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.
Aria's POV.
I stood in my room, surrounded by my maids, my heart pounding in my chest. My eyes were fixed on the dresses spread out across the bed, each one more elegant than the last. Tonight was the night. It had to be. The night I'd been waiting for, longing for-and secretly fearing. The night I might finally shift into my wolf.
It had been a month since my eighteenth birthday, the age when most werewolves experienced their first transformation. For others, it had seemed so easy, so natural. But for me? Nothing. No shift, no wolf, no mate. And the longer I waited, the more the whispers grew. I was the daughter of Alpha Xavier Nightshade, heir to one of the most powerful packs in the region. I was supposed to be strong, destined for greatness. Yet, here I was, standing in my room, feeling incomplete.
The dresses shimmered under the soft light of the chandelier: silver, gold, deep crimson. They were beautiful, elegant, befitting of a princess-or so I hoped. Tonight was my first royal gathering, held at the grand Silverfang Castle. Every Alpha and next-in-line Alpha from neighboring packs would be there, and the thought of walking into that room, surrounded by leaders who had already shifted and found their mates, made my stomach churn.
The door creaked open behind me, and I turned to see my father, Alpha Xavier, step inside. His presence was commanding, as always. He dismissed the maids with a wave of his hand, and they scurried out of the room without a word.
"Aria," he began, his tone firm but not unkind. "Are you ready for tonight's gathering?" His sharp eyes swept over the dresses on my bed. "This is an important night. I hope you can finally shift tonight-and perhaps find your true mate. All the next-in-line Alphas will be there."
I let out a sigh, my hands gripping the back of a chair. "I don't know, Father. I'm trying to stay hopeful, but I'm stressed. What if it doesn't happen?"
He stepped closer, his gaze softening slightly. He rarely showed tenderness, but I could see it in the way his shoulders relaxed, the way his voice lowered. "You are my daughter, Aria. You were born for greatness. Do not let doubt cloud your mind. Trust in the Moon Goddess and in yourself." He gestured toward the dresses. "What about this silver one? It suits you."
I picked up the gold dress from the bed and held it against myself. "Or this one?"
He nodded, glancing at the clock on the wall. "Both are beautiful, but decide quickly. We only have two hours before the gathering begins, and it's at Silverfang Castle. I need to leave early to meet with the other Alphas, but the driver will take you in the limo. Don't be late."
I gave him a small smile, trying to mask my nerves. "Don't worry, Father. I'll be ready. It's my first royal gathering, after all."
He rested a hand on my shoulder briefly before turning to leave. "Good. I'll be waiting for you there."
As soon as the door closed behind him, I let out a shaky breath. The pressure was suffocating, but I couldn't let it show. I chose the silver dress, its shimmering fabric catching the light as I slipped it on. The maids returned to help me style my hair, curling it into soft waves that cascaded down my back. I looked like a princess. At least, I hoped I did.
I was almost done when my phone buzzed on the dresser. I picked it up, my heart sinking as I read the messages.
**"Maybe Aria isn't the real daughter of Alpha Xavier Nightshade."**
**"She doesn't seem royal like us. Maybe she was adopted."**
My hands trembled as I read the words, venomous and cruel. They were from my so-called friends from high school, people I hadn't seen in months but who clearly hadn't forgotten about me-or my failure to shift. Tears pricked my eyes, and I fought them back, unwilling to let their words break me. But the sting lingered, sharp and painful.
I walked to the window, staring out at the moonlit forest. My reflection stared back at me in the glass, a mix of beauty and doubt. Closing my eyes, I whispered a prayer to the Moon Goddess. "Please, help me shift tonight. Let me find my true mate. I can't do this alone."
Three hours later, I was ready. My silver gown clung to me like moonlight, the heels adding a regal height to my frame. My maid followed me down the grand staircase, and my guard was close behind. The driver opened the door to the sleek black limo, and I slid inside, my nerves bubbling in my chest.
The tension was unbearable. I had to do something to calm myself, something I'd never done before. "Give me a glass of wine," I said to my maid, my voice sharper than I intended.
Her eyes widened. "But-"
"No buts. Just give me one."
She hesitated but eventually poured me a glass. I downed it in one gulp, the warmth spreading through my chest. It didn't completely erase the anxiety, but it dulled the edges.
The drive to Silverfang Castle took half an hour, and when we arrived, my breath caught in my throat. The castle was massive, its towering spires glowing under the moonlight. Guards and warriors stood at attention, and the driveway was packed with sleek limos. The air buzzed with energy, but all I felt was fear. Midnight was approaching, and if I didn't shift tonight, I didn't know how I'd face anyone.
