While on vacation at her aunt's, **Louisa** didn't think her life would change so much. Her future already seemed mapped out according to the ambitions of her mother, **Véronique**, who dreams of seeing her marry a perfect man: **Grégoire Devalier**, a rich heir well regarded in high society. However, Louisa, fierce and independent, hesitates to comply with her mother's demands. Véronique, desperate by her daughter's insubordination, decides to send her to her sister, **Odile**, a modest woman living in the countryside. There, Louisa should learn the values of simplicity and understand that her life of privilege cannot be taken for granted. But everything does not go as planned... Louisa did not expect that she would enjoy this stay. And most importantly, she hadn't anticipated meeting the enigmatic neighbor: **Raphaël Belmont**, a billionaire retired from the business world. What is such a powerful man doing in such a remote place? Why does he live as a recluse, far from the spotlight? His dark eyes and magnetic charm disturb her beyond anything she has ever known. For Raphaël, as soon as he meets Louisa's gaze, he feels a connection he has never experienced before. Could she be the key to rekindling a heart extinguished by years of solitude and secrets? Yet a curse seems to weigh on him. What dangers does he hide? Why does he seem to be running away from her as much as looking for her? As the days go by, questions multiply. Why is Véronique so keen to keep Louisa away from her family? What secrets could Odile be hiding in her simple life? And Raphael, could he be involved in something much darker than he lets on? Between power games, revelations and a forbidden love, Louisa will find herself at the heart of a plot that threatens to turn everything upside down: her family, her future, and perhaps even her own survival. Is Raphael a blessing or a deadly threat? How far will Louisa be willing to go to discover the truth?
Louisa stepped off the train with a slight shiver running down her spine. She had never imagined that her life would take such a turn. The countryside, with its vast expanses of fields and small houses scattered here and there, was far from the hustle and bustle of the city and the sophistication of her usual world. Her mother, in her desire to "straighten her out", had sent her here, to this remote village, to stay with her aunt Odile. Louisa had no real illusions about this stay, but she had had no choice.
She had barely set foot on the dusty ground of the small station when her gaze fell on the silhouette of a woman waiting for her. She smiled, a smile that seemed completely natural and sincere. There was no trace of hypocrisy, no artifice in her expression. That was her aunt Odile's air: a simplicity that was disturbing, but completely foreign to her.
"Welcome, my dear," Odile said, hugging her with a gentleness she was not used to receiving.
Louisa let him, a little surprised by this immediate affection. She hadn't seen her aunt for years, and yet it seemed as if she had never left. Odile smelled of lavender, and her perfume enveloped Louisa, like an unexpected caress. Her hair, silvered by age, was braided in a simple but neat cut. Her eyes, a peaceful blue, seemed to look at the world with benevolence, but also a certain curiosity, as if each moment were a precious gift.
"So, ready to discover life here?" Odile asked, her mischievous smile hiding a hint of malice.
Louisa hesitated for a moment. "I guess I have no choice."
"You'll get used to simplicity soon, my dear. There's nothing complicated here."
Louisa shrugged, a little jaded. She had always found this philosophy a little naive. For her, life was not a question of simplicity. It was a question of conquest, of achievement, of ambitions. The countryside, with its sheep and its endless fields, seemed so far from the lights of the city where she had grown up.
The drive was long. The road wound through lush green landscapes, but Louisa paid little attention to it. Her gaze wandered over the landscape, her mind drifting between the frustration of having to be there and the strange feeling she felt of being cut off from the world. It was a kind of involuntary freedom, and yet she had no desire to taste it.
"The people here are simple, but they have a kind of wisdom that is sometimes forgotten in the city," Odile continued, as if to break the silence that had settled. Louisa looked up at her, waiting to see if the conversation would take another turn. But her aunt just smiled without losing her serenity.
When the car stopped in front of a small stone house, Louisa felt as lost as she had at the beginning of this journey. The house seemed to breathe tranquility, but it seemed almost too quiet to her. The shutters were open, and the smell of fresh bread floated in the air, but nothing aroused her interest. She was not ready to abandon her world and her habits for such an ordinary existence.
"Come on in. I made you something to eat."
