"Tell me, how much do you want me?" "I... I don't know, Prince Gradel." I couldn't think straight, my body ached and my soul sang with an overwhelming need for one thing. His touch. ***** Iris Damine had the whole universe conspiring against her. From being a wolfless omega, to being framed for theft and eventually being sentenced for taking the Prince's heirloom, she had sins stacked against her like a pack of cards. Gradel, prodigal prince of Grey Rock pack and son of Alpha Cronus, has zero interests in anything that concerns the pack. But with his father's health declining and the pack on the verge of collapse, he's charged with new responsibilities. And only the wolfless omega he despises can help him. What happens when their forced union threatens to unravel the other feelings they struggle to hide? Would the moon goddess step in and save them from themselves or would the end of this forbidden romance be filled with heartache and sadness?
Chapter 1
Iris
"I swear I didn't take the money," I argued tiredly as the crowd thickened with each passing second. "I'm sure if you search properly you'll find it, or maybe someone else took it," I added in my defense.
If I'd known that today would turn out this way with me being accused of being a thief, I would have listened to my instincts and stayed back at home. But then, there was no food in the house, no money, and my lazy sister wasn't keen on doing anything to provide food or other supplies that we had run out of.
"It's a lie, you wretched hag!" Giga, my boss, snapped. "You took the money. I purposely left it there to test you and you just showed me that you can't be trusted!" He accused me vehemently.
I go by the name Iris, but no one remembers that because I'm an omega without a wolf, and very unattractive as well.
Maybe if I'd obliged my boss's wishes and had a good night with him as he demanded, I wouldn't be in the middle of the market, surrounded by little children and other jobless omegas like me, who turned me into a dumpsite of rotten eggs, tomatoes and every perishable item they could lay their filthy hands on.
"Stupid people!" I cursed under my breath.
They couldn't even afford good food, yet they were wasting the ones they could find on me.
Knowing that arguing my case wouldn't get me out of there, I proceeded to plead with him. I rarely showed my vulnerability, but I had to leave this place before the pack's police came for an investigation.
They already hated me so they wouldn't even spare a minute in arresting me.
"Please, Giga, you know I didn't do it..." My voice trailed off as tears slowly gathered in my eyes with the memories of my past rushing into my mind. "I'll find a way to refund the money. Just tell these people to stop doing this to me." I pleaded, my voice shaky even though I tried to sound firm.
Giga snickered and crouched on the ground, and immediately they stopped throwing things at me.
His eyes roved over my body condescendingly, his nostrils flaring as he palmed them because of the stench oozing from my body.
"You could have avoided this, you know." He lowered his voice.
Anger worked its way through me as I tried to hold back my glare. "How?" I bellowed.
"You're not even beautiful and I would have given you everything; a better position in my store, and I'd have sorted out your bills. You wouldn't have to live in that hell hole you call a house, but your obstinance overshadowed your sense of judgment and once again, you're being made the laughing stock of the pack." He taunted me, his tone low and degrading. "And the sweetest part of it all is that you can't run away because you are both weak and sluggish." He chuckled.
I shook my head and crawled backward. "So you set me up?" My angry tone was accompanied by disgust.
"You figured that out fast." He spared a glance at his wristwatch and his evil smirk widened. "The pack's police should be here anytime from..."
He didn't need to complete his statement as heavy footsteps approached us, and a glance at their mean faces told me that there would be no room for mercy.
I'd fallen deeply into his trap and no one could save me. Not even May, my sister, who was the most nonchalant person I'd ever known. Calling her for help would be a waste of time.
"Is she the one?" One of them, whom I presumed to be their leader asked.
Giga quickly nodded. "She stole half of my earnings from today's sales after trying to seduce me. She's not just wretched, she's got no morals at all." He scoffed while I gulped, trying to rise to my feet.
At least, they had stopped throwing the rotten items at me, but even my stench irked me. Bile rose in my throat and I was seconds away from throwing up.
"That's how they all behave." Their leader gave me a once-over. "Don't worry, we'll deal with her appropriately." He assured Giga.
He didn't need to say more as they swung into action, grabbing my wrists roughly as their tight grips caused a stab of pain in my hands.
Though I was weak, I wouldn't let them drag me out like a common criminal. "I'd rather die than have you treat me this way," I yelled at the top of my voice, kicking into the air as they pulled me forward with less hassle since my weight could be likened to that of an ordinary paper.
Seeing that my efforts had no effect, I did the only thing that came to my mind and bit one of them on their arms, yanking off his flesh forcefully as I retracted my teeth.
His grip on my arm loosened as his face turned red. As a trained guard, he couldn't show pain and that made me realise that I'd just taken the wrong decision.
