"So you're a virgin, then." He says it so blatantly it rattles me to the core. "No! I mean, would it matter if I were?" "I suppose not," he muses, his gaze shifting back to me. "But when I look at you, I want to violently fuck you until you cannot move for days." ---- On a hiking trip with a friend, Meara accidently breaks an ancient curse, releasing a powerful Alpha from another time. He wants revenge from who imprisoned him as much as he wants her, and Meara may be the only one who can stop him. But she has a life she isn't ready to give up. And yet, there is no escaping a seductive Alpha and a deadly curse that has been unleashed across her Pack that threatens her life.
~Meara
"Here."
Groaning, I dump my pack against a nearby tree, stretching my stiff back.
"Here?" I look around the clearing. Seems a lot less impressive than what I envisaged in my head.
My friend glances over her shoulder from where she is rifling in her bag.
"What did you expect?"
"Something more than a random clearing...A marker, maybe?" I kick at the dirt, expecting fairy dust or something of similar affect to float up from the ground.
See, when your friend tells you about an ancient curse keeping an Alpha entombed alive underground from centuries ago, you expect more magic.
Hazel herself has partial witch genetics, which is why I agreed to accompany her on this tiresome hike.
The story is compelling. The Alpha beneath our feet is encompassed in a unique spell. He was placed there during a war between two Pack's, considered too dangerous to continue living, but impossible to kill.
Well, that's if the story is true, anyway.
"It took years for my father to find it. He wants to keep as few people in the know as possible," she explains.
I wander back and forth aimlessly.
"I thought he could only be risen by his mate?"
Hazel loosens a large leather bound book from her back, dumping it onto the grass.
"That's the story," she mumbles.
"Do you believe any of it?"
I jump up and down, testing the earth. It's firm, having not been touched in centuries.
This Alpha, Sire, may not even exist.
Hazel has been insistent that truth becomes muddled over so many years, and that the Alpha of our Pack may have boasted about entrapping his enemy as a way to suggest strength.
I shiver. Still, something about the story sounds so intriguing.
"I've always believed my father has a weird thing with his magic. He senses something is here, and the lore suggests it's him," Hazel tells me, flipping her book open.
"So if his mate touches the dirt he rises from the dead?" I ask.
"The sources differ. Some legends state merely standing on the dirt will rise him, others believe one must lie on the spot under the full moon and chant a spell. Who knows," she explains with a shrug.
"Cool."
Something dark plays in her eyes. "It's not a game, Meara."
"He's dead. And considering how ancient he is, he's not finding his mate anytime soon," I assure her.
"And be thankful for that," she mutters under her breath.
She resumes her reading, although I note the tension in her shoulders. She's taking this far more seriously than I would have expected.
"Why?" I ask warily.
"He's dangerous. Some sources say if he is risen, it will unleash an ancient curse."
I shudder, looking up at the sky. Midnight draws near, a thrill dancing through me. I'm anticipating the moon reaching the centre of the sky, even though I'm aware of what unleashes the curse.
"What's more dangerous, the curse, or him?"
She laughs softly to herself, although there's an edge to it. "Depends how spiteful he is toward the Alpha and the Pack who spelled him in the ground in the first place."
Thumbing through the pages, she doesn't look up at me.
"The Pack we are part of, by the way," she adds.
"I'd be pissed."
The merciful thing would have been to kill him, although Hazel suggests it's almost impossible. Plus, Alpha's are spiteful, arrogant creatures.
This spell was probably Sire's punishment for daring to be an enemy.
I clap my hands together, the sound ringing through the trees. "So, shall we dig him up or something?"
Hazel gapes at me. "No, absolutely not. That's disturbing, first of all, and second, it's a spell, it's cannot be broken by a shovel."
I giggle. "So what, the ground is impenetrable?"
"Let's not find out," she grumbles, shaking her head hopelessly.
"What do you need for your research?"
"I'm hoping to harness the magic from this site tonight, under the full moon. With whatever residual magic lingers here from Sire's spell, I can boost my magic and enchant this..." she points down to what she is reading.
"A book?"
