After being betrayed by a woman he truly loved, a vampire named Sebastian Kensington decided to sleep to ease his heartache. It was cowardly, but he did it for fear of harassing innocent humans. He had been sleeping for more than a hundred years, but one day, he suddenly woke up. He was thirsty for blood, but he was extremely picky about the blood he consumed. When he couldn't get what he wanted, he became irritable and started to harass the Mayor of Stonewick. Mayor Lockwood couldn't risk his town being branded as a haven for vampires, so he did everything to appease the irritable vampire and gave it to his demands. Mayor Lockwood rallied among his constituents to offer their daughters to the vampire, and they had a temporary peace in Stonewick. Unfortunately, a young woman named Scarlet Morgan suddenly appeared in town and claimed to be the mayor's lost daughter. Mayor Lockwood asked her to prove her claims even if he could feel it in his heart that Scarlet Morgan was his daughter.
-Caden's POV-
The port of Firebend, nestled atop a mountain, thrived with thousands of families under my leadership as Mayor Lockwood. It was no accident that a bustling port had developed in such an elevated location; the mountain was rich with valuable metal ores essential for the survival and growth of both Firebend and Stonewick.
The harbor itself was a sight to behold, an enchanting resort adorned with bamboo-roofed buildings, walls, and a waterfall staircase. Firebend's economy thrived, primarily driven by wood crafting, armor smithing, and carpentry, but their sustainable hunting practices remained their most prized asset.
At the foot of the mountain, the true architectural heart of the trade hub flourished. The lush, green fields surrounding it added to its allure and played a significant role in the city's design. Most structures imitated the tall, slender form of the grasses that enveloped them. Alongside the elegant buildings that graced the skyline, there was no other place on Earth quite like it. Stonewick's parks and gardens flourished, drawing attention and admiration from all corners.
The city's history was a tapestry woven by countless civilizations, each leaving its mark. From a city with few defining traits, Stonewick had evolved into a vibrant mosaic of diversity, continually bringing its residents together. If there was one thing that concerned me as the Mayor, it was the awakening of Sebastian Kensington.
Staring into the mirror, I groaned with frustration, my silver hair cascading over my weathered face. My once alluring brown eyes now held worry, and I wondered if anyone could find me attractive in my current state. In my younger years, I had been a hopeless romantic, and the thick beard that accentuated my cheekbones served as a reminder of those times.
I had made a promise to someone that I would maintain it for life, and so I did, despite the multiple opportunities to shave it off. As I took a deep breath, my hand absentmindedly caressed the beard, reminiscing about elegant memories from my time with that woman. Lost in my daydreams, I was abruptly interrupted by a persistent knocking on the door.
Agitated, I made my way to the door and opened it, only to be disappointed by the sight of Camille Barnett's face. She had been part of my family's service for over a decade, but her attempted seduction of me in the past was a severe transgression. As punishment, I had sentenced her to confinement in the Kensington estate.
"I urge you to return to your duties as swiftly as possible," I instructed her, my disappointment evident. Although Camille spoke calmly, I could sense her internal turmoil and her plea for forgiveness.
"He's awake," she murmured softly, tears welling up in her eyes. Working in the mansion had been an unpleasant experience for her, and sleeping in a place where vampires had once resided only added to her discomfort. However, in her eyes, I seemed scarier than those immortals.
I looked at Camille, my brows furrowed in confusion. "Excuse me?" I inquired, seeking clarification.
"Sebastian Kensington is awake," she responded to my question.
I stood there, staring at Camille for a moment, then paced back and forth in my office with hands in my pockets. I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to express my thoughts. The awakening of Sebastian Kensington bewildered me. Why had he chosen this particular time?
"Why in the world did he wake up now?" I wondered aloud, frustration seeping into my voice as I raised it, causing the words to reverberate through the office.
Camille shook her head, unable to provide an answer. It was clear
that those residing in the mansion, including Sebastian's descendants and relatives, shared equal concern about the return of their true leader. After the Great War between humans and vampires, they had tried to sustain themselves on animal blood for centuries. But Sebastian Kensington was known for his particular dietary preferences.
"Can you tell me his whereabouts?" I asked Camille, noticing the loss of composure in her trembling hands. I felt a pang of guilt for the woman; the awakening of the true vampire leader must have left her feeling threatened. "Have you had anything to eat yet?"
Once again, Camille shook her head. "I-I don't think I can continue working there," she confessed, finally revealing her true feelings.
I let out a deep sigh, my gaze fixed upon Camille's face once more. She had once been radiant, but the years spent dealing with Kensington had taken their toll. I regretted the impulsive decision to subject a woman of such grace to such circumstances. "Join me for breakfast," I offered, prompting Camille to rise promptly and join me at the table.
As we sat across from each other, Camille's mouth watered at the sight of the delicious food before her. In the confines of the mansion, even the finest chef couldn't provide her with such a satisfying meal. "Thank you, Caden," she mumbled gratefully before eagerly indulging in her favorite dishes.
My smile warmed her heart, but my next words immediately dashed her excitement. "After breakfast, let's go together," I announced, mentioning Sebastian Kensington's name.
Panic coursed through her veins, and she protested, "Why? Why would you want to go there? It's dangerous!"
"Because I need to speak to him, Miss Barnett," I responded, my voice steady as I took a deep breath. The shock on her face didn't deter me. I couldn't allow that despicable individual to harm anyone in Stonewick. "And I hope this information remains confined within Stonewick's borders."
"I don't know how you plan to handle this, Mr. Mayor," she admitted, her voice filled with concern.
