As the daughter of the Alpha King, Cielo can do anything... that includes killing her rogue mate and living according to her wishes-but that's what she thought. The Wolves council forces her to attend the claiming ceremony and the order doesn't end there... They gave an order that if she can't find her mate, the wolf council will appoint someone for her. With her strong personality, will Cielo be able to obey the order? or she will defy it and do what she wants...
Cielo POV.
Every sole I pass lowers their head and refuses to make eye contact with me. I can not hold it against them. I tend to make them sweat after a well-earned reputation. Every pore on my body oozes confidence, making even the most powerful alpha hesitate in my presence. The majority of those present are surprised by my presence. I am rarely here and rarely seen lately.
When I open the double wooden doors, they make a loud banging noise, which irritates me. I prefer to make an unannounced appearance. This way, after learning the reason for my request, I can leave unnoticed. Since the day I turned eighteen, it is always been the same. I will never get over that day.
Three of the five men seated at the table flinch. My father and a visitor appear unconcerned. My father raises his head, his probing ocher eyes praising me.
He shook his head, his pink lips twitching in a small smile, his silver ringlets bouncing in delight.
"You have got to fix that door." While my brother looks at me, I tell him, enjoying his reaction. My brother fixes me with a hard stare in his sapphire eyes, his sharp face neutral. My presence appears to have irritated Xander. I guess he does not like it when I make him nervous around our guest.
My father motions for me to take the seat next to my brother that is currently empty. This puts me in the middle of him and my father's beta. Surprisingly, my brother grabs the arm of my chair and pulls me closer to him. I cast a curious glance at him from behind a curtain of my midnight hair. My beta is my father's age. He has golden hair and bright hazel eyes. His pink lips are full and perfectly fit his hardened face. Zeke is also the best friend of my brother.
I feel hard eyes on me, forcing me to look across at Xander. The man has smoothed back his white hair. His onyx eyes look me over with approval. His aura is deafening, and I almost succumb. Almost. I can tell he is trying to assert dominance by pushing it out. This is because every male in this room has his neck bared in submission. Xander flicks my wrist, causing me to mentally roll my eyes before lowering my head in respect. There are only a few people on this planet who can make my father bare his neck, and it is best not to irritate them.
My father straightens once the man has relaxed and his eyes have turned a warm gold, signaling that we can as well. My father makes a motion to me. "I apologize for my daughter's tardiness. Her flight was delayed, and she arrived directly here from the airport."
The man examines me with critical eyes. "Do you wear this on an airplane?"
I respond without missing a beat. "I actually wore sweatpants. I got ready in the back of the limo. My father has instructed me to dress appropriately for today's meeting." I extend my hand. "My name is Cielo, and I am the Alpha King's first daughter."
The final man across from me acknowledges me when I mention my title.
His golden eyes enlarge as they sweep over me. He runs his hand through his copper curls and straightens them absentmindedly.
The man unexpectedly takes my hand, but instead of shaking it, he kisses it. I maintain a neutral expression as he lets go. This is not an unusual occurrence for me. Being the Alpha's daughter with the highest ranking has its advantages. One is releasing a pheromone that makes all men want me. This increases my chances of breeding. It is also a huge pain in the ass because of this.
The man who had grabbed my hand speaks up. "It is nice to meet you, Cielo." Exzel, the Lycan King. "Prince Ruben is my second son."
As is customary, I nod, slightly exposing my neck. "It is my pleasure, King Exzel."
My father clears his throat, always dissatisfied with the attention I attract. "What have you discovered, Cielo?"
I take out my phone and give it to my father. "Please excuse my lack of professionalism. I did this on the plane. There have been significant attacks on isolated packs along the US's southern borders, with a focus on those near shorelines. Personally, I have discovered evidence of Lycan involvement in those attacks. The more inner-city packs appear to be attacked only during full moons, and mostly when they are out running. When attacked, these wolves are almost always in groups of three or more. Rural towns are destroyed seconds after they call for help.Northern attacks are less frequent but more brutal. Even those in the inner city are wiped out before help arrives. I believe they are more Lycan base than southern attacks."
I reach over and change the screen to a picture, which I hand to the Lycan King before he can say anything. "Each attack is ruthless and destructive, with no survivors. That is not something I can say for our southern comrades."
King Exzel examines the photographs, quickly flipping through them. "I do not like this," he says, handing the phone to his son to examine. "Based on the damage, I believe your assessment is correct." He examines me once more, assessing my worth. "Would not this job be better suited to the King's Gamma?"
"Gamma Lucious is currently recovering, so I am temporarily covering his duties," I explain as I hand back my phone to Ruben. He gives me a wink, which I dismiss. "I sent these pictures to your phone as well, Father."
The head of the Lycan King cocks. "I had no knowledge of any attacks on His Majesty."
My father smirks and moves his gaze away, leaving me to respond. "I was the reason for his unexpected stay in the infirmary, so it is only natural that I would assume his role until he recovers," I say, giving my father a slightly dirty look.
Ruben chuckles. "You? Can you put the most powerful Gamma in the recovery ward?"
Before addressing my father, I shrugged, as if nothing had happened. "I have already dispatched two armies to southeast Texas. It is where I think one of the hideouts is."
"There have not been any attacks in southeast Texas," Exzel asserts, challenging me.
I lock my gaze on him. "Exactly. Why not there, after all? They are attempting to avoid drawing attention to themselves."
