Morgan Mayor had always known that her 17th birthday would mark a pivotal moment in her life. In the werewolf world, that was the age when your first shift happened, and with it, the discovery of your mate-the one person in the world who was meant for you. It was a tradition, a rite of passage, one that every wolf looked forward to. But nothing could have prepared Morgan for the overwhelming flood of emotions that came with it. The moment she shifted, the world around her seemed to slow down, her senses heightened as the bond between her and her mate pulsed through her, drawing her toward him. When their eyes met, she felt it, the instant recognition-the pull that drew her toward him like gravity. But instead of the warmth and comfort she had expected, the coldness in his eyes sent a shock through her body. "I don't want you," he had said, his voice flat, detached. The words hit her like a physical blow, and her heart shattered. He was supposed to be the one who made her feel whole, but instead, he rejected her without a second thought. Morgan's world crumbled in that moment. The weight of his rejection was unbearable, but there was something else, something even more devastating. A small, growing life inside her-an undeniable reminder of the bond between them. She was carrying the Alpha's daughter, and yet, she was alone. The Alpha's blood ran through her veins, but she had no claim on his heart. As she stood there, a deep ache filled her chest, and her wolf mourned, howling for the love that would never be. Everything she had hoped for, everything she had dreamed of, had been torn away in an instant.
I pull up to the mall and park. Emily promised to take me to a movie and go shopping for my 17th birthday. I remove the strands of black hair from my face, feeling the light breeze ruffle it as I step out of the car. Emily told me to meet her at Bigfoot Java by the entrance at 11:00, and it's almost that time. I check my phone: 10:50. I push the door open and head toward the mall entrance. The movie starts at 11:30, so we have about 30 minutes to chill before we need to head to the theater.
I walk toward the entrance of the mall and head straight for the cashier. I've been craving a strawberry-banana smoothie with whipped cream, so I order it and take a seat by the window, waiting for Emily to show up. The mall is bustling, but it doesn't feel too crowded yet. I pull out my phone and send a quick text to my mom to let her know what time I'll be home.
When my phone pings, signaling a response, I pull it out and read it.
K honey, I have a meeting in the next town over. I'm sorry we can't celebrate tonight. Logan will be staying with Jack, so you have the house to yourself. Feel free to do whatever, just don't do anything reckless! I'll be back on Tuesday. Logan will be staying with Jack till then. Love you! Have fun! đ
I smile softly at the message and turn off my phone. My mom is the representative of our pack, and she often goes to meetings with Alpha Mason. Alpha Mason has two kids my age-Cole and Jenny. Cole is the one everyone is waiting for. He's 17, just like me, and will take over the pack when he finds his mate. I've heard rumors that he might already know who she is, but who knows? It's not like I've been invited to any of those secret Alpha meetings. Jenny, his twin, will be the Luna of the pack when Cole takes over, and every girl seems to be hoping that she'll be the one.
But I'm not like that. I've got other things to worry about besides some boy. My dad died when I was 8. Logan, my little brother, was just 4. I remember the day like it was yesterday. My mom was heartbroken. He was her mate, her soulmate, and they were destined for each other. I always hear people talk about how rare and beautiful it is when a pair of mates find each other. That's something I wish I could understand better. I wonder if I'll ever find love like that, too.
When my dad died, everything changed. Mom had to step up and take care of us. She got a job, which was a big deal because she hadn't worked before. But she did what she had to do to support Logan and me. The weird thing is, it turned out to be the best decision she could've made. Now she's the vice president of a mega-corporation and living a life that would've been unimaginable back then. She's been on the rise ever since, and that's something I'm proud of. But at the same time, I've always felt like I had to grow up fast.
I had to watch over Logan, be the responsible one when Mom was working late or away at meetings. It's a lot for a kid, but I did it. Now, Logan is 13, and I've gotten used to this role, even if it doesn't always feel fair. He's the troublemaker, the one who always needs to be bailed out, but I love him. I can't imagine not being his big sister. He still calls me "Moo," just like he did when he was a toddler. It's cute, but he's growing up fast, and it's a bit bittersweet.
I look up, still lost in my thoughts, and see Emily jogging toward me, her blonde ponytail bouncing with each step. I stand up and wave at her, a grin spreading across my face. When she reaches me, I immediately hug her, and we both laugh. She's wearing her usual hoodie and leggings, but she manages to make it look effortless.
"Happy birthday, Moo!" Emily exclaims, her voice full of excitement.
I laugh at the stupid nickname she gave me back in first grade. It stuck, even though we're 17 now. "Thanks, Emmy. I swear, you've been calling me that for so long, I think it's officially my name."
