'Callie,' he began, his voice husky, 'crying over your ex-boyfriend won't solve anything.' Confusion etched across her face, Callie furrowed her brows. 'Then what will?' she demanded, her voice tinged with frustration. Elias leaned closer, his warm breath caressing her cheek. 'You need to show him what he's lost. Find a man who's more handsome, more powerful, and richer than him. Then, make a grand entrance into his life with your new partner.' Callie scoffed, her eyes rolling in disbelief. 'Where am I supposed to find someone like that?' Elias's fingers gently lifted her chin, locking their gazes together. 'I can be that man,' he said. 'If you agree to be with me, I'll protect you from any harm, including your ex-boyfriend.' ********************************************** Elias Westwood, billionaire heir turned professional solider, a commanding presence on the battlefield, conceals a tender heart that beats for only one woman--Callie Hawthorne, a fearless surgical resident, possesses an innocent charm and wields her skills like a warrior in the operating theatre. Their first encounter thrusts them into a dangerous game of deception. Elias uses Callie as a pawn, their lips locked in a passionate kiss, fooling his pursuers. In that moment, Callie feels the allure of the enigmatic soldier, and a strange connection sparks between them. An impulsive decision seals their fate-a hasty marriage to escape an arranged union and prove Callie's readiness to move on from a past love. Little did they know, this act would propel them onto an unforeseen path. Amidst the chaos of war, Elias risks his life for his countrymen, while Callie tends to the wounded and shelters refugees. In the midst of battle, a tender love blossoms. Elias's strength and haunting scars captivate Callie, who shares the pain of being an orphan. She admires his unwavering bravery, finding solace in their shared experiences. Yet, their bond faces relentless challenges. Women vie for Elias's attention, while men yearn for Callie's affection. Sinister forces within the army conspire against Elias, and false accusations threaten to tear Callie away from the man she loves. And Elia's search for the truth about his parents' deaths leads him to confront one of the country's most powerful families. Passion collides with suspense, and love battles against those who seek to tear them apart. Will Elias and Callie emerge unscathed from the shadows, or will their sacrifices shatter their dreams forever? Discover their fight for a future filled with hope, trust, and the promise of a happy ending.
'Who the hell are you? What are you doing? Let go, mm-'
Callie's protest was silenced by the man's rough hand clamped over her mouth.
Who would've thought that after finishing her night shift and returning home, she'd get ambushed right at her doorstep!
No black belt in self-defence here, but if this guy thought she'd be easy prey, he was dead wrong!
Callie swallowed hard and chomped down on the man's palm, hoping to inflict some serious pain.
To her surprise, the man didn't even flinch, not even a tiny groan.
Instead, he tightened his grip.
What was wrong with this guy?
Maybe her bite wasn't quite 'chompy' enough?
Just as Callie geared up for another bite, she heard approaching footsteps and men's voices.
More accomplices?
Since when did muggers operate in groups?
A man's slightly nasal voice said, 'I just got word from HQ. He killed Viper! This time, we can't let him slip away.'
'Don't worry! He's wounded, ain't going far.'
'But if he does escape, we're screwed!'
.
Callie's heart pounded so loudly in her chest, she was surprised the men didn't hear it.
Wait, could the 'he' they were talking about be the jerk holding her hostage right now?
Unbelievable! Not only was he injured, but he was also on the run for murder-wait!
So this wasn't a mugging?
But that didn't make Callie feel any better.
If anything, it was worse.
This guy might just kill her to cover his tracks!
Just as Callie was panicking, the man leaned close to her ear.
His voice was hushed and ice cold, devoid of emotion. 'Play along. Or both of us die here tonight.'
Play along? With what?
The man didn't give Callie time to react.
The moment he finished speaking, he spun Callie around to face him, his hands firmly pressing her against the wall.
Callie was trapped between his warm chest and the cold concrete surface, with no wiggle room.
And then he forcefully claimed her lips, swallowing her objections.
What in the world was happening?