"Neither do I," I confessed, acknowledging the uncertainty of our situation. "For now, I need you to keep this matter strictly confidential for the well-being of everyone. Can you do that?"
Camille nodded, her determination clear as she replied, "Yes, I understand."
Finishing our breakfast in silence, I contemplated the path ahead. Sebastian Kensington's awakening was a grave threat to our town, and as the Mayor, it was my responsibility to protect its residents. It was a daunting task, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of the unknown that lay before us.
Leaving the table, I prepared myself for the journey ahead. The road to confront Sebastian Kensington would be treacherous, but I couldn't afford to back down. I had to face the true leader of the vampire clan and find a way to ensure the safety of Stonewick.
As I walked towards the door, I turned to Camille and said, "Gather your things, Miss Barnett. It's time to face our fears and confront the awakening."
Camille's expression shifted from fear to determination. She nodded and began preparing for the journey. We would face the dangers together, united in our mission to protect Stonewick from the impending threat.
Stepping out into the sunlight, I couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. The fate of the town rested on our actions, and I was determined to face Sebastian Kensington head-on, whatever the cost.
Regardless if I was trembling in fear!
"Aren't you scared?" Camille inquired.
"No," I lied.
Henry Blackwood was known for his charismatic charm and a penchant for the company of women. He exuded confidence and had a commanding presence. On the other hand, Chloe Anderson was a gentle and kind-hearted individual who held her father in high regard. Despite her sweet nature, she possessed a remarkable sense of independence, wisdom, and inner strength. However, a fateful encounter with Henry, who happened to be an adversary to their pack, led to a one-night stand that changed everything. When Chloe's pregnancy came to light, she faced the devastating consequence of being cast out from the pack, forcing her to navigate the world as a rogue.
Juliana Vera is the heiress to Vera Group of Companies. She’s beautiful, intelligent & capable. At the age of twenty-seven, and was able to exhibit her capacity as a future leader. As a dutiful daughter, she did everything in her power to please her father. She was willing to do everything he ordered, except marrying Ethan Salcedo, the infamous and rebellious son of the wealthiest hotelier in the country. For the first time, Juliana rebelled against his father and vanished without a trace. Since her finances were limited, she looked for a job with free meals, board & lodging. Fortunately, Juliana found one as a MAID. Fortunately, her boss was the most irresponsible man she had the misfortune to meet, and he’s the exact opposite of her original identity. Still, she was slowly drawn into his unique charms. Juliana was already in love with his boss when she found out that she worked for Ethan Salcedo, her supposed fiancé.
Daniella was desperate to have a child and the bodyguard assigned to her was perfect to become her child's father. She believed that desperate times called for desperate measures but Marcus wasn't a fan of her irresponsible behaviour. He wanted her apology but ended up getting married to the woman who abused him.
Admired and envied by his peers because of his superb qualities and for being handsome. Everyone wanted to be close with Pedro Lassiter but he was aloof to anyone except for his mother. He couldn't trust anyone else near him...except for his family. Unknown to the ordinary humans, Pedro Lassiter was the Alpha of the Vagabond Warriors but they were considered as the Lost Pack. He was the only surviving heir of the most feared Vagabond Warriors but Pedro has a different plan; expanding the family business. Unfortunately, things turned differently for Pedro, when he crossed paths with Adrienne Mcbride. He fell in love with her, but their sweet love turned into sour when he discovered about her secret. Adrienne's parents and ancestors has been their enemies for years. Love conquers all...but how?
Sabrina Hart A privileged woman who was born as an Alpha’s daughter, and a granddaughter of the most notorious mafia boss. She’s beautiful, decisive, and well-respected in their pack. She has everything except love and a husband. Then, she saw Kenneth Mcbride. It was love at first sight but Kenneth despised spoiled-brats. He wanted he could boss around. Knowing this, Sabrina introduced herself as an omega, and pretended to be weak and submissive just to get his attention. Kenneth Mcbride He belonged to a conservative and traditional family of wealthy rogues. It was strictly forbidden to bed a woman unless she was the wife. One evening, he was discovered in a compromising position after a woman named Sabrina Hart seduced him into her. He was forced to marry the heroine after compromising her. Because he already had someone he loved, he hated Sabrina very much. He was indifferent to her after the wedding, and he even permitted others to treat her harshly. He only realized his mistake when Sabrina asked for a divorce. Can he win her back?
Because of Zara’s excessive drunkenness, she accidentally had a One Night Stand with the man she had always been dreaming about – Lucas Blackwood. Unfortunately, Lucas despised Zara for spreading her legs and then he threatened her after ruining his relationship with a long-time fiancée. Things became more complicated when Zara became pregnant and Lucas was obliged to marry her. After the marriage, Lucas made sure to punish Zara for ruining his life. It’s a loveless marriage but as soon as Zara asked for a divorce, Lucas realized that the woman has earned a place in his heart. He became possessive to his soon-to-be ex-wife, and their loveless marriage turned into a beautiful love story.
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!"
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!
The Billionaire Betrayed Wife follows Rachael Morgan, an orphan whose search for love leads her into the ruthless world of the Blackwood family. Betrayed by her husband and tormented by her adoptive sister, Rachael's life spirals into chaos when she's cast out and left to survive on the streets, pregnant and alone. Just when all hope seems lost, a mysterious savior from her past rescues her, giving her the chance to heal and rebuild. Years later, she returns stronger, armed with a fierce desire for revenge. With her son by her side, Rachael will stop at nothing to destroy those who shattered her trust-even if it means risking everything to reclaim her life and her power.
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
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."
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.