Maia Beaufort has lived her 17 years on Earth as Han Ma Ri, until the day her mother puts her on a plane and her past is taken away from her by her estranged father, with the promise that she would be able to return home someday. As an already struggling artist, Maia sees no other choice but to take advantage of this opportunity to secure herself the best future she can, until the day she can finally leave her horrid new life behind. Reign Ferrante has tried his best to live a normal life, away from the daunting secrets that plague his every waking hour. Setting up an art shop was his only saving grace of holding onto the one true part of himself and the hopes of leaving his unwanted life behind. But the arrival of a striking girl with a headstrong attitude and a talent too gorgeous to be hidden away might just change his outlook on life. What will happen when these lost souls find each other?
"Now listen, this is only temporary. Just until graduation, then you can come right back," my mother said for the last time as we waited outside the airport gate.
"Why do I have to live with him? What are you doing that you can't take me with you?"
She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Han Ma Ri, you're almost a grown woman now. Stop complaining and do as I say. Your plane is going to leave soon, do you have everything?" She looked down at my single suitcase and a carry-on bag.
"Yeah, everything I'll ever need. Bye, Mom." I waved to her and turned toward the gate. I knew she wasn't going to stick around to see me leave, she was probably already gone off to whatever rich affair she was having now.
No one wanted a single mother with a teenage daughter.
So, the best way to fix that is to eliminate the daughter, I suppose.
Now, here I was being carted off to the States to live with my father and his new CEO's wife and daughter. He left my mother years ago after she found out he was having an affair with his boss. It wasn't long after the divorce that he moved in with her in their villa mansion in Florida.
It was a rather long plane ride from Korea to the United States. I popped in my headphones and decided to browse through the different music styles I'd be exposed to while I was there and brush up on my English since I assumed my father had already ditched his former poor background.
I soon passed out and the ride flew by, no pun intended.
My father was waiting for me at the gate, but he was the only one. I cringed at his high-end suit and fancy shoes, not liking the new look of my father.
"There you are Maia, you were supposed to land hours ago," was the first thing he said to me after 7 years of not seeing each other or even speaking.
"That isn't my name, and the second flight was delayed." I tried to walk past him but he grabbed my arm.
"While you are here, you will be addressed as Maia Beaufort. Han Ma Ri isn't a suitable name for this culture, I don't want you to be picked on or left out because of your background."
I ripped my arm out from his grip. "You mean my poor background. Yeah, I would expect that you would want to hide where you came from. I've already had one parent abandon me, no need to pretend like you actually care about me."
I walked past him and out the door to the awaiting car. I knew it was my father's based on how much it stood out and the driver waiting on the side who opened the door as soon as he saw me. I rolled my eyes and groaned, but reluctantly got in.
My father ranted on about the new private academy I would be attending and what would be expected of me when we got to the house, but most of it I drowned out through my headphones. There was one band I was able to like when I listened to some English music and I went through their songs as I tried to enjoy the ride.
We drove through what looked like a separate small town with tons of old shops and houses. My eyes stopped when we slowly passed by what looked like an art store, but what really caught my interest was the painting that was advertised outside.
It was an oil painting in the traditional Chinese art style. It was beautiful beyond words and it was the kind of work I aspired to create. Sadly, I had to leave most of my art products at my mother's, the only thing I was able to shove into my suitcase was the art easel my grandmother used to use.
She passed it down to me when my father divorced my mother when I was only 10 years old. She saw that I liked to distract myself by drawing pictures at a young age, I was relatively good. She introduced me to painting little by little, but my talent took off by age 12 and I have been painting ever since.
My mother had given me a bit of money just in case my father was cheap and greedy when I got here, but he handed me a bank card as soon as I landed and said he would load money onto it every week for me. Which meant I could go and buy new art supplies right away if I could escape my oppressive father and stepmother.
We arrived at the large villa and I couldn't believe my eyes at how huge the place was, I felt like I could get lost inside of it. My father didn't let me dawdle and rushed my stuff inside.
Waiting in the foyer was my new stepmother and sister.
"Maia, this is my wife Sarah and her daughter Bianca. You both will be going to the same school starting tomorrow."
