I thought I was invisible-forgotten and discarded by the family that claimed to love me. When they dragged me out of my countryside solitude, I didn't think it was for love. It wasn't. It was for a deal. To save their own skin, they married me off to Alan Walker-a man they called weak, crippled, and harmless. They lied. Alan wasn't weak; he was calculating, deadly, and harboring a secret that may ruin us all. The marriage was never about love; it was conflict, a battlefield for power and survival. And yet, in the quiet times between our battles, I glimpsed parts of the guy beneath the mask-a man scarred by betrayal, motivated by retribution. But then the lies unraveled. Alan's disability was a façade, his kindness a weapon, and his true enemies closer than I ever imagined. As Philip Louis, his half-brother, launched a vicious attack to claim the family empire, I became a pawn in their twisted game. My sister Maria-cruel, conniving, and unforgiving-joined forces with him. Together, they sought to ruin us. Now, I'm caught in a storm of deceit and danger. Alan says he'll protect me, but how can I trust a man who built his world on lies? How can I protect my heart from a man I might be falling for, knowing love could be my undoing?
"You could be my wife, but never ever believe you could control me." His voice sounded to be a deep growl, a warning, but also something terrible. Dark and fascinating, his gaze locking onto mine sent an amazing surge through my body. A thousand unspoken words weighted the thickening air between us. It wasn't only a threat. It was an assurance.
My heart pounding, the weight of his words kept me in place as I stood enthralled at the gateway of the magnificent house. My parents had pulled me here, under coercion into a marriage I had not wanted. For reasons I cannot understand, they had sold me body, spirit, and future to someone I knew.
Alan Walker: The name by itself made me shiver down my back. The merciless millionaire, the so-called "crippled heir" to Louis family wealth. someone notorious for his austere manner, terrible ambition, and tendency to destroy everyone he came across.
And here I was-his wife now.
As I moved further into the room, his gaze stayed just beyond mine. Tension-filled, dense and oppressive quiet between us cracked. The apartment was fantastic, luxurious, the sort of place I never would have dreamed I would fit. Still, nothing about it seemed welcoming.
"I didn't ask for this," I said, trying to control my breathing. I asked for none of it.
He slanted back in his chair, his eyes darting over me with a detached interest akin to that of an object rather than a human. He was overwhelming, like a hurricane poised to strike. "That's what makes it so wonderfully ironic, don't you think?" Though it missed his gaze, his lips twisted into a smile. "You consider yourself to be some naive piece in an incomprehensible game. You are not, however. You are chosen, Ariel. Whether or not you like it.
Shaking at the sound of my name, I felt as though it rolled off his mouth like a verdict. It was clear how he affected me.
I moved back, trying to gather myself. I'm not a pawn. Not your property, I am.
His eyes closed. "You are, indeed. Still, you'll know your spot soon enough to relax.
His voice's coldness caused a shiver down my spine, but there was something more hiding behind it that I couldn't quite understand. Concern? Attractivity?
Before I could respond, the passage echoed with a great crash. My pulse accelerated, and naturally I looked toward the sound. Alan's eyes flew to the door, and for a few seconds I sensed something-panic, concern? It vanished before my understanding could catch hold.
"Stay here," he said, his voice once again icy-cold.
My body stiff with tension, I nodded without thinking. Though I knew it was bad, I had no idea what was happening.
Alan got up right away, his tall frame dancing resolutely for the door. My curiosity driving me into the future, I couldn't stop myself from following.
I stopped just before the door. Alan stood at the door, his face a mask of restrained fury, his posture rigid. Two guys stepped in front of him; while they were strangers to me, their threatening demeanor was clear.
"Get out of my house," Alan said in a low, frightening, cold steel warning.
The taller man grinned, looking as though he could split me in two without working at all. Walker, we are not here for negotiations. Here we are to remind you of the people in charge.
From where I stood, I could not see Alan's face; however, I sensed the change in the atmosphere. Something about these guys-the rigidity in their posture-made my gut turn around. This was hardly a laid-back confrontation. This was a power battle for which I was not suited.
Alan clinched his jaw but said nothing. Rather, his eye turned momentarily to mine. It was not necessary for me to grasp.
Leave this out of your reach.
Trapped between dread and the impulse to defend myself, I paused, feet fixed to the floor. Though I had no idea who these men were or why they were here, I could feel the danger radiating off them like heat.
One of the guys, a thin man with black hair and a perfect smile, stepped forward. "I wouldn't be too certain of yourself, Alan. You have overlooked your place in the world. Here to remind you is us.
