/0/67921/coverbig.jpg?v=708a5c0cced82bc5a043789ecffabf45)
Celeste Ashcroft never expected to inherit the Ashcroft Dynasty-a sprawling global empire of luxury and power-until her father, the legendary magnate Harrison Ashcroft, is found murdered under mysterious circumstances. As she steps into the cutthroat corporate world, Celeste uncovers shocking truths about her father's dealings, the betrayal of trusted allies, and enemies hidden within her own family. With the enigmatic and dangerously alluring Dominic Vale by her side, Celeste must navigate a web of deception and ambition. To claim her throne, she must outwit those who seek to destroy her and transform from a grieving daughter into a ruler who commands respect-and fear.
The scent of roses lingered in the air, heavy and cloying. Celeste Ashcroft stood at the edge of the grave, her fingers gripping the steel handle of the black umbrella above her. Rain dripped steadily, mingling with the tears on her cheeks, though she made no effort to wipe them away. The crowd surrounding her was a sea of black coats and solemn faces, but Celeste felt utterly alone.
Harrison Ashcroft, her father, had been many things-visionary, titan, and for better or worse, a king in his domain. Now, he was just a memory, a lifeless body buried beneath layers of earth and ash. The service had been suffocating, filled with people whose names she barely knew, each of them eager to murmur condolences or secure their place in the fragile hierarchy left in the wake of her father's death.
The rain picked up, drumming against the fabric of her umbrella. Celeste's stepmother, Isabelle, stood a few feet away, her face a porcelain mask of grief. Dressed in a sleek black gown, Isabelle radiated an ethereal beauty that had always made her seem untouchable. Yet there was something in the coldness of her gaze that unsettled Celeste. It wasn't the grief of a widow. It was something else entirely-something calculated.
"Celeste."
The voice jolted her from her thoughts. Oliver Hale, her closest friend since childhood, stepped forward, his own umbrella tilted precariously to shield them both. His presence was steadying, though the worry etched on his face made her stomach tighten.
"They're all watching you," he whispered, his voice low enough to be drowned out by the rain.
Celeste didn't glance at the crowd. She didn't need to. The board members, the family rivals, the sycophants-they were all waiting for a sign of weakness. Her every move was being dissected, her every breath weighed against the legacy of her father. Harrison had always said that power came with a price. She was beginning to understand exactly what he meant.
"I don't care," she murmured, her voice steady despite the storm inside her. "Let them watch."
Oliver frowned, his green eyes dark with concern. "You should. They'll use anything they can against you."
He was right, of course. The vultures had already begun circling the moment Harrison's death was announced. Gregory Ashcroft, her uncle, had made it abundantly clear that he believed Celeste was unfit to lead. And while Isabelle hadn't said it outright, her cool indifference spoke volumes. Celeste was twenty-eight, barely experienced in the business world, and the last person anyone expected to take control of Ashcroft Industries.
Except for her father.
The memory of their last conversation struck her with the force of a tidal wave. It had been late, just a week before his death, and they'd been sitting in his study. The room had been dimly lit, the scent of his favorite cigar mingling with the faint aroma of aged leather.
"I built this empire for you," he'd said, his voice firm yet tinged with something that felt alarmingly like desperation. "Not Gregory. Not Isabelle. You, Celeste."
She'd argued, of course. She wasn't ready. She didn't want it. But Harrison had dismissed her protests with a wave of his hand. "You'll understand, one day. Power isn't about readiness. It's about seizing the moment."
That moment had come far too soon.
A hand on her elbow brought her back to the present. Oliver was watching her, his expression softening. "You don't have to stay here. Let's go."
Celeste nodded, more for his benefit than her own. She allowed him to guide her away from the grave, the wet grass squelching beneath their feet. The crowd parted as they walked, and Celeste could feel the weight of their gazes. Each step felt heavier than the last, as though the earth itself was conspiring to pull her down.
