She was barely twenty years old when her heart was shattered by the man she thought she could love, a man who, out of spite and a thirst for revenge, left her in pain. He hated her for a crime she didn't commit, a crime she didn't even know about. The pain was unbearable, the betrayal devastating. Five years later, Ana was no longer the fragile, vulnerable young woman she once was. She had grown, matured, and built a strength she never knew she had back then. Life had changed her; she no longer believed in love or the goodness of men. She had learned not to let her emotions control her. Yet, when Devin reappeared, her balance faltered. He had returned, determined to finish what he hadn't been able to do before: his revenge. His dark, cold eyes exuded an icy hostility, but Ana knew he was no longer the man he once was. The Devin of today was more cynical, more ruthless. Still, she couldn't ignore the lingering attraction she had always felt for him. Devin, for his part, bore the scars of a life marked by betrayal and pain. Since the age of fourteen, revenge had become his only obsession. Fate had driven him to hate the daughter of the man who had destroyed his family. But when he crossed Ana's gaze again, he realized that the war he had waged against her could destroy both of them. Could their love be possible, or would the past be too heavy to bear?
01
PROLOGUE
« Can I buy you a drink ? » someone asked behind Anastasia Hazel Forrester, and she schooled her features into an impassible mask before turning to face her interlocutor.
A pair of stunning blue eyes stared back at her, coupled with a dazzling smile meant to charm and impress.
Ana resisted the urge to sigh. She knew that look – confidence laced with an arrogant presumption that no woman could resist him. But she was no ordinary woman tonight. Tonight, she just wanted to be invisible, to blend into the background and forget about the world.
« I'm all good, » she drawled lazily, indicating her glass and dismissing the handsome stranger who had accosted her without second thoughts. She loathed the fact that the opposite sex seemed to think that every lonely woman at a bar was fair game.
She had perfected the art of saying no without a flicker of hesitation, but sometimes, it wasn't enough.
« Are you sure ? » he insisted, his words thick with an obvious slurred Italian accent, unfazed by the fact that she was clearly not interested.
Ana refrained from replying, instead flashing a small, polite smile that she hoped conveyed finality. She prayed silently that he would pick the hint. Thankfully, after a few seconds of awkward lingering, he finally relented and stumbled back to his table, muttering something under his breath.
She breathed a sigh of relief – that was her fifth overture for the night, and she was not impressed.
Her expectations about the Italian nightlife had been modest at best, but reality was proving more exhausting than exhilarating. She had heard that Italians were pretty flirtatious and straightforward, but she had never been a hands-on witness to the fact until today.
And now she was in the very heart of Milan, feeling more out of place than ever.
She'd just landed the previous afternoon, eager to escape from her suffocating life back home and spend some quality time with herself. However, it was proving impossible to have that much-needed solitude when she was constantly being approached by men with charming smiles and persistent offers.
Maybe she should go back to her room?
Sighing wearily, her eyes travelled across the dimly lit hotel lobby bar, taking in the polished marble floors, the glint of expensive crystal, and the low hum of conversation. The world seemed to move in slow motion around her, and yet she felt isolated, almost cocooned inside her own little bubble.
Then, inexorably, her gaze landed on a lonely figure seated a few feet away from the bar, and Ana did a double take.
He was, without a doubt, the most handsome man she had ever seen.
Her breath caught in her throat as she gorged on the perfection of the specimen before her. He was perched casually at the bar, one hand wrapped around a tumbler of what looked like whiskey, completely oblivious to the attention he was drawing.
Was he Italian? His features did not give a clear clue about his heritage, but he looked nothing like the other males she had encountered tonight. His skin was fairer than the traditional dark olive complexion that seemed to dominate the region. His hair was a dark, messy mop that curled slightly at the ends, giving him a careless, almost rebellious air.
What differentiated him, however, was not just his looks – it was the brooding, enigmatic sex appeal that he seemed to emanate without much effort.
It wrapped around him like an invisible shield, keeping the world at bay.
He didn't seem to have a care in the world, blatantly ignoring the come-hither looks the women surrounding him kept sending in his direction.
He was uninterested – just like herself.
A strange sense of affinity and relatability struck Ana, a deep recognition that she couldn't explain. He gave the depiction of being lonely even among the crowd. Exactly how she was feeling right now.
Judging from the way he was dressed – a tailored black suit that screamed wealth and an open-collared shirt that hinted at nonchalance – he conveyed the message of being rich.
Not that Ana cared – it was only a subconscious observation. She had grown up surrounded by men like him, thanks to her father's status and endless business associates.
Money didn't impress her. She had seen too many soulless people hiding behind expensive suits and fancy cars.
Italian men were renowned to be exceptionally gorgeous, but Ana wasn't sure that the stranger was one of the locals. There was something about his fierce aura that beckoned to her in a peculiar fashion, something that whispered of secrets and promises left unspoken.
It was as if she was drawn to him, her entire being tingling with awareness and insane restlessness.
Like a moth to a flame.
She was still staring, lost in thought, when he moved.
Effortless and deliberate, he lifted his glass, took a sip, and then, as if sensing her gaze, he turned.
