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A stunning billionaire heir, Dominic Blackstone, has it all - wealth, power, and the perfect life. But everything unravels when he becomes fixated on a woman who seems immune to his charms, Ivy Reynolds. With a hidden past that refuses to stay buried, Ivy has no interest in Dominic's world of luxury, manipulation, and deceit. But fate has other plans, and as their lives collide, dark secrets and power struggles surface, forcing them into a dangerous game of love, lies, and betrayal. Will Dominic break Ivy's walls, or will his obsession be his undoing?
Dominic Blackstone stood at the top of the grand staircase, his eyes scanning the lavish ballroom below. His impeccable tailored suit molded to his broad shoulders, the black silk tie neatly tucked beneath his collar, his stance tall and unyielding. Every inch of him screamed power, authority, and wealth. The Blackstone name was synonymous with success, and tonight, at his family's annual charity gala, he was the crown jewel. His smile was perfect, his charm infectious, and yet, his mind was elsewhere.
Below, hundreds of the city's most influential figures milled about, champagne glasses in hand, discussing mergers, investments, and deals that only the rich could fathom. The ballroom sparkled with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, while golden accents illuminated the marble floors. The chatter was polite, rehearsed, and underlined by an almost palpable sense of competition. Among them, Dominic was king.
Despite the glitz, the glamour, and the clinking of glasses, his thoughts were preoccupied with something-or rather, someone-else.
Ivy Reynolds.
She had walked into the ballroom half an hour ago, completely unbothered by the sea of opulence around her. Her entrance was quiet, almost too understated for the event. With chestnut brown hair loosely styled into a casual wave and a black dress that clung to her figure in the most effortless way, Ivy had an aura that was both captivating and mysterious. She was not here for the same reasons as the others. She was here as a journalist, part of the press who had been invited to cover the gala for the city's most influential publication.
But Dominic knew better than to believe that. Something about her was different from all the other women he had met in his life, and it intrigued him more than he cared to admit.
He had seen her earlier in the evening, quietly observing the crowd as if she were trying to blend into the background. It wasn't the first time their paths had crossed. He knew Ivy's work well-she had written several exposés on corporate corruption, and a few months ago, her article about the Blackstone Group's questionable business dealings had made headlines. It had angered his father and triggered a cascade of legal battles, but it hadn't shaken Dominic's resolve. His family's empire was untouchable.
Yet, Ivy's presence at this gala unnerved him. Her piercing green eyes had locked onto his for the briefest moment, an intensity that he could not ignore. A challenge had passed between them, one he was eager to take on.
Dominic wasn't used to being challenged, at least not in the way Ivy seemed to. Women like her didn't belong in his world. She wasn't impressed by his money or power, which only made him more curious. Normally, he didn't have to try. His charm was enough to draw women to him like moths to a flame, but Ivy was different. He had seen it in her eyes-the lack of interest, the disinterest in his status. And that intrigued him more than anything else.
He descended the staircase, each step measured, his eyes never leaving her figure across the room. She stood with a group of fellow journalists near the center of the ballroom, looking more like a foreign entity than part of the social scene. Dominic's fingers tightened around his glass of champagne. There was a part of him that admired her bravery, but another that found it infuriating.
His goal tonight was clear. He would speak to her. Break through that impenetrable wall she had built. Maybe, if only for a moment, he could make her see him for more than just the heir to the Blackstone fortune.
"Dominic, there you are. I was wondering when you'd make your grand entrance." His father's voice interrupted his thoughts. Bernard Blackstone, tall and imposing, appeared at his side, his presence commanding attention even in this room full of powerful people.
Dominic turned to his father with a slight smile, the façade never slipping. "Had to make sure everything was in place before I made my appearance. You know how these events go."
Bernard nodded, his sharp eyes scanning the room. "A night of charity. Of course. But remember, this isn't just about giving back, son. It's about positioning ourselves, reminding everyone why we're at the top."
Dominic's jaw clenched, but he said nothing. He had heard this speech countless times before, the endless talk of reputation, influence, and dominance. He had been groomed for this life, the weight of expectation hanging over his shoulders like a constant shadow.
"Good to see you, Dominic," a familiar voice called out from behind them.
Dominic turned, his lips curving into a polite smile as he faced a well-dressed woman, her platinum blonde hair neatly pinned in place. Sarah Winters, the socialite and model, was the latest in a long line of women who had graced his arm at these events. A quick fling, nothing more, but they both played the part well.
