"Everything happens for a reason. When one relationship ends, Kinley Stevens dares to let another begin. One that she finds in the most unexpected of places. Seth, an attractive waiter, caught her eye and her heart almost instantaneously. But he is carrying a dangerous secret. He is a Beta, under the rule of the Alpha Seamus, in the Manhattan Shadows Pack. When things go wrong, he will have to do the unthinkable in order to save Kinley, himself, and their future. Content warnings: Sexual content, general violence and/or gore, abuse. 18+ Destined to be Luna is created by Tracy L. Altvater, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author."
Kinley
Kinley had waited all day for her date with her boyfriend, Sam. They had been dating for three years now and her gut told her tonight was going to be very memorable. After all, he was taking her to Carl's Steakhouse. It was their favorite place, but they only ever ate there on special occasions.
It wasn't their anniversary or her birthday, so the only other possibility was a proposal. At least she hoped. She wasn't getting any younger and the thought of an impending wedding had her stomach full of excited nerves.
Sam picked her up and drove her to the restaurant. They both order the New York Strip and talked casually. After a second glass of wine, Sam's face turned grave.
"What's wrong?" Kinley asked.
Sam grabbed her hand from across the beige linen tablecloth.
"Kinley. I have to tell you something."
"Yes?" she asked.
"I fell in love with one of my students. We've been seeing each other for a while now. I couldn't keep it secret any longer. She and I just fit and you and I, well, we just never quite did."
Kinley jerked her hand back.
"Are you being serious right now?" she asked.
"Yes. I am sorry. I should have told you when it first happened, but I didn't want to hurt you."
"Oh, thanks. Yes, waiting has lessened the blow."
Kinley rolled her eyes, stood up and threw her napkin down.
"Kinley--"
"--No. You don't get to continue speaking to me. I am going to the bathroom. I would like to not see your face when I return."
Kinley walked to the restroom and turned to watch Sam walk out the front door without even looking back.
She felt her heart tear in two. This isn't the memorable night she thought she was going to have.
***
Kinley waited a good fifteen minutes before heading back to the scene of Sam's crime. She sat down and rested her face in her hands as she tried to choke back the tears accumulating behind her eyes. She could no longer stop them. The tears fell hard and fast to the table below.
Then suddenly her pulse quickened, and a mesmerizing smell filled her nose.
It was unlike any smell she had ever smelled before. It was musky and natural, almost like she was out in the forest breathing in the fresh air. It was calming and heart-racing all at the same time.
"Ma'am, are you okay?" someone asked.
She removed her hands from her face and her eyes instantly connected with a drop-dead gorgeous waiter. For a moment they looked like a deep amber, but when she took another look, they were baby blue. Regardless, she felt like she would melt into the floor. This man was stunning from his dark as night hair down to his worn-out black boots. There was something about him.
"Yes, I am okay. Let me get you money for the check."
She reached into her purse and he placed his gallant hand on top of hers.
"The check has already been taken care of."
"Oh. Did he at least leave you a decent tip?"
He paused for a moment before answering. "Yes, it was decent. I called a cab for you. I hope that was not too presumptuous of me. I figured he left you here without a ride home."
"That he did. Thank you so much for everything."
She threw her purse strap over her shoulder and headed to the front door. She stopped before pushing it open and turned to find the waiter again to ask his name, but he was gone.
She stepped out into the night. The wind hit her face and she was expecting it to be cold, but it wasn't. All she could feel was warmth. The cab was parked on the street waiting for her to get in. She slid into the back seat.
"Where to?"
"Max's bar on Fifth," she said.
"Alright."
The cab pulled up in front of Max's. People were standing outside smoking cigarettes and chatting. The thump of the music from inside could be heard through the cab windows. I reached into my purse and pulled out my wallet.
"Your fare has been taken care of."
"By who?" she asked.
"The waiter who called for a cab."
"Really?"
"Yes Ma'am."
A hopeful feeling took over.
"Did he leave a name?" she asked.
"No, sorry."
"That's okay. Thanks. Have a good night."
She got out of the cab and stepped onto the curb. There were drinks calling her name so that there was a name she could try to forget. But even with her heart hurting there was a new name she wanted, no needed, to know. She couldn't get his face, his voice, his everything, out of her head. This mysterious man had definitely made an unmistakable impression on her and she just couldn't shake it.
She walked up to the door and the bouncer asked for her ID. She pulled it out, he did a double take and she smiled proudly as he let her through the door.
The lights bounced off the walls as people were dancing, kissing, and sipping their favorite drinks. The atmosphere instantly changed her mood and she knew she was in for a great night.
She walked up to the bar and took a seat on the stool. The bartender saw her quickly and asked for her order.
"Rum and coke please. No, diet coke please."
"Coming right up."
She walked away and started mixing up her drink.
"Here ya go," said the bartender as she handed Kinley her drink. Kinley smiled and handed her a credit card.
"Keep 'em coming."
"That kinda night, huh?" said the bartender.
"You have no idea."
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!
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
Chloe Miler, a naïve young woman, waits shyly to spend Valentine's Day with her boyfriend, but is betrayed on that day when she witnesses him entangled in bed with her own sister. Chloe's heart is broken when her heartfelt love for him is trampled on in an instant. *** Lionel Williams, the mysterious billionaire, the top of the pyramid, is handsome as hell. His eyes are set high, but he is drugged, has a one-night stand with a strange woman, and is humiliated by that unknowing woman with her money! His instincts tell him it's not that simple, and he's going to find her out!
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
Veronica is an eighteen-year-old omega who falls into an emotional breakdown when her Mate, who was soon to be the Alpha of the Sun crest pack, turns against her, hurls hurtful words at her, and rejects her on the night of the full moon festival because he and everyone in the pack, including her, thinks she is an omega. As if the pain of rejection, helplessness, and worthlessness wasn't enough, she lost her best and only friend to the cold hands of death when rogue wolves attacked their pack. Right in the presence of her mate, she was tagged as someone who always attracted problems and calamities anywhere she went and he turned a blind eye and watched as she was banished from the pack. With hatred for her life, she runs deep into the woods that were off-limits and jumps off to end her life, but in a turn of events, something else happens. What would her mate do when he finds out that Veronica is not who he thinks she is? Will she be able to forgive him? What fate lies ahead for them?
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?"