"I want to start writing my own spells. Whatever scraps of magic I have in me is enough for me to create, but I need other magical sources. I want it all written down, but inaccessible for anyone else," she explains to me.
I nod. That makes sense.
"Can I touch the dirt?" It's going to get under my nails, but I can't leave here without trying once.
Mary considers it, then shrugs. "I suppose."
Stooping down, I grab some in my hand, letting it sift through my fingers. There is nothing to indicate a body is buried below.
"Nothing," I sigh.
Hazel laughs a little. "You expected you're his mate?"
I give a half shrug. "No. Should I lie on it though?"
It would ruin my hair that I only just washed this morning, but to be able to say I did it makes it worth it.
It's not everyday someone can confirm whether they are mated to an ancient, cursed Alpha.
"It needs to be under the full moon, which isn't for another hour," Hazel tells me, looking up toward the sky.
I note the dark, looming clouds that are approaching. "It's going to start raining soon."
"Then help me get all this ready."
An hour passes and the rain manages to hold off. I'm not looking forward to the trek to our camping spot for the night, although I am excited to see my friend using her magic.
It is incredible, after all...
"It's kind of sad, you know," I mumble, scuffing my feet through the dirt as I pace back and forth.
"What is?"
"Sire. Being locked away just because he's was too powerful of an Alpha." The story is so tragic it seems just that. A story. Pure fiction bred from the mind of some poor, bored soul.
Hazel frowns a little. "He had magic."
"You have magic..."
Something dark shifts in Hazel. "He's not like me, Meara. His blood is as pure as it comes. More so than that anyone that walks this earth. He's one of the original Alpha's, and his power could crush this entire Pack and then some."
A chill crawls over my skin, but I shrug it off.
"That doesn't mean he deserved to be cursed like this. You told me he is likely still conscious, at times, right? That's horrifying." The thought makes my stomach turn.
"Maybe, but it cannot be undone. There is no point mourning a man who has the power to be a monster," she warns me coldly.
I stare at the ground. I'm not mourning him. Not when there is a chance this is all just folklore and myth.
"The whole mate thing is torturous and romantic," I sigh wistfully.
Hazel looks up, book in hand. "The full moon has crested. Everything is in place-"
"Come on, we both have to do it, at least once," I encourage. It's the main reason I came up here, to sate my curiosity.
Hazel looks up warily. "We don't have much time."
"I know you're curious," I nudge her side with my elbow. She anxious about this spell, but I'm sure confirming that she isn't mated to an ancient Alpha would make her enjoy this experience some more.
She rolls her eyes. "Fine."
I watch with a gleeful smile on my face as she gets down, laying across the ground.
Nothing happens.
"Now I just have dirt in my hair," she grumbles, scrambling back up again, ruffling her hair about.
"Weren't you meant to chant a spell?" I question. I'm not sure what a couple words will do to change a spell that has been in place for centuries, but it fits the ridiculousness of this entire thing.
"Who knows. Lie down then, we don't have time for this," Mary insists hurriedly, motioning to the ground.
I oblige her, quickly lying amongst the dirt.
"I don't know what words I'm meant to-"
All of a sudden, a strange rumbling sound lurches up from the earth, the ground starting to shake beneath me.
My panicked shriek echoes through the air as I try to sit up, but the dirt quickly smothers my limbs as I sink lower. I'm pinned down by some invisible force that drags me mercifully into the ground.
"Ah!" I scream, looking toward my friend, who has discarded her book, rifling through the dirt to try dig my arms out.
"Meara!" she exclaims with equal franticness before muttering what must be a spell under her breath.
Dirt ripples up around my body as I'm dragged downward, snagging at my clothing, splaying out across my skin. "Get me out of here, quick."
"It's too strong." She pulls at my hand, but sure enough, it's no use.
"I'm going to suffocate!" I yelp as dirt starts to cover my eyes, falling into my mouth and down my throat.
Soon, Hazel's screams are muffled as the entirety of my body is smothered.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I clamp my mouth closed and hold my breath as I'm dragged lower and lower.
I'm a sacrifice. The earth is offering me to this cursed Alpha.
