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Haven't we all heard this story before? A boy. A girl. A bet. He's too rich. She's too smart. Then what makes it different? The beginning? The middle? The end? No. Not even close. Even now, I don't know. But it's high school, everything's uncertain. A bullet dodged or eternal pining. Let me give you a little warning-- Happy endings rarely happen, On the last year of seventeen.
"Do you wanna make a bet?"
Theo finishes his cigarette. It was his second stick and yet he reached for my pack to start another one. He has been in a sour mood the whole morning. And I can only guess it was that August girl.
"That August girl–"
And I was right.
"–how can she be so infuriating?"
I didn't want to start another conversation about her, but I asked him anyway, "Why? What did she do this time?"
"Didn't you see how she looked at us in the parking lot earlier?"
I didn't.
"She walks around here like she owns the place when technically she never even paid a cent to get in."
"That's what being a scholar is." I huffed the last of my cigarette and felt my pockets for gum. "It's not her fault she's smart."
Theo only rolled his eyes. He's a fucking bully. Always had been. Ever since we were kids, he'd find someone whose life he'd make a living hell. I am his friend yet I know this. That would make me a terrible one I guess. But I don't care enough about anyone here to stop him. And the more time he spends bothering them, the less he spends bothering me.
"It's our parents' money that got her here. She should forfeit the audacity to condescend us."
If anything– I wanted to say, we're the ones condescending her.
For years, Theo mostly spent his school life torturing other students until they crack. Some transferred, some left for another country, others just completely gave up on socialization and opted home-schooling. This is the first time someone really grinded his gears. He has tried to shame August ever since freshman years. Saying she didn't belong here or that she was a trash parasite. But the girl wouldn't budge. She would only look at him with such patronizing eyes, with such pity that the shame rounds back to him.
He has never physically hurt her, but his treatment towards her has gotten worse. He spends days thinking of ways to make it difficult for her. The worst one yet was when he threw her bike at the river. It was her only mode of transportation. She spent hours looking all over for it and Theo laughed so hard she kind of figured out she'll never see that bike again. Still, she paid him zero attention and that really pissed him off. He taunted her about it for days and only stopped when she turned to him just to say,
"No. I'm not angry Mr. Brandiles in contrary to the belief you've been parading the past three days. I just don't think you're worth any of my time. In fact, this is the longest one I'll ever spend with you."
I could have sworn I saw him smile. Sometimes I think he might actually like her for dedicating this much time to make her notice him. Sometimes, it's already bordering obsession.
"So do you wanna make a bet?" He asked again.
"Sure."
I wanted to take it back. But I've gotten so resigned to his every whims that it has become my automatic response.
"I want you to humble that Ice Bitch down."
That got me a bit confused and he read my face easily.
"Are you still with Pam?"
"Which Pam?"
"From Holy Bernadette?"
I laughed, "That ended a while back, didn't I tell you? Maybe you meant Pam from Trinity?"
"Yeah, sure that one."
"That ended too."
"You are a whore. Which is perfect for my plans."
Now I know where this is going. I might do it of course, not for anything but because I've got nothing better to do.
"You make the bitch made of ice fall in love with you. Not impossible, I guess–"
I shrugged. She could be a tough act.
"–then you break her heart. Publicly. I want everyone to see her fall. If you're successful, I will give you a hundred grand. If not, you give me Philip."
What does he think of me?
As if I don't already have that money in my bank. And Philip's a Thoroughbred. Spoilt to the brim. He has his own therapist, own blacksmith and a dedicated Equine Veterinarian tuned to all of his needs. Heck, he drinks the 1907 Heidsieck in a marble trough.
A hundred grand is not even a penny for Philip and Theo knows that.
"I think August is a hard shell to open. You're lowballing me with just a hundred grand. I also won't wager my horse. He's worth more than even you."
"So what do you propose my friend?"
I thought for a while. What do I even want from him? To be honest, I'd probably do this for free because I'm bored. But my father often says never do anything you are good at for free.
"Make it two hundred grand. And I want your yacht."