My father nods appreciatively, but my gaze remains fixed on the Lycan King. He first looks away, then towards my father. "Is your daughter always this...difficult?"
"She would not be the Alpha's daughter if she wasn't," my father proudly responds. "I will let you know what I hear as soon as I get an update, Cielo."
Xander takes command. "I will make certain that the men are properly prepared for any survivors."
My father's phone beeps on cue. "Get them prepared. Gentlemen, please excuse me, it appears we have a lead that we need to investigate," he says as he stands. "King Exzel, you are welcome to lend as much assistance as you see fit," he says to the Lycan King.
The king rises, his gaze fixed on me. "I will go see what assistance we can provide. I believe our wives are still discussing the Moonlight Ball, so I will refrain from interfering."
It is six o,'clock in the morning. Of course, they are working on it. While waiting for our dismissal, I nearly groan. I despise that thing. It marks the beginning of the Claiming. Before we are hunted, unmated females are presented for introduction.
Is not it archaic? You would be correct. I am in my final year of this stupid tradition, but thanks to my family, I will always be subjected to that damn ball.
Elleina's mother is dying and the only one who can help them is her grandfather who doesn't recognize them as family. Even against her will, Elleina pleaded to her grandfather and to her amazement he agreed. "I will help you save your mother's life... I'm also willing to give you all my wealth, but on one condition... Marry Alexander Kenneth Grandson." Fix marriage... This is the reason why my mother ran away from my grandfather and I am tempted to do the same, but I clenched my fix. "Fine! For my mother's life, I will marry whoever you want!"
I am a sex slave, someone who is owned by someone else and forced to perform sexual acts for them. To use a more precise term, “whore” probably best describes what I am. You see, in exchange for financial support, I have made myself completely available to a man. This includes, but is not limited to, complete devotion, confidentiality, and the satisfaction of his every physical desire in any way he sees fit. The irony is that I didn’t have to live this way, but I did so voluntarily. Well, I didn’t really have a choice because a better chance hadn’t come up yet, but I still went with it. I wasn't forced by anyone… No one seek me out. There was no abduction or brutal beating to force me into submission. I chose to go willingly. And I did it all, fueled by the desperate need to safeguard a precious life. My name is Lalaine Brown, and this is my story.
"I dare you... C'mon Ethan... Reject me if you can..." His eyes narrowed as a slight shock was reflected. Obviously, he did not expect does remark for me. For Sky, the future is not in her hand. In an instant, it can change and she has no control over it, just like an event that changed her life. In a blink of an eye, the life she was used to disappeared, and in that moment on, she lived in a nightmare. The plot to kill her... The jealousy that she never dreamed of... And the betrayal that she never thought would happen... No one knows that reclaiming control over the future would include so much from Sky.
The rogues were hunted and killed for a long time, which is why Allison and her mother lived in hiding and moving from place to place. However, there is a place where people like Allison can live peacefully and safe from the wolves that hunt them... The Highland Valley. That's why this place became Allison's dream. She works hard to save enough money and she did. She succeeded in entering Highlan. Allison thought her life would be peaceful, but she was wrong... It turns out, that the new alpha hates rogues like her and he will do everything to eradicate them completely.
Lost her mother at a young age, her relationship with her father is distant, Chelsey's only hope is her boyfriend Josh. Although the latter is a little bit of a jerk, Chelsey's decision is final... She will give herself to him on the day of her awakening. However, this is not the case because before her wolf awakening, Josh found his real mate which caused him to leave without explanation. Although brokenhearted, this is not her priority... Her main concern is the night of her wolf-awakening, where she is vulnerable and easily targeted by the distraught wolves in town. Scared and hopeless, she met Cain... The guy overflowing with authority and handsomeness. Is he a guardian angel who will save Chelsey? or he is also one of the men waiting to take advantage of her...
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
Being dumped by my mate, Ethan, on my dream New Year cruise tour was bad enough. Watching him swap spit with Vanessa? Absolute hell. Enter Lucas-the cocky, sinfully hot hockey Alpha-who claims I'm his mate. But he doesn't want love; he wants revenge, proposing a fake relationship to rile Ethan. Now I'm stuck sharing a suite with the guy who has secrets of his own. Christmas and New Year on a luxury ship was supposed to be magical...not a steamy, chaotic mess. What could go wrong?
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
Billionaire Bennett Graham urgently needed a wife to close a business deal but his fiancée wasn't ready to tie the knots yet. So his grandmother picked the most unassuming maid for him. Everything was supposed to go incredibly well, and all he had to do was wait until he divorced her a year later. But after seeing Maliyah's ocean eyes.it wasn't looking simple anymore. *** Before I could get her up, it was as if she felt the light and an uncomfortable sound came out of her mouth. "Uh-huh..." She raised her hand to cover her eyes. But I didn't have time to wait for her to wake up, so I told her to "Get Up." My voice seemed to scare her, and her light-fearing eyes suddenly widened and she kept moving to the corner. The only voice in the quiet art room was her fear-filled voice, "No...please...go away...don't come close to me." She was afraid of me? I hadn't even spoken to her before, what was she afraid of? This was definitely not going to work, I couldn't talk to her if she couldn't calm down. Then I moved closer to her, my hand on her trembling shoulder, and I whispered soothingly "Calm down.I'm not going to hurt you.I'm not going to hurt you."I assured and then she moved her hair away from her face as if to stare at me properly. Our eyes met.It was that moment. It felt as if I was enchanted for a moment. Those ocean eyes were the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen.
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."