Leona has always lived in the shadows-an outcast omega with a hidden power in a world where powerful werewolves dwelt. When she is forced to make a choice between killing the notorious Alpha Zane, known for his ruthless reputation, and watching her sister die, she finds herself drawn into a web of danger and desire. Caught in a dangerous game between two powerful Alphas; Zane and Alpha Kane, Leona must navigate a treacherous path where alliances shift and trust is a rare commodity. With her sister's life hanging in the balance and her heart torn between duty and love, Leona must make an impossible choice. Will she follow the orders of her past, or will she seize the chance at a future filled with passion,
When Fiona had informed me that we would be heading to the palace because the Alpha King finally requested my presence, I was momentarily over the moon.
Ever since the mating festival a week back, where I had been declared Alpha Kane's mate, and his blunt refusal to have me as one because I was 'crippled' , and I wasn't a favorable choice of mate to any and every male werewolf in the entire Crestwood Pack because of my weakness as an omega-technically, no one wanted a burden of an omega who couldn't use her legs, and certainly not the Alpha King himself who had a lot to look out for than someone who'd rather be much of a burden than a mate-I had broken down into all shades of agony. I turned the laughing stock of the town, and pretty much considered killing myself on several occasions if only Fiona wasn't always there to prevent that.
Bile rose to my throat. Now, I couldn't be too excited as I was petrified, wheeling through the narrow hallway of the Christian Castle of Royalty where people dressed in maid clothes looked at me with respite in their eyes, muttering hushed nonsense to themselves as we passed, which all I could do was ignore. Why did Alpha Kane suddenly want to see me after he'd rejected me and tore my heart to shreds?
Did he want to maybe pull off a final rejection that could sever the mating bond between us?
The more I pondered on it, the more terrifying the imaginations invading the sphere of my thoughts, the more icy shrill ran down my veins.
"The King is in his study," A man-probably one of the magistrates because of the court robe he was wearing-said when he approached us. He only passed me a monotonous look before addressing further. "Follow me."
The ride to the study seemed like a forever journey to an endless pit of agitation. Once we finally arrived, Fiona tapped me on my shoulder, a sign that she was here for me if I needed her, and she passed me her signature reassuring smile that I could only return with my feeble one.
"Make sure to do everything the King wants, however absurd," The magistrate said, his brows pulled together at me. I would almost think he was staring condescendingly. "and don't take luxury in meeting his eyes however you please. He hates defying challenges."
"Okay," My reply was a dry mutter. I could almost even scoff. Why would a crippled, rejected omega like me dare to even front a challenge to an Alpha like Kane.
I'd be asking for another death wish; which maybe death would be most likely to grant this time around.
I was left to wheel into the study myself, and the mere sight of shelves stacked with books to the top part of the ceiling stole my breath. A small gasp of awe escaped me as I twirled the chair, taking in the magnificent sight of a study, and the wafting smell of misty cedar that permeated the room, and I couldn't help the part of me that suddenly felt attracted to Alpha Kane at the sight.
Of course I was attracted to him, but knowing he fancied book reading? Double swoon!
I allowed my fingers to trail along one of the shelves, my eyes scanning through the line of old thick covered books neatly stacked. Out of sheer curiosity, I plucked out one of the books that read "Shakespeare's poems", only for a deep, velvety rumble to mutter beside me,
"Did they not warn you pre-hand never to touch my stuff?"
I jolted, the book flying from my grip to the ground as I held a hand against my chest to keep my heart steady from the shock. Turning my gaze, I lost all sense of will when I locked sights with his blue, electrifying eyes. They were as sharp as ice, glazing at me with an irritation that ran through me, and even though I'd seen him at the festival and many other occasions looking as breathtakingly normal under the priming of royalty, I don't think I'd ever seen this man look so swoon worthy with a disheveled red hair and a casual white button shirt that he'd made no effort to button, and black pants as he leaned his side onto one of the shelves, towering above me.
This man was a walking barrel of gorgeousness.
"Lower your eyes," he commanded, low and stern, and I realized that I was shamelessly ogling.
No meeting his eyes however you please, Leona. How could you forget that simple warning?
"I'm sorry...I..." I stuttered, unable to find my words. I'd lost myself to admiring his study that I barely recalled he was in here. "I...I just...I lose myself when I see books..."
Or really handsome men.
"I detest stammers," he spat, like I was a debacle. "Isn't it punishment enough that you're already crippled?"
The way he mentioned my condition brought a sour feeling down in my chest as I grated a hole in the ground with my eyes. It wasn't my fault I was the way I am, like I'd asked for it, yet everyone -him included-made me feel like I'd done a terrible thing losing my legs.
Well, maybe actually, it had been part my fault, but they had no right to ride me over for it.
"Are you about to cry?" he asked above me. Lifting my gaze sharply but careful not to lock gazes, I shook my head, willing back my unshed tears and unclenching my fists I had tightened against the arms of my chair.
"I'm not crying," I croaked, wincing at the end of my statement for how I sounded. Then I cleared my throat. "Why, if I may ask, did you send for me? Clearly, your words that night were that you wanted nothing to do with me, nor did you want me in your line of sight because of my...disability, and that it irked you."
