"Please help me... I'll do anything. I just want my mother to live." I cried, tears streaming down my face in torrents, my body trembling in fear. Kael stared down at me, his glowering eyes devoid of any emotion and a chill ran down my spine. "Anything, you say?" He asked, pointing the edge of his sword against my neck and I stiffened, refusing to breathe. "Anything... " I whispered, my voice small yet resolute. A corner of his lips quirked up, not quite forming a smile. "How about my slave?l ***** "She was supposed to be his captive, not his salvation. When Aira sneaks into forbidden Lycan territory to save her mother, she is caught and thrown at the mercy of the ruthless Lycan King, Kael Drathlor. In a desperate bargain, she trades her freedom for her mother's life. But as she becomes the king's unwilling companion, Aira discovers a terrifying truth-Kael is cursed, unable to die, unable to feel the mate bond that should tie them together. As dark forces conspire against them and Kael spirals further into self-destruction, Aira must decide: escape and save herself, or risk everything for the beast who might never love her back. In a world where fate is both a gift and a curse, can she break the chains of destiny before it's too late?"
Striding back to my old rickety cottage I called home, I hummed a low tune to myself, gripping the basket of herbs I had foraged tightly to my body. My heart raced with a mix of fear and hope, but I forced myself to be positive.
My mother had been unwell for weeks nows and I've done everything I could in my power to try and nurse her back to good health to no avail. Calling a medicine man was out of the question because they were too expensive and I didn't have the money that they would demand. I reached the porch, and unlocking the door, pushed the door open and walked in.
The cold, damp air greeted me first. My eyes adjusted to the dim lighting and I found my mother lying at the far corner in the room, covered by a soft yet worn out blanket. She hadn't moved from the position I had left her in, her skin even paler, beads of sweat coating her forehead. My heart lurched at the sight and I let out a shaky breath, gently closing the door behind me.
Walking towards the chimney, I set up a pot over the coals and started to boil the water in the pot, hurriedly rinsing off the herbs and grinding a couple others which I added into the steaming water. A warm, earthy scent filled the room and that's when my mother stirred. I turned to her, a smile lighting up my face when her eyelids fluttered open.
"Mother!" I cried out, rushing to her side. She turned weakly towards me, managing a tiny smile as her eyelids drifted to a close.
"Aira... " She called out, her voice almost inaudible, reaching out to grab my hands. I held her hands, pressing a soft kiss against the back of her palm. "I just got back from the forest. I went to gather some herbs. Hopefully, they'll make you feel better." I said to her and she managed a small nod, unable to speak.
Blinking the away the tears that had gathered in my eyes, I leaned forward to give her a kiss on the forehead before standing to my feet. The water had come to a boil and I poured the steaming concoction into a bowl, blowing on it as I let it steep and cool. Pain twisted my insides and my hands trembled as I watched my mother groan in pain but I forced myself to focus on the present.
Once the concoction had cooled to a comfortable degree, I went to my mother, raising her head gently and prompting her to drink. I met with no resistance at all, as the dark, warm liquid flowed into her mouth till she emptied the bowl. A slight frown appeared on her face afterwards, but other than that, nothing. A few moments later, I realized she had fallen asleep. Her complexion was getting better now, her fever breaking and I finally let out the breath I was holding, my lips trembling.
"Please, mom... " I whispered, my voice breaking. "Please get better, you're the only I have left in this world. You have to get better." I muttered, my head falling as tears streamed down my cheeks. I stayed there, watching her sleep, occasionally cleaning off the sweat that had gathered on her body.
It was in the evening when the convulsions began. At first they were minor, almost unnoticeable tremors, which I dismissed because I thought it was her fever returning but they progressively worse till it seemed like my mother was being possessed like the very devil. I couldn't stop screaming, trying to hold her down but it wasn't enough. Torn on what to do, I ran out the cottage, calling for help on anyone who would hear me.
A few passerbys and onlookers watched as I cried, but neither offered an helping hand. Mostly because they were already aware of my mother's illness and thought it to be highly contagious. Eventually, I had to call on the healer who I had been avoiding to come and see my mother, to determine what was wrong with her.
He seemed reluctant at first, unwilling even but at my persistence, followed me. I couldn't stop crying on my way back, terrified that I would return home and meet her lifeless. Racing in front, I turned back multiple times to confirm if the healer was indeed following me before running back to the cottage.
Fortunately, she was still alive, but her convulsions had yet to subside. The healer walked in a moment later and seeing the state my mother was in, immediately set to work, alarmed. I watched on in horror as he administered every herb, potion and pills available to him, yet my mother's tremblings showed no signs of stopping. When all hope seemed lost, she finally stopped, falling into an exhausted sleep afterwards.
I collapsed to the floor in exasperation, tears pouring out of my eyes like rain, devastation tearing through me. "What's wrong with her?!" I asked in between hiccups, staring at the healer like he had an answer.
He pursed his lips, a confused look appearing on his face. "To be honest, I don't know. I've never seen anything quite like it before. How long as she been unwell?"
"I don't know, weeks? Months? She complained of body pain once and since then, I've done everything I could, she didn't get any better." I explained. He stared at my mother was who lying unmoving, a look of pity flashing in his eyes.
"To be honest... I don't think I would have any medicine your mother needs to get better. This looks like something out of my expertise." He explained solemnly and I froze.
"What do you mean? Are you saying she's not going to recover!?"
"I didn't say that. I just said, I just might not be able to be of help. If only... " He trailed off, a pained expression appearing on his face.
"If only what?" I asked, scrambling to my feet and grabbing his hands. "Please, healer Khamel. I need my mother to recover."