The meal was simple, but delicious: hot soup and homemade bread that crumbled under the fingers, a crisp salad of fresh vegetables from the garden, and to finish, seasonal fruits. Louisa ate in silence, absent-mindedly, casting occasional furtive glances around her. The house was tastefully decorated, but there was a simplicity that contrasted with the richness of what she was used to. The furniture was old, weathered by time, but it seemed full of history and warmth.
"I suppose this all seems... strange to you," Odile said, observing Louisa.
"A little," Louisa admitted, not really trying to hide her embarrassment. "It's... very small in here."
"You'll get used to it. It's a different kind of life, but it's no less precious."
She had barely finished her sentence when the sound of an engine caught her attention. Louisa stood up abruptly, curious in spite of herself. She went to the window and saw a figure moving away down the main street of the village. It was a man, alone, in an elegant black car, who seemed almost out of place in this very calm environment.
"Who is it?" she asked her aunt, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
Odile turned her head and, following Louisa's gaze, observed the man as he walked away. "It's Raphaël Belmont," she answered in a neutral tone, but there was a kind of restraint in her voice. "He lives in the house on the edge of the village. A... strange man."
"Strange?" Louisa repeated, intrigued. There was something intriguing, almost magnetic, about the man she had just seen. His features were marked by the years, but his eyes, hidden under bushy eyebrows, seemed unfathomable. His bearing denoted a man accustomed to luxury, but who found himself in this quiet place, almost withdrawn from the world.
"Yes, strange," Odile repeated. "He's a bit... lonely. He avoids company, isn't interested in anyone, except when he has to buy products for his house. But he still has an aura, you know? A kind of distance."
Louisa frowned, but another detail came to mind. "Why live here, then, in this godforsaken village?"
"I don't know. Years ago, he left the business world. He stayed there, away from everything. It's a choice, I guess."
A heavy silence settled. Louisa moved away from the window and returned to the table. Her mind was now occupied by this unexpected encounter. Raphaël Belmont. She had the impression that he was carrying a secret. His gaze, that evening, was still engraved in her memory. He was a man who seemed to possess worlds inside him, universes that she did not yet understand.
The evening passed slowly. Louisa went to bed early, exhausted from the day, but her mind tormented by a thousand thoughts. She wondered if this village would really change her perception of the world, or if it was simply another step imposed by her mother. She was not sure what she was looking for here, but one thing was certain: Raphaël Belmont's gaze never left her.
In the morning, after a frugal breakfast prepared by Odile, Louisa went out for a stroll through the village. The narrow streets, the picturesque houses and the smiling faces of the inhabitants formed a picture that Louisa found both soothing and a little boring. There was no room for the unbridled ambitions and desires that she had cultivated in her previous world. Everything here seemed frozen, as if time had stopped.
As she walked by the small lake in the center of the village, she caught sight of Raphael from afar. He was sitting on a bench, alone, his eyes lost in the landscape. He seemed so distant, almost out of reach. She stopped for a moment, hesitating, but before she could make a move, he turned his head and their gazes met. His dark eyes stared at her, as if they had seen beyond his mask. Louisa suddenly felt embarrassed, trapped in that gaze that seemed to understand everything without a word being exchanged.
She walked away quickly, her heart beating faster. A strange feeling of irresistible attraction and danger was growing inside her, as if this man had something to offer her, something dangerous and irresistible. She knew, somehow, that her meeting with him would not be trivial.
"Aurélia" is the heiress of a powerful family and was destined to take over the financial empire of her father, an influential and feared man in the business world. Everything changes when she learns that she is pregnant by **Leonard Wolfe**, an infamous billionaire, known for his scandals and his dangerous charm. But Leonard fiercely denies being the father and refuses any involvement. Her father, furious and humiliated by this situation, disowns Aurélia, calling her a shame for the family. Rejected by her own circle for not having "solved" what they saw as a problem, Aurélia is stripped of her privileges and must flee with her child. Can she rebuild a life in anonymity, far from those who betrayed her? Years later, after having built a new existence as an independent woman, Aurélia thinks she is finally free from the chains of her past. But it is then that Leonard discovers the truth: the son she is raising is his. Why does this arrogant and insensitive billionaire suddenly decide to claim his role as father after denying his existence? Could he have hidden intentions? Leonard returns to Aurélia's life with a disturbing determination, ready to destroy the barriers she has carefully erected. Aurélia has no interest in reconnecting with a man who denied her son and abandoned her in her darkest hour. But can she really resist his power and irresistible charm? As Leonard tries to gain the trust of Aurélia and their son, old enemies resurface. Why is this man, who seems to have everything, so determined to reclaim what he once rejected? Is it out of guilt or because he is hiding an even darker secret? Aurélia is faced with a heartbreaking choice: protect her son and his new life, or give in to the inexplicable attraction that draws her to Leonard. But can she really trust a man who has been the source of so much suffering? What if Leonard played an even bigger game, a game where Aurélia and her son were just pawns? The more the past resurfaces, the more truths come to light: Leonard may not be the only one hiding secrets. What other shadows hang over their lives? And, above all, will she be able to escape the influence of this man who could destroy everything once again?