Callie's eyes widened in disbelief, and she wanted to resist, but the man had arms like steel cables, bulging with strength.
Plus, the conversation she'd overheard and the man's not-so-thinly-veiled threat gave her pause.
Perhaps it was best to play along, for now.
Reluctantly, Callie placed her hands on the man's back, seizing the opportunity to give him a hard pinch.
Apart from the scowl on her face, the scene between them almost looked like some kind of wild, hungry lovers going at it in the dead of night.
'Jesus, please, make time fly!' Callie prayed silently.
As the footsteps drew near, her heart jumped from her chest into her throat.
Suddenly, she felt the man's strong hands move to her back and ripped her blouse apart with one swift move.
'Bastard!' Callie pounded his back, eyes blazing with anger.
Exposed to the chilly night air, she felt goosebumps crawling up her skin.
The man didn't make a sound, his lips still glued to hers.
Ignoring her frustration, he just kept going, making the fake make-out scene even more intense.
Their bodies were bathed in moonlight, creating a passionate tableau.
The man cupped Callie's face with both hands and pushed her deeper into the shadow cast by the wall.
'What's going on over there?'
'Can't you tell? They're getting frisky!'
'Still staring? Stop it! This is no time to get horny.'
'I just want to see who's the lucky guy. Damn, that's some slick move! Gotta try it sometime!'
'Don't disturb them. We'll be in deep shit if the lovebirds call the cops.'
Gradually, the footsteps faded away.
With the coast clear, Callie gave the man a hard shove.
She wasn't surprised to see the dark liquid seeping from the midsection of his shirt; she had detected the familiar copper smell of blood the moment the man came close.
Callie gently brushed her lips, their swollenness testament to the intense encounter with the stranger.
She wiped them with the back of her hand, her eyes narrowing as she finally got a good look at him.
His hair tousled by the wind, his eyes holding a glimmer of wariness, the man exuded an air of danger and aloofness that sent shivers down her spine.
And yet, there was something mesmerising about those cold, piercing eyes.
Callie had never come across such a captivatingly dangerous man before.
Even the air around him seemed degrees colder.
Elias Westwood was sizing her up just as she was him.
Callie noticed a subtle change in his expression as his gaze lingered on her.
It was a mix of surprise and something else she couldn't quite place.
Elias hadn't expected to cross paths with her here, in this moment.
It seemed that she didn't recognise him at all.
As guilty as he felt for forcing a kiss upon a stranger, as a way to throw off his pursuers, he couldn't deny the jolt of joy when he realised it was her.
At the same time, he was concerned.
The men after him wouldn't think twice about eliminating witnesses, even if they were innocent civilians.
Elias blinked and was about to speak, but dark spots started swimming in front of his eyes.
Wounded, bleeding and hunted, he had been running on fumes, powered by nothing but survival instinct and adrenaline.
But now that the immediate danger had passed, he couldn't hold on any longer.
His consciousness slipped away, and he collapsed.
'Hey!' Callie gave a yelp of alarm.
Her knees buckled with the stranger's 6 feet 3 inches frame weighing down on her, making it hard to breathe.
Callie let out an expletive.
Not only had the bastard kissed her, but he had also torn her clothes apart.
Now he conveniently passed out without even an apology.
The thought of it made anger well up within her, tempting her to abandon him right then and there.
Yet, she hesitated when she considered the wound in his abdomen.
She was a doctor, after all.