"My name is Han Ma Ri, it's nice to meet you," I said monotonously.
Sarah seemed a little shocked when I said that, and Bianca just cringed. My father chuckled and ushered me up the stairs and to my room. He said nothing before he closed the door and let me unpack.
I flopped onto the large bed and took out my phone, hoping to see something from my mother that this was all a huge prank, and I would be going home tomorrow.
But there was nothing, of course.
I was stuck here for at least half a year, but who knew if my mother was going to actually come back for me, or if I was going to be abandoned once more. If that was the case, the best thing I could do to secure my future was to take advantage of this opportunity at school and get into a great college.
I just have to keep my head down and work my ass off until then.
With this thought, I turned over in bed and started unpacking my suitcase but stopped when my door banged open, and Bianca stood there.
"I hope you know; that no one is going to accept you at school. Especially with a name like Han Ma Ri, what kind of name is that?" She was already showing her true colours, she wasn't even trying to hide her spitefulness.
I understood her envy, she had been the only child who had lived a lavished life all to herself, and now someone new had come into the mix and she was worried I was going to take everything away from her. But chances were she also wouldn't believe me if I said I could care less, there was no point in engaging in her taunts.
"That's fine, I'm not here to make friends," I said.
She huffed and thankfully left. I was expecting much more than that, but it seemed she was only just beginning. I would have to walk on eggshells around her, great.
Isla Thatcher has given up everything she has ever loved: her looks, her confidence, and her passion for dance. The day a drunk driver takes her mother is the day her beautiful life turns bleak, and to make it all worse, she gains a personal bully. Ace Huxley, star hockey player and captain, has rigid good looks and he will do anything to pick on Isla Thatcher and remind her that her life is miserable. There has never been a particular reason why, but anyone would find someone as mysterious as her weird. But what happens on the day they are reunited, but only one can recognize the other? Isla has regained her confidence and is ready to take life head-on with everything she has missed, but she never expected she would also be given the chance of a lifetime - to bully the bully!
Meet Rylee Parks. JV Cheerleader, kick-ass bowler - and she is in love with her best friend's brother. Meet Aiden Reed. A varsity Football player, he can drink Ireland under the table and would do anything to protect the friend he sees as a brother. This is Rylee's first year of University and her last year of fawning over a boy who will never look at her the same. But what happens when Aiden is finally woken up to the realization that Rylee won't stay the small and innocent girl she always has been, and his time with her is quickly running out?
Amira Altaha has lived her entire 18 years alongside the natural - and supernatural. In her hometown city of Morrowfalls, it isn't unknown to be working side by side with a furry friend, or scaly, or one that floats. She can't imagine life without this diverse culture, especially not her longtime boyfriend, Isaac Lund. Despite their differences of her being a human and him being a werewolf, it takes one meeting during junior year of high school for them to fall head over heels for each other. Amira understands that one day Isaac might find his mate in someone who isn't her, but he makes his own vow to be with her until the very end. This promise is upheld for five blissful years - until the day Isaac turns 18, and meets Eris Morin, daughter to the Alpha of the Silverhowl Pack - and his new mate. ~ “Is this another attempt at avoiding me?” he asks. Goosebumps rise on her skin as his lower lip subtly brushes against hers while he speaks, his breath warm and sweet on her tongue. “What if it is?” She is surprised at how strong her voice sounds despite how much her chest is trembling. His fingers tighten their grip on her chin and waist, his already dark eyes darkening further. “I’ll say this only once so listen close, sweetheart – there isn’t anywhere in this world you can go where I won’t find you, and as cute as this game of dog and squirrel has been, I am only willing to play for so long. It’s best for you to give up now; I always win.”
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
Maria took her sister’s place and was engaged to Anthony, a disabled man who had lost his status as the family heir. At first, they were just a nominal couple. However, things changed when things about Maria were gradually exposed. It turned out she was a professional hacker, a mysterious composer, and the sole successor to an international jade sculpting master… The more that was revealed about her, the less Anthony could rest easy. A famous singer, an award-winning actor, an heir of a rich family—so many excellent men were chasing after his fiancee, Maria. What should Anthony do?
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.
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"