Helena Ballard attended the wedding. She was drunk and then she slept with the groomsman! After a one-night stand, she got pregnant. She wanted to give birth to the child, but that man disagreed. In desperation, Helena was about to leave with the baby in her belly, but she was caught! She was blocked in the corner by the man. "If you want to give birth to the child, marry me. Two years later, we'll divorce. During the two years of time, you're not allowed to touch me, not even hold my hands." However, no one expected that after they married, Bryce Huffman, the eldest young master of the Huffman family, fell in love with Helena crazily. The whole world was waiting for Helena to be abandoned by the Huffman family. Unexpectedly, Helena was spoiled by Bryce! Bryce said with affection, "It is my duty to spoil my wife."
Strike of eleven:
"Try as you might, chipmunk, even your birthday suit wouldn't qualify as sexy for the party," Ethan chuckled, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Isn't your candor just a breath of fresh air?" I shot back, a sharp glare aimed his way. "Remember, honesty is not always the best policy."
He shoved his camera under my nose, distracting me with a taunting grin. "So, are you going to fritter away the night picking out a dress that won't turn heads, or embrace your inner glutton?" He was still smirking, the rascal.
The picture on his camera showed a delectable roast chicken, provocatively nestled among an array of buffet dishes. It was a no-brainer. "All hail the goddess of hunger!" I yelped, snatched the first pink frock that caught my eye, and dashed for the bathroom. Ethan's echoing laughter trailed me.
Hey there, I'm Esther Taylor. The wisecracking fellow you've just met is Ethan, my best mate. I can almost hear you groaning, "Esther and Ethan? Seriously?" Yes, folks, welcome to my world of unimaginative monikers. Born on the same day in the same hospital, our parents became fast friends, thought it'd be a riot to give us rhyming names.
The sweet part? Ethan despises our paired names more than I do, making it a prime source of my amusement. Whenever he tries to charm a girl, I latch onto him and flash a warm smile at her. "You've met Ethan? Hi, I'm Esther, his name twin." His future partner will no doubt appreciate my teasing.
Anyway, back to the day's agenda: Ethan's brother Dennis's 16th birthday bash. Dennis's the hotshot future alpha of our 'Bluewood' pack, and the spotlight of the evening, of course, was his prospective mate. Once Dennis finds her, they'll begin their decade-long training to become the next power duo of our pack. Dennis's intent on being a doctor - a noble ambition his dad, Alpha Blake Wood, wholeheartedly supports.
Do I sense some whiff of envy from you? Well, you're right. Ethan and I are somewhat green-eyed about his royal highness Dennis's smarts and obedience. Ethan, however, pulls the short straw here, having to share a roof with Dennis - who we are convinced was a British aristocrat in a past life.
Bearing platters piled high with chicken, we headed straight for the lawn and found cozy spots, ready to savor the food and the unfolding drama. Dennis and his dad were busy schmoozing with the pack's movers and shakers - a rather yawn-inducing spectacle. Our attention veered towards the 16-and-above 'Luna hopefuls', dressed to the nines. I glanced down at my simple attire and sighed. "Wish I were sixteen."
"So, you could be Dennis's mate?" Ethan sniggered.
"Hilarious," I retorted, fixing him with a glare. "I just want the chance to look stunning in a dress."
Ethan flashed a grin. "You'll outshine them all someday."
"Really?"
"Absolutely. Just slow down on the feasting," he advised, his own mouth full of food, "and stop treating me like a brother."
I shook my head, defiant. "No can do."
"You know, I once asked Dennis what he wanted in a mate. 'Elegant, graceful, kind, someone who will serve our pack alongside me,' he'd said. He even mentioned that he'd like her to be a doctor. For some reason, I thought of you," Ethan turned towards me, a serious look on his face.
"Me?" I gasped, wide-eyed.
"Yes," he affirmed, then quickly added, "But the exact opposite of you," winking at me.
I shot him a glare. "Oh, we'll see. Mr. Uptight won't know what hit him when his 'elegant' mate shows up."
Speaking of Dennis, I wondered if he'd found his mate yet. With him, it's hard to say. He could be grinning like a Cheshire cat or frowning like a bulldog - his expression would remain the same. I often wondered if a book could be one's mate. If so, Dennis would be betrothed to his precious hardcovers.
When he caught me staring, I quickly shifted my gaze to Ethan, waiting until Dennis was distracted.
"Ye gods!" I exhaled, hand on my heart. "That was nerve-wracking."
"What's up?" Ethan asked, looking up from his food.
"Can future Alphas read minds?" I blurted.
Ethan rolled his eyes. "We all have mind links, Esther."
"Not that. I was mentally cursing Dennis, and he glared at me. Think he'll hold that against me when he becomes Alpha?"
Ethan chuckled. "You're always so spooked by him. He never harmed you."
"I've never seen him smile. It's unsettling," I confessed.
"He does smile, just not often. Maybe he doesn't like you," Ethan teased. "Might be your looks."
"Do you think he'll pick on me when he's Alpha?"
"Nah, Dennis's got a big heart. He won't bother you, no matter how unattractive he finds you."
"One of these days, Ethan..."
The party wound down around midnight, Dennis retreating to the pack house with a somber expression.
Guess something marred Mr. Perfect's perfect day?
"Seems he didn't find his mate," Ethan mused.
I grinned, "But we found the heavenly chicken!"
"Hell yeah!"
Half a decade later:
"Could the two of you potentially become mates?" Daisy, the docile and demure daughter of the beta, asked. She was easily the gentlest and most introverted werewolf you could ever encounter.
