Left with no choice, I gave in to the enemy's demand. I agreed to dance with the alpha's daughter from Midwinter's pack on the night of my mating ceremony. I swayed with her. Spin her gracefully around the dance floor. The horrified eyes of my entire pack burn on me, demanding an explanation. I didn't just break the sacred rule we held on to for generations. I also ripped my mate's heart apart. Not giving her the honor of that last dance could mean one thing – it's over between us. .
"Alpha, the Midwinter warriors had installed the garnet rings last night."
My eyes dart wide at Beta Jess while my entire body stiffens. And it takes some time before my body relaxes, only to feel the fine tremors rocking every fiber in my system.
"The Spessartine Garnet Rings are facing on the north and south borders. The Pyrope Garnets on the east and south."
Damn it!
I know that no amount of ammunition or talisman can go against the power of these cursed garnet stones. Folklores have it that these garnet rings hold the moon goddess's anger that has accumulated over a millennium. Already flammable in its normal state, it is expected to dissolve an entire city of 355 square miles in its cursed nature.
I close my eyes, imagining the goddess spreading her right arms in the air. She then aims her hands towards the gigantic Spessartine, and Pyrope Garnet rings. Tendrils of golden light then emanate from the tips of her fingers, setting the gemstones into a blazing fire. But how do these destructive rings go into the hands of my greatest enemy?
"What are we going to do, Alpha?" My beta's scared look is never better than mine.
Before I can think of an answer, my head patroller mind links me. "Alpha, a messenger from Midwinter's pack requests to see you."
During the pack meetings, we agree to spare pack messengers. They carry out essential tasks, and that is mainly to negotiate or to announce.
"Let him in, Warrior Roman."
"He wants to hear your declaration, Alpha."
I pull out my phone, but it vibrates before entering the password. Warrior Roman's code then dances on the screen.
"Speak, Alpha," he says, and I bite my lower lip in defeat. They are already here indeed, about to announce their warning.
"I, Alpha Alex of the Pink Moon's Pack, swear before the moon goddess's name that I and my subordinates shall let the Midwinter Pack's messenger come and leave our territory unharmed."
I haven't even blinked twice yet, but the messenger in his wolf form has already sprung before us. He bows in respect before handing over a white envelope. The gesture catches my attention. How can someone from a rival pack do that?
I pull out the envelope from his hand while my eyes remain plastered on him. I am known for my massive wolf size, but this one before me threatens my superiority. My intuition told me I should be careful despite the interpack rule for messengers. All because there will always be traitors.
I tear the envelope and pull out the white sheet of paper. I don't understand, but my heartbeats instantly do rapid somersaults at the familiar handwriting. I stare at the neat and beautiful strokes, thinking about where I had seen them in the past. However, I can't figure it out.
Dear Alpha Alex,
I have been patient about your cruel attacks on my pack. But since you have my cup filled up to the brim, even taking my father down in his helpless state, I am sorry to tell you this. I can't let your cruelty harm any of my people anymore.
As you see, the garnet rings have enclosed your territory already. One signal from us, and it can burn your entire pack into ashes. You know that very well, don't you? However, I'm offering you the last chance at redemption – take it or leave it.
Before you hang my father in front of your entire pack tonight and proceed to your mating ceremony, grant me this request. Let me have the last dance with you.
Respectfully yours,
Sue, the Future Alpha of Midwinter Pack
Waves of shivers run up and down my spine. Cold drops of sweat start trickling down the sides of my face. The Midwinter Pack is finally making a move. They are here to avenge their alpha! My pack will never shy away from brutal fights, but we have nothing against the power of the garnet rings.
This request may save my entire pack from doom, but not my chosen mate. A few hours from now will be our mating ceremony, an event to present her formally to the pack. And there will be the last dance – entitled only to her, as the coming Luna of the pack. But I don't know what will happen after that. The enemy knows where to paralyze not only my people but my heart.
Perhaps reading my conflicted emotion, Beta Jess moves to my side. I hand him the letter, but my mind flies back to Sue. I feel my nerves tingle all over as my muscle flinch in anger. Now acting as the alpha of her pack, she leaves my people and me helpless against these garnet rings.
That's maybe why they have been silent on our surprise attacks on their packs. We may not be successful as there were no casualties, but we have captured the highest rank holder of their pack – their alpha, who stood undefeated before.
"Alpha, our Luna, and the entire pack will understand. I know you want to stand by your word and abide by the pack's rules, but this situation is already about our people's life and death."
I look into the distance and see the moon rising from the horizon. Her radiance fills the entire stretch of land and forest that my eyes can see. Her brightness should have been something to celebrate because this signals the big night, the end of my singleness. A few hours later, I will be mating with Vrianna through a ceremony that a hundred members of my pack will witness.
"Tell Sue that her wish is granted."
I walk away without looking at my beta's reaction. I didn't even watch how the messenger fled from my presence. My mind is now on Vrianna and how I will explain it to her. She believes that she will be my first choice whatever happens, even if it costs the safety of my entire pack.
