When a car accident robs Emily of her family and her freedom, she thinks the worst is over-until her brother's greed forces her into a life she never imagined. Sold to the ruthless and enigmatic Michael Jordan, Emily finds herself trapped in a world where every choice is taken from her, and every rule binds her tighter to him. As Michael enforces his strict rules, Emily battles against his attempts to break her spirit. Beneath his cold, controlling exterior, she glimpses hints of vulnerability-and the dangerous allure that draws her in against her will. But in Michael's world, defiance has consequences, and he won't rest until she fully submits to his will. In a game of power, control, and secrets, Emily must find her strength and keep her wits, for if she doesn't escape, she risks losing more than just her freedom. She risks losing herself.
Chapter 1: Chains of Betrayal
Emily's POV
---
The rain was heavy that night, pitilessly drowning the world outside in shadows. I watched from my bedroom window as it rained, the only lighting from a single, dimly lit streetlamp. It was three days since my parents' funeral, three days since I'd received a life I never asked for.
My fingers grazed the edge of my father's will, which lay on my desk, words that I had read a million times. "To Emily, our beloved daughter, upon her eighteenth birthday, she shall take control over the family business, all assets included.
The words sounded heavy, a weight I wasn't ready to bear. But it wasn't what haunted me most; it was Jack, my brother, the only family left to me, and the way he'd looked at me since the funeral.
A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. Before I could answer, Jack strode in, not even waiting for permission.
Reading the will again?" he asked, sneering at me as he leaned against the doorframe. His eyes were devoid of the warmth I once remembered. Now, they were cold and calculating.
"I just wanted to understand it," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
He laughed then-an unpleasant sound that echoed in the silence. "You think it will change anything by reading it? Do you actually think you're capable of running a business, Emily?
The words stung, but I swallowed back the pain. I was used to him insulting me by now. "It's what Mom and Dad wanted."
Jack's face twisted, and he moved closer, leaning down until his face was inches from mine. "I don't care what they wanted. You don't deserve any of it."
My heart pounded in my chest, fear mixing with anger. "Why do you hate me so much, Jack? We're family.
"Family?" He laughed again, straightening up. "You're nothing but an obstacle, Emily. An annoyance." His gaze turned sharp. "And I'm going to make sure you never get what's in that will."
I took a shaky breath, feeling the walls close in on me. "You don't get to decide that, Jack."
Maybe not. But I can control you, he said with a cold grin, I can make sure you don't get close to that money. Ever.
Before I even said a word, he pivoted and stormed out of the room, slamming the door. The bang of the door echoed loudly, leaving a hollow hush in the aftermath. I dropped onto the edge of my bed, well aware of how fast my pulse was racing. This couldn't be real. How could my brother hate me like this? What could I have done so wrong?
After that, the days passed laboriously, all muddled together. Jack kept me well occupied, providing endless chores for me to do and tasks he'd holler at me continuously, treating me no better than a hired hand. I seldom went out. My life was one long, thankless chore after another with Jack's eyes on me, watching, waiting.
Then, one night, everything did. Jack had called me down, his face all smug.
"Come here, Emily," he said, standing at the front door with that sparkle in his eye.
I hesitated, feeling a shiver run down my spine. "What is it?"
He shrugged, his smile never touching his eyes. "I have a surprise for you.
Surprise. That didn't exactly have the best ring to it. But I knew better than to disobey him. Taking a deep breath, I went down the stairs, each step feeling like a step into something bad.
The moment I got to the bottom, he came into view. A tall man, with hair as dark as coal and a face as cold as stone, was standing by the door, hands sunk into his coat pockets. His eyes met mine, inscrutable, distant.
"Wh... who is this?" I stammered, looking from Jack to the stranger.
"This," said Jack, his voice dripping with satisfaction, "is Michael Jordan. He's here to take you off my hands."
"Take me?" I turned back to the stranger, my stomach churning. "Jack, what is this?"
Jack smirked, crossing his arms. "Consider it a transaction. You're going to be staying with him from now on."
The words felt like a slap. "You... you're selling me?
"It's called survival, Emily," he said icily. "I don't need a burden like you weighing me down. Michael's a powerful man. He's willing to pay a heavy price for you. And just in case you hadn't worked it out, that's the only way you're any use to me."
