Eliza Carter has always lived a life shadowed by hardship, raised by an alcoholic father with no mother to lean on. But things take a devastating turn when she discovers that her father owes a million dollars to Damien Viera, the ruthless and dangerous man who controls the city's underworld. With no way to pay off the debt, Eliza is given an impossible ultimatum: become Damien's wife or lose her life. Torn between survival and despair, she must make a choice that will shape her future. Will she marry a man she fears to clear her father's debt, or will she choose death over a life with him? As the days go by, Eliza faces a whirlwind of emotions-will she find happiness in this marriage, or will she be consumed by hatred for the man who controls her fate?
Eliza's POV
I couldn't breathe... The letters lay in front of me, their harsh words etched into the paper as if mocking my every breath. My hands trembled as I gripped the edges, unwilling to accept the truth. My father's reckless behavior had finally caught up to us. But this- this was more than I ever expected.
Damien Viera.
The name burned in my mind. The whispers I had heard about him over the years-the ruthless mafia boss who ruled the city like a tyrant-sounded like bad rumors at first. But these letters... they weren't rumors. They were a cold, unforgiving reality.
A million dollars. My father owed him a million dollars, and from the looks of these letters, there was no way to escape. My father had always promised me things would get better, that he'd stop gambling, that he'd turn things around. But those promises were as empty as his drunken rants.
I set the letters down slowly, the weight of them pressing down on my chest. I closed my eyes, trying to calm the storm inside me, but the anxiety was too overwhelming. How could I fix this? How could I make this go away?
The front door creaked open, and I didn't need to look up to know it was him. I could hear the unsteady footsteps, the smell of alcohol that clung to him like a second skin. My father.
"Eliza!" His voice echoed in the small apartment, frantic. "Eliza, you need to listen to me!"
I stood up slowly, the floor feeling like it was swaying beneath me. I didn't want to hear it. I didn't want to know. But I knew it was inevitable.
I turned to face him. His face was pale, sweat dripping down his forehead. His eyes were wide, bloodshot, filled with something far worse than the usual drunken haze-fear.
"What's going on, Dad?" I asked, though my heart already knew.
He took a shaky breath. "I've... I've done something bad, Eliza. Worse than before."
His hands shook as he fumbled with his words, barely managing to meet my gaze. "There's a man... a man I owe. A lot of money. A million dollars."
The world around me spun, and I grabbed the edge of the counter to steady myself. "A million?" I whispered, barely able to get the words out.
My mind raced, my chest tightening as the reality of the situation settled in. "Who? Who do you owe a million dollars to?"
"Damien Viera," he muttered, his voice barely audible.
The name hit me like a slap to the face. It was the last name I ever expected to hear. The very mention of it sent a chill down my spine. Damien Viera-the man who ran this city with an iron fist, whose name was whispered in fear by everyone from businessmen to criminals. The rumors of his brutality were endless.
"Damien Viera..." I whispered, the name tasting like poison on my tongue. "Dad... what did you do?"
He stepped forward, his face contorted with panic. "I thought I could win it back. I thought the gambling-if I just gambled one last time, I could win it back, but I lost it all. Now they're coming for you, Eliza. They want you."
The words didn't make sense, but the terror in his voice-his desperation-was enough to make my stomach twist.
Before I could react, I heard the sharp knock of a door slamming open, followed by heavy footsteps. Two men walked into the room, tall, imposing figures with cold eyes that sent a shiver down my spine. Their eyes locked onto me, and my blood ran cold.
"Eliza Carter?" one of the men asked. His voice was flat, devoid of any emotion.
I stood frozen, unable to respond. My heart thudded in my chest, my mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear.
"Who are you?" I finally managed, my voice shaky.
"We work for him," the second man said, his tone like gravel. "The boss wants to see you."
My father grabbed my arm, his grip tight, almost painful. "You have to go, Eliza. You don't understand. If you don't go with them, they'll-"
"Take me where?" I demanded, my voice rising in panic.
The first man stepped forward, his hand clamping onto my arm. "You don't have a choice. Get in the car."
"NO!" I yelled, trying to pull away, but the second man's grip was unyielding. Fear surged through me, drowning out all rational thought. "No, I'm not going anywhere with you!"
"Eliza, please," my father begged, tears welling in his eyes. "You have to. Please."
I shook my head, backing away, but the men's grip tightened. There was no escape. My father's pleading voice was nothing more than a distant echo as they pulled me toward the door.
The car ride was a blur. My thoughts raced, my pulse pounding in my ears. The cold air from the open window did nothing to cool my burning skin. We drove for what felt like an eternity, the streets passing by in a blur of darkness and unfamiliarity.
