Coveted Prey Series by L.V. Lane

I am prey.This is not pity talking, this is an acknowledgment of a fact.I am small and weak; I am an Omega. I am a prize that men war over.For a year I have hidden in the distant corner of the Empire.But I am running out of food, and I am running out of options.That I must leave soon is not a decision for today, though, but a decision for tomorrow.Only tomorrow's choices never come.For tonight brings strangers who remind me that I am prey... moreI am prey.This is not pity talking, this is an acknowledgment of a fact.I am small and weak; I am an Omega. I am a prize that men war over.For a year I have hidden in the distant corner of the Empire.But I am running out of food, and I am running out of options.That I must leave soon is not a decision for today, though, but a decision for tomorrow.Only tomorrow's choices never come.For tonight brings strangers who remind me that I am prey. Publisher’s Note: Prey is a fantasy reverse harem omegaverse with three stern Alphas, an Alpha wolf-shifter, and a stubborn Omega prey. It includes smoking hot sexual situations, spankings, and domestic discipline. less

Prize is the second book in the Omega Prey series and runs in parallel to Prey. It finishes on an HFN. There are more adventures for Priya in book 3, Taken.I am prey.An Omega prey that our dreaded enemy, the Blighten, search for.I am a prizeOne that noble lords vie for.I don't want to become a lord's prize anymore than I want to become the Blighten's prey.One would be a swift death.And one would be slow.That I must marry soon is not a decision for today, though, but a decision for tomorrow... morePrize is the second book in the Omega Prey series and runs in parallel to Prey. It finishes on an HFN. There are more adventures for Priya in book 3, Taken.I am prey.An Omega prey that our dreaded enemy, the Blighten, search for.I am a prizeOne that noble lords vie for.I don't want to become a lord's prize anymore than I want to become the Blighten's prey.One would be a swift death.And one would be slow.That I must marry soon is not a decision for today, though, but a decision for tomorrow.Only tomorrow's choices never come.For tonight brings outlaws who remind me that I am prey.Publisher's note: Prize is a fantasy reverse harem omegaverse with three stern Alphas and a stubborn Omega prey. It includes smoking hot sexual situations, spankings, and domestic discipline. less

Taken is the third and final book in the Omega Prey series and concludes Priya’s story!More adventures will be coming for new characters in the Omega Prey universe!First I was a broken Beta.Now I am a broken Omega.My mates are worried; I am worried.Trapped, and a prisoner of my home lest my scent send Alphas mad with lust.I just need a moment. But I won’t get one. For tonight brings outlaws who remind me that I am prey... moreTaken is the third and final book in the Omega Prey series and concludes Priya’s story!More adventures will be coming for new characters in the Omega Prey universe!First I was a broken Beta.Now I am a broken Omega.My mates are worried; I am worried.Trapped, and a prisoner of my home lest my scent send Alphas mad with lust.I just need a moment. But I won’t get one. For tonight brings outlaws who remind me that I am prey.Publisher’s Note: Taken is a fantasy reverse harem omegaverse with three stern Alphas, an Alpha wolf-shifter, and a stubborn Omega prey. It includes smoking hot sexual situations, spankings, and domestic discipline. less

Ravished: A dark fantasy portal romance [SHORT STORY]Blurb~A princessA portalA disreputable suitor with a cruel smile and wicked intentions.What could possibly go wrong?Publisher's note: Ravished is a dark, m/f Omegaverse short story set in the Omega Prey universe. This is a standalone novel with a HEA.Please don't let the cover fool you, this is full Omegaverse 🔥

I’m a Beta. I’m not supposed to be with an Alpha. But he’s taking me anyway.Both him and his brother. A Beta can be trained, he says. Trained to satisfy an Alpha. And so my training begins. Publisher's note: Trained For Their Pleasure is a MFM Omegaverse fantasy romance set in the Omega Prey universe.

