Arielle felt a chill run down her spine. "An alliance? What kind of alliance are we talking about?" Her father hesitated for a moment, then met her gaze. "An arranged marriage with Alpha Eric Dutch of the Gold Crest Pack."The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. Arielle's heart skipped a beat as she processed what he was saying. "You want me to marry a stranger? Just like that?"Richard nodded, his expression pained. "Eric is not just any Alpha. He's powerful, respected, and his pack is strong. This union could save us." "But, Dad, what about me? What about my life, my choices?" Her voice rose, tinged with desperation. "I know it's not what you envisioned for yourself, but sometimes we must sacrifice for the greater good," he said gently, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder. "Sacrifice my happiness?" Arielle whispered, pulling away. "Arielle, I wouldn't ask this of you if there were any other way. Please, just consider it," he implored. Arielle sighed "He will be meeting you today, please be of your best character" her father added. Arielle, after her father left her room went out to catch a fresh breath and meet Eric, she walked through the dense woods, each step bringing her closer to the man she was expected to marry. Her mind buzzed with thoughts of rebellion, of running away and leaving it all behind, but she knew her responsibilities outweighed her personal desires
The late afternoon sun filtered through the window, casting long shadows across the room. Arielle stood by the window, her gaze fixed on the distant treetops, feeling the warmth of the sun but none of its comfort. Her father, Alpha Richard Studs, cleared his throat, breaking the heavy silence that had settled between them.
"Arielle, we need to talk," he said, his voice heavy with the weight of what was to come.She turned to face him, a flicker of worry in her eyes.
"What's going on, Dad? You look... troubled."He took a deep breath, trying to find the right words.
"It's about the future of our pack. We're in a vulnerable position, and the threats from rogue wolves are increasing. We need an alliance."
Arielle felt a chill run down her spine. "An alliance? What kind of alliance are we talking about?"
Her father hesitated for a moment, then met her gaze. "An arranged marriage with Alpha Eric Dutch of the Gold Crest Pack."The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. Arielle's heart skipped a beat as she processed what he was saying.
"You want me to marry a stranger? Just like that?"Richard nodded, his expression pained.
"Eric is not just any Alpha. He's powerful, respected, and his pack is strong. This union could save us."
"But, Dad, what about me? What about my life, my choices?" Her voice rose, tinged with desperation.
"I know it's not what you envisioned for yourself, but sometimes we must sacrifice for the greater good," he said gently, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder.
"Sacrifice my happiness?" Arielle whispered, pulling away.
"Arielle, I wouldn't ask this of you if there were any other way. Please, just consider it," he implored.
Arielle sighed "He will be meeting you today, please be of your best character" her father added.
Arielle, after her father left her room went out to catch a fresh breath and meet Eric, she walked through the dense woods, each step bringing her closer to the man she was expected to marry. Her mind buzzed with thoughts of rebellion, of running away and leaving it all behind, but she knew her responsibilities outweighed her personal desires.She arrived at a small clearing, the designated meeting point.
There, she saw him-Eric Dutch, standing tall and imposing, his presence commanding the space around him. His dark hair caught the sunlight, and his sharp blue eyes locked onto hers as she approached.
"Arielle Studs, I presume?" he said, his voice smooth and steady.
"And you must be the infamous Eric Dutch. I hear you're quite the force to be reckoned with," Arielle replied, her tone edged with sarcasm.He raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth.
"I've heard much about you as well. Strong-willed, independent."Arielle folded her arms, defiance etched into her posture.
"Yet here I am, expected to marry you.""This isn't about us as individuals, Arielle. It's about our packs, our people," Eric stated matter-of-factly.
"Easy for you to say. You're not the one being handed over like a bargaining chip," she snapped.Eric stepped closer, his gaze unwavering.
"Believe me, I'm not thrilled about this either. But we both have responsibilities." he said
"And what if I refuse?" Arielle challenged, her chin lifted defiantly.
"Then we face the possibility of war. Neither of us wants that," he said, his voice calm but firm.Arielle's resolve wavered as she considered the implications of his words. The weight of her decision pressed heavily on her shoulders.
"I never imagined my life turning out like this."
"Nor did I," Eric admitted. "But we have a chance to make the best of it. To be partners."
"Partners in name only, I suppose," Arielle muttered, turning away.
"For now. But who knows what the future holds?" Eric said, a hint of something softer in his tone.
That evening, Arielle sat in her room, the shadows growing long as the sun dipped below the horizon. Her best friend Jenna slipped into the room, concern etched on her face.
"Hey, I heard about the arrangement. How are you holding up?" Jenna asked, sitting beside her on the bed.
"Confused, angry, trapped. Take your pick," Arielle replied, rubbing her temples.Jenna offered a sympathetic smile.
"I get it, Ari. But maybe this Eric guy isn't so bad?"Arielle sighed, frustration boiling just beneath the surface.
"He might not be, but it's the principle of it all. No choice, no freedom."
"I know, but what if this alliance is what saves our pack? Keeps us safe?" Jenna suggested gently.Arielle leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "I know, I know. It's just... hard to accept."
"Maybe try getting to know him. See if there's more to him than just the Alpha persona," Jenna encouraged.
"It's worth a shot, I guess. Not like I have much choice," Arielle conceded, her voice laced with resignation.
*****
The next morning, Arielle stood in front of her father, determination in her eyes.
"I've decided, Dad. I'll do it. I'll marry Eric."Her father looked at her with a mix of relief and gratitude.
"Thank you, Arielle. You're doing what's best for us all."
"But I'm not doing this blindly. I want to understand who he is, what he stands for," she insisted.
"Of course. Take the time you need. This is a new beginning for both of you," Richard assured her.Arielle nodded, accepting the path laid before her, yet vowing to make it her own.
"A new beginning. Let's hope it's not as daunting as it seems."As she prepared to embark on this unexpected journey, Arielle carried a mix of apprehension and hope, knowing that her life would never be the same.
"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.]
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
"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?"
Forced to take her sister's place as bride to the ruthless Lycan King Sebastian, Eleanor faces a marriage filled with cruelty and humiliation. Though she is his destined mate, Sebastian remains blind to their connection, his hatred for her ruining what should have been an unbreakable bond. When her powers emerge on her twentieth birthday, Eleanor finally gains the strength to defy her tormentor. But her bid for freedom ends in tragedy-captured, violated, and left for dead. In her final moments, she makes a desperate plea to the Moon Goddess for a second chance at life. Her wish is granted, sending her back in time with her memories intact and vengeance burning in her heart. But as Eleanor plots her revenge against the Lycan King, she stumbles upon dark secrets that change everything she thought she knew. The web of lies and betrayal runs deeper than she could have imagined, and the true villain may be hiding in plain sight.
Chandler Su who had cheated by her boyfriend then got drunk at a bar. To take revenge, she grabbed a man randomly and took him to the room. After a crazy night, Chandler found the strange man was a super handsome guy the next morning. Shy and shocked Chandler run away after leaving 150 RMB and scorning the man of his poor bed skills. However, she never thought the story would become so dramatic as the next day, she found out that the new coming president of her company was exactly the man she slept the last night! Worse than that, this new boss seemed very narrow-minded as he asked Chandler to come to his office on the first day.
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.