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Lifting Tail for the Alpha

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Being a bobcat shifter in a pack full of wolves, and gay on top of that, made Xavier feel as though he doesn't belong. To make matters worse he wants the future alpha of the pack, Arsen. But Arsen is arranged to marry a female wolf. Xav didn't think Arsen was gay, but that all changes when they find each other alone, and realize they are mates.

Arsen is next in line to lead his pack, and is supposed to be mated to a female, but only desires Xav, the bobcat shifter that keeps to himself. One night at a party feral cravings ignite in both of them. Arsen realizes Xavier is his, and will not let anyone or anything stand in his way of claiming him. But not everyone is happy with the future alpha being mated to a bobcat, or a male at that.


Be m/m sex, spanking, rimming, knotting

33 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 26, 2013

7 people are currently reading
292 people want to read

About the author

Jenika Snow

429 books8,781 followers
Jenika Snow is a USA Today Bestselling Author, and has been a published writer since 2009.

She can be found at:

www.jenikasnow.com
FB: www.facebook.com/jenikasnow
Twitter: twitter.com/jenikasnow
Email: Jenika_Snow@yahoo.com

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5 stars
56 (17%)
4 stars
78 (24%)
3 stars
109 (34%)
2 stars
58 (18%)
1 star
14 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for SheReadsALot.
1,859 reviews1,270 followers
October 6, 2014
A Hearts On Fire Review

3.25 STARS-- It's crass. It's crude. It's lewd. It's shifter PWP with knotting!

Jenika Snow's "Lifting Tail for the Alpha" is a fitting title. And summarizes the short story in five words. Another erotic addition to the Romance on the Go series, this story delivers exactly what it promised. Xavier is a twenty five year old bobcat orphan alpha shifter who was raised by a wolf shifter pack. He's been pining for the future wolf alpha, Arsen for years.

Xavier knows he must keep being gay from the pack and his feelings for Arsen quiet because Arsen is betrothed to a female shifter. Poor virgin Xavier never noticed that Arsen feels the same way. Insert a lot of booze and crude language and you get the set up for sexy times.

This story was nothing more than paranormal porn. Nothing too complicated or over the top. All the characters let the F-bomb and S-bombs flow free. (Not hating on cursing but man, you'd think there would be a little character differentiation) Luckily the story is not long enough for it to become too annoying.

For shifter mate knotting enthusiasts, you'll be happy to know it happens. There's a romantic epilogue that I didn't think was necessary. the story barely scratches the surface of a wolf/ bobcat shifters mating for life or the fact they are the first gay alpha pair.

Quick read, erotic times and nothing too serious. It was a good time.
Profile Image for Otila.
364 reviews29 followers
June 9, 2015

Bad dirty talk is bad.

"Baby, when we get back to my place I plan on fucking the shit out of you in the shower."


I could talk about all the other silliness in this book but really, silly I can deal with in PWP but it should at least be hot. Bad dirty talk is not hot.
Profile Image for Rosa, really.
583 reviews328 followers
September 15, 2014

This masterpiece of understatement features such dialogue as:

"Mmm....Yeah, in fact, I want you on your fucking knees with my cock in your mouth."

Who says "in fact" when they're demanding a blow job?

"Milk it, baby, milk my shaft like you are dying for my cum."

Good god, why do I read this shit?

"That's it. You like what I do for you. You like every fucking thing I do, and you want more, don't you, baby?"

Uh...it's possible I want more, thank you, sir.

This book is utterly, utterly ludicrous.

It's also a ridiculously good time.
Profile Image for Jerry.
676 reviews
January 21, 2014
I don't know if it's just my mood or that I'm learning from Julio, but this was absolutely dreck. Well the epilogue did have the first reference to a lesbian wolf couple, so there was some redeeming value.

Very SHORT story. It's basically a porno film made into a werewolf wannabe with a slight nod to knotting. All the main action takes place in two scenes, one long drunken party and a wolf executive meeting.

I had just finished Captive Prince II and wanted a werewolf non thinking story....what I got was drivel.