War is coming ... For as long as I can remember, Brandon has been my obsession. But the Beta warrior had far higher standing in the clan and barely noticed me. Until one day he did, and everyone assumed we would wed.Then war arrived and brought a forgotten Alpha back into my life.Gage, the mysterious warrior I found injured in the woods. Son of a clan king, he is also our enemy.
I can’t deny that I want Gage. But I want Brandon too.
Then I revealed ... Now I’m an Omega.One both men want... moreWar is coming ... For as long as I can remember, Brandon has been my obsession. But the Beta warrior had far higher standing in the clan and barely noticed me. Until one day he did, and everyone assumed we would wed.Then war arrived and brought a forgotten Alpha back into my life.Gage, the mysterious warrior I found injured in the woods. Son of a clan king, he is also our enemy.
I can’t deny that I want Gage. But I want Brandon too.
Then I revealed ... Now I’m an Omega.One both men want. 
Once again, war is coming, only this time ... it is over me. Claimed For Their Pleasure is a MFM fantasy Omegaverse with a barbarian Alpha and Beta determined to own their sweet but stubborn Omega mate! less

★ Fairy-Omegaverse-Vampiric mash-up★ Enemies to lovers★ Action, humor, and scorching hot!★ Portal fantasy worlds with fairy, humans, Orcs, and shifters!★ Standalone story with HEAWinterHe’s supposed to be my protector, the towering male with the delicious scent that drives my body wild. He’s supposed to obey me, although he rides the line of disrespect with infuriating ease. And when he’s injured, I’m supposed to gift him my powerful blood... more★ Fairy-Omegaverse-Vampiric mash-up★ Enemies to lovers★ Action, humor, and scorching hot!★ Portal fantasy worlds with fairy, humans, Orcs, and shifters!★ Standalone story with HEAWinterHe’s supposed to be my protector, the towering male with the delicious scent that drives my body wild. He’s supposed to obey me, although he rides the line of disrespect with infuriating ease. And when he’s injured, I’m supposed to gift him my powerful blood. Only I don’t, and I can’t, and now my actions have broken the rules And the man who once obeyed is going to own me. 
JacobBeautiful, cold, and untouchable, Winter is all that and more. The tiny little fairy with the frosty disposition and heart made of ice.She’s supposed to heal me, but my miserly mistress gives me only scraps. My mind despises her, even as my body craves her blood. Trapped by circumstance, my broken fairy will break both the rules and me. But revenge, sweeter than the blood flowing through her veins, will ultimately be mine. Rapture is a dark and steamy enemies to lovers paranormal, fairy-vampiric mashup. It contains explicit scenes, triggers, and complete power exchange. less

I am far from home.I am injured.And I will not reach safety unless I seek the regal centaur’s aid.He is a monster in some ways. But he is also a man.There are rumors about centaurs, though, rumors that they expect payment in kind in exchange for a debt…The one moon month of my life he demands does not seem so high a price.But then I ask him what he would expect of me during that time.“Anything,” he says. “Anything I desire... moreI am far from home.I am injured.And I will not reach safety unless I seek the regal centaur’s aid.He is a monster in some ways. But he is also a man.There are rumors about centaurs, though, rumors that they expect payment in kind in exchange for a debt…The one moon month of my life he demands does not seem so high a price.But then I ask him what he would expect of me during that time.“Anything,” he says. “Anything I desire.”The Centaur in My Forest is a dark and steamy short story set in the Coveted prey universe. It contains detailed, explicit scenes. less

Grady took my heart then rejected me... for two years. Now he's back and determined to make me his.There's just one problem. I've moved on, and the sweetly wicked Byron has taken his place.Then there is Declan, Grady's brooding brother-in-arms who watches both Grady and me with the same barely tempered yearning.But I have a secret. With the help of the herb mistress, I concealed my very nature from the entire court... moreGrady took my heart then rejected me... for two years. Now he's back and determined to make me his.There's just one problem. I've moved on, and the sweetly wicked Byron has taken his place.Then there is Declan, Grady's brooding brother-in-arms who watches both Grady and me with the same barely tempered yearning.But I have a secret. With the help of the herb mistress, I concealed my very nature from the entire court.Now my secrets out, my potent scent will drive each man's animalistic need to claim.No one man will be enough.I'm about to be claimed by three.Claimed by Three is a rejected mate fantasy romance with dark explicit themes and conflicted jealous / possessive heroes.A standalone novel set in the Coveted Prey universe. less

