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.
Eliza was once the perfect wife to billionaire Noah until ambition tore them apart. Now, divorced and reinventing herself, she's stronger than ever- building her empire and surrounded by men who appreciate her independence. But when Noah realizes what he's lost, he'll stop at nothing to get her back. However, Eliza has grown she's no longer the woman he knew. With three very different men vying for her heart, Eliza must decide who she is now and who she will become.
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.)
Ethan always viewed Nyla as a compulsive liar, while she saw him as aloof and insensitive. Nyla had cherished the notion that she was dear to Ethan, yet she felt coldly rejected when she realized her place in his heart was insignificant. No longer trying to break through his coldness, she stepped back, only for him to alter his approach unexpectedly. She challenged him, "If you trust me so little, why keep me around?" Ethan, who had once carried himself with pride, now stood before her with a humble plea. "Nyla, I've made mistakes. Please don't walk away from me."
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
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."
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
Loraine was a dutiful wife to Marco since they got married three years ago. However, he treated her like trash. Nothing she did softened his heart. One day, Loraine got fed up with it all. She asked him for a divorce and left him to enjoy with his mistress. The elites looked at her like she was deranged. "Are you out of your mind? Why are you so willing to divorce him?" "It's because I need to return home to get a billion-dollar fortune. Besides, I don't love him anymore," Loraine replied with a smile. They all laughed at her. Some believed that the divorce affected her mentally. It wasn't until the next day that they realized she wasn't fibbing. A woman was suddenly declared the world's youngest female billionaire. It turned out to be Loraine! Marco was shocked to the bone. When he met his ex-wife again, she was a changed person. A group of handsome young men surrounded her. She was smiling at them all. The sight made Marco's heart ache severely. Putting his pride aside, he tried to win her back. "Hello, love. I see that you are a billionaire now. You shouldn't be with suckers who just want your money. How about you come back to me? I'm a billionaire too. Together, we can build a strong empire. What do you say?" Loraine squinted at her ex-husband with her lips curled in disgust.