In a world where werewolves and vampires live freely among humans, Lyra Laine is a lonely and resourceful 19-year-old girl living in New York. Her only goal is to raise enough money to flee to Canada, to put several states between her and Carlos, her stepfather, a gang leader, who has decided to make her his thing. In her race to win her freedom she will cross paths with a huge animal that she thinks is a giant dog. Hypnotized by its eyes, is she really doing the right thing by taking in this wounded beast? Hasn't she just brought the big bad wolf into the fold? "There are some sexual and sexy scenes, and some war scenes.
Lyra, hurry up, the customer is waiting!
I snatch the package from the secretary's hands and run to get on my bike. I work as a courier in New York, and this idiot has just wasted 5 precious minutes of my time because he did not pack well. Time is money, I don't have enough to waste.
I have already done more than 50 kilometers today, yet I would like to be able to do at least two or three more errands to increase my salary for the day. To achieve my goals, I race through traffic, weaving in and out of cars, sometimes catching a bus or a cab to get some speed.
My next client is in the middle of Manhattan. I have to go to the Verona building, in one of the business districts of the Big Apple. It's a place I've never been before despite my work, as it's a rather vampire-like neighborhood and they tend to use their servants for the kind of service I provide. It's not a problem for me to go there though, because money has no smell, no race, no homeland where ever it comes from, so I take it shamelessly.
Following my GPS with one eye, I look at the buildings around me, vaguely wondering what to expect. As far as I know, I've never come across any non-humans, and unlike the rest of the people I'm around I've never been interested in them. Fortunately, vampires are by far the most exposed, so despite the fact that I live in a district exclusively inhabited by my race, I have some knowledge of them.
First of all, knowing that they once hunted my kind for food, I am glad to be protected by the primary agreement. It is a non-aggression pact that forbids hunting and unauthorized consumption of other individuals.
While I've never trusted the law to defend me, the bounty my company offers me for coming so far from my usual neighborhood helps me throw caution to the wind. If things turn out badly, I'll take action when the time comes. It's not the first time I've had to take care of my own safety.
Putting my bike against the wall, I tell myself that after all, all humanoid bipeds look alike, so I don't have to fear them more than the others. Looking up at the building with its impeccable windows and dizzying lines, I also think that most of the people inside must be careful about their image: Eating the delivery man would probably look bad.
Pulling my cap over my head, I tuck my package properly under my arm, before going through the automatic doors, trotting to the reception desk and pushing all doubts out of my brain. The woman at the entrance looks at me with a stern eye, ticking off my jeans torn at the knees and my Carapuce t-shirt. I'm well aware that I'm 19 years old, and past the age of Pokémon, but I don't care what the rest of the world thinks.
Anyway, I'm not here to do a fashion show. Without giving him the time to make the slightest remark, I attack directly:
I have a parcel for Mister Veroni, I have to go up, it's urgent!
She hesitates to give me access to the upper floors, pouting with a disgusted look without stopping staring at me. What does she think? That I come to make graffiti in the building?
Well, at worst I can leave you the package! I say while shrugging my shoulders. For me, it's not a problem, I would say that it's your fault if the customer didn't get it in time...
She bites her lip, worried while triturating her files, weighing the pros and cons, while I pretend to turn the heels.
It's good, it's good! She finally answers me with bad grace. 42nd floor, the first office on the right!
Strategy of the number one courier: When the reception is not warm, oppose an apparent calm and then insinuate that the interlocutor risks his place. This is one of my favorite techniques, I love to see the little department heads go from arrogant to scared. With a smirk, I watch her hand me a badge with her fingertips.
It is to be returned on the way out! She spits at me and turns immediately to face her computer screen.
No joke! I say in an acid tone. Me who dreamed to begin a collection!
I leave, while she throws me a furious glance in corner. The spade was not obligatory, but I added it in supplement for the pleasure.
