!! Rated 18+ | Mature Content | Trigger Warning: Abuse, Suicide (Off-page)! ! - -- Camille knows she's being watched. The feeling lingers in every shadow, in every stolen glance from the unnervingly beautiful stranger who seems to know her better than she knows herself. Lucien is dangerous, obsessive-and utterly inescapable. But danger is nothing new to Camille. She has spent years outrunning her past, drowning in darkness until Lucien pulled her from it. She... loved him for it. She was captivated by the exhilarating danger he wove into her existence. The electrifying chaos, the seductive darkness, and the intoxicating pleasure pulled her in like a moth to a flame. Then, she is taken. Victor swears she belongs to him, and Lucien will tear the world apart to get her back. But as the walls close in and the nightmares begin, Camille starts to wonder if this war between them is about more than just her. Her heart is caught between two monsters. Two obsessions. Two impossible choices. Will she choose none of them, one of them... or both? Fate has drawn them together once more, and this time, the choice is hers: break the cycle, or be utterly, entirely ruined by it.
Camille strode into the dimly lit gallery, the soft hum of conversation blending with the low ambient music drifting from hidden speakers. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and fresh paint.
She paused at the entrance, her invitation quickly checked by a receptionist who nodded politely. As she entered further, her eyes quickly swept over the crowd.
The room was filled with Paris' elite-artists, collectors, and critics-all moving between clusters of abstract paintings and sculptures bathed in soft, flattering light.
Camille felt a thrill of anticipation as she moved deeper into the space, her gaze lingering on a large canvas ahead of her; its vibrant colors and bold strokes already commanded attention.
She was used to these events-the quiet hum of anticipation, the sharp clicks of heels, and the whispered praise and critique.
The fact that she was used to them doesn't mean she liked attending. She would rather be in her studio, surrounded by paints and canvas. But this was an art opening; she couldn't stay away if she tried.
She lived for art, breathed for it. She would have gone mad years ago without it; and so, here she was. She plucked a glass of champagne from a moving tray and moved deeper into the gallery.
The scent of paint in the air surrounded her like a hug. Maybe if she just focused on those things, focused on the arts enough, she could drown out those voices and pretend she was the only one in this large space.
"Miss Lefevre?" And there went her plan to disconnect.
She turned towards the voice, making sure her polite smile was in place.
A man was staring at her with bright eyes. He was tall and lean, a mess of blonde hair framing his strikingly handsome face, with thick glasses perched on the bridge of his nose.
"Oh wow, it really is you," he gushed, a wide smile on his face, his voice a mixture of awe and excitement. "Camille Lefevre, in the flesh."
His smile was infectious, full of warmth and genuine admiration. Despite the formality of the event, he exuded an almost youthful energy, as if the world hadn't yet quite figured out how to make him serious.
Camille was envious of him. She offered a polite smile, used to these encounters. "I suppose I am. And you are?"
He straightened up, offering his hand to her with a confident but unassuming grace. "Julien Moreau," he said, his voice smooth with just a hint of excitement. "I've admired your works for years. But admire feels too small a word-I think I might be in love with it." There was a sincerity in his tone, a clear respect for her as he awaited her handshake, still smiling like he couldn't believe his luck.
The smile Camille had slapped on her face turned real as she slid her gloved hand into his and shook it gently.
She liked meeting people who knew and liked her work. She always felt like she connected with those people through her work.
Her art was dark, disturbing-as people have said countless times-and depressing. Not everybody looked at her work and saw the beauty in it. So when she met people who did, it filled her with so kind of warmth.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Moreau," she said softly. "I'm glad to know someone sees the beauty in my work rather than just calling it disturbing."
"Please call me Julien. And I think disturbing things can be beautiful, don't you think? That's what makes them so unforgettable. I would give anything to see how your brain works for you to paint those masterpieces."
She chuckled softly. Oh, she liked him. That was a first for her. Liking someone who she had just met.
They lunged into talks of art. He walked around and told her details about different paintings. Soon, Camille didn't even know why she hadn't wanted to come.
After a while he had to excuse himself, saying he had an errand to run and would find her soon. The light feeling in her chest evaporated as soon as he left, and she wanted to bolt out of this place.
She brought out her phone from her purse and checked the time. She would wait for Julien for thirty minutes, and if he wasn't back by then, she was leaving.
She picked up another glass and drained it before she left the hall and went to look for the restroom. She was almost there when a noise stopped her.
She turned to a corner and saw a man holding a woman, his mouth on her neck. The woman moaned again, her hands tightening on the man's jacket.
Camille could have just turned and given these people privacy, but she found that she couldn't bring herself to turn. Maybe it was how the woman's moans sounded. It didn't sound like she was having pleasure, it sounded like she was in pain. Or maybe it was the blood that was running down her delicate neck.
The man raised his eyes and they landed on Camille's.
Camille was shocked by what she saw. The man's eyes were glowing red, his pupils ringed with it. He pulled his mouth out of the woman's neck slowly, and Camille could have sworn she saw fangs before they disappeared.
He licked the blood out of the woman's neck, making her whimper, while not taking his eyes off Camille.
Camille should not just be standing here and witnessing whatever this was. She should turn right now and shout for help, call 911, report this man.
But she couldn't move, couldn't blink. She wasn't even sure she was breathing. She was captivated.
