I was the illegitimate daughter of Alpha Kris of Dark Moon. He raped a human slave 18 years ago and that was my mom. I became a disgrace and a shame to my family. They punished me and locked me up in the basement all day except to let me out to complete my daily routine as a slave. Yes. I looked like any common slave of the pack house. No one would expect me as the Alphas's daughter. As a hybrid, I hadn't been able to shift, but I could hear their thoughts. It's not a good thing though, for me, it's a nightmare. Most of what I've heard were my half-sisters' curses and insults. "CLAUDIA! Hurry up and get in here!" I knew Elly was going to scream my name long before her shrill voice echoed out of her room and into the hallway where I waited. This was the daily ritual, every afternoon. She would call for me, and while she sat at her vanity table, I brushed her long hair like a servant to her satisfaction. No one would guess she was my half-sister, nor Maria in the other bedroom...
"CLAUDIA! Hurry up and get in here!"
I knew Elly was going to scream my name long before her shrill voice echoed out of her room and into the hallway where I waited. This was the daily ritual, every afternoon. She would call for me, and while she sat at her vanity table, I brushed her long hair like a servant to her satisfaction. If a stranger saw us, I looked like any common slave of the pack house. No one would guess she was my half-sister, nor Maria in the other bedroom.
It was true. Our father was Alpha Kris of Dark Moon. But whereas Elly and Maria were tall and slim with beautiful auburn hair, I was the odd one out with my inexplicably pale skin, shorter stature, and completely black hair. But it suited us... since I was only the illegitimate daughter of the Alpha and the human slave he had raped eighteen years ago and impregnated. I was a disgrace, along with my mother who had died giving birth to me. A disgrace of a hybrid, a half-breed abomination. As I said, no outsider would ever guess I was supposed to be part of the family.
And no one would guess I could read minds, either. I had kept that secret all my life.
How was it possible for me to read minds? I didn't know.
But I was privy to all of Elly's secret thoughts just like now, and without fail, anytime something even slightly inconvenient happened, it was because of the no-good half-sister Claudia, illegitimate daughter of the Alpha, the half-breed.
At least my mother wasn't here to suffer with me. Me, a hybrid forced to play handmaid to my half-sisters, and her, the human slave who had given birth to me -- our lives would have been hell anyway. Better that I suffered alone. I could endure it, at least until I escaped from this place, the estate of the Dark Moon pack.
(What a stupid bitch), Elly seethed privately as I brushed her long hair out with gentle strokes of the brush.( But at least no one can possibly be so stupid they mess up brushing hair! Idiot. She had better not leave one strand out of place or I'll have them kick her ribs in to teach her a lesson. Bitch).
I ignored her thoughts. It was unfortunate that everyone's private musings made it into my head regardless of my will, but I'd long since learned to mask it and pretend nothing was amiss. Besides, Elly was the boring one. Her thoughts were always the same, day in and day out, either blaming me for every little thing that happened to her or daydreaming about being the center of attention at school. Which then turned back to blaming me, since I attended the same high school, and who would want to have a disgusting half-breed hybrid for a sister? I was, in her world, always at the center of her woes. And she never missed a chance to give me hell for it.
But life was life, and even hell could become trite. The highlight of Elly's and Maria's school days were the gossiping and bad-mouthing of their classmates and even so-called friends whom they complimented and simpered at to their faces. For all the time they spent in front a mirror, they should take a moment to really self-reflect. Their make-up could pretty up their faces, but nothing could be done for the rotten personalities beneath. Swimming in their thoughts was like trying to wade through a swamp.
(Ugh! She doesn't deserve to look so pretty), Elly continued to seethe. (She's just a fucking slave. Trash! Disgusting trash! I wish someone would just cut her face up so I don't have to look at it anymore. She can't even shift! She might as well be human. Just make her a regular slave! Why does she get even this privilege to serve me personally!)
Nothing new there either. At least I didn't have to listen to her ugly thoughts all the time, only when she was close enough. As soon as she was far enough away from me to leave the range of my ability, I was free.
...Actually, her last vicious thought about my wolf had stung. She was right. While I had one -- Cassiel -- she couldn't take over, and therefore I was trapped in human form. I wondered sometimes if Cassiel hated me for it. Was that why she was so quiet sometimes?
"Don't screw this up," Elly said aloud. "You're not important enough to deserve being involved in this, so don't get any stupid ideas. But I won't let you mess this up for me today, not in front of Alpha Evan."
