In a humble village, young Jane Woods' life is shattered at the tender age of six when a tragic accident claims the lives of her farmer parents. Their tomato-laden trailer careens off the road, bursting into flames upon impact and leaving no survivors. Orphaned and inconsolable, Jane is forced to live with her cruel aunt Betty and uncle Pat, who resent caring for a child not of their blood. Over the next decade, Jane endures a life of drudgery and maltreatment. She is subjected to endless chores, long hours toiling in the tomato fields, meager food rations, and harsh punishments from her heartless guardians. Her tiny frame remains frail and sickly, a mere shadow of the vibrant girl she once was. When Jane turns sixteen, the village is set astir by a mysterious visitor - an aide to the king, searching in secret for a bride for the kingdom's heir, eighteen-year-old Prince Dubois. The once handsome and lively prince fell into a vegetative state two years ago after a devastating riding accident. A witch foretells that only the kiss of true love from his wife can revive him. Seizing the opportunity for wealth, Jane's repugnant uncle Pat agrees to sell her to the king's aide, deaf to her desperate pleas. Torn from the only life she's known, Jane finds herself whisked away to the breathtaking royal palace to become Prince Dubois' wife. Initially recoiling at the prospect of marrying an unresponsive vegetable, Jane's resistance melts when she meets the kindly king, who begs her to save the kingdom by loving his son. For three years, she dutifully tends to the comatose prince, though her heart remains closed off. As the king grows impatient and considers replacing Jane with the cunning Thalia, she resolves to genuinely fall for Dubois...
The sun-warmed earth felt incredible beneath Jane's bare feet as she raced through the rows of tomato plants, their leaves brushing lightly against her legs. Her laughter bubbled up, bright and full of joy, resonating through the fields. Ahead of her, a butterfly-one she'd never seen before-drifted on the gentle morning breeze, its wings sparkling like they had been dusted with fairy magic.
"Oh, you're so beautiful!" Jane called out, stretching her small hands toward the enchanting creature. "Can you come a little closer, please?"
For a moment, the butterfly lingered nearby, its wings making a soft, melodic sound that seemed almost within reach. Jane felt a surge of wonder; she'd never met a butterfly that felt so personal before.
As she chased it, weaving between the plants, Jane noticed how the tomatoes glimmered like rubies under the sun. The butterfly's glow danced across their shiny surfaces, making everything feel beautifully magical.
"Jane! Sweetheart, come back for breakfast!"
Her mother's voice floated over the field, warm and inviting. Jane paused, caught between the exhilarating chase and the tempting promise of fried eggs and toast. The butterfly appeared to hover too, as if nudging her to head back.
"I'm coming, Mama!" she shouted, reluctantly breaking away from the captivating sight. As she sprinted toward the farmhouse, she thought she heard the butterfly's wings produce a gentle chiming sound, almost like it was bidding her farewell.
When she reached the farmhouse, her father greeted her with a hearty laugh. "Look at you, my little wild tomato! Did you bring half the field with you?"
Jane giggled as she suddenly realized how leaves and twigs had gotten tangled in her hair. Her mother clicked her tongue, feigning disapproval, although her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Oh, Jane," her mother sighed, gently plucking a leaf from her daughter's messy hair. "What are we going to do with this wild mane of yours? It's like a jungle up there!"
Her father chuckled and affectionately ruffled her hair again. "Don't change a thing, pumpkin. That wild hair of yours is just brimming with sunshine and adventure."
As her parents exchanged playful banter, Jane's mind wandered back to that enchanting butterfly. Would it still be waiting for her after breakfast, eager for another chase through the tomato fields? The memory of the butterfly's dazzling wings and sweet sounds warmed her heart, rivaling the love she felt from her parents.
"Can I go back to the field after breakfast?" Jane asked, practically bouncing in her seat. "I made a new friend!"
Her mother raised an eyebrow. "Another imaginary friend?"
"No, Mama! A real butterfly! It was so pretty, and it made music!"
Her parents shared a knowing glance above her head, clearly attributing her excitement to her imaginative nature. But Jane was sure of what she had seen. As she followed them into the farmhouse, the scents of fresh bread and love wrapped around her, and deep down, she felt something truly magical had just entered her life.
