"Helena Starr." I stopped when he mentioned my full name. "Yes?" "Your name is appropriate for you since your blue eyes shine brightly like stars." It was unexpected, so I bent my head and blushed again. "Oh, thank you." If he kept saying sweet things like that, how could I survive? My heart, oh, my heart, I was in danger! *** As an orphan, Helena doesn't know her real parents. She only knows they have passed away. Living with Freya, her adoptive mother, and having a relationship with her boyfriend, Kenneth, is the peaceful life she wants. Until Kenneth ends the relationship. But it is the moment Helena meets Ethan that her life is turned upside down. As an Alpha King, Ethan lives his life to lead his people. A bitter past hinders him from finding his true mate and love until he meets Helena. Ethan cannot resist the instant connection and affection with Helena, but his secret will put her in danger. He knows he must protect Helena at all costs. Will Helena find out Ethan's secret and have the happily ever after she longs for?
~ Helena ~
I visited Kenneth's apartment on a drizzling day in Moon City. Kenneth William had been my boyfriend for six months. I brought a picnic basket because I always wanted to picnic with him. But so far, it wasn't fulfilled yet.
From my house to Kenneth's, I used a bus. It took a half-hour. It was a sunny day when I left my home, but it was drizzling suddenly after arriving at the bus shelter. Fortunately, I brought an umbrella.
I knocked on the door. It took Kenneth a while to open the door. When he opened the door, he wore no shirt, and sweat was all over his neck and chest.
"Are you exercising? Have you finished yet?" I opened my purse, took a tissue, and wiped it on Kenneth's neck. I almost placed the tissue on his chest, but then I blushed.
"Exercise?" Kenneth laughed. "Yeah, you're right. I'm in the middle of an exercise."
"Oh, do you want me to return after you have finished?"
"Sure, babe." Then Kenneth stared at the basket. "Hey, where are we going later?"
I giggled. "It's a secret! But we're going for a picnic today. I'm excited about this since I've planned for a week."
"Picnic? It's rainy outside. We'll only get wet. Maybe it's better for another time, okay?"
I sighed. Kenneth's rejection instantly ruined my mood, but what he said made sense. Maybe we could go picnic another time. "So, what should we do for our date today?"
"How about this? Let's meet an hour from now at the Moon Bridge." Kenneth stared at his wrist. "At 2 p.m., okay?"
"Where will we go from there?"
Kenneth shrugged. "We'll think somewhere." Then he pushed me to go. "I must continue my exercise. See you an hour from now." Then Kenneth closed the door immediately.
My knee-length pink dress was a little damp because of the rain. I'd better change my clothes if I wanted to stay comfortable on my date. While the pink dress was my favorite, I had no choice. I might get cold later if I insisted on wearing the pink dress. So, I opened my umbrella and walked to the bus shelter again.
The bus came fast. Fortunately, I got a seat. Then my mind wandered to Kenneth again. Six months after dating me, Kenneth hadn't introduced me to his parents or family. In contrast, after dating for a month, I had already brought him to meet with my adoptive mother, Freya Ross.
After four months of dating him, my mother stroked my hair when I complained. "Sweetheart, men and women are different in their approach to relationships. Men usually take a lot of time before introducing their partners to their family and parents. But it doesn't mean they aren't serious with you."
"But Mom, I'm wondering if Kenneth has someone else."
My mother raised her eyebrows to hear that. "Why are you thinking like that?"
"He has never mentioned he loves me. He often buys me expensive gifts, but it's nothing for him. I mean, Kenneth is super-rich. So buying me those gifts for him is easy."
"I see. Are you happy with Kenneth, sweetie?"
I stared at my mother and then let out a long sigh. "I don't know. Sometimes I think I do, but I am not so sure of my feelings when I'm with him."
"Sweetie, you're still so young. Take your time. Don't rush things." My mother took my hand and patted it. "If Kenneth is for you, then you'll know it. But if he isn't, don't push yourself to stay with him. There is plenty of fish in the ocean."
I smiled as I recalled the conversation with my mother. Though she was my adoptive mother, I loved her so much. The feelings were mutual. I had no birth parents since they passed away. Yet, having Freya in my life was indeed a tremendous blessing. Never did I doubt her love for me. My mother was always there for me, giving me all the love and support I needed.
The bus finally stopped at the shelter. I rushed to get off the bus and then walked to my house. I opened the door with my key, and after putting the umbrella outside, I ran to my room. I undressed quickly and then changed my clothes to a white lacy dress. Since the dress is thin, I put on a bolero too.
Later, I picked up the picnic basket, opened it, and placed the ham, cheese, chocolate, a bottle of champagne, and two wine glasses on the dining table. I sighed, too disappointed with the canceled picnic, but there would be a better time. After storing champagne in the refrigerator, returning glasses to the cupboard, and the basket to the kitchen, I picked up my purse again.
When I almost reached the door, my mother's voice startled me. "Helena, are you home already, sweetie?"
"Mom, I'll go now. Do you want me to buy groceries when I return?"
My mother walked to the living room. "No, we still have a plentiful food supply." When she saw me wearing the white dress, she wrinkled her forehead. "Why do you change your dress? Your pink one is prettier than this one."
"I know, but the drizzle damped my dress. I have to go now, mom. Talk to you later, okay?" I waved at my mother.
"Where are you going?"
"To the Moon Bridge. See you later!" Then I ran outside. I picked up the umbrella, locked the door, and rushed to the bus shelter again.