She grins, sliding into the seat across from me. "Well, it's better than calling you 'Moo Moo' like I used to."
I roll my eyes. "I'm glad you finally decided to drop that one."
Emily laughs, and I can tell she's genuinely excited about today. She's been looking forward to this as much as I have, maybe more. "Alright, so what's the plan? Are we going straight to the movie after this, or should we do a little shopping first?"
I take a sip of my smoothie, savoring the sweetness. "I don't know, I figured we could hang out for a bit and then head over to the theater at 11:20. That gives us just enough time to get our popcorn."
"Perfect," she says, her eyes lighting up. "And then, after the movie, we can hit up the mall for some serious birthday shopping. You know I'm buying you a present, right?"
I grin at her. "You don't have to. Just hanging out with you is enough. But I'll accept the present anyway."
We both laugh, and I feel the tension from earlier fade. It's been a long time since I've just had a day to hang out and not worry about responsibilities. No pack meetings, no corporate calls for Mom. Just me and Emily, like old times.
"So," Emily leans in, lowering her voice conspiratorially, "any new crushes? I mean, seriously, I know you've been dodging the Alpha boys, but come on, there has to be someone you're eyeing."
I almost choke on my smoothie. "What? Are you crazy? You know how I feel about that whole thing. I'm not interested in any of those pack politics or whatever. I'm fine on my own."
Emily raises an eyebrow. "Sure, sure. But you've got to admit, Cole's not hard on the eyes."
I snort, rolling my eyes. "You're such a girl."
She shrugs with a grin. "What can I say? I'm just here for the drama."
I shake my head, laughing. "If you want drama, I'll let you know when I meet someone worth talking about. Until then, let's just focus on having fun today. Deal?"
"Deal," she says, raising her hand for a high-five.
I slap her hand and settle back into my seat. As I look out the window, I can't help but feel a small sense of relief. Maybe I'm not in any rush to find a mate or get caught up in pack politics. Maybe I can just focus on being a regular teenager for once, surrounded by people who love me.
Emily and I chat for a while longer, the time slipping by faster than I expected. Soon enough, it's time to head to the theater. We finish our smoothies and make our way toward the movie, but as we pass through the mall corridor, something makes me pause.
I glance at Emily, who's chatting away about some random topic, but my attention is caught by a pair of unfamiliar eyes across the hall. A guy, tall and dark-haired, stands near the entrance of a store, staring directly at me with an intensity that catches me off guard. His gaze feels familiar but foreign, like he knows something I don't.
Before I can even blink, I hear a low growl from his direction, and the words that follow make my stomach flip.
"Mine."
I freeze. My heart skips a beat.
Princess A'Nae Smith was no stranger to chaos. Born and raised in Kinji, a ghetto and dangerous neighborhood where sirens were more common than lullabies, she learned early on how to survive. Tough, sharp-tongued, and never one to back down, Princess carried herself like royalty, even if the world around her tried to strip that crown away. High school was no different-it was just a battlefield with lockers. But this wasn't just any school. It was run by none other than Mafia King, 5. Ruthless, feared, and respected. His name alone could shut people up mid-sentence. And his son? Oh, he was a whole different problem. He was the definition of popularity: cocky smile, expensive shoes, and girls who followed him like he was made of gold. But Princess wasn't impressed. She didn't care about his last name, his status, or that smug look he always wore when their paths crossed. But what happens when Princess finds out he's been watching her more than she thought? That behind all that swagger, Mafia King 5's son had a secret-he was crushing hard. On her. Things in Kinji were about to get real messy.
Rae East had always cast herself off as a girl not worthy of a Mate. Her past was filled with self-doubt, and the weight of broken dreams had shaped her view of the future as nothing more than a bleak, hopeless stretch of time. She never thought she would meet someone who would make her believe otherwise, certainly not an Alpha-someone like the man her fate had so cruelly paired her with. When she first discovered that she was mated to an Alpha, it didn't feel like a blessing. The revelation left her numb, more of a curse than anything else. She didn't expect anything from the bond. She had no hope of ever truly being seen by him, much less loved. And yet, when he brought her to his pack, it was clear that she didn't belong. She wasn't a part of his world, nor did she think she would ever be. The Alpha barely acknowledged her, leaving her adrift and forgotten in a world that felt increasingly foreign. There was no purpose for her here, no place where she fit. Rae sank further into herself, each day passing like the last-empty, silent, and full of pain. Her mind was a storm of conflicting emotions: the bond that tugged at her heart, the ache of longing, and the cold, relentless truth that the Alpha, the one who was supposed to complete her, showed no interest in doing so. Every night, she curled up in her bed, trying to block out the pull, but it was always there, a presence she couldn't escape. Confusion swirled around her like a thick fog. Rae tried to find meaning in the pack's activities, in the faces of the others who seemed to have their own lives, but nothing felt real. The taste of the bond was intoxicating-so much that it became impossible to ignore, and harder still to move away from. She couldn't stop wanting him, even though it seemed that the Alpha would never feel the same. She wondered if she was destined to be a ghost in his life forever, a shadow clinging to something that would never be hers. And yet, despite it all, Rae could not let go. She couldn't walk away from the Alpha, not when he held her heart so firmly in his grasp. But how could she fight for a future with someone who didn't want her?
