Irina is almost eighteen years old. She comes from a modest family and works as a waitress to support her sick mother. Finding love or dreaming of big things has never been a priority for her: her family comes first. But what will happen when she discovers that she is now linked to the most powerful and ruthless billionaire in the world, a man whose influence extends far beyond borders? Xander. The name alone is enough to send chills through the business world. Beautifully attractive, but renowned for his legendary cruelty, Xander does not believe in the concept of love or destiny. For him, everything is a game of power and control. When their worlds intersect, he is convinced that this meeting is a kind of bad joke orchestrated by life. But as soon as he sees her, he decides that Irina will be his, whether she likes it or not. "Aren't you happy? I asked shyly, as he looked out over the city from the window of his huge office. The reflection of the city lights danced on his face, making him even more inhumanly beautiful. But something in his dark eyes chilled me. " Happy ? » He laughed dryly, without the slightest trace of humor. He seemed almost mocking. "Happiness doesn't exist for me. And that will never change. » Those words broke me, but something about him attracted me despite myself. Will I give in to this dangerous game, or end up losing more than my heart?
The incessant ringing of the bell at the entrance to the small café where Irina worked echoed again and again, mingling with the hushed conversations of the customers seated at the table and the sound of the cups that she carefully placed on the trays. The morning had been particularly lively, and she already felt fatigue weighing down her legs. Yet she never stopped, even when her muscles protested. She had learned to move forward, whatever the cost.
Irina placed a black coffee and an apple pie in front of an old regular who thanked her with a smile. She responded politely, her mind already on another command. Each gesture was calculated, precise, like a mechanical dance that she had repeated every day since she got this job.
"Irina, two cappuccinos for table three! » called Paul, the manager, from the counter.
"I'm going!" » she replied, grabbing a tray to place the steaming cups on.
She navigated deftly between the cluttered tables, her apron slightly stained from the morning. Table three was occupied by two elegant young women, probably there to enjoy a quiet morning in this remote corner of the city. They wore discreet but obviously expensive jewelry, and their handbags were from a brand Irina had only seen in magazines.
"Here are your cappuccinos. Is there anything else I can get you? » she asked with her professional smile.
"No, it's perfect, thank you," one of the women replied, barely glancing at Irina.
The other, however, stared at her for a moment, his piercing blue eyes detailing her tired but delicate face. Irina felt a slight discomfort, but she didn't pay attention to it. She quickly returned to the counter to take another order.
Hours passed, and Irina glanced at the wall clock. Two more hours before the end of his shift. She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, adjusted her apron and was about to clean a table when she noticed that the woman with blue eyes had left a folded note under her cup.
Irina approached, intrigued, and grabbed the note. It was a tip. A huge tip. Ten times more than most customers left. She felt her heart racing.
" Everything is fine ? » Paul asked, noticing her surprised look.
"Yes, yes, just... she left this," she replied, showing him the note.
Paul shrugged his shoulders. "Good for you. Keep it, you deserve it. »
Irina discreetly slipped the note into the pocket of her apron, still confused. Why had a stranger left him so much money? She finished her service in silence, her mind preoccupied by this strange gesture.
Returning home, Irina entered the small apartment she shared with her sick mother. The walls were slightly shabby, and the furniture, although clean, was showing its age. She placed her bag on the table and headed towards her mother's room.
"Mom, I'm home," she said softly as she opened the door.
His mother, lying on a modest bed, gave him a tired smile. "Did you have a good day, sweetheart? »
" As per usual. But... look what I got today. »
Irina took the note out of her pocket and showed it to her mother.
"A customer left this for me. I don't understand why. »
His mother frowned, but her smile widened. "Maybe she saw how hard you work." You deserve it, Irina. »
Irina shrugged her shoulders, unconvinced, but she didn't want to worry her mother. After making sure everything was in order for her, she headed to the small kitchen to prepare dinner.
It was then that she noticed an envelope slipped under the front door. Frowning, she picked it up. The envelope was made of thick, luxurious paper, adorned with a golden seal. The address was not theirs, but her name was clearly there: **Irina Sokolov.**
She carefully opened the envelope and discovered a sumptuous-looking invitation card. The golden letters shone in the dim light of the apartment.
**"You are cordially invited to a prestigious gala organized by Fondation X."**
The details of the event were written at the bottom: a luxurious hotel in the heart of the city, a strict dress code, and a date - just three days away.
Irina felt her heart pounding. It was a mistake, obviously. Why would someone like her receive an invitation to such an event?
" What is this ? » asked his mother from the bedroom.
Irina hesitated for a moment before entering the room with the map. She handed the invitation to her mother, who adjusted her glasses to read it.
