Exiled from her pack for her mother's sins, Astra finds herself alone and vulnerable in a treacherous forest. But the forest holds more than just danger. Ancient secrets and a sinister darkness threaten to consume everything, and Astra, guided by whispers from the past, must uncover the truth before it's too late. As she delves deeper into the heart of the forest, she faces terrifying creatures, encounters a mysterious guardian, and discovers a hidden power within herself. Can Astra overcome her past and fulfill her destiny to save the forest, or will she succumb to the encroaching darkness?
The full moon hung high in the midnight sky, casting an eerie glow over the pack's territory. A low growl rumbled through the pack, a collective breath held in anticipation. The air crackled with unspoken threats, the scent of fear mingling with the crisp night air. In the center of the clearing stood Astra, the alpha's daughter, her fur ruffled from the cold wind. A tremor ran through her, her breath catching in her throat. Her fur bristled, every instinct screaming at her.
Astra had always known she was different. The blood of a traitor ran through her veins, her mother's forbidden love a scar the pack could never forget. She had been born a slave to her heritage, destined to bear the burden of her father's shame. The pack saw her as nothing more than a reminder of their leader's mistake.
Her father, Alpha Kieran, stood before her now, his eyes filled with disappointment. His once proud and commanding gaze now seemed hollow. The weight of the pack's expectations bore down on him, and he was forced to make a decision that would forever change Astra's life.
"You are no longer part of this pack," Alpha Kieran's voice cut through the silence, each word like a dagger to her heart. "You are a curse, Astra. A reminder of betrayal. The pack does not need you. Leave. You are nothing to us."
The pack lowered their heads, avoiding her gaze. Some even snarled, their teeth bared in warning. Astra's breath hitched in her throat, her world crumbling around her.
Her eyes filled with tears, but she didn't let them fall. She had always been taught to hide her emotions, to be strong. But now, as the rejection sank in, she realized she was more alone than ever before.
Without a word, she turned and ran. Her paws pounded against the earth, carrying her through the woods, away from the pack, away from her father, away from everything she had ever known.
The cold wind bit at her fur, but it wasn't the chill that made her shiver-it was the silence of her departure, the loneliness that now surrounded her. She could feel the eyes of the pack on her back, could almost hear their whispers, the judgment, the rejection. They had all been waiting for this day, the day when she would be cast aside.
Astra ran until her legs burned, until the trees blurred past her and the ground beneath her seemed to melt away. But no matter how far she went, she couldn't escape the ache in her chest, the feeling of being unwanted, unworthy.
She didn't know where she was running to, only that she had to escape. The bond with her father, with the pack, had been broken, and now she was nothing.
Her thoughts wandered to the only sliver of hope she had left-her mate. She had been told since she was young that one day, the bond would call to her, that a wolf would come for her, someone who would see beyond the lies, beyond her cursed bloodline. But now, after everything, she wasn't sure if that was true. Would he still want her? Or had the curse of her lineage tainted her forever?
Astra slowed her pace as the world around her quieted. She had wandered deep into the forest, where the only sound was the wind rustling through the leaves. She stood still, letting the cold air wash over her, and let the silence fill the space between the pain in her heart and the shattered pieces of her identity.
The journey ahead was uncertain. The rejection was final, but Astra knew she couldn't give up. She had to survive, had to find a way to live outside the shadows of her past. Maybe one day, she would find the one who would change everything-her mate, her salvation, the one who would see her for who she truly was.
Born as the "traitor's daughter," Astra's life has been one of relentless scorn and rejection. Her pack sees her as a stain on their pride, a constant reminder of her father's betrayal. Cast into servitude and treated as a pariah, Astra endures the weight of their hatred with quiet resilience, hoping for a sliver of acceptance that never comes. When she is falsely accused of dishonoring the pack, the punishment is exile-a death sentence for any wolf cast into the wilderness alone. Stripped of her home and any semblance of safety, Astra faces the raw brutality of the wild. But what her pack intended as her end becomes her beginning. In the wilderness, Astra meets Kael, a lone wolf whose guarded demeanor hides a painful past. Reluctantly, he teaches her how to survive and fight. As Astra learns to hunt, defend herself, and trust her instincts, she discovers something unexpected: her own strength. Kael's mentorship and their growing bond challenge Astra's perception of herself, planting the seeds of self-worth and independence. Driven by an unshakable resolve, Astra begins to reclaim her identity. The wilderness transforms her from a timid outcast into a fearless wolf. But the pull of her past is strong, and when she feels the stirrings of a mysterious mate bond, Astra knows her journey isn't over. When Astra returns to confront her pack, she is no longer the broken girl they cast out. Her strength and confidence threaten the pack's Alpha, who fears the change she represents. As tensions rise and loyalties are tested, Astra must decide: will she fight for justice and claim her rightful place, or will the scars of rejection hold her back?
Anna Harriet, the only daughter of Shaun Bordman Harriet, had been struggling to fend for herself since the deaths of her father and grandmother. They had been her world, her foundation, and now, without them, she felt untethered. "I'm not doing that. Never," Anna said firmly, lying on her bed. She had recently moved in with her mother, Sussan, and her mother's new husband in New York. It was a drastic change, and not one she had ever wanted. Growing up, Anna had always wished her mother had stayed. Sussan had left when Anna was still in elementary school, leaving her to be raised by her dad and grandmother. The memories of her mother from those early years were precious to her, small moments she clung to for comfort. But now, living with Sussan and her husband felt like stepping into a nightmare. Their home wasn't warm or welcoming-it was cold and filled with tension. "Go out with that guy, or you'll have to start feeding yourself!" Sussan yelled from another room, her words cutting through the air like a blade. Anna sat up, her chest tightening. This wasn't the mother she had dreamed of reconnecting with. This was a stranger-harsh, impatient, and far from the loving figure she had longed for during her childhood. The walls of their New York apartment seemed to close in around her as she tried to imagine a way out of this impossible situation.
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!
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?
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. "It's time to reveal your true identity, darling."
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 her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
I received a pornographic video. "Do you like this?" The man speaking in the video is my husband, Mark, whom I haven't seen for several months. He is naked, his shirt and pants scattered on the ground, thrusting forcefully on a woman whose face I can't see, her plump and round breasts bouncing vigorously. I can clearly hear the slapping sounds in the video, mixed with lustful moans and grunts. "Yes, yes, fuck me hard, baby," the woman screams ecstatically in response. "You naughty girl!" Mark stands up and flips her over, slapping her buttocks as he speaks. "Stick your ass up!" The woman giggles, turns around, sways her buttocks, and kneels on the bed. I feel like someone has poured a bucket of ice water on my head. It's bad enough that my husband is having an affair, but what's worse is that the other woman is my own sister, Bella. ************************************************************************************************************************ “I want to get a divorce, Mark,” I repeated myself in case he didn't hear me the first time—even though I knew he'd heard me clearly. He stared at me with a frown before answering coldly, "It's not up to you! I'm very busy, don't waste my time with such boring topics, or try to attract my attention!" The last thing I was going to do was argue or bicker with him. "I will have the lawyer send you the divorce agreement," was all I said, as calmly as I could muster. He didn't even say another word after that and just went through the door he'd been standing in front of, slamming it harshly behind him. My eyes lingered on the knob of the door a bit absentmindedly before I pulled the wedding ring off my finger and placed it on the table. I grabbed my suitcase, which I'd already had my things packed in and headed out of the house.