Fawn is not good at keeping secrets. And she has been poorly hiding two very big ones for some time.But it’s been getting harder and harder for her to hide her infatuation with the big, growly wolf pack enforcer.She’s not surprised when he rejects her. He thinks she’s a human beta, after all.But then a mysterious stag shifter arrives at the pack, and her other secret is out.The stag wants her.The wolf wants her, too.They are both predators. Her gentle inner side is prey... moreFawn is not good at keeping secrets. And she has been poorly hiding two very big ones for some time.But it’s been getting harder and harder for her to hide her infatuation with the big, growly wolf pack enforcer.She’s not surprised when he rejects her. He thinks she’s a human beta, after all.But then a mysterious stag shifter arrives at the pack, and her other secret is out.The stag wants her.The wolf wants her, too.They are both predators. Her gentle inner side is prey.What’s the one thing prey should not do in front of a predator…What does Fawn do?That’s right, she runs.Fawn is a fantasy shifter romance with a large cast of suitors and one very mischievous heroine at the center of all their desires. Includes angst, adventure, two scent-matching omegas, and hero-on-hero loving. Fawn doesn’t need to choose, and neither do you. less

An orphan, I live by the charity of my lord. Through me, the Goddess heals, yet I am treated like the lowest servant.In the wake of an attack, a young beta hunter is mortally wounded. I lay with Eric to heal him upon the forest floor. Everyone saw. Now an alpha, a beta, and a shifter pack all have me in their sights.And all the while, Petra, my lord’s spiteful daughter, despises me for taking a man she saw as her own... moreAn orphan, I live by the charity of my lord. Through me, the Goddess heals, yet I am treated like the lowest servant.In the wake of an attack, a young beta hunter is mortally wounded. I lay with Eric to heal him upon the forest floor. Everyone saw. Now an alpha, a beta, and a shifter pack all have me in their sights.And all the while, Petra, my lord’s spiteful daughter, despises me for taking a man she saw as her own.Trapped in a life of drudgery and cruelty, my only hope is to take a mate to escape Petra’s tyrannical rule before her jealousy takes a deadly turn. But why would her lord father let such a valuable asset leave?I may be at the mercy of their whims now, but I have allies waiting in the dark, waiting to make their move and claim me as theirs.The only question is who?And will they be too late?Bound to the Pack is a spicy reverse harem, including MM, with classic omegaverse meets shifters in a fantasy setting. less

My mother always said I shouldn’t have married him and when I discover my lazy scoundrel of a husband plotting with his lover to rob me blind, then kill me, I find out why.So I run.And that’s when they find me.Leering raiders, my ‘husband’ abandons me to their tender mercies when the true master of the forest comes upon us.Tall, muscular beyond belief, and possessing a deadly grace, he scatters the criminals who threaten to do everything my husband had planned... moreMy mother always said I shouldn’t have married him and when I discover my lazy scoundrel of a husband plotting with his lover to rob me blind, then kill me, I find out why.So I run.And that’s when they find me.Leering raiders, my ‘husband’ abandons me to their tender mercies when the true master of the forest comes upon us.Tall, muscular beyond belief, and possessing a deadly grace, he scatters the criminals who threaten to do everything my husband had planned.I fall to my knees, babbling my gratitude... only to discover the cost of his aid.I must become his for a moon month. My body shivers, but is that in fear or anticipation? Because I’ve heard stories about the women who succumb to the beasts of the forest, and I’m determined that I won’t be the one to join them.The Centaur in My Valley is a sweet and spicy story set in the Coveted prey universe. less

I was a princess until my jealous sister betrayed me.Thrown into a portal, I'm picked up by a fallen centaur patrol.Here I become embroiled in a cruel and wicked world where centaurs battle the monsters that spew from the broken portal and women are kept in stables and shared by all. Grimm, the leader of the fallen centaurs, is breathtaking from his human warrior body to the stallion beneath. He is also barbaric, ruthless, and monstrous in deed... moreI was a princess until my jealous sister betrayed me.Thrown into a portal, I'm picked up by a fallen centaur patrol.Here I become embroiled in a cruel and wicked world where centaurs battle the monsters that spew from the broken portal and women are kept in stables and shared by all. Grimm, the leader of the fallen centaurs, is breathtaking from his human warrior body to the stallion beneath. He is also barbaric, ruthless, and monstrous in deed.I hide my omega nature, living among them as a drudge.Yet I cannot forever hide my response nor my growing fascination with the darkest centaur of them all.Publisher's Note: The Centaur in My Dreams is a dark portal fantasy romance with triggering content including attempted SA, and a flawed hero who makes mistakes on his journey toward claiming his one true mate. less

