This elf thinks he knows what he wants… until fate shows him what he’s missing.

Alpha elf Wink has been fired from the North Pole, all because of a few ill-timed pranks, and now he’s been cursed to be a decorative figurine on some human’s shelf where he will sit for the rest of time. Unless… he can find his fated mate before next Christmas. Bitter, resentful, and far too cynical for his own good, Wink isn’t entirely sure if a lifetime of peace and quiet would be the worst thing. It’s kinda like retirement, right? If only he hadn’t ended up on this man’s shelf, he might’ve been happy to accept his punishment.

Omega Derek is tired. Like, all the time, for years, and he’s never been able to figure out why. He eats well, exercises like he should, goes to bed early, but he still wakes up every morning feeling like he’s run a marathon. He’s been to all the doctors, but none of the expensive specialists have been able to give him a reason. No one ever suspected that it might have something to do with what he’s doing after he falls asleep… or the part of his DNA that might be more than human.

All Derek wants for Christmas is to feel better. Instead, he gets love, a baby, and most importantly, magic.

No one can resist their fate—but they can sure try.

Omega human Cameron used to be a Chosen One?, just one of many children throughout time who’d been selected by fate to save the world. He should’ve died in the process like the others before him—heck, maybe he did—but he didnt, and there was no protocol for what to do with these chosen saviors after everything was said and done. Ten years later, when Cameron begins to get sick, his lingering powers wild and unpredictable, the government doctors don’t have the first clue how to help him.

Deimos, however, might have a few ideas…

Alpha Deimos is a Greek god of fear. He and his twin brother Phobos were born and raised to be their fathers sidekicks, riding into battle with Ares, the god of war, to instill dread into the clashing armies—but the times have changed and so have they. Now Phobos has donned tights and a cape and has hired a sidekick of his own, a sweet young omega by the name of Cameron, and Deimos wants him for himself—not just in his bed but also for the power that simmers within him. The brothers stand on either side of a bitter dispute, and Cameron is stuck between them. But which of the alphas has his best interests at heart?

And what does fate have to say about it?

Behind closed doors at The Scarlet Hotel, anything can happen… even breaking every rule.

Alpha Emerson Holland has been running his father's hotel for years. It's his life, his entire world, and he won't do anything to jeopardize it. He will eat nothing but jam sandwiches for weeks on end if it means being able to pay his staff when times are tight, and he will work every shift for free if he has to. He will even deny himself what he truly wants most, because being in love with an employee is strictly forbidden. When his father tells him that he must sacrifice just a little more, it's not even a question. Of course he will—even if it means losing himself.

Omega Roland has been in love with his boss for as long as he can remember. He dreams about him every night, fantasizes about him every day, but that's all it will ever be—a fantasy. The few times he's gotten the courage to hint that they could be something more, Monsieur Holland has made it perfectly clear that things must remain professional between them. And so far, Roland has listened. Except things have been getting weird around the hotel lately. Clandestine meetings, whispered rumors, and it's obvious that Emerson is falling apart. Roland is certain he can make his boss feel better—but only if he agrees to break a few rules.

Staff Only is the twelfth standalone book in the m/m mpreg romance series, The Scarlet Hotel, from bestselling author Trisha Linde. Each book features a new couple and begins and ends in a different room at The Scarlet Hotel. Staff Only is the final book in the series and features the tale of forbidden romance between boss and employee that readers have been waiting for since the beginning. The story revolves around the hotel's sordid past and its uncertain future, an alpha who will do anything for the ones he loves, an omega learning to take control, explosive chemistry that refuses to be tamed, and a happily ever after for all the staff at The Scarlet Hotel.

Not everyone is looking for their happy-ever-after, but sometimes, fate has other plans.

Alpha wolf shifter Tristan is a busy guy. As Beta for the Grim Wilds pack, his duties include helping avert near war with a neighboring pack, cabin construction he isn't qualified for, and all manner of responsibilities he never signed up for, including babysitting his Alpha's new little rugrat. It's a lot to handle, which is why sometimes he just needs to blow off a little steam—preferably in the bedroom, though he's not picky, he'll take any flat surface. As chaotic as it is, he wouldn't change a thing. He certainly isn't looking for a mate, but when fate drops a sexy omega panther into his lap, who is he to say no? Even if it means reforming his bad-boy ways.

Omega panther shifter Dylan only has one job to do—look pretty—and he excels at it. His father is the Alpha of the Fairhome claw, which is kind of a big deal around here. He's like the godfather of shifters, and everyone wants to get on his good side. After years of abstaining, it's finally the moment Dylan has been waiting a lifetime for—his mating selection. Shifters have come from all over the world to compete for the right to join the powerful family. Only the strongest will win, so it's a real shame that his fated mate doesn't stand a chance—especially since Tristan is the only one his panther wants.

And it turns out fate has a sense of humor…

No matter how deep you bury your past, the truth will always be unearthed… especially if fate has anything to say about it.

Alpha wolf shifter Jude wants nothing more than a family of his own. He's watched his friends pair off with their fated mates. They have it all—love, babies, and the whole stupid happily ever after. But when will it be his turn? It's not fair! It's probably karma for all the mistakes he's made. If he hadn't kept his past a secret this whole time, maybe then he would finally deserve peace. At first, all of it was too fresh, too painful to revisit, except it never seemed like the right time to bring it up. But now, years have passed, and it just feels awkward to say anything after all this time, so he just keeps it to himself where it festers and rots inside him. Yep, must be karma. Because when he finally catches a whiff of the one fated to be his… it certainly feels like punishment. Because his mate is the one thing he can't possibly forgive. He's human.

When human omega Morgan sees a wolf turn into a man (before promptly growling in a totally grumpy alpha way and disappearing into the woods), he doesn't question it for a second, because deep inside he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt—that wolfman belongs to him. “He's mine,” he tells his therapist, before being handed a prescription for antipsychotics. “He's mine,” he tells the bartender pouring him his third drink. “He's mine,” he tells the total stranger sitting next to him, just because he looks mildly interested and seems to be listening. Now, if only he could find his wolf again so he could say it again for him.