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"Lock the door." Isla hesitated, her pulse racing. "Alaric-" "Now." His voice was pure dominance. Her fingers fumbled with the lock just as he spun her around, pressing her back against the cold mahogany desk. His hands skimmed her thighs, pushing up her skirt, his eyes dark with hunger. "You've been running from me all week, little rose." His fingers trailed higher, teasing. "But we both know you want this." "We can't," she whispered, her breath hitching as his lips brushed her neck. He smirked, slipping his hand between her legs. "We already did. And now, I'm going to ruin you all over again." ___ Betrayed. Humiliated. Abandoned. On her wedding day, just as she was about to say "I do," Isla world shattered. Her fiancé's mistress crashed the ceremony, dragging every dirty secret into the light. Heartbroken and furious, she did the one thing she never thought she would-she drowned her pain in the arms of Alaric Vance, her father's best friend. One night. No names. No strings. But when morning came, she realized the man who had ruined her in every sinful way wasn't just only her father's friend-he was now her new boss. Alaric is powerful, ruthless, and twice her age. And now that he's had a taste, he wants more. Working under him is impossible. The tension is suffocating, the chemistry undeniable. He's everywhere-watching, teasing, owning her. And no matter how much she tries to resist, she knows the truth: She's already his.
My eyes fluttered open, only to immediately shut again as a dull, throbbing headache overwhelmed my senses, making me groan from the pain.
"Fucking hell," I muttered under my breath, my hands instinctively clutching my head, hoping it would somehow stop the pain. Spoiler alert: it didn't. If anything, the pain only intensified, pounding against my temples like a relentless drumbeat.
And the worst part? My entire body ached. Everywhere.
"What happened? How much did I drink last night?" I muttered, asking no one in particular as I opened my eyes, trying to take in my surroundings. But without my glasses, I could barely make anything out. One thing was clear, though-I wasn't in my room, and I couldn't remember anything, not even where I was.
I sighed and reached out for my glasses, hoping I hadn't broken them. But instead of the familiar frame I expected to feel, my hands brushed something else-something hard, like a human body.
I stiffened, my breath catching in my throat as I blinked in confusion, shaking my head at the ridiculous thought that there could be a man in bed with me. There was no way. Absolutely no way.
Still, with shaky hands, I reached out again, hesitantly touching whatever I had felt before-and my eyes widened in shock.
Not only was it a man, but he was naked.
What the...
Before I could even process it, a strong hand suddenly grabbed mine. I gasped in shock as I was yanked forward, my body lifted as if I weighed nothing. And in the next second, I found myself sprawled across the lap of a man.
Oh, and did I mention he was naked?
"Oh my God! Who are you? Let me go this instant!" I yelled, my face flushing as I felt the unbearable hardness beneath me, pressing through my underwear. A strange, unfamiliar sensation coursed through me like wildfire, making my breath hitch.
"Let you go?" A low chuckle echoed through the room, dark and amused. "Funny-that wasn't exactly what you were saying last night while being such an obedient little thing."
I froze. My eyes widened in disbelief as I squinted, trying to make out the man before me. And when I did, my heart plummeted. Memories from yesterday crashed into me all at once.
The wedding. The club. And then...
"I can feel you trembling, little rose. Don't tell me that you are scared especially after what happened between us last night" His voice was a slow drawl, rich with amusement.
Alaric Voss.
My father's friend. I really had sex with my father's friend.
I'm fucked.
A day ago.
Your wedding day is supposed to be the happiest moment of your life-the day every girl dreams about. A day filled with love, joy, and the promise of forever. Just like in those fairy tales where Prince Charming sweeps you off your feet, sealing your happily ever after with a kiss.
So tell me, why was mine so different?
Why had my happiest day turned into my worst nightmare, caused by none other than my own Prince Charming?
Leon.
"W-what did you say?" The priest was the first to break out of the stunned silence, his voice uncertain as he turned to the woman standing at the back of the hall. "You... object to the union of these two couples?"
The heavily pregnant woman had one hand resting on her swollen belly, the other raised in defiance. A sneer twisted her lips as she glared not at me-but at my boyfriend of three years.
At my Leon.
"Yes! I said that. You heard me right. I object!" She exclaimed, pointing at Leon, her eyes filled with hate and betrayal that almost made me laugh.
"But why?" The priest asked, and the pregnant woman rolled her eyes dramatically. The hall fell silent, with some guests watching in surprise, others with excitement, as the drama unfolded. But at that moment, I couldn't even express what I was feeling.
Was it disbelief? Hope that this was just one of those brutal pranks from Leon and his friend? Or perhaps...
I glanced at the woman's pregnant belly and moved my glasses higher as dread settled within me. That wasn't Leon's child.
"Why?" The woman frowned, as if the priest had asked the most absurd question, before pointing to her belly with an expression that screamed, 'Can't you see?'
"Because the baby inside me is none other than this bastard over there! That idiot knew I was pregnant and still went ahead and married another woman. Can you imagine?!"
"Serena! Shut up" Leon yelled out angrily as soon as she said that, his eyes darkening with unstrained fury.
