Nestled deep in the snow-covered mountains, the town of Winterveil lives in the shadow of a chilling legend- a beast that stalks the woods under the full moon. When young doctor Maren Vale arrives in town to replace the recently murdered physician, she's warned to stay indoors at night. But when a patient's cryptic confession points to a hidden conspiracy, Maren sets out to uncover the truth. Enter Kieran Ashford, the enigmatic hunter who seems to know more about the beast than he lets on. Together, Maren and Kieran delve into the town's secrets, but as the winter nights grow longer and the moon waxes fuller, Maren begins to suspect the monster she's hunting might be closer than she imagined. In a battle against time, ancient curses, and her own rising fear, Maren must decide: will she save Winterveil, or will she join its haunted history?
The train screeched to a halt, sending a shudder through its iron frame as the whistle pierced the winter air. Dr. Maren Vale adjusted her scarf against the biting wind that clawed at her cheeks. The platform at Winterveil station was empty except for a single lamp, flickering against the encroaching dark. The snowstorm had left a heavy silence in its wake, muffling everything but the distant howl of wind in the mountains.
Maren shouldered her leather satchel, its weight pressing against her side. It contained what little she could carry-a few medical texts, her tools, and a weathered journal. She stepped off the train, her boots crunching into the snow. Behind her, the conductor leaned out the window, his face shadowed beneath his cap.
"You sure about this, miss?" he called, his voice tinged with concern.
Maren paused, her breath visible in the frosty air. "Why wouldn't I be?"
The conductor hesitated. "Winterveil's no place for outsiders, especially not this time of year. Folks up there... they're different."
Maren offered a faint smile. "I'm here to help. That's what matters."
The conductor gave her a reluctant nod and disappeared back into the warm glow of the train. Moments later, the engine roared to life, and the train vanished into the night, leaving Maren alone with the wilderness.
The path leading into town was barely visible, a trail carved into the snow that twisted through the dense pines. Winterveil's only inn was supposed to be just beyond the trees, but the chill and the gathering dark made every step feel uncertain.
As she trudged forward, the wind carried a sound that made her stop-low, guttural, and primal. A howl.
Maren turned sharply, her pulse quickening. She scanned the shadows between the trees, but they offered no answers, only the oppressive weight of silence returning. Swallowing her fear, she adjusted her scarf and quickened her pace.
---
The inn was a squat, timber-framed building with a sloping roof weighed down by snow. A dim light flickered in the window, promising warmth. Maren pushed the door open, stepping into a room heavy with the scent of woodsmoke and stew.
Behind the counter stood a wiry man with graying hair, his face deeply lined. He looked up from wiping a mug and regarded her with a mix of curiosity and wariness.
"You must be the new doctor," he said, his voice rough but not unkind.
Maren nodded, shaking the snow from her coat. "Maren Vale. And you are?"
"Arthur," he replied. "I run the inn. Thought you'd be arriving tomorrow."
"The train schedule changed," she explained, setting her satchel on the counter. "I hope it's not too much trouble."
Arthur waved her off. "Trouble? Not at all. We haven't had a doctor here since... well." He trailed off, his expression darkening. "Best not talk about that now. You'll be wanting supper, I imagine?"
"That would be wonderful, thank you," Maren said, her stomach growling in agreement.
As Arthur ladled stew into a bowl, the door swung open behind her. A gust of cold air swept through the room, and Maren turned to see a man stepping inside.
He was tall and broad-shouldered, his hair dusted with snow and his coat worn from years of use. His boots left heavy prints on the floor as he approached the counter. He glanced at Maren briefly, his blue eyes sharp and assessing, before addressing Arthur.
"Anything new?" he asked, his voice low and gravelly.
Arthur shook his head. "No sign of it tonight. At least, not yet."
The man nodded, his gaze shifting back to Maren. "You're the doctor, aren't you?"
"Yes," Maren said, meeting his stare despite the unease it stirred in her. "And you are?"
"Kieran Ashford," he said simply. "Hunter."
There was something about the way he said it that felt weighted, as if the title meant more than it should.
"You'll be busy soon," he added, his tone almost a warning.
"I'm here to do my job," Maren replied firmly.
Kieran's mouth twitched in what might have been amusement, but he said nothing further. Instead, he turned to Arthur and spoke in a quieter tone. Maren caught only fragments-"tracks by the ridge," "fresh kill," and "blood moon."
Arthur's face tightened as he nodded, his knuckles white against the edge of the counter.
---
Later that night, Maren lay in the small, drafty room Arthur had prepared for her. The stew had warmed her, but sleep was elusive. The whispers of Kieran's conversation haunted her, as did the howl she'd heard in the woods.
She stared at the cracked ceiling, her mind racing. Winterveil was supposed to be a quiet mountain town in need of a doctor, nothing more. But something about this place felt... wrong.
A sudden noise shattered the stillness-a distant scream, sharp and fleeting.
Maren bolted upright, her heart hammering. She rushed to the window, peering into the night, but all she saw was snow and shadow.
The scream didn't come again, but she couldn't shake the feeling that it hadn't been a figment of her imagination.
---
The following morning, Maren made her way to the clinic, a modest building on the edge of town. The air was bitterly cold, the streets quiet save for a few wary glances from townsfolk who kept their distance.
Inside, the clinic was sparse but functional. Maren set about organizing supplies, trying to focus on the task at hand rather than the unease that lingered from the night before.
Her first patient arrived just after midday-a middle-aged man with a gash across his forearm.
"Got this fixing my roof," he said gruffly, though his eyes darted nervously around the room.
