In the isolated village of Ravenspire, the Blood Moon looms, signaling the return of a terrifying curse. Elise Thorn, a fiercely independent blacksmith's apprentice, has always dismissed the tales of werewolves and ancient rivalries-until a vicious attack leaves her with a mark that binds her to the creatures she despises. As she navigates her transformation, Elise discovers she is part of a bloodline destined to stop a sinister force that awakens every Blood Moon. She must join forces with Kade, an enigmatic alpha hiding a dark secret, to uncover the truth behind their shared fate. But as alliances crumble and enemies close in, Elise learns that saving her people may require the ultimate sacrifice.
The forge blazed with furious light, its heat licking at Elise Thorn's skin as she hammered molten iron into the shape of a curved blade. Sweat dripped from her brow, but she refused to falter, each strike of her hammer precise and deliberate. The clang of metal against metal reverberated through the small, smoke-filled workshop, a sound that steadied her nerves.
"Focus on the curve, Elise. It's not a club," her mentor, Old Joren, barked from his seat by the hearth. His one good eye glinted with sharpness that belied his years.
"It'll cut just fine," Elise shot back, though her lips twitched into a smirk. She respected Joren's skill but wasn't about to let him get under her skin. Not tonight, of all nights.
Ravenspire was unusually quiet for the eve of the Blood Moon. Normally, villagers would be bustling about, preparing charms and barricading their homes. But this year, an eerie tension hung in the air, heavy and stifling. Elise tried not to think about it. Superstitions, she told herself. Nothing more.
A loud crash broke her concentration.
"Elise!" Her younger brother, Will, burst into the forge, his small frame trembling. His face was pale, his chest heaving from the sprint.
"What is it?" Elise demanded, setting down the hammer.
"It's-it's the wolves. They're close!"
Joren stiffened, his gnarled hands gripping his cane. "Close? How close?"
Will pointed toward the woods beyond the village. "I saw them near the old mill. They're bigger than normal wolves... and their eyes..." His voice trailed off, fear stealing his words.
Elise felt a prickle of unease but quickly pushed it aside. "Stay here with Joren. I'll check it out."
"Don't be foolish," Joren warned. "You've heard the stories. If it's them, you'll not survive alone."
"I can't just sit here and do nothing," Elise snapped, already grabbing her newly forged blade. It was crude, but it would suffice.
The air outside was sharp and biting, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. Elise's boots crunched against the frost-covered ground as she moved toward the edge of the village. The trees loomed ahead, their dark silhouettes swaying gently under the silver glow of the rising moon.
Her pulse quickened. Will's description echoed in her mind-wolves with glowing eyes. The stories of Ravenspire were full of such creatures, but she had always dismissed them as tales to frighten children. Yet, the unnatural stillness of the forest made her doubt her skepticism.
A low growl broke the silence.
Elise froze, her grip tightening on the hilt of her blade. Her eyes darted through the shadows, searching for movement. The growl deepened, reverberating through the trees like a warning.
A pair of glowing amber eyes emerged from the darkness.
Instinct took over. Elise raised her blade, her heart pounding in her chest. The wolf stepped into the moonlight, its form massive and menacing. Its fur was a dark, mottled gray, and its fangs gleamed like polished ivory.
"Get back!" she shouted, hoping her voice would mask the tremor in her hands.
The wolf didn't retreat. Instead, it prowled closer, its movements deliberate and predatory. Elise swung her blade in a wide arc, but the creature dodged effortlessly, its speed blurring the edges of its form.
The next moment happened too fast.
The wolf lunged, its jaws snapping inches from her arm. Elise stumbled, barely managing to twist out of the way. Pain seared through her side as she hit the ground, her blade skittering out of reach.
"Elise!"
Will's voice jolted her back to the present. She turned her head just in time to see her brother racing toward her, a look of pure terror on his face.
"Stay back!" she screamed, but it was too late.
The wolf growled, turning its attention to Will. Desperation surged through Elise, drowning out the pain in her side. She scrambled to her feet, lunging for her blade. The wolf leapt toward her brother.
Time seemed to slow.
Elise didn't think-she acted. With a roar, she threw herself between the wolf and Will, raising the blade in a desperate arc. The steel met flesh with a sickening crunch.
The wolf yelped, its momentum sending both it and Elise crashing to the ground. Claws raked against her skin, and she felt the sharp sting of teeth sinking into her shoulder.
Then, everything went dark.
---
When Elise woke, the first thing she noticed was the cold. It seeped into her bones, making her limbs heavy and unresponsive. Her vision swam as she tried to sit up, but a firm hand pressed her back down.
"Stay still," a deep voice commanded.
Her senses sharpened. The scent of pine and damp earth was stronger now, mingled with something musky and unfamiliar. She blinked, focusing on the figure crouched beside her.
He was tall, with dark hair and piercing green eyes that seemed to glow faintly in the dim light. His expression was grim, his jaw set in a hard line.
"Who-" Elise's voice cracked. She swallowed, trying again. "Who are you?"
"Kade," he said simply.
Her gaze flicked to the bandages wrapped around her shoulder. The memory of the wolf's bite came rushing back.
"The wolf..."
"You're lucky to be alive," Kade interrupted. "That was no ordinary wolf."
"I figured that out when it tried to eat me," Elise muttered, her voice edged with defiance despite her weakness.
Kade's lips twitched, though it wasn't quite a smile. "You've been marked."
