I was the illegitimate daughter of Alpha Kris of Dark Moon. He raped a human slave 18 years ago and that was my mom. I became a disgrace and a shame to my family. They punished me and locked me up in the basement all day except to let me out to complete my daily routine as a slave. Yes. I looked like any common slave of the pack house. No one would expect me as the Alphas's daughter. As a hybrid, I hadn't been able to shift, but I could hear their thoughts. It's not a good thing though, for me, it's a nightmare. Most of what I've heard were my half-sisters' curses and insults. "CLAUDIA! Hurry up and get in here!" I knew Elly was going to scream my name long before her shrill voice echoed out of her room and into the hallway where I waited. This was the daily ritual, every afternoon. She would call for me, and while she sat at her vanity table, I brushed her long hair like a servant to her satisfaction. No one would guess she was my half-sister, nor Maria in the other bedroom...
"CLAUDIA! Hurry up and get in here!"
I knew Elly was going to scream my name long before her shrill voice echoed out of her room and into the hallway where I waited. This was the daily ritual, every afternoon. She would call for me, and while she sat at her vanity table, I brushed her long hair like a servant to her satisfaction. If a stranger saw us, I looked like any common slave of the pack house. No one would guess she was my half-sister, nor Maria in the other bedroom.
It was true. Our father was Alpha Kris of Dark Moon. But whereas Elly and Maria were tall and slim with beautiful auburn hair, I was the odd one out with my inexplicably pale skin, shorter stature, and completely black hair. But it suited us... since I was only the illegitimate daughter of the Alpha and the human slave he had raped eighteen years ago and impregnated. I was a disgrace, along with my mother who had died giving birth to me. A disgrace of a hybrid, a half-breed abomination. As I said, no outsider would ever guess I was supposed to be part of the family.
And no one would guess I could read minds, either. I had kept that secret all my life.
How was it possible for me to read minds? I didn't know.
But I was privy to all of Elly's secret thoughts just like now, and without fail, anytime something even slightly inconvenient happened, it was because of the no-good half-sister Claudia, illegitimate daughter of the Alpha, the half-breed.
At least my mother wasn't here to suffer with me. Me, a hybrid forced to play handmaid to my half-sisters, and her, the human slave who had given birth to me -- our lives would have been hell anyway. Better that I suffered alone. I could endure it, at least until I escaped from this place, the estate of the Dark Moon pack.
(What a stupid bitch), Elly seethed privately as I brushed her long hair out with gentle strokes of the brush.( But at least no one can possibly be so stupid they mess up brushing hair! Idiot. She had better not leave one strand out of place or I'll have them kick her ribs in to teach her a lesson. Bitch).
I ignored her thoughts. It was unfortunate that everyone's private musings made it into my head regardless of my will, but I'd long since learned to mask it and pretend nothing was amiss. Besides, Elly was the boring one. Her thoughts were always the same, day in and day out, either blaming me for every little thing that happened to her or daydreaming about being the center of attention at school. Which then turned back to blaming me, since I attended the same high school, and who would want to have a disgusting half-breed hybrid for a sister? I was, in her world, always at the center of her woes. And she never missed a chance to give me hell for it.
But life was life, and even hell could become trite. The highlight of Elly's and Maria's school days were the gossiping and bad-mouthing of their classmates and even so-called friends whom they complimented and simpered at to their faces. For all the time they spent in front a mirror, they should take a moment to really self-reflect. Their make-up could pretty up their faces, but nothing could be done for the rotten personalities beneath. Swimming in their thoughts was like trying to wade through a swamp.
(Ugh! She doesn't deserve to look so pretty), Elly continued to seethe. (She's just a fucking slave. Trash! Disgusting trash! I wish someone would just cut her face up so I don't have to look at it anymore. She can't even shift! She might as well be human. Just make her a regular slave! Why does she get even this privilege to serve me personally!)
Nothing new there either. At least I didn't have to listen to her ugly thoughts all the time, only when she was close enough. As soon as she was far enough away from me to leave the range of my ability, I was free.
...Actually, her last vicious thought about my wolf had stung. She was right. While I had one -- Cassiel -- she couldn't take over, and therefore I was trapped in human form. I wondered sometimes if Cassiel hated me for it. Was that why she was so quiet sometimes?
"Don't screw this up," Elly said aloud. "You're not important enough to deserve being involved in this, so don't get any stupid ideas. But I won't let you mess this up for me today, not in front of Alpha Evan."
