They say power is seductive. That once you taste it, you'll do anything to keep it. Layla Monroe had never craved power-only purpose. She thought she knew what that looked like: a stable job, a quiet apartment, control over her own life. But that was before Dominic Langston. Before the man with ice-blue eyes and a broken legacy offered her a choice. Not love. Not promises. Just a contract. A dangerous one. What began in shadows grew roots in truth. Secrets unraveled. Desires flared. And somewhere between dominance and vulnerability, Layla discovered herself-not just the woman she was, but the woman she could be. But every truth comes at a price. And the deeper she fell, the more she realized-Dominic wasn't the only one with demons. Some were born of betrayal. Others of blood. And not all of them would stay buried.
The grand ballroom was a sea of polished faces and murmurs of polite conversation, each guest a carefully curated part of this world of opulence. Layla stood at the center, a figure of magnetic authority. Her black dress, form-fitting and elegant, clung to her frame with the kind of effortless allure that only someone with her confidence could pull off. She was a woman who never needed to raise her voice to be heard. Her presence alone made it clear: this was her world, and everyone else was just passing through.
As she moved through the room, every eye followed her, but none dared approach. Her reputation preceded her-brilliant, ruthless, and, in some circles, feared. But there was more to Layla than just the hard exterior. Beneath the poised surface was a woman who had learned to wield power like a finely-tuned instrument, shaping the world around her to fit her own desires. Yet, tonight, there was a flicker of something else behind her eyes-a challenge, an anticipation. Something was different.
Dominic had never imagined he would find himself at an event like this. He wasn't a stranger to success, but the world of high society felt foreign. His presence here was more out of necessity than choice-an invitation extended to him by an old friend, though he wasn't sure why. He didn't fit the mold of the typical guest. His suit was well-tailored, but not extravagant. His manners were polite, but far from rehearsed. He stood near the back of the room, quietly observing the others with a watchful eye, noting the subtle power plays that defined this space.
That was when he saw her.
Layla.
He had heard her name in passing conversations, but seeing her in person was something entirely different. There was an unmistakable aura about her-something that drew him in and made him wonder how someone could be both commanding and alluring at the same time. She moved with purpose, but it was the subtle smile on her lips that caught his attention, the hint of a woman who knew exactly what she wanted and how to get it.
Dominic felt a stir in his chest. She was everything he wasn't: bold, unapproachable, but undeniably captivating. And there she was, standing at the heart of the room, making even the richest and most powerful men look like children playing dress-up.
It wasn't long before their eyes met. Layla's gaze, sharp and assessing, locked with his. For a moment, the crowd seemed to fade away. It was just the two of them, suspended in a tension that neither had yet acknowledged but both felt.
Layla's lips curled into a knowing smile as she made her way over to him, her heels clicking against the marble floor. She didn't speak right away, instead sizing him up, taking in his calm, almost indifferent stance. There was something about him that intrigued her-something she couldn't quite place. He wasn't intimidated. He wasn't awed. And for the first time in a long while, Layla found herself curious.
"Well, well," she said, her voice smooth like velvet but carrying the weight of authority. "I don't believe we've met."
Dominic offered a small, unbothered smile. "I'm Dominic. Dominic Pierce."
The name didn't register at first, but Layla kept her expression neutral. "A pleasure. What brings you to my event?"
"I was invited," he replied casually, his tone revealing nothing but sincerity. "Though, I'll admit, it's not quite my usual scene."
Layla's eyes gleamed with amusement. "I can tell."
There was something about the way she said it, something both cutting and complimenting. But Dominic didn't flinch. Instead, he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping an octave. "I could say the same about you. This room... it must feel a little small for someone like you."
Her brows arched at the challenge. Layla wasn't used to being tested, at least not so directly. But instead of retaliating immediately, she considered him. He wasn't cowed by her, nor was he trying to impress. He was steady, confident in his own way.
"I've made the space fit me," she said smoothly, meeting his gaze head-on. "And what about you? Do you plan to stay out of the spotlight, or are you here to stir things up?"
Dominic chuckled softly, a sound that was almost a whisper, but it was enough to make Layla's pulse quicken ever so slightly. "I'm not here to stir things up," he said. "But I wouldn't mind seeing how it all unfolds."
Layla studied him, intrigued by his composure and the subtle challenge in his words. "Is that so?" she asked, her voice like silk wrapping around a dagger. "Well, Dominic Pierce, I'm certain this evening will unfold in ways you never imagined."
As the words left her mouth, she felt the shift-the beginning of something unknown between them, a flicker of tension that neither could ignore.
Dominic didn't reply immediately, but his eyes held hers with a quiet intensity. "I look forward to finding out," he said, his voice low and steady.
And in that moment, Layla knew something had shifted. This wasn't just another encounter. This was the start of something far more complicated. The game between them had already begun.
