In a world where the Moon Goddess weaves the threads of fate, Lyra's life is shattered when the man she was destined for, the powerful Alpha of her pack, rejects her for a rival's daughter. Heartbroken and betrayed, she watches as her replacement, the beautiful and cruel Isabella, rises to power, treating her like a mere slave. With each day spent in servitude, Lyra's spirit grows darker, fuelling her desire for revenge. As she uncovers secrets that could tip the balance between the packs, she discovers a strength within herself she never knew existed. But as her quest for vengeance unfolds, will Lyra embrace her fate, or will the shadows of her past consume her?
"Are you ready?" Nia whispered, a glint in her eyes as she handed Lyra a small vial of rose-scented oil. "You have to make a good impression tonight."
Lyra took it, her hands slightly trembling. "I don't know if that's possible," she murmured, uncorking the vial. The oil was faint but soothing, calming the quickening beat of her heart. "What if... what if he doesn't even show?"
Nia snorted, leaning against the doorframe of Lyra's small room. "He'd be a fool not to. You're the Beta's daughter, Lyra. And tonight..." She let the words linger, her smirk widening. "Tonight, you're eighteen. That's destiny right there."
Karma. The word hummed in her brain, a promissory note of hope and an unsettling weight all in one. She'd dreamed of this night a million times since she was a kid and heard the legends of the mates finding one another under the watch of the Moon Goddess. She'd see that all tonight. Maybe.
Moonlight filtered in through the small window, casting silvery streaks across her floor. Lyra inhaled deeply and looked down at her reflection in the cracked mirror. The dark hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, framing her sharp features. She smoothed out her simple dress and closed her eyes, willing herself to stay calm. Just breathe.
"You're going to knock him dead," Nia said, breaking the silence. "Or... you know, hopefully not, since he's supposed to be your soulmate."
Lyra chuckled, shaking her head. "Thanks, Nia. That's helpful."
"Hey, you should be thanking me. I even swiped that oil from the infirmary for you." Nia winked, a mischievous gleam lighting her dark eyes. "Now, come on! Everyone's already out there, and I am not missing your grand entrance."
They slipped out of Lyra's room and into the winding hallways of the pack house. The familiar stone walls felt different tonight, more alive, humming with the murmurs of the pack gathering outside. Lyra's heart pounded with each step as they neared the main hall.
The cool night air washed over her as they stepped outside, where the entire pack was assembled in a wide circle beneath the full moon's glow. Bonfires crackled at the edges, casting long shadows over the trees, and voices buzzed with excitement.
"Beta's daughter!" someone called out, a mix of admiration and curiosity lacing the words. She felt their eyes on her, a hundred pairs of curious, watchful eyes, all anticipating the moment she'd find her mate.
But her eyes searched for one face in particular. Desmond.
"There he is," Nia whispered, nodding toward the centre of the circle where Desmond stood, tall and commanding, his broad shoulders framed by the moonlight. Lyra's pulse quickened as she took in his form, the way he seemed to radiate authority, his green eyes scanning the crowd.
She took another step closer, her eyes catching his. His expression gentled, just a little, his mouth lifting in a tiny, almost imperceptible smile.
She felt her breath catch, and hope fluttered in her chest. This was it. She could feel it, the pull between them, some invisible string that tied them together.
"Lyra," a deep voice whispered beside her, pulling her out of her trance. Turning, she saw her father, Eldric, there, his warm brown eyes proud. "Tonight's the night. Trust in the Goddess."
"I do," she whispered, her voice barely audible. She let herself lean into the warmth of her father's hand on her shoulder for a moment until he released her and nodded for her to step forward.
Every step taken toward the centre of the circle weighed the night heavier on Lyra's shoulders. She could feel Desmond's gaze-lock down upon her with that now-familiar intensity, his eyes inscrutable. The complete stillness of the pack fell, all their eyes on them, and waited.
An odd energy crackled through the air. She could feel it right down to her bones-the surge of anticipation, the swell of pride for the pack. She stood tall, her chin lifted high, feeling every inch the Beta's daughter as she prepared to meet her mate.
