Aurora Adaline Volkov Aurora Adaline Volkov is an NYU Psychology Professor, She has an amazing boyfriend and the greatest best friend. At 28 she is accomplished and happy, until she is called back home, to New Orleans, a place she left nine years ago because unlike everyone there, she didn't wolf out or find a mate, even at twenty. Aurora didn't just leave New Orleans, she left someone behind, and she might get to see him. Alexandru Luc Conri A Werewolf, A Lycan, one of the most powerful members of the Blue Moon Pack. Alex was born and raised in the Blue Moon Pack, and he has a strong devotion for family. He is the Beta of the Pack, a Businessman and someone Adaline left behind. Since she left, he has been trying to forget her, to forget that she is his mate. However, she's back, and he knows this is his second chance to make her face who she actually is, and who they can be together, but forces try to tear them apart.
"Certain animals, including snakes and spiders, have killed a lot of people throughout human history. Because doing so would provide them a survival advantage, some experts think that men and women may have evolved to carry this urge. According to some research, it's simpler to make people who don't seem to have any animal phobias dread snakes and spiders than it is to make them fear dogs or other "friendly" animals." I say, staring at the crowd of students.
"Despite the fact that they are not everyone's favorite feelings, fear and anxiety are essential for keeping us secure. If the dog down the street bites you, the terror that follows will help you avoid getting bitten again the next time you see the dog, but what if the reaction is excessive? Instead, if you start to dread all dogs, not just the one who bit you, your behavior could be significantly affected, which would be detrimental rather than helpful." I glance at my wrist watch.
"Shmuel Lissek, PhD, an associate professor of psychology in the Faculty of Liberal Arts, is particularly interested in this phenomenon-where anxiety alters our behavior even when there is no immediate threat. Lissek is the director of the Anxiety Neuroscience Grounded in cross-Species Translation (ANGST) Lab, which investigates how anxiety influences learning, memory, and decision-making in humans. His team's research can give insight on how to treat people with anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, and help identify where psychological states like fear and anxiety "happen" inside our brains (PTSD)."
"Here is what needs to be done. Write a seminar paper, not less than twenty five pages, with adequate referencing on the relationship between Fear and Psychology, tell me if it can be severed. Dazzle me. Class dismissed" I smile, watching as the students leave.
It is very rare to see a Professor, as young as I am. I am grateful for my privileges, but right now, I really can't wait to fall asleep on my big bed. I pack up my laptop, and and books, I mean it's me, I can't go anywhere without a novel. My phone rings and I smile "Hey baby"
At age 28, I'm supposed to be married, according to where I'm from, which is one of the reasons I love New York, I'm free here, I can do whatever I want, within reason. I am successful, accomplished and in love, what more do I want?
"Aurora" Cyprus says, and I feel his smile "Still at work?"
"Just concluded my last class. How about you?" I say, taking my bag as I walk out the hall.
"On my way to the Airport." He says, and I still.
"Where are you going? We have plans tonight." I say, frowning.
"I am sorry, baby. It's Mom, she needs me, her illness is acting up again, and no one is with her. If I leave now, I should get there by midnight." He says, and I hear the fatigue in his voice.
"It's alright, Cyprus. I keep telling you to take her to Los Angeles, let her stay with you, rather than flying to Romania twice a month." I say, getting out my car keys.
"She's stubborn, doesn't want to leave home. Thank you for understanding, Rora, I can't wait for you to meet her." He says, yawning, and I grin.
"I can't wait to meet her too. Let me know how it goes, yeah?"
"Of course. I love you."
"I love you too, bye." and the phone clicks. I feel a tad bit disappointed, but I love that he loves his Mom.
Cyprus and I met five years ago in Italy, I was on vacation and we crashed into eachother, my head was buried in a book, to my defense, It was Chimamanda Ngozi's Zikora, so I was enamored, then I saw Cyprus, it was love at first sight, we've being glued at the hips since then. It took a little while for him to open up to me, it wasn't hard to deduce that he had some unresolved childhood issues and psychological problems, but I helped him, and I was with him every step of the way.
One of the first things that drew me to him was his eyes, it was unnaturally yellow, so beautiful. I met him during my PhD program, I was stressed and depressed that year, so my best friend and I, took a spontaneous trip to Italy, spending all of our savings on expensive hotels, boat cruise and expensive wine, It was a splendid year. I met him on a boat cruise, I was wearing next to nothing, I was impulsive, looking back my, early twentys was filled with self destructive behaviours, but all that changed when I met my best friend, Zoe and Cyprus, even till now, both of them are my lifeline.
We've been dating for almost five years, well 4 years, nine months. Zoe was a bit indifferent to him at first, and he disliked her in return, it took a lot of time to get them to be friends, and now there are close friends, they planned my last surprise birthday, it was a trip to Mali, I met my favourite author there, I wonder what my life will be without them, another thing I wonder is when Cyprus will propose to me, I mean, I'm in no haste to get married and have kids, it just feels right, we've been together for almost half a decade but I'll go at his pace, I still have a lot of things to achieve.