The night before our 16th birthdays, we all huddled by the lakeside. Ethan, Tyler, Bruce, Aylin, Daisy, and me, we formed an official group when we all experienced our first shift around the same age two years prior. This was a gathering to commemorate our last day of youthful recklessness.
"B.O.R.I.N.G" we chorused, exchanging knowing grins.
"But wouldn't that be incredibly romantic?" Aylin debated. She had a knack for daydreaming about love. "It would be as if the Moon Goddess blessed your union by ensuring that you were always together."
Everyone gave her 'the' look.
"So, what will you do if it happens?" Bruce echoed Daisy's question. They seemed determined to get an answer.
"I'd be dead meat," Ethan grumbled, irritation creeping into his expression. His mood had been swinging wildly in anticipation of his 'mate day' for a few weeks now, which was getting on all our nerves.
"That's right, I'd skin him alive if he turns out to be my mate," I retorted, feigning a growl. "Have you seen the number of girls who have clung to him this past year?"
Puberty had been kind to Ethan. His impressive height and twinkling green eyes naturally drew attention, so the sight of Ethan with a new girl every few days had become quite commonplace.
"We need fresh faces in our lives," Ethan replied, winking at me.
"Someone we can gradually discover. Someone unaware of how clumsy I am so I can act graceful," I pointed at myself, "or how much he's scared of horror movies so he can act brave," I pointed at Ethan.
"Enough said," Ethan interjected.
"Why is the party at Esther's and not yours?" Bruce asked Ethan.
"You are mine." This was what Cindy Lynd said the most to the supercilious and mighty man. Although she was an orphan, a child that no one wanted, she was very lucky to have married the elegant and noble man at the top of the pyramid. She thought that he was her Mr. Right, but when she was pregnant with his child, his Princess Charming appeared. He pushed her away several times for his Princess Charming. After Cindy was hurt again and again, she decided to sign the divorce agreement and leave. Everyone knew that during Cindy's disappearance, Fletcher Lynd had gone crazy and searched for her around the world.
Looking at the divorce papers my lips curled up into a mocking smile. 'How big fool I am? How can I think that he will give a chance to this marriage? How can I forget that I was nothing more a tool in his eyes to vent his anger until his beloved Tara is back. Since, she was back, how can he let me stay there?' "After you will sign these papers, you will receive 100 million dollars as alimony." the lawyer added. Because of his words, I came back to my senses took the pen from him, and signed the name. I have also gotten exhausted from this marriage both physically and mentally. Even though I had wanted my child to be born into a complete family, I didn't want my child to have a stepmother and live miserably like me for the rest of his life. After taking the papers from my hand, the lawyer gave me the bank card, turned around, and was about to leave when he paused at the door. He then turned around and added, "Mr. Carter said that he hoped that you won't pester him, or you have to bear the consequences." The lawyer's words were like a knife stabbing in my heart, but I still nodded. Anyway, I also don't plan to have anything to do with him anymore. I just want to live a good life with my children. After the lawyer left, the ward fell into silence. I placed my hand on my belly and said to my children, "Baby, I am sorry, Mommy can't give you a complete family! But I promise you, I will do my best to give the love of both mother and father." 'As for giving one of my child, I will never do that. They are my babies and my alone. I and I will give birth to all of them and raise them no matter what.' Four Years Later... Anya came back to the country with her three kids, to inherit the company left by his grandfather...
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
Traversing back to the ancient Prime Martial World from modern age, Austin finds himself in a younger body as he wakes up. Yet, the young man he possesses was a miserable dimwit, what a bummer! But it doesn’t matter as his mind is sound and clear. Possessing this younger and stronger body, he will fight his way to become the God of martial arts, and rule the whole Martial World!
Mia's life is spiraling out of control. Abandoned by her mother, bullied mercilessly at school, and thrown into a household of four dangerously attractive stepbrothers, she's desperate to find her footing. "You look absolutely edible," Sean growled, his eyes devouring her. Mia felt a rush of heat between her thighs "Oh, you think so?" she purred, turning to face him. She reached out and traced her fingers along the ribbon that wrapped around his waist. "Well, I've been waiting for this all day. And I'm starving." Sean's smile grew into a predatory grin. "Then let us feast," he said, and in a flash, the ribbon fell away, exposing his rock-hard length. He stepped closer, and Mia felt the warmth of his breath on her face as he whispered, "You're going to take every inch of us tonight, aren't you?" With Rolex's teasing smirk and Sean's quiet, hot stares, Mia doesn't know where to turn-or who to trust. Every glance, every touch leaves her breathless, confused, and craving more than she should. Will Mia survive their games, or will she lose herself in a dangerous world of secrets, seduction, and forbidden desire? One house. Four brothers. Endless temptation.
Loraine was a dutiful wife to Marco since they got married three years ago. However, he treated her like trash. Nothing she did softened his heart. One day, Loraine got fed up with it all. She asked him for a divorce and left him to enjoy with his mistress. The elites looked at her like she was deranged. "Are you out of your mind? Why are you so willing to divorce him?" "It's because I need to return home to get a billion-dollar fortune. Besides, I don't love him anymore," Loraine replied with a smile. They all laughed at her. Some believed that the divorce affected her mentally. It wasn't until the next day that they realized she wasn't fibbing. A woman was suddenly declared the world's youngest female billionaire. It turned out to be Loraine! Marco was shocked to the bone. When he met his ex-wife again, she was a changed person. A group of handsome young men surrounded her. She was smiling at them all. The sight made Marco's heart ache severely. Putting his pride aside, he tried to win her back. "Hello, love. I see that you are a billionaire now. You shouldn't be with suckers who just want your money. How about you come back to me? I'm a billionaire too. Together, we can build a strong empire. What do you say?" Loraine squinted at her ex-husband with her lips curled in disgust.