I was only six when I first met the monster in my wood. Wolven were a beastly kind of dire wolf that walked on two legs. Larger and more ferocious than a wolf shifter, if even some tales about them were true, my fate was desperate.Only my monster was none of those things.He let me nestle upon his lap where he listened to my stories.Until one day, he disappeared, and I never saw him again.Many years passed, and war consumed our lands... moreI was only six when I first met the monster in my wood. Wolven were a beastly kind of dire wolf that walked on two legs. Larger and more ferocious than a wolf shifter, if even some tales about them were true, my fate was desperate.Only my monster was none of those things.He let me nestle upon his lap where he listened to my stories.Until one day, he disappeared, and I never saw him again.Many years passed, and war consumed our lands.Fleeing for my life after an attack on my village, my sweet monster rescued me... at least I thought he did.Then he told me the truth."Foolish human," he says in a deep, rumbly voice. "I wasn't rescuing you. I was capturing you for myself."Publisher's Note: Captured by the Wolven is a standalone short story set in the Coveted Prey universe. Formerly published as part of the Into the Woods anthology, it features size difference and a naughty-talking monster determined to claim his fated mate! less

He’s my brother’s best friend.He’s also an orc. I’m a shifter and should be with one of my kind. What I want is green, fierce, and violent with everyone but me. He’s determined to resist.I’m determined that he won’t. Publisher’s note: Tempting the Orc is a sweet monster romance short story set in the Coveted Prey Universe with an omega wolf shifter determined to claim her gruff orc mate.Super sweet, super spicy short story!

Stolen by darkness, I exist in misery.A throwback with high blood running through my veins, they drain me and leave me broken.Mocked for my empathy when all others live for brutality and war.Then out of the darkness comes a warrior. The wickedest and the most dread of them all.He wants me, so he takes me, the last fairy with wings.Stolen by Darkness is a dark and spicy through the portal fantasy romance set in the Coveted Prey universe!

My husband coned two barbarians out of ten chickens. Now they’re at my door demanding recompense. I’m sick of my husband’s nonsense and nefarious trading ways. Enough is enough, I’m set to leave him tomorrow. Only the barbarians demand a trade for their ten lost chickens. My scoundrel of a husband has just offered me. Traded for Their Pleasure is s a spicy omegaverse why choose with two barbarian alphas set to woo their beta mate!

Fawn is not good at keeping secrets. And she has been poorly hiding two very big ones for some time.But it’s been getting harder and harder for her to hide her infatuation with the big, growly wolf pack enforcer.She’s not surprised when he rejects her. He thinks she’s a human beta, after all.But then a mysterious stag shifter arrives at the pack, and her other secret is out.The stag wants her.The wolf wants her, too.They are both predators. Her gentle inner side is prey... moreFawn is not good at keeping secrets. And she has been poorly hiding two very big ones for some time.But it’s been getting harder and harder for her to hide her infatuation with the big, growly wolf pack enforcer.She’s not surprised when he rejects her. He thinks she’s a human beta, after all.But then a mysterious stag shifter arrives at the pack, and her other secret is out.The stag wants her.The wolf wants her, too.They are both predators. Her gentle inner side is prey.What’s the one thing prey should not do in front of a predator…What does Fawn do?That’s right, she runs.Fawn is a fantasy shifter romance with a large cast of suitors and one very mischievous heroine at the center of all their desires. Includes angst, adventure, two scent-matching, and hero-on-hero loving. Fawn doesn’t need to choose, and neither do you. less

I’m to command alphas on a quest.These alphas I grew up with know the nightmares from my childhood. But they don’t know what I dream of now. Nor what their touch does to me. I will need to keep them safe on the quests ahead of us, even as they think they are there to protect me. I trust them with my life... moreI’m to command alphas on a quest.These alphas I grew up with know the nightmares from my childhood. But they don’t know what I dream of now. Nor what their touch does to me. I will need to keep them safe on the quests ahead of us, even as they think they are there to protect me. I trust them with my life. But can I trust them with my secrets? ❤️‍One fairy omega ❤️‍Four warrior alphas❤️‍A secret obsession❤️‍Just a little taboo🌶️All the spiceMelody Unbound is a spicy why choose with four barbarian and warrior alphas set to woo their omega mate!Content advice: Dirty-talking alphas. Mild discipline, dominance, and submission play. Sweet and consensual. Danger, violence, and gore. less

