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Valeria Monroe has spent her life chasing perfection- top grades, a flawless reputation, and a future meticulously planned by her parents. Nothing has ever distracted her from success. Until now. A chance discovery threatens to shatter the pristine world she's built and suddenly, the truth feels more dangerous than a lie.
Valeria Monroe's POV
The rhythmic tapping of my pen against the edge of my notebook filled the silent lecture hall. Professor Calloway's deep voice echoed through the vast space, his words flowing smoothly as he dissected the intricacies of political ethics. Normally, I'd be absorbed, scribbling notes furiously, but today, my mind was a tangled mess of unfinished thoughts and restless energy.
A sharp buzz vibrated against my thigh. My phone, hidden beneath the desk, lit up with a single message from my mother. Dinner at 7. Don't be late. The unspoken weight behind her words pressed down on me. Late meant irresponsible. Late meant ungrateful. Late meant another exhausting conversation about discipline, expectations, and how the Monroe name demanded excellence.
I clenched my jaw and refocused on the lecture.
Professor Calloway leaned against the podium, his presence commanding yet effortlessly charismatic. "The truth, no matter how inconvenient, always comes at a cost. Sometimes, the price is power. Other times, it's personal." He paused, scanning the room before continuing, "But there's always a cost."
His words sent an uncomfortable shiver through me. Maybe it was the way he said it. Or maybe it was the flicker of something unreadable in his eyes-a hint of a deeper meaning beneath the surface.
The minute hand on the clock hit the hour mark, signaling the end of class. Chairs scraped against the floor as students gathered their things. I tucked my notebook into my bag and was about to leave when Calloway called out, "Valeria, a moment?"
My stomach tightened. He never singled me out.
I turned back, masking my surprise. "Yes, Professor?"
Calloway offered a polished smile. "Walk with me."
We stepped into the hallway, his pace measured, his posture perfectly composed. "You've always been one of my most perceptive students," he said, his voice dipping just enough to make me uneasy. "Which is why I'd like to offer you a position as my research assistant next semester."
The breath I'd been holding released in a quiet rush. "That's... an incredible opportunity. I'd love to."
His smile widened. "Good. I'll have the official documents ready soon."
Something about the way he said it made the air feel heavier. Calloway was known for his integrity, yet an instinct deep in my gut whispered that there was more to this offer than he was letting on.
Jasper Kane's POV
Smoke curled lazily into the air, dissipating against the cold night sky. I flicked the cigarette between my fingers, barely paying attention to the people drifting in and out of the bar's back alley. The scent of cheap beer and bad decisions clung to the atmosphere.
Valeria Monroe wasn't the type to be caught dead in a place like this. Which made it all the more interesting that she was here.
She stood on the other side of the street, her phone clutched tightly in her hand, eyes locked on the glow of the coffee shop's window. A storm brewed in her expression, tension visible even from a distance.
I took another drag, debating whether or not to interfere.
Most people at East Ridge University either avoided me or feared me. Valeria? She didn't even acknowledge I existed. Perfect little overachiever, untouchable in her world of ambition and carefully curated success. But she wasn't acting so perfect right now.
Curiosity won.
I crossed the street, my footsteps silent against the pavement. She didn't notice me until I was close enough to see the flicker of alarm in her gaze.
"Lost, Monroe?"
Her back stiffened, defensive walls snapping into place. "No."
I smirked. "Then what are you doing standing outside a coffee shop like it holds the answers to life's mysteries?"
For a second, I thought she wouldn't answer. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she said, "I need to know if I'm making a mistake."
That caught me off guard. Valeria Monroe didn't make mistakes.
I tossed my cigarette to the ground, crushing it under my boot. "And what mistake would that be?"
She hesitated, fingers tightening around her phone. "I think my professor is hiding something."
A slow, dangerous smile stretched across my lips. "Now that sounds interesting."
Valeria's POV
Jasper Kane had the kind of presence that demanded attention, even when he wasn't trying. Dark, unreadable eyes. A lazy confidence that made him seem untouchable. He was everything I was supposed to avoid.
And yet, in this moment, he felt like the only person I could tell.
"I overheard something," I admitted, shifting my weight from foot to foot. "Something I wasn't supposed to."
Jasper leaned against the streetlamp, watching me with an intensity that made it impossible to look away. "Care to elaborate?"
My instincts screamed to walk away. To pretend I hadn't said anything. But the weight of what I knew pressed against my ribs, suffocating.
"Professor Calloway was on a call," I finally said. "I didn't catch everything, but the parts I did hear..." My pulse quickened. "He mentioned covering something up. That someone was getting too close to the truth."
Jasper didn't react right away. He studied me, weighing my words, my fear. Then, with a casual shrug, he said, "And you think this is worth ruining your perfect little life over?"
A spark of irritation flared in my chest. "I don't know what I think yet."
"Then let me give you some advice." He pushed off the streetlamp, stepping closer until I could feel the warmth of his presence. "People like Calloway don't get caught unless they want to be. And if you go digging, you better be prepared to handle what you find."
