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?
Chapter 1 Uninvited
"Mom, there was a man in the park today," Ethan said, her voice matter-of-fact as she scooped cereal into her mouth.
I rinsed the last dish before turning away from the sink. "What man?"
"The one with the wolf tattoo," Liam said in a lighthearted tone, but his eyes were gleaming.
A shiver went through my body. "What are you talking about?" My heart pounded, but I attempted to speak softly.
"He was sitting on the bench near the swings," Ava, who is usually perceptive, stated. "He gave us a grin. On his arm was a large tattoo.
"Did he say anything to you?" I raised my voice a little.
"No," Ethan said with a grimace. "He just watched us for a little bit."
I gripped the counter tighter. "You should come right to me if you ever see him again. Recognize?"
They all said, "Yes, Mom," but Liam grinned, seeing my discomfort.
Once the children were asleep, I couldn't get this enigmatic guy with the wolf tattoo out of my head. I had put too much effort into keeping our lives simple and secure, and outsiders didn't often visit my tiny village.
When the knock on the door came, I was still deep in meditation.
It was too late to have guests. My heart pounded as I looked at the wall clock and then toward the hallway where my children slept.
I walked carefully to the door. "Who is it?"
"Olivia," murmured a silky, deep voice. I got a chill at the way it encircled my name. "I think you've got something of mine."
My fingertips lingered on the latch as I hesitated. "I have no idea who you are. What would you like?
A pause occurred. "I have no intention of harming you. "Open the door."
Despite my instincts telling me not to, there was something about his tone that made me want to comply. I opened the door just enough to get a glimpse and slowly turned the latch.
And there he was.
Tall and broad-shouldered, with molten amber eyes and black hair that is disheveled. With one arm dropping at his side and the other braced over his head, he reclined lazily on the frame. There it was, a wolf tattoo curving over his muscular arm, as his black T-shirt stretched over his chest.
"Who are you?" With a voice more steady than I felt, I demanded.
His lips curled into a smile that was equal parts enticing and angry. "Name's Asher."
"Asher," I said again, my lips seeming abruptly parched.
His head tilted, "Would you Mind if I came in?"
"I do."
His laugh was gruff and low. "You exercise caution. I like that. His eyes passed over me and lingered for an excessive amount of time. "But we need to talk."
"About what?" I tightened my hold on the door and asked.
"Your kids," he added plainly, and I felt sick to my stomach.
Pulling the door shut behind me, I went outdoors. "Remain clear of them," I growled.
The sneer left Asher's face, but he remained still. The air between us changed, and his gaze darkened.
He continued, "You don't understand," in a quieter, even gentler voice.
"Then explain it to me," I said, concealing my shaking palms with my crossed arms.
He ran a hand through his hair and paused. "It's complicated."
"Complicated doesn't work for me," I yelled. "I don't know who you are or what you want, but my kids aren't part of it."
I retreated till my back was against the door as he took a step closer.
He said, "Olivia," and my knees went weak at the way he pronounced my name. "I'm not your enemy."
"Then why were you watching them?" My voice was little more than a whisper when I asked.
He said, "I wasn't watching them," while maintaining eye contact with me. "I was watching you."
My breath caught. "Me?"
"Yeah," he said, a grin flickering back over his lips. "You."
I detested how my body reacted to him, how he gazed at me as if he already knew every secret I had ever harbored, and how heat erupted in my cheeks.
"I don't even know you," I answered, attempting to sound authoritative but letting my voice falter.
I remained still as he took a step closer. "You will," he responded in a gruff, low voice.
My heart pounded in my chest as I took a deep breath. "You're not making any sense."
As he looked into my eyes, he said, "You feel it, don't you?"
"Feel what?"
"This," he murmured, pointing to us. "The draw. The way you can't take your eyes off of me."
I started to protest, but nothing came out.
"You're in danger, Olivia," he replied, his voice suddenly grave.
"From what?"
