Blurb Aria is being rejected by her mate for being too independent as compared to her close friend Elara who is soft and sweet. This is the biggest betrayal that sends Aria back into her shell. A year later, she makes a debut back into the pack society only to bump into a tall masked stranger who calls her 'mate.'. Aria's comeback will shake not just the pack but the entire continent at large. Her Ex-mate would grovel at her feet, begging to be taken back; alas, it'll be too late as a certain Alpha-king is hell-bent on wooing this cold and aloof lady into being his Luna. A Mere knight like her previous mate, his subordinate did not stand a chance.
ONE YEAR LATER.
The night was filled with a faint scent of pine and lavender. Aria stood before the mirror,tying the delicate black ribbon of her mask. She inhaled a deep breath, letting the cool breeze soothe he neck as she assessed her overall outlook. The mask was quite the elegant piece, it was crafted with delicate filigree that framed her face, it's simplicity was offset by the gentle shimmer of moonstone accents.
Tonight was the celebration of the Eclipse flame, it was a sacred full moon bonfire that fostered unity and renewal hence the masks on. The ceremony was an ancient tradition that marked the unity of the pack members despite their different features. The moon only recognized the pack in itself and not the diversity of the people. But for Aria, it was way more than an ancient tradition for werewolves, it was her debut into the Pack's social life after a year of solitude and healing.
A soft rap on the door interrupted her thoughts and the door burst before she could send in a reply. There were only a few people who would dare to do that and seeing the auburn haired lady waltzing into her room, she wasn't surprised.
Cassia was her childhood friend and the Alpha's pampers young sister. They had been friends till they became teenagers and Aria ad introduced Elara into their friendship circle though Cassia was not a fan. Aria liked to believe it was due to the vast difference between Cassia's personality and that of Elara, although Cassia believed otherwise. Cassia was a whirlwind of energy,just as fiery as her hair.
"Aria, I would have you know that you are not backing out on me tonight! Cassia declared, her voice a mix of authority and mischief.
Aria turned, her lips quirked up in a smile. " I wasn't planning to. See? I'm ready." She gestured to her dress. Its flowing material accentuating her figure while still being modest enough for her taste.
Cassia's eyes twinkled as she narrowed them, she crossed her arms, "You have been holed up in that room of yours long enough. Tonight you are definitely stepping out of that shell and I won't take a no for an answer."
Cassia grabbed Aria's hand before she could reply and pulled her towards the door. " The Eclipse flame waits for no one, my dear , and you, my cute Werewolf are going to sparkle under the moon's glow!"
As the two friends approached the gathering, the bonfire flames cackled and danced against the twilight sky. The sound of laughter, music and the rumble of excited chatter permeated the air.
Aria took a half at the edge of the clearing, her breath hitching. The scene before he was vibrant, alive and overwhelming. She hadn't realized how much she distanced herself from such vibrant events and moments like this -. Moments that pulsed with life and possibility.
"Breathe," Cassie whispered, squeezing her hand. "You have got this, WE have got this, okay?"
Aria nodded, her gaze sweeping across the gathering, she was relieved that it was a masked party after all. That way she could easily blend into the crowd.
Cassia ever perceptive, gave her a playful nudge, "Let's mingle, or better yet, let's dance!"
"I'll catch up," Aria replied softly, her chest tightening with the sudden rush of emotions. "I'll just need a moment."
Cassia frowned but relented, "Don't disappear entirely. I'd find you later, hmm?" With a final wink at Aria, Cassia disappeared into the crowd leaving Aria alone with her thoughts.
The Bustle and the vibrant energy of the ceremony felt like too much, pressing against her chest and filing her lungs until she could barely breathe. She needed air-space.
Without thinking, she stepped away from the bonfire's glow and into the shadows of the forest that bordered the clearing. The cool, quiet embrace of trees was quiet and welcoming but as she moved deeper into the dark, she collided with someone.
"Sorry-" she began, stepping back only to freeze when the man before her removed his mask.
Ethan.
Her heart stuttered in her chest as recognition dawned on her. He looked-just as she remembered, though his once soft expression was sharper now, his golden eyes where almost ready and had a weird and foreign going to them.
Standing just behind him and clutching Ethan's arm with practiced air of possessiveness was Elara, Her "Friend." She was a vision in white, her mask adorned with pearls and her lips curled into a small knowing smile.
It was the first time she was seeing these two since the rejection incident a year ago. She had become a laughing stock in the pack behind closed doors and topic of gossip over wine and they had gotten bound by the pack priestess and even got married. She heard they were so lovestruck but that had just been rumors. Seeing them after so long was different.
"Aria," Ethan said, his voice low and almost hesitant.
For a moment, the world around her seemed to fall away, leaving only the three of them in the suffocating silence.
Elara's gaze flickered over Aria, her eyes gleaming with something akin to satisfaction. "It's been a while hasn't it?" She said sweetly, though her words carried and undercurrent that made Aria's wolf bristle.
