Me or Him
/1/127406/coverbig.jpg?v=74e49c84759f325c94463fffb6d1360d)
Mated To My Ex's Dead Brother
My engagement to Kile, the heir of House Golden, was witnessed by the Duke himself. I thought my days as a helpless orphan were over. But right before our wedding, he coldly informed me that my status was being revoked. I was to enter his family as a lesser consort. The title of primary wife was being given to his lover, Journey. She hid behind Kile, wearing a spotless white dress and trembling like a fragile lotus. "Cassie, please don't blame him, I can live without a title," she cried, playing the perfect victim. Kile shielded her, glaring at me with pure disgust, shouting that I was being completely unreasonable. The next day, the entire Elder Council cornered me in their grand hall. They told me that as a "Dragonless" nobody, I should be immensely grateful for any scrap they threw my way. They all stared at me, waiting for me to swallow my pride and accept a lifetime of humiliation. They thought I was entirely broken. They thought I had no backing and no choice but to bow down to their cruelty. Instead, I looked straight at the Chief Elder and smiled. "I refuse to be a lesser consort," I announced clearly, watching Kile's smug expression freeze. "But to preserve our families' dignity, I will fulfill the contract." I looked right into Kile's shocked eyes. "I will marry your dead older brother, Lord Ayden."
Chapter 1
Cassie POV:
"Cassie, my decision is final. The wedding will proceed, but you will enter the family as my junior wife."
Kile's voice hit me from behind, sharp and cold like a blade just pulled from ice.
I stood before the massive floor-to-ceiling window in the reception hall of House Golden. The frigid glass reflected my pale face. Outside, the setting sun cast a blood-gold glow over the statue of the Flame-scale Drake in the courtyard, a towering monument to the family's power and status.
I thought I had misheard him. I turned around slowly.
Kile stood in the center of the room, dressed in the extravagant formal wear of a Half-Blood noble. The red-gold dragonfire patterns woven into the fabric across his chest seemed to mock me.
He was a Dragon-born, the heir to this house, and I was nothing but a Dragonless orphan.
"A junior wife?" I forced the words out, fighting to keep my voice steady. Then a cold, sharp laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it. "Kile, you stand there puffing out your chest like the master of this house, but we both know the truth.You're not the heir—you're just the spare they tucked away under a different crest.Because the family had to protect Ayden's birthright as the firstborn. The second son takes the mother's name so the eldest keeps everything. "
Kile's face flushed a furious red. His hands clenched into fists, and for a moment I thought he would strike me. "How dare you—" he started.
I cut him off. "Kile, our engagement was witnessed by Duke Richmond himself. You are humiliating me. You are going against your own father's wishes."
He waved his hand in a burst of irritation. His fingers went straight to the gold stud in his left ear, twisting it—a nervous habit he always fell back on when he knew he was in the wrong.
"I will handle my father," Kile snapped. "The woman I love is Journey. I have to give her the position of senior wife."
My fingernails dug so deeply into my palms that the skin threatened to break. The pain was the only thing keeping me anchored to the floor. I stared at the man I once thought I would spend my life with. His handsome face was twisted with impatience and pure selfishness.
Before I could speak, the heavy oak doors of the reception hall creaked open. A fragile figure slipped inside. Journey Montgomery. She wore a pristine white dress, looking like a spotless lotus flower untouched by the dirt of the world.
The moment she saw me, her eyes widened in a perfect mask of shock and guilt. She hurried to Kile's side, her voice trembling. "Kile, are you pressuring Cassie again? I told you, I do not need a title. I can live without it."
Kile immediately pulled her into his arms, shielding her as if I were about to attack. He glared at me. "Look at yourself, Cassie! Journey is thinking only of you, and you are being completely unreasonable!"
A bitter laugh clawed at my throat. I looked coldly at Journey. This woman always managed to deliver the most vicious strikes while wearing the most innocent face.
Journey peeked out from Kile's embrace, offering me a timid, apologetic smile. "Cassie, please do not blame Kile. It is all my fault. If you truly cannot accept this, I... I am willing to go to the Dragon Healer convent. I will never marry..."
Kile's face turned dark with panic. He tightened his grip on Journey, holding her like a fragile treasure he was terrified of losing.
I took a slow, deep breath, forcing the boiling hatred down into the pit of my heart.
My mind cleared, leaving only one sharp thought. The blood debt of House Stein—my massacred family, burned ten years ago—required a platform much stronger than House Golden.
The Great Purge, the slaughter led by Baron Konrad Sharpe twenty years ago, was a separate crime, but both debts were carved into my bones. This humiliation was not an end. It was my opening.
I closed my eyes. When I opened them, the anger was gone, replaced by a numb, hollow calm. I put on the gentle, submissive smile I had perfected over the years.
"Kile," I said quietly. "What do you need me to do?"
Kile froze. He clearly had not expected me to surrender so quickly. A flicker of contempt crossed his eyes, quickly swallowed by overwhelming relief and joy.
Journey smiled too. She leaned into Kile, looking at me with the triumphant, pitying gaze of a victor.