Being a Professor wasn't my first choice of profession, I wanted to be a Artiste, to sing and touch the souls of people with my voice, but everything doesn't go as planned, I still sing, just not as before. I've grown to love being a Psychology Professor, but I'm not stopping, there are still things to achieve, places to go, I'm aiming for the position of the Dean, I've got age and time on my side. In the next ten years, I'm hoping to be married to Cyprus, have two kids, with Cyprus made Partner at his firm and Zoe, the head chef, my life will be complete.
I grin at my reflection in my rearview mirror, perfecting the act of ignoring that void I feel.
____
"Girl, he ordered a breadless bread stick, my mouth was wide open" Zoe says, and I burst into laughter.
Zoe is a chef at a Micheline Star Restaurant in Los Angeles. She graduated from culinary school while I was getting my masters. We met nine years ago in UCLA apartment, I had transferred the year before, and couldn't afford to live alone, so I sought for a roommate and I found her. She looked as lost and homesick as I was the minute I saw her, I guess that's what drew us together, we found strength in each other, She was 23 and I, 20, we became instant friends and she taught me the art of self destructiveness and I thought her how to balance it with the determination to succeed, we once got matching tattoos on our thighss, and read all through the night. She was my Personal Chef, and I, her Critic. I was her Therapist and she, my Patient. We found equilibrium in each other, then Cyprus came along, and I gave both of them my whole heart, they became my world.
"Breadless bread stick!" I say amidst laughter.
"Exactly! Those posh asshole will be faking some boogie shit." She grins, her dark skin dazzling.
"You complain everyday, but you're there every morning." I smile.
"And Cyprus leaves without warning but you still love him. We love what we love." She smiles, and I nod.
"Tell me about Connor, how was the date?" I smile, Zoe has never had a stable boyfriend, I worry she might feel intimidated by I and Cyprus' love, so I take every chance to set her up.
"I tap that ass." She says with her mouth full, and I grin, my mouth equally full of her special Spaghetti.
"He was charming and all. He opened the car door for me, but I told you, B, I'm in love with someone."
I drop my spoon, annoyed "You won't tell me who he is!" I accuse and she shrugs.
"We all have our secrets, he is mine, I'll like to keep it that way."
"Tell me a little about him." I persist, and she smiles, giving in.
"He is the best in bed. He knows my body better than I do. He speaks to me even from miles away. I don't believe in soulmates, I believe in something bigger than soulmates, and he's mine." She says, and I swoon, ignoring the ache in my chest, trying to tell me something.
"That is beaut -- " My ringing phone cuts me off. I stare at the screen, and I frown, dread coursing through my veins. It's my Dad. "Excuse me, my love. I have to take this." I say, walking to my bedroom.
"Daddy." I say picking the call.
"Daughter!" He yells in glee, and I feel relief, my paranoia fading away.
"Hi." I smile, relaxing. I've missed him. "How's Mom?"
"She's here, wants to speak to you." He says, and I wait for her
"Adaline, come home." She says, and I freeze.
"Is something wrong?" I say, but she laughs.
"No, Adaline, It's our Anniversary next Saturday, and this year, I don't want a delivered gift and video call, I want my daughter, my only child." She says, and I sign.
"I miss you Mom, but I haven't being home in almost ten years. I left for a reason."
"I am not asking you to come back fully, just visit your mother, am I not enough reason?"
I roll my eyes "Enough with the guilt trip Mom."
"Excellent. I'll see you on Wednesday, bring me a huge cake, and your daddy wants a baseball hat. Love you, bye." She rushes out and cuts the call.
I groan in frustration. I don't want to go back, I don't want to go home, but it's been eight years, and it's time to return to New Orleans, just for a week.
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.
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Katie was forced to marry Dillan, a notorious ruffian. Her younger sister mocked her, "You're just an adopted daughter. Count your blessings for marrying him!" The world anticipated Katie's tribulations, but her married life unfurled with unexpected serenity. She even snagged a lavish mansion in a raffle! Katie jumped into Dillan's arms, credited him as her lucky charm. "No, Katie, it's you who brings me all this luck," Dillan replied. Then, one fateful day, Dillan's childhood friend came to her. "You're not worthy of him. Take this 50 million and leave him!" Katie finally grasped Dillan's true stature—the wealthiest man on the planet. That night, trembling with trepidation, she broached the subject of divorce with Dillan. However, with a domineering embrace, he told her, "I'd give you everything I have. Divorce is off the table!"
In the previous life, Maggie Johnson was so cowardly, gullible and stupid that she was coaxed by her fiance and stepsister and then broke her legs and lost everything including her fortune, love and even life. However, she was so lucky that she was reborn in the year before everything happened. Since her life restarted, how could she repeat a previous tragedy? Therefore, in this life, she took the opportunity to improve herself and take revenge on the ones who had ever insulted her. Facing the people who had humiliated her previously, she became smart and experienced to break their frames and tricks that had caused her to hurt in the previous life. Finally, no one could stop her pace to amaze the world any more.
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?