"So, you're asking me to sacrifice my life, mother?" "And what of it? Are you so proud of your pitiful and disgraceful life? You are a blight and a curse! This is the only way you can redeem yourself!" "By dying?" Winona asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, by dying and performing a noble act to cleanse your sins and curses. Perhaps you might be blessed with good karma in your next life," her mother retorted harshly. Winona knew her mother would never wish her well. What good karma? Her mother would likely wish she had never been born in the first place! Winona cast a fleeting glance at her supposed mate, but his eyes were filled with hatred and... threat. It was as if he would rip her to shreds if she dared refuse to comply. Did he despise her that much? That was the moment when she began to accept the harsh reality that she was alone in this world. She had nothing and no one. She was despised by her own mother. Rejected by her mate. Mocked by her sister. Perhaps, she wasn't meant to be alive.
"Devil's spawn!" Winona's mother shrieked, her voice echoing with a grief that was as raw as it was profound. "You've taken my husband from me! Sent him back into the flames and now he's gone!"
The words pierced Winona like a barbed arrow, her mind reeling in disbelief. It couldn't be true, could it? She stared at her mother, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and terror.
"Dead?" she choked out.
The harsh words seemed to physically sting Winona, her heart constricting painfully in her chest as if her mother's hand was squeezing it mercilessly.
"He can't be gone! He promised me! He said he'd come back with Mr. Whale," she murmured to herself, desperately clinging to the hope that her father had merely gone back to retrieve her beloved toy.
But that was the only memory she had left of him.
"I'll end you! You'll pay for what you've done!" Her mother's threats grew louder, more vehement.
A soft whimpering sound and a tug on her mother's dress brought them both back to reality. Hayley, Winona's twin sister, was crying inconsolable, clutching at their mother's dress.
In an instant, Winona's mother seemed to forget all about her and her threats. She let go of Winona and rushed to comfort Hayley, her golden child. Winona watched as they sat on the grass, weeping in each other's arms, oblivious to her presence.
Suddenly, Winona found herself gasping for air. The air was thick with ash and smoke from their burning home. Pain radiated from every part of her body, from her head to her stomach where her mother had kicked her in a fit of rage.
She groaned, a part of her wanting to crawl back into the flames and call out for her father. If she screamed loud enough, surely he would hear her and come out.
"Daddy! Daddy!! Please, help me! It hurts so much! I can't bear it!"
She needed him. She couldn't be left alone with her mother. She might be her mother's child, but she was not her daughter. She needed her father. If he didn't come back, her mother would make her life unbearable.
So, she made a decision. If her father wouldn't come to her, she would go to him. Gathering all the strength she had left, she began to crawl towards the fire.
With each painful movement, she inched closer to the flames. Tears streamed down her face, scalding her cheeks. Or was it the fire? She didn't know, nor did she care. All she wanted was to see her father again. Her determination to reach him overpowered any sense of reason.
As Winona neared the fire, the heat was so intense that she was forced to pull back. She tried again, but the scorching flames repelled her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she berated herself for her cowardice. How could she retreat from the very fire her father had courageously entered?
She attempted again, but the heat was unbearable, searing her skin. Despite numerous attempts, she couldn't muster the courage to step into the flames. All she could do was cry, her tears soaking her already damp clothes. She didn't care. She just wanted her father back.
"Fire, give me back my daddy! You can have Mr. Whale, but please return my daddy to me!" she sobbed.
Her cries were so intense that her throat ached and it became difficult to breathe. She wept for her father, but her tears didn't bring him back. Still, she clung to a sliver of hope that he would return for her.
Looking around, she realized her mother and Hayley were nowhere to be seen. Fear gripped her heart at the thought that they might have left her too. She began to wail, but there was no one around to hear her.
She started walking towards the forest, hoping to find her mother and sister. She couldn't bear the thought of being left alone.
"Momma! Hayley!" she called out. "Please don't leave me alone! Daddy is gone! Please don't leave me alone! I promise to be good, mommy!"
Her cries echoed through the forest as she ventured deeper, unknowingly crossing the boundary of their Pack's territory.
Suddenly, a loud growl echoed behind her. A foul stench filled the air, and a wave of fear washed over her.
"Daddy! Save me!" she cried out as her eyes met the fiery gaze of a wolf.
At the tender age of seven, Winona knew little about rogues, but she was certain this wolf was not from their Pack. The wolf let out another bone-chilling growl, and she screamed in terror.
She spun around and ran as fast as her small legs could carry her. Exhaustion overtook her, and she fell onto the grassy ground with a thud. She saw the wolf lunging towards her.