Layla Winters never intended to fall for the man behind the power suit and shadowed past. Dominic Ward is intoxicating-dominant, enigmatic, and utterly off-limits. When fate throws them into a contract built on secrets and submission, she discovers a dangerous craving she can't deny. But with every whispered command and every truth revealed, Layla finds herself tangled in more than just desire. There are lies buried deep beneath the luxury, and someone is watching-someone who knows the truth could destroy them both. In a world where passion is a weapon and trust is a luxury, can Layla survive the fire she's fallen into... or will it consume her? Bound by Truth is the first book in a gripping dark romance series where seduction and suspense collide. Perfect for readers who love powerful alpha males, emotional depth, and heroines who discover their strength one secret at a time.
★ Jericho Brown is the school most popular boy,He's got the looks but he's not the most popular just because of that,the main reason why he's popular is his ability to make three girls cry on the same day. Don't judge with his innocent looking face,yes his face is damn too innocent to have such attitudes of his. His face screams perfection,and that's the weakness of the girls. He's a crazy Casanova,it should be an official statement for girls to stay away from Jericho Brown but still they never stop flocking over him like lost sheep,giving him more rooms to break more hearts. Aside being a Casanova,he's the school biggest enemy,he's the type who does things only to make himself happy not minding if anyone gets hurt in the process. He cares less about people's feelings. Some says he grew up where there was no love,because absolutely that word is missing and weird in Jericho's dictionary. He's the only one you will find countless bad habits in his hands. In a word,Jericho live his life only the way he wants not giving a damn about anything in the world. It would have been so perfect when an innocent girl came into his life,if only she's not off his limit. Someone he shouldn't dare to stay close with,but even though Jericho tried his best not to get close to her,she kept on coming and coming until he was unable to resist any longer. Why is she off-limit? Then find out in this sweet one you don't want to miss out for anything.
Once upon a time, there were two kingdoms once at peace. The kingdom of Salem and the kingdom of Mombana... Until the day, the king of Mombana passed away and a new monarch took over, Prince Cone. Prince Cone, has always been hungry for more power and more and more. After his coronation, he attacked Salem. The attack was so unexpected, Salem never prepared for it. They were caught off guard. The king and Queen was killed, the prince was taken into slavery. The people of Salem that survived the war was enslaved, their land taken from them. Their women were made sex slaves. They lost everything, including their land. Evil befall the land of Salem in form of Prince Cone, and the prince of Salem in his slavery was filled with so much rage. The prince of Salem, Prince Lucien swore revenge. 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 Ten years later, thirty-years old Lucien and his people raided a coup and escaped slavery. They went into hiding and recuperated. They trained day and night under the leadership of the fearless and cold Lucien who was driven with everything in him to get back their land, and take Mombana land too. It took them five years before they ambushed and attacked Mombana. They killed Prince Cone and reclaimed everything. As they screamed out their victory, Lucien's eyes found and pinned the proud princess of Mombana. Princess Danika. The daughter of Prince Cone. As Lucien stared at her with the coldest eyes anyone can ever possess, he felt victory for the first time. He walked to the princess with the slave collar he'd won for ten years rattling in his hand as he walked. He reached close to her and with a swift movement, he collared her neck. Then, he tilted her chin up, staring into the bluest eyes and the most beautiful face ever created, he gave her a cold smile. "You are my acquisition. My slave. My sex slave. My property. I will pay you in spades, everything you and your father ever did to me and my people." He stated curtly. Pure hatred, coldness and victory was the only emotion on his face. .
Blinded in a crash, Cary was rejected by every socialite—except Evelina, who married him without hesitation. Three years later, he regained his sight and ended their marriage. "We’ve already lost so many years. I won’t let her waste another one on me." Evelina signed the divorce papers without a word. Everyone mocked her fall—until they discovered that the miracle doctor, jewelry mogul, stock genius, top hacker, and the President's true daughter… were all her. When Cary came crawling back, a ruthless tycoon had him kicked out. "She's my wife now. Get lost."
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-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same mission—carrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!
“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?”
"I stood at the edge of my heart and watched him choose her. In the end, I was not the one he needed. I was simply the one he settled for." - Noelle ~~~~~~~ I thought I was the one he loved. But a few days before our wedding, I saw him in a way I never had before. His eyes softened as he spoke to her. His first love, and the very woman who had left him in pieces. Heartbreak was something I knew too well. And as I watched the love he still held for her in his eyes, I realized what I had to do. I couldn't marry a man who wasn't truly mine. With no means to cancel the wedding and lacking the courage to confront him, I made a desperate choice to leave. I painfully gave his first love my treasured engagement ring thinking it was for the best and the only way to free myself. But when he saw that ring on her finger, the fragile world I had tried to escape began to shatter. His obsession to find me and bring me back ignited a dangerous game of cat and mouse.