Ivory felt the cold air press against her face as she stormed through the door, her heart pounding in her chest. The deal was done. She had been forced into this. The years of rivalry between her family and Darius Quartz's had culminated in an arrangement neither of them had ever wanted. Yet here she was, bound by a long-remembered promise between two bitter enemies, the ink barely dry on the marriage contract that would seal her fate. Heartbroken, angry, and confused, she had said yes to the first thing she heard. She should have stopped, she knew. Should have taken a moment to think it through, but what choice had she really had? Darius Quartz had been a name she had known only in passing, a man whose cold demeanor had haunted her thoughts even before their forced union. Now, she was his wife. She had hoped for something resembling happiness, something that might give her a glimpse of peace, but what she found was an endless cycle of solitude. The house felt too big, the silence too overwhelming. The routine she had followed for the last six months, with her husband absent and uncommunicative, had become a cage. Darius, always distant, had left for his training shortly after their marriage, leaving her to carry on alone. But now, he was back. Ivory had hoped that with his return, things might change. Perhaps he would take notice of her, of their marriage, and perhaps there would be some semblance of warmth between them. Instead, nothing had shifted. He had returned, silent as ever, his cold eyes offering her little more than a fleeting glance before he immersed himself in his work. They were strangers, trapped in a contract neither of them had wanted but both were bound to. Then, just as she had begun to resign herself to her lonely fate, he arrived-the one man she never thought she'd see again. Her ex. The one who had broken her heart. The one whose betrayal still stung. His presence in her life now, with all the unresolved emotions he brought with him, threatened everything. Was she really going to allow him back into her life after all this time? Marriage. Love. Both seemed like distant dreams now, at least to Ivory. At twenty, she had been forced into this union, and in the years since, she had been adrift, unsure of where her life was heading. Would Darius ever change? Would they ever find any real connection? Or was she doomed to live out her days in this suffocating, quiet misery? And now, with her ex back in the picture, things were about to get much more complicated.
Lara had always known there was something extraordinary about the night of the party. The instant she locked eyes with him, the pull was undeniable-his scent, the way he made her pulse race. She had never felt anything like it before. But the heat of the moment led to something she wasn't prepared for-a steamy night with her mate, followed by an unexpected rejection the next day. The cold words he spoke haunted her, leaving her heart shattered. But as time passed, life moved on. Or so she thought. A month later, her world shifted. The discovery that she was pregnant left her reeling. The shock of it all made her decide to keep it a secret, fearing the consequences. It wasn't until four years later, when their paths crossed again, that she realized just how much had changed. Fate was a strange thing, and sometimes, it had a way of throwing you into unexpected moments. Lara had no idea that the secrets she'd been carrying for years would soon come crashing into her reality-forcing her to face not just her past, but the future she never saw coming. Vous avez dit : Traduit en français ChatGPT a dit : Chapitre 09 : Des chemins imprĂ©visibles Lara avait toujours su qu'il y avait quelque chose d'extraordinaire dans cette nuit de fĂȘte. DĂšs qu'elle croisa son regard, l'attirance fut indĂ©niable-son parfum, la façon dont son cĆur s'emballait. Elle n'avait jamais ressenti cela auparavant. Mais la chaleur de l'instant les mena Ă quelque chose pour lequel elle n'Ă©tait pas prĂȘte-une nuit torride avec son Ăąme sĆur, suivie par un rejet inattendu le lendemain. Les mots froids qu'il avait prononcĂ©s la hantaient, laissant son cĆur brisĂ©. Mais au fil du temps, la vie continua. Du moins, c'est ce qu'elle pensait. Un mois plus tard, son monde bascula. La dĂ©couverte de sa grossesse la laissa abasourdie. Le choc de cette nouvelle la poussa Ă garder le secret, redoutant les consĂ©quences. Ce n'est que quatre ans plus tard, lorsqu'ils se croisĂšrent Ă nouveau, qu'elle comprit Ă quel point les choses avaient changĂ©. Le destin Ă©tait une chose Ă©trange, et parfois, il avait une façon bien Ă lui de vous projeter dans des moments inattendus. Lara n'avait aucune idĂ©e que les secrets qu'elle avait gardĂ©s pendant des annĂ©es allaient bientĂŽt s'Ă©craser dans sa rĂ©alitĂ©-la forçant Ă affronter non seulement son passĂ©, mais aussi un avenir qu'elle n'avait jamais imaginĂ©.
