Calista had always believed the past was meant to stay buried, hidden in the shadows of memory. But why, then, was her past creeping back into the light, intertwining with her present? She spent her days in a fractured state-broken, miserable, angry at the world. But at least she had carved out a semblance of peace, until Jaxon Castillo stepped into her life. With his hot body and expressive eyes, he shattered her fragile calm, dragging her into a tumultuous conflict she wanted no part of-a life that haunted her more than anything else. She had convinced herself she was free from the ghosts of her past, that they had perished along with her family. Yet, as she found herself drawn deeper into Jaxon's orbit, his intense gaze unraveling her defenses, shadows of her history began to resurface. With every stolen glance, she felt herself surrendering pieces of her heart to him, pieces she had sworn to protect. Both held secrets-dark, potent truths that threatened to dismantle everything they had built. Secrets capable of turning the world against them. Calista was fire and rage; Jaxon was cool water and soothing. They would risk everything to protect each other, even if loving each other was what could destroy them both. –– TRIGGER WARNING; Sexual content, PTSD and trauma responses, Violence. Reader discretion is advised.
Blood.
It was everywhere.
In her hands, in between her toes, in her hair. It was everywhere! Why... Whose blood is this? And why was she standing in it? Why was she fucking covered in it?!
And all of a sudden, the scene changes and her family is here, covered in their own blood, getting killed.
"No," Calista screamed, reaching out for them but the floor vanished from under her and she was falling... falling...
Calista woke up with a start, her heart pounding hard against her rib, every single inch of her body covered in sweat. Her room was silent, the only sound was her harsh breathing.
She blinked slowly, her eyes taking time to adjust to the darkness before she looked over at her clock. It was barely five and she was now awake.
She knew she wouldn't be going back to sleep.
She sighed deeply as she rubbed her trembling hand on her face, pushing her wet hair away.
It was going to be a long day.
***
The bright overhead lights buzzed faintly, casting a harsh glare on the blood-soaked sheets beneath her hands. The smell of antiseptic mixed with the thick, metallic scent of freshly spilled blood was heavy on the nose-so much blood.
Her mind flashed back to a different scene with so much blood, screams. But she blinked that away. This wasn't the time to be thinking about that. She needed her hands straight, her head clear.
Calista's hands were steady but her heart was hammering hard in her chest. She barely noticed the surgical mask pressing against her nose or the sweat gathering beneath the gloves clinging to her skin.
"He's crashing!" someone yelled, panic heavy in their voice.
She ignored the panic in their voice, focusing instead on the deep, gaping wound in the man's abdomen. The bullet wound had torn through muscle and lodged itself dangerously close to his liver. If she didn't get it out he was as good as dead.
"Scalpel," she ordered, her voice calm, even though she also wanted to panic. But she couldn't. The man's life depended on her remaining calm.
A trembling hand passed it to her. She wanted to scowl at them. She didn't have the damn time for fear.
Her movements were quick, memorized, and precise. A small incision. A delicate probe. There! The bullet. Her breath hitched. It was deeper than she expected, wedged tight, but she couldn't hesitate. Not now. Carefully, she reached in with a forceps-
Bang!
The doors to the operating room open.
Calista's head snapped up, a sharp reprimand on her tongue, but the words died on her tongue when she saw them-men in black suits, guns at their sides, their eyes cold and empty.
Her heart dropped to her stomach.
What the hell?
The men parted and one man with blonde hair stepped forward, his hard eyes fixed on Caliste. He had that air of anger around him, the quiet hum of danger surrounding him like a dark cloud, a black omen. "Miss Calloway," he addressed her, his voice smooth. "Do you know who you're operating on?"
Calista has always been quick to anger, always quick to snap. It was one of her many flaws, one of the things that made her a loner and bitter. Because people were so damn annoying, and nosy, and she was quick to lash out. And now she was damn close to snapping but she kept her mouth shut and glared at the man, her heart racing.
"I wouldn't bother with names," the man continued, his expression blank. "All you have to know is that you shouldn't let him die."
Calista wanted to throw her head back and laugh, and she also wanted to stab the man with the forceps still in her hand. Who the hell were these people?
"Do you think threatening me is going to make him miraculously live if he's meant to die?" she snapped, her voice muffled by the nose mask, but that didn't dull the sharpness in her voice.
She was scared. Goddamn it, she was fucking scared and she fought to keep her hand steady. But she was also angry. And the anger suppressed the fear. It was better rage than fear.
The man's eyes flashed with something dangerous before it cleared and he opened his mouth to probably spit more threats but Calista didn't give him the chance.
"You're the one currently endangering his life, mister," she told him, trying to keep her voice calm, but she didn't stop glaring at him. "With every minute you spend here, throwing unnecessary threats, you're delaying me and his life is being more at risk. Get out."