Alpha Evan. His name had been all over everyone's minds since yesterday, overwhelming me like a tidal wave. Yes, Alpha Evan, the current Alpha of the Scarlet pack who had deposed and killed his predecessor, Alpha Adrain. Rumor had been that Evan was his long lost nephew, but people knew better than to gossip too loudly about that. Alpha Evan was as ruthless as they came, dominating and annexing every minor pack neighboring him and making the Scarlet pack a complete juggernaut.
And now, it was Dark Moon pack's turn today. In ceremony, the reins of this pack would be turned over to Evan to do as he saw fit, no resistance. All the female werewolves would be inspected and 'registered,' whatever that meant. The other rumor was that Alpha Evan ordered this done with every pack he conquered because he was searching for a suitable candidate to be his mate, his Luna.
Hence, Elly's and Maria's excitement. How handsome he is! they had crowed, and strong and rich! They would make a perfect mate for him, and he would definitely choose one of them. Or so each one thought. Maybe one of them was even his fated mate, and they would find out when they looked into each other's eyes...
I didn't care about that. I didn't know anything about mate bonds, and I'd never felt the urge to chase it. Probably because I was a half-breed, which was also likely the cause of the strange mutant power of my mind-reading ability that was far superior to mere mind-linking.
Which was how I knew that although both girls pretended to be in full sisterly support of each other, what each one thought was that she was far more beautiful, so there was no chance the other would become Luna, ever.
It was hard not to laugh sometimes. That was the real downside of my secret power, trying not to roll my eyes at the ridiculousness.
But to an Alpha like Evan who had ambitions of ruling the whole werewolf world, finding their true mate was no laughing matter. It was a gift from the Moon Goddess, something to increase their power and complete them.
This ceremony today could become a life or death matter if someone stepped out of line...
***
It took place in the afternoon. All the female werewolves lined up in the front courtyard of the estate as ordered while I watched on with the rest of the human slaves from the side, ready to help the ladies back indoors and attend to their needs once this was over. But the inspection was thorough and dragged until evening, and we were all forced to watch, nearly bored to tears. Nothing, of course. No woman was selected for whatever it was that Alpha Evan was searching for as he moved up and down each row. Elly and Maria looked like they were going to burst into tears when he passed them by, not even bothering to inhale their scent as he did with a few others.
When he returned to the front to stand on the platform, he gestured for my father the Alpha to join him up there, then glanced to his right at the brown-haired man who stood by him already. They must have mind-linked with each other just then. Not that I'd know anything about it. Other than my freakish mind-reading ability, I possessed no ability to telepathically communicate, to mind-link. And they were too far for me to eavesdrop with my power, which was unstable when it came to short distances as it was.
But the man -- perhaps the Scarlet pack's Beta? -- possessed a booming voice, and he left no room to wonder about what had just been communicated. He waited until Alpha Kris joined them and asked, "Is this all? Every single female werewolf in your pack."
"Yes, of course. Do you perhaps need to see my two daughters again?"
Elly and Maria perked, but the perhaps-Beta pushed on. "Your last chance. If any women have been excluded, we'll find out, and you won't survive the consequences."
"My Alpha, of course not --" Kris began to plead as he turned to look at the silent Alpha Evan, then seemed to remember something. "Well, there is one girl, but it's impossible. She's a half-breed, practically human. Surely she wouldn't be fit for--"
"Her name, werewolf!" The man snapped, forcing Kris's attention back to himself. "Give it to me."
"...It's Claudia Dale."
And then the man turned and called my name.
***
It happened so fast. The Scarlet pack werewolves came for me, forced me to stand on the platform in front of everyone. I was still trying to understand how it had come to this when I had been trying so hard to stay out of trouble, and now it had come looking for me. Nothing would happen since Kris was right, I was just a lowly half-breed, but Elly and Maria would take it out on me with vicious hatred later for the sheer perceived insolence of obeying the order to present myself.
But that became the least of my concerns when Alpha Evan stood in front of me... and leaned in, taking in my scent with visible relish.
(It's her), he thought, and it seeped into my mind uninvited. (It's her. The girl from nine years ago. This is that same scent. I've finally found her.)
What?
Nine years ago?
Was he insane?
I would have been eight years old, what could I have possibly done wrong to anyone when I was just a child?
