"In the shadowy streets of Manhattan and Milan, a deadly game of power and passion unfolds. When artist Aurora 'Rory' Thompson witnesses a brutal murder, she's forced into a fake marriage with Leonardo De Luca, the ruthless Mafia kingpin behind La Ombra Noir. Their explosive one-night stand has become a toxic obsession, fueling a dangerous dance of loyalty and deceit. As Rory uncovers Leonardo's dark secrets, she must choose between her art, her freedom, and her soul. Will their twisted love redeem him, or will it destroy them both?
The city never slept, its pulsing heartbeat echoing through the concrete canyons of Manhattan. Neon lights danced across the rain-soaked pavement, casting a gaudy glow over the crowded streets. Amidst the chaos, a lone figure emerged from the shadows.
Rory Thompson stepped out of the downpour, her long, raven-black hair plastered to her pale skin. Water droplets clung to her lashes as she gazed up at the towering skyscrapers, their peaks shrouded in mist. The city's energy coursed through her veins like lifeblood.
She slipped into the crowded subway, the air thick with the smell of damp earth and exhausted dreams. Rory's eyes scanned the sea of strangers, her gaze lingering on a young couple embracing in the corner, their love radiating like a beacon. A pang twisted in her chest, a familiar ache she'd grown accustomed to.
The train lurched forward, and Rory grabbed the pole, her fingers brushing against the cool metal. The advertisement plastered above the seats caught her attention: "Artistic Visionaries Wanted." The words seemed to pulse, beckoning her toward the unknown.
At the next stop, Rory pushed through the throng and emerged into the crisp night air. The rain had slowed to a gentle patter, casting a mystical spell over the city. She walked, her boots echoing off the buildings, until she reached the unassuming door of the Red Door Gallery.
A small, elegant sign creaked in the breeze: "Closed for Private Event." Rory's heart skipped a beat. This was it – her chance to showcase her art, to prove herself among the city's elite. She smoothed her damp hair, took a deep breath, and pushed open the door.
Inside, the gallery transformed into a sophisticated haven. Soft jazz floated through the air, accompanied by the clinking of champagne glasses and polite laughter. Rory's eyes adjusted to the warm lighting, and she spotted him – Leonardo De Luca, the enigmatic patron of the arts, standing amidst a circle of admirers.
His gaze locked onto hers, piercing and intense. For an instant, the room melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a world of their own making. Rory's pulse quickened as Leonardo's lips curled into a subtle smile, inviting her into his realm.
"Welcome, Miss Thompson," he said, his voice low and husky, as he extended his hand. "I've been expecting you."
Rory's fingers touched his, a spark of electricity igniting at the contact. As she met his gaze, a whispered warning echoed deep within her: "Beware the beauty that hides the darkness."
"In a world of ancient prophecies, mystical creatures, and forbidden love, Princess Aethera is forced to marry the enigmatic King Vladimir of Azania, a vampire kingdom shrouded in secrets. As she navigates the treacherous landscape of her new life, Aethera must confront the darkness within herself and the evil forces that seek to destroy her. Will she succumb to the devil's desire or will she rise above the shadows to claim her true destiny? Dive into this epic tale of love, magic, and self-discovery, where the lines between good and evil are blurred, and the stakes are higher than the heart can bear."
I am Raven Blackwood, the daughter of the esteemed Asher and Astrid Blackwood. My parents died in a rogue attack, and the only hope I had was my chosen mate, Caleb Flynn. I thought I got all the happiness in the world when I got married to him, but on my wedding night, he brought his fated mate to our wedding room. The mate, he couldn't reject. I would've let go of her if she hadn't provoked me, and naturally, I did what anyone would've done in a situation like this. I attacked her. There's a rule that if any person attacks another person without a reason, then he/ she is punished with 20 whippings, but since I am the Luna, I was given another option: apologize to my husband's fated mate. Bow down and apologize to the person who took away my happiness. He must be joking. Rather than bowing, I took not 20 but 50 whippings to remember this humiliation for the rest of my life. Feeling tired, I decided to leave, as my father also thought that Flynn was the better alpha than me. But as I was leaving, I came to know that my parents' death wasn't just a normal rogue attack case. It was more than that. The plan was simple. Avenge my parents, the humiliation I suffered, and start afresh, but what am I supposed to do when the Lycan king starts tailing me? How the hell am I supposed to react when he says he wants to marry me, and that he will destroy everything in my world if I keep refusing him? Not to mention how he hates me. "I can't marry you because I hate all the males with the alpha syndrome, and I am already married," I barked at him. "And? I don't see why that's a problem. Let me make it clear, Raven. I want you, and I will do anything to get you, even if it means I will have to turn this world upside down," He smirked. How am I supposed to get on with my plans like this? Not to mention the rogue head who is strangely interested in my matters more than I am. Oh, and did I mention I had to go through a process of awakening my powers that even I didn't know of?
Rumors swirled around Jason Wood, the captivating billionaire, and his sudden interest in Kayla Rence, the seemingly insignificant daughter of the Rence family. "They say Jason's lost his mind," one gossipmonger whispered. "That Rence girl is ugly, stupid, and yet... she knows things." Countless anti-fans rose, determined to expose Kayla's "true face" and save Jason from her supposed clutches. But as they dug deeper... "What? The pianist Lily is Kayla Rence?" "What? The mastermind behind ZN, the international hacker organization, is Kayla Rence?" "What? The enigmatic agent ruling the entertainment industry is also Kayla?" "And she's a gaming genius?" Anti-fans' scathing comments transformed into awestruck whispers: "What useless idiot, who are you trying to deceive? She's my idol!" Just as the public reeled from these revelations, three imposing figures emerged: the young Masters of the Reynold family. "Let me introduce our sister," one growled, eyes flashing. "If you want to live, get lost!" The crowd trembled, cowed by the family's formidable presence. Kayla's multifaceted persona left everyone wondering: How many more secrets did she conceal?
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
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."
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”