Being a weak Omega, Reika's only hope was to have a mate until she was rejected by their pack's Alpha heir, Nyx. In her attempt to start fresh away from the Shadow Claw pack, she escaped and ended up in the Thunder Howl pack, where Alpha Apollo offered her to be a surrogate. Left with no choice, Reika accepted the contract. Amid the chaos, Nyx was challenged by his cousin Jacobo for a duel, seeking who was stronger to rule their pack. Alpha Apollo's position is challenged by his rogue cousin, Jupiter, bringing his wife and son, insisting he is fit to lead the Thunder Howl pack. Alpha Nyx and Alpha Apollo desperately need Reika's strength to retain their positions as the Alphas of their packs, as they discover she is the daughter of the missing Lycan King. Will Reika submit to any of the Alpha's or seek independence from any of the packs?
REIKA'S POV
The clock struck midnight with a hollow clang reverberating through my body. I stood still, holding my breath, waiting for everything to change. The air in the room seemed to shift, charged with an energy that made my skin tingle. And then I felt a deep pull as if an invisible thread had suddenly snapped taut, connecting me to something-or someone.
Someone was coming. Nyx... My mate?
Nyx, the Alpha heir of our pack Shadow Claw. How could it be?
"Happy birthday, Reika," he said, his voice low and devoid of warmth.
The man before me was nothing like the Nyx I remembered from our childhood-the boy who used to laugh with me, who had once been my closest friend. Now, there was nothing but a cold, distant stranger in his place.
"Nyx," I whispered, stepping closer, my heart pounding. "You're... you're my mate."
"No, it's not what you think it is," he said flatly, his tone as cold as his expression. "I only came here to wish you a happy birthday but against my will. Father forced me like he knew this would happen." His eyes were blazing with fury.
"I... I don't understand," I stammered, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "We're supposed to be-"
"Supposed to be what?" Nyx interrupted, his voice sharp. "Together? Don't be naive, Reika. This doesn't change anything."
"Nyx, please," I whispered, my voice trembling. "We were friends once... We can be again. We're mates-"
"We were children," he snapped. "And now, we're not."
The years had changed him, hardened him into the ruthless Alpha heir he was now. He was trained to inherit his father's position as Alpha and the leader of our pack and choose someone strong as his mate. But I had never expected this kind of cruelty.
Desperate to make him understand, I reached out, my hand trembling as it sought his. "Nyx, please-"
Before I could touch him, a sharp pain shot through my wrist as someone grabbed my hand and yanked it away. I gasped, looking up to see Anya standing beside Nyx, her eyes blazing with fury.
Anya is the daughter of the pack's Beta and Nyx's girlfriend. The one who had made my life a living hell since Nyx announced her as his girlfriend. She was beautiful in a cruel, calculating way, and she always seemed to find fault in everything I did. But more than that, she was powerful and dominant and always ensured I knew my place.
"Don't you dare touch him," Anya hissed, her grip tightening painfully on my wrist. "You're nothing, Reika. You're a weak Omega-a nobody. How dare you think you're worthy of him?"
I winced, trying to pull my hand away, but she held on tighter. "I... I didn't mean-"
"You didn't mean?" Anya mocked, a cruel smile spreading across her lips. "Did you think he'd want someone like you? Pathetic."
I trembled, the tears I had been holding back finally spilling over. I had always known I was nothing compared to her, and in the pack's eyes, I was barely worth acknowledging. But hearing it like this, from her, in front of Nyx, was more than I could bear.
"Anya, let go," Nyx said, his voice cold and commanding.
Anya released my wrist, pushing me back with enough force to send me stumbling. I caught myself against the wall. Nyx turned his gaze on me, and the look in his eyes extinguished whatever hope I had left.
"Reika," he began, his voice devoid of any emotion. "I'm not going to sugarcoat this. I, Nyx, reject you, Reika as my mate."
Just then, the door to my room swung open. Alpha Martin, Nyx's father, stood in the doorway, his sharp gaze taking in the scene before him. We all vowed to show respect before our pack leader.
"Nyx, take back your word. You two, apologize to Reika now," Alpha Martin commanded.
Nyx and Anya exchanged a glance, clearly confused by Alpha Martin's words. After all, Alpha Martin had always approved of Anya as Nyx's girlfriend. Why was he defending me?
"Father, why?" Nyx asked. "Why should I apologize to her? She's nothing to me. You know that."
"It's Reika's birthday, and I raised you to treat pack members with respect. You will apologize."
Anya scoffed. "Alpha, with all due respect, that's ridiculous. Just because it's her birthday doesn't mean we must be nice to her. She tried to steal Nyx. She deserves whatever she gets."
"That's enough, Anya," Alpha Martin growled.
Nyx shook his head. "No. I won't apologize."
"Neither will I. She's not worth it," Anya seconded.
"Leave. Now!" Alpha Martin's patience snapped. His voice dropped to a dangerous growl.
The fire in Alpha Martin's eyes left no room for argument. Nyx and Anya turned and walked out.
"I'll talk to him, Reika. Please don't accept Nyx's rejection."
I nodded hesitantly, eyes on the floor, refusing to meet Alpha Martin's gaze.
"Happy birthday," he added quietly before walking out, leaving me standing alone in the silence of my room.
As I went outside, the whispers began. Voices from the hallway. Servants. Pack members. They all knew. They all saw.
"She ruined everything."
"Nyx is right to reject her. She's worthless, unlike Anya, strong and worthy of being Nyx's mate."