"The Lycans who rule the land might have medicines for such ailments like this. But not only are they incredibly expensive, they are also not available to us, humans. Their king made sure of that. It's his way of punishing us and controlling our population." Khamel explained, downcast.
An exasperated gasp escaped my lips. "But my mother is dying!" I screamed, pointing at her. "I can't let her die. Isn't there something I can do?"
"I'm afraid there isn't. We are banned from entering the Lycans abode, Aira. Doing that would mean instant death. And the medicine would be too expensive for you to be able to afford it. I'm afraid this is all I can do. You might have to prepare for the worst." He said and I whimpered, crumbling beside my mother as sobs racked me. This couldn't be happening.
I didn't realize when the healer left my house, but soon I was all alone with my mother, whose body seemed to be growing colder by the second. I couldn't do it. I can't lose her. In this world that was filled with cruelty and pain, she was my beacon of light. I had to get the medicine she needed, even of it meant I would go to extreme lengths.
With that resolve planted in my heart, I cleaned the last of my tears, and cleared up the place, tucking her in bed and ensuring she was still breathing when I left the house. Tonight, I would sneak into the the Lycans territory and steal the medicine if I have to. Humans lived in the outskirts and yes, there was a wall dividing us, but I had enough experience climbing it. Just never had the nerve to jump in. All that was going to change however.
Hang in there mother, I'll get you the medicine that you need.
"Look at me properly and try to remember." He implored her, his silvery eyes boring into hers. Maya raised her nervous eyes to meet his. Searching her head, she tried to remember where she may have met this man before. As she stared at him, a sense of familiarity began to settle. Those eyes... she'd seen them before. Where has she seen them? One by one, the images came. The pictures from a time she had forgotten. She had helped someone with eyes just like this. Still in his embrace, a daunting realisation began to set in. She'd met this man before. Long before he even dreamed of being a king... **************** A tyrant king conquers a kingdom so he can get married to her forgotten princess. People expect a marriage filled with strife and everything but none of that happens. Instead he treats her right, worships her and kisses the very ground she walks on. Why is that? People wonder. The reason is quite simple. Years ago, the same princess had saved his life from the bitter hands of death when he was betrayed by his half brother, the crown prince of Madonia.
"At this point, I'll be grateful for your pieces." ***** Jessica Franklin is at her wit ends, literally. With two sisters depending on her and a mountain of debts on her neck, she needs a way out before she breaks down. So when she sees an online post of a Billionaire requesting for a bride, she immediately takes it. Devon Reeves just wants to get rid of his clingy ex who's snuck her way back into his life and is disrupting it. Unwilling to go on dozens of blind dates, he puts up a post requesting for a bride and receives numerous responses. Out of the many proposals, Only one sticks out to him. Without thinking too much of it, he accepts it and goes on a date. One look is all it takes got Devon to decide that Jessica is his bride. A contract is signed and the two begin to live like husband and wife. There's just one problem, nobody is accepting of this new arrangement. Plus, the more he gets to know his wife, the more he realizes that she has secrets... Secrets she's running away from and will soon catch up to her.
"You," he growled, glaring at me with hatred in his eyes even as he pinned me to the wall, obstructing my airflow. "I'm going to enjoy breaking you." "I'd like to see you try, Alpha." I spat at him, my voice filled with defiance. He dropped me to the ground before lifting me up as if I weighed nothing and pinning me against his study table, pushing my legs apart. "Oh, you'll see. And by the time I'm done with you, you'll beg for death." He growled against my ears, filling me with fear of what is to come. ***** In a world of false accusations and vengeful rulers, Evelyn's life takes a harrowing turn. Framed for a crime she didn't commit, she faces the wrath of the alpha king. Instead of death, he condemns her to a fate worse than she could have imagined: becoming his personal slave and breeder. As fear grips her, Evelyn must summon her strength to challenge the tyrant's rule and reclaim her freedom. Will she find a way to defy her captor and seek justice, or will she be forever trapped in a life of darkness and despair? What happens when the moon goddess announces that she is his second chance mate? Will she still try to escape him or will she let their bond bloom? A gripping tale of resilience and defiance unfolds in this thrilling journey of survival, betrayal and love.
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
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!"
Lyric had spent her life being hated. Bullied for her scarred face and hated by everyone-including her own mate-she was always told she was ugly. Her mate only kept her around to gain territory, and the moment he got what he wanted, he rejected her, leaving her broken and alone. Then, she met him. The first man to call her beautiful. The first man to show her what it felt like to be loved. It was only one night, but it changed everything. For Lyric, he was a saint, a savior. For him, she was the only woman that had ever made him cum in bed-a problem he had been battling for years. Lyric thought her life would finally be different, but like everyone else in her life, he lied. And when she found out who he really was, she realized he wasn't just dangerous-he was the kind of man you don't escape from. Lyric wanted to run. She wanted freedom. But she desired to navigate her way and take back her respect, to rise above the ashes. Eventually, she was forced into a dark world she didn't wish to get involved with.
She thought he was the villain. He was only trying to save his soul. Rena lives in a world of sunshine, sweets, and simple dreams. Until one reckless decision drops her into a dark realm of secrets, curses and werewolves. Kidnapped, heartbroken. She doesn't know who to trust anymore especially not Logan, the arrogant, cruel Alpha who's keeping her as a hostage. Until she discovers his dark secret. He's been hearing her thoughts all along. Now the walls between them are crumbling. And when feelings grow where hatred once lived, a curse demands that blood becomes a love that demands sacrifice. But how can she give her heart to the one who might need it to die?
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.