Maddie had trained all her life to succeed her father as the Alpha, but her dreams were shattered when she was taken away by her mate. Several months had passed and there had been no significant changes in their relationship, and with nothing to hold on to, Maddie decided it was time to return home to claim her throne with her mate beside her. Toby was the head warrior of the rogue pack, and to everyone, he was friendly and easygoing with a smile that brightened the whole room. But when Maddie informs him of her decision to leave the pack, he will hear of no such thing. He gave her an ultimatum: she would either have to stay in the pack and be his mate or leave and never see him again. Between a father that had no regard for her and was determined to mate her off to a widower, twin siblings eager to claim her birthright, and an adamant mate that had no intention of leaving his pack for hers. Maddie has her work cut out for her. Torn between love and power, Maddie must decide what is more important. Will she follow her heart or fight for her throne? Or will Toby sacrifice everything to be with her?
"I am leaving." I said in a small voice, my body angled towards Ariel as I watched her facial expression.
We were sitting side by side on the only piece of furniture in my room, staring vacantly into space. It was the only furniture I could allow without feeling like I was blood sucking leech out to wreck the pack.
I was an outsider after all; I didn't deserve to enjoy any benefits from them if I wasn't contributing to the growth of the pack.
Ariel was very easy to read as she wore her heart on her sleeve, and it was interesting to watch the way her brows furrowed and the right one arched high, then her lips curled downwards, and she snapped her head to look at me with squinted eyes.
"What?" She exclaimed, almost jumping out of her seat, and I had to hold her down before she attempted such actions.
"Be careful, Ari, the baby." I chastised her in a soft voice, because goddess forbid she had an accident while she was with me.
Kane would never forgive me, and it would destroy whatever truce we had.
"What did you just say?" Ariel asked again, glaring at me with squinted eyes as if it would get me to answer. But I wasn't Kane; such things don't work on me. "Maddie!" She groaned, annoyed by my silence, and I rolled my eyes.
"You heard me, Ariel; I have to go. I can't stay here anymore. There is nothing for me." I sighed, and it was the truth.
Ariel had managed to find her footing in her relationship, which was pretty ironic seeing that I had watched it crumble; I even helped her escape. But somehow, they had found a way to fix their relationship, and they were going stronger than ever. The oblong stomach, growing bigger every day, was proof enough.
And the green monster that was envy reared its ugly head.
Within those months, I have managed to gain nothing. I was still as I came.
I can't say I have made any progress with my mate, as we still lived in separate rooms, and the only relationship I had with him was cordial except the kisses, which were as infrequent as ever.
I don't hold any position in the pack-it is not like I would agree. But I was stagnant as it is, and the very thought irked me.
It was time to move on, to make progress, and the only way I could do so was to leave.
"And what did Toby say? Did he let you go? Is he leaving with you?" Her pitch increased with every word, and her pupils widened so much that they looked like a full moon.
"Ariel!" I took her hands in mine, squeezing it gently before she would tire herself with worry. All this wasn't good for the baby.
"Maddie, you can't do this. Toby can't leave." She croaked, her voice breaking as she spoke, and I could tell the first sign of an outburst.
"Toby is not leaving." Yet, it was still a probability.
"But y..you..." Ariel tried to come up with words, but her vocabulary failed her, and she had no choice but to give up, directing those dewy orbs at me for help. I slowly shook my head, and it was comical to see her eyes widening even more as she understood what I was trying to convey. "Toby doesn't have any idea?"
"Not yet."
Her gasps echoed through the near-empty room, and she slapped her palm over her mouth. "Are you planning to run away? Maddie! that will kill him."
I only had to take a look at her face before I burst into laughter, throwing my head back and my shoulders vibrating as I laughed. "Ariel, you are such a delight to be with."
She shrugged her shoulders, but her brows were still pulled tight in confusion. "Thanks, I guess."
I raised my head to look at her, but I was not prepared to see the genuine fear in her eyes. I don't know if it was for me or Toby, but it feels good to know that someone was going to miss me.
"I am not planning on running away; I will tell Toby, but I wanted you to know first."
"Awww, Maddie." Ariel cooed, blinking her eyes as it started getting red, and I released a short sigh, rolling my eyes.
Pregnancy was really a bitch.
"Fine, have at it." I closed my eyes, stretching my arms open as wide as they could, and Ariel needed no further prompting as she slammed into me for a hug, a rather awkward one as the protruding stomach made it difficult for us to make full contact.
We settled on a side hug, my palm gently tapping her shoulder in a soft rhythm until her sniffles reduced and she left the hug.
