waiting to see how it would all play out.

As I said, I'm still relatively new to Mpreg, so I cannot comment on how it compares to other books in the genre. What I will say is that for someone testing out the genre, Mating the Omega is a good book to start with. I believe there is an ick factor that the uninitiated associate with Mpreg, as well as an "I can't wrap my head around that" mindset that can be hard to overcome. To tell the truth, the first Mpreg book I read wasn't advertised as being Mpreg and was actually part of the story's twist and even as much as I loved the author, I probably would have given it a pass had I known that. But because the Mpreg was only one facet of the story and not the main focus, the author eased the reader into it. For me, Mating the Omega has a similar feel. While the Mpreg is far more obvious and a major plot point, the pregnancy itself isn't the sole focus of the story and doesn't overpower the bond and love that forms between Jason and Mac. My only actual complaint is that I do wish more had been discussed about Jason's omega power and how it was supposed to benefit and/or be misused by his mate as that was one of the reasons his old alpha was said to want him so badly. However, that plot thread seemed to have been left hanging - unless I completely missed that conversation - and I'm intrigued as to what it was that made him a True Omega.

As for the narration, Russo did a great job of creating identifiable voices for the many characters and conveying their emotions. I especially liked how well he was able to show Jason's fear, anxiety, happiness, relief, and love, as well as his times of strength and his times of submission. Jason is a fascinating character as a less-submissive-than-he-should-be omega and Russo captures that wonderfully. I do hope that the next book in the series will be available via audio as I would love to listen to Abel find his mate.

NOTE: I listened to this title via Audible's Romance Package.

Love this series!

What an interesting series! Get ready for a whole lot of angst! In this world shifters are known but made to live in enclaves – very much second-class citizens. Jason and his family are on the run, because Omegas are considered second-class citizens among shifters themselves.

What I liked about this was the world-building and the subtle social messages that we get in this and in future books in the series. I will admit that by book 3’s end I needed a break because it gets a bit overwhelming – but each book is really well written and not all about the sex like some shifter/omega/mpreg books can be. In fact, there isn’t nearly as much sex as you’d expect.

The angst is pretty high – but manageable- and the feels are also correspondingly high.

In audio format, Nick J Russo does a great job of brining the myriad voices to life – which is tough, because everyone will eventually star in their own book – so keeping everyone voiced in a unique way is important.

I really enjoyed this as a series and in audio format and recommend it to fans of mpreg and shifter romances.

4.5 of 5 stars

Decent story with fantastic narration

Would you consider the audio edition of Mating the Omega to be better than the print version?

I didn't read this book but I think with the issues I had with the storyline that listening was the better choice for me since I'm a big fan of the narrator.

Would you be willing to try another book from Ann-Katrin Byrde? Why or why not?

I will actually listen to the next book, that is if the 2nd book is brought to audible, because I'm intrigued with this world where Shifters and Humans coexist.

What does Nick J. Russo bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

My opinion is that when you have a book that you have some issues with (content, storyline or characters) are brought to life by talented narrators, they turn what would have been just an okay read into an amazing story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I actually enjoyed the way Jason and Mac danced around their attraction for each other early on. It was mutual and undeniable but they were determined to stay the course of not being together in order to keep their word.

Any additional comments?

There were a few eye rolling moments and I think the story arc of Omegas being beneath other shifters, basically used as breaders, is starting to get a bit worn. But I loved the romance between Mac and Jason and I was intrigued by the aspect of the story where as humans knew about shifters, that we lived together, though not harmoniously. I hope the next book will be brought to life by Nick Russo, his vocal skills are nothing short of spectacular, and I get to see more of the alliance that was forged at the end of this book.

i 😍 it

the story is one of my favorites i what to hear more of this series it is so worth it love ths book

Nick is awesome!

I had already read the book and on fact enjoyed the whole series. I was curious about the audible because I've heard some terrible ones but Nick did such an amazing job giving each character their own voice and portraying feelings as he spoke that I couldn't get enough of this audible! Great job Nick and great pick Ann!

Wonderful shifter romance

1st book in the mercy hills impreg shifter series. This story is about Jason a young omega who has been on the run with his dad for most of his life to most of his life to escape the cruelty of his home pack who actually murdered his mother.
Jason's dad William is injured in a confrontation, Jason is tired of running so he sneaks into the mercy hill's compound to check it out.
Offering himself to Abel, the mercy hills alpha seems to be his only hope.
Mack is the second in command security leader who offers Jason kindness and help. Feelings and attractions ensue.
Great start to an excellent series.
Nick J Russo is very good witj the narration.