The man smirked as if he knew what she was thinking, his sinful mouth curled up. He released one of his hands from the woman's waist and palmed her breast through her clothing.
This time the moan that left the woman's lips was pleasurable. She arched her back and pressed herself closer to him as if they weren't already close enough.
His hand moved to the other breast and he did the same.
He didn't break eye contact with Camille. He didn't even blink. And neither did she.
And then he opened his mouth, and... there. Fangs. Camille had seen it correctly before.
Without warning he plunged those fangs into the woman's neck and she gasped in pain. The fangs remained there, and Camille saw him swallow.
He swallowed?
Goodness, was he drinking her blood?
The red around his eyes shined brighter and he finally closed his eyes as he drew the woman closer. She tried to fight him. She pushed at him, clawed at his back, but he didn't even loosen his hold on her.
Her fights grew weaker until finally, she stopped and her body went limp in his arms.
She was dead. Dead.
Camille had just witnessed a murder.
The man retreated his fangs from her neck and licked the last drop of blood, before he licked his lips, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
He sighed happily before he straightened his suit and his eyes landed on Camille again.
This was the part where she was supposed to run and go screaming for help. Why then were her feet still fixed on the ground?
The man put his hands into his pocket and walked slowly towards her as if he were giving her time to run in the opposite direction.
Run, Camille! Goddammit! Try as she must, she couldn't listen to that voice and stood where she was.
The man stopped a few feet away from us and his smile widened. Lord, he was beautiful.
"Well, what do we have here?"
Calista had always believed the past was meant to stay buried, hidden in the shadows of memory. But why, then, was her past creeping back into the light, intertwining with her present? She spent her days in a fractured state-broken, miserable, angry at the world. But at least she had carved out a semblance of peace, until Jaxon Castillo stepped into her life. With his hot body and expressive eyes, he shattered her fragile calm, dragging her into a tumultuous conflict she wanted no part of-a life that haunted her more than anything else. She had convinced herself she was free from the ghosts of her past, that they had perished along with her family. Yet, as she found herself drawn deeper into Jaxon's orbit, his intense gaze unraveling her defenses, shadows of her history began to resurface. With every stolen glance, she felt herself surrendering pieces of her heart to him, pieces she had sworn to protect. Both held secrets-dark, potent truths that threatened to dismantle everything they had built. Secrets capable of turning the world against them. Calista was fire and rage; Jaxon was cool water and soothing. They would risk everything to protect each other, even if loving each other was what could destroy them both. –– TRIGGER WARNING; Sexual content, PTSD and trauma responses, Violence. Reader discretion is advised.
"A one-year contract marriage. I know you're investigating something,"-Lena's heart sped up and she fought to keep her features blank- "and I can help you with that. In exchange, for one year, my resources will be yours. Full access. No strings attached-except the ones in the contract, of course." Lena's heart raced. A marriage proposal, but with a twist. *** Betrayed and burning for vengeance, Lena Santoro-now Selene Costa-enters a deadly game of love and lies with Rafe Moretti, a mafia don with secrets of his own. In Naples, where power and passion collide, their marriage of convenience becomes a battle for survival. Can they trust each other, or will betrayal tear them apart?
Three love stories, one world-this steamy, slow-burn sequel follows new couples finding their fate, desire, and heartbreak in a world where wolves love hard, and the stakes run deeper than ever. *** Ravenna & Darius' story Ravenna was born a disgrace-wolf-less, exiled, and left for dead by her own pack. But death refused her. Rescued after a near-death incident, she awakens with untapped powers, far more dangerous than any wolf. Stolen away by Alpha Darius, a ruthless leader feared across all packs, their meeting sparks chaos: they're fated mates. Bound by a prophecy drenched in blood, Ravenna discovers her lineage holds the key to either salvation or destruction. With an ancient war on the horizon and dark forces hunting her, Ravenna must decide-embrace the unstoppable force within her or let it consume them all. Mia & Dalian's Story Once a fleeting passion, their connection reignites, but love comes with its own dangers. With the weight of what they've endured hanging over them, Mia and Dalian must fight for their love-or lose it forever. Lucian & Emily's Story Lucian's mate is human-and he's kept it a secret. After capturing her during a war, their dangerous connection grows. But Emily doesn't know they're fated, and the truth could destroy everything.
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!"
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
A twist of fate bound Allison to Derek in marriage-she, a powerful heiress with countless hidden identities; he, the city's most admired man, now lying silent in a coma. For three years, Allison used her unmatched medical skills to heal him, all while quietly falling in love. But when Derek's long-lost love returned from abroad, he handed Allison divorce papers without a second thought. Resolved to stop chasing shadows, Allison signed the papers and turned her back on love-rising to fame as a dazzling force in business, medicine, and more. Only when she stood high above the world did Derek finally see her worth. He knelt before her, eyes brimming with regret. "Will you take me back?" he whispered.
"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?"
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
A man like Travis Sinclair wants nothing more than a woman who matches his sexual prowess and is used to getting everything he wants. A cold-hearted billionaire ,he lives by one rule - no love, no commitment. Ayanna Davies isn't looking for a relationship. She's focused on her work and the financial security it brings. As a high end escort, her client is full of filthy rich men who are willing to pay handsomely for her services. But when Travis Sinclair becomes one of her clients, she begins twice about mixing work with pleasure. Not knowing that he is an old acquaintance whom she despises.