The kiss grew more passionate as he felt her warm supple body pressing against his chest. He couldn't believe how soft she was. He was gentler this time, making love to her with a slow, languorous pace, pausing now and then to check the expression on her face. Kira was. transported. She no longer felt the fabric of the sheets underneath her. One moment, she was floating in the air, cuddled by cotton candy clouds. The next, she'd become one with a dinghy, bobbing up and down with the undulating waves. His scent enveloped her. He was on top of her, using his arms to support his weight and avoid crushing her. She snuggled up closer to him, safe and snug, cocooned in his warmth. Kira had always marvelled at Austyn's stamina, but he outdid himself tonight. In the midst of overwhelming rapture, Kira still had the presence of mind to broach the subject she'd been meaning to bring up. 'My dad's medical bills.' Austyn paused. He frowned as he looked into those beseeching eyes. 'It'll be taken care of by the end of business day tomorrow,' he said with a bit of an edge in his voice. Kira breathed out. ****** She is a 21-year-old college student who dreams of becoming a journalist. He is the heir of the McCarthy family and president of a business empire. She is bright-eyed and vivacious, a glass-half-full kind of gal. When life throws her a curveball, she knocks it out of the park. He is the archetypal alpha male, aggressive and domineering. Endowed with both brains and brawn, he steamrolls over his enemies and rules his company with an iron fist. The two would never have crossed paths if not for a cruel twist of fate. Kira's world was turned upside down when her father was hospitalised after a car accident. The medical bills were astronomical. Austyn McCarthy offered her a way out. The price: becoming his contract wife. At night, he consummated their marriage but called out another woman's name. Who was she? Why did Austyn marry Kira if he was in love with someone else? Kira was his lawful wife, but she had no right to ask these questions. Then one day, the woman showed up in front of her.
“Drive this woman out!” "Throw this woman into the sea!” When he doesn’t know Debbie Nelson’s true identity, Carlos Hilton cold-shoulders her. “Mr. Hilton, she is your wife,” Carlos’ secretary reminded him. Hearing that, Carlos gives him a cold stare and complained, “why didn’t you tell me earlier?” From then on, Carlos spoils her rotten. Little did everyone expect that they would get a divorce.
"I am flawed in every way possible," she said. "Good, I never asked for perfection," he replied immediately. When Sapphire Conrad, the wayward daughter of the Conrad Family, was called back to New York after running away from home to Gisborne, she only had a plan. Appear at the mansion, listen to whatever nonsense she had to say and say no to it, put up a strong font, then go back to her kids in Gisborne. Using her energy while trying to get revenge on all of them is a total waste of time even though they deserved to be trampled upon for what they did to her. It sounds like an easy enough plan until she got there and was asked to get into a marriage of convenience. Staying at New York was risky, she would be forced to face her ex-fiance who she had a nine years relationship with, the ex-best friend who snatched her fiance, her sister and mother who hate her with passion, and the list was longer than just that. But she couldn't leave her twin brother who is in danger there and there is this tiny little fact that Mr. Alexander Antonio Aldine, the CEO of Triple A Group definitely won't let her go.
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
For three years, Jessica endured a loveless marriage while her husband pretended to be impotent. His lies unraveled when a pregnant mistress surfaced. After six months of secretly collecting proof, Jessica threw him out and built her own billion-dollar empire. After the divorce, she transformed into an irresistible figure, attracting admirers. As she left her office one day, she met Kevan, her ex-husband's brother. He stepped in, confronting her. "Was I just a tool to you?" Jessica's lips curled into a calm smile. "How much compensation do you want?" Kevan's voice softened. "All I want is 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."
Endless caresses, endless kisses. Clinging to him as if her life depended on it, her body ached for more and she arched into the touch to receive more, more pleasure. "Oh darling, you taste so delicious, I can't get enough." He rubbed himself against her, telling her how much he wanted her, his deep, gruff voice resonating in her head. Her body also desired him. "Come for me, baby," He gave the order, and her body obeyed, following his command. "No!" she yelled, opening her eyes abruptly. Feeling confused and guilty, she gasped and sat up in bed. Scarlett's life takes an unexpected when she discovers that she is pregnant by a stranger with whom she had a one-night stand. She was humiliated and disowned by her parents. She ran away from the pack to start a new life. Will Scarlett find her way back to the father of her kids? What happens when he finds her and does everything possible to make her his? Will they scale through the challenges that life would throw at them? ***** Scarlett wakes up in bed with a stranger and doesn't even remember how she got there. She later discovers that the man she spent that night with was the Lycan King.