I walk through the elevator door, finding myself squeezed in among a troop of men and women in dark, severe suits, pulled together. I suppose most of them are bloodsuckers, but I wouldn't know them and I don't really care. I only think about my bonus and in the meantime I slip into a corner to better watch them.
On the 42nd floor, I rush to the indicated office, knocking on the door before entering without waiting for an answer. After all, the sooner I get it over with, the sooner I get out of this place that makes me feel a little uncomfortable.
In my haste, I come face to face with a tall dark-haired man in a suit and tie, whom I bump into, caught in my momentum.
While grumbling against the people with too broad carrures, I make a step backwards, however I hardly moved that he holds me by the arm.
Your smell is very pleasant... He says to me with a dreamy voice while his nostrils dilate.
I blink, perplexed, thinking that he doesn't look sane. Raising an eyebrow, perplexed, I try to disengage myself by explaining to him what I come to make there.
I have a parcel for Mr. Veroni!
He doesn't let go of me, his black eyes staring at me with the intention of entering my soul.
It is me! He says while a smile stretches his lips. What a coincidence, I think we were destined to...
I cut his reply, which I feel will be very heavy, by placing the package against his chest in a slightly brutal way before offering him my tablet for the signature.
Sign here, please! I answer him coldly, giving him a blow of elbow so that he lets go my arm that he still holds firmly.
Once he finally decides to release his grip on my wrist, grabbing the package by reflex, I show him the screen and the place to sign. No matter what, stay professional: strategy number 2 of the delivery man. The technique usually works with all the low-level flirts and paper-pushers who are a little too pissed off.
Unfortunately, this time is one of the failures because he stares at me without moving, as if he was waiting for something else than the parcel which doesn't seem to interest him at all.
His eyes sparkle with a brightness that does not tell me anything worthwhile. Hoping to finish faster, while all my fears seem to take life, I resume trying to keep my calm, despite the uneasiness that grows in me.
Mr. Veroni, do you want your package or not? I asked with insistence.
Against all expectations, another mocking male voice resounds a little further.
So, boss, your pheromones don't work anymore?
I tilt my head forward to get a better look behind my fool of a client, discovering a man sitting on a large walnut desk who looks at us with a smile. He suddenly approaches with a predatory gait, sure of himself as if I'm going to melt under his spell. I squint, observing this tall blond man with pale skin that contrasts strangely with his black suit
He growled, slamming his fists into the tree that was currently behind me I swallowed hard and looked down to the ground avoiding looking at his golden eyes that shined threw the darkness of the forest. "All mine" He whispered before his teeth sank into my neck
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize—the love of his life had always been Emma.
After Ellie reclaimed her true identity, she found herself in an unexpected marriage with Mr. Thorpe, a man perceived as unpopular and crippled. Her scornful ex-boyfriend awaited her regret, while others looked on with ridicule. To Ellie, her acclaimed bar was just a side project. Her vast jewelry collection seemed trivial. Top designers were at her disposal. She owned luxury cars, expansive mansions, and even private islands. She had the power to win prestigious awards and exact revenge on her cheating ex and his spiteful mistress. Yet, to outsiders, her life seemed dull, overshadowed by her husband's disability. One day, Mr. Thorpe stood up from his wheelchair, unable to keep the facade any longer. "I can't pretend anymore. My wife is too extraordinary," he declared. Ellie, hands on her waist and teeth clenched, confronted him. "What about the divorce you promised?" Gently touching her slightly bulging stomach, Mr. Thorpe replied softly, "That's not happening!"
"The entire wealthy circle in Seattle knew how much Stella Carlson loved Aaron Malone. People watched the childhood sweethearts grow from inexperience to maturity, finally getting married in a grand wedding ceremony. On the day of the wedding, despite the alliance between the Carlson and Malone families, the groom ran away. Stella knew that Aaron had rushed to L.A. to take care of his ex-girlfriend, who had attempted suicide. Unwilling to become the laughingstock of all Seattle, she gritted her teeth and dialed the number of her adversary, her tone almost commanding, "Ethan, come and marry me now. This is your only chance for revenge." On the other end, Ethan Powers raised an eyebrow as he gripped his phone, staring at the floor littered with cigarette butts. "Did the groom run away?" he asked. "My darling."