She braced herself for the fatal snap of her neck, but it never came. Instead, she heard another growl, this one from a young boy. He was in his human form.
She watched in awe as the boy fought the wolf, and within minutes, he had snapped the wolf's head off. The boy approached her slowly, squatting down to look at her.
Not wanting to frighten her savior, she covered her face with her small hands.
"Little girl, why are you alone in this forest? Where are your parents?" he asked.
"My Papa was taken by the fire, and I can't find my momma and Hayley," she replied, her face still hidden.
"I'm sure your momma and Hayley are looking for you right now. Are you from this pack?"
"Yes. I lost my way. I don't know how to get back," she answered.
"Come, I'll take you to the palace. The alpha will find your momma and Hayley, okay?"
She nodded, but still refused to show him her face.
"Why are you hiding your face, little girl?"
"Because I'm a monster. A black-eyed curse. I don't want to bring you bad luck. You're my savior," she replied.
She heard him chuckle. He gently removed her hands from her face, but she kept her eyes tightly shut. She didn't want him to see her eyes.
"Open your eyes, or I'll get angry," he warned.
Not wanting to upset him, Winona slowly opened her eyes. She braced herself for his reaction, expecting him to either curse her or run away. Instead, she was met with a warm smile. He was incredibly handsome.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"My name is Winona, Winona McKellen," she replied.
"Listen to me, Winona. You're not a monster or a bearer of dark eyes. You're unique and beautiful in your own way," he reassured her. "Someday, your true beauty will be recognized by someone who truly deserves you, okay?"
She nodded. "What is your name, savior?"
"Just call me the Celestial Alpha," he said, grinning at her.
As he carried her back to the pack, Winona found herself wishing upon the Moon Goddess that she would be his mate. He truly seemed like he was from heaven.
Matilda's future was written as soon as she was born. However, she has no idea of her true role and the only thing she knows is— she needed to stay in the mountain until her eighteenth birthday. Knowing the freedom is in the corner, Matilda gladly played the assumed role... she offered in the mountains and prayed fervently. But then... In the middle of her prayer, she heard a series of howling. Scared for her life, Matilda ran as fast as she could. But her effort is in vain because in the end she is captured by the unknown abductor and wakes up in a dark place. "Now that your awake, play your part... Undress and give your untainted body to me!"
'I hate when people don't do what I say! I'll make sure you never go against what I say again!' Celine's dress was torn without any warning from Leon. As she covered up, Celine's eyes got bigger. Leon is so angry that it makes her feel uneasy. 'Leon, please...'begged Celine as she moved away... As she watched Leon take off his clothes, her whole body shook. Celine tries to get out of bed, but Leon is quick. He quickly pins his naked body to her, so Celine has no choice but to stay under him. 'You are mine!' Leon said, 'Those are mine!' and grabbed Celine's lips with force as his hand touched a sensitive part of her body. Leon is bigger and stronger than Celine, so her fight is pointless... 'Leon Bridgerton, I hate you! "I despise you!' Celine remarks. Because Leon bit her a few times, she can taste the blood in her mouth. 'You can hate me all you want, but you will do what I say!' Leon answers and then puts his hand on Celine's breast.
"You are mine, so you are not allowed to die!" Thunder declared. His eyes are glaring while holding Scarlet in his arms. "I wish I can do that..." Scarlet responded, trying to smile as broad as she can. Although the demon is taking over her, she wanted to assure Thunder that everything is okay. "I'm forever in depth to you..." Thunder hold her hand . "NO! I will save you!" After his remark, Thunder hug Scarlet tighter. Then the fire ignite. Thunder and Scarlet body envelope by the flame.
Belle Stone, a high school student at University, has endured constant bullying since she was a little girl due to her old-fashioned clothes and eyeglasses. Despite her embarrassment, Belle was happy with the help of her best friend, Audrey. Because of her appearance, Belle can't fulfill her dream... to be a member of a cheering squad Until that happens... That night, she almost burst into tears because of the embarrassment she received at the hands of her classmates. Belle went out crying alone, and there she encountered a wolf... The wolf bit her and tried to kill her. Fortunately, someone arrived and saved her. Despite her fear, she managed to return home. Belle returned home as if nothing had happened. Yet, when she awoke, she experienced some changes. Her sight began to clear. Her hearing sharpened. But one of the sweetest things that happened, the man who helped her the night she was embarrassed at school, became her neighbor— Zeke Hunter.
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
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?
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.