I lowered my head, avoiding their stinging eyes, playing the part of the utterly defeated girl.
Kile cleared his throat, his tone dripping with charity. "Good, Cassie. Do not worry. As a junior wife, you will still have the honor you deserve. Tomorrow, the Elder Council will officially announce the decision."
I did not answer. I just turned around and walked toward the heavy doors. Every step felt like walking on broken glass.
Just as my hand touched the brass handle, Kile spoke again. "Also, Ayden's old quarters, the Azurewood Wing, have been empty. After you marry in, you can move in there for now."
The Azurewood Wing. The residence of the late Dragon Lord Ayden Richmond, Kile's older brother who died in the northern wars. Kile wanted to toss me into a dead man's courtyard so he would not have to look at me.
A cold, sharp smile touched my lips, hidden from their view.
I opened the door and walked out, letting it click shut behind me, trapping their satisfied whispers inside.
The corridor was empty. The tapestries of ancient Dragon-born heroes hanging on the stone walls seemed to stare down at me. I leaned against the cold stone, letting out a shaky breath, allowing myself one brief moment of physical weakness.
Then, I straightened my spine. I was not a lamb waiting for the slaughter.
I walked back to my assigned guest room. My loyal maid, Helena Donovan, rushed forward the moment I entered.
"Miss, you look..." Helena said, her eyes filled with worry.
I shook my head, signaling her to stop. I walked straight to the vanity mirror and sat down.
The girl in the glass was pale, but her eyes were burning bright. It was not despair. It was the thrill of a hunter who had just spotted her prey.
I whispered to myself, "Cassie Stein, your first step begins now."
A junior wife? No. I had a much bigger surprise prepared for them.
I sat at the vanity while Helena gently brushed my long hair. Through the mirror, I watched the deep concern etched into her face.
"Helena," I said softly, "prepare the chest of dowry my mother left for me."
Helena's hand stopped mid-stroke. She stared at my reflection, her voice tight. "Miss, are you truly going to... accept this humiliation?"
I shook my head. The eyes looking back at me in the glass were entirely devoid of warmth. "No. We are just changing tactics. We are going to marry into a place that is actually worth it."
/1/115536/coverbig.jpg?v=2f56d591df8f8a1cc657e6712ea497b6)
Make Him Bleed or Yearn
Diana was murdered on the day of her Engagement anniversary by her fiance Gaston and her best friend Rebecca. They laughed as her car caught up in flames and she almost died. Luckily for her, she ended up in the hospital where she had plastic surgery, after fully recovering, she realized that Gasto
/0/84835/coverbig.jpg?v=7ac32b634bfc2f1034c9d0117abe593c)
Erasing Him, Saving Me
My fiancé, Liam, the tech visionary, claimed amnesia after a car crash, conveniently forgetting only me. Then came the news: he was engaged to his childhood friend, Chloe, who supposedly needed brain surgery and a dream wedding before going under the knife. My brother, Ethan, found the texts: Liam
/0/91267/coverbig.jpg?v=37dd7a772f123618c708b728b2417bc4)
Touch me or Destroy me
"You look lonely," Mia said, looking down drowsily at the stranger who had his legs crossed, staring at her blankly. "Here, why don't you drink this? Let's have fun. It will be great I promise. I am all for fun, after all. Don't worry, it won't kill you. It'll just make the night better," She g
/1/109973/coverbig.jpg?v=d7f5b91404e400374e82a60db56c1c7f)
LOVE ME OR HATE ME
"I am not my sister. And you can LOVE ME OR HATE ME for that, but you don't get to punish me for her sins." Daniel breaks. The wall doesn't just come down. It collapses. --- Aria Blackwood didn't plan to fall in love with her boss. She planned to keep her head down, do her job, and ignore the way
/0/54410/coverbig.jpg?v=4d7d284c960ac25cb8e6a0840cef538a)
Divorce Him, Marry Me!
Auristella, often called Ella, is a woman with a cold face, rarely smiles, and has a glamorous style, often considered arrogant. She is married to Neal Wilson, who has openly cheated on her several times in front of Ella. Even Ella, who often cleans up all the mess and covers up her husband's scanda
/0/72334/coverbig.jpg?v=b534e53e0fdfd89ca7460256c5cc3a34)
LOSE ME OR HUNT ME.
In a world where love can hardly thrive, unwavering love finds Miguel Ronnes, an Alpha, and Sarah Blackwell, a werewolf hunter, the relationship is built on the foundation of lies and deceit at first, betrayal sets in, and a lot of sacrifices has to be made to make up for past mistakes.One must choo
/0/74737/coverbig.jpg?v=0b60bacdabcfeea6fe48145c4e3915b1)
HEAL OR BREAK ME
Just as we were beginning to get lost at the moment, a plate on the counter shattered to the floor. We froze, Michael's eyes snapping with confusion. I knew exactly what was happening. I could feel it - he was watching us, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Aria's normal life shatters when
/0/64065/coverbig.jpg?v=429356c71b5d7ab21a78ef59e89e5507)
DIE! OR MARRY ME
Selena Quintanilla, sole heir to the city's most feared mafia family, finds her life turned upside down when the sudden death of her father bequeaths the family throne to her. However, in order to maintain peace amid the bloody conflict between the mafia, the father has devised a difficult choice: S
/0/58079/coverbig.jpg?v=adb57b0f435a77958126cb93dd307d6b)
The Mating Love me or Kill me!