Finally, we arrived at a tall, dark building that loomed in the night. My stomach churned as the reality of the situation hit me. This was it. This was where I would meet the man who held my father's fate in his hands-and mine.
The men didn't speak as they led me inside, their grip never loosening. I was ushered into a cold, lavish office, and then I saw him.
Damien Viera.
He was just as the rumors said-tall, with dark hair and an intimidating presence that made the room feel smaller. His gaze was sharp, calculating, and his very presence seemed to command authority.
"Eliza Carter," his voice was smooth, deep, and terrifyingly calm. "I've been waiting for you."
I couldn't speak. I couldn't even move. His eyes locked onto mine, and I felt the weight of his stare like a physical force. Every instinct in my body screamed for me to run, to escape, but my legs were frozen.
"Sit down." His voice was like velvet, smooth but carrying a dangerous edge.
I obeyed without thinking, sitting in the chair across from his desk, trying to steady my breath. My heart was racing, my chest tight with fear. This was the man who controlled everything. And now, my life-my very existence-was in his hands.
Damien leaned forward slightly, his gaze never leaving mine. "I'm sure you're wondering why you're here, Eliza."
I swallowed hard, words catching in my throat. "I-I don't understand. Why me? Why take me?"
"You're here because of your father's debt," Damien said, his eyes never wavering. "But I'm a reasonable man. I offer you two choices."
I waited, my heart pounding, my breath shallow. I had to know what he wanted. What my choices were.
"You can marry me, Eliza," he continued, "and I'll clear your father's debt. Or..." He paused, his smile cold and dark. "You can die, and I'll take what's mine from your corpse."
I couldn't move. My stomach turned, and the room seemed to spin. This wasn't a choice. I couldn't marry him. But what other option did I have? My life- or my death.
---
Damien's POV
I watched her carefully, my eyes never leaving Eliza's face. Her fear was palpable, but there was something else beneath it. A fire. A resistance. It intrigued me.
She didn't flinch when I spoke, and that was unusual. Most people trembled at the sound of my voice, especially when I made my terms clear. But not her. She sat there, unmoving, her gaze sharp despite the obvious terror in her eyes.
I leaned forward slightly, watching her reactions carefully. "I'm sure you've heard of me, Eliza. I don't think I need to elaborate on the consequences of not following my terms."
Her eyes flickered, but she didn't speak. Good. Silence was power. It made her think.
"You have two choices," I repeated, watching the tension build in her shoulders. "Marry me, clear your father's debt, and live. Or you can die, and I'll collect what's mine from your lifeless body."
Her chest rose and fell rapidly with every breath. I could see the storm of thoughts behind her eyes. She wasn't foolish enough to refuse, not when death loomed over her.
But I wasn't interested in forcing her. Not yet. The idea of having her at my side-under my control-was something I was willing to wait for. The choice was hers... For now.
I could almost hear the thoughts turning over in her head, weighing the options. The clock was ticking, and I was waiting for her to decide.
Betrayed, rejected, and humiliated in front of her entire pack by her one true love, Jaxon Hale, Amara thought her life was over when he auctioned her off like she was nothing. But her fate took an unexpected turn when she met *him*. Dante Moretti, a ruthless Alpha mafia leader, purchased Amara not for love, but for revenge. Fueled by a deep grudge against her family, he intended to use her as a pawn in his vendetta. Yet, what he didn't anticipate was the undeniable pull between them. He didn't expect to desire her, to cherish her, or to claim her as his own. When love and vengeance collide, Dante is forced to confront his own demons and make an impossible choice. Will he hold on to his hatred, or will Amara's love be enough to redeem him?
After a string of failed relationships, Mia Hart agrees to a "friends with benefits" arrangement with her best friend, Colton Hayes, a powerful Alpha and billionaire. But when Mia's feelings deepen, she's torn as Colton grows closer to his manipulative ex, Sabrina Lane. "You said this was just physical," Colton says coldly, arms crossed, his intense hazel eyes locked on hers. "It was," Mia replies, her voice breaking as her heart aches. "But things have changed. I can't pretend it means nothing anymore." Colton's jaw tightens. "We had an agreement. I thought you understood." "Did I?" Mia's voice trembles with frustration. "Or was I just fooling myself into thinking I could handle this? Do you think I wanted to fall for you?" For a fleeting moment, his gaze softens, but he quickly masks it. "That pull? It's just lust, Mia. Nothing more." "Is it?" she retorts, her voice rising. "Or are you too afraid to admit you feel it too?" Colton runs a hand through his hair, tension radiating from him as he wrestles with emotions he's not ready to face.