Fortunately, the bus came quickly, and I could get a seat. But unfortunately, the rain was heavier now. I bit my lower lip. After the canceled picnic, should we halt this date too? I checked the time; it was almost two p.m. I still had ten minutes.
Though I was born and raised in Moon City, I had never had a date at the Moon Bridge. So, I was excited to get there. Yet the heavy rain forced me to stroll.
I arrived at the bridge at five past two p.m. It was five minutes late. I bit my lip since Kenneth once told me he hated seeing women who weren't on time. I immediately ran to the bridge, but I couldn't find Kenneth so far. So, I called him, "Ken, where are you? I have arrived at the bridge."
Kenneth didn't answer immediately. Instead, I heard a woman's voice. "Who's this?" the woman asked.
“What is it? You sighed.” Gabriel stared at Rosalind. “I can’t do it ….” She shook her head. “It will be like I’m selling myself to you if I accept your offer. I’m not a whore, you know.” “Rose, I know you aren’t a whore. I don’t need to offer a whore anything, nor will I be interested in one, either.” He took her hand and kissed the knuckles. “I want you, Rose, only you.” “But why?” *** Rosalind Miller (twenty-three years old) is an orphan and poor. She has double jobs because she wants to get a bachelor’s degree to improve her life. It devastates Rosalind when her boyfriend of five years cheats on her. She goes drunk, only to wake up naked the next day beside a naked guy too, her ex’s uncle. Gabriel Da Costa (forty-five years old) is a transportation mogul in the five countries. Listed as one of the most eligible bachelors in the capital, including in the nearest countries, many women want to be with him, but he stays single for years. Knowing his nephew has been cheating on Rosalind for a long time, he feels sorry for her and brings her to his apartment when she is drunk. What will happen later after that night? Will it be a one-night stand only or will their relationship continue afterward? *** This is the second book of the series The Most Eligible Billionaire Bachelors/The Age-Gap Billionaire Series. The first book is The Billionaire’s Contract Marriage. Despite being a series, readers can read both books as stand-alone.
When the past life was tragic, what if the next life offers a new possibility? As an Omega, Anna Warren is reborn from the dead, fully remembering her past life as Victoria Lewis. However, her spouse—Cameron Black who lived as Constantine Night, a royal werewolf, now lives as an Alpha of their pack—doesn't remember his past life. Love is as strong as death since even through all, Anna will strive to win Cameron back. Can Anna make Cameron remember his past life and have the happy second chance of life? The book is a spin-off of The Alpha King and I, but both books can be read as stand-alone. It is the second book of The Moon City Series.
“Uh, sir, maybe it's better for you to get dressed first?” Amy said. “No need, Ms. Brooke. I'm more comfortable this way.” Samuel smiled, pulling Amy's hand so her position was closer to him. “Besides, I won't need the towel for much longer.” Amy frowned to hear that. “What do you mean?” “Please, Ms. Brooke, ah, maybe I should call you Amy instead. After this, we will be more intimate. It will be awkward to call each other by our last name. Agree?” *** Amy Brooke (twenty years old), the eldest daughter of Brooke's family, has everything all women want: youth, beauty, wealth, and a great family. However, she will lose all in an event and changes her life immensely. Samuel Hoffner (thirty five years old), a billionaire, has everything all men want: great looks, wealth, popularity, and power. However, he is an anti-commitment guy. When they will meet each other and tie in a marriage contract, what will happen later? Can Amy make Samuel fall in love with her? Will their marriage survive or will it be only a short-term arrangement?
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!"
During her three years of marriage with Brendan, Adeline had become as humble as dust itself. However, what she got in return wasn't love and affection, but endless indifference and disdain. Worse yet, when the woman in Brendan's heart suddenly showed up, he further distanced himself from her. Finally, Adeline couldn't stand it anymore and asked for a divorce. After all, why should she stay with such a cold, distant man? The next one would surely be better. Brendan watched as his ex-wife left with her luggage in tow. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him and he made a bet with his friends. "She'll definitely regret leaving and will come crawling back to me in no time." After hearing about this bet, Adeline sneered. "Dream on!" A few days later, Brendan ran into his ex-wife in a bar. It turned out she was celebrating her divorce. Not long after, he noticed that the damned woman seemed to have a new suitor. Brendan was starting to panic. The woman who had clung to him for three years suddenly didn't seem to give a damn about him. What was he going to do?
It took only a second for a person's world to come crashing down. This was what happened in Hannah's case. For four years, she gave her husband her all, but one day, he said emotionlessly, "Let's get divorced." Hannah's heart broke into a million pieces as she signed the divorce papers, marking the end of her role as a devoted wife. Within Hannah, a strong woman awakened, vowing never to be beholden to any man again. Embracing her new life, she embarked on a journey to find herself and command her own destiny. By the time she returned, she had experienced so much growth and was now completely different from the docile wife everyone once knew. "Is this your latest trick to get my attention?" Hannah's ever-so-arrogant husband asked. Before she could retort, a handsome and domineering CEO pulled her into his embrace. He smiled down at her and said boldly to her ex, "Just a little heads-up, mister. This is my beloved wife. Keep off!"
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!"
Eight years ago, Eleanor was a pampered and arrogant young heiress, while Andreas was just a nameless talent from a humble background. Although she had taken him in, she never treated him with any warmth. Their fates flipped, and now Andreas was a business titan feared by all, while Eleanor wallowed in shame and despair after her fall from grace. Upon their reunion, he pinned her with a venomous glare and declared, "It was my hatred for you that drove me into becoming what I am today."
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"