Claudia and Anthony had known each other for twelve years. After three years of dating, their wedding date was set. The news of their intended marriage shook the entire city. Emotions were high as many women grew extremely jealous of her. At first, Claudia couldn't be bothered about the hate. But when Anthony abandoned her on the altar after receiving a call, she was devastated. "Serves her right!" All of her enemies took pleasure in her misfortune. The news spread like wildfire. In a strange turn of events, Claudia posted an update on social media. It was a picture of her with a marriage certificate which she captioned, "Call me Mrs. Dreskin from now on." While the public was still trying to process the shock, Bennett-who hadn't posted on social media in years-made a post with the caption that read, "Now a married man." The public went agog. Many people labeled Claudia as the luckiest woman of the century as she had struck gold by marrying Bennett. Even a baby knew that Anthony was an ant compared to his rival. Claudia had the last laugh that day. She relished her enemies' shocked comments while remaining humble. People still thought that their marriage was odd. They believed that it was just a marriage of convenience. One day, a journalist was bold enough to ask for Bennett's comment on his marriage to which he answered with the softest smile, "Marrying Claudia is the best thing that ever happened to me."
On this day, the Nixon and Marshall families had planned to unite in matrimony. The ambiance was brimming with excitement. The spacious banquet hall were decked out in rich, dreamy decor.
The wedding officiant called for the groom to step onto the stage. "Presenting to you our handsome groom, Mr. Anthony Nixon!"
Barely had the officiant's words resonated through the hall when the attendees erupted in deafening cheers.
Yet, after a few moments of waiting following the introduction, there was no sign of the groom on stage.
Guests started to murmur amongst themselves. Maintaining a cool demeanor, the officiant brushed it off as a minor hiccup. However, as the moments of silence stretched, even he realized something was off. His silence added to the sudden quiet in the hall.
Suddenly, a resounding smack echoed from backstage. Those close to the stage could see the scene unfold.
Anthony, the groom, had just been struck by his own mother. He ripped the boutonniere from his tuxedo jacket and stormed off.
Meanwhile, the bride-to-be, Claudia Marshall was backstage with her father, Jace Marshall, waiting for their cue to enter the spotlight.
"Feeling nervous, Cece?"
Jace gently patted her arm. Claudia offered her father an embarrassed look.
Just as she was about to respond, the commanding voice of Rachel Nixon, Anthony's mother, caught her attention. "Anthony, get back here right now!"
Claudia couldn't help but turn at the sound of Rachel's voice.
The moment she turned, she saw Anthony dashing past her.
His gaze flickered when he spotted her. "Cece, I apologize. There's been an emergency with Delilah. We must postpone our wedding!"
He didn't pause in his stride as he spoke.
His words extinguished all of Claudia's exhilaration and delight, leaving her feeling deflated and disheartened, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her.
Only moments ago, her father had asked her if she was anxious. Indeed, she was, but not for the reasons one might expect. She wasn't worrying over marrying Anthony but over whether the wedding would proceed without a hitch, as that woman-Delilah Lopez-had assured her in last night's message!
Jace's expression soured. He had extended invites to his loved ones, acquaintances, and business contacts. The wedding was just about to commence, and Anthony had bolted at this crucial moment!
As Claudia watched him fade into the distance, she was paralyzed with shock.
No!
She couldn't let Anthony depart without a fight!
Regaining her composure, Claudia hoisted up her wedding gown and dashed after him. "Anthony!"
She was in high heels that didn't quite fit and every step she took was painful.
Yet Claudia didn't halt. She gritted her teeth, determined to catch up with Anthony.
The wedding banquet was on the second floor. As Anthony neared the stairwell, he heard Claudia's cries and paused briefly.
After a moment's hesitation, he continued to stride briskly out of the hotel.
By the time Claudia made it outside, Anthony was already crossing the road.
Without missing a beat, Claudia gave chase.
As Anthony was about to board his car, the screech of tires reverberated through the air, followed by a terrifying scream from his mother. "Claudia!"
Claudia, adorned in her pristine white wedding dress, was struck by a black vehicle, searing pain shooting up from her shin and engulfing her body.
Claudia was thrown to the ground, her white dress instantly stained with blood. Her arms bore multiple contusions. The bride, once the picture of beauty and grace, was now a vision of chaos and suffering.
Using her remaining strength to prop herself up on her hands, Claudia struggled to sit upright. Biting her lip, she fixed her gaze on Anthony who stood by his car.
Her lips remained sealed, but her tear-filled eyes silently implored him.
Would he stay?
Would he choose her over Delilah this time?
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
"Mr. Evans, please maintain some dignity. Don't forget I'm your brother's wife!" Having caught her husband and best friend together in the bed, Elena wanted nothing more than to exact revenge on the people she once called family. She refused to be a pitiful divorcee and vowed to make everyone who had once looked down on her beg for forgiveness. And to start with her newfound freedom, Elena indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger. However, what was meant to be a fleeting escape turns into a nightmare when she learns that the stranger is none other than her husband's older brother! Would Elena be free from the shackles of her marriage? Or would the mysterious stranger make her life a living hell since he seemed to have a personal vendetta against his family? [The story is 18+ and involves mature content.]
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"