"Let's begin," Amory gruntled begrudgingly. The utterance felt like I was pricked with a thousand sharp needles. He was obviously not enticed by the sight of my body and beauty even though I was clad in sexy lingerie. He watched me disdainfully, but I was determined not to back down after I recalled Samantha's words, "The first day I saw you...I knew you were the one made to tame his beast" I puffed out dauntlessly and sauntered seductively towards him. I did it exactly the way I had rehearsed, but his second statement made me halt my steps as my heart crumbled into tiny pieces. "I am only going to fuck you from the back. Not on the mattress, but on the divan. The reason why I am here with you is to just mark you as my mate. They need evidence that you are my mate. No other reason, woman! You are nothing but rejected after this night!" he spat. Who does that on their first night together? ************* Odeya was still hoping and praying to find her mate when her friends had all given birth. She altered from a lady who once adored the royalty lifestyle to someone who desperately desired her soulmate, even if he was the poorest pauper. The harsh treatment from the dwellers of Oceania wasn't helping either, but one evening, everything switched after she was coaxed by her long-time friend to participate in a duel that linked her to find her mate, who eventually turned out to be her prominent misery.
INTRODUCTION ~~~
Decor was supervised under the monarchy system of government. It was once a united and defeatless Nation until a furor struck after the Emperor's confidante betrayed him and attempted to snatch the crown. The wicked best friend, Cone vented sacred secrets, made a fuss about the Royal ancestry, and assembled armies whom he had been gathering.
Cone flooded the loyal militaries with lies about the Emperor, and worked in unison with them to commit a disheartening treason which was partially successful as seven-year-old Amory's pregnant elder sister who was a Princess was murdered. Amory, who was the young Crown Prince watched his favourite sibling get slaughtered mercilessly.
There was radical famine.
The old and young died during the three years of combat. Out of vulnerability, the Emperor begged his friend to let them separate since his patrons were too much. Still immersed in greediness, Cone agreed to the proposal but would take the Emperor's wife as a trade whom the Emperor handed over without hesitation.
An extreme tragedy for Amory, as he was traumatized for years to witness the betrayers tug his mother away.
The people of Great Decor detached, and the majority of the Parks joined Cone since there was nothing tangible left in their homeland.
Decor crumbled, and the people were separated by a forbidden forest that was cast with spiritual wolves by the most powerful witches of all time. The remaining citizens in Decor stayed, and united together as Genovians, while Cone named his new country Oceania. He made it forbidden for the Oceanians to mention their former country, and just like that, their history was erased, but of course history forgotten, is history wasted.
25 YEARS, LATER SOMEWHERE IN OCEANIA~~~~~~~
Odeya's POV
Oh! goodness, here we go again.
"The crown Prince of Oceania wants you to go through the mate contradiction process, young lady. He wants you to be his concubine," Mum snarled. She was irritated by my denial of the grand proposal.
"I thought I made it clear that I don't like him, mother. I understand that you are aggrieved about the fact that I couldn't find my mate, but he isn't the last option either," I responded calmly, my wolf forfeiting resilience.
My inner being constantly encourages me to fight back for myself, but I guess she was fed up too. It hasn't been easy, it has never been easy. Those judging eyes of people honed on my mother for being a barren destitute widow. I was her only daughter before she decided to get married as a second wife to a partially wealthy but vulgar man. Their buzzes and gossip about me being incompetent to find my mate.
In our custom, it's believed that the least age to find your soulmate is at the age of twenty. At that span, the body would have been calling for sexual cravings. Once it exceeds that period, you are regarded as a pariah, an outcast, the type that would be subjected to an extreme travesty.
It's not an immorality in my realm, but a supposed conviction tightly held onto by the people of Oceania. They weren't suspicious of me for two years at first, but as soon as every friend of mine left, all of them now married to their respective mates, the people in my neighborhood switched on to pointing fingers at my mother and me once again.
My mother couldn't handle the humiliation I brought upon her. She constantly nagged, and mauled me for the past few years, accusing me of bringing shame to her.
I was the type that wished to be mated with a strikingly handsome man. The one that has a build like that of a Greek God.
Well... who doesn't? But the worst thing is not to have anyone to call yours.
