For six years, Aria has danced at the edges of Kael's dark world - a brilliant, ruthless man twice her age, whose wealth and influence make him untouchable. She confessed her feelings once and was shattered when he rejected her. But when Aria tries to marry someone else, Kael kidnaps her on her wedding day, revealing she was never free of him. Now, thrust into the shadows of his empire, Aria must navigate deadly alliances, dangerous power plays, and the searing, possessive passion between them. But Kael isn't the only one obsessed. Aria has secrets of her own - and soon, it becomes clear she's been pulling the strings as much as he has. In a world of betrayal, obsession, and fierce love, only one truth remains: they can't escape each other - and they never wanted to.
Aria Winters' reflection stared back at her, pale and trembling, in the gilded mirror. The wedding dress clung to her body, delicate lace tracing her arms, the veil tucked neatly over her dark curls. She looked every inch the perfect bride - but her heart pounded with something darker than nerves.
Because she knew he was coming.
Her fingers tightened around the edge of the vanity table as her bridesmaids buzzed around the room, fluffing the gown, adjusting her hair. They spoke in hushed, excited voices, but Aria's mind wasn't on the ceremony. It hadn't been, not for weeks.
She felt him even now, as though his presence was a shadow cast across her skin. Kael Hale.
Her stomach twisted painfully. Six years. Six years of pretending she didn't love him. Six years of him rejecting her, keeping her at arm's length, pushing her toward a life she didn't want. So she'd made a choice. She would marry someone else. Someone safe.
And yet, deep down, she'd known this day would never come.
A sharp knock on the door jolted her back. Her heart leapt into her throat. One of the bridesmaids opened it - only to be shoved aside.
He filled the doorway like a storm. Tall, broad-shouldered, dark hair swept back, piercing gray eyes locked on her. Kael. Dressed in black, tailored to perfection, a cruel, knowing smile on his lips.
"Get out," he said softly.
The room fell silent. The bridesmaids stared, frozen.
"I said, get out."
This time, his voice carried steel, and the women scrambled, whispering apologies as they fled the room. The door clicked shut.
Aria rose slowly, every nerve in her body screaming. "What are you doing here, kael?"
He stepped forward, smooth and unhurried. "Did you really think I'd let you go through with this, kitten?"
Her fists clenched. "You told me you didn't want me. You rejected me."
"That was before you decided to belong to someone else."
She shivered, rage and longing warring inside her. "You're insane."
"Perhaps." His smile widened, sharp as a blade. "But you're mine."
Before she could move, he was in front of her, one arm circling her waist, the other lifting her effortlessly off the ground. She gasped, struggling, pounding her fists against his chest.
"Put me down!"
"Not a chance, sweetheart."
She heard the sound of commotion outside - shouts, running footsteps. But kael was already at the window, a sleek black car waiting below. In seconds, he knocked her out.
Aria woke on silk sheets, her wrists pinned gently but firmly. The scent of cedarwood filled her nose. She thrashed, blinking away the haze, and realized she was in his bed. His penthouse.
The door creaked open. Kael entered, jacket gone, shirt sleeves rolled up, dark eyes hungry.
"You're awake."
"You can't keep me here," she spat.
He moved closer, kneeling by the bed, one hand brushing a lock of hair from her cheek. "I saved you once, Aria. From the fire. From the wreckage. Did you think I'd let you walk into another disaster?"
Tears burned her eyes, but she glared at him fiercely. "You had no right."
He smiled softly, almost sadly. "I have every right. You're already mine."
Her breath caught. "What are you talking about?"
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a folded paper, smoothing it over her stomach. Her eyes darted to the words.
Marriage license.
Her name. His name. Signed, sealed, delivered.
She choked on her breath, fury and disbelief crashing through her. "You... you did this... you planned this..."
He leaned down, lips brushing her ear.
"Six years, kitten. Did you really think I'd ever let you go?"
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
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.
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
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."