War leaves my family destitute. My enviable life comes to an end.I shouldn’t covet the stern shifter who turns up offering to work for free. Even if he lights a fire under my curiosity when he casually mentions I’m in need of a firm, corrective hand.I definitely shouldn’t dream about the handsome barbarian who swore we would wed and then dropped me in the river.Although the stuffy lord I’m expected to marry does not stir my heart, I understand that he is the practical choice... moreWar leaves my family destitute. My enviable life comes to an end.I shouldn’t covet the stern shifter who turns up offering to work for free. Even if he lights a fire under my curiosity when he casually mentions I’m in need of a firm, corrective hand.I definitely shouldn’t dream about the handsome barbarian who swore we would wed and then dropped me in the river.Although the stuffy lord I’m expected to marry does not stir my heart, I understand that he is the practical choice. But fate and a masked stranger have different plans for me.Content Advice: 💀 of a parent. Kidnap. Bondage. MM. Violence and gore. Hot barbarians and shifters. Beast form mating. Mild dominance and submission play. Fantasy omegaverse trope. less

When the Blighten raided my village, my mother gave me her last words of advice.“Find the biggest, most fearsome man and throw yourself at his mercy. There is no shame before the Goddess in doing whatever you must to survive.”Which was easier said than done.I lived in denial for a time, daydreaming of a handsome prince who would rescue me and take me to his grand castle. Here, we would live happily ever after, making royal babies.Reality is cold and bitter.No such prince comes... moreWhen the Blighten raided my village, my mother gave me her last words of advice.“Find the biggest, most fearsome man and throw yourself at his mercy. There is no shame before the Goddess in doing whatever you must to survive.”Which was easier said than done.I lived in denial for a time, daydreaming of a handsome prince who would rescue me and take me to his grand castle. Here, we would live happily ever after, making royal babies.Reality is cold and bitter.No such prince comes.And later, when my vulnerability as a bondservant manifests terrifying consequences, an unexpected savior swoops in.Not a prince, but a hideous white orc and the ugliest beast I have ever met—a mute outcast with shifter blood but who cannot shift.Only I sense he has a good heart, and I remember my mother’s advice.Can I overcome my aversion?Maybe he thinks I am ugly too?Will I even survive mating such a fierce male?But if I don’t try, who will be there to save me the next time human predators come around?And so I decide, one way or another, that the white orcish monster is going to be mine.Content Advice: MF orc and human in a fantasy setting. Kidnap, violence, and gore. Sweet, protective virgin H orc shifter who discovers he has a dominant/possessive side. *More Triggers in Author review where they can be hidden for spoilers less

AlexHe’s been my best friend since we were children, and I’ve admired him all that time.I’ve always known we were different, even before he matured and revealed his animalistic side.I’m a married man with a sweet, beguiling wife who never fails to rouse my ardor while holding my infinite love.Only now, when I see the two most important people in my life together, I realize something has changed.In him, her, or me? I wish I could say... moreAlexHe’s been my best friend since we were children, and I’ve admired him all that time.I’ve always known we were different, even before he matured and revealed his animalistic side.I’m a married man with a sweet, beguiling wife who never fails to rouse my ardor while holding my infinite love.Only now, when I see the two most important people in my life together, I realize something has changed.In him, her, or me? I wish I could say. I wish I could pull back from the brink; that we could escape this deep, forbidden well into which the three of us sink.I shouldn’t want to see him hold her.Nor to kiss her lips.And I definitely shouldn’t want to watch my best friend do a whole lot more with my beautiful beta wife.Publisher’s note: Short in length but full of spice... A forbidden liaison that becomes something more.Content Advice: This is a married beta couple in a taboo liaison with the husband's alpha best friend—a short story with lots of smut and the usual omegaverse vibes. MFM with HEA. less

