Artemisia's dream of marrying the man she loved shattered into a million fragments when her parents auctioned her off to a wealthy stranger she barely knew. She met the stranger at the altar and realised he was the same man she had met two years ago. After the wedding, Artemisia realized there was more to her new husband than he was letting on, and she decided to unravel the mystery even though it almost cost her life in the process. Sinclair Steele, the Alpha of Blue moon park and CEO of Sin Inc was about to ascend the throne. But before that, he needed a Luna by his side. He wasn't enthusiastic about getting married to his fling, who he believed was a golddigger, older sister. He got to know his wife wasn't the regular human he thought her to be. Instead, she was a gift made specially for him by the moon goddess.
ARTEMISIA
Loud music blasted from the boombox which was situated beside the huge counter.
Several teenage students could be seen swaying on the dance floor to the rhythm of the sensuous music that has been going on for an hour now.
I sighed for the umpteenth time whilst using my hand to support my chin as I glared at nothing in particular.
My eyes wandered around the room for a brief second, then I shook my head as I found nothing to keep my waning interest.
I wasn't a fan of night parties, but I wondered why I had let Julie talk me into coming with her.
Julie was my best friend since junior year. She had been wanting to get me to attend one of the parties she frequented. Yet, all had been in vain because I often declined her offers whilst lying that something important came up.
I jerked and let out a grimace as I felt a hand draped around my shoulder.
"Loosen up, babes! This is going to be the best night of your life only if you let it." Julie hollered above the loud music.
I winced whilst scrunching up my brows at the loudness of her voice infiltrated my poor sensitive ears.
"You will get me deaf in no time if you keep on yelling like that," I replied, rolling my eyes as she began to twist her waist when another music came on.
"Come on, let's dance." She grinned and staggered towards the dance floor with a red disposable cup filled with a spiked punch in her hand.
I ignored her, still sitting where I was. But, my eyes were on her.
Despite being tipsy, she got a great move. She danced perfectly along to the rhythm of the song. Unlike some of the girls that had been dancing awkwardly.
I believed it was because Julie was part of the dance team and the cheerleader. That was why she could still dance well despite being intoxicated.
A boy with blond hair, who looked about the same age as Julie and I gripped her waist and began to ground into her.
I recognized him instantly. He was Jordan and part of the swim team in Lone Oaks High. Also, he was one of the most popular boys in school.
He was also the host of the party and the boy Julie had been seeing. Might I add, secretly.
Although I wasn't interested in half of the things she was into; partying, drinking, shopping and all. I knew she was seeing him.
Even though she had attempted to keep it a secret.
I came across her diary one day and took a snoop. I didn't mean to. But, I was intrigued by how neatly wrapped the pink notebook had been, unlike mine that looked jagged and old.
So, I was tempted to take a look.
Then, I saw some things she had doodled as well as the part she had confessed having a feeling for him.
I didn't ask her about it. I knew when the time came, she was going to tell me. But, I guessed she wasn't comfortable with it yet.
"Hey, beautiful."
Reluctantly, I peel my eyes away from the dance floor, then back to the bar.
My eyes clashed with a boy who had a cheeky grin on his face. He had a white apron tied around his waist and a baseball cap on his hair which I noticed was in a buzz cut.
I squinted whilst assessing him.
I hadn't seen him before until now. Perhaps, because I was too engrossed in my thoughts to notice him.
"I'm Aaron." He introduced.
"Artemisia," I murmured, eyeing him.
"Like the goddess Artemis?" He tilted his brows.
I shrugged, shaking my head.
"I'm kidding." He chuckled. "Are you from around here? I haven't seen you before. Also, I don't forget a pretty face."
I blush as he winked at me. Like I said earlier, I hadn't seen him before either.
Not even in school. With his look- twinkling teal eyes, chiselled angular face, brown hair and impressive height that could be seen in most of the athletes that attended Lone Oaks High, I could see him being part of the popular crowd.
"Besides, you have a beautiful name and eyes."
"Thank you," I mumbled, politely.
