"Tell me, how much do you want me?" "I... I don't know, Prince Gradel." I couldn't think straight, my body ached and my soul sang with an overwhelming need for one thing. His touch. ***** Iris Damine had the whole universe conspiring against her. From being a wolfless omega, to being framed for theft and eventually being sentenced for taking the Prince's heirloom, she had sins stacked against her like a pack of cards. Gradel, prodigal prince of Grey Rock pack and son of Alpha Cronus, has zero interests in anything that concerns the pack. But with his father's health declining and the pack on the verge of collapse, he's charged with new responsibilities. And only the wolfless omega he despises can help him. What happens when their forced union threatens to unravel the other feelings they struggle to hide? Would the moon goddess step in and save them from themselves or would the end of this forbidden romance be filled with heartache and sadness?
Chapter 1
Iris
"I swear I didn't take the money," I argued tiredly as the crowd thickened with each passing second. "I'm sure if you search properly you'll find it, or maybe someone else took it," I added in my defense.
If I'd known that today would turn out this way with me being accused of being a thief, I would have listened to my instincts and stayed back at home. But then, there was no food in the house, no money, and my lazy sister wasn't keen on doing anything to provide food or other supplies that we had run out of.
"It's a lie, you wretched hag!" Giga, my boss, snapped. "You took the money. I purposely left it there to test you and you just showed me that you can't be trusted!" He accused me vehemently.
I go by the name Iris, but no one remembers that because I'm an omega without a wolf, and very unattractive as well.
Maybe if I'd obliged my boss's wishes and had a good night with him as he demanded, I wouldn't be in the middle of the market, surrounded by little children and other jobless omegas like me, who turned me into a dumpsite of rotten eggs, tomatoes and every perishable item they could lay their filthy hands on.
"Stupid people!" I cursed under my breath.
They couldn't even afford good food, yet they were wasting the ones they could find on me.
Knowing that arguing my case wouldn't get me out of there, I proceeded to plead with him. I rarely showed my vulnerability, but I had to leave this place before the pack's police came for an investigation.
They already hated me so they wouldn't even spare a minute in arresting me.
"Please, Giga, you know I didn't do it..." My voice trailed off as tears slowly gathered in my eyes with the memories of my past rushing into my mind. "I'll find a way to refund the money. Just tell these people to stop doing this to me." I pleaded, my voice shaky even though I tried to sound firm.
Giga snickered and crouched on the ground, and immediately they stopped throwing things at me.
His eyes roved over my body condescendingly, his nostrils flaring as he palmed them because of the stench oozing from my body.
"You could have avoided this, you know." He lowered his voice.
Anger worked its way through me as I tried to hold back my glare. "How?" I bellowed.
"You're not even beautiful and I would have given you everything; a better position in my store, and I'd have sorted out your bills. You wouldn't have to live in that hell hole you call a house, but your obstinance overshadowed your sense of judgment and once again, you're being made the laughing stock of the pack." He taunted me, his tone low and degrading. "And the sweetest part of it all is that you can't run away because you are both weak and sluggish." He chuckled.
I shook my head and crawled backward. "So you set me up?" My angry tone was accompanied by disgust.
"You figured that out fast." He spared a glance at his wristwatch and his evil smirk widened. "The pack's police should be here anytime from..."
He didn't need to complete his statement as heavy footsteps approached us, and a glance at their mean faces told me that there would be no room for mercy.
I'd fallen deeply into his trap and no one could save me. Not even May, my sister, who was the most nonchalant person I'd ever known. Calling her for help would be a waste of time.
"Is she the one?" One of them, whom I presumed to be their leader asked.
Giga quickly nodded. "She stole half of my earnings from today's sales after trying to seduce me. She's not just wretched, she's got no morals at all." He scoffed while I gulped, trying to rise to my feet.
At least, they had stopped throwing the rotten items at me, but even my stench irked me. Bile rose in my throat and I was seconds away from throwing up.
"That's how they all behave." Their leader gave me a once-over. "Don't worry, we'll deal with her appropriately." He assured Giga.
He didn't need to say more as they swung into action, grabbing my wrists roughly as their tight grips caused a stab of pain in my hands.
