Pride Before the Fall

Family reunions suck. For Gesa Lionheart, being dragged back to the gryphon clan by the mother who betrayed her is her worst nightmare. When her sister’s illness is used as bait, Gesa is forced to return to the clan she walked away from—along with the pride she insists she doesn’t have. What should have been a tense reunion quickly turns into chaos, complete with an asylum breakout, assassins in pursuit, and the unsettling realization that someone wants someone in Gesa’s orbit dead. The problem is, there are far too many candidates. Escaping clan lands doesn’t bring relief. Secrets keep coming to light, and the fragile balance within her growing pride begins to strain. Oisin has been hiding someone he should have trusted her with. Hisashi is plagued by messages from the spirit world he can’t shut out. And Kaimana’s past may be far more complicated—and dangerous—than Gesa realized. As enemies close in and old wounds reopen, Gesa is forced to confront a truth she’s been avoiding since the day she left her clan: walking away doesn’t make the ties disappear. And if she’s going to protect the people who’ve chosen her, she may have to finally claim the pride she keeps denying. Pride Before the Fall is the fourth novella in the Gesa’s Menagerie series, a reverse harem paranormal romance featuring found family under pressure, escalating danger, deepening bonds, and a stubborn heroine learning that strength doesn’t mean handling everything alone. Suitable for mature readers. Author’s Note Gesa’s Menagerie novellas are 30,000–40,000 words and feature an evolving reverse harem, found family, and inclusive relationships. Contains mentions of trauma and fantasy violence Relationship dynamics may include MF, MM, FF, and group fun.