Luca Montella- the cold and calculating Don of the Montella crime family, is forced into an arranged marriage to secure a fragile truce, he expects nothing more than a strategic alliance. But his bride, Maria Spaletti, is not the meek pawn he anticipated. She is fire wrapped in silk, a woman with her own secrets-and an agenda that could destroy them both. Maria has spent years plotting revenge against the family that betrayed her, and marrying Luca is her way in. But the deeper she sinks into his dangerous world, the harder it becomes to resist the man behind the monster. As deadly rivals close in and long-buried truths unravel, their marriage of convenience becomes a battlefield of passion, power, and betrayal. In a game where love is the deadliest weakness, will Luca and Maria survive their vows... or will they burn together?
The wedding dress clung to Maria Spaletti's body like a silken cage, its delicate lace a cruel contrast to the war raging inside her. The weight of the veil pressed against her shoulders, but it was nothing compared to the burden she carried. Tonight, she would marry the man responsible for the destruction of her family.
Her reflection in the gilded mirror revealed nothing of the storm beneath the surface. Dark eyes, perfectly lined, betrayed none of the fury simmering beneath. She had trained for this moment, sculpted herself into the perfect image of a dutiful bride. But beneath the soft waves of her hair and the careful poise of her shoulders, she was a weapon- one forged in the fire of betrayal and loss. A sharp knock at the door shattered the silence. Antonio, her father's enforcer, stepped inside, his expression unreadable. "It's time."
Maria exhaled slowly and turned away from the mirror. The time for doubts had long passed. She followed Antonio down the corridor, past guards who barely spared her a glance. This was not a day of joy- it was a transaction, a binding of two crime families in a fragile truce. At the grand entrance of the cathedral, her father stood waiting, his expression carved from stone.
Don Spaletti offered his arm, and Maria took it, feeling nothing as they stepped into the candlelit church. Rows of powerful men and their elegantly dressed wives filled the pews, their gazes heavy with scrutiny. But Maria saw only one man-the figure standing at the altar.
Luca Montella.
The man who had orchestrated her family's downfall. The man she was about to vow herself to. His gaze locked onto hers as she approached, unreadable, cold. The flickering candlelight did nothing to soften the sharp lines of his face, the quiet menace that clung to him like a second skin. The world called him a king. She called him a monster.
Yet here she was, walking willingly into his grasp. Luca Montella watched his bride approach with the measured patience of a predator. Maria Spaletti moved like a queen, her head held high, her steps unwavering. There was no fear in her eyes- only a quiet defiance, a challenge that intrigued him more than it should.
She was a stunning deception. A woman draped in ivory lace, a sacrificial offering meant to seal the fragile truce between their families. But Luca knew better. Maria was no lamb. She was a blade wrapped in silk. The moment her fingers met his, he felt it- the tension, the resistance hidden beneath the softness of her skin. She despised him.
Good... Hatred was an emotion he understood. It was easier to control than false affections.
The priest began the ceremony, his voice a distant hum against the weight of unspoken threats hanging in the air. Luca did not take his eyes off Maria, watching for the slightest tremor, the smallest crack in her mask. But she remained unreadable, her expression betraying nothing as she spoke the words that bound them.
When the moment came for the kiss, she barely tilted her chin. Luca brushed his lips against hers, a brief, calculated touch, more for the audience than for them.
Applause rippled through the cathedral as they turned to face their new reality. Maria Spaletti was now Maria Montella. And the game had truly begun. The reception was a grand display of power, a gathering of the most dangerous men in the underworld. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in a golden glow, casting deceptive warmth over a crowd that thrived on blood and betrayal.
Maria moved through it with practiced ease, her husband never far from her side. They were a spectacle, the newlyweds binding two empires, but beneath the surface, they were nothing more than two opponents playing the same game.
A waiter passed by with a tray of wine, and Maria lifted a glass. Before she could take a sip, Luca leaned in, his voice a quiet murmur. "Careful, bella. Wouldn't want you to think I'm trying to poison you on our wedding night."
Her fingers tightened around the glass. "That would be too obvious. You strike me as the type to be more... discreet."
Luca's lips curled in amusement. "You've been thinking about how I'd kill you?"
"I like to be prepared."
His gaze darkened, though not with anger. "Good. That makes two of us."
Before she could respond, Don Spaletti approached, his expression betraying nothing. "Luca. A word."
Luca studied him for a moment, then turned to Maria. "Don't wander too far, mia moglie. We still have a dance to share."
She watched him disappear into the crowd with her father, unease curling in her stomach. The Montellas believed they had won, that this marriage secured their power. They had no idea that the woman standing in their midst wasn't a submissive bride. She was a storm waiting to break.
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?
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
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?
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
"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?"
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
Five years ago, Alessia La Rosa's life took a drastic turn when, suffering from memory loss, she wed to Dominic Carter under her grandfather's mysterious arrangement. But their marriage was a facade, bringing her only humiliation and heartache as Dominic showed no love, and she couldn't conceive. Upon discovering Dominic's infidelity, Alessia sought liberation through divorce. Yet, fate had more in store for her. Five years later, spurred by an anonymous email hinting at her lost child's whereabouts, she returns to the city with her twin babies in tow, determined to uncover the truth. As she navigates the tangled web of her past, a surprising twist awaits. Dominic, upon meeting her again, finds himself drawn to the woman she has become, unaware of her true identity as his former wife. Little does he know, the woman he's falling for is not only his ex-wife but also a powerful Doctor and Master Hacker.