The Woods family gathered around their beloved oak table, steam swirling up from bowls of hearty oatmeal. Jane's legs swung back and forth, barely brushing the floor as she took a spoonful.
"Mama, Papa, guess what I'm doing today?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement, a drop of milk hanging from her chin.
Her father leaned in with a teasing grin. "Let me guess... are you planning to dig a tunnel to the neighboring kingdom?"
Jane laughed, shaking her head. "No, silly! I'm going to build a house for the butterfly!"
Her mother reached across the table, gently wiping her chin with a napkin. "A house for the butterfly? That sounds like such a lovely project, sweetheart."
"Uh-huh! I'll use twigs and leaves to make it super cozy," Jane explained, her hands moving animatedly as she illustrated her ideas. "Maybe if I make it nice enough, the butterfly will decide to stay forever!"
Her parents exchanged loving glances, their eyes twinkling with amusement.
"That's very thoughtful of you, pumpkin," her father said, ruffling her hair again. "But first, how about you help your old man load up the trailer? We've got a busy day ahead at the market."
Jane's face lit up. "Can I really help? I promise to be super careful with the tomatoes!"
Her mother chuckled softly. "Of course, sweetie. Just keep an eye on those little fingers of yours."
As they finished breakfast, Jane couldn't stop wondering if the butterfly would want to live in her garden. Maybe it had a family too, just like hers. That thought filled her with excitement for the day ahead.
Outside, the sun climbed higher as Jane's parents began loading crates of ripe tomatoes onto the old wooden trailer. The air was rich with the earthy scent of fresh produce and the thrill of a lively day at the market.
"Here, Papa!" Jane called, gripping a wrench almost as long as her arm. "Is this the one you need?"
Her father beamed, wiping the sweat from his brow. "That's perfect, pumpkin. You're already a pro with the tools."
Jane beamed with pride as she handed over the wrench, fascinated by how her father tightened the bolts on the trailer hitch with such ease.
"Mama, can I help you too?" Jane asked, turning to her mother, who was carefully arranging the crates.
"Of course, sweetie," her mother replied, brushing flour-covered hands on her apron. "Could you pass me those smaller baskets? We'll tuck them snugly in between the big crates."
As Jane rushed to help, a little worry crept in. "Will the tomatoes be okay on the bumpy road, Mama? What if they get scared?"
Her mother softy reassured her. "Oh, honey, that's so sweet of you. Don't worry; we'll make sure they're safe and cozy, just like we tuck you in at night."
Jane nodded, helping to nestle the baskets into place and whispering calming thoughts to the tomatoes, assuring them they were in for a grand adventure.
Soon, the old pickup truck roared to life, sputtering briefly before settling into a rhythmic hum. Jane climbed into the middle seat, snuggled between her parents, clutching her cherished rag doll tightly.
"Ready for our big adventure, pumpkin?" her father asked, smiling as he shifted into gear.
Jane nodded, her pigtails bouncing with excitement. "Yes, Papa! But will Mr. Whiskers be okay all alone?"
Her mother laughed, smoothing Jane's wild hair. "Don't worry, sweetie. That old tomcat is probably curled up in your bed right now, dreaming of catching mice."
As they drove down the dusty road, Jane pressed her nose against the window, watching the scenery blur past. The trailer creaked and groaned behind them, its wheels rattling over the bumpy ground.
"Listen to that racket," her father joked, shaking his head. "Sounds like we've got an orchestra back there."
Jane giggled at the image of the tomatoes putting on a musical show. "Maybe they're singing for us, Papa!"
The warm summer breeze flowed through the open windows, bringing with it the sweet, earthy scent of ripe tomatoes. Jane inhaled deeply, savoring the familiar aroma that always reminded her of home.
"Mmm," her mother sighed happily. "There's nothing like the smell of fresh tomatoes, is there? I could bottle it up and wear it as perfume."
Jane scrunched her nose in response. "Mama, you'd smell like spaghetti sauce!"
Laughter filled the cab, blending with the rhythmic sounds of the journey. Jane felt a wave of happiness wash over her, feeling safe and loved nestled between her parents.