"I wasn't sure if I'd see you tonight," she continued, her fingers brushing over his sleeve in a calculated gesture of intimacy. "Perhaps we can talk later, away from all this?" she suggested, her voice low and inviting.
Dominic barely registered her words. His eyes flickered to Ivy once again, standing a little farther away from the press group now, as if something had drawn her out of her comfort zone. A flash of something-irritation, annoyance?-crossed her face, and it was enough to stir his curiosity further.
"Actually," he said to Sarah, his voice carrying a hint of distraction, "I think I'll pass tonight. Maybe another time."
Sarah's eyes narrowed, but she quickly masked her disappointment with a smile. "Of course, Dominic. You're always so busy."
Before Dominic could respond, Ivy caught his gaze once again, her piercing green eyes meeting his for a brief moment. This time, she didn't look away, and something inside him stirred-a feeling he wasn't sure he was ready to acknowledge.
Without thinking, Dominic excused himself from the conversation, making his way toward the group of journalists. His eyes locked onto Ivy as he walked, the sound of his footsteps seemingly fading as the distance between them closed. He was so close now that he could feel the heat of her presence.
"You must be Ivy Reynolds," Dominic said smoothly, his voice calm but laced with an edge of curiosity. "I've heard a great deal about you."
Ivy turned, her brow furrowing slightly as she took in the sight of him. The polite smile she wore faltered for a moment, replaced by a guarded expression. "I'm sure you have," she replied, her voice a quiet challenge. "I suppose you've read my article."
"I did," Dominic replied, stepping closer. "I have to admit, I was impressed by your tenacity. Not many would dare challenge my family like you did."
Ivy's eyes flashed with something fierce, but her posture remained unwavering. "I don't challenge people based on their last name, Mr. Blackstone. I challenge them based on what they do."
A small smirk tugged at the corner of Dominic's lips. "I like that. I appreciate a woman who stands her ground."
Her gaze didn't soften, but the brief flicker of something-respect, maybe-passed through her eyes.
"Look, I'm here to do a job, Mr. Blackstone," Ivy said, her tone firm. "And I'm sure you're busy with your... charity work. So, if you'll excuse me-"
"I think you're making a mistake," Dominic interrupted, his voice low. "This night doesn't have to be about work. It can be about something else."
Ivy froze, and Dominic noticed the brief flicker of doubt in her eyes before she quickly masked it. He could feel it then-her reluctance to engage, her determination to keep her distance. But that only fueled his determination.
"I'm not interested in small talk, Mr. Blackstone," she replied, her voice cool. "You'll have to excuse me."
Dominic watched as she turned, her exit swift, but something about the way she walked-the tension in her shoulders-made it clear she wasn't entirely indifferent to him. He wasn't finished with her yet... He'd make sure of that.
On the night of the Blood Moon, Nikky Lumpo thought she'd finally find her place-bound by fate to the Alpha she had always loved. But when Alpha Tobias Mattheus rejects her in front of the entire pack, branding her as weak and unworthy, her world shatters. Left broken and cast out, Nikky flees into the forbidden woods, where an ancient, cursed power stirs. There, she encounters Julio Irving, a monstrous, exiled Lycan who has spent centuries in the shadows. But instead of killing her, he does the unthinkable-he claims her as his mate. Bound by a force stronger than fate itself, Nikky finds herself torn between the mate who cast her aside and the beast who sees her true worth. As war looms between packs and long-buried secrets come to light, Nikky must make a choice-embrace the darkness and claim her power, or risk losing herself to a love that was never meant to be.
For years, Adele Kenneth has been a ghost in her own pack-an omega orphan with no place, no power, and no future. But everything changes the night she shifts for the first time... and her wolf calls to the most feared Alpha in the realm. Drake Anders is known as the Shadow Alpha, a ruthless leader with a past stained in blood. He doesn't believe in fated mates-until the moment he lays eyes on Adele. But claiming her would ignite a war, for she belongs to the very pack that slaughtered his family. Torn between vengeance and an undeniable bond, Drake must decide: will he defy fate and let Adele go, or will he risk everything to keep her by his side? With enemies lurking in the shadows and secrets threatening to destroy them both, their love may be the only thing powerful enough to rewrite destiny-or doom them forever.