Aria took a step back, her breath shallow, but she forced herself to stand tall. "Indeed, It has." She had thought that she was long over the situation but now looking at Elara's face, Aria wondered why she never saw through Elara's facade for so long.
Ethan wanted to say more but Elara tightened her grip on his arm, her expression softening with a look of bashfulness as she gazed up at him, "Darling, we should head back. People will be wondering where you are."
Aria looked at this current display of affection and it became clear to her; she was not totally over the betrayal, but she was over tbe feeling of yearning towards Ethan. Despite the bond that came with mating, she had been attached to Ethan since young, it was so hard to shut him out of her heart and looking at both of them now she only felt they were quite a match for each other.
A cheat and a hypocrite? The match made by the moon indeed.
"You should enjoy the gathering, I will head out first." Aria's voice was alienated and polite. She turned on her heel and moved to te opposite direction. She couldn't enjoy that side of the forest due to the lingering scents of those two who had clearly been going at it in the dark before she arrived.
Sigh. Now she had to go back to the bustling clearing.
As the glow of the bonfire enclosed, she held a cold smile on her lips. She was finally ready to take on her life right where she had left it at when she went off to sulk. She had finally gotten a certain sense of closure, no matter how weird it was.
BLURB: Kael Darko had been the indomitable Mafia King and business tycoon and Jen Stewart was just a lady working in a coffee shop and trying to make ends meet. When these persons cross parts, not just bullets fly, even sparks erupt and emotions rage in a storm. "No one can leave a scar on you...except my kisses." Kael Darko swears to Jen. He has never been one to care about the frivolities of women but not until he comes across this lovable and adorable coffee girl at his club about to be defiled by filthy men. Kahadhas never felt this need to conquer, possess and protect anyone till he came across Jen who made him feel this way and even more. Kael would do everything and anything to keep her by his side, first for the sake of lust and power but sooner than later, he would turn the entire underworld if as much as a strand of hair on her body was missing. As ruthless as he may be, Jen knew it like her name that she could tame him because he was their devil but he was her protector.
BLURB: Ever walked in on your fiancee going at it with his supposed 'cousin a few days before your wedding?' Well, join the club! Diane Rodriguez finds you so relatable! Diane's life almost crumbles when she discovers that she had been two-timed and lied to by her fiancee and his ex, whom he had told her was his Cousin. Diane escapes from Arizona with a marriage to cancel and a Career life to begin. Ready to take on her family's big business, Diane plans to return after a year and join the family's rival business to train. A mistake! Diane, on her grand return from the States after a bad breakup, is set up and heavily drugged. She struggles to get away from the situation, but what if there is also another person in a similar situation? At the wrong place, at the wrong, is it? Ready to put it all behind her and return with a clean slate to revive her career, Diane resumes her new job and receives the shock of her entire life. She had a one-night stand with her boss! She must navigate the company while dragging their past under the carpet; a cherry on the ice is that he doesn't remember this night... Or does he? Diane is a heartbroken princess in disguise, and Xander is the prince charming to sweep her off her feet and mend her broken heart. Only Prince Charming is more dangerous than Charming, and he doesn't just want to heal her heart; he wants to claim it!
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!
After three years of loveless marriage, Kira was slapped with divorce papers. She has shown him her unrequited love throughout her entire marriage with him, but he decided to turn blind eyes all because of his lover. Distraught and heartbroken, Kira choose to sign the divorce papers with bitter heart. But then and there, she promised herself that when she's back, he will come crawling to her, but she will make him pay for hurting her. Join Kira as she transform to a wealthy heiress and soared as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire, a remarkable healer and make her ex-husband pay!
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.
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
"I, Riccardo Saviano, future Alpha of the Grey Shadow Moon Pack, reject you, Artemisia Guerrieri, Daughter of Alpha Franco of the Blood Moon Pack, as my mate and future Luna." One single sentence. One stupid single sentence was all it took to disintegrate my life. And the day of my birthday, on which this sentence was audaciously uttered to me, I lost the love of my life, my future mate, and my wolf, all at once. As I'm still assembling the pieces of my shattered heart years later, there they come. Like lightning out of a crystal blue sky. My Mates. But wait... If I am mated to triplets, how come I'm about to be mated to 5 gorgeous men? *** TW: explicit and foul language; spicy content; explicit sex scenes ***
"You're my wife in name only, on paper only. My heart and love will never be yours." Edward made it clear to Daisy that she was nothing to him. They were both victims of family greed -- the marriage was arranged for them. Six years passed. She remained quiet, gaining a reputation in the army as a tough-as-nails colonel. When she walked into his life again, Edward fell in love with this woman, unlike any he had known. She surprised and delighted him. But will Daisy take him back? Can their son keep them together? Can the rift between them be healed? Pick this one up and find out!