Raven has spent her life as a forgotten omega, kept alive only by the ruthless will of Lady Morgana, who needs her to save her only son, Alpha Orion. A prophecy foretold that only a hybrid wolf from the mysterious Shadowclaw Clan could cure the madness that threatens to consume him. But the prophecy came at a terrible price-Orion's father led a massacre that destroyed Raven's entire clan, leaving her as the lone survivor. Raised as a tool to fulfill the prophecy, Raven grew into her role, never realizing that destiny would bind her to Orion in a way neither could escape. When she was revealed as his fated mate, joy quickly turned to despair. Trapped between his mother's expectations and his spiraling sanity, Orion rejected her, igniting a series of painful events that would alter both their lives forever. Now, with war looming and another Alpha vying for her heart, Raven must confront a tangled web of love, betrayal, and survival. As long-buried secrets rise to the surface, Orion's descent into madness threatens to destroy not only their bond but the future of the entire pack. Torn between the mate who rejected her and the Alpha who offers her a new beginning, Raven must make an impossible choice.
Betrayed by her closest ally and poisoned by those she trusted most, Luna Seraphina thought her story ended with her death. But the Moon Goddess had other plans. Reborn into the body of Astrid, a rogue with untapped power, Seraphina returns to her pack to uncover the truth. No one recognizes her-not even her mate, Kieran, who unknowingly cast her aside. As she pursues justice, an undeniable passion ignites between her and Kieran, risking everything- or offering her the redemption she craves.
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?
When Corynn mustered up the courage to tell Elliot about her pregnancy, she unexpectedly found him gallantly helping another woman from his car. Her heart sank as three years of effort to secure his love crumbled before her eyes, compelling her to leave him behind. Three years later, life had taken Corynn down a new path with someone else, while Elliot was left grappling with regret. Seizing a moment of vulnerability, he pleaded, "Corynn, let's get married." Shaking her head with a faint smile, Corynn gently replied, "Sorry, I'm already engaged."
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
Season 1: Vanessa Saxon was once married to Luca Kensington, the cold and distant CEO of K Group. But when she was seven months pregnant, her adopted sister, Beatriz Langley, falsely accused her of having an affair with her best friend, Daxton Radcliffe, and carrying his child. The worst part? Luca believed Beatriz. In a fit of rage, Luca demanded their baby be removed prematurely, leading to a tragic event where Vanessa nearly died from the ordeal. Saved by Daxton, Vanessa disappeared. Now, five years later, she returns-stronger and determined-alongside her daughter, Isla Saxon, to exact her revenge on those who wronged her. SEASON 2: Framed for a crime she didn't commit, Senna Thorne lost everything-her family, her freedom, and the man she once loved. Betrayed and abandoned, she was sentenced to a fate worse than death. Magnus Voss, the ruthless billionaire who once held her heart, now sees her as nothing more than a murderer, a woman unworthy of mercy. But when fate grants her a second chance, she returns under a new name, Zara Skye-no longer the broken woman he cast aside. Yet Magnus refuses to let go. He sees her, he feels her, and deep down, he knows-she is the ghost that haunts him, the love he once destroyed. But this time, Senna isn't here for love. She's here for vengeance. When their paths collide once more, will he uncover the truth before it's too late? Or will her revenge burn them both to ashes?
Mia's life is spiraling out of control. Abandoned by her mother, bullied mercilessly at school, and thrown into a household of four dangerously attractive stepbrothers, she's desperate to find her footing. "You look absolutely edible," Sean growled, his eyes devouring her. Mia felt a rush of heat between her thighs "Oh, you think so?" she purred, turning to face him. She reached out and traced her fingers along the ribbon that wrapped around his waist. "Well, I've been waiting for this all day. And I'm starving." Sean's smile grew into a predatory grin. "Then let us feast," he said, and in a flash, the ribbon fell away, exposing his rock-hard length. He stepped closer, and Mia felt the warmth of his breath on her face as he whispered, "You're going to take every inch of us tonight, aren't you?" With Rolex's teasing smirk and Sean's quiet, hot stares, Mia doesn't know where to turn-or who to trust. Every glance, every touch leaves her breathless, confused, and craving more than she should. Will Mia survive their games, or will she lose herself in a dangerous world of secrets, seduction, and forbidden desire? One house. Four brothers. Endless temptation.
Maria took her sister’s place and was engaged to Anthony, a disabled man who had lost his status as the family heir. At first, they were just a nominal couple. However, things changed when things about Maria were gradually exposed. It turned out she was a professional hacker, a mysterious composer, and the sole successor to an international jade sculpting master… The more that was revealed about her, the less Anthony could rest easy. A famous singer, an award-winning actor, an heir of a rich family—so many excellent men were chasing after his fiancee, Maria. What should Anthony do?