The words hung about like poison. My heart surged in my chest as Alan's fingers tightened on the doorframe, his knuckles white. Before he turned to meet the lads, he had a flash of something deeper, darker in his eyes.
His voice was like ice, he snarled, "I don't need a reminder." Nevertheless, you will. You will shortly enough.
Over me came a strange sense of doom. Something was going to happen that would fundamentally alter everything. It felt like it was in the pit of my gut.
Alan's hand went out before I could react, dragging one of the men by the collar and slamming him against the wall. The other man jumped for Alan; he was faster, his motions fluent, controlled, and beautiful. A brawl erupted-a violent, quick conflict that left me gasping and frozen in place.
Groaning, the guy Alan had shoved against the wall tried to squirm free. Walker, you are unable to accomplish this. You no longer control. We will take everything from you. Everywhere.
Alan showed no flinching. He gripped the man's neck more tightly. "Try it, hissed." And note how far you go.
As I saw the conflict blossom in front of me, my pulse started beating. Alan's movements' sheer power and ferocity were both frightening and thrilling. His behavior lacked compassion and there was no hesitancy. This dude was lethal.
The lads appeared to understand something I hadn't yet mentioned: they were out of time. The sound of sirens cut right through the air.
The taller person growled, breaking free from Alan's hold and pushed his friend away, "We'll be back." They left the room awkwardly quiet.
Breath shallow, I stood there and Alan turned slowly to face me. Dark and unreadable, his eyes whirled over me like a hurricane. We had terrible tension, a blazing, silent storm. The sorrow hung heavy in the air. Though the lads had left, the horror they carried stayed like a black fog.
"You should have stayed inside," Alan said, his voice a rasp, his usual coolness replaced by something more visceral. With his eyes narrowing, as if examining whether I had learned anything from the encounter, he made a hesitant step toward me.
Opening my mouth to respond, nothing came out. Every nerve on edge, my body was still shivering. Just now something happened. Those men were whom? Furthermore, why had they singled out Alan? Though none of the bits of the puzzle fit in my brain, they danced there. My air came in quick, brief gasps.
"I didn't know..." I started, finally managing to speak. My voice was barely above a whisper. "What was that? Who were they?"
Alan didn't answer directly away. He stood a few steps away from me, his features shrouded. His big shoulders raised and fell with each steadying breath. The tension in the room built as he examined the meeting.
Nothing is more deadly than a wounded heart in the world I have always known-where power, loyalty, and treachery prevail. I never imagined that one visit would cause everything to fall apart when I went to see Leo Volkov, the infamous mafia kingpin and ex-lover of my sister. The ruthless and merciless king of the Volkov empire, Leo, had been in a terrible car accident and I felt I might offer him something-anything-before it was too late. He vanished though when I got to the hospital. Discharged, vanished, leaving just questions and a gnawing sense of abandonment. The true shock set in when I got home and discovered my boyfriend, Dmitri Baranov, locked in a hug with my sister Mara. Betrayal hardly starts to cover the damage I experienced. The worst of all is also Cold as usual, my family hardly even looked at it. Always more worried with family reputation than with my own happiness, my mother chastised me for being "dramatic." She solely considered what would be best for the family, not what I needed. But when Leo gets back, exactly as volatile and deadly as before, I find myself dragged back into a world of secrets and revenge threatening everything. Between the broken bonds with my family, a renewed, forbidden connection to the guy who once held my heart, and a conspiracy that can ruin me, I have to choose whom to believe. More importantly, if he would even take me back, am I ready to risk it all for a second chance at love?
Sold to the highest bidder to pay off a blood feud, I never imagined I would be the pawn in my father's fatal game. Still, here I am before Enzo De Luca, the most vicious mafia leader in the city. Though appealing, he is cold, deliberate, and as lethal. Though my heart races just from his proximity, it is his touch that ignites me. My body betrays me and reacts to him in ways I am powerless over. And I melt as he softly, commandingly says my name. Enzo loves neither me nor another. In his deadly kingdom, I am only another bargain, another transaction. But every time we are alone, the conflict between us snaps-desire becomes a terrible addiction. Although I detest him for everything he stands for, I yearn for the way he consumes me, body and soul. He has made it quite evident-our marriage is more about power than love. Still, every angry gaze and every snatched moment in the shadow reveals something different. Benevolent underneath his icy façade lies something broken that appeals to the darkest sides of me. But depending on a man like Enzo may mean losing everything. Bound to him now, for better or worse, I am caught in a world where loyalty is brittle and treachery carries a bullet. Our friendship gets more perilous the more truths about his empire I find. And as the past calls for us, I have to question myself: will our passion be the thing that ruins us both or can I survive loving a guy like Enzo De Luca? Burning in his arms is me. But in his universe, I could roast alive.