Alpha Evan. His name had been all over everyone's minds since yesterday, overwhelming me like a tidal wave. Yes, Alpha Evan, the current Alpha of the Scarlet pack who had deposed and killed his predecessor, Alpha Adrain. Rumor had been that Evan was his long lost nephew, but people knew better than to gossip too loudly about that. Alpha Evan was as ruthless as they came, dominating and annexing every minor pack neighboring him and making the Scarlet pack a complete juggernaut.
And now, it was Dark Moon pack's turn today. In ceremony, the reins of this pack would be turned over to Evan to do as he saw fit, no resistance. All the female werewolves would be inspected and 'registered,' whatever that meant. The other rumor was that Alpha Evan ordered this done with every pack he conquered because he was searching for a suitable candidate to be his mate, his Luna.
Hence, Elly's and Maria's excitement. How handsome he is! they had crowed, and strong and rich! They would make a perfect mate for him, and he would definitely choose one of them. Or so each one thought. Maybe one of them was even his fated mate, and they would find out when they looked into each other's eyes...
I didn't care about that. I didn't know anything about mate bonds, and I'd never felt the urge to chase it. Probably because I was a half-breed, which was also likely the cause of the strange mutant power of my mind-reading ability that was far superior to mere mind-linking.
Which was how I knew that although both girls pretended to be in full sisterly support of each other, what each one thought was that she was far more beautiful, so there was no chance the other would become Luna, ever.
It was hard not to laugh sometimes. That was the real downside of my secret power, trying not to roll my eyes at the ridiculousness.
But to an Alpha like Evan who had ambitions of ruling the whole werewolf world, finding their true mate was no laughing matter. It was a gift from the Moon Goddess, something to increase their power and complete them.
This ceremony today could become a life or death matter if someone stepped out of line...
***
It took place in the afternoon. All the female werewolves lined up in the front courtyard of the estate as ordered while I watched on with the rest of the human slaves from the side, ready to help the ladies back indoors and attend to their needs once this was over. But the inspection was thorough and dragged until evening, and we were all forced to watch, nearly bored to tears. Nothing, of course. No woman was selected for whatever it was that Alpha Evan was searching for as he moved up and down each row. Elly and Maria looked like they were going to burst into tears when he passed them by, not even bothering to inhale their scent as he did with a few others.
When he returned to the front to stand on the platform, he gestured for my father the Alpha to join him up there, then glanced to his right at the brown-haired man who stood by him already. They must have mind-linked with each other just then. Not that I'd know anything about it. Other than my freakish mind-reading ability, I possessed no ability to telepathically communicate, to mind-link. And they were too far for me to eavesdrop with my power, which was unstable when it came to short distances as it was.
But the man -- perhaps the Scarlet pack's Beta? -- possessed a booming voice, and he left no room to wonder about what had just been communicated. He waited until Alpha Kris joined them and asked, "Is this all? Every single female werewolf in your pack."
"Yes, of course. Do you perhaps need to see my two daughters again?"
Elly and Maria perked, but the perhaps-Beta pushed on. "Your last chance. If any women have been excluded, we'll find out, and you won't survive the consequences."
"My Alpha, of course not --" Kris began to plead as he turned to look at the silent Alpha Evan, then seemed to remember something. "Well, there is one girl, but it's impossible. She's a half-breed, practically human. Surely she wouldn't be fit for--"
"Her name, werewolf!" The man snapped, forcing Kris's attention back to himself. "Give it to me."
"...It's Claudia Dale."
And then the man turned and called my name.
***
It happened so fast. The Scarlet pack werewolves came for me, forced me to stand on the platform in front of everyone. I was still trying to understand how it had come to this when I had been trying so hard to stay out of trouble, and now it had come looking for me. Nothing would happen since Kris was right, I was just a lowly half-breed, but Elly and Maria would take it out on me with vicious hatred later for the sheer perceived insolence of obeying the order to present myself.
But that became the least of my concerns when Alpha Evan stood in front of me... and leaned in, taking in my scent with visible relish.
(It's her), he thought, and it seeped into my mind uninvited. (It's her. The girl from nine years ago. This is that same scent. I've finally found her.)
What?
Nine years ago?
Was he insane?
I would have been eight years old, what could I have possibly done wrong to anyone when I was just a child?