My eyes saw several stars when his palm connected to my cheek, causing me to stagger backward. A heavy kick followed, landing on my back as I slumped to the ground and shielded my face with my hands.
My body ached, and my eyes hurt as I writhed on the stony ground while expecting more punches, but they didn't come, instead, the street became quiet and a woody scent, powerful and mesmerizing wafted into my nose and neutralized the stench that saturated the atmosphere.
My curiosity was piqued, and even though my heart was pounding hard against my chest I still managed to take a peek at the cause of the silence.
My body shivered and I nearly scrambled away as I met with the coldest glassy blue eyes. His expression was stoic, his jaws clenched as he gave me a thorough scrutiny.
Our eyes were locked and suddenly, the world stopped moving around us. Glassy blue eyes met brown and I was lost already.
His bored tone jerked me from my reverie, reminding me that I was still very close to being punished for a crime I didn't commit. Then I noticed something that made my heart skip a bit.
Wasn't he the Alpha prince? The one I saw in my dreams and hoped that he would be my mate. I'd only seen him once, but the image of his gorgeous face remained imprinted in my heart, and I kept wishing that one day I'd have the opportunity to meet with him.
Had the moon goddess harkened to my wish? Was he the one?
Excitement burst through me as my lips widened. "Prince Devin-"
He peered at me with an uninterested expression. "What. Did. You. Do?" He rumbled, as the timbre of his voice aroused strange feelings within me. I didn't even know that I was capable of feeling that way.
Overwhelmed by the strange sparks that erupted within me and the most captivating set of blue orbs that peered down at me, I whispered almost drowsily. "Nothing." I inclined my head, my shoulders sagging with resignation as I realized that he wasn't even interested in me. "I did nothing." I reinstated.
One casual visit to her father's study; an unplanned collision with the malevolent Russian Bratva mafia boss plunged her life into a downward spiral. Forced to marry him for an alliance that bordered on keeping her family's business stronger, she had no choice but to accept her fate after an unsuccessful attempt at absconding right before the wedding. But with each new discovery about him, she realized that the masked husband she despised so much had several layers that tugged at her heartstrings, giving her no choice but to fall deeply for him. However, what happens when the dreary and dark secrets from his past resurfaces and threatens to disrupt not just their blooming relationship and his position as Capo, but their existence as well?
"After what you did, I'd like you to know that I can't stand you, but this marriage cuts across our hateful feelings for each other. It's something you will never understand." His eyes turned dark and vengeful immediately, causing me to take a step back. "This is my life, Dexter. You won't ruin it for me with your so-called marriage contract." I protested. He shook his head, and immediately the vengeful glints I saw were replaced with an unreadable expression. "If you don't marry me, then your life will be completely ruined, dear Lorraine. And don't forget that you have a lot of enemies, especially your step father. ************** Fate brings two former high school enemies back together in an unreasonable situation and for some reasons, Lorraine has to marry Dexter, the man she despises. But when she signs the contract, she discovers that there are several secrets that are hidden from her and it becomes worse when her husband isn't who she thinks him to be. Amidst the trials and challenges, they'll find themselves falling for each other again even though reality keeps reminding them why they shouldn't. Will their love conquer all? Will Lorraine be able to forgive Dexter despite knowing his hideous past? Will she be able to survive all the deadly arrows thrown at her by her stepfather?
Returning from work to discover that her parents were murdered by a dead Capo, Aurora seeks answers from her uncle. He tells her the truth and that strengthens her resolve to get revenge from the children of her parent's murderers. Finally she gets to the Capo's house to get Vendetta from his children, especially Matteo the first son and Capo of the Outfit. But is it possible when she realizes that the man she wants to kill might be the only man she could ever love?
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
"I heard you're going to marry Marcelo. Is this perhaps your revenge against me? It's very laughable, Renee. That man can barely function." Her foster family, her cheating ex, everyone thought Renee was going to live in pure hell after getting married to a disabled and cruel man. She didn't know if anything good would ever come out of it after all, she had always thought it would be hard for anyone to love her but this cruel man with dark secrets is never going to grant her a divorce because she makes him forget how to breathe.
"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!
Anabel found out she was pregnant and dialed her husband's number to share the good news to him. They have been married for two years without a child. Desmond's mother had been accusing her of being barren and unproductive. When the call was picked, she was flabbergasted and broken. She was hearing a loud moan of feminine voice. "Ohh! Yeah! Don't stop fucking me! Fuck me harder baby!" accompanied with sound of skins slapping against the other. She went home to confront her husband and end up receiving a divorce paper. Desmond divorced him for a lady his mother was rooting. Few months later when he found out that his ex-wife is a billionaire heiress and she is pregnant with twins, he went crazy!
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.