Warren arrived at the hotel, his heart racing as he got to the roof. Panic seized him when he didn't immediately see Anastasia. As he moved closer to the ledge, he finally spotted her-lying dangerously close to the edge, her body slack and seemingly on the brink of slipping into unconsciousness. The sight of the empty bottle of pills and whiskey shattered something inside him. "Oh, Ana," he whispered, his voice thick with anguish as he approached her. But then, in a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity, he saw her body begin to roll off the edge. The horror that gripped him turned his blood to ice. Without a second thought, Warren launched himself over the ledge after her, diving headfirst through the night air. The wind roared in his ears, but he moved with the precision of a bullet, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. When he finally caught her, relief surged through him. Cradling her tightly in his arms, he expanded his angelic wings, the pure white feathers cutting through the darkness as he propelled them upward, away from prying eyes. __________________________________________________________________________________________ After the loss of her mother and the abuse she receives from her stepfamily, Anastasia finds herself living in a world where grief and betrayal are commonplace. She turns to her childhood best friend and first love, Bastian, for consolation. But after a tragic accident leaves him in a coma Anastasia's world crumbles as he passes away from his injuries. Warren, a mysterious angel, enters her life just when it seems hope is lost. Because he is harboring secrets that may change everything, his presence is both comforting and unsettling. As Anastasia is drawn further into a world of angels, demons, and ancient abilities, she learns a shocking family secret and danger lerks around every corner. Anastasia is at the core of it all. Worse, she harbors her own secret even she doesn't fully understand, one known only by her late mother and a few others. As her connection to Warren deepens, Anastasia is forced to confront the reality of her family's past and the supernatural forces determined to destroy everything she loves. In a race against time, Anastasia must decide whether to embrace her hidden destiny and face a terrifying future or risk losing everything-including the love that might just save her. Secrets, danger, and a forbidden love that transcends time and reality collide in this heart-pounding journey of self-discovery and survival.
The Prologue
Anastasia hovered on the ledge of the roof, knees drawn tightly to her chest, cradling them with desperate arms. Tears, mixed with smudged mascara, streaked down her cheeks as she gazed at the city lights glittering against the dark sky. The wind whispered through her long, wavy brown hair, as if trying to soothe her anguish.
"How did it come to this?" she thought, her heart heavy with despair. Her mind swirled with memories of pain and betrayal, each one cutting deeper than the last.
She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping to block out the storm of emotions threatening to consume her.
Tonight was supposed to mark a new beginning, a joyful milestone in her life. Graduation. A day filled with hope, celebration, and promises of a bright future. Instead, it had shattered into pieces, leaving her more broken than she'd ever been.
The betrayal had blindsided her. Walking into that room, seeing him tangled up with her, and hearing the cruel confession that followed-it had been too much to bear. Her stomach twisted as the memory surfaced, vivid and raw.
Anastasia replayed the scene over and over, the pain fresh and unrelenting. Her fingers trembled as she reached into her pocket, pulling out a small bottle of sleeping pills and a half-empty flask of whiskey.
"Maybe this will help," she muttered, her voice barely audible over the wind. The pills were bitter on her tongue, but she swallowed them down with a swig of whiskey, the burn in her throat a welcome distraction from the ache in her heart.
As the alcohol dulled her senses, she let her thoughts drift to the past-to her first love, Bastian. The one person who had always made her feel safe. His name was a whisper in her mind, a flicker of warmth in the cold darkness surrounding her.
She stroked the bracelet on her wrist, the one he had given her all those years ago. Memories of him flooded her mind: his laughter, his touch, the way he had made her feel like the world wasn't such a terrible place after all. Losing him had nearly destroyed her, and now... now it felt like she was losing herself.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I wish I could've been stronger. Maybe if you were still here, things would be different. Maybe I..." Her words trailed off as tears streamed down her face.
The city lights blurred as her vision grew hazy. She lay back on the cold concrete, dangerously close to the edge, and closed her eyes. The pills and whiskey were taking effect, pulling her into a heavy, drowsy state. She welcomed the numbness, the escape from the torment that had become her reality.
"Bastian," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "If you're out there... if there's anything after this... I hope we find each other again."
A gust of wind whipped through her hair as she began to drift, her body swaying precariously. In her mind, she dreamed of falling-the sensation of weightlessness, the rush of air against her skin as she fell off the ledge.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 1 – The very beginning
Before heartbreak, before betrayal, before she lost everything, Anastasia Goodwin had a perfect life.
Her father, Wyatt Goodwin, was a well-respected lawyer, his name spoken with admiration across Chicago's courtrooms. He was charismatic, intelligent, and dedicated-not only to his work but to his family. Her mother, Helena, was the heart of their home, her warmth and laughter filling every room. She had a way of making even the most ordinary days feel magical.
Then there were her younger brothers, Matt and Sean. Wild and full of energy, they were always dragging Anastasia into their mischief, whether it was sneaking extra marshmallows into hot cocoa or plotting against their unsuspecting babysitters.