**Kaden**, a relentless Alpha werewolf, who rules his pack with an iron fist. His power is threatened, not only by a growing rebellion within his own pack, but also by the emergence of **the Moon Hunters**, ruthless humans who hunt down supernatural creatures. Kaden, at the height of his strength, must face a changing world, where tradition and domination by fear are no longer enough to maintain order. **Darian**, a young wolf, questions his leadership, demanding a change in strategy, while **Elira**, a wise wolf, suggests that the Alpha must evolve to maintain the loyalty of his pack. Kaden faces a dilemma: adapt and redefine his authority or remain stuck in his brutal methods. This book immerses you in a universe where **evolution** and **survival** are at the heart of the story. Through internal battles and external confrontations, **The Alpha of Blood and Shadows** invites you to discover how far Kaden is willing to go to maintain his power and protect those he loves. Will the Alpha be able to evolve, or will it sink into the shadows of its past?
Irina is almost eighteen years old. She comes from a modest family and works as a waitress to support her sick mother. Finding love or dreaming of big things has never been a priority for her: her family comes first. But what will happen when she discovers that she is now linked to the most powerful and ruthless billionaire in the world, a man whose influence extends far beyond borders? Xander. The name alone is enough to send chills through the business world. Beautifully attractive, but renowned for his legendary cruelty, Xander does not believe in the concept of love or destiny. For him, everything is a game of power and control. When their worlds intersect, he is convinced that this meeting is a kind of bad joke orchestrated by life. But as soon as he sees her, he decides that Irina will be his, whether she likes it or not. "Aren't you happy? I asked shyly, as he looked out over the city from the window of his huge office. The reflection of the city lights danced on his face, making him even more inhumanly beautiful. But something in his dark eyes chilled me. " Happy ? » He laughed dryly, without the slightest trace of humor. He seemed almost mocking. "Happiness doesn't exist for me. And that will never change. » Those words broke me, but something about him attracted me despite myself. Will I give in to this dangerous game, or end up losing more than my heart?
> "I'm not even that special. I saw you at the window and I thought my family would have informed you. I...I'm sorry." I say as my chest starts to hurt and I can barely breathe. > > "You are still an exceptional person. It's in your personality. My instinct is sure of it." > > "I'm not, though. There's nothing extraordinary about me. I'm not strong, I don't have that confidence. If something happens to me, I can't save myself. I will just be a huge burden." > "No," he cuts me off, and I can see a glint of anger in his eyes. "YOU ARE NOT a burden. You are my partner. Destiny brought you to me." > > "Fate didn't create me for anyone, Nathan. No one wants me." I say as my voice begins to shake. It's not going the way I thought it would. I never imagined having to convince my partner that I'm not good enough. But this man continues to surprise me as he grabs me and pulls me onto his lap. > "There are people who want YOU, Clara. I want you. Your parents adopted you, they wanted you. Your brother always wanted to be by your side. He never stopped talking about you .You are unique, Clara, but that doesn't mean you're not enough or unwanted." He then said to me, holding me against him on his knees, "I want you."
