Mari is running away from her abusive boyfriend when she runs into Stefan. Stefan, a werewolf king, has mistaken her for his destined mate, and before she can correct him, he bites and mates with her. Mari is happy enough with her newfound life as the werewolf king's mate, but will her happiness last when his fated mate, who happens to be her long-lost twin sister, shows up?
Mari's POV
I swing my knee upwards, hitting him squarely in his junk. He yells a profanity and releases my hair to grab his precious man jewels.
While he is bent over in pain, I take the opportunity to grab the pan sitting on the counter. Swinging it, I get him good in the back of his head. That sends him sprawling on the floor.
He isn't out yet, but I have incapacitated him enough to give me a headshot to get away.
Grabbing my bag from the floor near the kitchen table, I step around his body and gun for the door. He tries to reach for my leg, but I'm too quick for him.
"I'll kill you, stupid bitch!" He swears, trying to get his body up. "You can't run away from me!"
I know that's not an empty threat. I would likely be dead on the kitchen floor right now if I had never learned to defend myself from a young age. Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I make a dash for the front door.
I open the door and hurry outside, then open my bag, searching for my car keys. Panic sets in when I can't find them. I'm now standing by my car in the street outside the house, my attention split between looking for the key and checking that he doesn't rush out of the door.
Panicking, I turn my bag inside out and pour everything onto the asphalt. A pair of heels, tampons, a purse, a scarf, a phone, and finally, a pair of keys, tumble out of the bag. I shove the rest of the items back into the bag and grab the keys. Just then, the front door to the house flies open.
I look up, my eyes widening in horror when he emerges, a gun in his hand.
"Get back here, you little bitch!" he roars, pointing the muzzle at me.
I swallow, my heart racing. He is not going to shoot me, is he? While it isn't broad daylight, it's still evening, and anybody walking by wouldn't miss this.
I look up and down the street.
Nobody is walking by at the moment, it appears.
But... Surely, our neighbours have heard the commotion? They are always nosy, where are they when I need them to be nosy?
Shouldering my bag and glaring at him defiantly, I move to the door. I stick the key in and twist.
"I said get back here!" he yells, now walking down the porch stairs.
If I go back, I'll be dead anyway.
So why not take the small chance I have of getting out of here alive?
Quickly, I pull the door open and dive into the car.
The first shot rings into the air with a loud bang.
My panic level shoots to a new high, but that doesn't stop me. Inserting the key into the ignition, I start the car. The engine roars to life instantly, and I drive out of there like the devil himself is after me.
He is.
As I speed down the street, I catch sight of a few of my neighbours scrambling out of their front doors, drawn by the sound of the gunshot. Finally.
Not that they can be of any help anymore.
My usual 30-minute ride to work takes me a record 25 minutes today. I'm not hurrying because I'm late-which I am-but because I know he's going to come after me. The only reason he wasn't on my tail the moment I left is because he crashed his motorcycle two weeks ago, and it's still at the mechanic's. I can imagine he has already borrowed a ride from a friend at this point and is on his way here.
And when he gets here, I cannot afford to let him find me. Because if he does?
I'll be done for.
Right now, there are three things I need to do.
Quit my job, ask for my due payment, and then get the hell out of here.
Parking my car in the nightclub's lot, I rush towards the back entrance. Inside, I head straight for my boss's office. After a single knock, he invites me in.
"What do you want, Mari?" he asks, his voice gruff as he looks down at some papers. It's obvious he isn't in a good mood. Is he going to allow my request? He better. Because if he doesn't? I'm royally screwed.
"I want to quit," I blurt.
Joseph's gaze switches from his papers to me. "Excuse me?"
Rubbing my palms nervously together, I repeat, "I want to quit. Can you pay me the share of the days I've worked this month?"
"Are you kidding right now, Marianne?" he bellows. "You cannot just walk in here, late, decide to quit, then demand pay! I need a fucking notice!"
Knitting my hands together, I nod. "I know, boss. I'm sorry. It's an emergency. I really need the money."
Because if he decides to not pay me, I will have no cent to my name. Nothing to get me on the road and to the farthest place from the murderous man I barely got away from.
That douchebag Connor just took away every last cent I've been saving for the better part of the past year. Those savings were my escape plan. But now that they are gone, I could use any cent I can find. What I'm asking of my boss is only twenty days' worth of work, but it will have to suffice.
At the moment, all I need is money enough for a full gas tank to take me as far away from here as possible. Once I get somewhere safe, I can look for a new job.
"You girls think I run a charity here, don't you?" he complains. I suppose I'm not the only employee to come asking for a salary advance tonight.
