Monique soared to the heavens when Joshua made her his bride. Her love for him brimmed over, so much so that not even the absence of his best man could stop the ceremony. And she even fell in love more with her now husband after the union. What initially appeared to be the prologue of their happily ever after soon changed into a captivating illusion, woven with deceit and falsehood, shattering her once-rosy reality. Now faced with the daunting truth, Monique must grapple with the revelation that the husband she adored is not the man she believed him to be but instead his twin brother...Jacob. What if the lie that she had been living with was the fairytale that she had been wanting all her life? Is love enough to overshadow the web of deception entwining them?
Monique Castaneda gently slowed her car as her cellphone's ringtone chimed, reaching out to the dashboard to check the caller ID. A warm smile illuminated her face as she discovered that it was her boyfriend, Joshua, on the other end of the line.
She couldn't help but experience a surge of happiness; this was simply how things felt when one was in love. Monique felt a bit like a teenager, her cheeks flushed as she answered Joshua's call.
"Hello, babe," she greeted him, using their affectionate term for one another. Even though he couldn't see her, she couldn't help but smile. She was just so elated that Joshua had called.
"Hi there, babe," he responded sweetly.
As she listened to his voice, she bit her lower lip. "Hmm... was there a specific reason for your call?" she inquired, sensing a hint of something amiss.
"Well, I called to let you know that we have to cancel our dinner plans for tonight," he regretfully explained.
"Oh," she replied, attempting to conceal the disappointment in her voice at the mention of their canceled dinner date. She had eagerly anticipated their evening out, even going as far as closing her Pet Shop early to have extra time to prepare.
Earlier, she had declined her friends' invitation to join them, despite being their first choice. She had explained to them why she couldn't make it, enduring their teasing with a good-natured spirit. Her friends had understood, their long-standing friendship allowing her to discern when their jests were lighthearted.
"I'm sorry, babe," Joshua apologised. "Mom discovered that my brother is in town for three days, and she wants me to accompany her on a visit," he elaborated on the reason for their cancelled dinner plans.
"Your twin brother, Jacob, is here?" she asked in surprise. Joshua's twin brother, Jacob, had seldom visited Chicago during the three years of their relationship because he ran a business in New York.
Despite his business' success, he remained a workaholic. Joshua had mentioned that Jacob had become a billionaire. Whenever Jacob returned to Chicago, he would still inform his family that he couldn't spend much time with them due to work commitments.
Joshua and Jacob were identical twins, and her boyfriend was indeed correct. When Monique saw a picture of Jacob, she initially mistook him for Joshua because of their strikingly similar facial features. They were spitting images of each other, and it was fortunate that Joshua's family had no trouble telling them apart, or Monique would have had a difficult time herself.
"Yes, he's here," Joshua replied to her question. "Mom was actually upset because Jacob had been in Chicago for three days already, but no one had informed her. If Mom hadn't called him, he wouldn't have let us know he was already here," Joshua added.
Monique was about to speak when she witnessed a motorcycle crash beside her, swerving to avoid the car in front of it.
"Oh, my God!" she exclaimed after witnessing the incident.
"Monique, what happened?" she heard Joshua's concerned voice from the other end of the line. Even though she couldn't see him, she could sense his worry in his voice, imagining the concern on his face.
"There's been an accident," she replied, her gaze fixed on the fallen motorcycle and the rider attempting to get up from the crash.
"Oh," Joshua uttered from the other end of the line.
Taking a deep breath, Monique continued, "I'll call you later, babe. I just want to see if I can help with the accident." Her natural inclination to assist in such situations compelled her.
"Okay. Be careful," Joshua said. "Call me if there's a problem," he added.
She nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "Okay. I love you," she said.
Without waiting for Joshua's response, she ended the call and removed her Bluetooth headset from her ear. She pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the engine. In haste, she exited the car to assist the man involved in the accident, who was still trying to stand up. He seemed to be in pain, a detail not lost on Monique. As she approached, she immediately placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He froze momentarily as her touch made contact.
"Are you okay?" she asked, her tone filled with concern. Though he wore a helmet, he looked up at her face with dark eyes fixed on her. "Are you alright?" she repeated the question when he didn't respond immediately. She couldn't help but feel a bit nervous, fearing that he might be seriously injured since he hadn't answered.