Raine Carter has spent her life on the run, hiding a deadly secret-she is the last descendant of a bloodline powerful enough to challenge the rule of the ruthless Alpha King, Kade Voss. When fate forces her back into the heart of the Shadowfang Pack, she comes face-to-face with the one wolf she never expected-her fated mate. Kade has ruled with an iron fist, never expecting the Moon Goddess to grant him a mate. Yet, when he scents Raine, everything changes. She is his, and nothing will stop him from claiming her. But Raine refuses to bow, carrying secrets that could shatter his world. As passion ignites and dark forces rise, Raine must decide-surrender to the mate bond or fight for her freedom. But when an ancient enemy emerges, threatening to destroy them both, Kade and Raine must unite or risk losing everything, including their hearts.
Self-made businesswoman Aria Lawson unexpectedly lands a high-profile job as the personal assistant to the reclusive billionaire Nicolas Vaughn, she quickly learns that nothing about him is as it seems. Behind his cold demeanor and untouchable reputation lies a man struggling with his past and a deep, dark secret. As Aria and Nicolas's professional relationship turns personal, their undeniable chemistry leads them down a dangerous path of forbidden desire. But with the shadows of his secrets threatening to tear them apart, will Aria be able to forgive Nicolas's past in exchange for a future together, or will his lies destroy everything they've built?
When Cynthia Brown, a struggling artist, finds herself stranded in a small coastal town after a car breakdown, the last thing she expects is to cross paths with the town's most elusive resident- Arnaut Peterson, a reclusive billionaire with a past he refuses to face. Arnaut, once a celebrated architect, has buried himself in solitude after a devastating betrayal. But Cynthia's fiery spirit and stubborn optimism chip away at the walls he's built around his heart. As she paints murals on the town's forgotten buildings, she unknowingly brings color back into Arnaut's world. With each passing day, their connection deepens, but ghosts of their pasts threaten to pull them apart. Cynthia is running from a love that nearly destroyed her, and Arnaut fears letting someone in again. When the past finally catches up, they must decide- are they willing to risk everything for a love they never saw coming?
Lena, a girl with a troubled past, lands a servant job in a foreign country, hoping to escape her hardships. Her life takes an unexpected twist when she loses her virginity to a wealthy, heartbroken man, Max Kingston, who recently discovered his girlfriend's betrayal. Max falls deeply for Lena, but his world shatters when she narrowly escapes a murder attempt, and he vows to track down the one responsible for hurting the woman he loves. Lena's life spirals further when she finds out she's pregnant with Max's child, but a dangerous shootout leaves Max with partial memory loss, and he forgets everything about her. As Lena faces wrongful accusations and a potential jail sentence for a crime framed by the Baxter brothers back home, she feels crushed. Will Max remember the woman he loves in time to save her from this nightmare? Or will Lena be deported and imprisoned for a crime she never committed?
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."
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
"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."
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!
My name is Katia, and I am just trying to survive until my fated mate arrives. Which may be easier said than done. Rejectection is the last straw. Whispering my acceptance of his rejection. I run through the pack house, out across the manicured lawn into the forest. "I'm sorry, my sweet girl," I say to my wolf. I'm sorry you have been stuck with me and have had to suffer everything I have. She whispers," it's not your fault, Katia. We came to a cliff with a waterfall. The hurt keeps pounding at me. I need it to stop. My sweet girl, and I just want peace, I keep running and leap off the cliff. Spreading my arms wide, with tears streaming down my face, I fall, not making a sound, waiting for sweet oblivion where we feel nothing ever again. "I love you, my sweet girl! Until we meet again, "My wolf replied just before we hit the water, "I love you too, Katia. I have never regretted a moment with you." The Snow Moon pack is having their last barbecue of the summer next to the waterfall on their land. The adults are laughing and joking while watching the pups play. The alpha, beta, and gamma are swimming with some of the older children and playing a game of Marco Polo. Someone yells, "Oh my goddess, someone just jumped over the waterfall!" Everyone is frozen as they watch what looks to be a child falling arms spread wide, no one makes a sound. The small body hits the water like a plane crashing into the side of a mountain. The alpha, beta, and gamma, spring into action, swimming towards the area the person went under. The alpha is screaming his wolf is going crazy repeating, "Find her. Find her...find her!" They dive and the beta surfaces with a small person in his arms. Alpha takes the girl from his beta, laying her on the ground. The men are shocked by what they see. She is covered in scars and injuries. Her body is twisted and broken. The Beta asks, "Who could have done this to someone so defenseless?" Alpha drops to his knees, repeating, "MATE...MATE...MATE!"