"Please, boss," I beg.
"I cannot just allow you to quit, Marianne. You'll have to find me your replacement first. Besides," he flips his papers. "You couldn't have chosen a worse day to pull this shit on me. It's Friday. It's going to be packed."
I chew on my lips nervously. I know he's right. The club is usually packed throughout the weekend.
But my life is in danger.
If he doesn't let me go right now, he might just have to be dealing with a dead waitress instead of a missing one.
I'm on the verge of falling to my knees to beg. "Please, sir. I need to get out of here quickly. Please."
He sighs heavily and rests his heavy arms on his desk, looking up at me. "Your boyfriend do that?" he asks, pointing at my face.
I know what he is seeing. Bruises all over my face. A cut on my lips. Nail marks on my cheeks. I don't know if he can make out the strangle marks on my neck, but they are there.
I swallow hard. "I have to get away," I insist.
He waves his hand, as if suddenly tired of the entire thing. "Fine!"
"Thank you, boss!"
"But you need to work tonight."
"If I stay longer, he'll find me..."
"I'll let security know to kick him as far away from my club as possible if he shows up." He flicks his wrist, dismissing me. "Come get your money at the end of the night."
Relief and gratitude wash over me. "Thank you, boss. Thank you."
His attention turns back to his papers. "Go on."
I turn around and open the door, walking out of the office. I take a moment to take a deep breath before proceeding to the changing room.
I can't wait for this night to end.
Sitting at my station, I carefully dab concealer on my face and neck, hiding the bruises. They are fresh, which means they are easy to hide. A day in and they will darken, and it will take more makeup to cover them up. The cut on my lips blends in with my red lipstick, and nobody will be any the wiser about it.
After fixing my face, next, I do my hair, holding it high.
Done with makeup and hair, I put on my work outfit. A white body-fitting button-down shirt, and a black skirt that has just enough material to keep my butt from the public eye. Then I retrieve the heels from my bag and put them on, setting my sneakers aside.
Finally, I'm done, and ready to go serve drinks.
For one last night.
Jo hasn't heard a word from Jude since he left for therapy after they completed high school. Three years on, she decides to give love another chance. Just when she opens her heart to someone else, Jude walks back into her life. Do the feelings of old still exist? Do they matter anymore? Book 2 of Knowing Jude
“Is sex on a boat any good?” He went with her, an amused smile on his face. “Depends on the captain.” 💫💫💫 Amanda Lemaiyan's heart is shattered when she discovers her fiancé was using her to rise the ranks of her father's conglomerate. After a bitter break up, she has a one night stand with a strange man on her short vacation. When she comes back home, she finds out that the man she slept with is the new CEO who has taken over her ex-fiancé's position at her fashion company. Can she trust him when he says he's after her and not her company's fortune? *** Love woes aside, Amanda finds herself in the middle of family drama when her sister tries to take away her control over the fashion company. Rebecca has her eyes set on the family business empire, and she sees Amanda, who has always been the apple of their father's eyes, as her biggest competition. In the ensuing conflicts, secrets and betrayals are revealed that change Amanda's life forever. When everything seems to be working against her, will she find the true love and achieve the dreams that have eluded her so far?
"You're not the kind of girl I'd usually kiss," he says, his eyes latching onto my lips. "But I'll do it anyway." Then the cocky jerk leans in and kisses me. ____ Jude Walker is a troubled soul. As a little boy, he made a mistake that made him grow up with hate from his siblings and unacceptance from his dad. He is depressed, suicidal, and a bad boy. Ava Jo Hansen is a quiet girl who cares too much about others. She seems okay to everyone around her, but she has demons gnawing at her sanity. When their paths cross, Ava finds herself drawn to Jude's darkness knowing very well every step of the way it's a wrong direction to go. But she keeps on. Will it be a happy ending for them?
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.
When they were kids, Derek saved Norah's life. Years later, after Derek ended up in a vegetative state from a car crash, Norah married him without a second thought and even used her medical knowledge to heal him. For two years, Norah was devoted, seeking his affection and looking to settle her life-saving debt. But when Derek's first love returned, Norah, faced with divorce, didn't hesitate to sign. Despite being labeled as forsaken, few knew of her true talents. She was a race car driver, a famed designer, a genius hacker, and a renowned doctor. Regretting his decision, Derek begged for her forgiveness. Just then, a charming CEO intervened, embracing Norah and declaring, "Back off! She's my wife!" Taken aback, Norah blurted out, "What did you say?"
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”
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.
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?