"A gala? » whispered his mother. "That's amazing, Irina! »
"But... it must be a mistake. I have nothing to do with that sort of thing. »
His mother shook her head, her smile still present. "Maybe someone saw something in you that you don't see yet. You should go. »
Irina bit her lip, skeptical. She had nothing to wear for an event like this, and she had no idea who might be behind this invitation.
"What if it's a trap or a joke? » she asked.
Her mother gently placed a hand on her daughter's. "Sometimes life surprises you, my darling. If you don't go there, you'll never know what it's like. »
Irina sighed, her eyes fixed on the invitation. Part of her was terrified of ending up in a world that wasn't hers. But another part, buried deep, was curious.
She spent the rest of the evening thinking, her gaze lost on the map that shone under the light.
The next day, at the café, she risked asking Paul a question. "Have you ever heard of Foundation X? »
Paul raised his eyebrows, surprised. " Of course. It is one of the most influential charitable organizations in the city. They organize huge events. Why are you asking that? »
Irina hesitated, then answered cautiously. "I received an invitation to their gala. »
Paul stared at her, incredulous. " You ? An invitation? »
She nodded. "I don't understand why. »
Paul crossed his arms, thoughtful. "Maybe someone noticed your work. Or maybe it's that woman from yesterday. You know, the one who left you that big tip? »
The idea made its way into Irina's mind. Was it possible that this woman was connected to this mysterious invitation? But why would she do that?
The following days were filled with mixed doubts and excitement. Irina finally decided to go, encouraged by her mother and Paul. She had saved up to rent a simple but elegant dress, and a colleague helped her with her hair and makeup.
When the day came, she stood in front of the mirror in her small bedroom, nervous but resolute. She had no idea what awaited her, but one thing was certain: her life might never be the same again.
**Kaden**, a relentless Alpha werewolf, who rules his pack with an iron fist. His power is threatened, not only by a growing rebellion within his own pack, but also by the emergence of **the Moon Hunters**, ruthless humans who hunt down supernatural creatures. Kaden, at the height of his strength, must face a changing world, where tradition and domination by fear are no longer enough to maintain order. **Darian**, a young wolf, questions his leadership, demanding a change in strategy, while **Elira**, a wise wolf, suggests that the Alpha must evolve to maintain the loyalty of his pack. Kaden faces a dilemma: adapt and redefine his authority or remain stuck in his brutal methods. This book immerses you in a universe where **evolution** and **survival** are at the heart of the story. Through internal battles and external confrontations, **The Alpha of Blood and Shadows** invites you to discover how far Kaden is willing to go to maintain his power and protect those he loves. Will the Alpha be able to evolve, or will it sink into the shadows of its past?
> "I'm not even that special. I saw you at the window and I thought my family would have informed you. I...I'm sorry." I say as my chest starts to hurt and I can barely breathe. > > "You are still an exceptional person. It's in your personality. My instinct is sure of it." > > "I'm not, though. There's nothing extraordinary about me. I'm not strong, I don't have that confidence. If something happens to me, I can't save myself. I will just be a huge burden." > "No," he cuts me off, and I can see a glint of anger in his eyes. "YOU ARE NOT a burden. You are my partner. Destiny brought you to me." > > "Fate didn't create me for anyone, Nathan. No one wants me." I say as my voice begins to shake. It's not going the way I thought it would. I never imagined having to convince my partner that I'm not good enough. But this man continues to surprise me as he grabs me and pulls me onto his lap. > "There are people who want YOU, Clara. I want you. Your parents adopted you, they wanted you. Your brother always wanted to be by your side. He never stopped talking about you .You are unique, Clara, but that doesn't mean you're not enough or unwanted." He then said to me, holding me against him on his knees, "I want you."
The day we got a new Alpha, my family was forced to become Omega. Because our new Alpha, Alpha Jaxon, was a violent and cruel man who didn't trust any of the pack's former warriors. I refused to accept him as my Alpha, he's a bad guy, and rumor had it that the Moon Goddess didn't even give him a mate. But ironically, as soon as I saw him, I felt a warmth for him. How could this have happened? And he had already found a contract partner! I tried my best to avoid him, but he always noticed me, with his charming and sexy look... The worst part was that in order to accomplish my family's revenge, I had to get close to Alpha Jaxon, seduce him and make him fall completely in love with me... --- "I'm not sure this is the way to welcome your Alpha," he said, inches from my lips. I stopped for a second to try to calm down, the adrenaline flowing, as my wolf and I savored the comfort of being so close to him again. "Hmm, maybe that's true, except you're not my Alpha yet," I replied in a seductive and natural tone. Our faces were so close that the heat of our breaths collided, I wanted so much for him to give in and close the distance between us. "You feel it, don't you? Your wolf is howling inside you for me to mark you... right... here...", Jaxon nipped my neck ever so lightly. I felt like my legs were going to give out from under me at any moment. He moved his hand just under my sweater, to my back. He pulled me closer to his hardness as his gaze held a silent promise.
