For years, Kade has endured The Hunt; a savage tradition where noble lords release caged werewolves into the wild and hunt them for sport. But this year, everything changes. When Kade orchestrates a daring escape, he turns the tables on his captors. No longer just a survivour, he becomes a predator, gathering those strong enough to strike back. But escaping the nobles is only the beginning. As Kade's war for freedom rages, he uncovers a dark secret buried beneath The Hunt; it is a cover for a sinister ritual. With warlocks tracking his every move, a rival pack lurking in the shadows, and a dangerous attraction growing between him and Selene, Lord Alric's daughter, Kade must decide: Will he fight for revenge? Or will he risk everything for a chance at breaking the cycle of bloodshed forever? Because in this world, mercy is weakness. And only the strongest survive.
The scent of blood is thick-metallic, suffocating. It coats my tongue, sharp as a blade. The iron bars dig into my back as I crouch, every muscle coiled. Torchlight flickers, throwing jagged shadows across the stone walls. The damp air hums with restless energy.
I am not alone.
Cages line the chamber, packed with bodies-wolves, stripped of their power, waiting to die. The Hunt. Blackthorn Hollow's sick tradition. Every year, the nobles descend, picking their prey like cattle. Some of us were warriors. Some were barely more than pups. It doesn't matter.
Because tonight, we are not people. We are sport.
Laughter echoes from the great hall above-drunken, cruel, filled with anticipation. They feast while we wait to die.
Beside me, a young wolf trembles. His name is Lior. His scent reeks of terror. His hands are too human, gripping the bars so tightly his knuckles turn white.
"They're coming," he whispers, his voice hollow. "They'll pick us soon."
I don't answer. I don't need to. We all know it's true.
Then-the sound of heavy boots against stone.
I should feel fear. I should be like Lior, trembling at the sound of approaching death. But I am not afraid.
I am angry.
The rage sits in my chest like a caged beast, claws scraping against my ribs. I have spent three months in this hell-three months waiting for a chance. Watching. Learning. Counting the movements of the guards, the shift changes, the weight of the keys on their belts.
They think they have broken me.
They have no idea what's coming.
But anger is not the only thing inside me.
Guilt.
My pack. My people. My failure.
I close my eyes, and the memories flood in like a curse.
Blood on the snow.
The howls of my brothers and sisters.
The betrayal.
The silver chains tightening around my throat.
I was an Alpha. A leader. Now I am a prisoner, waiting to be hunted like a common beast.
I open my eyes, and the weight of my past settles deep in my bones. I will not die here.
The Hunt is here.
But this year, the rules will change.
The heavy wooden door creaks open, and golden light spills into the chamber. A figure steps inside, flanked by two guards in polished black armor. Lord Alric Blackthorn. Master of this twisted game.
He moves through the room with a casual arrogance, surveying the cages. Some werewolves cower in the corners, too broken to fight. Others growl low in their throats, shackled and waiting for the inevitable.
Alric stops in front of me. His lips curve into a smirk.
"Ah, Kade," he says smoothly. "Still alive, I see."
I don't move. Don't react.
He leans closer. "They say you were a warrior once. A leader. Stronger, faster, smarter than most of your kind. I suppose that makes you the most entertaining choice for tonight's game."
Game.
My fingers flex. My claws press against my palms.
"They also say you don't break easily." Alric tilts his head. "Let's see if that's true."
He turns to his guards. "Take him."
The cage door swings open.
I explode.
I slam into the first guard before he can react, sinking my teeth into his throat. A wet gurgle spills from his lips as I rip away, blood splattering across the stone floor.
The second guard stumbles back, fumbling for his blade. Too slow. I grab his wrist-snap-and drive my elbow into his temple. He crumples like a sack of bones.
The chamber erupts into chaos.
Other werewolves stir, eyes gleaming with newfound hope. I snatch the fallen guard's keys and fling them toward the nearest captive.
"Run. Hide. Kill if you can."
A moment of silence. Then-all hell breaks loose.
Cages burst open. Snarls and screams echo through the chamber. Some werewolves bolt for the exit. Others tear into the remaining guards, claws flashing, teeth sinking deep.
Alric stumbles back, his polished boots slick with the blood of his own men. His smirk is gone now. Good.
I could kill him here. Rip his throat out.
Not yet.
The moon is rising. I can feel it pulling at me, tightening my bones, sharpening my senses. By the time it reaches its peak, I will not be a man anymore.
And when that happens... they will be the prey.
I sprint for the exit, vaulting over a body. A figure blocks my path-a towering brute with a massive axe. He swings. I drop low, rolling beneath the blade as it whistles over my head.
He brings it down again. I dodge, darting forward, inside his reach. My claws sink into his gut, and I tear.
He drops, intestines spilling onto the floor.
The great hall doors loom ahead, slightly ajar. Beyond them, I hear panicked voices. Good. Let them fear.
I shove through.
Golden chandeliers blaze overhead. A long feast table stands abandoned, goblets knocked over, roasted meat half-eaten. The nobles are frozen, wide-eyed, caught between running and shock.
A woman in silk presses herself against the wall, shaking. A fat merchant stares at me, wine dribbling down his chin. I see her, Blackthorn princess, looking at me from the balcony, with eagerness, I don't focus on her.
Alric stands at the far end of the room, breathless, gripping his dagger. Blood stains his pristine hunting leathers. His eyes meet mine, and for the first time, I see it-doubt.
"Kade," he says, voice measured. "Be smart about this."
I step forward. "I am."
Then I hurl the sword.
Alric barely dodges. The blade whistles past his cheek, cutting flesh.
It doesn't matter. I'm already moving.
I slam into him, and we crash onto the feast table, shattering plates, spilling wine. I pin him down, claws digging into his throat.
His pulse pounds beneath my fingers.
"You think this ends here?" he rasps. "You think killing me will change anything?"
I lean in, my breath hot against his skin. "I'm not here to kill you."
Confusion flickers in his eyes.
I rip the dagger from his belt and drive it through his hand, pinning him to the wall. His scream is music.
Then I stand.
The doors are wide open now. Beyond them, the night calls to me. The wind carries the scent of pine, damp earth, and something else-something hungry.
Behind me, the other werewolves flood into the great hall, free for the first time in years.
I step outside. The cold air kisses my skin. The forest stretches before me, dark and endless.
The nobles wanted a hunt?
They're about to get one.
And this time, we are the hunters.
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
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."
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."
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.