I looked to Michael, hoping at least for some semblance of sympathy, of understanding; but nothing had changed in his expression. His gaze didn't falter, as if he was looking at a piece of merchandise.
"No," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "You can't do this."
"Actually, I can." Jack's smirk grew wider. "And I already have."
Michael took one step forward, his eyes narrowing. "Enough talk. Let's go.
"No!" I attempted to turn back, to run, but Jack grasped my arm, holding me in place. "Please, Jack, don't do this," I begged, desperation clawing at my voice. "I'll... I'll do whatever you want. Just don't make me go with him."
But Jack's grip only tightened, his face a mask of indifference. "Your begging won't change anything, Emily. You're not my responsibility anymore."
I felt the sting of tears in my eyes, but I blinked them away, refusing to give him the satisfaction. Michael stepped closer, his hand reaching for my arm, and I flinched.
"Come quietly," he said in a low, firm voice. "It'll be easier for both of us."
There was no getting away, no option remaining. I cast one last pleading look at Jack, but he tried avoiding me, would not even look into my eyes. It was then I knew he really did not care. I meant nothing to him.
And so, having no other choice, I let Michael lead me out the door and into the waiting car. The rain had started again around us in heavy sheets. I felt numb, as if I was stuck in a nightmare from which I couldn't wake up.
The car pulled away from the house, and I turned for that last look back. The place that was once my home receded into the distance, leaving me to my thoughts in a car with a man whose name I didn't really know-a man who, from this day forward, was to have the final say in almost everything in my life.
After a false accusation, Emily was expelled from the Crimson pack and rejected by her mate, the Alpha. Pregnant and desperate, she found refuge in the hands of the Lycan Alpha. Years passed, and the Lycan Alpha passed away, leaving Emily as the new Alpha of the Lycan pack. Now, she returns seeking revenge against the Crimson Alpha for the pain he caused her.
After a false accusation, Emily was expelled from the Crimson pack and rejected by her mate, the Alpha. Pregnant and desperate, she found refuge in the hands of the Lycan Alpha. Years passed, and the Lycan Alpha passed away, leaving Emily as the new Alpha of the Lycan pack. Now, she returns seeking revenge against the Crimson Alpha for the pain he caused her.
What happens when Alpha Dean discovers that the girl he thought was a lonely wolf is actually a Luna from another pack? He rejects Linda, the girl he was supposed to marry, just to be with the lonely wolf girl. However, now he realizes it was all a lie. What will happen to him now? Will he chase her out of his kingdom, or will he make her regret ever lying to him? Alpha Pack Series Beauty And The Lycan Beast book 1 Alpha Dean book 2
"Beauty and the Lycan Beast" is a thrilling paranormal romance novel that follows the story of Sierra, a young woman who is chosen as the mate of a feared lycan beast named William. At first, Sierra is afraid of William and believes him to be a monster, but as she gets to know him, she discovers that he is kind and loving. After breaking the curse, Sierra becomes the Luna and wife of William. However, things take an unexpected turn when Sierra's friend Alex becomes pregnant with William's child. Sierra is left with a difficult decision to make, and the consequences of her choice will change the course of her life forever.
Loraine was a dutiful wife to Marco since they got married three years ago. However, he treated her like trash. Nothing she did softened his heart. One day, Loraine got fed up with it all. She asked him for a divorce and left him to enjoy with his mistress. The elites looked at her like she was deranged. "Are you out of your mind? Why are you so willing to divorce him?" "It's because I need to return home to get a billion-dollar fortune. Besides, I don't love him anymore," Loraine replied with a smile. They all laughed at her. Some believed that the divorce affected her mentally. It wasn't until the next day that they realized she wasn't fibbing. A woman was suddenly declared the world's youngest female billionaire. It turned out to be Loraine! Marco was shocked to the bone. When he met his ex-wife again, she was a changed person. A group of handsome young men surrounded her. She was smiling at them all. The sight made Marco's heart ache severely. Putting his pride aside, he tried to win her back. "Hello, love. I see that you are a billionaire now. You shouldn't be with suckers who just want your money. How about you come back to me? I'm a billionaire too. Together, we can build a strong empire. What do you say?" Loraine squinted at her ex-husband with her lips curled in disgust.
"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!
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?
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."
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.”
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?