Most of all, she believes that I can always find the solution to any problem that comes our way. That is how she and my people know me. Even the sound of my name on anybody's lips is their source of strength. Sadly, not anymore tonight. The most-feared alpha of the Pink Moon Pack will soon submit to the enemy's demand.
Racing to the pack's house in my tailored suit, I demand to see my chosen mate. The pack elders who attend to her attempt to refuse, but seeing the scowl on my face has them moving to the side.
"What's wrong, Alpha?"
"Not seeing her now also means the ceremony's cancellation! Our enemy already surrounds us, and they are ready to strike any moment from now."
"I have heard about the installation of the cursed Spessartine and Pyrope Garnet Rings," one of the elders echoes my fear, her lips quivering.
I nod sadly. Those gemstones are supposedly the source of healing and good vibes, but they are now more dangerous than atomic bombs in their cursed state.
"Alex, what shall we do?" I look up to the sweet sound of Vrianna's voice piercing into my ear.
"I will have the last dance with Midwinter Alpha's daughter."
My heart drops down in pity as I watch the color leave her face. She runs away, but I still hear her muffled cry. She knows that depriving her of that last dance can mean she's no longer my mate.
We're both heartbroken. Ella lost a fiancé, and I lost a wife. Our paths crossed when I was trying to move on, and she in her denial stage. I thought we could help each other heal our broken hearts, so I tried to remove the guards I had been trying to secure around myself. And before I knew who she really was, I found myself falling in love again. However, fate always slaps me with its irony. Because I found out that all along, she was the secret enemy that had set out to destroy me. All because I was the one who caused her heartaches — the one who killed her fiancé.
Yen found out that she had been into a traumatic incident five years ago that caused her to forget a huge part of her past. And that past included her marriage to Kim, the CEO of the company she was working for. She may not have recognized him right away, but there was something about Kim that drew her emotionally to him. But having already married Zed, an almost perfect husband to her except for his sexual flaw, Yen found it hard to let him go. She tried to convince her boss to move on and let her live in peace with Zed, but Kim wasn't the kind to concede. What would happen then? Who would win the fight? And who would she choose in the end?
Indebted to Jim who accepted and loved her unconditionally despite her dark past, Jia vowed to forever give her life to him. She had no reason not to; Jim loved her and her son like his own. She thought she was over with Anthon, the man who caused her so much pain. Yet one day, their paths crossed again, and her heart began beating for him again. Torn between the sense of indebtedness and her own heart's desire, choosing then became so complicated. As both men were fighting for her love, who would she choose? Would she listen to her heart's desire, or would she keep her gratitude?
I stepped out of the prison doors towards the road of freedom. I should be happy because I had been here for five wretched years. All the pieces of evidence that my fiancee's lover set up to drive me out of her life pointed to me as the murderer. Little did I know that behind those bars inside the cell, my heart remained trapped. I stopped and turned to take a final glimpse of the building that had been my home for a long time. My lips twisted into a bitter smile, mocking at life's irony. All because of the truth that I no longer wanted to be free.
After marrying Zed, Yen soon realized that her perfect life was not what she expected. Zed harbored a dark flaw, a disorder that impacted their lives, creating insecurities and emotional turmoil. Committed to her marriage, Yen set about trying to solve their issues but this was soon challenged when she found herself having recurring dreams about another man. This man in her dreams was her boss but to Yen, they seemed more like memories than actual dreams, causing her to question her life and her very marriage to Zed. Did Yen have a forgotten past with her boss? If she were to search for answers, could they cause conflict or could it lead to happiness?
I learned about his secret, and my revenge began. I didn't care anymore about the consequences of my decision; I was too blinded by all the lies. I thought I'd laugh hard to see him crawling on the ground, but to my surprise, I didn't. Perhaps because the truth prevailed that this stubborn heart of mine still loved this man that I now despised. I lied to myself, denying this feeling for him. All because of my stupid revenge. Just when I thought I couldn't fool myself anymore, I realized I was too late. And I just couldn't cry hard enough.
"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!
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
Three years ago, the Moore family opposed Charles Moore's choice to marry his beloved woman and selected Scarlett Riley as his bride. Charles didn't love her. In fact, he hated her. Not long after they got married, Scarlett received an offer from her dream university and jumped on it. Three years later, Charles's beloved woman fell terribly ill. In order to fulfill her last wish, he called Scarlett back and presented her with a divorce agreement. Scarlett was deeply hurt by Charles's abrupt decision, but she chose to let him go and agreed to sign the divorce papers. However, Charles seemed to delay the process deliberately, leaving Scarlett confused and frustrated. Now, Scarlett was trapped between the consequences of Charles's indecision. Would she be able to break free from him? Would Charles eventually come to his senses and face his true feelings?
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
To the public, Arabella was Owen's trusty secretary who catered to all his needs and served as the primary blood donor of his beloved, who was in a coma. Behind closed doors, she was Owen's submissive wife. Arabella was quiet and obedient, and she endured every humiliation without a word of protest. Rumored to be a neat freak, Owen had tossed the last woman who had dared to kiss him into the river. Yet he pinned Arabella against the wall and demanded, "Give me a child, and I’ll let you go!" Arabella pushed him away and flashed him a cold smile. "You are not worthy!"
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.