Ten years ago, he was forced to escape from the wealthy clans. Since then, he had been living in exile. He was as panicked as an ant, and everyone could bully him. Until that day, he dialed the familiar but strange phone number. If you choose to hold my hand, I must give you a bright future...
"No, I don't think you understand what I'm getting at," I hiss, watching the man lean back in his chair, crossing his arms. "I'm not someone who can be pushed around like this, I've worked hard here, harder than anyone else here!" I yell, watching as my boss sighs, shaking his head.
"Listen, Lyra, we have to make these cuts, besides, this business is going under in a matter of weeks."
I nod, feeling the tears well up. "I know this is your only source of income, but Lyra, your resume is beautiful and you're a hard worker, I'll make sure to give you a great recommendation letter."
Sighing, I grab my purse and last paycheck, leaving his office as my eyes well up quickly. Damnit! Just when I thought fate was being nicer, allowing me to find a job that paid the rent and bills. Just when I was getting accustomed to the big city of New York City, just as I was settling down-BAM- I got let go of because of some stupid money mistake for the business that the owner had made.
Checking my watch, I begin my usual walk back to my small apartment located in the basement of a married couple's house.
Ever since I was declared rogue, it hasn't been a walk in the park. Goddess, heat was a miserable experience, not just the pain of rejection, but the pain of being in heat and no one to aid you. I was all alone.
My parents come up twice a week, driving two hours to see me, making sure I'm safe and taken care of. Next semester they have me set up to do duel credit at a community college, allowing me to have the rest of the semester off from my rejection. As for that bastard, I want to watch him burn. How could the goddess pair us together?
I take a left turn, deciding to instead spend another hour at the park, just to probably do people watching or read a book online. Pulling the jacket tighter around my body, I find a bench after a short stroll, taking a seat next to the bridge were people pass bye. There's the usual workout group of women here, the typical gym gurus, no sweat showing, there's a number of moms with their children, men on break from work as they have from food, and your usual tourists.
Leaning back on the bench, I pull out my phone, and right away I see a missed call. Mom.
I ignore it.
For a good thirty minutes I'm reading some science fiction novel, and then, as a strong breeze makes it way past me, I catch the most heavenly scent I've ever smelt. No, not like a mate's, for if he was here, I'd be willing to chop off his dick. It's a scent that reels you in, one that entices you in a mysterious smell. I can't place my finger on the exact scent, as it's mixed with so many beautiful smells, but the scent forces my eyes open right away.
I look around for the man or woman who carries the scent, only to remain unsuccessful as the people around me all smell completely different.
Goddess, that's got to be my favorite scent in the whole world.
Getting to my feet, I try and pick up a trail of the scent, holding my head high as I take in deep breathes, only to find no trace.
My wolf grows impatient and I find myself groaning, placing my phone back in my purse and walk back to the street I need to head back home on.
As I try and squeeze through a few tourist groups, someone grapes my purse from me, dashing off with it.
"HEY!"
People turn their attention to me as the male runs off with my purse, me pushing through as I see the man in the gray hoodie and black hat running away.
As I get free from the group, I call after the man. My legs begin to burn as I want to shift into my wolf. Lucky for him he has a head start.
"Hey, jackass, get back here you mother fucker!"
Some are shocked by my language as I run after the man, seeing him jump over a small creek, only, as he does, he meets the fist of a man, sending him back into the creek as the man takes hold of my purse.
I don't even look to the man who stopped the thief as I rush over the rest of the fifteen yards, landing a swift and painful kick right to the man's balls. "You fucking jackass," I yell, landing one more blow.
"Christ, lady," the man groans in pain as I step on his leg, walking over to whoever got my purse.
However, just as I look up, just as my eyes meet his, I know I'll never be the same.
Golden brown, a color I'll never forget, the bright flakes in the orbs just making me fall head over heels even more. The man is breathtaking as I just stare into his eyes, him doing the same, and as I take a deep breath of his scent, I recognize it instantly. The scent that had me obsessed earlier, that had me searching.
And that's when I realize it, not just the scent or the eyes, but the other bit of his presence, the authority, power, the ranking.
He's wolf, but not just wolf, but someone who could have me beheaded without anyone questioning him.
Right away I bow my head, thinking of if he'll have me hanged for not bowing before, if he'll hang me for being rogue. But then, only packs care about rogues, only if on their lands. Hell, the royal family rather likes rogues, those who are strong.
The royal family.
Oh no.
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."
Natalie used to think she could melt Connor’s icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale—all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.
Iris grew from an orphaned child to the adopted daughter of the Stewart family at age ten, finding warmth in her nominal uncle Vincent's kindness. Seven years later, she became his secret lover. When Vincent's engagement was announced, gossip spread about the notorious playboy CEO finally settling down. But only Iris knew the extent of his cold, two-faced nature. Iris fell for Vincent and, through tears, begged, "Marry me," only to be met with his frosty refusal. Defeated, she accepted a lawyer's proposal, sparking public excitement. Then, on her wedding day, Vincent pleaded desperately, "Don't marry him…"
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
Eliana was framed by her best friend and her fiance into sleeping with a boy toy in the club and getting impregnated by him. Five years after she had given birth to twins, she returned home and worked under the Moran Group, where she met the CEO-- Maurice. Maurice was a brilliant businessman who did his job well. But in order to stay under the radar, he lived a double life. One as Maurice, and one as Preston. Fate brought the two together again, roping them in on an exciting love story. It all became more complicated when Eliana faced Preston, the man she had slept with before, once again. Now that she was being pursued by two men, how could she ever choose? When would Eliana uncover the secret of Maurice's identity? When was Maurice going to know that he already had two children of his own? How would Eliana face this man when the truth came to light one day? Come and find out.
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!"