Mac likes his omega feisty and rebellious

I think is a real rarity and gem among her fellow authors who write similar genre because they literally the only author that have come across in my path who writes Mpreg stories which are not heavy on the smut but heavy on the plot. 😁 I noticed it the first time when I listened to her Oceanport Omega series on audio and this series was definitely the same. Despite being set in a shifter world which co-exists peacefully with humans and is rich with the diversity of alphas, omegas, betas and deltas, this book is a rather slow-burn love story with moderate amount of steamy heat.

Jason is scared, really scared for his and his family lives and he found no alternative rather than selling himself to a strong alpha to save his whole family. But he found himself undeniably and inexplicably attracted to the pack alpha’s handsome head of security. And Mac never knew he could care for someone this much and do anything to protect someone. A young, desperate omega on the run and a protective alpha who would do anything to protect his mate .. what will happen to their fate?


Enriched, intriguing, realistic and exciting! This is what I’m looking for when I read a shifter story. And the ending was just adorable with a lovely baby as a bonus. The story impressed me in so many ways but what I like most is the rich, intricate and realistic setting of this world. I’m really interested to see what will happen in the second book. And NJR did a terrific job narrating this book. Good job!



4.5 Mac likes his omega feisty and rebellious stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫




Audio rating

Story - 4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Narration - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance - 4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Overall - 4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I love this series

This series deserves a 5 star rating hands down. This is the first of 7 and sets the stage for the rest of the series.
I am very picky about my narrators and Nick J. Russo does not disappoint.
This is a book I will always return to and highly recommend it.

Gimme the Shifters!

I've read all of the Mercy Hills Pack stories, and have the available audiobooks. This is probably my favorite as there is a lot of world building and shifter tradition.

Loving parents take their young Omega son and run from the pack. Being homeless, packless, is preferable to giving their son to the pack Alpha. After the death of the family's wife and mother, running becomes their only viable option.

After six long years, an incident with the pack enforcers solidified the decision to approach an Alpha from another pack. In a non-traditional manner, the Omega offers himself to the Mercy Hills Alpha. And a new life phase begins...

The characters are strong, even the 'bad guys.' We're rooting for a good conclusion from the first chapter.

Narrator Nick J Russo is a master of his craft, giving each character his own voice and cadence. A true joy to listen to.

This is amazing

What made the experience of listening to Mating the Omega the most enjoyable?

I have read the book before, but listening on audible was so very good, it gave the book extra edge, Ann-Katrin Byrde books have always been my favorite to read. With Nick J Russo Narrared it awe inspiring.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course Jason, also Mac both characters were done so very well. That 5 hours past very quickly.

Have you listened to any of Nick J. Russo’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No I have never listen to him before. But he was outstanding in this book.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The only things I can say is I really enjoyed this from the start to the finish. Ann Kartin Byrde is a fantastic writer I have read all her books. Very glad she has now done an audible books.

An omega on the run

Omegas in this world, are few and true omegas fewer. Jason’s pack is too old fashioned which makes him escape with his father. He finds a new pack, one that treat each member with respect. I enjoyed the way Jason blends into the new pack and Mac helps him ease into it. But his old pack is back for him. Great world building and sweet yet sexy romance. Awesome narration from Mr Russo.

Fantastic narrator and great story.

First of all,I really enjoyed the development of the story and the main characters. It is a great start to a series. There is a good mixture of serious and fun moments the main characters have to live through. I can hardly wait to read/ listen to more books of this series.

Secondly, I absolutely fell in love with Nick J. Russo’s voice, which sucks the listener completely into the story and keeps him or her spell-bounded

Wow!

I loved this audiobook and I love both Mac and Jason. The narrator did an incredible job and I cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out on audible!

Brilliant !!!!

Even after reading the ebook loads of times, this is truly a brilliant audio book. The reader is, in my opion, one of the best fiction readers available. He makes you feel as though you're there as he's reading this story to his audience. The author has really made a fantastic book come alive for it's readers. I hope she does the same with the rest of the series. Five stars as I love the story and the characters of this book. Please, please, please bring the rest out too in audio.