When 15-year-old Anya is married to Prince Lucian, a powerful and handsome 23-year-old, she is thrust into a world of wealth and privilege. But her happiness is short-lived. Lucian is tasked with impregnating his wife within four months, a cruel and demeaning expectation that leaves Anya feeling violated and alone. As Anya and Lucian navigate their forced marriage, they discover an unexpected connection that blossoms into a forbidden love. But their happiness is threatened by the royal family's ruthless demands and the weight of their own secrets. Can Anya and Lucian find a way to break free from the chains of their circumstances and build a life together on their own terms?
The opulent drawing-room hummed with a tension thicker than the Persian rug beneath Lord Elmont's polished boots. He paced before the roaring fireplace, the flames casting dancing shadows that mimicked the turmoil in his gut. Across from him, Lady Elmont sat perched on the edge of a velvet chaise, her normally composed features etched with worry. Their son, Prince Lucian, leaned against the marble mantlepiece, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. "It's preposterous!" Lord Elmont boomed, his voice echoing off the high, gilded ceiling.
"To think that after all these years, after all we've built, our legacy hinges on the fertility of a... a child!" Lady Elmont sighed, a wisp of a sound that barely registered above the crackling fire. "My love, please. There's no need for such harsh language. She's a duke's daughter, well-bred and-" "Fifteen!" Lord Elmont thundered, cutting her off. "Fifteen summers old! Barely more than a babe herself! How can we, in good conscience, demand such a thing?" Lucian remained silent, his gaze fixed on the intricate carvings adorning the fireplace. He had known this day was coming. The whispers had started months ago, growing louder with each passing week. The kingdom needed an heir, and his parents, desperate to secure the line of succession, had resorted to the archaic tradition of arranged marriage. He had heard rumors of the girl, Anya. Daughter of Duke Godwin, a man known for his vast estates and even vaster ambition. Anya was said to be beautiful, intelligent, and kind. But those were just whispers, fleeting impressions carried on the wind. He knew nothing of her true nature, her hopes, her dreams. The thought of bedding a girl barely old enough to leave the nursery churned his stomach. He had always imagined marrying for love, finding a woman who would be his partner, his confidante, his equal. This... this felt like a transaction, a cold and calculated exchange of power and progeny. "Lucian," Lady Elmont said softly, her voice laced with concern. "You haven't said a word. What are your thoughts?" He straightened, his gaze meeting his mother's. "I have no thoughts, Mother. It is not my place to question the will of the Crown." Lord Elmont snorted. "The 'will of the Crown' is nothing more than the desperate machinations of aging monarchs clinging to power. They care nothing for the girl, nothing for you. All they see is a means to an end." "My love," Lady Elmont chided, her voice taking on a warning edge. "Such talk is dangerous." "Dangerous or not, it's the truth!" Lord Elmont retorted, his frustration mounting. "We are condemning our son to a loveless marriage, sacrificing his happiness for the sake of some archaic tradition." Lucian's jaw tightened. He hated this feeling of helplessness, of being a pawn in a game he didn't want to play. He longed to defy his parents, to tell them he would choose his own bride, but the consequences of such defiance were too dire to contemplate. "Lucian," Lady Elmont said again, her voice softer now, pleading. "Understand, this is not just about the throne. It's about the future of our kingdom, the stability of our people. Anya is a good girl, from a good family. She will make you a fine wife." "A fine wife," Lucian echoed bitterly. "And a broodmare." The word hung heavy in the air, silencing his parents. He saw the hurt flicker in his mother's eyes, the resignation in his father's. He knew they loved him, that they were only doing what they believed was best, but that didn't make this any easier. "I will do my duty," he said finally, his voice devoid of emotion. "But I will not pretend to be happy about it." With that, he turned and strode out of the room, leaving his parents to their hushed whispers and their heavy burdens. He needed air, needed to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the palace. He headed towards the sprawling gardens, seeking solace amongst the fragrant blooms and the whispering trees. As he walked, his thoughts drifted to Anya. He tried to picture her, to imagine what she was like. Was she terrified? Resigned? Or perhaps even... excited? He couldn't fathom it. The thought of being forced into marriage at such a young age, of being expected to bear children before she was barely a woman herself, filled him with a profound sense of unease. He found a secluded bench nestled beneath a weeping willow and sank onto it, the soft moss cushioning his weary limbs. He closed his eyes, trying to block out the turmoil swirling within him. But Anya's face, or rather, the face he imagined her to have, kept intruding on his thoughts. Large, innocent eyes, framed by a cascade of dark hair. A delicate chin, a hesitant smile. He wondered if she was aware of the bargain that had been struck, the price that had been paid for her hand in marriage. He wondered if she knew that her future, her very life, had been decided without her consent. A wave of anger washed over him, directed not at Anya, but at the circumstances, at the traditions that bound them both. He felt a fierce, protective urge towards this girl he had never met, a desire to shield her from the harsh realities of their world. He knew it was a foolish notion. He was a prince, bound by duty and tradition. She was a pawn in a political game, a vessel for the continuation of his bloodline. There was no room for love, no space for personal desires. Yet, as he sat there beneath the weeping willow, a tiny seed of hope took root in his heart. Perhaps, just perhaps, he could find a way to make this work, to forge a connection with Anya that went beyond duty and obligation. Perhaps, in time, he could even earn her love. But for now, all he could do was wait. Wait for the day he would meet his child bride, the girl who held the fate of his kingdom in her hands. The girl who, unbeknownst to her, had already captured a piece of his heart.
