Kayla had looked forward to turning eighteen for as long as she had known. In the abusive hands of their Alpha King and at his mercy, she craves for freedom. What happens when she finds herself in the hands of another Alpha who steals her heart from just a look?
"No! Please, no. Leave my mother alone" I begged on my knees and wept furiously as I latched on to the man's legs.
He looked down at me and cocked a thoughtful brow that almost gave me hope. Every shred of hope I had disappeared when he turned to my crying mother, who his guards were holding and in one swift movement, snapped her neck.
Someone screamed. It took a second for me to realize it was me. I watched helplessly as she fell to the ground and ran to her side.
I shook her shoulders but she didn't open her eyes. I begged her to come back to me but nothing. I turned to look at the evil man who killed my mother but he and his guards were just laughing sinisterly. I was confused and angry and I got up on my feet and wanted to talk but I could not. My lips felt stuck together and I started to panic. What was going on? I kept trying as my breath quickened and my vision started to blur.
Just as it felt like I was going to faint, I screamed and I woke up, immediately sitting up. It was a dream. It was a dream, Kayla.
I wiped off the tears that streamed down my face and wondered if anyone heard me scream but then reminded myself that every room was sound proof including the rooms in the slave quarters.
I was in one of those rooms. It had a mattress that was so small, it was barely enough for me and without a bed frame. My body was covered in cold sweat and I pushed aside stray hair that was matted to my forehead and sighed in frustration. This happened almost every night. I always had nightmares and the sad part was that part of it was something that had actually happened.
Nine years ago, my mother was killed by the same man I saw in my dream, the same man whose palace I now lived in. Crazy, I know.
Alpha Dexter killed my mother right in front of my eyes and there was nothing I could do about it. He was an Alpha King after all. My heart ached as I remembered how he barely allowed me to touch my mother's body and had his guards drag me away, leaving her body on the cold ground in front of where I called home.
All the anger I had in me has been at bay for the past eight years after trying endlessly to escape the first year I spent here. No matter how hard I tried, he always found me. So, I eventually gave up.
The only shred of hope I had left was because he promised to let me go when I turned eighteen. He said it would be enough to pay my mother's debt. I hope for the best as I remembered I turn eighteen in a few days.
I thought of a better life out there, just waiting for me. I prayed to the moon goddess to let me out of this hell hole.
It was near dawn and I knew I needed to get ready for the day. I immediately cleaned up and changed to an old gown whose color was already fading. Almost all my clothes were like this. The rest were worse. I quickly tied the auburn mass of curls on my head into a bun and made my way to the kitchen where some other maids were already at.
I greeted them "Good morning" but as usual, I got ignored. I was the youngest one and they hated me for reasons I did not know but I dared not greet them. The last and only time I tried that, they cornered me and left bruises that lasted for days on my body. I shivered involuntarily from the memory. I got to work immediately. I started cooking and most of the others just relaxed and chatted. Although we were many, most of the work load was left for me while they had fun but I was used to it.
By the time I was done, it was thirty minutes to the time for the royal breakfast, so I was rushing. I quickly dished out the food onto plates and saucers and placed them on the trolleys the waiters would used to serve them. I sighed in relief as I managed to beat the time yet again. My arms were exhausted from kneading dough and I rolled them to provide some relief. The royal family was to have brunch today and I had to make food for the other palace workers as well. I started with the breakfast for the workers which included myself. No matter how much I cooked, they would leave little or nothing for me and I was to be the last to dish my food. I sighed as I increased the portion again today and cooked. As usual, they served themselves heaps and left nothing for me. I wished they left little for me but today's not my lucky day. My stomach growled in hunger as they ate and I noted that I needed to get started with brunch for the royal family.
I was done earlier than expected, leaving some of the food less hot. Not cold, not even warm, hot but not steaming hot. I prayed that they'd overlook this because it was too late to start again. The waiters did their jobs and by the time they were back, my heart was pounding in fear.
I almost sunk when one of them pointed at me "You"
My heart skipped a beat as I gave him my attention.
"The King summons you" he said.
I swallowed and my feet felt rooted to the spot.
One of the maids, Vera, spoke up, mockery seeping into her voice "Are you deaf? Alpha called on you. What did you do this time?" She barely contained a giggle.
I braced myself and walked out of the kitchen, making my way to the royal dining. Goosebumps erupted on my skin as I reached the grand doors. I sucked in a breath as the guards opened the doors.
I walked into the big space, my eyes zeroing in on the family seated at the table. As soon as they noticed me, I diverted my eyes to my feet and walked to where the king sat, placing myself at a safe distance from him.