The burning sensation in my lungs hardly compares to the pressure on my entire body as I'm mercilessly pulled toward the centre of the earth. There is nothing I can do but accept my imminent death.
And then, I'm falling.
The earth gives away and I'm suspended in the air for a few seconds before my back slams against something solid. Any air left in my lungs is knocked out of me, leaving me gasping for precious air.
Rolling onto my side, I spit a dirt and salvia onto a grimy tile floor as soil from above rains down upon me.
That hurt.
Once I've scraped together enough air to feel comfortable, I raise my head, only to see a sight that is more horrifying than death.
I'm in a tomb, with a mossy stone casket set right in the centre.
And I know exactly who's in it.
Sienna has been in love with her Alpha since she could remember. He's rough, dangerous and the epitome of raw sex appeal. The problem is, he is her best friend, and strictly off limits. Tradition mandates he marry a woman of noble birth, and that is not her. She knows this is for the best, until she becomes his mistress, and things start to change. As she falls for her best friend, she must reconcile a deadly secret she has been keeping from him for years, that could change everything. Onyx has sacrificed everything to become Alpha. So, not marrying for love shouldn't be such an issue. His entire life he has denied his feelings for his best friend, until he is forced to take her as his mistress to grant her protection. With threats growing against them, and when his prospective wife candidates start showing up murdered, he make some difficult decisions.
On a quiet Spring morning, Avila awoke, six months after her death. By some miracle, she was suddenly alive, with no memory of her life. Confused, Avila is thrust into a world of where she is a Princess with a secretive family who battles a vicious rebellion. And, she is engaged to a wealthy, handsome Prince who couldn't stand who she was before she died. Avila is forced to piece together her previous life while making sense of her current one, but with a rebellion member who is in love with her, and the attraction growing between her and the Prince, things are only getting more complicated.
"I can't tell what is real and what is a dream," I murmur, looking up to his silver eyes, glistening mist swirling within his irises. "But I know I can't hold myself back from you any longer. Luella has been having the same dreams every night involving two silver eyed men, who remain elusive during the day, but come alive from the shadows by night. After visiting a therapist who tips Luella off on what could be the cause of these dreams, the start to become more frequent, to the point she can no long tell the difference between dream and reality. Who are these silver eyed men? One wants her desperately until he doesn't, while the other is always there when she needs him, until he is not. That is, until she swears she is seeing them in her waking life. And suddenly, her dreams might just be coming to life.
Having survived the River, Akara wakes alone, and with a decision to make. Find Marek, the mysterious hunter who saved her life through deception and lies? Or find Taius, the King, who's lies are coming to the surface. And through the decision on who to trust, Akara must battle through her emerging powers, and her torn feelings between Marek and Tai. And her decision will reveal a connection far deeper than what she ever thought she was capable of.
“I...I’ve never had an orgasm before!” I blurt out, backing away a few steps. He sits up, dark hair ruffled and messy from the fingers I ran through it. His eyes, once wide, slowly darken. “You what?” He breathes. *** Running from a dark past, a girl stumbles into a territory ran by a notorious Alpha. He's cold, dangerous and poisons her, forcing her into his proximity. But she harbours a dark secret, which when revealed to the wrong people, causes her to become tied to the Alpha in an arranged marriage that reveals more about them than anticipated... Including the bond they share when they touch. And the Alpha too has a secret, an obsession. For her. __ Themes: Fated Mates, Forced Proximity, Arranaged Marriage, Werewolf (Alpha), Romance, Smut, Dominance. (18+)
*Mature Content* (First installment of the Trial Series) *English Version* Juliette Kerson does not want to fall for the Alpha Kings scheme of luring in Wolves, forcing them to compete for a place in his pack by attending the Thirty Day Trial. She wants freedom, not discipline. But this year, she is nominated to compete, and she is no loser. Free spirited, Juliette catches the young Alpha's eye. But she also is the product of an unspeakable species called Skinwalkers. She's different, but keeping that from an interested Alpha proves harder then it seems, especially with Ace, the deadly Skinwalker with a secret lurking around.
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
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?
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."