Elsie is a werewolf and who had never wanted to marry out of love. Because she was an orphan, her alpha uncle wanted to marry her out to just anybody, in order to get rid of her. On the day of her arranged marriage, she ran away because she didn't want to get married. While she was running through t
/0/34930/coverbig.jpg?v=cc697f7b112845ed921548ed96f8af36)
Kill Me Or Get Me PREGNANT
WARNING: EROTICA ONLY. This story contains a lot of mature content. It's all erotica and if you ain't interested in reading erotica don't bother opening any of the chapters. Emma Wilkinson is a 17-year-old girl who likes to party and get into trouble. Problem being, she doesn't care about school eno
/0/82076/coverbig.jpg?v=658c53df3b75666ff94ec443ee3d2eaf)
FORBIDDEN LOVE: BETWEEN ME, YOU, AND HIM?
Trapped in a painful forbidden love, Laura ends up discovering a truth she had never known. A one-night stand with her best friend's husband becomes something Laura can't forget. But now, Laura is caught in a difficult position-torn between sacrificing a love that turns out to be mutual, or a friend
/1/117538/coverbig.jpg?v=ba9e185f8c682b04a0a1738f4a80b05b)
He Betrayed Me, I Erased Him
My fiancé Easton proposed with a perfect diamond, whispering about our future, when his phone flashed a $50 million wire transfer to his ex-girlfriend's family. That very night, he abandoned me at my wedding dress fitting for an "emergency" that was really his ex, Catarina Kane. Days later, I lost o
/0/80299/coverbig.jpg?v=75c9b090ee96deac8e3eada1aacfdd71)
After Saving Him, He Condemned Me
I was a successful Chicago paramedic, seeking peace from city trauma, when I saved Ethan Caldwell, the charming heir to a Northern California empire. He promised a quiet life, true love, and soon, I was pregnant with our son. My future felt perfect. But this gilded cage harbored a sinister core. Hi
/1/114016/coverbig.jpg?v=2e3f70979c2d78dc472378d56787846c)
He Erased Me, I Erased Him First
On the night of my career-defining art exhibition, I stood completely alone. My husband, Dante Sovrano, the most feared man in Chicago, had promised he wouldn’t miss it for the world. Instead, he was on the evening news. He was shielding another woman—his ruthless business partner—from a downpour
/0/21968/coverbig.jpg?v=cbe0d092086b73f81a41fc3984d67b90)
Melting Me Softly (100 days with him)
I always have my diary with me; today, I dreamt of waking up on the bed of a handsome young man; he was tall, having a broad chest and a killer smile. My phone beep, meaning I need to leave now; I can't believe I will be this jobless at the age of 23. On my way home, I got stuck in traffic, and
/0/50178/coverbig.jpg?v=bc970e0f8772e683473e448e874dc929)
HIM (I WANT HIM)
Blessing met himself in a situation where he had to choose between two ladies; A lady who was adopted by his grandparents at his request, who became his step-sister, and whom he fell in love with becoming his first love. Someone who changed his world and everything about him. Someone who made him r
/1/109822/coverbig.jpg?v=e8f3c7027abee330fe4d63ce9e3d3a57)
He Wants Me Dead Or Alive
"Are you going to treat me like the enemy?" Raffaele asked, hovering over me like a predator. "You are the enemy," I sneered. He smiled. "Careful. You're hurting my feelings." "I hope I can hurt much more than that." His eyes darkened. "You forget-I'm the one who can break you." I vowed n
/0/72888/coverbig.jpg?v=45534e54ad36109b6f207435dbe4052f)
Marry Me or You Will Be Robbed
Delia's first love became her brother-in-law. To avoid a scandal, her family kept setting her up on blind dates. She heard that billionaire Elijah had a popular game called the "Three-Month Lover." In order to escape her family's matchmaking, she entered a three-month contract relationship with the
/0/80119/coverbig.jpg?v=a35c86ceeb9a898d177e81005d8d6be0)
Worshiped Him, Whipped By Him
I was just a 20-year-old NYU art history student, interning at my dad’s real estate firm. But my world privately revolved around Marcus Thorne—my father’s handsome, brilliant business partner. My crush on him was pure, all-consuming, utterly naive. He’d always been so kind, a true gentleman. At a c
/0/21026/coverbig.jpg?v=5e2d11d462d09e02b61ef57a225ef528)
After Him
The love that I knew wasn't like the ones written in a book. It wasn't beautiful and magical. It doesn't bring butterflies in my stomach and it doesn't make me feel special. It doesn't feel like home, I do not feel secured. It does not make me feel safe and worthy. The love that I experience doesn
