Born a beta's daughter but stripped of her rank and reduced to an omega, Lyra's life has been a cycle of pain, humiliation, and survival. Mocked for her inability to shift, starved by her pack, and rejected by her fated mate, she has nothing left to lose-until the ruthless and powerful Alpha King, Darius, storms into her world. Darius has spent years searching for his mate, only to find her broken and hidden away in a pack unworthy of her. Claiming her ignites a prophecy that binds them together, but Lyra is far from ready to accept her place as his Luna-or his heart. As war looms and secrets from Lyra's past are unearthed, she discovers she isn't weak but a force of nature destined to stand beside the Alpha King as the most powerful wolf in existence. But power comes at a cost, and when enemies close in, Lyra and Darius must learn to trust each other, or risk losing everything-love, their kingdom, and the fate of their race. With betrayal lurking in the shadows and her dormant wolf awakening, Lyra must embrace the strength within her, or be consumed by the darkness threatening to destroy them all. Revenge burns hot. Love burns brighter. And a Luna's awakening will shake the world.
Lyra's knees hit the stone floor of the dungeon, the force of the guard's shove leaving her palms scraped and trembling. She didn't bother catching herself. It wasn't the first time her face had met the cold, damp floor of the pack's underground prison.
The heavy steel door slammed shut behind her, the sound echoing off the narrow walls. The darkness enveloped her like an old, bitter friend, familiar and unkind. She tried to shift her weight, but the lashes on her back from the earlier whipping stung with every movement. Her torn, bloodied shirt stuck to her skin like a second punishment, rubbing against the raw wounds.
"You'll stay here until dawn," the guard barked through the bars. "Let this remind you to keep your head down when you're in the presence of the Alpha family."
Lyra didn't respond. She couldn't. Her throat was dry, her voice locked away somewhere far beyond reach. This was punishment for something so trivial she could barely remember-was it because she hadn't bowed low enough when Marissa, Kael's girlfriend, passed by? Or because she dared to breathe in their direction? It didn't matter. It never did.
Her head slumped against the wall as her breathing slowed, exhaustion replacing fear. The dungeon reeked of mildew and despair, but it had become a second home over the years. The shadows were thick, heavy, and quiet-the perfect backdrop for her memories to creep in.
She closed her eyes, and the past unfolded like a tattered book.
It was her tenth birthday, and the entire pack had come together for her celebration. She could still see her father's broad grin, the way his strong arms had lifted her into the air. Her mother's laughter echoed faintly in her ears, a soft melody that made her chest ache. They had been proud of her that day.
Her wolf was supposed to awaken that evening, a rite of passage that marked the beginning of every werewolf's journey into strength. But as the hours stretched on, and the moon hung high in the sky, nothing happened.
"Sometimes it takes longer for some pups," her mother had reassured her. But the concern in her eyes had betrayed her words.
By the time a week had passed, whispers filled the pack. Weak. Broken. Useless. Those words became her new identity.
Then the attack came. Rogues descended on the pack like a storm, and her parents died defending the borders. That night, the Alpha had looked at her with disgust as he announced their deaths. His words still echoed in her mind: "They died for a daughter who can't even shift. What a waste."
From that moment on, her life had become a living hell.
The sound of footsteps above pulled Lyra out of her memories. The packhouse was alive with celebration, the vibrations from the music reaching even the dungeon. She could imagine the party in vivid detail: the Alpha's family, dressed in their finest, surrounded by admirers. Kael, the Alpha's son, undoubtedly basking in the adoration of the pack while his girlfriend Marissa clung to his side like a shadow.
Kael. Her chest tightened at the thought of him. He had been her tormentor since childhood, his cruelty growing sharper with each passing year. There was a time, long ago, when she'd thought he might protect her. But that hope had been crushed beneath his boots the first time he laughed as someone shoved her into the mud.
A soft sigh escaped her lips as she pulled her knees to her chest, wincing at the pain that radiated through her back. If her parents were alive, she wouldn't be here. They wouldn't have let this happen to her. They would have fought for her.
She glanced down at her hands, the calluses from years of scrubbing floors and hauling heavy loads a stark reminder of how far she had fallen. Once, she'd been the Beta's daughter. Now, she was nothing more than an omega, the lowest of the low.
Her stomach growled, the sharp pang of hunger gnawing at her insides. It had been days since she'd had a proper meal. Whatever scraps she was given were barely enough to keep her standing.
"Get up," she whispered to herself, her voice hoarse. She couldn't afford to wallow in self-pity. Not here. Not now.
Slowly, painfully, she rose to her feet and leaned against the wall for support. The cold stone pressed against her skin, a cruel comfort. Her gaze drifted to the small, barred window near the ceiling. The faint glow of moonlight streamed in, casting shadows on the floor.
Someday, she thought, I'll be free of this place.
The sound of keys jingling snapped her out of her thoughts. The guard returned, his expression twisted with annoyance. "Get moving, omega. The Alpha wants you scrubbing the main hall before the celebration ends."
Lyra didn't protest. She knew better. Silently, she followed him out of the dungeon, her body screaming in protest with every step. The packhouse was buzzing with life as she stepped inside, the air thick with the scent of roasted meat and sweet wine.
"Faster," the guard snapped, shoving her forward.
Lyra grabbed a bucket and rag, kneeling on the marble floor as the crowd around her laughed and danced. No one spared her a second glance. To them, she was invisible.
"Don't miss a spot," Marissa's sickly sweet voice cut through the noise. Lyra glanced up to see the blonde leaning against Kael, her manicured fingers tracing circles on his chest.
"Leave her," Kael said, his voice dripping with amusement. "She's already pathetic enough."
The words stung, but Lyra kept her head down. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her pain.
"Hey, omega," Marissa called, tossing a half-empty glass of wine onto the floor. "Clean that up."
Lyra clenched her jaw, forcing herself to move. The laughter around her grew louder as she wiped up the mess, her hands trembling.
As the celebration continued, Lyra's gaze drifted to the large windows overlooking the forest. The moon hung high in the sky, a silent witness to her suffering.
The Alpha's voice boomed through the hall, silencing the crowd. "All omegas, report to the east wing immediately. There's work to be done."
Lyra's heart sank. She knew whatever awaited her there would be worse than the dungeon.
Damian Cross is a reclusive billionaire, haunted by a past so dark that it keeps him isolated from the world and from love. A traumatic witness to his father's murder, he's spent years building an empire while secretly seeking vengeance on those responsible. But when Emma Blake enters his life as an undercover assistant at his luxurious resort project, everything changes. Emma, a determined journalist, has been tasked with investigating Damian for her father's alleged crimes. But the deeper she digs into Damian's past, the more she uncovers secrets, lies, and a connection that ties her father to the very tragedy that ruined Damian's life. Torn between loyalty to her family and a growing love for Damian, Emma finds herself trapped in a web of deceit, danger, and heartbreak. As sparks fly between them and their lives intertwine, Damian must confront the truth that has haunted him for years. Will Emma's bravery be enough to expose the sins of the past and heal the wounds of the present? Or will the shadows of betrayal and vengeance tear them apart forever?
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?"
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
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.
"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."