#Dark #Trauma #Steamy #Violence #LoveTriangle #SlowBurn Stella's world crumbles when her husband, Kellan Keller, tragically dies in a car crash, shattering their plans of starting a family. Left to pick up the pieces, Stella takes over Kellan's insurance company while keeping her own fashion business thriving. Hoping to help her heal, Stella's parents whisk her away to Alaska. There, she stumbles upon an eerie book about wolves, Lycans, and a woman who mysteriously disappeared in the Alaskan wilderness. The intrigue deepens when her best friend, Julie, vanishes without a trace. But nothing prepares Stella for the shock of seeing a man who looks exactly like Kellan in a local grocery store. As she dives into the mystery, Stella uncovers secrets that challenge everything she believed about her life and Kellan's death. Her search for answers throws her into a dangerous web of truth, betrayal, and passion, leading to revelations that will change her world forever.
Stella–POV
Sitting in the chilly room after my husband Kellan's funeral, I struggled to accept his untimely death from a car accident. The news had left me reeling, unable to accept the loss.
"Stella," my mom's voice echoed, brimming with concern. She flicked on the bedroom light, revealing a room filled with memories of Kellan and me.
"Let's go home, sweetie. It might help you heal," she whispered. I nodded, wiping my tears. Taking a deep breath, I left our apartment, with Dad handling my bags. Mom had packed for me, ever the pillar of support. Soon, we got in a car with a chauffeur to take us to the airport. A private jet awaited us to fly us from New York to Alaska.
The draining journey intensified my yearning for my hometown, a stark contrast to the hollow vastness of our New York penthouse. Memories of Kellan enveloped me. Our dreams of starting a family, which we had hoped to realize this year, lay broken. With his startup now stable and him at the helm as CEO of Stella, the insurance firm he lovingly named after me, our future looked promising. Over our two-year marriage, while he thrived in business, I steered my path, managing my flourishing e-commerce fashion store.
But now, he was gone, leaving a billion-dollar empire in my hands. Being his only family, the weight of this sudden reality was crushing. My mother's gentle voice snapped me back to the present, offering me water to quench my thirst as I had been crying. Both she and my dad tried to comfort me throughout our eight-hour flight. The cold air contrasted with my sad emotions when we finally touched Alaska.
Assisted by my parents, I exited the jet and entered a waiting car. As we drove, I reflected on my rebellious past-leaving home at eighteen to chase a modeling dream that never panned out, which led me to work as a cashier in a cafe where I met Kellan. My parents disapproved of our union, given Kellan's financial standing back then. But my mother's recent battle with cancer mended our broken relationship. Returning to Alaska brought a whirlwind of emotions, especially for a place I had once turned my back on.
The house, once an old wooden structure from my childhood in Alaska, has been beautifully renovated. It still held traces of its rustic past, yet with a refreshed charm. "Stella, this is your room. Get some rest," my mom suggested, motioning to a spacious room adorned with my childhood photos. Among them was the wedding picture I had sent them.
"I prepared this room, hoping you'd return with Kellan," Mom expressed, her voice tinted with sorrow. We had planned to visit just next week, marking Kellan's first visit since our wedding.
"It's lovely," I replied, my voice raspy from emotion. My mom began unpacking my suitcase, suggesting I take a shower. Gratefully, I stepped into the hot bath, hoping the warm water might momentarily soothe the icy void in my heart.
After my shower, Mom served a warm meal, but I could only muster my appetite for soup. Exhausted, I sank into the soft embrace of my bed and quickly drifted off to sleep.
****
A week had passed, mostly confined to my room. The door opened, and my mother peeked in. "Sweetheart," she began, her face lighting up with a gentle smile. "Look who's here to see you." She stepped aside, revealing my childhood friend Julie West. The once braces-wearing, awkward teenager had transformed into an elegant woman. Her brown hair, once unruly, was now neatly pinned in a bun, and her eyes sparkled, complementing her fair complexion.
"Julie," I whispered, emotion choking my voice. I closed the gap between us with a few steps, pulling her into a warm embrace. Her arms wrapped around me, offering comfort and familiarity.
"I've missed you so much," Julie said, her voice thick with emotion.
"It's good to see you, Julie," I replied, gently breaking our embrace to look into her warm brown eyes.
"Let's go for coffee," she suggested.
I hesitated. "I'm not really in the mood, Julie. Maybe another time?" I said, attempting a reassuring smile.
But Julie had other plans. "Remember the book club you used to love? I thought we could go there. Please, just this once?" she pressed. Despite my desire to stay cocooned in my room, the pleading look in Julie's eyes melted my resolve. How could I say no?
"Give me five minutes to change, and then we can head out," I said. Both Julie and Mom smiled, clearly relieved that I was venturing out. I quickly slipped into blue jeans, a white sweatshirt, and boots, and grabbed a coat.
As I emerged from the house, Julie waited in her car. My parents waved from the doorstep, their faces mixed with worry and hope. Settling into the passenger seat, I turned to Julie and said, "After I left, I lost touch with everyone. What've you been up to?"
"I've become a real estate agent," Julie replied, eyes on the road. "Many of our friends moved to the city for work. I've lost contact with most of them, too."
"Are you upset with me for leaving without explaining my plans?" I inquired, the weight of the past pressing on my words. Julie glanced at me briefly before refocusing on the road.
"It hurt me, you know? You left without a word and never reached out," she admitted with a sigh.
"So you were angry, but not anymore?" I probed, seeking clarity. She nodded. "Yes, I was angry. But now I get it. If you'd told me your plans, I would've tried to convince you to stay, to finish graduation, and not drop out." Her voice carried a mix of understanding.
