After her horrible birthday night, Lealia was adopted by a family, but... they never acknowledged her as a member of their family to outsiders, even their son, Richard, always acted strangely towards her. She thought her life would go on like that until she left her adoptive family. But, Lealia gradually realized... the town where she was living, her classmates, even her adoptive family seemed to be abnormal. What should Lealia do? Who is she in the end?
"Run, Ellen... A A A!!!"
The agonized screams echoed alongside the raging flames that consumed everything in their path.
Hot!
It's so painful!
Ellen felt an unbearable pain and scorching heat enveloping her, trying to crush her small body completely.
"Ellen... be careful..."
A faint but lingering voice of a woman echoed in her ears.
Be careful? Be careful of what? Of whom?
"Where is she?"
Suddenly, a cold voice resonated. Ellen struggled to open her weary eyes to assess the situation, but her efforts were futile. The only things left to perceive this world were the voices of strangers and the overwhelming scent of burnt ash surrounding her.
"Find her."
Before falling into an endless unconsciousness, those words rang beside Ellen's ears. Was it her imagination, or why did she sense a tremor in that voice?
...Ah, it doesn't matter anymore. Because... she could feel her life slipping away. How unfortunate. Her fifteenth birthday cake... she hadn't even tasted it yet.
...
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Ellen didn't know how much time had passed when the sound of machines woke her. She instinctively wanted to open her eyes, but her heavy body and overwhelming exhaustion left her lying still, like a lifeless shell clinging to its last breath.
She was alive?
Then what about her family?
Her memories stopped at the moment she was lying on the floor, next to a woman screaming for her to run and a man desperately trying to hold the door shut.
Why did everything turn out this way?
Her mind spun in confusion. That day was supposed to be her birthday. Ellen and her family had just returned from watching a musical. She remembered walking into the house, still laughing and telling the woman how much she loved one of the final songs. The woman had laughed and playfully scolded her.
Everything was so normal and happy... Until the moment they stepped into the house. A flash of light erupted out of nowhere, followed by screams, crashing sounds... and chaos consumed everything.
Her family lay in pools of blood, and the home she had lived in for over a decade was swallowed by flames.
She didn't understand. Her family had always been kind and avoided conflicts, and she herself didn't even have a single enemy... What could they have possibly done to deserve such a cruel fate?
Ellen felt warm streams trickling down her face-it was her tears.
She was crying, mourning the destruction of her happiness, mourning her family whose fate was still unknown. For the first time in her life, Ellen felt lost, staring into the bleakness of her future.
Utter despair.
"..."
In the darkest and most painful moment of Ellen's life, a hand gently stroked her cheek. The tender hand wiped away her tears and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. For reasons she couldn't fathom, she sensed the pressure of this person's presence.
Who was this?
This breath, this warmth... though unfamiliar, carried an inexplicable sense of familiarity...
As confusion overwhelmed her, Ellen was once again consumed by unconsciousness, falling into a deep sleep.
...
Unbeknownst to her, the man stroking her cheek listened as her weak breaths became steady and soft. Clenching his teeth and fists, his voice, cold and low, broke the silence of the room.
"Who did this?"
One would assume there was no one else in the room except him and Ellen, but unexpectedly, another voice immediately answered his abrupt question, as though the speaker feared the consequences of even the slightest delay.
"Master, we haven't found them yet..."
"Useless!"
The figure hidden in the shadows quickly appeared beside him, trembling as they knelt and stammered, "Master, please forgive me! I will surely find it quickly!!!"
The cold man said nothing. His outstretched hand, poised to strike the incompetent subordinate, suddenly paused. A flicker of an old memory flashed in his mind. The death-filled eyes softened briefly before regaining composure. He withdrew his hand and stuffed it into his pocket, his voice low and devoid of warmth as he commanded, "Leave!"
The subordinate, overjoyed as if given a second chance at life, kowtowed repeatedly, exclaiming, "Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!" Then, they hurriedly disappeared, determined to redeem themselves. If not, considering the master's violent tendencies, death would surely not be far away.