Before stepping inside, I asked my maid and guard to wait for me by the gates. I needed a moment to collect myself. I wandered toward the pool, the cool night air brushing against my skin. The water shimmered under the moonlight, and for a brief moment, I felt calm.
That was, until I smelled him.
The scent was strong, earthy, with a hint of spice. I turned and froze. A man stood before me, tall and broad-shouldered, his piercing ice-blue eyes locking onto mine. He was handsome, undeniably so, and he knew it.
"You look sexy," he said, his voice low and shameless. "I don't think you're an Alpha, though. Your scent isn't strong enough. But you're definitely not a maid. So, who are you?"
I narrowed my eyes, fighting the urge to slap him then and there. "It's none of your business," I snapped, turning away.
But he wasn't done. He smirked, stepping closer. "Spend the night in my bed, and I'll give you anything you want."
The words hit me like a slap, and without thinking, I raised my hand and struck his face. The sharp sound echoed in the quiet night. "How shameless you are!" I hissed, my cheeks burning with anger.
Before he could respond, my maid and guard appeared. "Princess Aria," my guard said, bowing slightly, "your father is waiting for you inside."
I shot the stranger a final glare, my gaze sweeping over him with disdain, before walking away.
As I entered the grand ballroom, I could feel his eyes on me, watching my every move. What I didn't know was that he wasn't done with me yet.
...
Kael's POV.
The ballroom was alive with the hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses, but none of it mattered. My eyes were locked on her-the girl who had just slapped me like I was some lowly omega. She wasn't like the others-those starry-eyed she-wolves who fell over themselves to gain my attention. No, she had fire. I rubbed the side of my face where her hand had landed, the sting still fresh. A slow smirk tugged at my lips as I watched her glide across the room, her silver dress shimmering under the chandeliers. She walked with her head high and shoulders squared, like she owned the damn place. It was infuriating-and captivating.
I didn't even know her name yet, but I didn't need to. She was going to be mine. I'd never been rejected before- not by anyone, not for anything. And I wasn't about to let this slip of a girl be the first. I turned on my heel and strode toward my father, Alpha Wolfhart, who was standing in the far corner of the room. He was deep in conversation with one of the visiting Alphas, but I didn't care. This was important.
"Father," I interrupted, my voice firm enough to gain his attention.
Alpha Wolfhart turned to me, his sharp blue eyes narrowing slightly in irritation at being interrupted. "What is it, Kael?" he asked, his tone clipped.
I didn't hesitate. "I want to get engaged to that girl."
His brow arched as he followed my gaze across the room to where she stood, laughing softly at something another wolf had said. His expression shifted, surprise flickering across his face. "Are you sure?"
My jaw tightened. "Yes. I want her to be my mate. I haven't found mine yet, so why not? I'm already 24."
He studied me for a moment, the corner of his mouth quirking upward in an amused smile. "You? Wanting to settle down? That's a first." He chuckled, shaking his head. "But I can see why. She's beautiful. And bold, judging by the red mark on your cheek."
I ignored his jab, my eyes never leaving her. She was speaking to someone now, but I could tell she wasn't entirely invested in the conversation. Her shoulders were tense, her gaze flickering around the room like she was searching for something-or someone.
"She hasn't found her mate yet," my father continued thoughtfully, stroking his beard. "She's only 18. The timing might work in your favor."
"Then make it happen," I said, my voice low but firm.
His chuckle deepened, but there was a glint in his eye now, one that told me he was already working out the logistics in his head. "Alright, Kael. I'll see what I can do. But be patient. This isn't like one of your little flings. If you want her, you're going to have to earn her."
I smirked, my confidence returning. "Don't worry, Father. I have no intention of failing."
I glanced back at her one last time, the fire in her eyes still burning in my mind. She didn't know it yet, but she was already mine.
"You're mine now," Kieran growls as he presses her against the wall, his body holding her in place. His fingers trail across her skin, making her shiver. "Your mother's debt will be paid-with your body and your obedience." His lips brush her ear as his hand moves lower, making her gasp. "You can fight me, little human, but my wolf has already claimed you." He grabbed her from her waist and pushed her to the bed, "I'll fuck you as much as I want.... because You're mine forever." One night changed Lena's life forever. Lena, a college student, is kidnapped and sold in an auction to creatures with glowing eyes. Just as all hope seems lost, a powerful stranger steps in and saves her. His silver eyes and the strength in his voice are unforgettable. They call him the Alpha King. Weeks later, Lena's mother surprises her with big news-she's engaged to a rich man and they'll be moving to his grand estate in the mountains. But when Lena arrives at the mansion, her heart stops. Her mother's fiancé is the same man who saved her at the auction. Kieran Volkov isn't just a rich man. He's the Alpha King of the werewolves, creatures Lena never even knew existed. And every time he looks at her, Lena feels his intense, burning desire. When Lena's mother runs away before the wedding, stealing valuables and leaving her behind, Kieran gives Lena a terrible choice. She must take her mother's place as his bride-or he'll track her mother down and make her pay. He doesn't just want her out of revenge-he believes she's his true mate, the one woman who can calm the beast inside him.