Suddenly, the truck lurched violently. Jane's stomach dropped as the vehicle careened sharply to one side.
"Hold on!" her father shouted, gripping the steering wheel.
Everything outside turned into a chaotic blur. Jane clutched her doll tighter, her heart racing.
"Papa, what's happening?" she yelled, but her voice was lost in the overwhelming noise.
In an instant, the truck tipped over. Jane felt herself tumble, her parents' frantic voices echoing around her. The sickening crunch of metal crumpling reverberated through her small body.
And then, silence. Just for a moment, everything felt frozen.
Moments later, a crackling sound filled the air. Through the shattered window, Jane saw angry flames reaching toward the overturned trailer, licking hungrily at the spilled tomatoes.
"Mama? Papa?" she whimpered, her voice shaking with fear.
There was no response, just the rising roar of flames consuming their precious cargo, their dreams, all going up in smoke before Jane's terrified eyes.
*"Every petal is a ticking bomb. Every glance could be her last. And the Alpha who holds her life in his claws is the one who craves her ruin.* **Thalassa**, a dying Omega with eighteen petals etched into her skin, is trapped in a lethal mating attempt with **Kaelthar**, the Alpha who despises her existence. Their bond, forged by a vengeful witch's curse, is a death sentence: *Find your true mate or perish by eighteen.* But Kaelthar's hatred runs deeper than claws-his pack thrives on crushing the weak, and Thalassa's fragile humanity threatens everything he's built. As petals fall and her magic flares, Thalassa uncovers a secret that could unravel Obsidian's empire: *Kaelthar's wolf aches for her, even as his pride vows to destroy her.* To survive, Thalassa must seduce the tyrant who vows to break her. To conquer, Kaelthar must deny the bond that could shatter his reign. But as petals fall and secrets ignite, their game of hatred and hunger spirals into a war neither can control. **Love is a lie. Survival is a battlefield. And every petal lost is a step closer to ruin-or revolution.** *Will she claim the heart of the wolf who hates her... or carve hers from his chest before the last petal falls?*"
**In a world where survival demands deception, one secret could shatter an empire-or ignite a forbidden flame.** Thalassa's life hangs on a lie. Disguised as a boy since infancy to escape the wrath of conquering Alpha Kaelthar, she's lived as **Thaleon**-a sickly omega, harmless and forgotten. But when Kaelthar's fascination with the "boy" he should despise turns predatory, Thalassa's carefully crafted mask begins to crack. Her body rebels. Her wolf stirs. And the herbs that once hid her scent now drown in the intoxicating tang of danger-and dark desire. As Kaelthar's obsession deepens, Thalassa walks a razor's edge: one misstep, and her true identity will be exposed. But in the shadow of betrayal, where enemies and allies blur, the most lethal threat isn't Kaelthar's wrath... **It's the fire he ignites in her soul.** **Survival or surrender? Loyalty or lust?** In this pulse-pounding dark romance, every choice bleeds, every secret kills, and the line between conqueror and captive dissolves into a storm of forbidden hunger. **The truth won't set her free. It will destroy them both.**
**In a world where mate bonds are sacred, theirs is a chain of thorns.** Selina gave Xander everything-her blood, her heart, the remnants of her once-proud pack. But to him, she remains the daughter of his parents' alleged killer, a pawn in his ruthless quest for vengeance. Now, a terminal illness eats at her veins, and the Alpha who swore to cherish her demands she bleed herself dry for the she-wolf who stole his loyalty. Lillian's lies are venom. Her brother's schemes run deeper than the scars etched into Selina's spirit. And Xander? He watches his mate unravel, his icy disdain masking secrets even his wolf can't escape. But when a buried truth emerges-*Selina* saved him years ago, not the silver-tongued Lillian-the fragile threads of their bond snap. Rejected and dying, Selina vows to expose the festering lies rotting their packs... even if it destroys the man she once loved. **He believes she'll vanish without a fight. He's wrong.** Beneath the bloodstained snow, a dormant wolf stirs. And she's prepared to raze every shadow to ashes... if it means reclaiming her destiny.