The man paid no mind to the fleeting presence of his subordinate. His once-mad eyes softened when he turned toward the girl lying on the hospital bed. Gently, he approached, his imposing figure leaning carefully to kiss Ellen's forehead, as if she were the most precious treasure in his life.
"My dear, wait for me..."
...
Ellen sat on an old, somewhat shabby bus. She tilted her head, watching the scenery pass by her window. One ear was tuned to the powerful voice of Britney Spears soaring through her headphones, while the other occasionally caught fragments of conversations from what seemed to be her future schoolmates seated behind her. They discussed topics like who the school heartthrob was, who had just been rejected in a confession, and who was the top student at school. But then, Ellen froze when a certain name came up.
"Do you know anything about him? That weirdo!"
The girl beside her immediately raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "That weirdo? What about him?"
"I heard he beat up our prince charming, Rey! Today, he got a warning in front of the school!"
The girl's eyes widened in disbelief and anger. "What! How dare he???" she fumed, biting her finger in frustration and muttering, "Hmph, attacking Rey? And he only got a warning! That's so unfair!"
"Isn't that how it always is?" her friend scoffed. "After all, he's got a big shot for a dad!"
Hearing this, Ellen quietly put her other earbud back in. She had a sinking feeling that even before school started, the pressure was already mounting. It seemed her school life would be anything but peaceful.
After all, the "weirdo" they were talking about... was her foster brother!
...
Ellen looked at the blue sky slowly being swallowed by dark clouds. Memories of that day resurfaced-the day she woke up in a hospital bed, only to be informed that she was now an orphan and needed to cooperate with the investigation. She recalled sitting there, dazed, as the police delivered hopeless updates about their inquiries. The sounds around her felt like a static-filled radio, buzzing and grating on her ears. Pitying eyes avoided her gaze, fearful that she might cling to them for help.
She was fifteen-too old to be an innocent, carefree child, yet too young to face the world alone.
Strangers didn't rush to adopt her; they were, after all, strangers to her, just as she was to them. Besides, Ellen didn't want to integrate into another family. The nightmare of the tragedy that claimed her family was still etched deeply in her heart.
She couldn't bear the thought of anyone replacing them. Never!
But she hadn't expected that, amidst the chaotic crowds and cacophony, he would appear-quiet, yet steadfast.
A man with disheveled hair partially hiding his face, though it couldn't obscure the star-like brightness in his eyes as he looked at her.
He, seemingly odd and out of place, was the one who extended his hand and gently said to her, "Hello, would you like to come with me?"
The Wolf Princess was betrayed by her supposed partner at their wedding ceremony. She was left with broken fangs and her wolf tail cut off by him and his lover. They even stole the family heirloom. In the end, the traitors threw her mangled body into the stream. Fortunately, fate was not cruel to Layla, as she drifted to the distant North and was rescued by a strange man. It was then that she discovered he was her true destined partner, not the betrayer who she thought was meant for her! But by the time she met her real partner, she could no longer transform back into a human. She could only sustain life in the form of a wolf. How then could Layla seek her vengeance? How could she unite with her true destined partner?
Alice was a child born by accident, thus not cherished by her family. Her only friend was her fiancé. However, growing up alongside a fortunate child, Alice's psyche became increasingly twisted. She resented any happiness around her and wished to destroy it. She harbored a scheme to devastate her own family and fiancé. Her method of vengeance was not through violence or theft, but by making herself indispensable to them and then abandoning them, leaving them in a state of hate and desperation to find her. Living continually in the shadows, she began to lose sight of who she was. At this time, she met Alan, who appeared as a vagrant. They started with schemes but warmed to each other due to similar circumstances, and gradually, they were both freed from the chains of their pasts. Together, they began to live a life that was truly their own.
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
"I heard you're going to marry Marcelo. Is this perhaps your revenge against me? It's very laughable, Renee. That man can barely function." Her foster family, her cheating ex, everyone thought Renee was going to live in pure hell after getting married to a disabled and cruel man. She didn't know if anything good would ever come out of it after all, she had always thought it would be hard for anyone to love her but this cruel man with dark secrets is never going to grant her a divorce because she makes him forget how to breathe.