BLURB:I came to Moonshadow chasing folklore and found a mystery far greater than I bargained for. One night with Ethan Blackwood-a man as dangerous as he is alluring-was supposed to be a fleeting indulgence. But when he turned his back on me, cold and distant, I vowed to forget him. I failed. Now, I'm back in Moonshadow with secrets of my own-two growing lives tied to the man who rejected me. But something sinister stalks the shadows of this town, and my investigation is drawing me into a world I never believed existed. Ethan is hiding something, and no matter how hard he tries to keep me away, fate keeps pulling us closer. His icy facade cracks when the danger circles too near, and I discover his truth-a truth that explains everything. Ethan Blackwood isn't just a man. He's a beast bound by laws older than the moon. And now, those laws threaten to destroy us both. When the rogue wolf finally reveals its true target, I'll have to decide: can I trust Ethan to save me and the children he doesn't even know he's fighting for? Or has he already doomed us all?
Chapter 1: Arrival
Leah's POV
"Are you sure you want to do this? Because once you step into Moonshadow, there's no turning back."
Rain hammered against the windshield as we crept along the winding road. The dim headlights barely pierced the swirling mist, and the forest on either side loomed like shadowy sentinels.
I hesitated, unsure how to respond. The air in the car was thick with the scent of damp leather and stale coffee, and something about his question felt unsettling, almost like a warning.
"Not really," I said finally, though my voice sounded uncertain even to me.
The driver chuckled, a sound that was more rasp than mirth. "Well, Moonshadow has a way of making believers out of skeptics."
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, glancing at the GPS on my phone. No signal. The tiny dot that was supposed to represent me was frozen on the edge of nowhere. I clenched the device tighter, wishing it could offer some reassurance.
"How much longer?" I asked, hoping to steer the conversation to safer ground.
"Not far," he replied, his eyes never leaving the slick road. "But I'd keep your wits about you. The storm's only half the trouble out here."
I opened my mouth to ask what he meant, but he fell silent, his attention fixed on the road ahead.
The car lurched suddenly as a massive branch crashed down in front of us, its gnarled limbs clawing at the ground like fingers. I gasped, gripping the edge of my seat as the driver slammed on the brakes.
"Looks like this is where your ride ends," he said, his tone oddly calm as he threw the car into park.
"What do you mean? We can't stop here!" I protested, but he was already reaching for the door handle.
"You'll have to walk the rest of the way. Just follow the path." He nodded toward a barely visible trail that disappeared into the dark woods.
"Are you serious?" My voice wavered between disbelief and panic.
"Dead serious." He stepped out, grabbing my bags from the trunk and setting them on the muddy ground. "Moonshadow Manor's just up ahead. You can't miss it."
Before I could argue, he climbed back into the car, the door slamming shut with finality.
"Wait!" I called out, but the taillights were already fading into the distance, swallowed by the storm.
I stood there, the rain soaking through my coat, staring at the shadowy forest ahead. A shiver crept down my spine that had nothing to do with the cold.
With no other choice, I hoisted my bag over my shoulder and started down the trail. Each step squelched against the muddy ground, the sound unnervingly loud against the whisper of the wind and the steady drum of rain.
The trees seemed to press closer the further I went, their skeletal branches intertwining above me like a canopy of claws. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat louder than the last. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched.
"Just nerves," I muttered to myself, though the words offered little comfort.
A distant howl sliced through the air, long and mournful. I froze, my breath hitching in my throat. Wolves. The thought sent my mind spiraling. I hurried my pace, nearly tripping over an exposed root as the trail twisted and turned.
Finally, the trees parted, and I stumbled into a clearing. There it was-Moonshadow Manor.
The house loomed like a dark monolith against the stormy sky, its towering spires reaching toward the heavens. Lightning flashed, illuminating the cracked stone façade and ivy-covered walls. The windows glimmered faintly, like eyes peering out into the night.
I swallowed hard and approached the front door, my hand trembling as I reached for the brass knocker shaped like a snarling wolf's head. Before I could grasp it, the door creaked open on its own, revealing a dimly lit foyer.
"Hello?" My voice echoed through the cavernous space, but no answer came.
I stepped inside, the door closing behind me with a soft thud. The air was thick with the scent of old wood and something faintly metallic, like rust-or blood.
The hallway stretched before me, lined with flickering sconces that cast dancing shadows on the walls. A grand staircase spiraled upward, its banister polished to a dark sheen.
"Is anyone here?" I called again, my voice trembling.
A low growl resonated from somewhere deep within the house, the sound vibrating through the floorboards.
I spun around, my eyes scanning the shadows for the source. Nothing moved, but the growl came again, closer this time.
"Miss Winters," a voice purred, smooth and deep.
I whipped around to find a man standing at the foot of the staircase. He was tall and lean, his dark hair slicked back, and his piercing eyes seemed to glow faintly in the dim light.
"You startled me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"My apologies." He stepped closer, his movements almost predatory. "I wasn't expecting you to arrive tonight, not in this storm."
"Neither was I," I replied, my nerves fraying further. "The driver-he said I had to walk the rest of the way."
His lips curved into a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "You're here now. That's what matters."
Something about him unsettled me, though I couldn't quite place it. There was an intensity in his gaze, as if he were sizing me up.
"You must be exhausted," he said, gesturing toward the staircase. "Let me show you to your room."
I hesitated, every instinct screaming at me to refuse. But where else could I go? The storm was raging outside, and the manor, for all its eerie atmosphere, offered shelter.
"Thank you," I said, forcing a smile.
As I followed him up the staircase, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was walking into a trap.
We stopped at a heavy wooden door near the end of the hall. He pushed it open, revealing a spacious room with a canopy bed and a crackling fireplace.
