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Born into opulence, Elliot Hawke struggles to find his place in the world. As he grapples with the pressures of his family's legacy, he discovers Charlotte, a free-spirited person who inspires him to question everything. Join Elliot on his journey of self-discovery, love, and the courage to defy expectations.
I never solicited this existence. The opulent suits, the sprawling estates, the extravagant soirées-none of it was originally mine. However, here I find myself, ensnared in the midst of it all. My name is Elliot Hawke and I'm the sole offspring of the illustrious Hawke lineage. You know the one: a multi-billion dollar empire, luxury automobiles, private jets-the full package. Everyone anticipates that I will assume control one day. Everyone assumes I desire it. But the reality is, I do not. Not in the least.
As I sit in the rear of my father's sleek black SUV, observing the cityscape unfold as we journey to yet another charity gala-another dazzling occasion intended to bolster the family's standing-the sun begins its descent, casting an orange glow across the horizon. Although I recognize the beauty of the view, I feel indifferent. I have no interest in the wealth. I care not for any of it. "Are you prepared, son?" My father's voice jolts me from my reverie. His deep baritone is smooth, yet there is an undercurrent in his tone that I recognize all too well-expectation. "Of course, Dad." I manage a grin, although it is as disingenuous as the individuals we are about to encounter.
My father does not wait for a reply; he is acutely aware that I am not truly "prepared." I have never been prepared for this: the speeches, the small talk, the seemingly endless handshakes with individuals I will likely forget. This is not my realm, however, it is the one into which I have been born and I am expected to navigate it. The car decelerates as we approach the venue-an exclusive five-star hotel hosting the gala. A dozen photographers are snapping pictures as we exit, the flashbulbs momentarily blinding me. I detest the cameras. I loathe the attention. Yet, my father-ever the politician-strides ahead, all smiles, waving to the cameras as if he were destined for this life. As we enter, the weight of their gazes is palpable. They are all anticipating something; they desire me to embody the heir, the flawless son who will uphold the Hawke legacy. They expect me to conform to their expectations. But I do not. I cannot. "Elliot," my mother calls out from across the room. She stands beside a group of women in designer gowns, engaging in animated conversation, but her gaze locks onto me the instant she spots me. She is beautiful and poised, the epitome of high society; this, however, can also be utterly exhausting.
"Approach, my dear," she states with that contrived smile that invariably seems to conceal something deeper. She articulates it as if she genuinely means it; however, I recognize that she is merely gauging my adherence to the expected script. I stride toward her, donning my most convincing "I'm the ideal son" expression. "Hello, Mother." She plants a kiss on my cheek before redirecting her attention back to her conversation, as if I'm nothing more than an accessory in this gathering. I have grown accustomed to this dynamic over time. After all, I do not possess the authority; I am merely the child they anticipate will inherit the mantle when the moment arises. I seize a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, attempting to assimilate into the atmosphere, but I cannot dispel the sensation that I am suffocating within these confines. The opulent decor and the individuals exchanging insincere pleasantries-it all feels so... vacuous. "Elliot." I catch Xander's voice before I actually spot him, his tone reminiscent of a serpent slithering through the throng. I pivot and discover my cousin standing there, embodying every aspect of a future corporate mogul. He is clad in a sharp, tailored suit that could likely fund a modest island. He offers me a subtle, knowing smile. "What's it like to be the heir to the throne?"
I suppress a groan. Xander has never been particularly discreet; he constantly nudges at the fact that I'm the one designated to inherit the family business. However, the issue lies in my disinterest. "I'm just here for the drinks, Xander," I respond, forcing a tight smile. He chuckles, his gaze wandering around the room before settling back on me. "I understand that sentiment. But you won't be able to evade this reality for long. You'll come to realize, eventually, it's your destiny." I roll my eyes and take a sip from my glass. "Destiny?" I mutter, almost inaudibly. That word feels like a burdensome weight pressing against my chest. I don't subscribe to the notion of destiny. Not for me, not for anyone else. He leans in slightly closer, lowering his voice just enough for me to catch his words. "You ought to contemplate what's at stake. This isn't merely about money, Elliot. This is about power and influence. You'll never encounter a more opportune moment than this. The company, the empire... it's all ripe for the taking. Yet, you must cease pretending that you're not intrigued."