At least I can show him I could speak a complete sentence without stuttering. "Yes, I remember my words, Leona... is that right?"
Something bubbled down in my stomach. He remembered my name? Alphas like him were known to forget the names of people who meant nothing to them. Did that mean I had a chance at being desired by him?
Or was it just the fact that we were still bonded? "Yes," I nodded. "It's Leona."
"And they are not going to change, because in fact, seeing you here grates my nerves. Especially meeting you unravel my stuff." He stated. And by his stuff, he probably meant his book. "But I decided that you would be of good use, and I won't have to fully reject you to severe this mate bond if you give your full cooperation to what I want."
I gulped. "And, what do you want?"
The blueness in his eyes dimmed, a darker reflection overshadowing that ran sizzles down my body. He raked me over with his eyes before pushing away from the shelf.
"Let's not look towards what I want right now, but on what you want ," He walked over, bending to pick up the book I'd thrown to the ground, and I couldn't have been more undone by his scent than I had been right then. "I happened to stumble on the knowing that your disability is something you hope to gain revenge for, upon a certain someone who we happen to share same dislike for,"
Blood rushed to my ears. What was he talking about? And what did he know about me wanting revenge?
"And I know a little of your backstory, and how you were the creedsmen's finest assassin before you lost your glory...and your legs."
I heaved in a tight breath. How did he know that? Yet, of course, the disgraceful crumble of Haven Lee-which was my pseudonym as a former feared assassin- had been a sparking sensation to the ears of the entire Crestwood, but no one knew what I looked like to spread a rumor about me when I was just a helpless woman with only a sister to care for her, or relate me to being Haven Lee, which I wasn't.
Not anymore.
"I think you have it wrong-"
"On the contrary," His sharp tone interrupted my attempt to deflect his inconspicuous interrogation. "I know that underneath this...feeble getup, there's a hardened woman on the inside who shouldn't be deterred by her disability."
"W...what has my past got to do with anything?" I mused, my tone almost a whisper. I couldn't understand where he was driving at with this, and if he wanted to reject me already, then he should without all these beat-up info's about myself I'd rather keep buried.
Satisfaction flooded his face as he pushed the book into the space I'd plucked it from, so smooth and meticulous.
"There's only one way I'll accept you as my mate and save you the horror of a rejection from your King and the entire Crestwood, which will happen if you don't do my bidding," he said.
Anxiety tightened its reins in my chest. Whatever he wanted to ask of me, however, didn't look so promising.
"Alpha Zane," The mention of that name was enough to run fearful shudders through my spine as I shot my gaze up at him. He had a cocky smirk on his face. "The Alpha who took your legs. I want you to invade his territory and kill him without raising suspicions. After which, we both can live our lives as mated couples with a happy ever after. A win-win."
My entire body froze with shock, the weight of his request descending on me like a boulder that I could barely wedge. But gradually as I stared, it morphed into a sickening nausea in the pit of my stomach.
He wanted me, a despised plain Jane, to infiltrate Alpha Zane Karvill and kill him just to have his acceptance of me?
Maybe I was wrong, and I didn't have to come knocking to death to give a reply, because it was standing right in front of me, offering itself to me on a gold platter. And all it took for it to wrench its hold was one reply.
Fate brought them together. Savage instincts might tear them apart. In a world ruled by power and primal bonds, he is a ruthless Alpha, feared by all but tethered to none-until her. She is the spirited outsider who never expected to be thrust into a dangerous pack, let alone claimed by its most feared leader. As passion ignites and secrets unravel, their connection will test the limits of loyalty, love, and survival. Can they overcome the forces threatening.
Power is everything in this world; and for Selena Blackwood, it is the worst package of the pack, A timid and frail wolf condemned to rejection. Selena Blackwood, the she-wolf who is bound to a wretched mate, was rejected by her Alpha, Damian Silverclaw and ran away holding onto a secret that she vowed will bury with her. Years later, in an unexpected twist, she finds herself back to the pack's affairs when the foes turn out to be a pack of wolves and come to hunt down her son, whom she has been raising as a single mother without his father, who had no idea of their son's existence. But, this time, Selena is not the innocent wolf. This time, she is a guardian of a child and a wolf who knows how to fight back and where the battle is not only with the pack that denied her but also with a prophecy concerning the man who broke her heart.
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!"
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."
"Who is she?" I asked, feeling tears well up in my eyes. "He met her at the Alpha training camp," he said. "She is a perfect suitor for him. It snowed last night, indicating that his wolf is happy with his choice." My heart sank, and tears made their way down my cheeks. Alexander took my innocence last night, and now he is taking that thing in his office as his Luna. **** Emily never shifted on her 18th birthday and became the laughingstock of the pack. When her old crush, Alexander Black, returns from Alpha Training, she never expected him to be her mate. After a night of passionate love, Emily finds out that young Alpha Alexander has taken a chosen mate. Heartbroken and humiliated, Emily runs off and disappears from the pack. Now, five years later, Emily is a high-ranking warrior in King Alpha's army, specializing in sensitive matters. When her best friend invites her to a night of music and laughter, she never expects to run into her mate, Alexander. Will Alexander figure out it is Emily? Will he chase after her, and most of all, will Emily be able to keep her secrets safe?
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."