In a world where the supernatural has stepped out of the shadows, Clara is one of the few who stand between humankind and the deadly creatures lurking in plain sight. As an enforcer for the Guild, she's trained to keep Otherworld beings in check-but when she's assigned to steal the Dark Prince of the Fae's crown, she knows she's walking into a death trap. With secrets buried deep in her past and a thirst for vengeance against the Fae who murdered her family, Clara is prepared for danger-but nothing can prepare her for Ryan, the Dark Prince himself. Deadly, seductive, and impossibly powerful, he sees through her deception with a single touch. Now, bound by magic and caught in a web of betrayal, Clara must play a dangerous game of survival. As forbidden desires ignite and the lines between enemy and ally blur, Clara faces an impossible choice: betray the Guild, or surrender to the darkness calling her name. But in a world where power is everything, can she afford to lose herself to the most dangerous Fae of all?
CHAPTER ONE
"Comm. Check. Adam, come in?" I said over the traffic noise I was hearing through the small device hidden in my ear.
"Roger that," Adam said from his safe distance behind the old shipping warehouse a few blocks away.
I pulled the leather coat up tighter around my neck as a woman and child passed me on the street beneath the Dark Fortress. I'd been given an unusual assignment from Gerald, the leader of the Guild, where I worked.
Break in and steal the Dark Prince of the Fae's crown. Normally, given my history, I'd have walked away or given this particular assignment over to another from the Guild. But Gerald , the Guild leader, had demanded it be me who took it. It was an overly risky and stupid assignment as far as I was concerned, but I had no say in the matter.
Adam and I typically worked as enforcers and assassins for an organization of Witches that kept Otherworld creatures on the right track and out of the local newspapers. Thirty- some years ago, those of the Otherworld crept out of the shadows and made it known to the Human race that they were no longer alone here on earth.
Of course, Witches had always been among them, but we'd been content just to watch from the shadows. Until the Fae who, taking matters into their own hands, came out and let the Humans know they were no longer the top of the food chain. It had changed everything. Governments were now run with the help of the Otherworlders.
It had been a huge adjustment for the Humans, but, eventually, most had come to terms with it, and those that were considered royalty of the Otherworld creatures had been given safe passage, as well as diplomatic immunity. Even now, I was walking on sovereign land that had been legally declared a section of Faery.
Normally, my job was supposed to be easy-enforce the laws and protect Humankind from becoming food for the Otherworld creatures. Today, it wasn't that simple. I was stepping out of my comfort zone and into the realm of the Fae, where no Human rules could be applied. If I failed, they could kill me, and no one would ever know.
It was a small price to pay for what I had been given. When I was young, my parents had been brutally murdered by the Fae. I'd gone to live inside the safety of the Guild soon after and, while it hadn't been ideal, it had become my home.
I had more than what most orphaned children had, and I'd been trained to take my place among the Guild. We were taught that life wasn't about being selfish, it was about giving back to those who needed it or those who couldn't protect themselves from the deadly creatures who wanted to feed off of them. That's where I come in. I keep them safe, even if they never realize it. I'm not looking for payback or gratitude; I'm in it to keep this world safe.
I turned, watching the wide glass doors open as an entourage of Otherworld beings that guarded the Dark Prince emerged from the embassy. Ryan was reported to be a notorious playboy-right up until last week when he announced his engagement to the Heir of the Light Fae who had seemingly appeared out of thin air.
The Fae normally kept their lives out of the spotlight, but this story had hit every major newspaper around the world in a matter of hours. It wasn't every day that the Fae announced weddings, or anything for that matter, and this one was going up on a grand scale. Two royal houses combining together was big Fae business. The papers loved it.
"I've got movement; seven guards and a male in a dark leather trench. They're heading for the black limo, over," I said, pulling my magic around me and making myself look like one of the everyday Humans on the street just milling about for a paper or a look at the royal Prince.
One of the challenges for the Guild was how little we knew about the Fae. They were incredibly secretive, and what we did know came from rumors. The Dark and Light Fae were friendlier with the Humans. However, there was grapevine chatter that there were other castes of the Fae that we had less information on. There was even one caste called the Horde that was supposed to be the stuff of nightmares, and there were whispers that the Horde King had gone walkabout a little over twenty years ago.
Without a guiding hand on that group, who knows what kind of trouble could happen? As it was, there were hints coming back to the Guild of skirmishes within the Fae castes, and this was probably why we were experiencing such an increase in the Fae population in our world.
The secrecy just contributed to the problems. Some Humans were infatuated with the Fae; others were simply terrified. It was a mess and some just wanted the Otherworld creatures to pack up and leave our world, or be shipped to camps where they could be monitored. Bad idea. They're powerful, immortal, and, even with the sheer number of Witches being trained, it would be an all-out bloody war if we tried it.
The comm device in my ear hit static before Adam's voice came out clear. "Confirmed. It's the Prince. You are clear to engage, Clara. Chandra's in play now, as well. Good luck."