The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning Elise didn't yet understand.
"What does that mean?" she demanded, her stomach churning at the look in his eyes.
"It means your life is no longer your own," Kade said, his tone matter-of-fact. "The Blood Moon's curse is upon you now."
Her heart sank, but she refused to show fear. "I don't believe in curses."
"Then you're a fool," Kade said bluntly. He stood, his movements fluid and unnervingly graceful. "But whether you believe it or not doesn't matter. The mark is real. And if you want to survive, you'll listen to me."
Elise pushed herself upright despite the protests of her body. "Why should I trust you?"
Kade's gaze softened, just for a moment. "Because if you don't, the wolves won't just kill you. They'll turn you into something far worse."
The finality in his voice sent a chill down Elise's spine. For the first time, she realized she wasn't just fighting for her life-she was fighting for her soul.
When billionaire heir Damon Knight is forced into an arranged marriage to secure a business merger, he expects a compliant, gold-digging bride. What he doesn't anticipate is his match, Elena Castellano-a fiercely independent artist who has no interest in his wealth or his world. Bound by duty but divided by pride, Damon and Elena embark on a marriage neither of them wants but can't escape. As their lives intertwine, passion ignites, revealing secrets that could shatter everything. In a world driven by power and betrayal, will their love grow strong enough to defy the odds, or will it crumble under the weight of their lies and pasts?
In the charming coastal town of Willow Haven, Grace Delaney is starting over. After a devastating breakup and the closure of her small bakery, she returns to her hometown to regroup and rediscover herself. Enter Lucas Hayes, a former big-city architect who has moved to Willow Haven to escape his own troubled past. When a community project brings Grace and Lucas together, their undeniable chemistry begins to spark. But Grace's guarded heart and Lucas's lingering guilt over a family tragedy threaten to tear them apart. As they navigate the challenges of trust, healing, and love, the autumn leaves falling around them remind them that letting go of the past may lead to a brighter future.
After being rejected by his mate years ago, Alpha Tristan is forced to face the truth: his heart still belongs to Selene. Now, a threat looms over their pack, and when Selene returns to help with the danger, the bond between them is undeniable once more. But can they overcome the scars of the past, or is their second chance doomed to repeat the same mistakes? As danger grows and secrets are revealed, Tristan and Selene must decide if their love is strong enough to heal old wounds and protect the future of their pack.
Lady Eveline of Ashford is a noblewoman whose life is upended when her family's lands are threatened by a rival lord. To secure peace, she is promised in marriage to a mysterious knight, Sir Gareth of Blackmoor, known for his skill in battle and his cold, distant demeanor. As Eveline and Gareth are drawn together by duty, their relationship begins to shift from one of obligation to one of passionate devotion. But in the shadows, an ancient enemy lurks, threatening not just their future but the fragile peace they've fought so hard to maintain. Can they overcome their differences and the challenges of their past to build a love worthy of a kingdom?
Chloe Rivers is a determined, no-nonsense businesswoman who has worked hard to establish herself in the corporate world. But when she meets Nicholas Hawke, the brooding heir to one of the world's largest empires, her well-ordered life is thrown into chaos. Nicholas is everything Chloe has been taught to avoid: powerful, unpredictable, and dangerously charismatic. When their families' companies merge, Chloe finds herself reluctantly drawn into a passionate affair with Nicholas, even though she knows it could cost her everything she's worked for. As the line between professional and personal blurs, Chloe must decide whether to protect her career or follow her heart. Will love destroy them both, or will their dangerous desires lead them to something deeper?
Elena Raines has spent her life running from the past-haunted by the night her parents vanished in the wilderness of Coldmoor Ridge. When she returns to the eerie mountain town to settle their estate, she encounters Adrian Blackthorne, a mysterious stranger with piercing amber eyes and a warning she can't ignore: "You don't belong here after dark." Adrian is the Alpha of a pack cursed to hunt under every full moon, bound by an ancient pact with a powerful witch. Elena's return stirs memories he's tried to bury, and a forbidden connection neither can resist. As shadows from the past resurface and a ruthless hunter targets the pack, Elena must uncover the truth about her parents-and her own ties to the wolves of Coldmoor. Can love break the curse, or will the darkness claim her soul?
"Miss Brown, I am the butler here at your service," the butler replied. "My master wants to buy the baby in your belly." "What?!" Does that mean the abortion didn't take place? Did they kidnap her from the operating table just to buy the baby? But why her? "You..." Alice was about to ask a question, but the man in front of her calmly continued, as if he had expected her question, "You're pregnant with his child, and he needs a child. That's all I can tell you." Alice was forced to sign a surrogacy contract and eight months later gave birth to two healthy babies. Fortunately, the man was unaware of her daughter's existence. It wasn't until five years later that fate brought them together again...
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."
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
Amara Nicholas left for the city to be with her husband, but the Briggs family didn't treat her right. Her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. Despite that, Darlington's first love was there. With a broken heart, she left and went back home to take over her father's business. Now, Darlington Briggs was back, trying to win her back. Should she accept him? Find out. Will she accept him and return to her ex-husband? Read to find out.
Five years ago, he upped and left his wife without informing her. He had always felt unworthy. As a result, he decided to go and become a better man. It took him five whole years of daily hard work. When he was satisfied, he returned as a powerful and honorable man. He intended to start a family with his wife. But he got back to meet the greatest shocker of his life. He actually had a daughter!
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?