Caroline Forbes never imagined her life would lead her here sold by her own father to a man the kingdom whispers about in fear. Damon Morningstar, the ruthless and enigmatic werewolf king, has buried three wives already, each one dying under mysterious circumstances. Now, Caroline is forced to become his fourth bride, trapped in a castle where secrets linger in every shadow. Rumors say he's cursed; that any woman he claims as his queen is doomed. Caroline knows that escape is her only chance at survival, yet she can't deny the magnetic pull she feels whenever Damon is near. To her horror, she discovers the truth Damon is her fated mate, her one bond that could either destroy her or break the curse haunting him. But Damon is possessive, and he's willing to risk everything to keep her in his grasp. As desire and danger intertwine, Caroline must decide whether to flee for her life or surrender to the call of a man who might just be her undoing. Will she escape his dark hold, or will she become the queen who saves him and herself?
Caroline's fingers trailed along the edge of the iron window frame, cold against her skin. Outside, the night was already blanketed in mist, the soft glow of the moon barely visible beyond the thick clouds. She could hear faint sounds in the distance-howling wolves from the forest, the murmuring winds sweeping through the trees. They seemed so close. Sometimes, she imagined herself running into that forest, never looking back.
She gripped the window frame tighter. Tonight was her last night of freedom.
"Caroline?"
The voice at her door startled her. She straightened, masking her unease as best as she could, and turned to face her maid, Lydia, who had been her only friend in this hollow castle. Lydia's face was a mix of sympathy and worry as she took in Caroline's expression.
"It's almost time to dress," Lydia whispered, a hint of hesitation in her voice. "Are you ready?"
Ready. The word lingered in her mind like a curse. How could she ever be ready? She was being forced into a marriage with a man everyone feared, a man who had lost three wives already. The whispers about Damon Morningstar drifted through every corner of the kingdom. Some said he was cursed. Others said he was just... merciless.
And now, he was to be her husband.
Taking a shaky breath, Caroline nodded, even though the weight of the decision felt like stones sinking in her chest. "Let's get this over with," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.
Lydia offered a small, sad smile and motioned her to the center of the room. Caroline stood still, feeling as though she were some kind of puppet being dressed for show, her fate decided by others long before she had any chance to resist. As Lydia worked, pinning and adjusting the heavy gown, Caroline's mind wandered to the last conversation she'd had with her father.
She'd pleaded with him, begged him to reconsider, to let her stay. But he had merely looked at her with the same coldness he reserved for anything that was of no use to him.
"It's already done, Caroline. You'll be the queen," he had said, as if that title should have made her grateful.
"But his wives... they all... they're all dead," she'd argued, her voice breaking as she'd forced the words out. "What if the rumors are true?"
Her father's expression hadn't changed. "Then pray you're strong enough to survive."
Now, here she was, being prepared to face a man who was rumored to tear apart anything that got too close. Her fingers brushed the delicate lace of the gown, feeling its softness even as her chest tightened. This wasn't her choice; it was never her choice. The man waiting for her downstairs was a stranger, but she already knew he saw her as his possession, a pawn to secure his throne.
Caroline snapped back to reality as Lydia stepped back, admiring her handiwork. The gown was beautiful, ethereal even, but all Caroline could feel was its weight pressing down on her shoulders.
"Caroline..." Lydia's voice was hesitant, softer than usual. "Do you think you'll be happy? With him?"
Caroline met Lydia's eyes in the mirror, searching for words she didn't have. "I think... I think I'll survive," she whispered. "I have to."
The moment stretched in silence, the weight of her words settling between them. Then, a sharp knock at the door broke the tension. Lydia flinched, and Caroline swallowed hard, bracing herself as she turned toward the door.
"Miss Caroline," a guard announced, his voice cold and impersonal. "The king awaits."
The king. She still wasn't used to hearing it. Damon Morningstar had been a name spoken in hushed tones, a figure as distant as a legend. Now, he was a reality, one she couldn't escape.