I let out a shaky exhale. No one had ever tried this before, nor should they. It was basically suicide. There was a reason this embassy was called the Dark Fortress.
Five hundred highly-trained Fae reportedly guarded this Fortress. Our sources told us the crown was inside a vault that had one of the most deadly security systems known to every Otherworld creature.
I placed my finger to my ear. "Are we sure it was the RP?"
"Confirmed, Clara-be careful. There's no contingency plan," Adam replied quietly.
"Wouldn't have it any other way," I said with more bravado than I was currently feeling.
If I got caught, we cut ties. I would be stuck at the mercy of the Fae who were notorious for not having any. I waited until the door opened once more, slipping in as a tall blonde walked out with a radiant smile on her face.
The Fae were beautiful, ethereal creatures. Many had taken jobs as movie stars or models. They were the ideal creatures to be on the posters representing the Otherworld beings as they never aged. Timeless beauty frozen right around the age of thirty.
I scanned the room and found two sets of elevators against the far wall. There were guards stationed in front of the one I needed to get on. I scanned the faces of the Fae guards who were armed to the teeth and dripping with testosterone. I checked the rest of the lobby before heading to the front desk. I had on a long, flowing skirt that made me look similar to the only woman working in the lobby of the Dark Fortress.
Adrianna Banner doesn't do love-at least, not anymore. After a string of heartbreaks, she's sworn off relationships, opting for uncomplicated fun instead. But when a weekend getaway at Ransom Canyon throws her back into the orbit of Jackson Dune-the one man who burned her the most-Adrianna is forced to face the fire she thought she'd extinguished. Jackson has never been the settling-down type. A whiskey-fueled bad boy with a past as reckless as his charm, he's always lived life on the edge. But seeing Adrianna again reminds him of everything he lost...and everything he still craves. Between old wounds, undeniable chemistry, and a family drama that could shake them both, Adrianna and Jackson are playing with fire. And this time, one of them might get burned for good.
Joanna never imagined that a desperate job interview would lead to a whirlwind of unexpected opportunities-and complications. Hired as a personal assistant to the enigmatic billionaire Zac Cross, she quickly learns that working for him means navigating not just high-stakes business but also undeniable chemistry. But Zac isn't looking for help, and Joanna isn't looking for trouble. As their worlds collide, will they be each other's downfall-or their greatest chance at something real?
A runaway with nothing to lose. A powerful man with everything at stake. A fate neither saw coming. Sheila'Lning has spent her life running-from her past, from her captors, from the cruel hands that sought to claim her. But when a desperate escape lands her in the arms of Dean'Changli, a brooding businessman with a mysterious past and a baby in his care, her world takes an unexpected turn. Mistaken for a nanny, she seizes the chance for safety-only to realize she's stepped into a dangerous game of power, deception, and hidden enemies. Dean has no patience for complications, especially not ones wrapped in lies and defiance. But when an attempt on his life forces him and Sheila into the unknown, their survival depends on trust-something neither of them can afford. As secrets unravel and passions ignite, they find themselves bound by more than just circumstance. But danger is never far behind, and Sheila's past isn't the only one with unfinished business. In a world where loyalty is a rare commodity and betrayal lurks in the shadows, can they protect what truly matters before it's too late? Love. Power. Survival. Some bonds are written in starlight... and forged in fire
After a painful breakup with her boyfriend of two years who coldly told her to her face that he couldn't keep dating her because she was too uptight--In a moment of anger and defiance, Anna decided to throw caution to the wind for one reckless night. She headed to the wildest club in Texas, determined to lose herself in the chaos. But fate had other plans. To her shock, she ran into her ex-boyfriend at the club. Desperate to save face, she made a split-second decision and approached a stranger, pretending he was her new boyfriend. What she never anticipated was the magnetic pull she would feel towards him or the fact that she'd end up going home with this mystery man. Soon enough, the real surprise hit her--this stranger wasn't just anyone; he was her new boss. What begins as a night of rebellion spirals into a whirlwind of forbidden attraction, societal pressure and hidden affairs. And now there are so many things at stake. Find out how this story unfolds.
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same mission—carrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”
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?
It's true what they say about marriage: one partner's always happier than the other. ~~~ Julie's world is shattered when her husband, Ryan, reveals that he wants an open marriage. His reason: he needs a child as they've been unable to have one. Julie reluctantly agrees to save her marriage. The next day, Ryan returns home with his secretary, confirming Julie's long-held suspicion that their affair was taking place behind her back. Julie, heartbroken and enraged, seeks solace in a bar, where she meets a fascinating stranger named Luke, who changes the game. Julie confides in Luke over drinks, and he proposes a risky plan: he will act as her "boyfriend" to turn the tables on Ryan. Julie agrees, setting off a chain of events that will challenge everything she thought she knew about love, loyalty, and herself.
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?