"Get some rest," he said, lingering in the doorway. "Tomorrow, we'll talk about why you're really here."
Before I could respond, he turned and disappeared down the hall.
I closed the door and leaned against it, my heart racing. The fire cast flickering shadows on the walls, and for a moment, I thought I saw a figure moving in the corner of the room.
"Get a grip, Leah," I muttered, shaking my head.
But as I turned toward the bed, a voice whispered, so faint I almost missed it:
"You shouldn't have come."
My blood ran cold.
BLURB:I had hate in my heart when I died. The Moon Goddess herself linked me to a guy who was meant to adore me, but he betrayed me. I was alive and complete five years ago when I opened my eyes once again. I vowed that this time would be different. My so-called fated mate, Darius Blackthorn, would never be allowed to come near me close enough to ruin me once again. Before he could attack, I would forge my own route, guard my heart, and discover the truth about his treachery. However, it seems that destiny is difficult to change. Killian Draven comes in. Perilous, enraged, and all too alluring, he makes me an offer: if I act like his mate, he would shield me from Darius. I shouldn't play that game since it would only lead to heartache. But the longer I'm in Killian's embrace, the more I question if my fate isn't bound to him. Darius then comes after me and says I've been duped and that the betrayal I believed I saw wasn't what it seemed to be. He is battling not just for me but also for our pack's future. And I am really shaken by the facts he exposes. Because if Darius wasn't the one who betrayed me, then who was it? And why does it seem like I could lose more than my heart in this second chance?
The guy I vowed to love till the end deceived me, and I died once. The Moon Goddess, however, wasn't finished with me. She brought me back to life, reincarnating me as a rogue with no identity or memories, just the burning pain of a past I can't quite recall and a blood-thirsty need for revenge. Then I got to know him. Marcus John. The vicious Nightfang Pack's Alpha. Chilly. Without mercy. Dangerously addictive. I despise him. Nevertheless, my wolf awakens when he is close as if she has discovered something she has long since lost. His touch has a quality that seems to be both a blessing and a curse. I'm not sure whether I'm falling for him or if the connection that is bringing us together is what will break me. Because my recollections grow clearer the closer I go to him. And I'll have to choose between kissing him and killing him when I eventually realize who he is.
SYNOPSIS:I thought meeting my mate would be the start of my happily ever after. For a moment, it was. Jacob Jude, the powerful heir of the Golden Claw Pack, ignited a fire in me that I'd never known. Then, in one cruel twist, he shattered my world. With my sight newly restored, I opened my eyes to betrayal-false accusations, heartbreak, and the lifeless body of my twin sister. Losing them both on the same day nearly destroyed me. But someone pulled me back from the edge. Four years later, I'm no longer the fragile, blind girl who was cast aside. I've rebuilt myself, stronger and sharper than ever. Returning to the Golden Claw Pack wasn't in my plans, but fate has a cruel sense of humor. Because standing at the altar is the man who broke me... and the sister I buried. Now, I have one question-will love or vengeance claim me first?
BLURB:I never imagined that everything might change in a single night. However, I didn't anticipate that Alexander Stone, the mysterious millionaire with the wicked grin, would be the one to haunt both my life and my dreams. We intended for our night together to be a one-time event, a little getaway. I never would have thought that it would result in a secret that would haunt me for five years. My life now involves striking a cautious balance between parenting my daughter, Mia, by myself and apart from a guy who is unaware that he is a father. But I have to deal with him once again once his business purchases my art gallery. All of the memories from that evening flood back as our eyes contact, along with the unmistakable chemistry. I can feel him getting beyond my barriers as he gets closer, but I can't tell him the truth. Not right now. Not when everything I've fought so hard to achieve is in jeopardy. However, when Alexander gives me that resolute look, I understand that I may not be able to maintain my secret for very long. Then he asks me the one thing I'm afraid to respond to: Lena, what happened to you and me? If I told him the truth, would I lose him forever? Or is this my second-our second-chance at a love that can destroy all I've worked so hard to keep safe?
BLURB: I believed that I had moved on from my past. I resolved to keep my children safe at all means after spending a careless night with a stranger wearing a mask five years ago. I established a peaceful life in a new city, raising my triplets and their younger sister. However, my world starts to fall apart when my sons come back from the bathroom talking about a guy who has a tattoo of a wolf-the same tattoo I will always remember. The next day, destiny puts me face to face with him: the vicious CEO who doesn't know who I am but seems to be strangely attracted to my kids. I lie and deny everything out of a desperate attempt to protect my family. However, secrets tend to sneak through gaps, and his intense stare makes me question if he's already piecing things together. I'm stuck now, working for him, battling my emotions, and avoiding adversaries who seem out to bring me down. But nothing scares me more than the reality: what will he do if he finds out the children I vowed to safeguard are really his?
BLURB: I believed that I had moved on from my past. I resolved to keep my children safe at all means after spending a careless night with a stranger wearing a mask five years ago. I established a peaceful life in a new city, raising my triplets and their younger sister. However, my world starts to fall apart when my sons come back from the bathroom talking about a guy who has a tattoo of a wolf-the same tattoo I will always remember. The next day, destiny puts me face to face with him: the vicious CEO who doesn't know who I am but seems to be strangely attracted to my kids. I lie and deny everything out of a desperate attempt to protect my family. However, secrets tend to sneak through gaps, and his intense stare makes me question if he's already piecing things together. I'm stuck now, working for him, battling my emotions, and avoiding adversaries who seem out to bring me down. But nothing scares me more than the reality: what will he do if he finds out the children I vowed to safeguard are really his?
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?
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."