When I entered school, why was everyone looking at me? I was heading for my locker when I felt the sweetest smell there is. What was it? ** Hugo **! Go get the friends, shouted ** Lucas **. But why did he cry? Looking around me, my eyes fell on the person I absolutely didn't want to see. Why should he be there, to set me? ** Nathan Blackwell. ** His eyes pierced mine, and I could feel Lucas howl of joy in me. But why was I unable to move? What happened to me? And why was he advancing in my direction? Without thinking, I did the only thing that seemed logical to me. I ran. When I arrived in the parking lot, I was heading for my car, but ... why did hot arms suddenly surround me? Who was it? Nathan made me turn so that I am in front of him and groaned: "To me." "No, no, no, why me? Not to you !!" I said, incredulous. His grip has tightened around my waist, and he murmured insistently: "You are mine. You don't belong to anyone else. You will not understand? You will not touch another man, you will not speak to Another man. Then he buried his face in the hollow of my neck, deeply inspired. But ... how was I supposed to react to this? And why did I have the impression that my heart was racing in spite of myself?
The woman he had worked so hard to save had disappeared after a romantic night – how could she have escaped? When they met again, she had surprisingly transformed into a successful woman. Despite the warmth she showed toward everyone else, she was icy toward him, asserting, "Alpha, we don't know each other!" » He responded by hugging her and whispering, "I remember every inch of you, and I wouldn't mind getting to know you better." » He treated her like a treasure, giving her boundless affection: "Don't run away again. Marry me, and I will make those who betrayed you regret it! » With a seductive smile, she said, "Okay. » She knew he really cared about her. Alpha, both dominant and tender, he had made her forget about running away.
Five years ago, Lyana experienced a devastating betrayal: her fiancé and her half-sister abandoned her, leading her to spend a night with a stranger. That fateful night led to the tragic death of his mother and caused him to be banished by his own father. Today, Lyana is back, accompanied by her twins and exceptional medical skills. Will she manage to reintegrate into a society of wolves dominated by alliances and rivalries? When an influential Alpha declares that she would be the ideal mate for his grandson, a handsome and promising young Alpha named Kaelan, tensions rise. Will a first suitor, Ewan, long in love, try to conquer Lyana's heart and accept the twins as if they were his own? Will a second, more possessive suitor, Orion, go so far as to claim Lyana as his own, ready to eliminate all competition? But when the Alpha of the powerful Ashford family intervenes, claiming that Lyana is his mate and the twins are now his children, who will dare challenge such an Alpha? Will Lyana give in to passion, will she finally find true love and a home for her children within the pack?
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.
Marrying her best friend was a dream come true for Kelly, but everything truly has a limitation. Pierce is Kelly’s first love, but as his best friend, she knew well there was always another woman deep in his heart. Lexi Gilbert. The woman Pierce could never forget even if he had already been arranged to marry Kelly. *** Kelly finally realized their happy marriage of the last three years was just a beautiful dream when Pierce asked for a divorce just because Lexi returned. She could only be his best friend even if she was carrying his baby. *** Since their friendship had become a cage, Kelly chose to set him free, as well as the miserable herself. But why then, it was Pierce who became the one who refused to move on? To make matters worse, her devil stepbrother also domineeringly stepped in at the same time, asking her to be his. *** Her Prince Charming vs. Her Devil Stepbrother? How could Kelly save her heart in this battle of love and hate?
For seven years, Jillian pursued Bryan with unyielding passion, but he remained distant, his emotions tightly sealed. Disheartened, she left for overseas after graduating from college. Three years later, Jillian, now a successful attorney, sat provocatively on the lap of Bryan's competitor. She flashed Bryan a playful smile and taunted, "What's wrong, Bryan? Are you impotent?" Bryan's restraint shattered in an instant. In a swift motion, he scooped her up and tossed her onto the bed. The next morning, as Bryan woke up, Jillian flashed a mischievous smile. "Let's keep things casual, okay?"
For two years, Bryan only saw Eileen as an assistant. She needed money for her mother's treatment, and he thought she'd never leave because of it. To him, it seemed fair to offer her financial help in exchange for sex. However, Bryan didn't expect to fall for her. Eileen confronted him, "You love someone else, yet you always sleep with me? You're despicable!" The moment she slammed the divorce papers down, he realized she was the the mysterious wife he married six years ago. Determined to win her back, Bryan lavished her with affection. When others mocked her origins, he gave her all his wealth, happy to be the supportive husband. Now a celebrated CEO, Eileen had everything, but Bryan found himself lost in another whirlwind...
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!"