At the edge of the cemetery, a sleek black car awaited. Oliver opened the door for her, and she slid inside, the leather seats cold against her skin. The car smelled faintly of cedar and lemon, a sharp contrast to the oppressive atmosphere outside.
The door closed behind her, and for a brief moment, the world was silent. Celeste closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the seat. Her chest ached, not from grief, but from the overwhelming sense of responsibility that now loomed over her like a shadow.
The sound of the driver's door opening made her sit up. Oliver climbed in beside her, shaking rain from his umbrella before settling it on the floor.
"I know this is the last place you want to be, but we need to talk," he said, his tone gentle but firm.
Celeste turned to him, her brows knitting together. "About what?"
"About the company. The board is meeting tomorrow. Gregory's going to make a move, and you need to be ready."
The mention of her uncle's name made her stomach churn. Gregory Ashcroft was everything her father had warned her about-ambitious, cunning, and utterly devoid of loyalty. He'd spent years waiting for an opportunity to take control of Ashcroft Industries, and now, with Harrison gone, he saw his chance.
"What kind of move?" she asked, her voice sharper than she intended.
"Probably a vote of no confidence," Oliver replied. "He'll argue that you're inexperienced, that the company needs steady leadership during this transition."
"He's not wrong," Celeste admitted, bitterness creeping into her tone.
"That doesn't mean he's right," Oliver countered. "Your father believed in you, and so do I. But you need to show them you're serious. You can't let Gregory dictate the narrative."
Celeste's fingers curled into fists. She hated the thought of Gregory sitting in her father's chair, barking orders like he owned the place. Harrison had spent his life building Ashcroft Industries into a global powerhouse. It wasn't just a business-it was his legacy. Her legacy.
"I won't let him take it," she said, her voice steady.
Oliver nodded, a hint of relief flashing across his face. "Good. Then we need to prepare."
The car pulled up to the gates of the Ashcroft estate, a sprawling mansion that loomed like a fortress against the stormy sky. The wrought iron gates creaked open, and the car rolled up the long, winding driveway.
Inside, the house was eerily quiet. The usual hum of activity had been replaced by an oppressive stillness, as though the building itself was mourning its fallen king. Celeste stepped out of the car, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she entered the grand foyer.
Isabelle was waiting for her.
"Celeste," she said, her voice smooth and cool, like polished glass. "I'm glad you're back. We need to discuss tomorrow's meeting."
"I'm aware," Celeste replied, shrugging off her coat.
Isabelle's eyes flicked to Oliver, who lingered near the doorway like a silent sentinel. "I assume you've already been briefed?"
Celeste met her stepmother's gaze, refusing to flinch under the weight of her scrutiny. Isabelle was a master of subtle manipulation, a woman who could bend people to her will with nothing more than a pointed glance. But Celeste was no longer the timid girl who had once tiptoed around her father's new wife.
"I have," she said simply.
"Good." Isabelle's lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Then I trust you'll handle it appropriately. The board is expecting strength, not sentimentality."
"I'm aware of what they expect," Celeste said, her tone sharp.
Isabelle's smile faltered, just for a moment, before she regained her composure. "I'm sure you'll rise to the occasion. After all, you are your father's daughter."
Celeste said nothing, watching as Isabelle turned and glided up the grand staircase. The sound of her heels echoed through the cavernous space, a reminder of the battles yet to come.
Oliver approached, his expression grim. "She's not on your side, you know."
"I know," Celeste replied, her voice low.
"And Gregory?"
Her jaw tightened. "He's not my uncle anymore. He's my enemy."
Oliver placed a hand on her shoulder, his grip firm. "Then let's show them who they're dealing with."
Celeste nodded, her resolve hardening. She would not let them take what was hers. The Ashcroft legacy was built on power, and now, that power was hers to wield.
For better or worse, the heiress had risen.