"Mr. Dre," she started speaking in a low tone, her voice quivering, "I have agreed to the contract and Ariel's operation was successful... but this... this deal... " She lost her words. That was the first thing she said; "It feels so cold here I didn't expect it to feel like this." Alison's life becomes miserable when her husband dies leaving her with three young children to support and take care of. Having financial difficulties, things turn even for the worse when her youngest daughter Ariel is diagnosed of a severe heart disease. Ariel has to undergo a very expensive surgery and Alison has no means to get the money for it. Desperate and running out of time, she faces a terrible choice: sign a contract marriage with her cold and powerful boss, Mr. Dre, or lose her daughter forever.
Synopsis: Samantha Dawson felt she could leave her errors behind, but one fateful night everything changed. Driven by a great urge to pay off her family's debt, she entered the arms of a stranger-a brief, explosive meeting that left her whirling. That evening, she never anticipated the outcome: a kid she has kept secret from the world and from him. Four years fast forward: Samantha's meticulously repaired life is collapsing once more. She is presented with an unimaginable offer-a contract marriage with Adrian Blackwood, the mysterious millionaire with more influence than anybody should-as her son's safety is at stake and debts are closing in. The only issue is Adrian is unaware she already carries his most secret. But Adrian also depends on her. He has to seem to have a flawless family if he is to land the commercial contract confirming his empire. Samantha is his response; he still doesn't know about the lethal shadows from her past threatening them both. Time is running out because of Adrian's own complex network of family treachery. Should he not get married soon, he runs the danger of losing control of his father's business to a merciless competitor with dark motives-someone already too near Samantha for comfort. Neither of them understands how interwoven their fates have become as they descend further into this perilous dance. Secrets grow, passions blossom, and foes lie around every turn. Samantha has to choose, nevertheless, whether Adrian comes near to learning the truth about her son: should she tell everything or keep quiet while the walls of their precarious arrangement collapse? And then a terrible revelation destroys their world, just as their well planned lives begin to fit. Samantha has been hiding secrets other than the child as well.
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."
"Miss Brown, I am the butler here at your service," the butler replied. "My master wants to buy the baby in your belly." "What?!" Does that mean the abortion didn't take place? Did they kidnap her from the operating table just to buy the baby? But why her? "You..." Alice was about to ask a question, but the man in front of her calmly continued, as if he had expected her question, "You're pregnant with his child, and he needs a child. That's all I can tell you." Alice was forced to sign a surrogacy contract and eight months later gave birth to two healthy babies. Fortunately, the man was unaware of her daughter's existence. It wasn't until five years later that fate brought them together again...
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?
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
She was a diamond covered by ashes.... King Dakota was known as the most Powerful Alpha King of all times - more powerful than any other King that had ruled from his lineage. He was cold hearted, introverted and dangerous in anger. Cursed by the Moon goddess, King Dakota had to get married to three wives all in search of a male child that would become his heir, but it was impossible as the curse would only let his wives bear she -wolves. But on a different day, the King meets a lady who offends him and as a punishment, he took her home as his fourth wife. Her name was Shilah. Shilah was a powerless wolf and as a result, was disregarded and intimidated by all. But, when she begins to do things that the King had never felt for years, he began to wonder who she really was. Slowly, she crawled her way into his icy heart and turned out to be something nobody ever expected - a storm.
"You're the moon wolf, Lola. You're the wolf with the power of the Moon goddess", Serena said and collective gasps were heard in the room. After being rejected by her mate in Moonlit pack, Lola escaped on a full moon only to enter the territory of the next Alpha King who also happened to be her second chance mate. Adrian is the next Alpha King but he hasn't been able to assume his role because he needed a Luna by his side. A rogue that trespassed on his territory, whom he ordered be killed turned out to be his mate leaving him in a dilemma. Will Adrian reject Lola because she came into his territory as a rogue? Will he overcome what happened to him in the past and give Lola a chance or reject her and go ahead with Fay as his chosen Luna? What will happen when everyone finds out just how much power Lola wields and how she's supposed to protect her kind in an oncoming war? Find out in Lola - The Moon Wolf!