She wasn't dazzled by his billions. He wasn't ready for someone real. When Leina Carter, a graceful but bold event planner with a heart full of kindness, crosses paths with Adrian Rykell Blackwood, the richest and most brilliant man in the country-she doesn't melt under his gaze like everyone else. She challenges him. And that makes her unforgettable. Drawn together by a magnetic force neither of them understands, they begin a slow-burning love story woven with loyalty, fire, and quiet strength. But with fame, secrets, and shadows from the past circling them, love isn't always easy. A feel good love story with sparks, twists, and a love so steady, it bends but never breaks.
The ballroom at Velmora Hall shimmered like a dream spun in gold. Crystal chandeliers poured light across marble floors, casting soft halos over glittering gowns and sharp tuxedos. Laughter rippled beneath the soaring ceilings, but no one laughed freely. Not really. This was a charity gala hosted by power and attended by pride.
And above them all, on the mezzanine level, stood the man everyone tried not to look at too obviously-Adrian Rykell Blackwood, the richest and most brilliant man in the country. A man whose mind could build empires and destroy them just as easily.
He wore silence like a weapon. Sharp eyes scanned the room with cold interest. But none of it touched him. Not the smiles, not the praise. He'd seen it all-admiration that was just greed in a tuxedo.
And then... she appeared.
No spotlight followed her. No one gasped. She didn't arrive with fanfare-but she caught his eye instantly.
Leina Carter moved with grace that didn't demand attention but made it impossible to look away. Her dress was simple, elegant, hugging her in all the right ways, yet her beauty didn't need fabric or embellishment. No makeup. No pretense. Just naturally breathtaking-fresh, alive, untouchably real.
She wasn't a guest. He could tell. She was speaking softly into a discreet earpiece, glancing over seating charts and directing staff with calm control. She had that rare aura-refined yet warm, polished but untouched by arrogance. There was something... radiant about her. A kind of effortless serenity. She didn't belong to the world he ruled-and that intrigued him more than he wanted to admit.
Then came the moment.
A server stumbled. A tray of wine glasses tilted. Adrian leaned forward instinctively.
But Leina moved faster.
She spun, shielding a guest from the falling glasses. The wine splashed across her torso, staining the rich satin of her dress. Gasps followed. Whispers.
Leina didn't flinch.
She tapped her earpiece. "Carmine, clean-up crew to west pillar. Discreet."
No panic. No outrage. Just cool, level-headed grace.
Adrian was already descending the staircase, ditching his drink. He couldn't explain the pull-he never had to explain himself. But tonight, he didn't want to watch. He wanted to be there.
She was patting at the red stain with a cloth someone handed her when he arrived.
"You're soaked," he said, stopping just a step away.
She glanced up, her eyes meeting his-calm, unshaken, completely unimpressed.
"Thank you for pointing that out," she replied mildly.
He blinked. People didn't talk to him like that.
"You're Adrian Blackwood," she said, tone dry but respectful. "I recognize you from somewhere. Probably the financial pages."
"And you are...?"
"Leina Carter. I planned this event." She gave a brief nod. "And I'm still working, so if you'll excuse me-"
"Wait."
She stopped but didn't turn around.
"I'll need a planner for a private event next month. I want you."
She turned then, slowly. "We're booked solid through winter."
"I'll shift the season," he said, half-smiling.
That caught a flicker of amusement in her eyes, but it vanished quickly. "Not everything bends for money, Mr. Blackwood."
Then she walked away-not out of disrespect, but dignity. No flirtation, no performance. Just quiet confidence. Like she lived in her own world and had no interest in his crown.
And Adrian stood there, caught off guard for the first time in years. Every woman he'd met had either tried to impress him or undress for him. This one?
She hadn't even blinked.
And that-that-was what made him decide.
He would know her.
Lyric had spent her life being hated. Bullied for her scarred face and hated by everyone-including her own mate-she was always told she was ugly. Her mate only kept her around to gain territory, and the moment he got what he wanted, he rejected her, leaving her broken and alone. Then, she met him. The first man to call her beautiful. The first man to show her what it felt like to be loved. It was only one night, but it changed everything. For Lyric, he was a saint, a savior. For him, she was the only woman that had ever made him cum in bed-a problem he had been battling for years. Lyric thought her life would finally be different, but like everyone else in her life, he lied. And when she found out who he really was, she realized he wasn't just dangerous-he was the kind of man you don't escape from. Lyric wanted to run. She wanted freedom. But she desired to navigate her way and take back her respect, to rise above the ashes. Eventually, she was forced into a dark world she didn't wish to get involved with.
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Sawyer, the world's top arms dealer, stunned everyone by falling for Maren—the worthless girl no one respected. People scoffed. Why chase a useless pretty face? But when powerful elites began gathering around her, jaws dropped. "She's not even married to him yet—already cashing in on his power?" they assumed. Curious eyes dug into Maren's past... only to find she was a scientific genius, a world-renowned medical expert, and heiress to a mafia empire. Later, Sawyer posted online. "My wife treats me like the enemy. Any advice?"
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
After two years of marriage, Kristian dropped a bombshell. "She's back. Let's get divorced. Name your price." Freya didn't argue. She just smiled and made her demands. "I want your most expensive supercar." "Okay." "The villa on the outskirts." "Sure." "And half of the billions we made together." Kristian froze. "Come again?" He thought she was ordinary—but Freya was the genius behind their fortune. And now that she'd gone, he'd do anything to win her back.