"Good morning Your Majesties, Your Highnesses" I said as I curtsied with my head still bowed.
I could feel the heavy glare of the family on me.
The King, Alpha Dexter, finally spoke up "You sure have grown some balls recently, Kayla"
I almost stammered "I'm not sure what you mean, Your Majesty"
He chuckled humorlessly "Oh, I'm sure you know exactly what I mean"
My palms grew sweaty. He was most definitely referring to the food. I fell to my knees immediately "I am so sorry, Alpha. I made brunch too early and I couldn't start from scratch because I didn't want you to miss brunch. It was a mistake, it would never repeat itself. Please, forgive me"
His wife's vile laughter pierced the air "What a foolish child"
The King hummed in agreement "Well, now, I have another reason to punish you"
Another? Did I just dig my own grave? Fuck.
But then, what was the first reason?
My body trembled with fear as I heard a chair scrape backwards and Alpha Dexter walked towards me, stopping right in front of me. I dared not move an inch.
I'm so screwed.
"Now, listen to me" he commanded and I instantly looked up at him. "Rule number one, no screaming. No matter what I do to you, I must not hear a single noise. If I do, it would most definitely get worse" he said and my heart hammered in my chest. "Rule number two, when I tell you to do something, you do it, or else, I will whip you repeatedly and make sure you're on the brink of death but just enough to keep you alive." He said with a wicked grin on his face. "Rule number three, follow those two rules" he said and got up. Out of the blue, he whipped me again and I screamed. I had never felt that much pain in my entire life. "Tsk tsk, you're a slow one" he said and I held my breath as I awaited the next whip. He whipped me again and I managed to stifle a scream. "Good girl" he said and went back to sit on his bed. "Now, strip." He ordered and I shakily got up and began to pull my clothes off my body. … Kieran had a regular life until a ruthless Alpha turned it all upside down. She suffers and even gets rejected. What happens when she has a better second chance mate who is protective and the ruthless Alpha who made her life hell is butting into her life again?
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
Aria never wanted to marry Kael, the arrogant playboy her father forced her to accept as her fiancé. But Kael had his own twisted motives-he only wanted her because she was the one girl who refused him. When Aria rejected his demand to sleep with him a week before their wedding, Kael tried to take what he wanted by force. His drunken pursuit ended in tragedy when he was struck by a car, leaving Aria caught in the crossfire of blame. Zander, Kael's elder brother and the soon-to-be Alpha King, believed Aria was responsible for his brother's death-and promiscuous to boot. To prevent war between their packs, Zander agreed to marry her, but only for revenge. His plan? Ruin Aria's life for a year, then cast her aside and divorce her. But Zander's scheme begins to unravel when his ex-best friend Asher returns, determined to take Aria for himself. As secrets from the past resurface, Zander discovers betrayal, lies, and truths he never wanted to face. Was Aria truly guilty, or was she just another pawn in a deadly game of power and revenge? Asher laugh and say, "You're a fool; she never wanted to come. I told her you were with Lyra, so she came. And now I've achieved my goal: I ruined your marriage." Zander feel foolish, asking, "But why? I never did anything to you! You were my best friend. I should have killed you when you slept with my ex fiancée, Lyra!" Asher respond, "You knew I loved her, but you stole Lyra from me. She was my true mate, but she refused to marry me because you were soon to be the Alpha King! She never loved you. She loved me but wanted to be the queen of werewolves; that's all." Zander would realize how foolish he was. Yet, he still believed Aria wasn't innocent because she slept with his deceased brother before the wedding.
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
She thought he was the villain. He was only trying to save his soul. Rena lives in a world of sunshine, sweets, and simple dreams. Until one reckless decision drops her into a dark realm of secrets, curses and werewolves. Kidnapped, heartbroken. She doesn't know who to trust anymore especially not Logan, the arrogant, cruel Alpha who's keeping her as a hostage. Until she discovers his dark secret. He's been hearing her thoughts all along. Now the walls between them are crumbling. And when feelings grow where hatred once lived, a curse demands that blood becomes a love that demands sacrifice. But how can she give her heart to the one who might need it to die?
In the previous life, Maggie Johnson was so cowardly, gullible and stupid that she was coaxed by her fiance and stepsister and then broke her legs and lost everything including her fortune, love and even life. However, she was so lucky that she was reborn in the year before everything happened. Since her life restarted, how could she repeat a previous tragedy? Therefore, in this life, she took the opportunity to improve herself and take revenge on the ones who had ever insulted her. Facing the people who had humiliated her previously, she became smart and experienced to break their frames and tricks that had caused her to hurt in the previous life. Finally, no one could stop her pace to amaze the world any more.
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.