The man eyed her, his jaw clenched tight, before he made a motion with two of his fingers and the men cleared out just as suddenly as they came, the man's eyes lingering on her far too long for her taste.
Once the door closed behind them, the room seemed to release the breath they'd been holding and Calista's hands shook a little, regret twisting her insides.
She should have kept her mouth shut, for goodness sake. Why did her mouth always have to go running before her brain? These people were bad news. She knew this wouldn't be the end.
She looked down at her patient's face, searching her brain to see if she would know him. She didn't. He had an unforgettable face, so she knew she wouldn't have seen him before.
She didn't care about who he was. She just hoped this was the last time she would see his face.
***
A WEEK LATER
Calista sighed as she stepped into her apartment, inhaling the warm and inviting smell of her home.
"Hi, baby," she said to her house. "Missed me? Because I sure as hell missed you."
Talking to herself or objects around her was one habit she had never outgrown. Well, that and her deep pit of rage. That rage had been with her for as long as she could remember. And it only increased when her–
She immediately felt something was wrong when she stepped deeper into her apartment. The hair at the back of her neck stood up, a chill sense of dread wrapped its icy fingers around her spine.
She felt eyes on her.
Her trembling hand reached for the light switch and she turned it on. Her heart dropped to her toes when she saw who was sitting in her living room, legs crossed as if he owned the place.
She knew it. She goddamn knew that wouldn't be the last time she saw his face.
He stood up, straightening to his full height until he was towering over her and she felt tiny.
"Hello, Miss Calloway."
!! Rated 18+ | Mature Content | Trigger Warning: Abuse, Suicide (Off-page)! ! - -- Camille knows she's being watched. The feeling lingers in every shadow, in every stolen glance from the unnervingly beautiful stranger who seems to know her better than she knows herself. Lucien is dangerous, obsessive-and utterly inescapable. But danger is nothing new to Camille. She has spent years outrunning her past, drowning in darkness until Lucien pulled her from it. She... loved him for it. She was captivated by the exhilarating danger he wove into her existence. The electrifying chaos, the seductive darkness, and the intoxicating pleasure pulled her in like a moth to a flame. Then, she is taken. Victor swears she belongs to him, and Lucien will tear the world apart to get her back. But as the walls close in and the nightmares begin, Camille starts to wonder if this war between them is about more than just her. Her heart is caught between two monsters. Two obsessions. Two impossible choices. Will she choose none of them, one of them... or both? Fate has drawn them together once more, and this time, the choice is hers: break the cycle, or be utterly, entirely ruined by it.
"A one-year contract marriage. I know you're investigating something,"-Lena's heart sped up and she fought to keep her features blank- "and I can help you with that. In exchange, for one year, my resources will be yours. Full access. No strings attached-except the ones in the contract, of course." Lena's heart raced. A marriage proposal, but with a twist. *** Betrayed and burning for vengeance, Lena Santoro-now Selene Costa-enters a deadly game of love and lies with Rafe Moretti, a mafia don with secrets of his own. In Naples, where power and passion collide, their marriage of convenience becomes a battle for survival. Can they trust each other, or will betrayal tear them apart?
Three love stories, one world-this steamy, slow-burn sequel follows new couples finding their fate, desire, and heartbreak in a world where wolves love hard, and the stakes run deeper than ever. *** Ravenna & Darius' story Ravenna was born a disgrace-wolf-less, exiled, and left for dead by her own pack. But death refused her. Rescued after a near-death incident, she awakens with untapped powers, far more dangerous than any wolf. Stolen away by Alpha Darius, a ruthless leader feared across all packs, their meeting sparks chaos: they're fated mates. Bound by a prophecy drenched in blood, Ravenna discovers her lineage holds the key to either salvation or destruction. With an ancient war on the horizon and dark forces hunting her, Ravenna must decide-embrace the unstoppable force within her or let it consume them all. Mia & Dalian's Story Once a fleeting passion, their connection reignites, but love comes with its own dangers. With the weight of what they've endured hanging over them, Mia and Dalian must fight for their love-or lose it forever. Lucian & Emily's Story Lucian's mate is human-and he's kept it a secret. After capturing her during a war, their dangerous connection grows. But Emily doesn't know they're fated, and the truth could destroy everything.
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
Blurb: Nina Morrison's life is a relentless struggle, torn between caring for her bedridden father and enduring her stepfamily's cruelty. But her world is shattered when a near-fatal encounter with Lucien Gray-the ruthless, untouchable head of a global consortium-pulls her into a nightmare of possession. Lucien is captivated by Nina's fiery defiance, determined to possess her at any cost. But Nina's will to rebuild herself is stronger than his obsession. As their paths collide, desire and revenge intertwine, forcing them to confront the darkness within themselves. Can Nina reclaim her life? Will Lucien's obsession destroy them both, or will they truly fall in love and live happily ever after?
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."
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
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.”
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?"