"What she did in return for Alpha Martin's mercy was to ruin the Alpha and his relationship with his son, Nyx."
"Right. If only Alpha Martin was heartless, he wouldn't pick her from the forest."
Their words hurt me to the core. But cruel as it sounds, they were right. Because of Alpha Martin's mercy, he saved me from the forest and asked Maia to be my tutor to teach me basic writing and reading when I was old enough. He went far in helping me.
I stumbled back to my room, sinking onto the edge of my bed, my body trembling. Tears blurred my vision as I wrapped my arms around myself.
Everything was too much. Only Alpha Martin had been friendly to me besides Maia, but now I couldn't bear ruining his family because of me.
And at that moment, I knew what to do. I packed my things. Everything was about to change.
The pack was distracted tonight, the entire estate buzzing about Nyx and Alpha Martin's latest decisions. They were probably making final plans to announce Anya as Nyx's mate, sealing the fate of the Shadow Claw Pack's leadership. The thought made my chest tighten with pain, but I forced it down. I wouldn't stay to witness it.
The estate was a sprawling mansion surrounded by thick woods, but the garage was tucked far enough from the main house that it wouldn't be immediately apparent if I made a quick getaway. I had no intention of walking out of here like some pitiful runaway. No, I was taking something with me. I wanted to feel like I had a shred of control over my life.
Nyx's car. The thought made me smile bitterly. It was a small act of rebellion but enough to satisfy my burning rage. He had everything-power, wealth, love. The least he could do was lend me his car for my escape.
I slid into the driver's seat, my hands trembling as I fumbled with the keys still hanging in the ignition. He was so confident no one would steal from him that he didn't even bother hiding them. Cocky bastard.
I slammed the car into gear, my foot pressing hard on the gas pedal. The car shot forward, and I steered it toward the gate, praying the guards wouldn't stop me.
But right before the gate, a guard signal stopped me, making my heart hammer in my chest but another guard opposed. They were seemingly arguing before the second guard waved me through. His familiarity with Nyx's car was working in my favor.
I sped past them and I didn't dare look back. For the first time in my life, I was free. I drove for two hours without stopping. Every mile passed, and it felt like another layer of the pack peeled away, like I was shedding my skin. Freedom, though, came with a price I hadn't planned for.
The car sputtered suddenly, jerking forward before rolling to a dead stop. "What the-?" My heart sank as I glanced at the fuel meter-empty.
"Dammit!" I slapped the steering wheel, cursing myself for being so reckless. I had escaped without any plan, without any resources.
The cool and the darkness stretched endlessly around me as I started walking. My boots crunched against the gravel, and I quickened my pace, my senses heightened, hoping no one was tracking me. The goal was simple: get to human territory, blend in, and start fresh. But I had no idea how far that was from here. I just needed to keep moving.
Not even thirty minutes passed before I sensed something off. The air shifted, growing thick with the scent of danger. My pulse quickened.
Wolves.
How ruthless can life be? When you've fallen to your lowest point, what choices are left? Would you surrender, or would you fight if someone's very existence hinged on your strength? Amber's existence with her stepmother and stepsister was a relentless nightmare. She endured their demands, taking on illicit jobs to save her nephew Chase. One harrowing night, Amber narrowly escaped an assault by a sadistic patron at the casino; she unexpectedly had a one-night stand with a stranger. When her job at the casino was gone, Amber faced a desperate decision. She was forced into marrying Stefan Morgan. To her shock, Stefan was the very man from her night of forbidden passion. Would Stefan learn she was just a substitute bride? What path would fate bring her when Stefan's identity is revealed? Every glimmer of happiness in Amber's life seems fleeting. Will her marriage to Stefan alter her fate and bring her the joy she desperately seeks, or will it plunge her into a new realm of suffering?
Mallory must hide her daughter, Harriet, from Harris's wealthy and influential family, who wants full custody of her daughter. While juggling her work as a hotel receptionist and her responsibility as a single mom, Mallory is heartbroken by her daughter's desire to have a complete family. While Harris tries to break away from his engagement with Nicole, he works to win Mallory's heart back. He is torn between obligations in their group of companies and following his heart. Excerpt: "Harris, why did you do this to me? Why me?" She muttered in her broken voice. Mallory's heartaches; she trusts and gives everything to Harris, only to be fooled by him. Mallory looked at Harris's sleeping form; she couldn't help but feel used and betrayed. She felt like a toy that Harris used and then threw away. Mallory gathered her things and left the hotel room without waking Harris up. She didn't want to see him or talk to him ever again. As she left the hotel, she saw the sign that said "Royal Vista Hotel" and realized that Harris was not just an ordinary hotel employee but the heir to the hotel empire. The realization made her feel sick to her stomach.
Arthur and Helena, two strangers, met at a fateful moment when each desperately needed comfort. Arthur had left his family to escape his narcissistic parents' emotionally draining environment, while Helena sought refuge from city life and Israel's vengeful parents. She grieved the loss of her billionaire boyfriend, Israel, whom she vowed to love forever. Helena's trust was fragile as she opened up to Arthur and found solace in his comforting arms. She felt herself falling for him until she realized the truth about his identity - a truth that threatened to break her trust in him forever. Now Arthur must prove his pure intentions to Helena to keep her in his life. But can Helena ever trust him again? Does Arthur's love have the power to replace Israel in Helena's heart, or will he lose hope and choose what is safest for himself? This is not your typical Billionaire story – this is a story about battling love and trust amidst chaos and despair.
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
Natalie used to think she could melt Connor’s icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale—all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
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!