Lydia gave her a small nod, a final gesture of support, and Caroline forced herself to walk forward, her legs moving of their own accord. The hallways of the castle were dimly lit, their shadows stretching like claws across the stone floors. She could feel the weight of every step, the quiet echo of her footsteps a reminder that she was stepping into the unknown.
When they reached the grand hall, her heart thudded against her ribs, each beat seeming to grow louder. The guard pushed the doors open, and she felt the air shift, cold and still, like the breath before a storm. Inside, Damon stood alone at the end of the aisle, his back to her, his dark figure casting a shadow that seemed to stretch all the way to where she stood.
Her breath caught, and for a moment, the urge to turn and run was overwhelming. But she didn't move. She couldn't. So, instead, she stepped inside, one foot after the other, feeling the weight of his presence even from a distance.
As if sensing her, he turned, his gaze piercing as it settled on her. Damon Morningstar was... intense. His features were sharp, almost severe, with a gaze that seemed to burn right through her. His dark hair fell just above his collar, framing his face in a way that made him look both regal and dangerous. She'd heard tales of his cruelty, of his ruthlessness, but in this moment, she couldn't decide if the stories had been exaggerated... or if they hadn't told the half of it.
For a moment, they simply stared at each other, and the silence stretched, thick with unspoken tension. Finally, he spoke, his voice low, yet carrying an undeniable authority.
"Caroline," he said, her name rolling off his tongue with a weight that sent a shiver down her spine. "I trust you understand what's expected of you."
She swallowed, fighting to keep her voice steady. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Good." He took a step forward, his eyes never leaving hers. "Because this union isn't one you can simply walk away from."
The words hung between them, both a promise and a warning. She couldn't bring herself to look away, even as her heart pounded with a mix of fear and something else she couldn't quite name. Damon's gaze was unrelenting, as though he could see every thought flickering through her mind.
"Are you afraid of me, Caroline?" he asked, his tone almost mocking, as though he enjoyed watching her squirm.
She lifted her chin, refusing to show weakness, even if every instinct in her body told her to look away. "I don't know you, Your Majesty."
He smirked, a dark gleam in his eyes. "You'll come to know me soon enough." He paused, his gaze trailing over her with a possessive intensity. "And you'll learn that I'm a man who gets what he wants."
Her hands clenched at her sides, the steel in his words sparking a faint ember of defiance within her. "I may be your queen," she said quietly, "but I'm not your prisoner."
His smile widened, though it didn't reach his eyes. "We'll see, won't we?" His gaze hardened, his tone softening, though it held a dangerous edge. "Remember, Caroline, you belong to me now. Whatever freedom you thought you had... it ends here."
The words struck her like a physical blow, stealing the air from her lungs. She had expected indifference, maybe even cruelty, but this... possessiveness, this intensity... it was more than she'd been prepared for. She bit her lip, the urge to challenge him bubbling beneath her fear, but before she could speak, he reached out, his hand lifting to rest beneath her chin, tilting her face to meet his gaze.
"Say it," he demanded softly, his voice like a blade. "Say you understand."
The heat of his hand against her skin made her heart race, her defiance faltering beneath his touch. She felt trapped, ensnared by his gaze, by the power he held over her.
"I... understand," she whispered, the words bitter on her tongue.
Damon's thumb brushed her jaw, and for a fleeting moment, his expression softened, as though something had cracked within him. But the moment passed, and his gaze hardened once more.
"Good," he murmured, his hand dropping away. He took a step back, his eyes never leaving hers. "Then we're done here. Tomorrow, you'll be queen. Tonight... consider it your last night of freedom."
Without another word, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing through the empty hall.
When Sophia Reyes' younger brother crosses the most dangerous mafia family in Naples, she has no choice but to face Enzo Carbone, the ruthless heir to the Carbone empire. In exchange for her brother's life, Sophia strikes a dangerous deal: she'll pose as Enzo's fiancée to help him protect his family's fragile grip on power. Enzo is used to getting what he wants through charm or force but Sophia is unlike anyone he's ever met. Her fiery defiance and unshakable determination threaten to unravel his carefully constructed world. She's a pawn in his game, but the more he draws her into his darkness, the harder it becomes to let her go. As their arrangement spirals into something deeper, an old enemy resurfaces. Marcella Vargas, the cunning leader of a rival cartel, will stop at nothing to see Enzo and his empire burn and she knows exactly how to use Sophia to bring him to his knees. Caught between loyalty and love, deception and truth, Enzo and Sophia must decide how far they're willing to go to protect the people they care about. But in a world ruled by violence and betrayal, can love truly survive or will their bargain cost them everything? Some deals are made in blood. Others are sealed with a kiss.