"I'm okay," he replied in a deep voice, relieving Monique with his assurance.
She glanced down at his arm and gasped upon spotting a sizable gash with blood seeping out. "No, you're not okay," she stated, her brows knitting in concern. Annoyance crept in as well; 'if he truly was okay, he wouldn't have a bleeding wound. Sometimes, men could be so stubborn, refusing to admit they were hurt, which didn't in any way diminish their masculinity.' She took a deep breath and gently placed her hand on his waist, noticing his momentary freeze but paying it little mind. In that moment, her sole focus was on providing first aid for the gash on his arm.
"We need to treat your wounds to prevent infection," she said with a stern tone, not waiting for his response. She guided one of his hands to rest on her shoulder and helped him to her car. Opening the back seat, she assisted him in sitting down. "Stay here. I'll get something from my car. I'll be right back," she assured him before hurrying to the driver's seat of her car to retrieve her first aid kit. Upon her return, she noticed him struggling to remove his helmet, wincing from the pain in his arm. Her eyes widened when she finally caught sight of his face as he removed the helmet.
Initially, she had mistaken him for Joshua because the man standing before her bore a striking resemblance to her boyfriend. If not for the stubble around his jawline, she could have easily mistaken him for him. Her boyfriend maintained a neat appearance and disliked any trace of stubble on his face.
Then it clicked; Joshua had mentioned that his twin brother, Jacob, had come to town. The man before her had to be Jacob. Monique's gaze left him only when she saw him examining his injured arm, a reminder that she needed to attend to that wound.
She let out a deep breath, retrieved her first aid kit, and placed it on her thigh before opening it. With utmost care, she extracted the necessary supplies for cleaning the wound.
"Does it hurt?" she asked as she gently dabbed the alcohol-soaked cotton ball onto his wound.
"No," he replied in a deep baritone voice.
Monique looked up at him and was surprised to find him gazing intently at her. She unconsciously bit her lower lip, which was a mistake as his gaze shifted to her lips. Quickly stopping herself, she averted her eyes from him and concentrated on tending to his wounds. She still felt the warmth of his gaze but tried to ignore it, feeling a sense of awkwardness from his intense stare. She considered addressing it but decided against it, allowing him to continue looking at her while she focused on applying first aid to his arm. Whenever she sensed him wincing in pain, she paused in her ministrations and sometimes blew gently on the wound to alleviate the sting. Before long, she finished treating his injuries.
"I'm done," she announced as she lightly patted the gauze she had placed on his wound. Glancing up at him, she noticed a peculiar expression on his face when he smiled back, but she couldn't quite decipher its meaning, so she let it go. "Be careful while driving next time to avoid accidents. Safety first; you don't want to get hurt again," she advised, a habit she had with Joshua whenever he was driving.
He nodded in response. "Thanks," he replied, his voice resonating deeply.
She couldn't help but study his face once more. He really resembled Joshua. At that moment, she briefly considered introducing herself as Joshua's girlfriend to him but chose to remain silent. 'Joshua could handle the introductions himself.' She thought to herself.
He stood up, picked up his helmet, and placed it on his head. Then he mounted his motorcycle. Before starting the bike, he looked at her one last time. She raised a hand to wave goodbye, and he nodded before revving up the motorcycle. A beep of the horn signaled his departure, and she watched his figure retreat until he disappeared from her view.
When he was completely out of sight, she got into her car and drove away, contemplating what to do now that her evening plans had been canceled.
Blythe Sanchez has had enough. After years of enduring her boyfriend's endless infidelity, her patience has run dry, and her heart is shattered. One impulsive night changes everything when she crosses paths with Larkin Callahan, a mysterious and irresistibly handsome stranger. Larkin's allure pulls her in, but behind his charming smile lie secrets that could either bring them together or tear them apart. What begins as a moment of passion quickly spirals into a whirlwind romance, forcing Blythe to confront not only her past but also the dangerous mysteries surrounding Larkin. Can she risk trusting her heart again, or will his secrets be the final betrayal?
Theana must pretend as Alethea (her twin sister) and get to know her sister’s future husband, Taddeo Locatelli, until Alethea is ready to face her groom. However, things change its course when she finds herself being preyed upon by Taddeo's younger brother, Arcel. It was intrigue that lured Arcel to her. His unexpected interest blooms into possession that fuels the monster within him. Nothing could stop him from claiming her for himself, even his own brother. Will there be ‘Happy Ending’ between Arcel and Theana if their love for each other were entangled with lies, revenge…and murder?