I fix my gaze upon him, my heart racing within my chest. My blood simmers at the mere idea of being tethered to this. This existence filled with superficial encounters and empty assurances. It's not who I am. I cannot embody his role. I refuse to be the heir. I reject the notion of being ensnared in a gilded cage, striving to meet the expectations of others. "I don't want it," I murmur, my tone more assertive than I had planned. However, it is the truth. I cannot conceal it any longer. Xander's grin wavers, albeit briefly, before it returns to its previous state. He claps me on the back, perhaps too forcefully. "You'll come around. You always do." I observe him as he walks away, but his words persist in echoing within my thoughts: You'll come around.
It feels like a promise I can't escape.
As I survey the room, I observe a sea of unfamiliar faces (all adorned with smiles) that somehow render the atmosphere insincere. I could simply exit; I could effortlessly slip through the back door and vanish into the night. However, I choose not to. Not at this moment.
I need to figure out what I'm doing.
As if fate itself had been observing, my gaze finally rests upon her. She stands near the entrance, engaging with a group of students from the university I intend to attend. This girl is not like the others; she seems out of place here. Dressed simply in a navy dress, she lacks flashy jewelry or any designer label on display. However, there is something about her-something that compels me to approach and initiate a conversation. Her name is Charlotte Stone, or Charlie, as I will later discover. She embodies the type of person who doesn't conform to societal expectations. I can sense it in the way she carries herself: confident, independent and entirely oblivious to how her presence reverberates throughout the room. When she glances up, our eyes connect. For a fleeting moment, everything else dissipates-the gala, the chatter, the clinking of glasses-it all vanishes. And for the first time in what feels like an eternity, I experience a sense of vitality.
Lily believed she had successfully escaped her perilous past; however, when Damon-an old adversary from a life she presumed she could leave behind-reemerges, she discovers there is no exit. His enigmatic warnings regarding the future, along with his unyielding quest for dominance, pull her back into a conflict she never sought. Although Alexander stands by her, Lily thought she had secured a sanctuary, yet the more she uncovers about Damon's designs, the more she realizes that trust might not suffice. Alexander's obscure background and his ties to Damon further complicate matters, compelling Lily to reevaluate who deserves her trust. In a desperate race against time, Lily confronts an insurmountable dilemma: to accept her darker legacy, which Damon is determined to seize, or to jeopardize everything she cherishes. With threats encroaching and alliances fracturing, Lily must navigate the delicate balance between safeguarding herself and those she loves. But in a reality where appearances are deceptive, will Lily succeed in making the right decision before it's too late?
After enduring a brutal werewolf attack, photographer Ava Moreno is thrust into a world filled with shadows and yearning. As the full moon rises, Ava must confront her newfound curse, with assistance from the enigmatic hunter, Ryder Blackwood. However, as their passionate connection deepens, Ava's dual identity presents a threat to everything she cherishes. Can Ryder's love suppress the beast that resides within her, or will Ava's transformation consume them both? Although the risks are considerable, this relationship has the potential to alter their destinies completely.
When Julian Blackwood proposes to artist Ava Morales, things start spiralling out of control in a wave after wave of passion, secrets and lies. A pact of a whirlwind marriage with such financial and social security, but really? While Ava maneuvers the dangerous waters of Julian's world & high society, she is forced to deal with all her demons as well as the shadows lurking in Julian's past. Will their budding bond be strong enough to withstand the secrets that could tear them apart? Or wave goodbye to their hearts forever, the murmurs incarcerated by their bond?