Sienna Blake has built her career on exposing corruption, but when her latest investigation uncovers dark secrets about Viktor Ivanov, the ruthless Russian mafia kingpin, her life is irrevocably changed. Kidnapped and held captive, she finds herself in the heart of a dangerous world where trust is a luxury and betrayal is a guarantee. Viktor Ivanov didn't rise to power by letting his guard down. Yet, the fiery journalist tests his resolve at every turn, challenging his control and stirring feelings he buried long ago. Torn between protecting his empire and the unexpected pull of Sienna's defiance, Viktor faces a choice: silence her forever or risk everything to keep her alive. But as old enemies resurface and devastating truths come to light, Sienna and Viktor are thrust into a deadly game of power, revenge, and desire. In a world where loyalty can kill and love is a dangerous gamble, can they survive long enough to rewrite their own story?
Elena Carter has spent her life fighting to stay afloat. But when her late father's crushing debt threatens to ruin her completely, she faces an impossible choice accept help from the one man who could destroy her carefully built independence. Enter Damien Blackwood, a billionaire with a reputation as ruthless as it is dazzling. His solution? A marriage of convenience that will erase her debt and secure his business interests. Elena swears she'll never be just another possession in Damien's world, but resisting his charm proves more dangerous than she expected. Damien thought he could keep things strictly business, but the fierce, independent Elena stirs something he buried long ago. As their forced proximity ignites passion and unravels secrets, the walls he's built around his heart begin to crumble. But in the shadows, Veronica Steele Damien's scheming ex-fiancée has her own plans to ensure this union ends in disaster. When betrayal and deceit threaten to tear them apart, Damien and Elena must decide: can they trust each other enough to turn their fake marriage into something real?
When Elena Cross is snatched from her life and forced into the dark world of the Blackstone Pack, she learns the ruthless truth about Alpha Kael Thorn a man as dangerous as he is powerful, and as captivating as he is cruel. Bound to him by a primal mate bond she never asked for, Elena finds herself trapped in a twisted battle of wills, where her humanity is both her shield and her curse. Kael despises everything about her. To him, she's a weakness, a threat to his pack, and a constant reminder of a past betrayal. Yet no matter how he tries to deny it, the bond keeps pulling him back to her, fueling an obsession he cannot escape. She's his mate, his property yet she defies him at every turn. In a world where freedom seems impossible, Elena is determined to resist him and break free. But as the tension between them blurs the line between hate and desire, she realizes that Kael's hold on her is far more dangerous than she ever imagined. Can Elena find the strength to escape, or will she be bound forever to a man who might be her worst nightmare... and her only salvation?
Isabella Cruz never asked for a fairy tale romance especially not with Rafael DeLuca, Manila's most ruthless CEO and heir to a powerful mafia empire. Thrown into an engagement she didn't choose, Bella tries to keep her heart safe from the cold, arrogant man who believes she's nothing but a gold-digger. But when she finds herself falling for him, her world shatters as Rafael's true intentions are revealed: he never wanted her, and he certainly never loved her. After signing their divorce papers with a broken heart and a secret child on the way Bella disappears from Rafael's life, determined to start anew. But when she reappears months later as the dazzling heiress of a wealthy business tycoon, Rafael's world is turned upside down. She's no longer the timid woman he underestimated she's now the queen of the city's elite, and everyone wants her. As Rafael grapples with the loss of the only woman who truly saw him, he realizes he might have thrown away the only love that ever mattered. But will he be able to win her back in a world that won't easily forgive his mistakes, or has Bella finally slipped beyond his reach?
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
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.
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?