Bella stood before a large mirror in a grand room, brushing her hair. She was preparing herself for what would happen on the first night of her marriage. As Bella was brushing her hair, the door to the room opened, and she saw in the mirror her husband approaching her. Bella put down her hairbrush and turned to face Leandro, who was standing with pride and honor behind her. "You can refuse if you don't want me to do this," Leandro said, his tone cold and formal. Bella lowered her head. She didn't want this. She didn't want to be touched by a man she didn't love. She didn't want anything to happen between her and a man she barely knew, except for their wedding day. But what could she do? She had to fulfill her husband's needs. If he wanted something to happen between them, she couldn't refuse. That's what her father had drilled into her mind. Leandro sighed, and Bella raised her gaze to meet his. Her eyes widened when she saw Leandro undressing. "If you're not going to say anything to stop me, I will take it as permission to have sex with you," Leandro stated. Bella firmly closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She stood up and slowly removed her nightdress. Leandro's lips parted in surprise at his wife's actions. Nevertheless, the desires of his flesh overpowered his other emotions. He quickly pulled his wife into a deep kiss, catching Bella off guard, leaving her with no time to close her eyes. The next thing she knew, she was lying on the bed with Leandro on top of her. Leandro's movements were swift. He removed Bella's underwear and looked at her one last time before speaking again. "You can still stop me," Leandro said in a hoarse voice. Bella took a deep breath and shook her head. "This is my obligation as your wife. You don't have to ask me again. Do it." Leandro retrieved a condom, put it on, and then positioned himself before slowly entering Bella. She screamed in pain and discomfort as she accepted her husband's entirety. Bella involuntarily pulled Leandro's hair as he continued to penetrate her slowly. Tears streamed down Bella's face as she felt Leandro's fullness inside her. She gradually began to feel Leandro's movements. That night, Bella experienced a mix of desire and bitterness. She surrendered to her husband's actions, but she cried and felt bitter because she was unsure if this was the life she truly desired. They shared a passionate night, and Bella barely remembered the details due to exhaustion. She woke up the next morning to find her husband no longer by her side. She later discovered that he had left the country early that morning, leaving her alone.
When I entered our room, I immediately saw Marcus on our balcony smoking. He was wearing a white tank top and pajama bottoms. When I closed the door, he faced me, and I immediately saw the sharp look in his eyes. "M-Marcus, you came home early from work," I said to him with some nervousness. Already sensing what’s on his mind. I met Tristan earlier, and I didn't want Marcus to know. Even if my husband doesn't love me, he gets angry when other men approach me, and he doesn't want me near Tristan either. He put out the cigarette he was holding and threw it away. Slowly, he approached with a sharp gaze. I swallowed my saliva, feeling the strong beating of my heart. "M-Marcus!" I exclaimed. He grabbed me by the waist and pressed our bodies together. He brought his face close to my ear and licked and bit it. I clung to his shoulder and let out a soft moan. I also closed my eyes because I couldn't bear to look at him. "Where have you been, Evelyn Grace Halloway?" he whispered close to my ear. I swallowed my saliva, struggling to answer in our current position. I felt Marcus's touch on my thigh, making me even more restless. "Someone saw you earlier with Tristan Anderson. Can I ask if that's true, Mrs. Halloway?" Marcus asked me with his sweet voice. Instead of feeling delighted by how he said it, I became even more scared because I knew what would happen next. "Look at me!" I jumped in surprise at his shout and quickly opened my eyes, looking at him. My whole body trembled in fear of what he would do next. I saw his intimidating expression as he stared at me. He held my chin and brought my face close to his. I shivered as he licked the side of my lips and whispered to me again. "What did I tell you before, wife?" My lips trembled as I answered his question. "N-No meeting other... other men," I stammered. "Hmmm." He caressed my waist and kissed my cheek. "Can you explain what happened earlier?" "W-We're just friends, Marcus. I-I didn't do anything wrong—" "Liar!" he shouted. I couldn't hold back my tears. I screamed as Marcus lifted me and laid me on our bed. My eyes widened as he hovered over me. "No one else can come near you, claim you, and touch you because you're mine, Evelyn Grace Halloway! You can't escape from me because I won't allow you to be happy!" he shouted and laughed devilishly. I am Evelyn Grace Wilson-Halloway, and I married the Devil Billionaire named Lucien Marcus Halloway.