The silence was at last broken. Isabella stepped forward, her auburn hair catching the firelight, a wicked glint in her blue eyes, as with languorous ease, she strolled across to Desmond. She came right up beside him, playing on her lips a smile as if aware of some secret that no one else knew.
Lyra's heart stopped, her pulse loud in her ears. Desmond's eyes darted to Isabella and then back to Lyra, his jaw clenched.
"Desmond," Isabella purred, though loudly enough for everyone to hear. "I think you owe everyone an announcement."
Lyra's stomach twisted as dread began to seep in. She looked to Desmond for an answer, for reassurance of some sort. He turned away, his features setting hard, his shoulders rigid.
"I..." He paused, and the people held their breath as the moment stretched.
Finally, his voice rose, a note final in the tone. "Tonight, I declare my mate."
Hope swelled inside Lyra, her heart leaping. It was it. She moved a step forward, but he didn't look at her. He was staring at Isabella.
I choose Isabella as my Luna," Desmond declared, his voice firm, loud for the pack to hear.
A sharp gasp escaped Lyra as her chest constricted, the words sinking in. Whispers exploded- a wave of shock rolled through the crowd. She felt the comforting touch of Nia's hand on her arm, but her legs were jelly, about to give out at any second.
Isabella's smile spread, her eyes darting to Lyra with a smirk of victory and taunt. Lyra could feel the laughter in the glint of cruel satisfaction in Isabella's eyes.
She turned to Desmond, praying that somehow he had made a mistake, that he would look at her-look at her-and find the mistake in what he had done. But his eyes were cold, distant as if the bond that was supposed to exist between them had never been more than a transitory whim.
"Desmond..." Her voice came out in a whisper, a little above silent, her heart breaking, literally, at the sight of his reaching for Isabella's hand, the certainty of his decision conveyed in every inch of his stance.
He looked at her then, but it wasn't the look she'd hoped for. No heat there, no regret-only resolution.
For the pack's good, Lyra," he whispered, his words barely audible to her above the murmurs of the crowd.
The father moved forward, inserting himself between her and Desmond, his hand falling again on her shoulder, but this time the warmth had become something different, a comforting weight to steady her.
She felt numb-just vaguely registering the prick of tears in her eyes as the crowd dispersed, the whispers dissolving into the night. She did not remember how she made it to her room, only that Nia was there with her, silent, a mask of anger and sorrow etched upon her face.
Lyra collapsed back onto her bed, her mind reeling. Destiny, fate... all that she had ever believed in was gone, leaving only an aching emptiness. She felt the weight of her own shattered heart, its every beat an echo of what would never be.
And for the very first time in her life, Lyra felt utterly alone.
I thought I knew betrayal. But nothing prepared me for the sting of poison from my own best friend. As Luna of the pack, I was supposed to be untouchable. But I was weak-unable to bear the Alpha's child, and that weakness made me a target. Minaj, my closest friend, used it against me. She seduced my husband, claiming she could give him what I couldn't. And then, with a poisoned drink, she ended my life. Or so she thought. The Moon Goddess had other plans. She gave me a second chance-a new body, a new life, and a fierce, unbreakable spirit. Now, I'm back in the pack, hidden in plain sight, with one goal: to reclaim what was stolen and uncover just how deep this betrayal runs. But as I get closer, secrets emerge, and I start to wonder... was it only Minaj who wanted me gone?