I was aware he was being polite with his compliment. Also, I knew he was hitting on me which I didn't mind.
At least I seemed attractive enough to him.
"You aren't having fun like your friend." He nodded towards the dance floor. "Not a fan of the dancefloor?"
I ignored his question whilst squinting as I searched for Julie.
She wasn't there. Neither was Jordan.
My eyes travelled around the room for a few minutes. Yet, I didn't see the familiar mop of brunette hair. Neither did I see the brand new red halter dress she had donned.
I shrugged and glanced back at Aaron who I noticed was observing me.
I believe she wasn't lost. So, she might have been either in a room or in a corner, making out with Jordan.
"What?"
"What, what?" Aaron retorted, smirking.
"You've been staring at me," I said.
"Don't you like it?" He cocked a bushy brow, then added. "I mean all girls like being stared at."
"Well, I'm not all girls." I rolled my eyes. "It's unnerving. I don't like being stared at."
Aaron chuckled, shaking his head. "You are different."
"Is that awful?"
"No. I like how different you are." He said.
He stared at me for a while, then his eyes flickered to a girl that came for a drink.
I downed the content of the drink he had given to me and winced.
My throat scorched and I shook my head at the burning sensation in my chest.
I blinked back the tears that had gathered at the corner of my eyes and stepped further into the room in search of Julie.
It was getting a bit late and I had promised my parents to arrive home early whenever I left the house.
I know whether I arrived early or not, I was still going to get into trouble for going out without their consent.
I was a goody-two-shoes. I followed all the orders without breaking any rules. My little sister, Emma, was the rebel in the family and different from me.
But, who cares?
It was a day before my graduation and I needed the party to make my final year in high school worthwhile.
Even though I didn't want to go in the first place, I believe it was better than being holed up in the house doing nothing.
★★★★
My nose crinkled as I stepped out of the fifth room in the house.
I had been searching around for Julie for the past hour. Yet, I couldn't find her.
I went back to the dance hall and noticed some of the party-goers had already passed out.
Whilst others were heaving into the trash can, potted flour and anything they could see.
I gagged as a blonde staggered towards me. She had barf on her clothes and I wondered what she would have done if she had been in the right state of mind.
"Julie!" I called out as I stepped out of the door.
I inhaled and let it out slowly as frigid air smacked my face.
I rubbed my palms on my exposed skin and shivered slightly.
I didn't know it would be this cool. Because since the past week, it has been warm. Also, it hardly gets cold at this time of the year in Lanes.
It was a wonder tonight was cold.
Perhaps, the weather report I had checked earlier had been wrong.
I shrugged, walking around the parking lot of the house.
Maximus Hernandez is a fifty-seven-year-old billionaire who made his money during the era when investments just hit the world. Now all he does with his time is find different ways to spend his money and different ways to enjoy women. Kiki Thomas is a woman with an ambitious spirit and pants constantly on fire. She wants to be on top but her lustful nature is a beast that can never be tame. Their paths cross and she falls madly in love with him but soon discovers that Maximus belongs to no woman, well that is until he meets her little sister.
Captivating smile 5ft, 6inches tall, a willowy build and gorgeous translucent skin Janice Sketches was a well-known matchmaker that could solve any problem within seconds. She finds matches to those unable to and was very skilled at it. But, she hadn't found her perfect match. Jules Forrest, also known as the devil for being a ruthless CEO. He only engaged in a nightstand and didn't believe true love existed. However, his principle changed when he met the stunning woman that shared his bed after a night at his brother's wedding.
What Elena Lockser wanted was to secured a job in Aiden Inc which was her dream company and nothing else. She encountered Aiden Crooks, the CEO of Aiden Inc, also the man she had been running from all her life as her interviewer. Aiden Crooks, aside from being the CEO of Aiden Inc, he was an Alpha werewolf, and a single father. He never believed in second chance mate until he met Elena in his office. Will they get the true love they deserve when obstacles arise to drift them apart?
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to 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?”
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
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.
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."