Will someone please write a werewolf story that is more than just a series of sexual conquests strung together?????
Sorry Kaje, I know you have done a great job, but doesn't this genre deserve a better level of quality than "you're my mate, let's fuck"?????

Oh and the BDSM shelf is for mild spanking. I should probably put another category for bland "Alpha" aggressive but meaningless drivel during sex......don't get me wrong I love my man to talk dirty to me, but this was beyond bad in my opinion. I could understand it if I actually got off on it, but--no way in hell.
Profile Image for Ayanna.
1,632 reviews62 followers
February 18, 2014
...well...
I think you're mixing metaphors here. "Fucking the shit out of-" Oookay you lost me and now I'm slightly disgusted. I mean, okay, let's be fair, NMK, maybe it's yours?

It's just...you realize with guys, you fuck the hole the shit comes out of? Is the shit coming out as you're fucking?

Also, "beating the shit out of you" is the more common idiom, and I couldn't help but think he maybe meant that whilst saying "fuck," which, of course, leads to some decidedly nonsexy thoughts. See, that only works if your name is Gabriel and his name is Rase Ilion, but alas, they are not, and so this, decidedly, does not work.


And of course, this was before I realized how short it was. The story is basically "Oh there's a proble- Oh, nope. Never mind, I must have read the situation wrong. No, no, I assure you, there is indeed no problem. ...what was the hullabaloo about, then, you say? So sorry, won't happen again. No, of course not. There was a perfectly valid rea-- Of course there was. What was it? Well, I'm very sorry to have troubled you, it won't happen a-- They're not excuses; there's no problem, really."

And honestly, I could go on and on, but then my review would be longer than the story was.

I mean, it sounded like it had a cool concept. It's just, you know, the concept didn't go anywhere. It kind of started leading you somewhere, or so it led you to believe, but then it summarily abandoned you on the wayside in the middle of nowhere with flat plains for miles and miles around until the landscape disappears over the horizon. No, excuse me. There's not nothing. There's an aborted attempt at building a fence. No idea why anyone would need a fence here, but clearly someone at some point decided there ought to be a fence, and now we have the beautiful rather run-down segments maybe a few yards long. Oh, and I do believe that's a tree there in the distance. And oooh how exciting, a pothole. A small one, mind you, and a bit more off in the shoulder - what on earth is it doing there, of all places - but a pothole nonetheless.

Well, that's quite enough excitement for today. Better stop before I implode from sheer stimulation.

[*shrug Idk YMMV. You might think this was the best thing since sliced bread. I didn't really hate it all that much. I just didn't particularly like it, either, and really, it seemed a rather waste of time.]

(after reading a few reviews)
I'm sorry, there was knotting? How on earth did I miss that? And mild spanking? When did that happen? It must have been after I lost interest after that one character started off by saying "I'm going to fuck the shit out of you."
Ah, well, then. No wonder I missed it, seeing as it was all sex and I'd lost interest in trying to read the sex after that first *heaves into bucket* (sotto voce: you know). Oh, and there was another one. I guess they think it's sexy.
Hey, whatever, man. YKNMK. Very NMK. Actually, he mentions it twice, and brings it up from the get-go. Is it safe to assume it's a fetish, then? No, now that's me being excessively snarky. Now I'm just being mean. I'll just leave it at YKNMK. Really, really NMK.
Profile Image for Vivian.
2,919 reviews483 followers
September 13, 2016
Short and to the point. Alpha v. Alpha mate claiming with little else, but hot if you don't need much more than that.
Profile Image for Serena Yates.
Author 104 books769 followers
January 19, 2014
This is a fun story on several levels. First you have the whole "I'm a bobcat in a pack of wolves" dynamic. Talk about dealing with prejudice and discrimination, here you have a prime example. Nicely packed into the "guise" of one type of shifter versus another, but hey, it's pretty clear to me this could be, oh, say one group of humans versus another one with slightly different characteristics. Take your pick, we've had a few in our history. Second, there is the level of "we are gay but the pack doesn’t like gay shifters", followed by "the alpha must marry and produce pups to maintain the leadership line". Oh, and the third level is one of one strong character set against another stubborn man – let the sparks fly!