Though I was weak, I wouldn't let them drag me out like a common criminal. "I'd rather die than have you treat me this way," I yelled at the top of my voice, kicking into the air as they pulled me forward with less hassle since my weight could be likened to that of an ordinary paper.
Seeing that my efforts had no effect, I did the only thing that came to my mind and bit one of them on their arms, yanking off his flesh forcefully as I retracted my teeth.
His grip on my arm loosened as his face turned red. As a trained guard, he couldn't show pain and that made me realise that I'd just taken the wrong decision.
My eyes saw several stars when his palm connected to my cheek, causing me to stagger backward. A heavy kick followed, landing on my back as I slumped to the ground and shielded my face with my hands.
My body ached, and my eyes hurt as I writhed on the stony ground while expecting more punches, but they didn't come, instead, the street became quiet and a woody scent, powerful and mesmerizing wafted into my nose and neutralized the stench that saturated the atmosphere.
My curiosity was piqued, and even though my heart was pounding hard against my chest I still managed to take a peek at the cause of the silence.
My body shivered and I nearly scrambled away as I met with the coldest glassy blue eyes. His expression was stoic, his jaws clenched as he gave me a thorough scrutiny.
Our eyes were locked and suddenly, the world stopped moving around us. Glassy blue eyes met brown and I was lost already.
His bored tone jerked me from my reverie, reminding me that I was still very close to being punished for a crime I didn't commit. Then I noticed something that made my heart skip a bit.
Wasn't he the Alpha prince? The one I saw in my dreams and hoped that he would be my mate. I'd only seen him once, but the image of his gorgeous face remained imprinted in my heart, and I kept wishing that one day I'd have the opportunity to meet with him.
Had the moon goddess harkened to my wish? Was he the one?
Excitement burst through me as my lips widened. "Prince Devin-"
He peered at me with an uninterested expression. "What. Did. You. Do?" He rumbled, as the timbre of his voice aroused strange feelings within me. I didn't even know that I was capable of feeling that way.
Overwhelmed by the strange sparks that erupted within me and the most captivating set of blue orbs that peered down at me, I whispered almost drowsily. "Nothing." I inclined my head, my shoulders sagging with resignation as I realized that he wasn't even interested in me. "I did nothing." I reinstated.
One casual visit to her father's study; an unplanned collision with the malevolent Russian Bratva mafia boss plunged her life into a downward spiral. Forced to marry him for an alliance that bordered on keeping her family's business stronger, she had no choice but to accept her fate after an unsuccessful attempt at absconding right before the wedding. But with each new discovery about him, she realized that the masked husband she despised so much had several layers that tugged at her heartstrings, giving her no choice but to fall deeply for him. However, what happens when the dreary and dark secrets from his past resurfaces and threatens to disrupt not just their blooming relationship and his position as Capo, but their existence as well?
"After what you did, I'd like you to know that I can't stand you, but this marriage cuts across our hateful feelings for each other. It's something you will never understand." His eyes turned dark and vengeful immediately, causing me to take a step back. "This is my life, Dexter. You won't ruin it for me with your so-called marriage contract." I protested. He shook his head, and immediately the vengeful glints I saw were replaced with an unreadable expression. "If you don't marry me, then your life will be completely ruined, dear Lorraine. And don't forget that you have a lot of enemies, especially your step father. ************** Fate brings two former high school enemies back together in an unreasonable situation and for some reasons, Lorraine has to marry Dexter, the man she despises. But when she signs the contract, she discovers that there are several secrets that are hidden from her and it becomes worse when her husband isn't who she thinks him to be. Amidst the trials and challenges, they'll find themselves falling for each other again even though reality keeps reminding them why they shouldn't. Will their love conquer all? Will Lorraine be able to forgive Dexter despite knowing his hideous past? Will she be able to survive all the deadly arrows thrown at her by her stepfather?
Returning from work to discover that her parents were murdered by a dead Capo, Aurora seeks answers from her uncle. He tells her the truth and that strengthens her resolve to get revenge from the children of her parent's murderers. Finally she gets to the Capo's house to get Vendetta from his children, especially Matteo the first son and Capo of the Outfit. But is it possible when she realizes that the man she wants to kill might be the only man she could ever love?
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.
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?
"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.]
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"