Emma Livingston never thought she would end up in an arranged union. The twenty-four-year-old fashion and event planner, who just finished her master's programme, is heartbroken to learn that her father has signed her up to wed 30-year-old billionaire barrister Liam Henderson in order to pay off his enormous debts. Liam consents to the convenience marriage because he feels pressured by his father to provide a family-friendly image. Emma and Liam start to see surprising aspects of each other as they work through their unplanned union. Beneath Liam's cold, entitled exterior is a compassionate guy battling familial demands. Emma is unable to ignore the rising sentiments that are emerging between them, despite her initial resentment of the arrangement. With the support of their best friends, Samantha and Ryan, Emma and Liam must decide whether to surrender to the love blossoming between them or fight against the odds stacked against their happily ever after.
Emma's POV
"What do you mean I'm getting married, dad?" I question my dad, tears running down my face fast and hard. I haven't ugly cried like this in years but right now, I didn't care how ugly I looked. All I cared to understand was what my dad meant by I was to get married in two months.
"I realize how sudden and unexpected this news comes, sweetie, but it's what needs to be done," he replies me, taking gentle strides towards me.
I step back. Usually I like the comfort of being in my father's arms, but not today. Maybe not ever again. Not with what he's saying to me right now. "This is so unfair!" I shriek really loudly as I begin to pace round the living room where my mum, dad and I stood as they broke the news to me.
At this point I was livid. I don't think I'd ever been this angry before in my life, and especially towards my parents, but today I was. I was upset, confused, and especially furious at them.
"How could you let this happen, mum?" I stopped pacing and faced my mum with my hands placed on my waist and my eyebrows raised, tears still streaming down my face freely.
"Honey, there was no other option. Would you have rather your dad went prison?" She responded to my question with a face full of empathy. I knew the correct answer to that question, but in that moment I didn't care.
"Yes!" I all but said quietly. "Why couldn't he have opted to go to prison? Why did he have to sell me off to Liam Henderson?" I yelled.
"I did not sell you off, Emma. Never you repeat that statement ever again," my dad replied sharply without giving my mum a chance to respond to me. At this point he and I were in a staring contest with each other, none willing to break contact and look weak in front of the other.
Right from when I was a kid, my dad's mother had always told me I acted just like my dad did when he was younger. She'd tell me how we had similar reactions to particular situations and how we had the same temper. She'd say, "I wonder how arguments go down with you both at home". Truly she was right. My dad and I did have the same temper and today proved it.
I wasn't going to back down from the stare though, and he knew that. He eventually gave up and relaxed his shoulders. "Emma, I truly am sorry for this. I'm sorry that this is the reality of your life right now, but this wedding, this marriage, it's happening. Whether you like it or not. The deal has already been made".
"I hate you, dad. I really do".
Of course I don't and could never hate my dad but that was what I was feeling in that moment. I felt nothing but hate towards him.
"I know you don't mean that, my love," my mum said to me as she approached me and engulfed me in a tight hug. That was what I needed but didn't realize. That hug. I immediately melted in her arms and slid to the floor, clutching my stomach because I felt sick to it all of a sudden.
"I just got my first job offer, mum. I was supposed to move to New York by the end of the month. Why this? Why now?" I say in between sobs, my voice shaky. "It's not fair. I've worked really hard," I continued as I was able to get my voice back to a steady pace.
"I know, sweetie, and I promise this isn't going to be a forever thing. It's for three years and then you could get a divorce and do whatever you want with your life. I'll make sure it doesn't exceed these three years my darling. I assure you that", she strokes my hair and caresses my back as she whispers her words softly into my ear as an attempt to calm me down.
It works but my mind fixates on one part of her statement.
Three years. I'm going to be married to a man I don't know, a man I don't love, a man I have met just once in my entire life, for three years. Three good years of my life down the drain, just like that. Why me? Who did I offend? I think to myself. I'm quickly broken out of my thought cycle, however, as I feel my father's hand on my shoulder as he squats next to me on the ground.
"I blame myself completely for this, Emma, trust me, I do. I know I should've listened to your mother and my advisor, but I didn't and it fucked me up".
I shoot him a quick glance to show I heard his language loud and clear.
"Excuse my language," he continued. "I messed up and I want to make things right. My going to prison would only put you guys in a very difficult position and I don't want that. Knowing the Henderson family, especially the father, Samuel, locking me up won't be enough for him. He would make sure whatever moneys I have in any accounts would be frozen by the bank, and our assets would be seized," he ends with a tone that's supposed to sound convincing, but it of course wasn't working.
Why wasn't it working? Because my whole mind was fixated on the fact that I get married in two months, to a man I don't know, and for three years.
"There's really nothing you want to say right now that's going to make me feel any better, dad," I wiped off my tears and picked myself up from the ground. "As you've said, it's a done deal. This is my life now and I get it. But just know that I-"
I get cut off by the loud ring of my father's phone.
"Hello," he says as he puts the phone up to his ear. "It's for you," he tells me as he looks at me with an emotion I can't quite comprehend and hands the phone to me.
"Hello?" I question with my brows furrowed.
"Hello love," the person on the other end responds with a deep sultry voice I almost instantly recognize.
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
"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?...
Sawyer, the world's top arms dealer, stunned everyone by falling for Maren—the worthless girl no one respected. People scoffed. Why chase a useless pretty face? But when powerful elites began gathering around her, jaws dropped. "She's not even married to him yet—already cashing in on his power?" they assumed. Curious eyes dug into Maren's past... only to find she was a scientific genius, a world-renowned medical expert, and heiress to a mafia empire. Later, Sawyer posted online. "My wife treats me like the enemy. Any advice?"
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
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.
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.