They weren't rich, but they were happy. Summers were spent on road trips, discovering hidden gems across the country, while winters meant snowball fights and curling up by the fire. Her parents had taught her that love wasn't measured in wealth, but in the moments they shared together.
But even in the happiest stories, storms are always waiting on the horizon.
One ordinary afternoon, Anastasia's world tilted. It started with whispered phone calls behind closed doors, the tension in her mother's smile. Helena, who had always been the strongest woman Anastasia knew, began to look tired. The family still went on trips, still laughed around the dinner table, but there was an undercurrent of something unspoken. Something dark.
The day her mother sat her and her brothers down, Anastasia already knew what was coming.
"I have cancer," Helena said softly.
The words landed like a blow. Anastasia couldn't breathe. Sean and Matt looked between their parents, searching for reassurance, but none came.
The fight had already begun, and it was a battle their mother would lose.
"Rate that one," Ethan whispered, sidling up to me as I tried to swallow my frustration. He gestured toward another girl walking by with her father-a tall man with a belly that strained his too-small suit jacket. "Girl's a solid six," Ethan murmured, barely holding back his grin. "Dad? Three. No, wait. Two-point-five. Those shoes are a crime." "Piss off," I hissed, though the corner of my mouth twitched. Teely joined him, holding two champagne flutes, one of which she offered to me. "You look like you need it." "Gee, thanks," I muttered, downing the drink in one go. It didn't help. Teely laughed softly. "Relax, Luca. You'll survive this. Probably." "Only because I haven't strangled anyone yet," I shot back, earning another chuckle from Ethan. "Seriously, though," Ethan said, dropping his voice. "You've gotta pick someone, or your dad's gonna lose his mind. And let's be honest, the guy doesn't have much sanity left to lose." I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "I'm not picking anyone. None of these people matter." "Your funeral," Ethan said with a shrug, though there was a flicker of understanding in his eyes. He knew. He always knew. The night dragged on, every interaction blurring into the next. Girls smiled politely, their fathers talked about alliances, and I nodded through all of it like I wasn't seconds away from bolting out the door. Then it hit me. A scent. Faint, but unmistakable. It was like rain on warm soil, mixed with something sweet and soft-something her. My chest tightened, my wolf snapping to attention like someone had just poured gasoline on a fire. I froze, the world around me dimming as I tried to track it. My head snapped to the left, then to the right. Where? Where was it coming from? "Luca?" Ethan's voice sounded far away, like it was coming from underwater. There. My eyes locked on the grand staircase at the far end of the hall. A girl was descending, her dress shimmering in the light like it was made of emeralds. Her movements were slow, almost deliberate, and I couldn't see her face yet. But I didn't need to. My heart hammered in my chest, each beat louder than the last. She was holding the arm of a man-tall, broad-shouldered, and irritatingly familiar. But I couldn't focus on him. Not when she finally turned her head, her face coming into view. Quinn. My legs nearly gave out. My breath caught, my wolf howling inside me. It was her. After everything, she was here. And she wasn't alone. ******************************************************************* Seventeen-year-old Quinn Wayne moves with her family from bustling New York City to a secluded, mist-shrouded town in Alaska, where her parents have purchased a dilapidated inn. Surrounded by dense forests and towering mountains, the picturesque town promises a fresh start-but Quinn quickly realizes it holds secrets far darker than she could have ever imagined. In this epic journey of love, sacrifice, and self-discovery, Quinn must rise as the Lunar Guardian, embracing her newfound powers and her identity as Luca's mate. The path ahead is uncertain, filled with loss, triumph, and transformation. But one thing is clear: the choices Quinn makes will forever alter the balance between humans and werewolves-and determine whether love can conquer even the darkest of curses.
After a painful breakup with her boyfriend of two years who coldly told her to her face that he couldn't keep dating her because she was too uptight--In a moment of anger and defiance, Anna decided to throw caution to the wind for one reckless night. She headed to the wildest club in Texas, determined to lose herself in the chaos. But fate had other plans. To her shock, she ran into her ex-boyfriend at the club. Desperate to save face, she made a split-second decision and approached a stranger, pretending he was her new boyfriend. What she never anticipated was the magnetic pull she would feel towards him or the fact that she'd end up going home with this mystery man. Soon enough, the real surprise hit her--this stranger wasn't just anyone; he was her new boss. What begins as a night of rebellion spirals into a whirlwind of forbidden attraction, societal pressure and hidden affairs. And now there are so many things at stake. Find out how this story unfolds.
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
Blinded in a crash, Cary was rejected by every socialite—except Evelina, who married him without hesitation. Three years later, he regained his sight and ended their marriage. "We’ve already lost so many years. I won’t let her waste another one on me." Evelina signed the divorce papers without a word. Everyone mocked her fall—until they discovered that the miracle doctor, jewelry mogul, stock genius, top hacker, and the President's true daughter… were all her. When Cary came crawling back, a ruthless tycoon had him kicked out. "She's my wife now. Get lost."
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
"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?"
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."