When I woke up, my mom's body was cold. The color was drained from her half-opened eyes, and I could see no signs of life. My father told me that she purposely drank poison to kill herself. But that was a lie. My mother would never kill herself; she would never leave me. That night imprisoned me. “It wasn’t a mistake,” “What are you talking about, Jonathan?” I asked him. “Arina, you are my mate. You were born to be my luna,” he said. His face showed no signs of humor. “I wasn’t born to be anybody’s luna,” I shot back. “Arina, I love you…” he spoke softly, still staring into my eyes. I could feel the wolf in me stirring; something that I had never felt before. She was awakening; the fire that burned so deep inside of me was beginning to flare. “Love?” I heard myself saying. “There’s no such thing as love…” After everything I knew about “love”, what my mother went through when she married my father, love didn’t exist. “Give me a chance to prove you wrong. Marry me.” WARNING This story will contain: Strong Sexual Content, Strong Language and Domestic Violence Scenes that may be triggering. Adult viewers only.
WARNING This story will contain. Strong sexual content, strong language, dark scenes about human trafficking. Everything was shaking all around me as if I was in the back of a moving car. An unpleasant smell that could have woken me from even my darkest dreams filled the air and convinced me that I was wide awake. Fear instantly overcame my senses. Where was I? What was I doing here? Who took me? “Help…” I tried to shout. My torn throat wouldn’t allow it. In my mind, images flashed of barbaric shifters standing outside that door. Big, tall and rough creatures that knew no manners and only wanted to claim things. I’d heard stories since I was old enough to understand that they favored pretty human girls and plucked them off the roads as if they were all free for the taking. Patara tried to move back away from the handsome young man, but he held her firm. Squeezing her chin a little harder to keep her in place. His blue-grey, beautiful eyes looked over her every feature as if he wanted to burn the image in his mind. “Would you like me to take you away?” He asked in a husky voice. His words made her skin litter in goosebumps. She couldn’t speak, only nod desperately. “And what do you offer me in exchange for your rescue? Would you like to follow me?” Slowly, she nodded her head and put her hand in his. “Remember your promises,” he said against her ear. She held her breath. “The last person who betrayed me got to see what his insides looked like before I slit his throat.”
He embraces Mary, something about their embrace so random, so intense and passionate, that I stumble back, threatening to fall. This can’t be happening. Row catches me, my butcher friend already reeked with the smell of rotten meat but it doesn’t faze me, it doesn’t affect me like seeing Luke take another woman into his arms. They kiss, Row having to turn me around and hold to his chest as I hold back sobs. Luke has found his mate and it isn’t me. “Oh no,” Ann sighs, her hand patting my back. “Well, I guess that is settled,” Paul murmurs. “Let’s get out of here, Aurora. We should let Luke be with his new mate.” I sniffle a cry into Row’s shirt, feeling him embrace me tighter at the mention of Luke’s mate. It’s real. It can’t be. It wasn’t supposed to be like this and yet it’s happening. Pulling myself together, I refuse to look back at my best friend, the man I thought I would be with forever, the only man I pictured having as my mate, while he embraces another woman.
On my 18th Birthday, My twin sister married my mate, Alpha Jacob, in my name. I was Alisa Clark, the she-wolf with the purest blood. The Alphas must feed on my blood. They were blessed with great power while they were cursed. The greater their abilities, the shorter their lives. My blood protected them from their curse Yet, my twin Jennifer took away my glory and had me tortured for 6 years! Worse still, My mate allowed it "You've been like a pig for us. He can smell you down here. He's known this whole time." She took out a mirror and held it up to my face. " You think he would ever accept such an ugly mate like this pig." I hadn't seen myself since I was twelve, vibrant and healthy. I was a child then, and now I looked like a ghost. My face was hollow and pale like a sick person. I saw the scar on my face, it burned and had inflamed my cheek so that it was swollen. My eyes were red from the tears. My hair was dull and limp over my skull. My purple eyes were the only piece of me that still held some semblance of life. I could see scars even on my neck, and I knew that my body was even more scarred, and even more pathetic... "How dare you be so stupid." Jennifer said. "How dare you think the Alpha wants you for more than your blood. Imagine him mating with you, when he could have me."