Amelie Pearce, born into one of the prominent crime families in Chicago, is a princess of the mafia renowned for her physical attractiveness. However, what many perceive as a blessing becomes her downfall when she is compelled to marry Gio Merante, in order to establish peace between two mafia dynasties. Gio is the prospective head of the Merante Cartel within the New York Famiglia, a man infamous for his brutal nature and for strangling his cousin with his bare hands. Millie is filled with terror at the prospect of marrying such a monster. Despite being one of the most desirable bachelors in New York due to his good looks, wealth, and charismatic but predatory demeanor, Millie understands that Gio's bad boy persona is more than just an act. Behind Gio's captivating gray eyes and arrogant smile lie bloodshed and death. In her world, an attractive exterior often conceals a hidden monster—one capable of both killing and kissing with equal ease. However, escaping from the arranged union, let alone a man like Gio, is impossible. He would pursue her to the ends of the earth. Millie's only hope of survival in a marriage with Gio is to win his affection and gradually find her way into his heart—despite rumors that suggest Gio possesses no heart at all. A beautiful mafia princess given to a monstrous man. Even monsters harbor a heart. She fully intends to find her place within it.
Ashton Johnson is a formidable presence, a person who refuses to be controlled. With a strong will, unwavering resilience, and complete accountability, this twenty-two-year-old billionaire alpha male navigates his extraordinary life with ease. Every day brings a flurry of adoring fans, transforming a simple lunch into a chaotic spectacle. By afternoon, his face is plastered all over the internet, capturing the attention of millions. From the moment he was born, Ashton's life was destined for fame and recognition, thanks to his prominent family. He is the epitome of American royalty, carrying the weight of his lineage on his shoulders. However, his world takes an unexpected turn when he is assigned a new bodyguard, someone who will be with him around the clock. This is when Ashton comes face-to-face with his worst fear: being paired with a tattooed, MMA-trained professional who is notorious for disregarding rules within the security team. As if that weren't complicated enough, this bodyguard also happens to fulfill one-third of Ashton's deepest sexual desires. Lennox Burke, twenty-seven years old, has a singular duty: to protect Ashton Johnson at all costs. Anything beyond the realm of strict professionalism, such as flirting, dating, or engaging in intimate encounters, is strictly forbidden and could lead to Lennox's termination. However, when unexpected emotions begin to surface, the task of safeguarding this stubbornly alluring celebrity becomes increasingly complex for Lennox. As their paths intertwine, the boundaries that separate them start to blur, and the consequences of their growing connection could be catastrophic for both of them. The risk of exposure looms large, threatening to upend their lives in unimaginable ways.
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..."Â But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
Accused of murder, Sylvia Todd's mother was deemed a traitor by the entire pack, condeming Sylvia to live the rest of her life alone in humiliation as a lowly slave. All she wanted to do was to prove her mother's innocence somehow, but fate never seemed to be on the side of the traitor's daughter. Still, Sylvia never lost hope. As the future lycan king of all werewolves, Rufus Duncan possessed great power and status, but he had an inexplicable reputation for being cruel, bloodthirsty, and ruthless. Unbeknownst to everyone, he had been cursed long ago to transform into a killer monster on every full moon. Even though fate did not always look upon the two, it brought Sylvia and Rufus together as each other's destined mates. Will justice be served for Sylvia's mother? What about Rufus' secret? Can Sylvia and Rufus defy all societal norms and stay together? Will these two unlucky souls have their happy ending?
For the sake of their company, Atasha Rae was forced to marry the known heartless billionaire, Lorcan Amadeus. But it only took her a week as his wife because later on, he suddenly wants a divorce immediately. So as he wished, she signed the divorce paper even after admitting to herself that she was somehow starting to fall inlove with him. Heart badly wounded, she ran away from his life. Until she discovers that she's pregnant with his child and as a result, she ends up with no choice but to keep it a secret. Out of Lorcan's awareness, she's keeping a secret that would lead him to an overflowing regret. Because for a week of their fallen marriage beyond repair, she's carrying the billionaire's heir.
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?
Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he never gave a damn about rules and laws, as he only liked to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
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?