I’ve been in love with the local blacksmith for as long as I can remember.With his big, capable hands and acres of shoulders that I can’t help but admire.Only he’s older and a widower. To him, I am nothing but a too-young, too-bold tavern wench.He has rejected my every advance.But his eyes tell a different story.No matter, I’m cursed to be stubborn.I’m determined to claim my blacksmith and his heart, whatever it takes... moreI’ve been in love with the local blacksmith for as long as I can remember.With his big, capable hands and acres of shoulders that I can’t help but admire.Only he’s older and a widower. To him, I am nothing but a too-young, too-bold tavern wench.He has rejected my every advance.But his eyes tell a different story.No matter, I’m cursed to be stubborn.I’m determined to claim my blacksmith and his heart, whatever it takes.The Blacksmith in My Tavern is a short story that follows the HEA of Betsy and Heath, whom we first met in The Wolf in My Tavern. less

It has been my papa and me since I was little, and he swore he wanted it that way. Then he met someone while visiting his cousin, and the next thing I knew, he was getting married.As it turns out, I like my new stepmother. Her three strapping sons, not so much. They are bossy and overbearing and hate me just as much as I hate them.Only they are always sneaking off, and I get the feeling my stepbrothers are hiding something from me…. Which is why I defy their orders and find myself in danger... moreIt has been my papa and me since I was little, and he swore he wanted it that way. Then he met someone while visiting his cousin, and the next thing I knew, he was getting married.As it turns out, I like my new stepmother. Her three strapping sons, not so much. They are bossy and overbearing and hate me just as much as I hate them.Only they are always sneaking off, and I get the feeling my stepbrothers are hiding something from me…. Which is why I defy their orders and find myself in danger.They save me, I discover their secret, and now a very different kind of trouble is coming for me.Beauty and the Bears is a short and spicy why choose, with a bratty heroine who finds herself in trouble and three hot bear shifters determined to do whatever it takes to keep her safe. less

A father should protect his daughter.Mine sold me out to predators for coin enough to pay his debts.Sobbing and broken, I shiver in the cold stone cell, awaiting my desperate fate.Only I am not alone, and my fellow prisoner is about to change the course of my life.A poor fish market girl sold out by her father.A young blacksmith apprentice with secret ties to the rebellion.A grumpy wolf shifter on a mission.One tavern where their paths are fated to cross... moreA father should protect his daughter.Mine sold me out to predators for coin enough to pay his debts.Sobbing and broken, I shiver in the cold stone cell, awaiting my desperate fate.Only I am not alone, and my fellow prisoner is about to change the course of my life.A poor fish market girl sold out by her father.A young blacksmith apprentice with secret ties to the rebellion.A grumpy wolf shifter on a mission.One tavern where their paths are fated to cross.The Wolf in My Tavern is a fated mate romance with a golden retriever boy next door and a grumpy wolf shifter getting in knots over a sweet tavern wench. less

When the king of a barbarian horde turns out to be unexpectedly hot…All I wanted to do was stop a war.A sensible princess would have talked to her father and beseeched him to see sense. Instead, I do what I absolutely should not take my horse and leave the safety of my castle to parley with the enemy myself.Only the barbarian horde waiting to besiege our home turns out to be larger than I expect… and deeply unhappy when I incapacitate half a dozen of their best men... moreWhen the king of a barbarian horde turns out to be unexpectedly hot…All I wanted to do was stop a war.A sensible princess would have talked to her father and beseeched him to see sense. Instead, I do what I absolutely should not take my horse and leave the safety of my castle to parley with the enemy myself.Only the barbarian horde waiting to besiege our home turns out to be larger than I expect… and deeply unhappy when I incapacitate half a dozen of their best men.They take me to the king in charge… which is where my plans come undone.Instead of declaring my intentions to help free their brethren from my father’s dungeon, I throw a challenge at their king’s feet.Why?Because if there were degrees of alphaness, the seven-foot-tall barbarian with a stern glint in his eyes and an air of deadly grace would be at the top. When he makes an allusion toward taming me, well, it’s a challenge I can’t possibly resist.I want him to try.I might secretly want him to succeed.Just a little taste of the forbidden. Just one touch. An experience I can take away lest I wonder for the rest of my life what it might have been like.Only barbarians play by their own rules. I am tossed over his broad shoulder, taken to his tent, and subsequently liberated of all my daggers… even the hidden ones that no one finds.There are very few occasions in my life when I feel like I might have bitten off more than I can chew, but as I am dropped, weaponless, to his fur bed, I believe this is one.Tamed for Her Pleasure is a standalone sweet and spicy fantasy barbarian romance set in the coveted prey world! Alpha/beta paring. less