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.
Sofia DeLuca gripped the leather steering wheel of her car, her knuckles pale from the pressure. The streets of New York were as chaotic as she remembered, a whirlwind of horns, flashing lights, and the hum of a city that never paused to grieve. Her heart felt heavy as she turned onto the familiar cobblestone street leading to the DeLuca family estate. The towering iron gates loomed ahead, a stark reminder of the world she had tried so hard to escape.
She hadn't set foot in this house for nearly a decade, and she had vowed never to return. But her father's death had changed everything. Michael DeLuca, feared mafia don and the man who had both raised and suffocated her, was gone. The news had hit her like a bullet-sharp, sudden, and devastating.
The gates creaked open, revealing the sprawling mansion. Sofia's eyes scanned the property, noting the armed guards stationed at every corner. Their presence wasn't surprising; her father had always surrounded himself with layers of protection, but the heightened security hinted at unrest.
Parking the car, she stepped out, her heels clicking against the stone driveway. The chill of the January evening seeped through her coat, but it was the oppressive weight of the place that truly sent shivers down her spine. She hesitated before climbing the stone steps, her hand brushing the brass knocker on the heavy oak door.
The door swung open before she could use it. A tall man with dark, piercing eyes and a sharp jawline stood in the doorway. Luca Romano. Even after all these years, he was unmistakable. His presence was commanding, his tailored suit emphasizing the power he carried effortlessly.
"Sofia," he said, his voice low and even. "You're late."
Her brow arched, irritation flaring despite her grief. "I didn't realize I was on your schedule."
His lips twitched, almost forming a smirk, but his expression remained cold. "Your father's will is being read in twenty minutes. Don't keep everyone waiting."
Without another word, he stepped aside, allowing her to enter. The warmth of the interior hit her immediately, but it did little to ease the unease coiling in her chest. The grand foyer was just as she remembered-marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and an overwhelming sense of grandeur that felt more oppressive than welcoming.
Members of the DeLuca family were scattered throughout the house, their murmurs filling the air. She recognized many of them: uncles, cousins, and longtime associates of her father. Their eyes followed her as she walked past, whispers trailing in her wake.
"Michael's daughter," one voice said.
"Thought she'd never come back," another muttered.
Sofia ignored them, keeping her head high. She wasn't here for them.
The study door was open, and inside, the family lawyer sat behind a massive mahogany desk. Luca stood by the fireplace, his gaze fixed on her as she entered. Several other high-ranking members of the DeLuca organization were seated in leather chairs, their expressions a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
"Sofia," the lawyer greeted, gesturing for her to sit. "Thank you for coming. I know this is difficult."
She sank into the chair, her back rigid. "Let's get this over with."
The lawyer adjusted his glasses and opened a thick folder. "Michael DeLuca was a complex man, but he was meticulous about his affairs. His assets, properties, and businesses will be distributed according to his instructions. However, there is one matter of particular importance."
The room fell silent. Sofia's pulse quickened, though she kept her expression neutral.
"The leadership of the DeLuca family," the lawyer continued, "will pass to Sofia DeLuca."
The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.
A chorus of protests erupted around her.
"Ridiculous!" one man barked.
"She's been gone for years!" another sneered.
Luca's voice cut through the chaos like a blade. "Enough."
Silence returned, but the tension was palpable. Luca's gaze never left Sofia, his dark eyes unreadable.
"This must be a mistake," Sofia said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "I have no intention of leading this family."
The lawyer adjusted his glasses again. "Your father anticipated your reluctance, but his decision is final. If you refuse, the family's assets and operations will be divided among the senior members, which could lead to... complications."
"Complications," Luca echoed, his tone sharp. "A power vacuum. Chaos. Bloodshed."
Sofia clenched her fists. She wanted nothing to do with her father's empire, but the weight of responsibility pressed down on her. Refusing could destroy what little stability remained, and she couldn't let innocent people get caught in the crossfire.
"I need time to think," she said finally.
"You don't have much," Luca replied, his voice low but firm.
The meeting ended shortly after, the room emptying as the others filtered out. Only Luca remained, leaning against the fireplace with his arms crossed.
"You're in over your head," he said bluntly.
Sofia shot him a glare. "I didn't ask for your opinion."
He stepped closer, his presence as overwhelming as ever. "You might not want this life, but it's yours now. If you don't step up, someone else will, and they won't hesitate to kill you to secure their position."
Her breath hitched, though she refused to let him see her fear. "And what do you suggest, Luca? That I play mafia queen and pretend I belong here?"
His lips curved into a humorless smile. "Pretend all you want. Just make sure you survive."
She met his gaze, the air between them crackling with tension. "Why do you care if I survive?"
For a moment, his expression softened, but it vanished just as quickly. "Your father trusted me to protect this family. That includes you."
Before she could respond, he turned and left the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
Sofia stared into the crackling flames of the fireplace, her mind racing. The shadows of her father's world had finally caught up with her, and there was no escaping them now.
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.
For Claire Evans, love has always been a secondhand emotion. After a string of heartbreaks, she's convinced herself that forever isn't in the cards. Instead, she pours her energy into her thriving career as an interior designer. But when her latest project brings her back to her small hometown, she's forced to confront the one man who shattered her heart and the walls she built around it- Ethan Carter. Ethan has spent the past decade regretting the one decision that drove Claire away. Now the owner of a struggling vineyard, he's desperate to save his family's legacy. When Claire steps back into his life as the designer hired to transform the vineyard into a wedding venue, he sees it as a second chance to prove that love is worth the risk. As the days unfold in a whirlwind of late-night confessions, rekindled laughter, and lingering glances, Claire must decide if she's ready to give Ethan- and herself- a chance at the kind of love she thought only existed in fairytales.
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
Madison had always believed that she would marry Colten. She spent her youth admiring him from afar, dreaming of their future life together. But Colten was always indifferent to her, and when he abandoned her at a time when she needed him most, she finally realized that he never loved her. With renewed resolve and a thirst for revenge, Madison left. Endless possibilities lay ahead, but Colten was no longer part of her plans. Colten rushed to her place in a panic. "Madison, please come back to me. I’ll give you everything!" It was his powerful uncle who answered the door. "She's my woman now."
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
For the whole 17 years of her existence, Alana did not know the word freedom and happiness having been confined in the basement of her family's house accused of killing her own mother. She's beaten, cursed at, and barely survived from crumbs of food thrown at her. She thought this is her final destiny and has accepted the bitter fate of her life not until the night of her 18th birthday, a mysterious alpha appeared at her door telling her that she is the long-lost daughter of the alpha king and claiming her as his mate he's been looking for several years now.
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." She stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You are not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked in a quivering voice. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She looked at me in the mirror. "You can't even look at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of looking at that face?" Heather Bailey had a surprise from her husband that night: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. But she was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman because that person was closest to her. Shortly after she put her signature on their divorce papers, shock waves caught her up. Her flower shop was severely burnt, beyond repair. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers who came from influential families, she started her action against Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted. But that was just the beginning.