Willa had become content with her life as a rogue. She and her father had managed to make a life outside of the pack and to her, it was home. The only thing missing was justice. She was determined to find the identity of her mother's murderer and prove that the lycan king was behind her death. But she's not prepared for what would happen when she discovers the same lycan king is her fated mate. Ferrin never imagined his fated mate would be a werewolf from his country's strongest rival, let alone that she would be the female alpha that was foretold to destroy him and his kingdom. They had been searching for the alpha that was destined to cause his death for a decade. But could finding out that the alpha was his fated mate mean they were interpreting the prophecy all wrong? Or would he be forced to send her to her death to save his kingdom?
I listened to Willa singing to the radio from the back seat. I smiled and sang along. We were driving back from the art fair at the school. It had been a wonderful morning with my girl. I hated to have to cut it short, but this meeting was important. It was the first step towards true peace in our lands.
The conflict had been going on for over a century, and it has left us with nothing but loss. I wanted to create something better, something more hopeful, for my daughter.
This meeting could be the key to that.
We were on the back road leading back to the packhouse when the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. I glanced in my mirrors, checking for other vehicles, but there was nothing. I took a deep breath and urged myself to stay calm. It was just nerves. Willa's voice pulled me back to the car. I smiled back at her right before my world started to spin.
There was a sudden bright light and the sound of metal on metal as I was jolted in my seat. The car started to flip, rolling over and over a glass and debris flew through the cab. My daughter's screams reverberated through my mind as I braced myself until the vehicle came to the end of its momentum.
Finally, we came to a stop. We were hanging upside down with the car on its roof. Immediately I turned back to Willa. She was crying, but she was conscious.
"You're okay, sweetie," I said to her. We were both breathing hard. Blood was dripping from a head wound and she had small cuts all over her exposed skin. But she was alert.
"Momma."
"I know, honey," I said, reaching back to her. "I'm going to need you to try to climb out of your seatbelt, okay? Don't unbuckle it or you'll fall. Just climb out."
She nodded at me and started to move.
I moved to do the same for myself. I realized what was keeping me in my seat was my leg jammed under the collapsed dash. I took a deep breath and yanked. Stifling a cry so I didn't scare Willa even more. I put one of my hands against the ceiling of the car and pushed before I clicked the buckle of the belt. I lowered myself down as gently as I could. Admittedly, it wasn't that gentle. I was dragging myself out of the shattered window when I heard footsteps approaching. The hair on my neck stood up again.
Somehow, I knew this wasn't someone to come and help us.
I moved faster, pulling myself to my feet just as a hand grabbed my hair and flung me across the ground. I hit the ground hard but continued to roll. I used the force to flip myself onto my feet. My eyes went to the male standing next to the demolished vehicle.
Our eyes locked. I held his gaze, hoping not to draw attention to Willa, who was huddled on the opposite side of the car. I called for my wolf. Needing her strength and abilities even more in my wounded state.
But I couldn't find her.
My heart rate spiked as I realized something was blocking her.
The male laughed, taking a few steps before lunging at me, claws and teeth bared.
I lunged out of the way, but with my injured leg, I was too slow. He caught my ankle. Ripping me back and tossing me against a tree. I cried out as sharp pain pierced my back. I felt something break as I fell to the ground. I pushed up to see a branch sticking through my abdomen. I cursed under my breath as I tried to stand. If I ran, I just might be able to lead him away from Willa. Giving her time to run.
My gaze darted around. I tried to get my bearings quickly, but he was too close already. Luckily, his confidence made him slow. I dodged an overhead strike, issuing a hard kick to the male's knee. A yell echoed from his chest as I scrambled to my feet. I yelled for Willa to run as I moved in the other direction. But I didn't run yet. I needed to make sure his focus was on me.
As I suspected, he recovered quickly. I knew I had broken his knee, but I knew the smell of his kind. That wouldn't deter him for long. He turned toward me. Rage filled his face, and he shifted into his lycan form. I held my ground, but I was starting to lose what strength I had left. I was bleeding badly from the wound in my stomach. My vision was starting to blur, and I barely made out the body flying toward me.
I felt the razor-sharp claws dig into my gut as teeth dug into the flesh of my neck, tearing at my throat. We slammed into the ground. The creature stood. I choked on the blood that gurgled in my throat. My body quickly went numb. Then coldness flowed through me. I stared up at the male who now hovered over my limp body.
The last thing I saw was a flash of fur – browns, grays, and reds – ripping the male from sight.
Then everything went black.
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
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.”
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"