Recently single, Jayden McCartney would have preferred to skip his sister's wedding. Not because he didn't love her-he did-but because he knew exactly what was waiting for him: a flood of pitying looks, thinly veiled comments about his single status... and worse, his grandmother's desperate attempts to set him up with someone "nice." A family tradition he dreaded almost as much as dinner with his ex. The problem? Jayden was in no state to date anyone new. Not after catching his ex in someone else's arms. The very idea of a relationship made his skin crawl. So, he did what any rational man would do in his situation: he hired someone. Alexandra. Alex, the shy geek from high school, now a woman as brilliant as she was irresistible. She was supposed to play the part of the perfect girlfriend, just for the weekend. Nothing more. At least, that's what he thought... Because watching her smile, feeling her slip her hand into his so naturally-it hit him. He had a new problem: he was falling for her. And what Jayden wants, Jayden gets.
When Nolan met Danielle, he wasn't expecting anything. Truly nothing. To him, it was just another night, one more moment in a perfectly organized life, dictated by a meticulously crafted five-year plan. He had everything mapped out: his studies, his internship, his first job, then marriage to a proper girl chosen from his narrow circle of acquaintances. But that night, everything changed. Because she was there. Danielle. Sultry. Sexy. Tattooed. She was everything Nolan was not. She burned with an intensity he had never known. While he calculated every step, she rushed in headfirst, guided by instinct. Nolan was a virgin, discreet, reserved. She was a sex goddess, a free spirit, confident, untamed. He was terrified of needles. She laughed at that, her arms adorned with tattoos that told stories he couldn't even imagine. Coming from a wealthy background, Nolan lived according to the strict expectations of his parents, following a carefully written script. He never strayed from the path laid out for him. Danielle, too, came from an affluent family, but she had rejected everything that came with it. The social events, the obligations, the appearances. She had cut ties with her overbearing, overly perfect mother. Danielle wanted to live without limits, without attachments, without rules. That was before she met Nolan. This shy, cute, awkward boy... He intrigued her. He made her laugh. He threw her off balance. Danielle, used to easy and predictable flings, couldn't understand why this boy-so different-captivated her so much. He changed the way she saw the world, the way she saw love. But will she... change his?
"I ran. Ran as fast as my legs could go. Away. Away from him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hailey Pritchett loved her job as the secretary of Henry Caldwell, the CEO of the Caldwell Industries. She was a woman who liked safety, and stayed far away from danger. However, the company is bought by a ruthless businessman who is known as the Sniper. Theodore Benson is a ruthless billionaire, and is known as the Sniper in the business world. Because he kills his opponents without letting them know. He bows down to no one, and when he wants something, he does everything - whether legal or not - to possess it. When Hailey and Theodore aka the Sniper, come face to face, Hailey knows that Theodore is dangerous. So Hailey does what she does best in the face of danger. She runs. But will Theodore let her get away? Theodore wants Hailey Pritchett, and won't stop until he has her - in every possible way. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Listen, Gadreel Ădegaar," she looked at him, not hesitating this time. "It's my anniversary present for you. Let's divorce." *** Ivory Remington had sacrificed five years to look after her husband Gadreel who was in a vegetative state after an accident and a few months ago, he finally awakened like a miracle. She thought it was the start of their happy life but Gadreel still had no heart for her. On their anniversary and her birthday, she received a cheating video of her dear husband and her stepsister. Heartbroken, Ivory chose to quit this stupid game. She decided to set him free but the reason she left on the divorce agreement pierced Gadreel's noble pride. *** "Impotent? Are you serious?" He gripped her wrist and a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. "I'm a woman, Gadreel. I'm tired of being in a sexless marriage. Let's end it once and for all." "Sexless, huh?" he chuckled lowly and without warning grabbed her chin in between his hands, pulling her face closer. "Turns out my wife was so eager to get a man between her legs? "
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wifeâs countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. âLetâs get married again.â
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
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?
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the townâs richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. âWay to go, honey!â