When a quiet town nestled deep in the forest starts experiencing gruesome animal attacks, young artist Mina Sullivan finds herself drawn to eerie visions in her dreams. Her new neighbor, Alec, is hiding something monstrous-and his arrival coincides with the escalating violence. As she discovers her own mysterious connection to the werewolves haunting the forest, Mina must decide if her future lies in joining their world or fighting against it.
The sun was beginning its slow descent over the distant hills as Mina Sullivan pulled her car into the driveway of her new home. She turned off the engine, listening to the sudden silence as the hum of the road faded away. The house, a small but charming cottage surrounded by dense woods, sat on the edge of the town of Dunford, nestled deep in an evergreen valley.
It wasn't what she had imagined her life would look like at twenty-seven-alone, with only her paintbrushes and a few boxes of belongings, in a house she'd impulsively rented in a town she'd never heard of before last month. But that's exactly why she'd chosen it: the obscurity, the quiet, and the fresh start.
Her break-up had been brutal. She had always imagined her art would be her refuge, but somehow her studio in the city had felt too crowded with memories. She'd found herself avoiding her easel, the paint dried in her brushes. It was an unsettling feeling, one that had pushed her to pack her life into boxes, say goodbye to the city, and drive here. Dunford, she'd thought, could be a place to clear her head, to rekindle her creativity and find herself again.
Mina stepped out of her car, stretching her arms and taking in the scent of pine and earth that filled the crisp evening air. The wind rustled through the trees, whispering like an old secret.
As she grabbed her bags from the car, she noticed movement from the corner of her eye. Turning, she saw a man standing on the porch of the house next door, his figure half-shadowed by the twilight. He was tall, with broad shoulders and tousled dark hair. He seemed to be watching her.
Mina raised a hand in an awkward wave. "Hello!" she called, trying to keep her tone light.
The man didn't respond right away, just kept looking at her with an unreadable expression. His gaze felt intense, almost invasive, and she resisted the urge to look away. But then, as if snapping out of a trance, he nodded, gave her a brief wave, and turned back toward his door.
"Friendly neighborhood, I guess," she murmured to herself with a wry smile. She knew she hadn't come here to make friends, but that didn't mean she was immune to a bit of good old-fashioned curiosity.
The house was modest and furnished simply, but the large windows overlooking the forest and the rustic charm were enough to make Mina feel at home. She placed her bags on the floor and wandered through each room, imagining how she could set up her studio in the corner by the window.
After she'd unpacked some basics, she opened a bottle of wine and poured herself a glass. Her mind wandered back to her mysterious neighbor. She'd been too far away to make out many details, but something about his stillness had felt... off. Like he didn't entirely belong to this world. Mina dismissed the thought, chalking it up to nerves and the strangeness of a new place.
Outside, the twilight darkened into night, casting deep shadows over the trees.
---
The next morning, she woke with the sun streaming through the window, painting the room in golden hues. She stretched, feeling the stiffness in her muscles from the long drive, and wandered to the kitchen to make herself some coffee.
With a steaming mug in hand, she stepped outside onto the porch, breathing in the fresh morning air. Birds chirped somewhere in the trees, and a light breeze brushed her cheeks. She felt a bit of the tension ease from her shoulders, as if the calm of this place was already working its magic on her.
"Good morning," a deep voice said from her left, making her jump slightly.
She turned to see the man from yesterday standing at the edge of his porch, holding his own mug of coffee. Now that she could see him in the daylight, she realized he was younger than she'd initially thought-maybe in his early thirties-with a rugged, almost haunted look to him. His jaw was strong, shadowed with a hint of stubble, and his eyes, a piercing shade of gray, were fixed on her with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
"Morning," Mina replied, offering a tentative smile.
"Settling in okay?" he asked, taking a sip from his mug.
"Yeah, just starting to," she said. "It's nice here. Peaceful."