Sofia DeLuca has spent her life running from her family's dark legacy, determined to carve out a life of her own. But when her estranged father, a notorious mafia don, is murdered, Sofia is pulled back into the criminal underworld she tried to escape. Standing in her way is Luca Romano, her father's ruthless right-hand man and heir to the empire. As Sofia and Luca work together to uncover the truth behind her father's death, a forbidden romance ignites between them.
Vanessa's world shatters when her perfect life is upended by her stepsister, Delilah, who cunningly steals away the love of her life, Lucas. Once close, Vanessa now finds herself on the receiving end of betrayal, her engagement shattered, and her trust broken. Determined to reclaim everything she's lost, Vanessa embarks on a path of calculated revenge, using Delilah's own secrets against her. But as the intricate web of lies unravels, Vanessa discovers that revenge may not bring the closure she seeks-only a chance to heal and find true strength within herself.
A prophecy long buried in Lycan lore speaks of a child born of two rival bloodlines-a child destined to unite the fractured packs but cursed to overthrow the reigning king. Seren Duskbane, a fearless rogue, never imagined her path would cross with Lucian Veylor, the brooding and enigmatic Lycan King. When a fateful encounter binds them in a forbidden union, Seren discovers she carries the heir that could change the fate of their kind. As whispers of the prophecy spread, they face enemies from within and beyond their packs-forces that see the child as either salvation or destruction. With time running out and danger closing in, Seren and Lucian must navigate treacherous alliances, unearth ancient secrets, and confront the prophecy's devastating truth.
Selena Kaelvar is the last surviving member of the Kaelvar Pride. After witnessing the cold-blooded slaughter of her family by the ruthless Crescent Moon Pack, she becomes consumed by a singular purpose: revenge. Her opportunity comes when she discovers her uncanny resemblance to Liana Morven, the Crescent Moon Alpha's beloved Luna. Selena kidnaps Liana, hiding her far from her mate, and assumes her identity to infiltrate the pack from within. Darius Raelith, the Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack, is burdened with the legacy of his father's cruel reign. Determined to lead his pack with honor, Darius strives to mend the wounds of the past. But his efforts are undermined by a "Luna" who seems to be playing her own dangerous game. Selena walks a treacherous path of deception and vengeance, long-buried secrets surface, and the stakes grow higher. What will happen when Selena and Darius confront the truths that tie their fates together? Can redemption be found amid betrayal, or will revenge plunge them both into darkness?
When Seraphina, a young woman with dormant werewolf traits, is mistreated by her pack and ultimately rejected by her Alpha mate, she is forced into a life of solitude as a rogue. Her world is turned upside down when her dormant powers are awakened, revealing her true nature as a powerful Alpha and the dangers that come with it. Seeking to understand her new identity, Seraphina turns to the Lycan King, Kael, who becomes her mentor and guide. Together, they face the threats from her past that rise along with her newfound abilities. But when her former Alpha, Thorne, who once rejected her, returns, pleading for her forgiveness and help, Seraphina is faced with an agonizing choice: should she listen to his plea to take her back, or trust Kael, the one who helped her unlock the great power within her? With her destiny as Alpha hanging in the balance, Seraphina must decide how to wield her powers and confront the looming dangers that threaten her. Will she embrace the future that's calling, or be undone by the past that haunts her?
Hunted by fate and bound by a curse, Selene Draven lives in hiding, avoiding the truth of her identity as the last heir to the Duskwind Pack. When her quiet life is disrupted by Alaric Veylor, the fierce alpha of the Ebonridge Pack, her world is upended. Alaric, seeking vengeance for his brother's mysterious death, captures Selene, believing she holds the answers to the curse plaguing his pack. But as their fates entwine, an undeniable bond forms, challenging everything they know about loyalty, love, and destiny. As ancient forces awaken and secrets unravel, Alaric and Selene must face a choice: break the curse and risk losing each other, or let love conquer the darkness threatening to consume their packs.
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
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."
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
"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?
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?