Anna Harriet, the only daughter of Shaun Bordman Harriet, had been struggling to fend for herself since the deaths of her father and grandmother. They had been her world, her foundation, and now, without them, she felt untethered. "I'm not doing that. Never," Anna said firmly, lying on her bed. She had recently moved in with her mother, Sussan, and her mother's new husband in New York. It was a drastic change, and not one she had ever wanted. Growing up, Anna had always wished her mother had stayed. Sussan had left when Anna was still in elementary school, leaving her to be raised by her dad and grandmother. The memories of her mother from those early years were precious to her, small moments she clung to for comfort. But now, living with Sussan and her husband felt like stepping into a nightmare. Their home wasn't warm or welcoming-it was cold and filled with tension. "Go out with that guy, or you'll have to start feeding yourself!" Sussan yelled from another room, her words cutting through the air like a blade. Anna sat up, her chest tightening. This wasn't the mother she had dreamed of reconnecting with. This was a stranger-harsh, impatient, and far from the loving figure she had longed for during her childhood. The walls of their New York apartment seemed to close in around her as she tried to imagine a way out of this impossible situation.
Anna emerged from the cemetery with tears brimming in her eyes, her steps faltering under the weight of her grief. She had just laid her father to rest-the man who had been her rock, her guide, her entire world. Now, without him, she felt unmoored, as though the ground beneath her feet was no longer solid.
As she passed through the cemetery gates, the reality of his absence settled in her chest like a stone. Her knees buckled, and she sank to the ground, her sobs silent at first, then growing louder as they erupted from a place deep within her. "Where do I even start?" she whispered through trembling lips, her voice breaking under the strain of her sorrow.
Yet, just hours ago, the day had been so full of light. She had left home that morning in her dad's car, humming softly to herself, a rare spark of excitement in her heart. The errand was simple: pick up a letter from the post office. But for Anna, it was an extraordinary moment. It was the first letter she had ever received from the post office-a small but personal milestone.
When she walked out with the envelope in her hands, a radiant smile spread across her face. She had clutched it tightly, savoring the moment as though it were a precious treasure. Sitting in the car, she ran her fingers along the edge of the envelope, anticipation building as she prepared to open it.
Then her phone rang.
The sound jolted her, breaking the joyful stillness. She glanced at the screen and saw Quinn Ledger's name-the name of her childhood friend, the only friend she truly had. But the moment she answered, the lightness in her heart began to fade.
"Anna..." Quinn's voice cracked, thick with emotion. "What are you going to do?"
The urgency in her friend's tone sent a shiver of dread racing through Anna's body. Her smile vanished.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice trembling, fear creeping into her chest like a shadow.
"Your dad..." Quinn's voice broke into sobs. "He had an asthma attack. It was too late when I got there."
The words struck Anna like a physical blow, knocking the air from her lungs. Her hand trembled, and the phone slipped from her grip, hitting the floor of the car with a hollow thud. The joy she had felt just moments ago disintegrated, replaced by a suffocating wave of despair.
Her vision blurred, her hands shook uncontrollably, and a cold numbness spread through her body. She tried to cry, but no tears came, as though her grief had frozen inside her. It was as if time itself had stopped, leaving her suspended in a void of pain and disbelief.
She stumbled out of the car, her legs like jelly, and waved down a passing cab. She didn't even remember giving the driver her address; her mind was a haze, her thoughts tangled in the chaos of what she'd just heard. The ride home felt endless, the city outside the cab window a blur of muted colors and noise.
When she arrived, the sight of her father's siblings standing somberly at the door made her heart sink further. Their expressions-heavy with loss-confirmed the unthinkable. She pushed past them, her chest tight, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps.
She burst into her father's room, hoping against hope that it wasn't true, that somehow Quinn had been mistaken. But there he was, lying motionless on the bed. The man who had hugged her goodbye that very morning, whose smile had been her safe haven, was now still and lifeless.
"No," she whispered, her voice quivering, as if saying the word might undo the terrible truth before her.
The room spun, her legs gave out beneath her, and she crumpled to the floor. The world seemed to tilt, and darkness rushed in, swallowing her whole. For a moment, there was nothing but the void, her grief too vast, too consuming to bear.
Exiled from her pack for her mother's sins, Astra finds herself alone and vulnerable in a treacherous forest. But the forest holds more than just danger. Ancient secrets and a sinister darkness threaten to consume everything, and Astra, guided by whispers from the past, must uncover the truth before it's too late. As she delves deeper into the heart of the forest, she faces terrifying creatures, encounters a mysterious guardian, and discovers a hidden power within herself. Can Astra overcome her past and fulfill her destiny to save the forest, or will she succumb to the encroaching darkness?
Born as the "traitor's daughter," Astra's life has been one of relentless scorn and rejection. Her pack sees her as a stain on their pride, a constant reminder of her father's betrayal. Cast into servitude and treated as a pariah, Astra endures the weight of their hatred with quiet resilience, hoping for a sliver of acceptance that never comes. When she is falsely accused of dishonoring the pack, the punishment is exile-a death sentence for any wolf cast into the wilderness alone. Stripped of her home and any semblance of safety, Astra faces the raw brutality of the wild. But what her pack intended as her end becomes her beginning. In the wilderness, Astra meets Kael, a lone wolf whose guarded demeanor hides a painful past. Reluctantly, he teaches her how to survive and fight. As Astra learns to hunt, defend herself, and trust her instincts, she discovers something unexpected: her own strength. Kael's mentorship and their growing bond challenge Astra's perception of herself, planting the seeds of self-worth and independence. Driven by an unshakable resolve, Astra begins to reclaim her identity. The wilderness transforms her from a timid outcast into a fearless wolf. But the pull of her past is strong, and when she feels the stirrings of a mysterious mate bond, Astra knows her journey isn't over. When Astra returns to confront her pack, she is no longer the broken girl they cast out. Her strength and confidence threaten the pack's Alpha, who fears the change she represents. As tensions rise and loyalties are tested, Astra must decide: will she fight for justice and claim her rightful place, or will the scars of rejection hold her back?
22-year-old Evelyn Carter is attempting to start over in California while avoiding her past. She will be embarking on a new career path as a private school teacher. She is smart, attractive, and doesn't put up with nonsense. Who wouldn't notice her? However, what happens when she attracts the attention of someone unwilling to let her go? Who wants her and nothing else after falling in love at first sight? A 25-year-old billionaire CEO and single father, Lucian Carrington. He takes what he wants and he is also a very dangerous man. All it needed was one look at a stunning woman to realize she was HIS, even though he doesn't believe in relationships because they always end. Preview: Miss Carter, you will be mine. I say firmly. "Release my arm, Mr. Carrington, before I force you to." She says, seeming to smile at me. I give her a sly smile. Squeezing my wrist with her other hand, she twists it uncomfortably. I gave a painful hiss. "Don't underestimate me, Mr. Carrington." "This is the only time I will allow you to walk away from me, Miss Carter." She glared at me as she turned. "Mr. Carrington, I am no possession of yours." I was left standing there when she opened the classroom door and left.
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
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."
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."