"Welcome to Blackstone Lodge, where secrets lurk in every shadow, and the moon never sets. Luna Hart only wanted a fresh start, but what she found was a dark, magnetic billionaire with a secret that could cost her life. Kael Blackstone is no ordinary man-he's an alpha werewolf cursed to lose control every full moon. When Luna uncovers the truth, she discovers she's the only one who can save him. Bound by a blood pact, Luna must embrace a destiny she never asked for. But falling for Kael means facing a pack of deadly rivals, unraveling her own mysterious lineage, and risking everything for a love that defies fate itself. Can she break his curse-or will she lose herself in the darkness?"
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Chapter 1: The Stranger at Blackstone Lodge
The cold wind clawed at Luna Hart's face as she stepped off the rickety bus, her boots sinking into a fresh layer of snow. The driver gave her a curt nod before pulling away, leaving her alone on the narrow mountain road. Ahead, the trail to Blackstone Lodge wound upward, disappearing into the shadowy embrace of the forest.
Luna adjusted the strap of her duffel bag, a single reminder of her old life, and stared into the dense woods. The job listing had been vague, but the pay was more than generous. After losing her apartment and burning through what little savings she had, Luna didn't have the luxury of being picky.
"Just a lodge," she muttered, trying to steel her nerves. "Just some rich guy's fancy retreat."
The forest swallowed her whole as she started up the trail. The air was sharp, each breath a biting reminder of how far she'd come from the noisy, crowded city. Here, the silence was almost deafening. No birds, no distant hum of traffic-only the crunch of her boots and the occasional creak of branches swaying in the wind.
She tightened her scarf, the unease settling over her like a second skin. Something about the forest felt ancient, as though it had been standing long before humans dared to carve paths through it.
It was nearly dark when the lodge came into view. The sight made her stop in her tracks.
Blackstone Lodge wasn't what she'd expected. Perched on a ridge overlooking the valley, the massive structure was equal parts imposing and beautiful. Its dark wood and glass façade gleamed against the backdrop of the snow-covered mountains. But the lodge didn't radiate warmth-it loomed like a watchful predator, its lights flickering faintly in the encroaching night.
"Miss Hart?"
The deep, resonant voice startled her. Luna whipped around to find a man standing on the stone steps leading to the entrance.
He was tall, with the kind of presence that demanded attention. His black coat, tailored to perfection, did little to hide the strength in his broad shoulders. Tousled dark hair framed a face that looked as though it had been sculpted by a master artist. His silver-gray eyes met hers, sharp and unreadable, and for a moment, Luna forgot how to breathe.
"Yes, I'm... Luna Hart," she managed, clutching the strap of her bag like a lifeline.
The man descended the steps with a quiet, almost predatory grace. He extended a gloved hand. "Kael Blackstone. Welcome to my lodge."
Luna hesitated before taking his hand. His grip was firm, his palm warm despite the frigid air. A strange current ran through her at his touch, and she quickly pulled her hand back.
"Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Blackstone," she said, her voice steadier than she felt.
His lips twitched into what might have been a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm glad you made it safely. Not many are brave enough to take the trek up here at this time of year."
The weight of his gaze made her shift uncomfortably. Before she could respond, the heavy front doors creaked open, and an older woman stepped out.
She was tall and severe, her gray-streaked hair pulled into a tight bun. Her sharp eyes swept over Luna with the precision of a blade, lingering on her worn boots and wind-chapped face.
"You're late," the woman said curtly.
"Agatha," Kael interjected, his tone smooth but firm, "our new hire has had a long journey. Let's not frighten her off on her first day."
Agatha sniffed but stepped aside, motioning for Luna to enter. "Follow me," she said briskly.
The lodge's interior was as grand as its exterior, yet no less intimidating. The foyer was vast, with vaulted ceilings and walls paneled in dark wood. A roaring fire crackled in a massive stone hearth, casting flickering shadows across the room. The scent of cedar and something faintly metallic filled the air, teasing at Luna's senses.