"Anyway, my modeling dream hit a dead end. The designer asked me to sleep with him to become a well-known model, and when I refused, he ensured I never got an opportunity elsewhere," I shared, forcing a rueful smile. "It wasn't until I met Kellan that I began piecing my life back together. With his encouragement, I pursued my passion for fashion from a different angle, even if it didn't involve modeling. But now, with him gone, I'm lost," my voice trailed off.
"Stella," Julie began as she pulled into a parking spot, "you're a strong woman. With time, you'll find your way. Just remember, you're not alone."
She stepped out of the car, and it immediately enveloped me in the familiar scent of books and the aromatic smell of coffee. Julie led the way into the renovated book club. The space was transformed; it felt inviting and warm. While it kept the charm of the wooden interior, new elegant furnishings made it look vibrant. As I remember, the library section had expanded, with more seating arrangements, and the ambiance was comforting.
"Go explore the books. I'll grab us some lattes," Julie said. Nodding, I meandered through the bookshelves and went to the werewolf genre aisle. After picking up a romance novel for myself, I grabbed a new release from Julie that I thought she might like.
As I continued browsing, I overheard two women conversing nearby.
"Did you hear the local chatter? Some folks claim they've found evidence of lycans and werewolf shifters around here," the first woman whispered.
The second woman laughed softly. "Lycans and werewolf shifters in Alaska? You've been diving too deep into those werewolf novels. It's just local folklore."
"Don't believe me if you don't want to, but I heard Grace from the book club went to investigate the Lycan sightings. After that, she went missing. They found Lycan footprints on the trail, but no sign of Grace," the woman said thoughtfully. The woman who had been mocking her looked surprised.
"Wait, are you saying our Grace is missing? She was so into those werewolf stories. When the news about the Lycans broke out in the local paper, I warned her not to snoop around in the woods. But she never listens," another woman said.
I was taken aback by what I overheard, but I didn't want to eavesdrop. I continued walking, clutching the romance novel I'd chosen to read for now. Even though I enjoy werewolf and vampire stories, I was in the mood for a sweet romance today. I wanted a temporary escape from the pain of loneliness and the void I felt inside.
Julie brought me coffee while I set down our books. We both started reading, enjoying the silence around the coffee's aroma and the new book's fresh scent. It felt wonderful to be back at the book club. It had always been my sanctuary, a place to unwind. Whenever I felt down, books and coffee were my solace.
After our book club session, Julie and I went shopping. We treated ourselves to makeovers. I transformed my mid-waist, brown hair, opting for a pixie cut and a new blonde shade. We also indulged in manicures and pedicures.
"You look great with this new look," Dad said with a smile when I got home. I smiled, running my fingers through my new blonde pixie cut.
"Thanks, Dad," I said, watching him work on the car. I sat beside him, passing tools from the toolkit when he needed them.
"Fenrir," my mom called out to my dad. Her eyes found mine, and she let out a relieved sigh. "Stella, I was worried when you didn't come home. But you were here in the garage all along. Both of you, dinner's ready," she said.
"Just five more minutes, Blenda," Dad replied. Mom shook her head with a hint of amusement.
"Stella, why don't you freshen up? Your dad can finish up here," she suggested. Nodding, I headed indoors. After a quick shower, I stepped out to help Mom set the dinner table. It was nice to share a family meal instead of eating a few bites in my room, reminiscing about Kellan and our loving moments.
The three of us sat at the table, enjoying our meal. I ate more than usual, taking more than just two or three spoonfuls. "How was the book club?" Mom asked. I told her about Julie's excitement over the Alpha character she was reading about and shared some of the gossip from the club. I noticed my parents tense up at the mention, but I brushed it off. Maybe I was just tired and imagining things.
The following day, I woke up after only three hours of sleep. Nightmares of Kellan's car accident plagued my dreams. The images were so gruesome that I couldn't discern whether the injured person was Kellan or someone else. I was jolted from my thoughts by a gentle knock at the door.
"Sweetie?" Mom called softly.
"Come in, Mom," I replied. When she entered, her face was concerned, making me instantly apprehensive.
"The police are here to talk to you," she said gently. "Julie's gone missing, and they want to ask you some questions about her."
"What?!" I exclaimed, quickly grabbing my robe and heading out to meet the officers.
"Mrs. Stella Keller, I apologize for disturbing you so quickly, but we need some information. You were the last person to see Julie. Her car was found abandoned near the woods, and her handbag was left inside," the officer explained. Panic welled up inside me. Had something terrible happened to Julie in the woods? And why would she drive to the forest when it was in the completely opposite direction from her home?
"I'm willing to answer your questions, Officer," I said. But deep down, it filled me with worry about Julie's whereabouts.
Book Two - Their Human Mate Stella - Series Alpha Kayden is heartbroken after being rejected by his first mate, who never returned his love. Struggling to move past his broken self, he's determined to find a way forward. Meanwhile, Heather, a she-wolf who lost her wolf after the trauma of losing her parents and mate in a brutal war between the Night Angel packs, is trying to piece her life back together. When Alpha kayden visits the infirmary for she-wolf soldiers who lost their mates, he seeks a new Luna to restore balance in his pack.i Kayden's eyes land on Heather, who has no desire to be Luna but is forced to accept her fate as Alpha Hector declares her his chosen mate. Heather knows she cannot refuse; her destiny is now entwined with the pack's needs. As two hollow souls-Kayden and Heather-meet, both lost and broken, they must confront their fates. Will they find healing in each other, or will their shared pain lead them down a path of sorrow? What destiny awaits these two: a happy ending or another heartbreak?
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
"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?
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"