Everyone gasped, and before I knew it, I closed my eyes, falling to the ground with a soft thud. My heart shattered into pieces, and tears threatened to spill. The air felt suffocating, and I clutched my chest as my shoulders trembled.
"Leon... how could you? How could you do this to me?" I whispered, my breath barely audible. Almost immediately, Leon reached out, his voice laced with concern.
"Isla, I can explain–" He reached out to touch me, but I recoiled, lifting my gaze to meet his as anger surged through me.
He could explain? So, this wasn't a joke, a nightmare, or some cruel dream. This was real.
"You can explain? Explain exactly what, Leon!" I yelled, my voice breaking as I stood up and shoved him away with all my strength.
"Three years! Three fucking years we spent together, and you get someone pregnant, and you're telling me you can explain? Explain what?!" I demanded, tears blurring my vision and fogging up my glasses.
"Isla... please, just listen to me. It was a mistake, please-"
"A mistake?" Serena's voice cut through the air, filled with rage. "Did you just say it was a mistake, you bastard? You slept with me not once, but for an entire year, and you call that a mistake?"
I gasped, staring at Leon in shock.
A year? He had been cheating on me for a year?
"Oh my God, they've been having an affair for a year, and she didn't know. How is that even possible? I'd know if my husband was cheating on me in a week," someone from the crowd whispered, disbelief in their voice.
"Right! It's her fault for trusting him so easily," another voice chimed in. The whispers began, filling the air, sharp and suffocating.
"Is that true? Have you really been cheating on me for an entire year, Leon?" I asked, my voice trembling with disbelief. Leon opened his mouth to speak, but the woman cut him off, her tone sharp.
"Are you that stupid? What's so hard to believe? I'm due next week, and I'm not about to let you marry him," she said, her eyes narrowing as she turned back to Leon. "And really, Leon, I'm disappointed. I thought you didn't like her. You called her ugly and a damn nun and said she wouldn't even let you touch her in bed and that she was nothing but wife material because her father was wealthy. Still, I am carrying your child. How could you possibly choose her over your unborn child?!"
"Serena, watch your mouth or else..." Leon snapped, trying to stop her from saying too much, but it did nothing to erase what I had just heard.
The damage had already been done and no one could mend a broken glass once it's been shattered.
I took a shaky breath, removing my glasses and wiping away the tears. I pulled off the veil and threw it to the ground. Every eye in the room was on me, and I saw Leon's frantic expression as he opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when I held out my hand, cutting him off. With cold precision, I reached for my finger and removed the stupid ring he had placed there just moments ago before throwing it at him.
"Isla, w-what is the meaning of this?" He asked, his voice faltering as I glared at him, then turned to the crowd, ignoring him entirely.
"I'm sorry for wasting your precious time today, but the wedding is off. Please make your way to the door, I won't be seeing you out since I'll be leaving first." With that, I turned and walked away, not sparing another glance at anyone.
I stopped beside the pregnant woman, my gaze cold and unwavering. She stiffened, instinctively stepping back.
"Congratulations on your pregnancy. I hope you have a safe delivery next week. You can also keep the trash since you want it so bad, you both fit each other" Her eyes widened at my words, but I didn't wait for her response. I simply turned and walked away, away from the whispers and murmurs that threatened to consume me.
Away from my wedding.
Fairytales were a lie, there was no prince charming. There never has been.
"Alexander, this isn't right," Valentina whispered, her voice shaky as his hand traced the line of her jaw. He tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. "It doesn't matter what's right," he said, his voice low and commanding. "It matters what's mine." Her breath caught as his fingers slid to the back of her neck. "And you think I'm yours?" "I don't think, Valentina," he murmured, a dark smile curving his lips. "I know." --- Valentina never expected her life to take such a dangerous turn. After her husband demands a divorce to marry his mistress, she finds herself entangled with Alexander-a powerful mafia Don whose reputation is as lethal as the man himself. Alexander doesn't just want Valentina; he needs her. When he discovers she's the daughter of Nico Vance, the man responsible for the tragedy that destroyed his family, his rage burns hotter. But instead of killing her, Alexander makes a chilling decision: Valentina will become his late wife, down to the last detail. Caught between desire and danger, Valentina must decide if she'll run from Alexander's dark world-or step willingly into it. Because once she does, there's no turning back.
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
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?
"I, Riccardo Saviano, future Alpha of the Grey Shadow Moon Pack, reject you, Artemisia Guerrieri, Daughter of Alpha Franco of the Blood Moon Pack, as my mate and future Luna." One single sentence. One stupid single sentence was all it took to disintegrate my life. And the day of my birthday, on which this sentence was audaciously uttered to me, I lost the love of my life, my future mate, and my wolf, all at once. As I'm still assembling the pieces of my shattered heart years later, there they come. Like lightning out of a crystal blue sky. My Mates. But wait... If I am mated to triplets, how come I'm about to be mated to 5 gorgeous men? *** TW: explicit and foul language; spicy content; explicit sex scenes ***