Haisley Jefferson, daughter of the Alpha of The Ashen Crescent Pack, finds her life far from fulfilling. She yearns to meet her mate so she can finally escape the hellhole she once called home. Instead of meeting her mate and escaping, fate takes an unexpected turn on her 21st birthday. Rather than a mate, she's given a husband – Hades Stone, the future Alpha of The DuskBane Pack, and a man she has secretly loved for years. The only problem is he has his eyes set on Alice, her adopted sister. In the face of this dilemma, Haisley rejects the marriage, but destiny seems to have its own plans beyond her control. Haisley finds herself at a crossroads. While she wishes for her mate to rescue her, she's also entangled in a deep affection for Hades. A forced marriage to him was not her desire, but it seems destiny has other plans.
Two years after her marriage, Ximena lost consciousness in a pool of her own blood during a difficult childbirth. She forgot that her ex-husband was actually getting married to someone else that day. "Let's get a divorce, but the baby stays with me." His words before their divorce was finalized still lingered in her head. He wasn't there for her, but he wanted full custody of their child. Ximena would rather die than see her child call someone else mother. As a result, she gave up the ghost on the operating table with two babies left in her belly. But that wasn't the end for her... Years later, fate caused them to meet again. Ramon was a changed man this time. He wanted to keep her to himself even though she was already a mother of two children. When he found out about her wedding, he stormed into the venue and created a scene. "Ramon, I died once before, so I don't mind dying again. But this time, I want us to die together," she yelled, glaring at him with hurt in her eyes. Ximena thought he didn't love her and was happy that she was finally out of his life. But what she didn't know was that the news of her unexpected death had shattered his heart. For a long time, he cried alone due to the pain and agony. He always wished he could turn back the hands of time or see her beautiful face once again. The drama that came later became too much for Ximena. Her life was filled with twists and turns. Soon, she was torn between getting back with her ex-husband or moving on with her life. What would she choose?
A Love story turned battle of Men for one Lady. Isabella finds herself caught in a dangerous game of manipulation and ambition when she is tricked into a compromising situation by Mr. White, a powerful figure in society. Isabella manages to outsmart Mr. White and escapes his clutches, only to be left in a vulnerable state due to a spiked drink. She seeks refuge in a stranger's room, leading her to encounter Vincent, a handsome and enigmatic man who becomes entangled in her troubles. Vincent discovers Isabella's predicament and reluctantly helps her, leading to unexpected intimacy between them. Isabella's world is turned upside down as she grapples with the aftermath of her harrowing experience. Isabella faces backlash from her family and the public as scandalous rumors spread about her involvement with Mr. White. Despite the turmoil, Isabella receives a promising opportunity in the form of a new role that could potentially elevate her career but this opportunity came from the ones who are after Vincent's downfall. Isabella Signs a contract and is deceived to get her husband's signature which leads to his sudden downfall and he ended his feelings for Isabella to revenge his loss. Vincent entangled between his wealth and his feelings begins to change drastically. Isabella is been protected but she doesn't know who keeps saving her from harm while she builds a bond with Timothy again which led to great chaos amongst the rich. Vincent's psychopath Ex made a return. Feigned friendship and destroys the relationship between Vincent and Isabella. Even after they both lose their pregnancy for Vincent. Melissa, Vincent's ex remained obsessive and harmed those around Vincent. Isabella confronts her family's betrayal and manipulative tactics, especially from her mother and sister, who have their own ulterior motives. Timothy's presence adds another layer of complexity to her struggles as she navigates the treacherous waters of high society and the entertainment industry. After Isabella is rescued from Melissa's grip. She made a move that changed her fate.