Maren cleaned and stitched the wound, noting the way his hands trembled despite the minor injury.
"You seem nervous," she said gently. "Is everything all right?"
He hesitated, then leaned in closer. "You should leave," he said in a low voice. "This town... it's cursed."
"Cursed?" Maren repeated, trying to keep her voice neutral.
He nodded, his expression grim. "It starts with howls in the night. Then the killings. The beast doesn't stop until the snow turns red."
Before she could press him further, he pulled his arm away and left, muttering something about the moon.
Maren stood in the empty clinic, her unease growing. She couldn't ignore the whispers anymore. Something was happening in Winterveil, something that went far beyond superstition.
And she had a sinking feeling she was already in too deep.
Sierra Winters is a fiercely independent wildlife photographer chasing her dreams in the rugged landscapes of Alaska. She's never been one to linger in one place, preferring the call of adventure over the bonds of love. But when a storm leaves her stranded in a small coastal town, she finds herself unexpectedly drawn to Alex Hart, a reserved yet charismatic innkeeper with a past he'd rather forget. Alex has built a quiet life away from the chaos of his old one, focusing on running his family's century-old inn. The last thing he needs is a free-spirited stranger stirring up his world. Yet, as their paths intertwine, Sierra's spontaneity begins to thaw Alex's guarded heart, while Alex's steady presence challenges Sierra to confront her fear of staying still. But just as they begin to let their walls down, Sierra is offered the career opportunity of a lifetime, forcing them to confront what they're willing to risk for love. Will they let the whispers of the wind carry them apart, or will they fight for the connection they never saw coming?
Cassidy Dawson is a brilliant architect at the top of her game-until a chance encounter with a mysterious, brooding billionaire changes everything. Logan Blackwell, a reclusive tech mogul, is used to keeping his private life a secret, but Cassidy's magnetic presence pushes him to the edge. Their chemistry is undeniable, but their worlds couldn't be more different. With Cassidy's career on the line and Logan's past threatening to destroy everything, can love survive in the face of deception, power, and heartbreak?
In the shadow of a forgotten village, a hidden war rages- one that will soon drag Kiera Bellamy into a world she never believed existed. After the sudden death of her father, Kiera returns to her childhood home only to discover unsettling truths about her heritage and a family bound by ancient blood oaths. As a mysterious werewolf attacks the village, Kiera is thrust into a deadly game between rival packs, each seeking control of her family's legacy. Caught between betrayal, forbidden love, and her awakening power, Kiera must decide who to trust- and what she's willing to sacrifice to survive beneath the silver moon.
Tala Gonzalo was a werewolf, and a single mother. Her daughter, Ava, had never met her father. This is the story of how Tala ended up in the city, raising a child alone. In college, Tala was in love and dating a man who turned out to be a werewolf. After being bitten and transformed, Tala embraced her new life, until a tragic accident shattered her world. Forced to flee her pack, she discovered she was pregnant with the future alpha's child. For three years, Tala raised Ava in secrecy, only transforming when absolutely necessary to protect her daughter from the harsh reality of their lineage. Always prepared to run, Tala’s life takes an unexpected turn when her old pack, under attack, seeks her out as their best tracker. With the pack’s leader, Louve, discovering Ava’s existence, will they reconcile their past and face the new threat of Lycans together?
What lengths would a desperate mother go to in order to find her missing daughter? When Brienna's teenage daughter vanishes on the notorious road during the witching hour, Brienna dives into the dark world of vampires to find her. Teaming up with a mysterious man, she navigates a path filled with secrets and lies, realizing her own life is in danger. Convinced an outcast named Joe is behind her daughter's disappearance, Brienna discovers the truth is far more evil. With every step, she gets closer to her target, but he's always one step ahead, waiting for her to fall into his trap.
Athena, an ordinary high school student with a penchant for street art, finds her life turned upside down when she meets a mysterious guy and joins a coven of witches. As she delves deeper into the occult, she discovers her true nature as a powerful witch with the ability to transform into a lycanthrope. But the secrets of her heritage run deeper—her boyfriend is revealed to be a vampyre, and her name, Athena, holds a significance she never imagined. Caught in a supernatural war between ancient beings determined to control humanity, Athena must navigate her new reality while resisting a destiny she never wanted. As the conflict escalates, the looming threat of exposing their world to humans grows more dangerous. With the fate of both worlds hanging in the balance, Athena must decide where her loyalties lie and how far she’s willing to go to protect the ones she loves.
Sawyer, the world's top arms dealer, stunned everyone by falling for Maren—the worthless girl no one respected. People scoffed. Why chase a useless pretty face? But when powerful elites began gathering around her, jaws dropped. "She's not even married to him yet—already cashing in on his power?" they assumed. Curious eyes dug into Maren's past... only to find she was a scientific genius, a world-renowned medical expert, and heiress to a mafia empire. Later, Sawyer posted online. "My wife treats me like the enemy. Any advice?"
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.
Iris grew from an orphaned child to the adopted daughter of the Stewart family at age ten, finding warmth in her nominal uncle Vincent's kindness. Seven years later, she became his secret lover. When Vincent's engagement was announced, gossip spread about the notorious playboy CEO finally settling down. But only Iris knew the extent of his cold, two-faced nature. Iris fell for Vincent and, through tears, begged, "Marry me," only to be met with his frosty refusal. Defeated, she accepted a lawyer's proposal, sparking public excitement. Then, on her wedding day, Vincent pleaded desperately, "Don't marry him…"
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?
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."