Agatha led her through the space with quick, precise steps, barely pausing to point out the key areas. "Dining hall is through there. Staff quarters are in the east wing. You'll start tomorrow morning-5 a.m. sharp. We run a tight ship here, Miss Hart."
"Of course," Luna said, trying to keep up with the older woman's pace.
"And one more thing," Agatha said, stopping abruptly. She turned to face Luna, her expression unreadable. "Do not wander the halls at night."
Luna frowned. "Why not?"
Agatha's lips pressed into a thin line. "The lodge is old. It's easy to get lost."
Before Luna could press further, Agatha handed her a small iron key and motioned toward a narrow hallway. "Your room is at the end. Goodnight, Miss Hart."
The air grew heavier as Luna walked down the hall alone. Her room was small but cozy, with a single bed, a wardrobe, and a window that overlooked the dark forest. She dropped her bag onto the bed and sat down, exhaustion settling over her like a blanket.
She tried to tell herself that Agatha's warning was nothing more than eccentricity, but the unease lingered. There was something about this place-something she couldn't quite put her finger on.
That night, sleep came fitfully. The wind outside howled like a living thing, and the lodge groaned as though settling into its ancient bones. Just as she began to drift off, a sound broke through the silence.
A low, mournful howl.
Luna bolted upright, her heart hammering in her chest. She hurried to the window, but the forest below was still, bathed in silvery moonlight.
"It's just a wolf," she whispered, trying to calm herself. "Nothing to be scared of."
But the sound came again, louder this time, and far too close.
Her breath caught as she noticed movement near the edge of the forest. A massive, shadowy figure slipped between the trees, too large to be any ordinary wolf.
She stumbled back from the window, her pulse pounding in her ears. For a moment, she considered running to find Agatha-or even Kael. But something stopped her.
The figure paused, turning its head toward her window. Even from a distance, she could feel its gaze, as though it could see her through the glass.
Then, just as quickly as it had appeared, the creature melted back into the shadows.
Luna sank onto the bed, her hands trembling. Whatever was out there wasn't just a wolf.
And she had the sinking feeling that Blackstone Lodge was hiding far more than she'd bargained for.
The story features Leila, a young lady with alluring beauty who was molested by her step father and neglected by her mother who was blinded by love. Broken by the scars of her past, Leila became a heartless lady, killing for fun and money. She finds love in the most unlikely place but refuses to accept and when she finally yields, fate comes knocking.
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.
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."
Rose looked at the reports in her hand and was in shock... The reports said that she was one month pregnant, however, how can she get pregnant when she didn't have any man in her life... "Was it because of that dream? Could I get pregnant because I have sex in my dream?" She thought... She didn't have any mental problems, however, except for this she can't able to think about anything... However, she still didn't get out of her surprise when she met the man in her dream... Kevin Davis looked at the reports in her hand and asked, "Is this child mine?" However, Rose didn't answer but asked... "Was that night not a dream?" Kevin was angry because it was his first time and she thinks it was a dream... Kevin forced her to marry him however, Rose didn't want it... She wanted to abort the child but he didn't let her... In the end... Rose agreed to marry him... She looked at Kevin's blue eyes and said, "I will marry you, however, I had two conditions..." "First, after marriage, you can't control my freedom, I still had the right to do whatever I want. Don't worry I won't harm the child." "Second, if I ever found out that you had cheated behind my back then I will leave with my child and you can't stop me..." Both of them got married... However, after she falls in love with him... She found there are hidden secrets in his past...
Iris grew from an orphaned child to the adopted daughter of the Stewart family at age ten, finding warmth in her nominal uncle Vincent's kindness. Seven years later, she became his secret lover. When Vincent's engagement was announced, gossip spread about the notorious playboy CEO finally settling down. But only Iris knew the extent of his cold, two-faced nature. Iris fell for Vincent and, through tears, begged, "Marry me," only to be met with his frosty refusal. Defeated, she accepted a lawyer's proposal, sparking public excitement. Then, on her wedding day, Vincent pleaded desperately, "Don't marry him…"
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.