He nodded, his gaze flicking to the trees behind her house. "It is. But you should be careful."
Mina raised an eyebrow. "Careful? Why?"
His eyes seemed to darken slightly. "There's a lot of wildlife around here. It's not always safe to be out alone at night."
Something about his tone made her shiver, and she clutched her coffee a little tighter. "Thanks for the warning. I'll keep that in mind."
He gave her a curt nod and turned, disappearing back into his house without another word. Mina watched him go, feeling a strange mix of unease and fascination.
---
Over the next few days, Mina tried to settle into a routine. She spent her mornings painting, her afternoons exploring the surrounding woods, and her evenings reading or sketching on the porch. Yet every so often, she'd catch a glimpse of her neighbor, Alec-she'd learned his name from the mail in his box-lurking in the shadows of his porch or moving swiftly along the edge of the forest.
On her third night in Dunford, she was woken by the sound of howling. It was distant but haunting, and it seemed to echo through the night, carried by the wind. Mina lay in bed, listening to the sound with a strange sense of dread.
The next morning, she went into town to pick up some supplies. The people of Dunford were friendly, though a bit cautious around her, as small towns often were with new faces. She made small talk with the cashier at the local grocery store, a woman named Sarah who looked like she'd lived in Dunford her whole life.
"Strange, isn't it?" Sarah said as she bagged Mina's groceries.
Mina blinked, realizing she hadn't been paying attention. "Sorry, what is?"
"The attacks," Sarah said, lowering her voice. "They're saying it's wolves, but I don't know... It doesn't seem natural."
Mina frowned. "What kind of attacks?"
Sarah glanced around as if checking to see if anyone was listening. "Two nights ago, some campers were found torn apart near the edge of the forest. And just last night, a farmer's livestock was slaughtered. They're saying it's wolves, but no one's ever seen wolves like these."
A chill ran down Mina's spine, and she thought of Alec's warning about not going out alone at night. "Do you think it's safe?"
Sarah shook her head, looking grim. "I'd keep your doors locked and stay inside after dark. You never know what's out there."
---
That night, Mina found herself unable to sleep. Her mind was filled with thoughts of the strange attacks and her odd neighbor. She sat at her easel, hoping that painting would help calm her nerves, but as she worked, she felt her hand moving almost of its own accord.
When she finally stepped back, her stomach clenched. The painting was dark, a blend of shadowy trees and a moonlit figure-vaguely human, but with eyes that glowed an unnatural yellow. She'd never painted something so haunting before.
Mina went to bed with an uneasy feeling, her mind swirling with half-formed fears.
---
The next morning, she noticed something odd. The forest felt different, as if it were holding its breath, watching her. And there, in the dirt just beyond her porch, she saw tracks-deep paw prints that led toward the woods.
Heart pounding, she knelt to examine them. They were too large to belong to any ordinary animal she knew of, and they had an unsettling shape, almost as if they were halfway between human and beast.
The hairs on the back of her neck prickled, and she looked up, her gaze instinctively drawn to Alec's house. The windows were dark, and there was no sign of movement, but she felt certain he was watching.
"Who are you?" she whispered, half to herself, feeling the weight of the forest's silence around her.
As the days wore on, the howling grew louder, more frequent, and the townsfolk spoke in hushed voices of something prowling the woods. Mina couldn't shake the feeling that Alec was somehow involved, that he knew more than he was letting on. And deep down, a part of her felt drawn to that mystery, even as every instinct told her to stay away.
But she hadn't come here to hide from life. She'd come here to find herself, even if it meant facing the darkness head-on. And whatever secrets Dunford held, she was determined to uncover them-even if it meant facing the creatures that howled in the night.