I stared at the hotel room door, my heart racing with a mix of anger and despair. One week. Just seven days until our wedding, and he had betrayed me in the most devastating way possible. My fiancé, Alex, lay naked in bed with my stepmother's daughter, Emma. She was younger than me, barely out of high school. The image seared into my mind like a branding iron. I spun around, fleeing the room without a word. Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled through the hotel corridors. How could he? Desperation drove me to the hotel bar, where I collapsed onto a stool. The bartender's concerned gaze met mine. "What can I get you?" he asked, his deep voice soothing. "Whiskey," I replied, my voice shaking. "Make it a double." As the liquor burned down my throat, I felt a reprieve from the agony. "Rough night?" the bartender asked, his eyes crinkling at the corners. I nodded, tears welling up again. "You want to talk about it?" His kindness undid me. I poured out my story, the words tumbling forth like a confessional. As the night wore on, the bartender listened attentively, his expression empathetic. "I'm Michael," he said when I finally exhausted my tale. "I'm Abigail," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. In my vulnerable state, Michael's calm demeanour drew me in. His piercing blue eyes seemed to see right through me. As the night blurred into the morning, my inhibitions disappeared. "Michael," I whispered, my voice husky. "I need to sleep with you." Michael's gaze locked onto mine, his expression unreadable. "Are you sure?" I nodded, my heart racing. The next morning, I woke up in Michael's arms, feeling ashamed and vulnerable. Without a word, I grabbed my clothes and fled. Back in my hotel room, I scribbled a check for $5,000 and left it on the nightstand. "Payment for services rendered," I wrote. As I fled the hotel, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd just made a terrible mistake. Little did I know, my encounter with Michael was only the beginning.
Ralph, a centuries-old vampire, has lost his thirst for life. That is, until he encounters Florence, a fiery werewolf with a secret: she's his mate. "I've walked this earth for over 500 years, but nothing compares to the burn I feel when I'm near you," Ralph whispers, his fangs grazing Florence's neck. "You're a monster," Florence growls, her heart racing. "Perhaps," Ralph replies, "but I'm your monster now." As the full moon rises, their forbidden love becomes the key to unlocking an ancient curse. Will their love be strong enough to overcome the darkness, or will it destroy them both? ("Eternal Moonlight" - Where love bites...hard.)
"Then let's get a divorce!" With courage, Leora left her husband's house, after being accused of poisoning his mistress. Her in-laws and sister-in-law had planned various ways to kick her out of Peter's house and in the end Leora gave in. However, no one expected that things would turn 180 degrees after the divorce. When everyone who had hurt her was happy with each other's lies, Leora returned. This time, she was no longer the poor orphan girl from the orphanage. She has changed and not only that, she also carries a big secret that will make everyone turn to worship her feet.
After a heated confrontation with her husband and mistress, Brianna was pushed down to stairs. She thought she would die but when she woke up again, she realized that she traveled back two years ago, when it was not late for her to correct her path. The first thing she needed to do when she was reborn was divorce that scum. She saved from the darkest time but he lied to her and murdered her in the end. This time, she would not repeat the same mistakes anymore. She would bring the glory of her family back and make those people who betrayed her pay the price! However, in the process of climbing up to the peak of her career, she met a very intimidating and handsome man who kept on messing with her head through his bold attitude. Brianna doesn't want to be involved with another man again, for she has proven to herself that they will just drag her down, but her constant incidents with him are slowly breaking the wall she built to protect her heart. Brianna will surely choose her career over a man this time, but it's possible to choose both, right? What if he hurt her too? No! She won't risk it but. "You have to run away from me, Bree. Coz I'm done running away, I'll chase you now."
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
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.
When they met again, Jason cast aside his paranoia and pride, warmly embracing Chelsey. "Please, come back to me?" For three years, she had been his secretary by day and his companion by night. Chelsey had always complied with his requests, like an obedient pet. However, when Jason declared his plans to marry another, she chose to stop loving him and to let go. But life took unexpected turns. His unyielding pursuit, her pregnancy, and her mother's greed gradually pushed her to the brink. Eventually, she endured tremendous suffering. Five years later, when she returned, she was no longer the woman she once was. Yet he had spiraled into five years of chaos.
"It was just one night stand, and now I'm pregnant with triplets? Gosh!" Josephine Jade never thought that she would have to run away from her own family while pregnant. She was alone, without money, without connections, with three fetuses in her stomach. How can she survive? However, Josephine couldn't give up now, until she managed to reclaim her arbitrarily seized property and get back at everyone who tried to get rid of her. A sick child, a past crush that comes back, a mysterious eccentric man, and a family that hates her, will weave together the journey of Josephine Jade's new life. "You have no right to separate me from my children, you bastard! I will survive and you will submit to me. Just watch!"