In a realm that feels entirely foreign to her, the formidable werewolf Aurora is compelled to confront her haunting past and the adversary that relentlessly pursues her. With the mentorship of Asher, she begins to unravel age-old mysteries and forms unexpected alliances. As the Blood Moon approaches, Aurora faces a critical decision: she must choose between vengeance and redemption. This choice could demand everything, including her capacity for love. Embark on an extraordinary journey alongside Aurora as she navigates her tumultuous path. She uncovers concealed truths about her history and the prophecy that binds her existence, while simultaneously battling merciless forces intent on exploiting ancient magic. Moreover, she traverses the perilous terrain of werewolf politics and experiences the complexities of forbidden love. However, she is also forced to confront the darkness that dwells within her, grappling with her destiny. Ultimately, the question arises: will Asher's love be sufficient to redeem Aurora's troubled past, or will the encroaching shadows engulf them both? Dive into this exhilarating tale of supernatural romance to discover the answer.
Lily believed she had liberated herself from her perilous past; however, when Damon-an old adversary from a life she thought she could escape-reemerges, she discovers there is no avenue for retreat. His enigmatic forewarnings regarding the future, coupled with his unyielding quest for dominion, pull her back into a conflict she never sought. With Alexander at her side, Lily initially felt she had secured a sanctuary, but as she uncovers more about Damon's schemes, it becomes increasingly apparent that trust might not suffice. Alexander's obscure history and his ties to Damon only muddle the situation, compelling Lily to scrutinize whom she can genuinely rely upon. Faced with a relentless countdown, Lily confronts a daunting decision: to accept her ominous legacy, which Damon is fiercely determined to seize, or to risk everything she cherishes. As peril encroaches and alliances fracture, Lily must strive to maintain equilibrium between safeguarding herself and those she loves. Nevertheless, in a realm where nothing is as it appears, will Lily manage to make the correct decision before it becomes too late?
Olive's existence undergoes a profound transformation when she encounters Caleb, an enigmatic and enchanting celebrity actor who rapidly weaves himself into her life. However, just as she starts to lower her emotional barriers and accept her feelings for him, another figure appears-Daniel, an ostensibly ideal partner whose smile seems to have the remarkable power to eliminate any lingering doubts. Caught in the whirlwind of her emotions, Olive finds herself divided between her deep-seated attachment to Caleb and her growing affection for Daniel. Although secrets begin to surface and the intricacies of Daniel's hidden life gradually unfold, she faces a crucial decision about whom she can truly trust. With her heart precariously poised, Olive must confront a choice that could irrevocably reshape her reality: love, loyalty and the concealed truths that pulse beneath their intertwined pasts.
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
Daisy is the illegitimate daughter of Mr. Hubert. His company went bankrupt, so he asked for help from Drkov's house. They agreed to help Mr. Hubert but with one condition. One of his two daughters must marry their nephew - Atlas Drkov. Atlas Drkov is a billionaire but he is disabled and uses a wheelchair. Yaretzi - daughter of Mr. Hubert's official wife - does not accept marrying a disabled man. She and her parents made a plan. They kidnapped Daisy's mother, threatened her, and forced her to marry Atlas. To save her mother, she accepted. However, after getting married, she fell in love with this man, and so did he. Difficulties start from here.
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
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!
"I'm going to tell you what I have in mind," he murmured. "First you're going to strip down until you're completely naked," he whispered against her ear. "Then I'm going to tie you up so you're completely powerless and subject to my every whim." "Mmm, sounds good so far," she murmured. "Then I'm going to insert a plug to prepare you for me. After that I'm going to spank that sweet ass of yours until it's rosy with my marks." She shivered uncontrollably, her mind exploding with the images he evoked. She let out a small whimper as he sucked the lobe of her ear into his mouth. God, she could cum with just his words. She was already aching with need. Her nipples tingled and hardened to painful points. Her clit pulsed and twitched between her legs until she clamped her thighs together to alleviate the burn. "And then I'm going to f**k your mouth. But I won't cum. Not yet. When I'm close, I'll flog you again until your ass is burning and you're on fire with the need for relief. And then I'm going to f**k that ass. I'm going to take you hard and rough, to the very limits of what you can withstand. I won't be gentle. Not tonight. I'm going to take you as roughly as you can stand. And then I'm going to cum all over your ass. Are you ready to be completely and utterly dominated?"