Then, my friends would always joke about how much I blowhard about my anonymous mate, and I would brag further by saying "He would come on his two knees begging me to be his eternal soulmate, and I would pretend to be in plunging meditation and then he would say with a sincere heart and sweet masculine voice "my love be mine, and I would be yours forever" then my eyes would become teary, but he would hug me instead. After entangling from the passionate hug, we would engage in an intense kiss"
My pals would all blush at my notional dialogue, while I would burst out in a soft laugh while rolling my eyes dreamily.
All those were fictional dreams. I knew it then, but I had never foreseen myself after many years without a man to claim as mine.
I was beautiful, no doubt the most attractive among my peers, which made it surprising that I would be the one with no life partner. Denying those men who were also denied by their mates was my biggest regret because I am deemed a cursed being since I am over twenty-five years old.
'I shouldn't exaggerate because some other people were not able to find their mates either' I severally used that phrase to motivate myself but deep down, I knew they still later got entangled as a second wife out of vulnerability, but I don't like sharing my man. I just want my mate. I don't care if he is a pauper or the ugliest man in the world. I don't want to dream about him being Royalty or a Greek God anymore.
It got to a stage where every time any of my childhood pals came visiting with their offspring and husband. I mostly got aware from my mother since she wouldn't stop oppressing me. I usually tell our domestic workers to tell those of them who managed to visit that I was not around. I was aware that their purpose of visiting was to either make jest of me or throw pity stares my way.
Although most of them quit being friends with me, I still have one who just won't give up on me. Delilah sees me as a companion, but I do flout her too. The beginning of my worst nightmare started when she visited last week Thursday.
Lyra was gifted with the rare and coveted power of invisibility by the Moon Goddess, a power that set her apart from even the mightiest of her pack's leaders. Her mother, wise and wary, warned Lyra before she died to keep this secret to herself, for power could be both a gift and a curse. When Ragnar, her beloved mate, was on the brink of death, Lyra broke her oath, using her power to save his life. Yet, her sacrifice was twisted into a justification for betrayal by the very ones she had risked everything to protect. With the determination to revenge on those who tried to kill her, She crawls back to her feet with her baby as the only reason to keep striving.
Adrienne Thomas is the forsaken daughter of a problematic family. Instead of aiming for revenge on those who had made her life a living hell, she cowardly settled for a low-key and peaceful life. Everything was going well until a disastrous tragedy befell her. Out of desperation for assistance, she got entangled with her ex's uncle, Gideon Magnus who curled her life into a situation she couldn't figure out as better or worse.
Raina was pressured by her father to make a difficult decision that would have negative consequences for her and her twin children. This decision involves breaking the heart of a powerful, wealthy, and young Jude Bellingham, who swears to seek vengeance on her no matter how long it takes. They once loved each other without reservation, but now they despise each other with a burning passion. However, fate has a way of working in mysterious ways, and it's not always easy to outsmart it. Will Raina and Jude be able to overcome the obstacles in their path, or is their fate already sealed?
Alpha Arnold of Greenland Park was betrothed from a youthful age to the Luna of the Tiger Park, Alicia in allegiance to maintain the interconnection between the two parks. They lived in bliss for five years until a sudden attack occurred. The majority of each park including Alicia were taken captive by the soldiers of the great Genovia. Several years later, Arnold turned out to be the crown prince of Genovia. Alicia thought it was the beginning of a new life after she was summoned to the palace by her childhood lover, but she got whacked by the realization that she was called upon by a totally different reason and that the one she had waited for years, was now the opposite of what he used to be. She quoted him as a "lowlife devil" How did Arnold become the Crown Prince? Why were they a victim of an unexpected attack by the Genovian soldiers, and will they still find a space in their hearts to forgive each other?
Allie's life transformed from grass to grace after Aaron's father saw her roaming about at night in the rain. She was offered basic amenities and loved by the Smiths except Aaron who made her life a living hell. He never admitted to being attracted to Allie for some egoistic and personal reasons. He tried his best to fight his feelings for her but it defied him since that was what his heart desires. Years passed and Aaron departed to continue his studies overseas. When he came back, he managed his father's once-abandoned fashion brand company and eventually expanded it by applying his fabulous skills in marketing strategy. He made it among the top chains across Europe. Aaron and Allie finally had to ignore their malice when caught in an unexpected condition with Aaron's enemy. Allie decided to make a secret investigation on why the two wouldn't mind spilling blood on themselves but upon that, she found traces of her heritage and Aaron's dark past was also unleashed. The two faced a heavy crisis to give their love a chance.
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?"
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."