The warning settled deep in my bones.
I swallowed hard. "And what if I can't just ignore it?"
Jasper's expression darkened, something unreadable flickering behind his gaze. "Then you'd better be ready for the consequences, Monroe. Because once you start down this road, there's no turning back."
Chloe Evans is a small-town girl with big dreams-dreams of launching her own fashion line and escaping the limitations of her humble beginnings. When she gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase her designs at an exclusive gala, Chloe is determined to make her mark. But there's one problem: the event is hosted by none other than the notorious billionaire entrepreneur, Dani Potter. Dani is a man who's built an empire from nothing, a ruthless businessman with no time for anything but his career. He's never been interested in love, preferring instead to remain emotionally detached from everyone around him. But when he meets Chloe, he's intrigued by her ambition and the spark in her eyes. For the first time in years, he finds himself wanting something more than just success. Chloe and Dani's worlds collide, and the attraction between them becomes undeniable. But the more Chloe gets to know the man behind the corporate titan, the more she realizes that Dani is hiding a painful past-one that could jeopardize everything they're building together. Chloe must decide if she can trust him with her heart, or if she's simply chasing a billionaire's dream that will only end in heartbreak.
Leila Stone's world shattered when she was rejected by her mate, **Alpha Carley Nightpaw**, the night their pack was attacked. Fleeing with a broken heart and a shattered soul, she vowed to never return to the pack that had once been her home-until a blood moon rises, and fate forces her back. Carley, now the Alpha of the Nightpaw pack, is burdened with guilt and regret. The night he rejected Leila, he was driven by fear and duty, unwilling to show weakness in front of his pack. But time has taught him the painful consequences of that decision. When a new threat emerges, one that endangers their entire world, Carley realizes that Leila is the only one capable of helping him defeat it. But winning her trust back may be his greatest challenge yet.
Three years ago, Tiana thought divorcing Sebastian Wolfe would free her from the pain of his lies and the shadows that haunted their marriage. But when tragedy strikes her family and she returns to her hometown, she's forced to confront the man who once shattered her heart-and who still lingers in her soul. Sebastian isn't the same cold, unreadable billionaire she left. He's darker, more haunted-and about to discover a secret that will change everything: the existence of their daughter.
Adele Williams has spent her life hiding among humans, unaware of the destiny woven into her blood. But when the ruthless and enigmatic Lycan King, Frank Robinson, discovers her existence, her carefully crafted life is torn apart. Frank, haunted by a prophecy that speaks of a mate who will either save or destroy him, is drawn to Adele with an irresistible force. Yet she wants nothing to do with the dominant and dangerous king who claims she belongs to him. Forced into his world, Adele must navigate the deadly politics of the Lycan court, where enemies lurk in the shadows and betrayal is a breath away.
Celeste Bennett has spent years in the shadow of New York's elite, working as a private chef for the city's wealthiest families. When she's hired for an exclusive event at the lavish estate of billionaire Jayden McGregor, she expects nothing more than a routine job. But from the moment their eyes meet, the cold, untouchable billionaire makes it clear-he wants her. Jayden is a man used to getting everything he desires. Powerful, enigmatic, and haunted by his past, he has sworn off love. But something about Celeste draws him in-a fire he can't resist, a temptation that threatens to unravel his carefully controlled world. She knows better than to fall for a man like him. He's out of her league, and their worlds are too different. But when fate keeps pulling them together, resisting becomes impossible. As secrets come to light and passion ignites, Celeste and Jayden must decide: will they risk everything for a love that was never meant to be?
In the kingdom of Eldoria, Lady Evelina is bound by duty to marry a prince she does not love, her heart already belonging to a forbidden figure - Sir Alden, a mysterious knight whose loyalty to the crown is unwavering. When a powerful curse threatens to destroy the kingdom, Evelina finds herself drawn into a perilous quest with Sir Alden, seeking the ancient relic that could save them all. As they journey through treacherous lands, their bond grows deeper, but so do the dangers that threaten to tear them apart. With the weight of the kingdom's fate on their shoulders, they must navigate the perils of both magic and their own hearts. Can a knight and a lady destined for separate paths find a way to unite - or will duty and destiny keep them apart forever?
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
Accused of murder, Sylvia Todd's mother was deemed a traitor by the entire pack, condeming Sylvia to live the rest of her life alone in humiliation as a lowly slave. All she wanted to do was to prove her mother's innocence somehow, but fate never seemed to be on the side of the traitor's daughter. Still, Sylvia never lost hope. As the future lycan king of all werewolves, Rufus Duncan possessed great power and status, but he had an inexplicable reputation for being cruel, bloodthirsty, and ruthless. Unbeknownst to everyone, he had been cursed long ago to transform into a killer monster on every full moon. Even though fate did not always look upon the two, it brought Sylvia and Rufus together as each other's destined mates. Will justice be served for Sylvia's mother? What about Rufus' secret? Can Sylvia and Rufus defy all societal norms and stay together? Will these two unlucky souls have their happy ending?
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."