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Zoey Collins, a seventeen year old in her final year of high school. The struggle of losing a friendship while trying to keep one safe becomes her biggest priority. Asher Evans and Zoey reconnect, causing some problems to arise. Their friendship is stronger than when they were young and naive. Some things are meant to happen and they will if you give it time.
Homecoming is a big deal here. It isn't a stretch that the celebration party is an even bigger deal. Our school has been undefeated for the past five years. It became a tradition to throw a party where even the towns near us are invited.
We won, which wasn't a surprise with how hard the football team practiced.
The car comes to a halt, my eyes taking in the house. Packed with cars and music loud enough to be heard throughout the neighborhood.
The party started long before we even won, the stumbling girl leaning over the front porch is proof of that. I step out of the car, rubbing my arms as the cool air hits my bare skin.
"What do her parents do for a living?" James asks in disbelief.
My friends - James, Melissa, Paige - and I rode in the same car. James' will be driving us to his house since his parents won't be home for the weekend.
I don't plan on drinking too much. However, Mel and Paige will most likely be taking advantage of that.
We follow a group inside, the music only getting louder as the large oak doors open. My eyes widen at the double staircase, and tall windows. A chandelier hangs in the center, sparkling with the reflection of the lights.
The first living room is to the right. With white furniture and perfectly hung wall decor. The kitchen is to the left, the island filled with snacks and drinks. Each room feels spacious even with the number of people inside.
"I need alcohol, " Melissa says, making her way to the drinks.
We trail behind her, still admiring the interior.
James stops to greet his friends. I take a water bottle while Paige grabs a beer.
Melissa narrows her eyes, "You're not drinking?" She asks.
"We just got here." I laugh, "At least let me get comfortable."
She shrugs, taking a long gulp. I watch her in amusement with an eye roll. She always finds an excuse to drink, not thinking twice before doing so.
We wander into the main area, finding some familiar faces. Within a few minutes, Melissa is already flirting. Her ability to be confident, but not too forward is admiring.
"Want to dance?" Paige asks. She tosses her blonde hair, exposing her tanned shoulders.
I nod but hesitate as I look at our friend across the room. This house is big, it would be impossible to find each other.
James notices my expression, nodding towards the crowd. "Go have fun."
I nod, getting off the comfortable seat. "Bye, " I say, allowing Paige to drag me away.
I've had two drinks already, feeling myself loosen up slightly. My heart beats rapidly with the beat of the music. Although James told me not to worry about Melissa, I make sure to keep an eye on her.
She has definitely had a lot more than we have. Melissa is carefree while sober, it's even worse when she's drunk.
I spot her with a boy from another school. She twirls a dark strand of hair between her fingers, giggling flirtatiously. My eyes subconsciously dart to where James sits with his friends.
His eyes are on Melissa, his jaw tense. I raise a brow, nudging Paige, who turns to look at the two.
"What?" She asks, clueless as always.
I shrug, brushing it off. It's probably nothing, I tend to piece things together quickly. Although I'm not always correct, it's a habit to see any possibility before I'm even aware of it.
I feel my feet ache, wincing at the pair of shoes I wore. "Let's go sit for a bit, " I suggest.
I find a seat beside James, while Paige grabs us drinks. His attention pulls away from our friend, his expression quickly replaced with a smile.
"Having fun?" He asks.
I raise a brow, "Are you?"
He swallows visibly, only furthering my suspicion. We're joined by our two friends. Three of us drinking a stronger drink. I allow myself to take a shot and even play Beer Pong with a stranger.
A few people simply watch, not having any intentions of drinking.
As another hour passes by, I can barely walk straight. Melissa is playing twister with some of her friends on the cheer team. Paige is eating cheese puffs and cheering them on.
I look for James, stumbling towards him leaning against the wall. He's talking to a girl from school, her hand rubbing his chest.
"I'm going to go for a walk, " I announce, getting lost in the mix of sweaty teens.
I find the door leading to the backyard. Pushing the glass doors and inhaling the fresh air. The backyard is decorated with fairy lights hanging from the patio roof and leading into a garden.
The music is drowned out as I walk closer to one of the benches.
Before I can relax, a voice disrupts me.
"Are you lost?"
I scream, turning around with a hand over my chest. He's on the opposite side, sitting with his back against the fence. With the lights lowly illuminating his figure, it's difficult to make out any features.
A deep chuckle comes from him and I stare at his shadow.
The movement of him standing up alerts me. Until I recognize his dark hair and deep green eyes. Even while my mind is cloudy, I can make out who it is.
"Asher?" I scoff, "What are you even doing out here?" I ask, crossing my arms.
His usual grin has made its way onto his lips, as he gestures to the doors.
I give him a blank stare, sitting on the bench. I pat the spot beside me, surprised when he doesn't question it. I watch the night sky and enjoy the light breeze.
Asher turns to face me, arching a brow. "Are you drunk?" His brows crease as he watches me in amusement.
"No." I lie.
His laugh fills the air, causing my lips to twitch. "If you weren't drunk you would have run the other way already."
I want to argue that he's wrong, but I can't. Not when that's exactly what I do. We stay quiet while I search for anything to break the silence. It's hard to form coherent thoughts with the amount I had to drink.
I shiver as the night gets colder. My thin shirt doing nothing to keep me warm. The adrenaline from dancing and being inside has worn off.
"You didn't answer my question." I remind him.
I hear him sigh before responding. "All the girls were all over me, it's also peaceful out here, " he adds.
I laugh at his obvious sarcasm. "Right, the usual."
"Is that why you're here?" He jokes.
I roll my eyes, scoffing. This causes him to laugh even harder. We then sit in silence, the music sounding like it's miles away rather than right behind the door. It's almost soundproof which helps in case any neighbors complain.
I rub my arms as the air gets cooler, turning my head to look at Asher. Even just being this close to him would normally not happen. I vowed to never speak to him again.
"Come have a drink with me?" I ask, missing the warmth from inside.
I know the answer before he even responds. "I don't think that's a good idea, Zoey." He says.
I nod, standing up and smiling. "I'll see you around?"
He sticks his pinky out, my heart flipping because we used to do this years ago. When we were in grade school and I would make him use pinky promises to make sure he couldn't break them.
Asher gives me his best smile, as I pull my hand back and give him a small wave.
If only I wasn't holding on to my own promise to someone else.
Bea Callaway becomes pregnant at nineteen, throwing away her parents dream of her attending a top notch university. Her parents give her the option to stay if she does what they say. Without even thinking twice, she moves in with her best friend while she figures things out. Her life once felt perfect and planned, living life on a whim is new to her.
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?
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.
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."
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
I'm a Luna. After three years of marriage to Alpha Nathaniel Blackwood, I'm finally pregnant with his pup. But he's unclaimed me for his first love. I'm leaving the pack with this secret, praying he never finds out. Nathaniel Blackwood is a handsome, powerful Alpha. In a world where humans and werewolves coexist, he has it all: a billion-dollar empire, untold power, a massive pack, and, most importantly, the perfect Luna. But the return of his first love shattered our marriage. When he finds out the secret I've been hiding, will he regret rejecting me? Will I ever be able to forgive him? Dive into this gripping serialized novel to find out more-Enjoy the ride!