The day we got a new Alpha, my family was forced to become Omega. Because our new Alpha, Alpha Jaxon, was a violent and cruel man who didn't trust any of the pack's former warriors. I refused to accept him as my Alpha, he's a bad guy, and rumor had it that the Moon Goddess didn't even give him a mate. But ironically, as soon as I saw him, I felt a warmth for him. How could this have happened? And he had already found a contract partner! I tried my best to avoid him, but he always noticed me, with his charming and sexy look... The worst part was that in order to accomplish my family's revenge, I had to get close to Alpha Jaxon, seduce him and make him fall completely in love with me... --- "I'm not sure this is the way to welcome your Alpha," he said, inches from my lips. I stopped for a second to try to calm down, the adrenaline flowing, as my wolf and I savored the comfort of being so close to him again. "Hmm, maybe that's true, except you're not my Alpha yet," I replied in a seductive and natural tone. Our faces were so close that the heat of our breaths collided, I wanted so much for him to give in and close the distance between us. "You feel it, don't you? Your wolf is howling inside you for me to mark you... right... here...", Jaxon nipped my neck ever so lightly. I felt like my legs were going to give out from under me at any moment. He moved his hand just under my sweater, to my back. He pulled me closer to his hardness as his gaze held a silent promise.
When I entered school, why was everyone looking at me? I was heading for my locker when I felt the sweetest smell there is. What was it? ** Hugo **! Go get the friends, shouted ** Lucas **. But why did he cry? Looking around me, my eyes fell on the person I absolutely didn't want to see. Why should he be there, to set me? ** Nathan Blackwell. ** His eyes pierced mine, and I could feel Lucas howl of joy in me. But why was I unable to move? What happened to me? And why was he advancing in my direction? Without thinking, I did the only thing that seemed logical to me. I ran. When I arrived in the parking lot, I was heading for my car, but ... why did hot arms suddenly surround me? Who was it? Nathan made me turn so that I am in front of him and groaned: "To me." "No, no, no, why me? Not to you !!" I said, incredulous. His grip has tightened around my waist, and he murmured insistently: "You are mine. You don't belong to anyone else. You will not understand? You will not touch another man, you will not speak to Another man. Then he buried his face in the hollow of my neck, deeply inspired. But ... how was I supposed to react to this? And why did I have the impression that my heart was racing in spite of myself?
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
Rose looked at the reports in her hand and was in shock... The reports said that she was one month pregnant, however, how can she get pregnant when she didn't have any man in her life... "Was it because of that dream? Could I get pregnant because I have sex in my dream?" She thought... She didn't have any mental problems, however, except for this she can't able to think about anything... However, she still didn't get out of her surprise when she met the man in her dream... Kevin Davis looked at the reports in her hand and asked, "Is this child mine?" However, Rose didn't answer but asked... "Was that night not a dream?" Kevin was angry because it was his first time and she thinks it was a dream... Kevin forced her to marry him however, Rose didn't want it... She wanted to abort the child but he didn't let her... In the end... Rose agreed to marry him... She looked at Kevin's blue eyes and said, "I will marry you, however, I had two conditions..." "First, after marriage, you can't control my freedom, I still had the right to do whatever I want. Don't worry I won't harm the child." "Second, if I ever found out that you had cheated behind my back then I will leave with my child and you can't stop me..." Both of them got married... However, after she falls in love with him... She found there are hidden secrets in his past...
Everyone thought Lorenzo truly loved Gracie, until the day of their daughter’s heart surgery. To Gracie’s utter shock, Lorenzo gave the precious organ needed by their child to another woman. Devastated, Gracie opted for a divorce. Fueled by her need for revenge, Gracie joined hands with Lorenzo’s uncle, Waylon, and orchestrated Lorenzo’s downfall. In the end, Lorenzo was left with nothing and consumed by remorse. He pleaded for a reconciliation. Gracie thought she was free to move on with her life, but Waylon held her back in a death grip. “Did you think you can just walk out on me?”
When he woke up early in the morning, the woman he had a crush on lay beside him, but she was afraid. "President Miller, rest assured, I will not entangle you. I'll pretend nothing happened last night!" He narrowed his eyes dangerously. "So, aren't you going to be responsible for me?" Emma Wood was shocked, "What ?!" Did she hear it right? After the night, she bore a baby and had to marry him. She asked, "It's all your benefit, what can I get?" The man looked at her and slowly said, "As long as you want, as long as I have."
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
Sheila had her back against the wall when her family tried to force her to marry an awful old man. In a fit of rage, she hired a gigolo to act as her husband. She thought the gigolo needed money and did this for a living. Little did she know that he was nothing like that. One day, he pulled off his mask and revealed himself to be the world's top magnate. This marked the beginning of their love. He showered her with everything she could ever want. They were happy. However, unexpected circumstances soon posed a threat to their love. Would Sheila and her husband make it through the storm? Find out!