When Ava, a stubborn human who knows little about the world of wolves, is unexpectedly thrown into a binding contract of marriage, she finds herself at the mercy of Darius Blackwood, the enigmatic and powerful Alpha of the Moonshadow Pack. At 36, Darius is a ruthless billionaire whose wealth and influence mask a deeper, primal side-a wolf driven by dominance and the belief that fate bends to his will. Ava, a spirited 22-year-old woman, wants nothing to do with the supernatural world, let alone a forced union. But when her family's debt places her in Darius's path, she is left with no choice but to agree to his terms. Caught in the intricate web of power struggles, ancient myths, and the raw heat of a forced love that ignites between them, Ava soon realizes that her destiny may be tied to secrets hidden in the depths of Darius's world.
Chapter One: A Deal with the Devil
Ava stood in the corner of the lavish ballroom, feeling as though the air around her grew heavier with each passing second. She didn't belong here, not among the glittering chandeliers, silk gowns, and polished shoes that clicked against the marble floor.
The guests were wolves-every last one of them. She could feel it in the way they moved, in the quiet hum of their voices that seemed to resonate in a language her human ears couldn't fully understand. Ava didn't care to understand, not when her heart was pounding like a war drum in her chest.
She shouldn't have come.
But the sight of her father, shoulders hunched under the weight of his gambling debts, was enough to keep her rooted to the floor. He had begged her to come. Pleaded, even. The shame in his eyes had been unbearable.
"Do this for the family," he'd said. "We don't have another choice."
And now, here she was, a lamb in a den of wolves.
"Miss Harper."
The deep voice cut through the din of the room, sharp as a blade. Ava turned slowly, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end.
He was standing there, a silhouette of power and arrogance in a tailored black suit that clung to his broad shoulders like a second skin. Darius Blackwood.
The man-the Alpha-who had summoned her here.
At thirty-six, Darius was the epitome of untouchable wealth and dominance. His dark hair was perfectly groomed, and his piercing gray eyes seemed to strip away every layer of her defenses. Ava fought the urge to shrink under his gaze, but her defiance only seemed to amuse him.
"I see you received my invitation," he said, his lips curving into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"It wasn't much of an invitation," Ava said, her voice sharp despite the trembling in her chest. "More like an order."
His smile widened, revealing a hint of teeth. "Semantics. You're here, aren't you?"
Her fists clenched at her sides, but she forced herself to stay calm. "What do you want from me?"
Darius took a step closer, his presence suffocating. The air seemed to ripple with his power, a tangible force that made her knees weak.
"Your father owes me a great deal of money," he said, his voice low and smooth. "And unlike him, I don't gamble. I expect payment."
"I don't have any money," Ava said, her voice barely above a whisper.
He tilted his head, studying her as though she were a puzzle he was trying to solve. "I'm not asking for money, Ava."
Her breath hitched. The way he said her name sent a shiver down her spine.
"Then what are you asking for?" she asked, though part of her already knew the answer.
Darius stepped closer still, until the scent of his cologne-a heady mix of cedar and smoke-wrapped around her. He leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear as he spoke.
"You."
"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."
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.
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
"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?"