Chasing Ever After: Once Upon an M/M Romance

By Trisha Linde

Sometimes happily ever after just isn't realistic.

The holidays are harder for omega Chris than most, this year especially. He's flat broke, his stepfamily just won't cut him any slack, and all he wants is to be able to afford a special gift for his mother. Leaving his wallet at the department store should be a total nightmare… if it doesn't end up being the best gift ever.

Alpha Henry has it all—money, power, prestige—but all he wants for Christmas is for his life to go back to the way it used to be. Ever since his father's best friend died years ago, the holidays have been nothing but a reminder of all they've lost. Just when this year is shaping up to be yet another disaster, an omega walks in and changes everything. Love at first sight? Nah, that stuff is for fairy tales.

Chasing Ever After is part of the Once Upon An M/M Romance series, giving classic fairy tales a modern mpreg twist. This sweet tale involves a determined omega who refuses to be knocked down, an alpha as dashing as Prince Charming himself, and a happily ever after to reflect reality. Who needs a fairy godmother when a forgotten wallet will suffice?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trisha Linde
• Release date: Apr 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201544225

Book preview

Chapter 1

Henry

P lease tell me you’re not wearing that all day, I groaned.

What, you don’t like it? Libby gave a spin, the overhead lights making the sweater’s garland sparkle. Ooh, wait, you’ll love this. She reached under the hem and hit a switch, and her ugly Christmas sweater ignited in a glaring display of festive cheer.

Oh gods, please make it stop. I covered my eyes, exaggerating my pain. I’m blind!

Fine, fine, she surrendered with a giggle, turning off the flashing lights.

Hardly work attire, I suggested, holding out my hands to indicate the lack of decorations surrounding us. We worked the jewelry counter, but in truth, there wasn’t a single tree, silver bell, red-nosed reindeer, or plastic icicle to be seen anywhere in the department store.

This is exactly my point, she said, poking a finger into my chest. We need a little festive cheer around here.

And if my father sees you?

She scoffed. Yeah, like he would be caught dead in the store at this time of year. He might accidentally hear a Christmas carol. Oh gods, could you imagine if someone wished him a happy holiday? Oh, the horror! She pulled a face, and I tried my best not to laugh.

She wasn’t wrong. My father, aka our boss, pretty much stayed at home for the entire month of December. It marked the anniversary of his best friend’s death, and every year at this time, he would disappear into his study. I knew better than to try and draw him out. He was sullen and irritable. I pretty much left him alone, and I would try to reconnect with him in January.

I tried my best not to let it bother me, but as the light reflecting off Libby’s sweater caught my eye, I couldn’t contain my sigh. I missed Christmas. And even more than that, I missed my father.

The day passed in a bit of a blur. This time of year was always a bit crazy, what with all the gift buying. Libby was a pro at upselling the customers, convincing them to upgrade from gold to platinum, to add a diamond to the setting. I couldn’t bring myself to push people to spend more money. It wasn’t like I was working on commission, so I just didn’t see the point on nudging people into spending money they might not have had to spare.

Psst. He’s back, Libby whispered in my ear. And just in case I didn’t hear her, she gave me a sharp jab in the ribs with her elbow to emphasize her excitement, and I gave a yelp.

As cool as I tried to play things, I couldn’t rein in my reaction as my head whipped up, eyes already searching. There he was—bottomless black eyes, short dark hair just begging for me to run my fingers through it, a scattering of scruff along his chin that would feel so good rasping against my neck, my stomach, my thighs…

Oh my gods, you cannot make that sound in public, Libby hissed.

What? What sound?

You totally moaned when you saw him. That was a sex moan if I ever heard one.

I looked around, and sure enough, more than one set of eyes were staring at me with a mixture of expressions. One woman with her blue-tinted gray hair perfectly coifed was clutching her pearls and looking scandalized. A well-dressed man in his 30s raised an eyebrow and bit his lip. I could probably have gone over and asked him if he needed help in the fitting room. He, however, was not who I was interested in.

I turned back toward the man who had walked straight out of one of my wet dreams. There was something so tantalizing and yet borderline familiar about him. It was as though he were designed specifically for me… so why was I hesitating to go over there and make him mine?