"Do you need tissues?"
"Yes please." Her voice was hoarse from the cry, yet she managed to sound lovely, if it were I... Some things were better left unsaid. Instead, I stretched my hands, reaching for the box of Kleenex that sat on the nightstand, and I grabbed it, offering it to Ariel, who took a piece and blew into it. "I am really glad you are telling me this, Maddie. You know I don't like to intrude, but why are you really leaving?"
I couldn't begin to tell Ariel that one of the reasons I was leaving was because I was envious of her and how well her life seemed to be going, while mine was nowhere near starting.
I had to settle for half truth.
"There is nothing for me here, Ari. I have been the same since I came, and I can't even do anything in the pack. I can't stay here anymore."
"I understand you, Maddie; I have noticed how hard you have tried to fit in with us, but it must be exhausting."
I shook my head as the thoughts began to flood into my memories. "You have no idea."
"What are you going to do when you leave here?" Ariel asked me, and I know she was only saying it from a place of concern.
"I will go back to my pack. It is time for my parents to handover, and I will go and fight for the alpha's position."
"Will you be okay? I am still learning about the werewolf world, but I know they are not exactly accepting of a female Alpha."
"I know; that is why I have to make a difference. It is going to be a tough one, but I can do it."
"Maddie." Ariel whined as she reached out for another of those arm hugs. "You are so strong. I will miss you when you go."
"I will miss you too. I will try to visit whenever I have the chance, probably when everything is settled." I told her, trying to soothe the pain, and she nodded her head as she sat down.
"Although I am honored you told me first, I think Toby deserved to know."
"Of course." I replied, although right now, I think running away may be the best option. We carried on with light conversation, and then without warning, Ariel stood up abruptly.
"I would love to continue, but I have to go now." I nodded my head; no doubt the mate was already getting antsy.
I followed her out of the room and made for Toby's room while she headed for their shared room. I stood in front of Toby's room, my hand wrapped around the doorknob, and I pressed it down, slowly opening the door and letting myself inside.
No matter how long I have been sleeping here, it still feels strange. It could as well be because I only slept there at night, and at the crack of dawn, I was back in my room the next morning like a thief.
I know it was a little stressful, but Toby would always hunt me if I didn't sleep in the room, so I had to settle for a compromise.
But this time I sat on the bed and waited for his arrival, and like a dutiful alarm, the door opened at exactly 2 p.m. and he entered inside.
His eyes connected with mine, and his eyes widened-the only indication that he was surprised to see me. "Maddie, is something wrong?" Toby asked, his brows furrowed in concern, and he rushed towards me, his eyes racking over my body as he looked for signs.
I folded my arms, unable to withstand his scrutiny, but I nodded my head. "Yes." The only time I entered his room was at night and to sleep so I could understand his concerns.
"I have to tell you something."
"We need to talk."
We said at the same time, and his lips widened, revealing that hint of smile that always made me go crazy. Toby was just so easy to love; he made everything seem easy. The way he could smile or laugh with ease or form bonds with literal strangers was amazing, and that was one of the things I love about him.
"You go first." Toby said, and I shook my head.
"No, you first."
"I insist, ladies first." He probes ever so gently that it doesn't feel like he is forcing you, and I was nodding my head before I realized it. That was another thing he was good at.
Manipulation.
I looked up to meet his eyes, his brown eyes that were so dark it was often mistaken to be black, but I knew better because I was the only one that had seen it up close.
I took a deep breath to steady myself before I shattered his fragile heart, then I opened my mouth and said those dreadful words.
"I am leaving."
Synopsis He is a demon! He is ruthless! He is bloodthirsty! He sold his heart to the devil! These were the words you would hear when you asked who the rogue alpha was. Kane Miller was the formidable rogue alpha who had built his empire on the blood of his enemies. His pack was made of only the strongest of warriors, as he believed the weak shouldn't survive, and all he aimed to do was conquer and destroy. He wasn't a small name in the human world either, as he was one of the feared mafia that deals in the sales and distribution of ammunition. He had gotten a contract to raid one of the packs, killing and burning everything to the ground until he heard the cries of his mate. Kane was distraught to learn of his mate and couldn't come to terms with it, so he decided that sending her out of the country was the best decision. Seven years have passed, and Ariel was set to return to the place she had known as home, but that was only the beginning of her problem. She has lived all her life believing she was a human, but hell seemed to let loose when she found out the truth and that everything she had known about herself was a lie. Ariel's return is marked by lies and untold pain that threaten to tear them apart. How much can she endure for love, or will she be able to love her father's killer?
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
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!