Their eyes locked.
Ana forgot her next breath.
It was insane, absurd even, that she was so attracted to a stranger's physical beauty. But there was something about the intensity of his gaze that rooted her to the spot, making it impossible to look away.
A pair of exceptionally gorgeous green eyes stared back at her, piercing through her very soul.
He didn't smile. He didn't look away. Instead, he lifted his glass in silent acknowledgement of her stare, as if to say I see you too.
Ana flushed, feeling the heat creep up her neck to her cheeks.
Was she being too obvious?
She instinctively turned her gaze back to her drink, suddenly self-conscious.
What the hell was she doing?
She wasn't the type to gawk at men, no matter how ridiculously attractive they were. And yet, something about him had short-circuited her usual defenses.
The awareness lingered, thick and electric between them, even as she forced herself to focus on the condensation trailing down her glass.
Her heart pounded against her ribs in a frantic rhythm, and for a second, she entertained the foolish thought of walking over to him.
But that wasn't her. That wasn't Anastasia Hazel Forrester.
She was the good girl. The perfect daughter. The one who didn't chase strangers in hotel bars.
And yet... there was a sliver of reckless longing simmering just beneath her carefully maintained facade.
A longing that whispered maybe – just maybe – she should do something she had never dared to do before.
As if sensing her inner turmoil, the stranger smiled faintly, a ghost of amusement flickering across his features. It wasn't cocky or mocking – it was understanding.
As if he could read her mind.
The air around her seemed to thicken, pulling tighter and tighter until Ana felt like she was drowning in it.
She gripped the stem of her glass harder, fighting the insane urge to walk toward him, to find out what secrets lay behind those mesmerizing green eyes.
Instead, she remained rooted to her seat, her body humming with suppressed energy.
Tonight was supposed to be about finding herself, not losing herself in a pair of hypnotic eyes.
But as the stranger turned back to his drink, Ana knew, deep in her bones, that this was only the beginning.
Whatever this connection was – however fleeting – it had already altered something fundamental inside her.
And nothing would ever be quite the same again.
Bronte was the beloved girl of everyone, always smiling and full of life. Her popularity made her an essential person in everyone's eyes. Yet, there was one exception: Blake. This arrogant bad boy, with his messy hair and piercing gaze, didn't even seem to notice her. But that was before her parents went to Africa. Forced to leave for several weeks, they entrusted Bronte to Blake. Upon her arrival, Bronte felt like an intruder in his world. Their first interactions were cold, marked by endless pranks and arguments that never seemed to end. Yet, behind Blake's attitude, Bronte sensed something deeper, a secret he hid carefully. Over the days, their relationship slowly began to change. Despite the provocations and tensions, an attraction started to form between them. Blake couldn't admit it, but it was clear that Bronte was no longer just the neighbor.
"Look at yourself in the mirror, little bun. You're still shivering under my touch, so excited, so pitiful..." His voice was low, teasing, as he stroked her cheek, his fingers trailing down to her trembling neck. "Let go of me, you bastard!" She struggled, trying to twist away, her hands pushing against his chest. "What did you do to the divorce paper?!" He smirked, not even flinching at her resistance. "It wasn't a divorce paper, baby." He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. "I changed the contract." Her eyes widened, confusion flashing in her gaze. "What do you mean-?" "In the end," he whispered, "you belong to me, and only me." His fingers brushed over her lips as he held her in place, savoring her resistance, knowing all too well how much she wanted to escape. But it didn't matter. She was already his, and the paper proved it. There was no going back now.
He swept my sweat-drenched hair off my neck, pressing his lips against my ear. His hot breath made me shiver, and every vibration of his voice left me breathless. "You're not the first to try to seduce me," he whispered, his warm breath grazing my skin. "But you're my favorite." His eyes locked with mine, piercing and intense, before he slowly pulled me away. I watched him take my red lace thong, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. A wave of desire overwhelmed me, mixed with a strange sense of defeat. I hadn't expected this, nor the palpable tension that had settled between us. And now, I'm an intern for Cole, the writer of the steamiest novels I've ever read. All of this is more real, more intense, and most of all, more dangerous than I could have ever imagined.
Jack had just arrived in town, a cold breeze following him, signaling the arrival of winter. The first snowflakes danced in the air, covering the streets with a white blanket. Summer, on the other hand, hated this season. Every year, she dreaded the cold, the gray skies, and the early darkness. But that day, something changed. When he walked into her café, an unusual shiver ran down her spine. The man with silver hair and icy blue eyes, as cold as the winter sea, seemed to bring a breath of fresh air with him. But there was something else, something captivating in his presence, a mystery that Summer didn't yet understand. Jack, with his calm, frosty demeanor, knew how to bring the chill, almost as if he could make the air feel sharper. Yet, soon, she would discover that beneath that apparent coldness, he had the power to ignite a fire inside her. A fire she never imagined could exist.