"From me," he whispered as he moved closer and closer till I could feel his heat. "But I'll be damned if I let anyone else hurt you."
As his hand rose and his fingers touched my face, I gasped. I detested how much I enjoyed his unexpectedly kind touch.
"This is insane," I said to myself.
"Maybe," he murmured, his mouth forming that annoying grin once again. "But it's real."
I closed my eyes and resisted the urge that seemed to pull me to him as his thumb moved over my jaw.
I said, "You don't even know me," but my words lacked passion.
He said, "I know enough," as his breath warmed my flesh.
"Like what?"
"Like how strong you are," he replied in a quiet, personal tone. "How zealously you defend your children. How lovely you seem when you're furious."
I opened my eyes and looked him in the eye. "You're crazy."
He repeated, "Maybe," his grin growing. "But so are you for letting me this close."
I briefly believed he was going to kiss me as he leaned in. My hands balled into fists at my sides as I resisted the want to draw him nearer, and my heart pounded.
Then, as abruptly as he had emerged, he took a step back, his face once more grave.
"I'll see you soon, Olivia," he replied in a quiet, hopeful voice.
He turned and left before I could reply, vanishing into the darkness.
My body continued to buzz with the electricity of his presence as I stood there, my thoughts racing.
Asher was who? And why did I think that things would never be the same in my life again?
---
Tell me how you want this changed!
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 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?
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 was not interested in marrying a billionaire. Last but not least is Adrian Blackwood, the sly, cold man who came into my life with a contract instead of a proposal. For a year, I would pretend to be his perfect wife in exchange for his paying off my debilitating debt. Simple, isn't it? No, it wasn't. Adrian's smoldering gaze, his rare acts of charity, and the way he held me when no one else was looking made it impossible to keep my heart out of the equation. I knew there would be no forever, no love, and no commitment. But there are rules that are designed to be disregarded. Then I found out I was having a baby. I was scared of his reaction, so I left without telling him. For three years, away from the shadow of his wealth and buildings, I made a quiet life for myself and my daughter. But secrets are never really hidden. When Adrian enters my gallery carrying a painting that I could have done alone, my time is finished. His penetrating eyes scream for answers, and his presence shakes the foundation of the life I've created. He says in a voice as menacing as the storm in his eyes, "I think we need to talk." Then, in a flash, everything collapses. Because Adrian Blackwood is not content with answers; he wants everything. How can I protect my heart when the man who could destroy us both is the father of my child?
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?
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
6 years ago, Lydia suffered a brutal betrayal orchestrated by her own husband and step-sister, who drugged her and framed her. In a twist of fate, she ended up having a one-night stand with a stranger. Don't even remember what he looked like. Later, in the throes of death, she discovered the truth about her mother's death all those years ago. In the blink of an eye, she lost everything. 6 years later, Lydia returned with her genius son, vowing to exact revenge on all her enemies! Little did she know, she encountered an incredibly familiar man at the airport! *** The man was briskly pushing open the door to the restroom, heading to the urinal. Even with such a mundane action, he did it with unparalleled elegance and grace. Lydia, following him in a daze, saw his fierce lower body and suddenly snapped back to reality. She let out a high-pitched scream, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do. Lambert furrowed his brows slightly but remained calm as he continued to relieve himself. The sound of water hitting the urinal made Lydia's face even redder. She angrily shouted, "You pervert!" Little did Lydia know that Lambert, seeing her in this state, had a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind, and his heart couldn't help but stir. It was her!
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?
A sudden twist of fate connected Helena to a prominent and influential person. To onlookers, she appeared as a naive bimbo. In truth, she was a top-tier specialist, shrouded in layers of hidden identities. Charlie declared, “She’s quite delicate and easily hurt. Cross her, and you’re crossing me.” The elite families, outwitted by Helena's prowess, kept these truths from him. Helena eventually broke free from Charlie, sending him on a frenzied worldwide hunt. To him, she was a bird with dazzling wings, and his goal was to help her reach new heights.
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.