In the Silvermoon Pack, scent is destiny-and Elara's lavender essence marks her as the Alpha's true mate. But when her boldest friend, Lila, steals her scent with a treacherous potion, Elara is left invisible to the pack and to Kieran, the storm-eyed Alpha she secretly craves. Claimed by deception, Lila takes Elara's place as Luna, while Elara is cast into the shadows, branded a traitor. Rescue comes from an unlikely ally: Rylan, a rogue with a wounded past and a claim of his own. He's Lila's true mate-and he knows her lie runs deeper than scent. Together, Elara and Rylan embark on a perilous quest to reclaim what was stolen, navigating forbidden magic and rival packs where danger claws at every turn. But as Elara's bond with Rylan deepens, so does Kieran's suspicion. When the truth ignites a war, Elara must confront the crushing weight of destiny. Is her pull to Kieran a divine bond-or a phantom echo of stolen fate? And can love born of loyalty eclipse a love written in the stars? Find out in the following chapters...
In the heart of the Batang empire in Africa, thirty-something Babida, a rugged lumberjack, unexpectedly finds love with the stunning eighteen-year-old Suzie during their first encounter in the Ekule forest. This marks the beginning of an epic romance between the two. Initially, the young Suzie is taken aback by the towering and brawny woodsman. Believing she's alone in the brush, it catches her off guard when Babida, the lumberjack, calls out to her. Not feeling comfortable around a stranger-especially one who might be a stalker-she quickly ends the conversation and walks away. However, things take a turn when Suzie learns about Babida's heroic past from her maternal uncle. Suddenly, her perception shifts, and admiration for him begins to blossom. She discovers that the man she initially pushed away is actually a celebrated hero, a force of nature who bravely defeated the fearsome Monster of the Forbidden Mountain more than a decade ago. This terrifying beast was a monstrous bird, towering ten meters and weighing around twenty thousand kilograms, which threatened the Batang empire and nearly brought destruction, even to the imperial palace. At the time of this danger, little Suzie was just a three-year-old child. It was Babida, full of courage and determination, who stepped up to face the beast to save their land... If you're curious to learn more, dive into the full story filled with magic, romance, and intriguing mysteries. Don't forget to leave a review or comment and share it with friends and family!
Betrayed by her mate and exiled from her pack, Lyra's only crime was surviving the night that shattered her world. Pregnant, hunted, and left for dead, she faces the frozen wilderness until a violent storm leads her to Jarek-a lone wolf with eyes like smoldering amber and a past as dangerous as the sanctuary he offers. In the shadows of the reclusive Nightclaw Pack, Lyra finds uneasy refuge. But trust is a luxury she can't afford, not when rogue wolves stalk the borders and her unborn child's mysterious power threatens to ignite a war. Torn between the ghost of her first love and the pull of a man who awakens forbidden desires, Lyra must decide: guard her shattered heart, or risk it all for a second chance at a bond that could save-or destroy-them both. In a world where loyalty is written in blood and secrets bite deeper than fangs, can a rejected mate outrun her fate? Or will the truth of that cursed night bury her alive?
22-year-old Evelyn Carter is attempting to start over in California while avoiding her past. She will be embarking on a new career path as a private school teacher. She is smart, attractive, and doesn't put up with nonsense. Who wouldn't notice her? However, what happens when she attracts the attention of someone unwilling to let her go? Who wants her and nothing else after falling in love at first sight? A 25-year-old billionaire CEO and single father, Lucian Carrington. He takes what he wants and he is also a very dangerous man. All it needed was one look at a stunning woman to realize she was HIS, even though he doesn't believe in relationships because they always end. Preview: Miss Carter, you will be mine. I say firmly. "Release my arm, Mr. Carrington, before I force you to." She says, seeming to smile at me. I give her a sly smile. Squeezing my wrist with her other hand, she twists it uncomfortably. I gave a painful hiss. "Don't underestimate me, Mr. Carrington." "This is the only time I will allow you to walk away from me, Miss Carter." She glared at me as she turned. "Mr. Carrington, I am no possession of yours." I was left standing there when she opened the classroom door and left.
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
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?
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!