Xavier is the bobcat shifter who feels slightly out of place. He was adopted into the pack at a young age and thinks of them as his family, but not everyone in that family sees it the same way. He's had a thing for his alpha's son, Arsen, for years, but thinks nothing can come of it because the guy is engaged to be married to a woman (never mind the whole gay thing). When they are finally alone Xavier realizes the attraction is mutual – but that doesn’t make his other concerns go away.

Arsen has been brought up to be the next leader of the pack, and is very aware of his responsibilities. His engagement is for political purposes only, but he is determined to do his father and the pack proud. His attraction to Xavier can be ignored, right? Well, maybe not. And once he gives in – only once, you understand, to get Xavier out of his system – he discovers the man is his mate. From then on, Arsen is just as determined to claim him as he is to become the alpha anyway.

If you like shifter stories with two strong male characters battling it out, if you enjoy a bit of intrigue and pack politics trying to interfere in the new mates' happiness, and if you're looking for an entertaining and very hot read, then you will probably like this short story.


NOTE: This book was provided by Evernight Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Profile Image for Susan.
470 reviews12 followers
December 28, 2013
A good story

I enjoyed reading the tale of these two alpha men. This was a very romantic story of two different men who are very attracted to each other and get a great surprise that they are mates.
Profile Image for Nicole Morgan.
Author 111 books1,122 followers
December 30, 2013
I don't read a whole lot of MM books, just every so often. I picked up this one looking for a short story. And as usual Jenika Snow did not disappoint. Loved it!
Profile Image for Ro.
3,116 reviews16 followers
September 1, 2016
2.5. Mostly just sex with a shifter aspect thrown in but not played up much.
Profile Image for Susan Laine.
Author 91 books220 followers
January 28, 2014
3.75 stars. Here’s an example of a story that should have been longer to address the issues coming up, like realizing one was gay, coming out, and social status changes. As is, this story, which only covers the events of a single night, feels unfinished and lacking in all-around depth. Here all problems are basically solved through phenomenal sex, and that just doesn’t cut it with the increase in quality M/M stories out there.

A night at a frat house puts Arsen, the wolf, and Xav, the bobcat, in close proximity. As they do, the two guys realize they’re mates and belong together and start to have sex—even though Xav is a virgin and Arsen is straight, with a girlfriend at the party. Okay, not much of a girlfriend, but still. One hot night, and everything’s solved. Miraculous.

The writing is good, compelling and erotic. Xav had more depth as a character than Arsen who felt a bit stereotypical, unfortunately. That being said, their night of unabashed gay sex was hot. Still, I would have expected them to talk a bit more, settle things in way sex doesn’t do. And while I admit the council scene at the end was positive and uplifting, it wasn’t the closure I was looking forward to, the one where these not-quite-friends learn more about each other and form a relationship on a foundation that isn’t all about sex. Then again… this is an erotic quickie, so those things weren’t required. And, as I’ve said before, the night of pleasure was smoking!

So, all in all, a bit lacking in depth, but a good erotic quickie, one I’m sure many will thoroughly enjoy.
Profile Image for multitaskingmomma.
1,359 reviews45 followers
January 4, 2014
Original Blog Post: http://headouttheoven.blogspot.com/20...

Lifting Tail For The Alpha is an interesting erotic short and light read. This is the tale of how Arsen, alpha-in-waiting to the pack and how he manages to turn tables on his female wolf fiance. He had known of Xav since they basically grew up together but were never, ever close. They never got the chance to really socialize so there was not chance either knew that the other was actually their mate.

One night, things change when Arsen could not longer control his wolf. He goes after Xav who had managed to hide himself in a room out from prying eyes of the party goers and Arsen. He had always been a bit uncomfortable about his attraction to the man and never once thought he would be a mate. They are of different species after all, and let's not forget they are both men.

Well, they are mates. And they mated.

That was one HOT! mating.

None of the usual mine. None of the usual take it or leave it. Instead, we get an ultra protective alpha who does not hesitate to set the record straight and tell one and all, including the female fiance, to just up and leave if they can't take the mating.