A forbidden romance blossoms between a teenager and his step-sister, testing family bonds and societal norms. As they navigate their secret relationship, they must confront the consequences of their love and the future of their family. Passion, drama, and heartbreak ensue.
"Please trust me, I didn't do anything." "I don't believe you. I am rejecting you as my Queen and giving you the punishment of death." Alina was living outside her pack for five years. Her parents didn't try to contact her and always ignored her. Her best friend convinced her to go back to their pack and she agreed. But she had never imagined what was waiting there for her. She never thought she would meet her mate and had to face betrayal from everywhere. She had to pay for the crime which she never committed. Aaron Robertson is the king of Lycans. He is a very dominant and powerful King who not only rules Lycans but also rules other ranks of werewolves. Everyone is afraid of Lycans and he is the king of them. But who knew that he would get a mate who was just a simple Omega with no powers and strengths? He called her weak all the time but little did he know that his weak Omega would give him the biggest betrayal of his life for which he had to give her the sentence of death.
Caught in a web of betrayal, Nicole's life shatters in a single evening when her mother-in-law, Veronica, sets her up in an elaborate scheme. Blindsided, Nicole faces her husband Taylor's cold rage as he casts her out of his life and home, accusing her of infidelity and theft. As she tries to defend herself, her best friend, Sarah, adds another blow by denying their loyalty. "Please, Taylor, you have to believe me!" Nicole pleads, her voice breaking, but his icy response is a dagger to her heart. "I don't hate you, Nicole," he sneers. "I despise you." When Nicole reveals she's pregnant, she hopes for compassion, but it only fuels Veronica's determination to rid the family of her. After signing the divorce papers, a dejected Nicole wanders alone, where a brutal attack leaves her bleeding, helpless, and desperate to protect her unborn child. Six years later, Nicole returns from the ashes to inflict seven times the pains upon those who humiliated her and left her to die. "I'll make them pay so dearly that they'd regret ever been born!" She declares. This is a story of romance and revenge you don't want to miss!
Trigger warning!!! Intended for mature readers who enjoy morally complex, slow-burn, poseesive, forbidden, dark romance that pushes boundaries. ***EXCERPT*** Blood everywhere. Trembling hands. "No!" My eyes blurred. His lifeless eyes stared back at me, his blood pooling at my feet. The man I loved-dead. Killed by the one person I could never escape - my stepbrother. *** Kasmine's life was never hers to begin with. Kester, her stepbrother, controlled and monitored her every move. At first, it was all sweet and brotherly until it began to turn into an obsession. Kester was the Alpha, and his word was law. No close friends. No boyfriends. No freedom. The only consolation Kasmine had was her twenty-first birthday, which was supposed to change everything. She dreamt of finding her mate, escaping the sickening control of Kester, and finally claiming her own life. But fate had other plans for her. On the night of her birthday, not only was she disappointed that she wasn't mated to the love of her life, but she found out that her mate was none other than him - Her tormentor. Her stepbrother. She'd rather die than be mated to a man whom she had known as her big brother all her life. A man who would do just anything to make sure she was his. But when love turns to obsession, and obsession turns to blood, how far can one girl run before she realizes there is nowhere else to run to?
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
"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!