He looked as if he would say no but then thought better of it. What's two hundred grand for the youngest and only son of a business tycoon who owns lands and properties in every inch of the world? As for the yacht, well he can always buy a new one.
"And what do I get if you fail?"
That was a hard question. He's a spoiled thing who already has everything. Well, maybe not everything.
"I'll be the best wingman you'll ever have. You'll have a girlfriend before the year ends."
The bet is stupid, childish and shallow. I only really said that because I thought we were joking. But Theo took the deal. I didn't care because August is just another girl. And Theo, well, he doesn't care about the money or the yacht or even Philip. Theo really just wants to see the Ice Bitch burn.
Remus, the newly ascended Alpha of the Volkov Pack is eager to prove his worth. Coming from the line of the Original Lycan, his powers and abilities equal to none. Always had been cold and unforgiving, Remus was determined not to get distracted, until he meets Eden. A girl with the most peculiar of eyes and a secret of her own. And with her, Remus found that maybe, he doesn't want to be alone. But when one of the Elder Gates under their protection falls into the hands of their natural sworn enemy-- the Cold Ones, the peace that the Wolves had been protecting for more than two decades is once again put in turmoil. Now their enemies is back with a vengeance and Remus is in full alert. He declares a new order-- burn all Vampires into extinction. As old and new enemies loom in, and darkness threatens to swallow everything, can Remus protect everyone, especially the life of the person he now deems more important than his own?
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.
I'm a Luna. After three years of marriage to Alpha Nathaniel Blackwood, I'm finally pregnant with his pup. But he's unclaimed me for his first love. I'm leaving the pack with this secret, praying he never finds out. Nathaniel Blackwood is a handsome, powerful Alpha. In a world where humans and werewolves coexist, he has it all: a billion-dollar empire, untold power, a massive pack, and, most importantly, the perfect Luna. But the return of his first love shattered our marriage. When he finds out the secret I've been hiding, will he regret rejecting me? Will I ever be able to forgive him? Dive into this gripping serialized novel to find out more-Enjoy the ride!
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
"I heard you're going to marry Marcelo. Is this perhaps your revenge against me? It's very laughable, Renee. That man can barely function." Her foster family, her cheating ex, everyone thought Renee was going to live in pure hell after getting married to a disabled and cruel man. She didn't know if anything good would ever come out of it after all, she had always thought it would be hard for anyone to love her but this cruel man with dark secrets is never going to grant her a divorce because she makes him forget how to breathe.
My name is Katia, and I am just trying to survive until my fated mate arrives. Which may be easier said than done. Rejectection is the last straw. Whispering my acceptance of his rejection. I run through the pack house, out across the manicured lawn into the forest. "I'm sorry, my sweet girl," I say to my wolf. I'm sorry you have been stuck with me and have had to suffer everything I have. She whispers," it's not your fault, Katia. We came to a cliff with a waterfall. The hurt keeps pounding at me. I need it to stop. My sweet girl, and I just want peace, I keep running and leap off the cliff. Spreading my arms wide, with tears streaming down my face, I fall, not making a sound, waiting for sweet oblivion where we feel nothing ever again. "I love you, my sweet girl! Until we meet again, "My wolf replied just before we hit the water, "I love you too, Katia. I have never regretted a moment with you." The Snow Moon pack is having their last barbecue of the summer next to the waterfall on their land. The adults are laughing and joking while watching the pups play. The alpha, beta, and gamma are swimming with some of the older children and playing a game of Marco Polo. Someone yells, "Oh my goddess, someone just jumped over the waterfall!" Everyone is frozen as they watch what looks to be a child falling arms spread wide, no one makes a sound. The small body hits the water like a plane crashing into the side of a mountain. The alpha, beta, and gamma, spring into action, swimming towards the area the person went under. The alpha is screaming his wolf is going crazy repeating, "Find her. Find her...find her!" They dive and the beta surfaces with a small person in his arms. Alpha takes the girl from his beta, laying her on the ground. The men are shocked by what they see. She is covered in scars and injuries. Her body is twisted and broken. The Beta asks, "Who could have done this to someone so defenseless?" Alpha drops to his knees, repeating, "MATE...MATE...MATE!"
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?