When I woke up, my mom's body was cold. The color was drained from her half-opened eyes, and I could see no signs of life. My father told me that she purposely drank poison to kill herself. But that was a lie. My mother would never kill herself; she would never leave me. That night imprisoned me. “It wasn’t a mistake,” “What are you talking about, Jonathan?” I asked him. “Arina, you are my mate. You were born to be my luna,” he said. His face showed no signs of humor. “I wasn’t born to be anybody’s luna,” I shot back. “Arina, I love you…” he spoke softly, still staring into my eyes. I could feel the wolf in me stirring; something that I had never felt before. She was awakening; the fire that burned so deep inside of me was beginning to flare. “Love?” I heard myself saying. “There’s no such thing as love…” After everything I knew about “love”, what my mother went through when she married my father, love didn’t exist. “Give me a chance to prove you wrong. Marry me.” WARNING This story will contain: Strong Sexual Content, Strong Language and Domestic Violence Scenes that may be triggering. Adult viewers only.
WARNING This story will contain. Strong sexual content, strong language, dark scenes about human trafficking. Everything was shaking all around me as if I was in the back of a moving car. An unpleasant smell that could have woken me from even my darkest dreams filled the air and convinced me that I was wide awake. Fear instantly overcame my senses. Where was I? What was I doing here? Who took me? “Help…” I tried to shout. My torn throat wouldn’t allow it. In my mind, images flashed of barbaric shifters standing outside that door. Big, tall and rough creatures that knew no manners and only wanted to claim things. I’d heard stories since I was old enough to understand that they favored pretty human girls and plucked them off the roads as if they were all free for the taking. Patara tried to move back away from the handsome young man, but he held her firm. Squeezing her chin a little harder to keep her in place. His blue-grey, beautiful eyes looked over her every feature as if he wanted to burn the image in his mind. “Would you like me to take you away?” He asked in a husky voice. His words made her skin litter in goosebumps. She couldn’t speak, only nod desperately. “And what do you offer me in exchange for your rescue? Would you like to follow me?” Slowly, she nodded her head and put her hand in his. “Remember your promises,” he said against her ear. She held her breath. “The last person who betrayed me got to see what his insides looked like before I slit his throat.”
He embraces Mary, something about their embrace so random, so intense and passionate, that I stumble back, threatening to fall. This can’t be happening. Row catches me, my butcher friend already reeked with the smell of rotten meat but it doesn’t faze me, it doesn’t affect me like seeing Luke take another woman into his arms. They kiss, Row having to turn me around and hold to his chest as I hold back sobs. Luke has found his mate and it isn’t me. “Oh no,” Ann sighs, her hand patting my back. “Well, I guess that is settled,” Paul murmurs. “Let’s get out of here, Aurora. We should let Luke be with his new mate.” I sniffle a cry into Row’s shirt, feeling him embrace me tighter at the mention of Luke’s mate. It’s real. It can’t be. It wasn’t supposed to be like this and yet it’s happening. Pulling myself together, I refuse to look back at my best friend, the man I thought I would be with forever, the only man I pictured having as my mate, while he embraces another woman.
On my 18th Birthday, My twin sister married my mate, Alpha Jacob, in my name. I was Alisa Clark, the she-wolf with the purest blood. The Alphas must feed on my blood. They were blessed with great power while they were cursed. The greater their abilities, the shorter their lives. My blood protected them from their curse Yet, my twin Jennifer took away my glory and had me tortured for 6 years! Worse still, My mate allowed it "You've been like a pig for us. He can smell you down here. He's known this whole time." She took out a mirror and held it up to my face. " You think he would ever accept such an ugly mate like this pig." I hadn't seen myself since I was twelve, vibrant and healthy. I was a child then, and now I looked like a ghost. My face was hollow and pale like a sick person. I saw the scar on my face, it burned and had inflamed my cheek so that it was swollen. My eyes were red from the tears. My hair was dull and limp over my skull. My purple eyes were the only piece of me that still held some semblance of life. I could see scars even on my neck, and I knew that my body was even more scarred, and even more pathetic... "How dare you be so stupid." Jennifer said. "How dare you think the Alpha wants you for more than your blood. Imagine him mating with you, when he could have me."
3 years ago, I faked a pregnancy to steal half a million dollars from my mate. I felt as if I didn’t have any other choice as I had to pay my brother’s ransom or let him die. Now, I would rather die than spend another day being treated with icy, bitter resentment. My name is Rachel Flores and I rejected my alpha mate because I’m ready to live, not just survive! "Who are you?" I came awake with a jerk, disoriented and aching all over. A heavy male body lay beside me---we were both naked except for the sheet covering our bodies. I searched my memories of the night before, trying to figure out how I had gotten here while attempting to wrap the sheet around my body. I stopped when I realized I'd leave my bed partner totally nude. I remembered myself saying over and over, "I'm your mate!" I eased myself off the bed to look for clothes. I tried to be as quiet as I could so I didn't wake up the stranger. His scent was all over me, all over everything really. Rich and masculine...