When the infamous mafia boss Vincenzo Moretti is assassinated on his wedding day, chaos descends upon the world he built. His young widow, Elena, and her daughter, Alessia, are left vulnerable and alone, thrust into the dangerous shadows of the criminal underworld. But protection comes from an unlikely source-**Luca Moretti**, the new mafia king and Vincenzo's cold, calculating son. Luca is a man hardened by loss, power, and the weight of his father's legacy. When he takes Elena and Alessia into his estate, it's not out of kindness-it's out of duty. Alessia, however, is no stranger to judgment. Luca sees her as nothing but a gold-digger, a parasite feeding off his late father's wealth. But Alessia refuses to cower under his sharp gaze, and their fiery clashes ignite a tension neither of them can ignore. As Luca hunts the enemies who killed his father, he finds himself distracted by the one woman he shouldn't want. Alessia is everything forbidden-his step-sister by marriage and a symbol of a past he resents. But the more he tries to push her away, the deeper he falls into her orbit. Alessia, meanwhile, is drawn into a world of betrayal, danger, and impossible choices. When a wealthy and charming suitor offers her a way out of the mafia's deadly grasp, she is torn between the promise of safety and the magnetic pull of Luca's dark, dangerous love. In a world where loyalty is everything and love is a liability, Luca and Alessia must face their deepest fears and darkest desires. But as enemies close in and secrets unravel, will their forbidden bond survive the firestorm-or destroy them both? Love. Power. Betrayal. In the end, nothing is off-limits when the heart is on the line.
Amelia Hart's wedding day is supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Dressed in a gown fit for a fairy tale and poised to marry Ethan Cole, the billionaire tech mogul every woman dreams of, she has everything she's ever been told she should want. But as she stares at her reflection-a stranger in a dazzling white cage-she can't ignore the truth clawing at her chest: she doesn't love him. With the weight of expectations, family pressure, and a room full of glittering guests waiting for her grand entrance, Amelia makes the decision to do the unthinkable-run.
Trigger Warning: This novel contains themes of sexual violence, abuse, and manipulation that may be distressing to some readers. Carla never dreamed of becoming the Luna, but when the ruthless Alpha King claimed her as his mate, she was thrust into a life of power, pain, and impossible expectations. To secure her place as Queen, she must accomplish one task: conceive an heir within the next twelve months. Failure means a fate worse than death-being discarded as a slave, handed over to the warriors for their pleasure. But there's one devastating problem: the Alpha King is infertile. Desperate to survive, Carla turns to the Beta-the only man who shows her kindness-and seduces him into her bed. As their forbidden affair ignites, Carla concocts a bold and dangerous plan: if the Beta kills the Alpha, they can be together, and she can finally claim the freedom she craves. Yet in the tangled web of lies, lust, and betrayal, Carla begins to question her own heart. Does she truly love the Beta, or is he just a pawn in her carefully crafted scheme? And as the walls close in, will she sacrifice him, herself, or the kingdom for the chance to be with her true mate?
She spent eighteen years in an orphanage, but it was time to get out. According to the orphanage rules, once a child reaches legal age, they must depend on themselves. Celine didn't know what to do; luckily, she met her savior that day. If only she had known what she was getting herself into, she would never have gone with him. Celine found herself caught in a life of addiction, living in his house, where he was ready to sell her organs to get his fix. To save her life, she had to help him sell drugs. Her innocence became a liability. Soon, she found herself targeted by the king's men-kidnapped, bound, and tortured for selling drugs without their permission. But sometimes, what we fear the most might turn out to be the best for us. Celine found herself trapped in the king's palace, drowning in his love and married to him by force.
"Please, let me go," she begged, her eyes brimming with tears and her voice shaking with fear. Struggling to breathe, she felt trapped in his overwhelming embrace. He ignored her pleas, seemingly unaware of the pain he was causing, driven by jealousy that clouded his judgment. With all her strength, she pushed against him, desperate for even a moment of freedom. But he held her down, his voice low and threatening as he said, "No, I want you now." In that moment, everything changed for her. She was his younger brother's fiancée, and this encounter marked the beginning of a dark path. In an instant, her innocence was shattered, but she would eventually seek justice.
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
“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?”
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
"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?"
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."