Go ask if he needs some help, Libby said, giving me another nudge in his direction.

What? No. No, I can’t do that.

She cleared her throat next to me, and I glanced down at her elfin features. It is literally your job, Hank.

Ugh, don’t call me that.

What, Hank? How about Henry Templeton the third, heir to the Templeton fortune and apple in your daddy’s eye? Is that better?

"Shh! No! That is not better!" The last thing I needed was word getting out that I was working here.

Libby gave me a smirk and nodded her chin in the direction of the tall drink of water. If you don’t help him, I would be glad to step up. He may not be my type, but he’s not hard to look at.

She paused, giving me a chance, and when I still hadn’t moved, she gave a shrug and starting walking in his direction. Wait! I reached out and grabbed her by the elbow. Okay, I can do this.

Of course you can. Libby straightened my tie and gave me a pat on the butt as I began my approach.

I cleared my throat and approached the omega, his face illuminated by the glow of the display case as he peered through the glass at the jewelry within. He looked angelic, and I had to stamp down the part of me that longed to see if I could entice him to sin.

Can I help you with anything? I was impressed with myself at how confident I sounded. My voice didn’t even wobble, even though my heart was galloping in my chest.

When he looked up, I felt like I was falling into his gaze, and I had to physically stop myself from leaning across the counter and capturing those perfect lips with my own.

Uhh, actually, I don’t even know what I’m looking for. I’m kinda hoping I’ll know it when I see it. His voice was even better than I’d imagined, smooth at first listen, but raspy at the edges when he tapered off to a whisper. His eyes darted down to my waist which was the lowest he could see of me behind the counter.

Maybe I should move around the counter so he can get a better look, I thought with a purr.

A blush tinted his cheeks, as if he could hear my thoughts, and he directed his eyes right back to the display case. I was here yesterday and ended up leaving empty-handed. I thought I would try again.

Yeah, I noticed, I said, and then froze, realizing I had essentially admitted that I’d been watching him. I mean, as a retail employee, it’s my job to observe the customers, and… I trailed off as his lips slowly drew up in a sly smile. He was enjoying making me flustered. I cleared my throat. Anyway, I am at your disposal. Maybe I can help narrow down your search. Is this a gift for a significant other? My voice rose at the end, and I hoped it wasn’t too obvious that I was fishing for information about his relationship status.

I swore I heard Libby cough behind me, and it sounded a little like she said loser.

The man in front of me, however, didn’t seem to notice, and instead shook his head. No, there’s no other. This is for my mother.

A little wave of relief stole through me. Oh, that’s lovely. Your mother’s very lucky. Is this for Christmas? Does she like jewelry?

It’s… it’s her anniversary, I suppose, he said, and it was like shutters closed down behind his eyes. His voice went flat. She doesn’t wear a lot of jewelry.

I frowned. I didn’t like this change in the omega. I wanted very much to make him smile again, maybe tease that little dimple out of him. What about a scarf? We have some lovely silk— I cut off when he gave a sharp shake of his head.

I’m afraid silk is out of my budget. I can’t afford much.

Was that the problem? Money? If that was all it was, I could very easily solve that for him. Money was no object for me. My father owned the store we were currently in, as well as a dozen others spread out across the country. I was only working here because my father said it would help build character for me to see how our money was made, to get my hands dirty, per se. Not that anything in this store could be described as dirty. Every surface gleamed to a high sheen.

But…

I had to stop myself from offering this man anything his heart desired. Just because I could, that didn’t mean I should. I didn’t even know the man’s name, and he wasn’t my omega, I reminded myself. Buying his mother’s anniversary gift for him could be construed as crossing a line. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t help a little.

You’re in luck, I said, clapping my hands once. We just so happen to have a sale beginning today. Fifty percent off any one item.

What? I didn’t see a sign. He swiveled around.

It’s a flash sale, I whispered with a wink. Strictly word of mouth for our best customers.

Well then, he said, relaxing a little and allowing that small smile to return. I guess I should thank you for telling me. I can hardly be considered a best customer.

I offered a small shrug. What can I say? They don’t pay me enough to keep their secrets. This was true; I actually didn’t get a paycheck for working for my father. Who needed a paycheck when money was of no concern? The hours I put in at