I'm a witch. I saw the future. Alpha Xavier will rule the kingdom and kill my whole family. He's taking revenge on us since my grandfather chose to align with his enemy. I can't just sit back and let that happen. So I decided to propose to him and get him killed before our fate's set. Yet, the moon goddess says otherwise... “Will you marry me, Alpha Xavier?” I asked and bowed slightly. Lord Xavier is currently the Alpha of the Leonard family. Apparently, he’s been hailed as one of the strongest men on the continent—and the most handsome. Not like that matters to me but I guess it’s a plus. “Excuse me?” The man stared at me in disbelief. “If have to repeat myself, will you marry me?” I looked up at Xavier who hadn’t moved a muscle nor taken his eyes off of me. He just needs to accept my proposal already! This silence and waiting is unbearable! I’m offering you money and power. What more could you possibly— “I accept your marriage proposal.” Xavier interrupted my thoughts and released his hold on me. I’ve succeeded! Another step closer to your death, my Lord… I accepted the witch girl’s proposal and walked out of the parlor without looking back at her. How could I? My heart raced inside of my chest, though I knew that these beats weren’t my own. Throughout the entire ordeal, something itched in the back of my mind. I knew what it was. “Lyon!” I commanded through thought. “What was that all about? What happened?” A howl echoed through my mind. “She’s our mate!” Lyon exclaimed. Mate?! The daughter of the Wisdom family was supposed to be my Luna? I couldn’t believe that the Moon Goddess was capable of such jokes and trickery.
Eliza Greer was abandoned by her mother, raised in an orphanage, and sold to the Burns family at 19. Even though she marries Mason Burns, the other people in the Burns family look down on her for her poor identity and want to try every way to bully her. Unexpectedly, they all failed. Eliza's hidden identities are gradually revealed in one incident after another, which astonishes everyone.
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
What happens when a hook-up gets complicated by a baby? Can she hide the secret from him? Or will he show her how possessive he can be when he learns she's carrying his child? "Seven years ago, I had a one-night stand with my brother's best friend, who also happened to be my lifelong crush. The next day, he vanished leaving me pregnant. Now, I am a single mom raising our son in the same small town. Recently, he returned to attend my brother's wedding and the truth about our son was finally revealed. As he reclaims his place in our lives, the sparks between us reignite. However, danger from his past threatens to shatter our newfound connection. I am torn between my love for him and my fear of getting hurt again, especially now that I have two hearts to protect - our son's and my own."
While Sienna reached the pinnacle of her success, Julian remained the forgotten son of his family, the one who had secretly stolen her first kiss in the shadows of the night. As Sienna hit her darkest moment, Julian returned home, leaving his life behind, only to witness her tears glistening in the moonlight as she reluctantly accepted another man's proposal. When Sienna needed Julian more than ever, he had risen to a position of power and had become her most steadfast pillar of support. "Please marry me." There was no one else in the world who could love Sienna as deeply as Julian did.
Rose looked at the reports in her hand and was in shock... The reports said that she was one month pregnant, however, how can she get pregnant when she didn't have any man in her life... "Was it because of that dream? Could I get pregnant because I have sex in my dream?" She thought... She didn't have any mental problems, however, except for this she can't able to think about anything... However, she still didn't get out of her surprise when she met the man in her dream... Kevin Davis looked at the reports in her hand and asked, "Is this child mine?" However, Rose didn't answer but asked... "Was that night not a dream?" Kevin was angry because it was his first time and she thinks it was a dream... Kevin forced her to marry him however, Rose didn't want it... She wanted to abort the child but he didn't let her... In the end... Rose agreed to marry him... She looked at Kevin's blue eyes and said, "I will marry you, however, I had two conditions..." "First, after marriage, you can't control my freedom, I still had the right to do whatever I want. Don't worry I won't harm the child." "Second, if I ever found out that you had cheated behind my back then I will leave with my child and you can't stop me..." Both of them got married... However, after she falls in love with him... She found there are hidden secrets in his past...
"Miss Brown, I am the butler here at your service," the butler replied. "My master wants to buy the baby in your belly." "What?!" Does that mean the abortion didn't take place? Did they kidnap her from the operating table just to buy the baby? But why her? "You..." Alice was about to ask a question, but the man in front of her calmly continued, as if he had expected her question, "You're pregnant with his child, and he needs a child. That's all I can tell you." Alice was forced to sign a surrogacy contract and eight months later gave birth to two healthy babies. Fortunately, the man was unaware of her daughter's existence. It wasn't until five years later that fate brought them together again...