She loved her husband. She gave him everything, without hesitation, offering her heart, her soul, and her dreams. But he was nothing but a receiver, never a giver. He took without ever giving back, feeding off her affection and sacrifices. He was selfish, and every gesture she made for him seemed like a mere formality to satisfy his needs. He was never there for her, except when it served him. The only things he offered were confusion. He gave her empty promises, sweet words that rang hollow. He offered manipulation, ideals disguised as his "undeniable love," but in reality, he only loved one person: himself. She adored him, but he saw in her nothing more than a tool to fill his inner emptiness. He had invaded her mind to the point where, when he proposed an open relationship, he made her believe it was her idea, seducing her with subtle words. She wanted to believe him, convincing herself that it was a step of compromise, a sacrifice for the love he claimed to have for her. But deep down, she knew it wasn't what she wanted. She wanted him, and only him. He wanted her, and all the others he could get, all those who would feed his insatiable need for power and domination. But all of that changed when Tobias Wrexler entered their lives. His intense gaze, his silent yet powerful presence, brought a turning point in her life. The shadow of her husband suddenly seemed far less threatening in the light that Tobias brought.
Maddison Holt, the youngest and only female alpha in North America, took her father's place after his death and her mother's illness. She's always believed a mate would be a weakness. However, her mate is the killer who slaughtered her father. Jay Pierce, the most feared alpha in history, is the devil himself-handsome but merciless. Maddison wants nothing to do with him, but he intends to make her submit. A power struggle where only one rule exists: one of them must yield. The war between Maddison and Jay begins.
Once upon a time, there were two kingdoms once at peace. The kingdom of Salem and the kingdom of Mombana... Until the day, the king of Mombana passed away and a new monarch took over, Prince Cone. Prince Cone, has always been hungry for more power and more and more. After his coronation, he attacked Salem. The attack was so unexpected, Salem never prepared for it. They were caught off guard. The king and Queen was killed, the prince was taken into slavery. The people of Salem that survived the war was enslaved, their land taken from them. Their women were made sex slaves. They lost everything, including their land. Evil befall the land of Salem in form of Prince Cone, and the prince of Salem in his slavery was filled with so much rage. The prince of Salem, Prince Lucien swore revenge. 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 Ten years later, thirty-years old Lucien and his people raided a coup and escaped slavery. They went into hiding and recuperated. They trained day and night under the leadership of the fearless and cold Lucien who was driven with everything in him to get back their land, and take Mombana land too. It took them five years before they ambushed and attacked Mombana. They killed Prince Cone and reclaimed everything. As they screamed out their victory, Lucien's eyes found and pinned the proud princess of Mombana. Princess Danika. The daughter of Prince Cone. As Lucien stared at her with the coldest eyes anyone can ever possess, he felt victory for the first time. He walked to the princess with the slave collar he'd won for ten years rattling in his hand as he walked. He reached close to her and with a swift movement, he collared her neck. Then, he tilted her chin up, staring into the bluest eyes and the most beautiful face ever created, he gave her a cold smile. "You are my acquisition. My slave. My sex slave. My property. I will pay you in spades, everything you and your father ever did to me and my people." He stated curtly. Pure hatred, coldness and victory was the only emotion on his face. .
"I want a divorce!" Ryan demanded, despite the fact that he had cheated on her with his ex. ~ Serena is no longer the quiet, romantic lady Ryan Winters married and divorced five years ago. Now the CEO of Rocky's Designs, she is bright, unwavering, and unapologetic about her independence-a far cry from the woman Ryan remembers. When fate brings them back into one another's lives, Ryan is forced to confront the truth about their past, their newfound hot chemistry, and a surprising revelation; Serena has a daughter who may be his. But Ryan's girlfriend, Kate, isn't prepared to lose him again. She will do whatever it takes to keep Ryan in her grasp-even if it means destroying Serena's life and the corporate empire she has built. What happens when Serena's now peaceful life is being disrupted? Will Serena lose once again or will she seize this billionaire's heart?
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.
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
Elisa watched as the most important people in her life showered the evil imposter-The fake heiress, with love. Elisa, the lost daughter of one of the most wealthiest family was found 18 years later and was brought back to her rightful home. However, someone had already taken her place. A fake heiress, the pampered little princess. Her coy acting and innocent façade made Elisa's real mother love her more than Elisa, her real daughter. That made Elisa, though, the true daughter end up as an adopted child. "Elisa, could you try not to appear in front of her too much as it could trigger her insecurities." Her parents had told her because of the fake heiress. "Elisa, You've taken everything away from her. Why can't you give her a little more?" Her fiancé had ordered her. Because of an unfortunate accident plotted by Isabelle-The fake heiress, Elisa was sent to prison and her family cut ties with her without a second thought. Four years, after much torture which led to her being crippled and blind on one eye, she was released, but got hit by a truck. While laying on the pool of her blood, she wanted to question, Why? Why had they all treated her so cruelly, while they love Isabelle unconditionally? She badly wanted to rip off Isabelle's mask of innocence, to reveal the fake, manipulative woman beneath. She was full of hatred. But after her death, she woke up back to when she was 18 years like all that happened were all nightmare. She was elated. She was reborn to re-live all that had happened in her last life, but now, her mission was to reveal mask beneath that woman and make everyone that made her suffer in her past life pay. It was her time for revenge! And definitely, she won't mess this up!
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"