Clare Simmers knew that the only thing that was unique about her was that she was of Africa descent. She had no idea that being African was just the beginning. One night in a foreign clubs flips her ordinary life completely upside down. Clare finds herself at a crossroads of whether to hide and pretend her life hasn't changed or to rise up to the life that she never knew she was meant to lead. Meeting the handsome Beta, Nigel De' Bonare, next Alpha in line of his pack only complicates her decision making process. Will Clare jump into the life of folklore to be with him and forget herself? Or will she be too scared to plunge into the unimaginable awe and passion the unknown brings with it?
I smiled as I looked at the wall clock. Thirty minutes left to head in for my long whimsical weekend. I organized the pages of myreport for the sixth time then stapled them together. I put them down, dug through my bag and retrieved my pocket mirror. My black eyes looked tired but sharp. My lip-gloss was a bit smudged from batting my lips together all morning. I lifted my black suede bag to my thighs. It normally my first choice but being a gift, I couldn't just throw it at the back of my closet and forget all about it. I extracted my lip gloss and reapplied it.
Satisfied with the outcome I put away my mirror and make up and organized the articles on my desk. I wanted it to look neat for my meeting with the Robertson's on Monday. Their case was really giving me a tough time. I couldn't comprehend why someone would get married to a man she knew dreamt of having children when she herself wanted none. I sighed, then stared at the family photograph on my desk. We were truly a beautiful looking family.
I had always asked my parents why they had settled after just having one child and had never gotten a straight forward answer. They both seemed too keen on avoiding the subject altogether but I suspect that my mum's pregnancy wasn't exactly a bed of roses. She probably told my dad that she wasn't having another child after me. But then again, I'd never heard her complain about her nine months carrying me.
As I sat there contemplating the reasons behind my being an only child, I barely noticed Suzanne knock at my office door and walk in. She was smiling her 'I have something big to tell you smile'. Her red lipstick was brighter than ever. Her long straight dark hair secured neatly in a bun. Suzanne was smartly dressed in a beige pantsuit.
"Almost done for the day?" She asked as she got closer to my desk.
"Just about." I replied.
"Guess what?" Suzanne leaned over my desk and handed me her phone. "We're trending on Instagram."
"What? How?" I ask, snatching the device from Suzanne tostudy the post on it.
"You do remember that we're friends with Rose Reynolds. The fastest rising journalist of the century. She's working for Vogue magazine now and yet many other magazine brands are still trying to porch her."
"I explicitly asked her to not make our photos public. I don't enjoy the extra attention." I handed Suzanne her phone back.
"Obviously she was never going to listen. Anyways, pick you up at your place? Or are we just going to meet up at the club?"
"What on earth are you talking about? I'm not going out tonight." I speak while I pick up my briefcase and load my laptop inside.
"Come on Clare. We promised to help our friend pick the perfect venue for her 25th birthday party. You can't back out now."
"Rose said and I quote 'Two nights! It's going to take two nightsof clubbing to find the perfect location for my birthday.' It's been four-week nights in a row. I don't know about you Suzanne but hitting the ground running this entire week has taken its toll on me. I'm staying in tonight." I stand up and slide my bag over my shoulder. Next, I carry my briefcase in my left hand with my report in my right hand.
"But its Friday. Standard partying night. Lots of cute guys hit the clubs tonight. You can't stay home."
"Watch me." I retort. Suzanne twists her mouth and squints at me. She hates the resolve in my tone and is trying to think about a sassy come back that is going to change my mind.
"You know, for some who is only twenty two years old, you sure behave like a fifty year old woman."
I look at Suzanne then smile before saying, "I know you meant that as an insult, but to me.....it's a solid compliment."
Neither of us gets to utter another syllable because just then my desk phone buzzes. I replace by briefcase onto the ground then pick up the receiver.
"Halo...." I speak into the phone.
Suzanne motions that she's going to leave but doesn't forget to mouth the words pick you up at eight before leaving my office.
"Clare!" A breathless voice calls out to me from the other end of the phone.
"Mum?" I recognize her voice instantly. I stare briefly at the phone at the desk to confirm that she's using our landline to call me.
"We need to talk urgently. Are you busy?" Her words rush out of her mouth I almost fail to hear them.
"Is everything ok mum?" I settle into my chair again.
In the heart of a dense forest, hidden beneath the silvery glow of the full moon, lies a dark secret that has haunted the Hawthorne family for generations. Alex Hawthorne, a determined and resilient individual, finds themselves thrust into a world of ancient curses and supernatural forces as they grapple with the revelation of their family's dark past. As the full moon rises, Alex undergoes a transformation into a werewolf, awakening dormant powers and unlocking a legacy that has been concealed for centuries. But with this newfound power comes a deadly conflict, as rival factions vie for control of the cursed bloodline and the secrets it holds. Enter Evelyn Blackwood, a formidable adversary torn between the desire for power and the lingering bonds of family loyalty. As Alex and Evelyn navigate the treacherous world of werewolves and magic, they find themselves drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse, where alliances are forged and betrayals run deep. With each passing moment, the tension between Alex and Evelyn mounts, threatening to tear apart the fragile truce that binds them. But as they delve deeper into the mysteries of the forest, they uncover long-buried secrets that shed light on their shared history and the true nature of the curse that binds them. As the moon reaches its zenith, Alex and Evelyn find themselves on a collision course with destiny, where the choices they make will determine the fate of their family and the future of the forest itself. In a world where nothing is as it seems and danger lurks around every corner, "Secrets of the Moonlit Forest" is a tale of adventure, betrayal, and the enduring power of the human spirit.
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
Dear readers, this book has resumed daily updates. It took Sabrina three whole years to realize that her husband, Tyrone didn't have a heart. He was the coldest and most indifferent man she had ever met. He never smiled at her, let alone treated her like his wife. To make matters worse, the return of the woman he had eyes for brought Sabrina nothing but divorce papers. Sabrina's heart broke. Hoping that there was still a chance for them to work on their marriage, she asked, "Quick question,Tyrone. Would you still divorce me if I told you that I was pregnant?" "Absolutely!" he responded. Realizing that she didn't mean shit to him, Sabrina decided to let go. She signed the divorce agreement while lying on her sickbed with a broken heart. Surprisingly, that wasn't the end for the couple. It was as if scales fell off Tyrone's eyes after she signed the divorce agreement. The once so heartless man groveled at her bedside and pleaded, "Sabrina, I made a big mistake. Please don't divorce me. I promise to change." Sabrina smiled weakly, not knowing what to do...
Lyric had spent her life being hated. Bullied for her scarred face and hated by everyone-including her own mate-she was always told she was ugly. Her mate only kept her around to gain territory, and the moment he got what he wanted, he rejected her, leaving her broken and alone. Then, she met him. The first man to call her beautiful. The first man to show her what it felt like to be loved. It was only one night, but it changed everything. For Lyric, he was a saint, a savior. For him, she was the only woman that had ever made him cum in bed-a problem he had been battling for years. Lyric thought her life would finally be different, but like everyone else in her life, he lied. And when she found out who he really was, she realized he wasn't just dangerous-he was the kind of man you don't escape from. Lyric wanted to run. She wanted freedom. But she desired to navigate her way and take back her respect, to rise above the ashes. Eventually, she was forced into a dark world she didn't wish to get involved with.
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”