3 years ago, I faked a pregnancy to steal half a million dollars from my mate. I felt as if I didn’t have any other choice as I had to pay my brother’s ransom or let him die. Now, I would rather die than spend another day being treated with icy, bitter resentment. My name is Rachel Flores and I rejected my alpha mate because I’m ready to live, not just survive! "Who are you?" I came awake with a jerk, disoriented and aching all over. A heavy male body lay beside me---we were both naked except for the sheet covering our bodies. I searched my memories of the night before, trying to figure out how I had gotten here while attempting to wrap the sheet around my body. I stopped when I realized I'd leave my bed partner totally nude. I remembered myself saying over and over, "I'm your mate!" I eased myself off the bed to look for clothes. I tried to be as quiet as I could so I didn't wake up the stranger. His scent was all over me, all over everything really. Rich and masculine...
I'm a witch. I saw the future. Alpha Xavier will rule the kingdom and kill my whole family. He's taking revenge on us since my grandfather chose to align with his enemy. I can't just sit back and let that happen. So I decided to propose to him and get him killed before our fate's set. Yet, the moon goddess says otherwise... “Will you marry me, Alpha Xavier?” I asked and bowed slightly. Lord Xavier is currently the Alpha of the Leonard family. Apparently, he’s been hailed as one of the strongest men on the continent—and the most handsome. Not like that matters to me but I guess it’s a plus. “Excuse me?” The man stared at me in disbelief. “If have to repeat myself, will you marry me?” I looked up at Xavier who hadn’t moved a muscle nor taken his eyes off of me. He just needs to accept my proposal already! This silence and waiting is unbearable! I’m offering you money and power. What more could you possibly— “I accept your marriage proposal.” Xavier interrupted my thoughts and released his hold on me. I’ve succeeded! Another step closer to your death, my Lord… I accepted the witch girl’s proposal and walked out of the parlor without looking back at her. How could I? My heart raced inside of my chest, though I knew that these beats weren’t my own. Throughout the entire ordeal, something itched in the back of my mind. I knew what it was. “Lyon!” I commanded through thought. “What was that all about? What happened?” A howl echoed through my mind. “She’s our mate!” Lyon exclaimed. Mate?! The daughter of the Wisdom family was supposed to be my Luna? I couldn’t believe that the Moon Goddess was capable of such jokes and trickery.
Five years ago, Alessia La Rosa's life took a drastic turn when, suffering from memory loss, she wed to Dominic Carter under her grandfather's mysterious arrangement. But their marriage was a facade, bringing her only humiliation and heartache as Dominic showed no love, and she couldn't conceive. Upon discovering Dominic's infidelity, Alessia sought liberation through divorce. Yet, fate had more in store for her. Five years later, spurred by an anonymous email hinting at her lost child's whereabouts, she returns to the city with her twin babies in tow, determined to uncover the truth. As she navigates the tangled web of her past, a surprising twist awaits. Dominic, upon meeting her again, finds himself drawn to the woman she has become, unaware of her true identity as his former wife. Little does he know, the woman he's falling for is not only his ex-wife but also a powerful Doctor and Master Hacker.
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
"I, Erika Blackwood, stand before you, Alexander Robertson, with a heavy heart. I hereby reject you as my mate. The bond we once shared has grown fragile, and my soul yearns for a different path. May you find solace in the love of another, and may we both find the happiness we seek." Alexander didn't say a word and looked at me. But he refused to accept. *********** Erika Blackwood is the next Alpha in line of the Ironclaw Pack. She hides her identity and gets mated to the Alpha of the Moonforest Pack, Alexander Robertson. Three years passed, but Alexander is still unwilling to let go of his childhood sweetheart. Erika is mistreated and eventually framed by the same childhood sweetheart. Now she leaves with that humiliation, and goes back to her pack, swearing vengeance on those who hurt her. They all waited for her to return and beg, but what happens when they realize that the famous Ironclaw Pack that was going to help in the rogue war, was ruled by a woman named, Erika Blackwood. Now her Ex mates want her back. Other Alphas want this woman.. But will she accept any of them? Or will she stay independent forever?...
After two years of marriage, Kristian dropped a bombshell. "She's back. Let's get divorced. Name your price." Freya didn't argue. She just smiled and made her demands. "I want your most expensive supercar." "Okay." "The villa on the outskirts." "Sure." "And half of the billions we made together." Kristian froze. "Come again?" He thought she was ordinary—but Freya was the genius behind their fortune. And now that she'd gone, he'd do anything to win her back.
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"