This was a short read, but it was a good one.
Profile Image for Christi Snow.
Author 70 books740 followers
December 28, 2013
My Quickie Review:
This was a hot little read. I enjoyed the set-up with the complexities of Arsen being the Alpha and Xav being a bobcat shifter....and then add in the m/m aspect and yeah, these two guys are definitely not going the easy way with this relationship. It was sexy. It was hot. It was entertaining for an hour. I enjoy shifter stories and this one was a good one.
Profile Image for Gigi.
2,148 reviews1,064 followers
December 29, 2013
This one was a bit harsh for me. Review when I get back from my vacation.
Profile Image for Danielle.
1,516 reviews14 followers
November 25, 2019
This was a scene not a story. The characters weren't bad or anything it just wasn't a whole story and it lacked vital bones.
Profile Image for Elizabetta.
1,247 reviews34 followers
July 12, 2016

Ugh. If you lift a tail you just might not like what you find. Or read.

There's nothing wrong with PWP, but this is a graceless waste of time.
Profile Image for Mike.
1,173 reviews30 followers
May 21, 2022
The sex is plenty sizzling, but I wouldn't call it "Romance" on the go. Heated Alpha male-on-(other)-male action has some nice steam, the set-up not bad, but the ending just left me flat.
Profile Image for Rachwithheadinabook.
1,888 reviews
June 2, 2018
Coffee break perfection

A novella that's hot and sexy about shifters who find out they are mates, it's the perfect length for a coffee break, more could have been added and it made into a full novel but it is perfect as is.
Profile Image for Fabiola Cadet.
2,065 reviews7 followers
January 23, 2019
Great Read!

Love this short, sweet and major hot read from Jenika Snow. I certainly enjoyed it, I'd recommend if anyone ask, 5 stars.
650 reviews4 followers
March 18, 2021
Loved it

Awesome fantastic great the story line was awesome they found out they were mates and that was that .. Well written short hot read
Profile Image for Flavia.
473 reviews
September 11, 2024
História bem curta, meio instalove. Eu gosto do Xavier, mas não curto muito o Arsen. Não tem muita história, mas gostei.
Profile Image for Victoria Rainey.
512 reviews8 followers
February 17, 2014
Night Owl Review

****4 1/2 stars****

Original Review Published here: http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...


Xavier is a bobcat in a wolf pack. If that does not make him an outsider, then being gay on top of that does. Even though he grew up with the pack, he still has feelings of not belonging. Additionally, he is attracted to the future Alpha of the pack, Arsen, who Xavier is sure is straight as they get.

Arsen has a lot on his plate, and on the top of his list of problems is being mated to a female he does not particularly like. The one thing he has not told anyone is he is attracted to a certain bobcat shifter who does not come anywhere near him, always keeping to himself. However, Arsen comes across as a hot and sexy man who will do whatever he needs to in order to have what he wants.

The chemistry between Arsen and Xavier is blistering. The sex scenes are scorching. Arsen is bound and determined to make sure everything between him and Xavier is good and, to get the pack to recognize that they are mates.

I found this story to be well-written with engaging and interesting characters. At 33 pages, this story draws you in and does not let you go. It also does not have the shorty story feel because it has a clearly defined beginning, middle and end. Overall, this was one HOT book. It will keep you warm on a cold winter night.

Profile Image for Hc.
2,358 reviews35 followers
April 6, 2015
Cute read. Not a lot of angst really, just two males finding out they are mates. A bitty bit of drama over a scorned arranged marriage female and some getting it on sex.

They've actually known each other for a while but never got close enough to pick up on mate status. I would have liked a bit more drag out and some shifting fun, along with more expansion to a dominant cat in charge..
Profile Image for Stephanie   GooglyEyes.
1,247 reviews32 followers
January 23, 2014
Arsen is just...a sexy friggen beast!! And Xav is a great match, although a little more reserved, he is still an alpha in how own right.

if you want a super hot quick para read, this is your book.

I'll be over here swooning over Arsen for a bit ;)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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