After a decade of chasing success in New York City, Emily Monroe's career in interior design is everything she dreamed of- until a failed project sends her back to her sleepy hometown of Riverbend to regroup. Tasked with restoring the town's historic library, Emily is ready to prove herself again. But when she discovers that the project's lead contractor is her high school nemesis, Jake Harper, sparks fly in unexpected ways. Jake has spent the last ten years building a reputation as the go-to craftsman in Riverbend, trading his wild teenage years for stability. Working with Emily means navigating their complicated past-and a growing attraction neither of them expected. As they rebuild the library, they'll have to decide: can two people with such different lives make room for love, or are some paths better left uncrossed?
When Amber Duvall moves to the secluded town of Shadow Creek, she's determined to leave behind the traumatic events of her past. But when a series of brutal murders in the nearby woods bear signs of a werewolf's attack, Amber is thrust into a world she thought was only mythical. As her connection to the town deepens, Amber discovers she's linked to its cursed history-and her own blood holds the key to either saving or destroying the pack of wolves that protect it.
When ambitious architect Olivia Harris is hired by the elusive billionaire Leo Caldwell to design his company's new headquarters, she never expects to become the center of his carefully crafted world. Leo is a man of mystery, known for his icy demeanor and ruthless business strategies. But as they spend long hours together, Olivia begins to see the layers of vulnerability beneath his powerful exterior. When Leo proposes a business partnership that blurs the line between professional and personal, Olivia is torn between her career aspirations and her growing feelings for the man who could make or break her future. But Leo's secrets are deeper than she ever imagined. As they navigate a high-stakes world of power, wealth, and betrayal, Olivia must decide if she's willing to risk everything for a chance at love-and whether Leo can truly let go of the shadows that haunt him.
The small town of Lakeridge has always been steeped in mysteries and whispers, but nothing could prepare it for the night the full moon brought a series of brutal attacks. For Lana Thorne, a recent college grad returning to her hometown to settle her late grandfather's estate, Lakeridge is home to bittersweet memories-and a dark legacy she never expected. As bodies pile up, she uncovers a family secret: her grandfather was the leader of an ancient order tasked with keeping the "Moonborn" at bay. Now, Lana must learn the ways of the hunters and face an enemy older than any legend, all while grappling with an undeniable attraction to the mysterious Aiden Wolfe, a loner with secrets of his own. But as the next full moon approaches, she faces a harrowing choice-sacrifice everything to stop the creatures or risk losing herself to the wolf within.
Billionaire CEO Julian Styles must merge his company with rival firm, Harrison Enterprises. But when he meets Harrison's brilliant and beautiful CFO, Avery Wellesley, Julian's focus shifts from business to pleasure. As they navigate the cutthroat world of corporate finance, Avery's hidden past threatens to derail the merger and their blossoming romance. Can Julian and Avery balance power, loyalty, and love?
In a world where memories can be implanted, edited, and even stolen, 28-year-old Kaelyn Rivers discovers her memories are false. Her entire identity is a fabrication. As Kaelyn searches for the truth, she's hunted by the sinister Organization that created her. With the help of enigmatic underground activist, Asher Monroe, Kaelyn must navigate the blurred lines between reality and deception to uncover the secrets of her past and the truth about the Organization's sinister plans.
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
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!"
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."
The day Raina gave birth should have been the happiest of her life. Instead, it became her worst nightmare. Moments after delivering their twins, Alexander shattered her heart-divorcing her and forcing her to sign away custody of their son, Liam. With nothing but betrayal and heartbreak to her name, Raina disappeared, raising their daughter, Ava, on her own.Years later, fate comes knocking when Liam falls gravely ill. Desperate to save his son, Alexander is forced to seek out the one person he once cast aside. Alexander finds himself face to face with the woman he underestimated, pleading for a second chance-not just for himself, but for their son. But Raina is no longer the same broken woman who once loved him.No longer the woman he left behind. She has carved out a new life-one built on strength, wealth, and a long-buried legacy she expected to uncover.Raina has spent years learning to live without him.The question is... Will she risk reopening old wounds to save the son she never got to love? or has Alexander lost her forever?
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!
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.