In the moonlit realm where love and lycanthropy entwine, a reluctant werewolf finds herself thrust into an arranged marriage. Uniting two ancient packs for the sake of peace, she grapples with her inner wolf and the enigmatic alpha chosen for her. As the full moon approaches, their connection deepens, transcending the boundaries of duty. Through challenges and transformations, the arranged union blooms into an unexpected love story, proving that sometimes the heart howls for its own happily ever after.
Sheila stared at her father in shock, the tasty steak she had been chewing moments ago no longer tasted like steak-it was bland instead, like sawdust.
For a while, she contemplated spitting on the dinning table, but she decided against it last minute because she was sure it would only worsen the situation at hand.
Her father sat quietly, unmoving, his face not showing any emotion as always. His face had showed no emotion eight years ago when his wife had died in his arms, the red of her blood all over his hands.
"What do you mean, papa?"
Sheila attacked cautiously at first, her voice almost on the edge, trying to flick the vivid image of her dead mother in her father's arms that haunted her on a daily basis out of her head.
Refusing to look at her in the eye, he continued his meal, his hands as immaculate as ever as he tore the steak into portions with his fork, before slipping one into his mouth. Most times, Sheila wondered if he made mistakes. He was so perfect-he always had the perfect reply, always had the perfect response to every obstacle thrown in his path.
Was this why he was using her as a solution to this problem? Was this why he felt it was right to do what he did without her consent? Did she not have any say in this?
"Are you not going to say anything? Are you going to sit there and pretend you didn't hear me, papa? Are you going to sit there, just like you sat when mama died, without a reply?"
The way he looked at her afterwards made her know she had struck a nerve. His perfect hands dropped the fork, and Sheila could see that they were starting to tremble.
"Sit down, Sheila."
"Sit down? I cannot sit down and watch you eat, Papa. I cannot. Why was this idea debated without my consent? Why wasn't I informed?" She was standing now, her head pounding, her hands clenching and unclenching in anger.
"You know the council can't just call you. The decision has to be taken first, before you will be sent for. You know this; it's due process."
For a while, Sheila wondered if her father had gotten weaker after her mother had died. This was not the same man; the leader of the Zoriak pack, the man who had singlehandedly led the pack to glory time and time again. Where was that man? Where was that wolf that was easily moved to anger, that wolf that was ready to slash at anyone that threatened those he loved?
"I still don't see why I wasn't informed, Papa", She continued, her voice returning to normal. "I have every right to know. That being said, I won't do it, Papa, I won't marry Brendan, I can't marry Brendan."
"You do not do this for yourself, my daughter. You're doing this for the people, for the glory of Zoriak-"
"There must be another way around this, Papa. I can't marry Brendan. Why is this even a discussion, Papa? Why are we not in the battlefield, taking down Callisto and his bastard of a son? "
"There is no other way, Sheila. This is what the council has agreed, and we can't go against what they have decided-"
"What they have decided? A decision that involves me marrying someone I don't love? Someone that is our enemy? A Callisto?"
Sheila was starting to rant again when her father stood up with such force that the dishes on the table clanged against each other for a brief moment.
"Don't you dare raise your voice at me, Sheila!"
Unable to hold back the tears from pouring, Sheila left the dinning room, her body racking with sobs. She made her way up the flight of stairs to her room and slumped on her bed, her head in her hands.
More than ever, she wished her mother was here, that her mother's soft hands were touching her hair, telling her the story of how she came from a generation that took pride in the beauty of their long, curly hair. Hair so beautiful that it stood out like a lion's mane. She wished her mother was beside her, her raspy voice telling her that everything was going to be okay, that crying wasn't going to solve anything.
Sheila had never known any woman as strong as her mother. A woman that had been able to put up with the beast of a man like her father who has been so wild back then. A woman that had always fought alongside her husband, a woman that had smiled at her even in death, telling her to take care of the family and other responsibilities.
She wondered for a fleeting moment if her mother would approve of her huddled up in bed crying, instead of finding out a solution to the problem at hand. Using the tail of her dress to wipe off the tears, she tried to think straight.
Brendan?
The Brendan she knew? A wolf of the Callisto pack? The pack that had attacked and conquered nearly half of the New Wolf world? The pack that had gone back and forth with the Zoriaks in nonstop wars? The same pack that she and other warrior wolves had sworn to destroy?
How could she marry Brendan? Brendan that was known wolfwide for his playboy status? The same Brendan that lured Zoriak she-wolves just because he liked to show off his sexual prowess? The same Brendan she had sworn never to have anything to do with anytime she heard about his escapades?
No, she was not going to marry Brendan. She was going to confront Brendan. She was going to warn Brendan to stay off the boundary of the Zoriaks and also tell him to call off the Callisto army his father had stationed at the Cyruff river that served as a boundary between the territories of the two packs.
No, she wasn't going to sit and cry about her problems-she was going to try and solve them.
Defiantly, she rose from the bed, ready to confront her problems head-on, just like her mother would've done
Blurb: lenah smith wallowing in debt and working a minimum wage job to pay for outstanding hospital bills and surgery for nanny Mary, with no means in sight of paying them until she meets Aaron Knight, CEO of a multi-millionaire company, who offers her money more than enough to pay her debts. With nanny Mary's life on the line and a mouth-watering offer, Lenah is left with no choice but to accept Aaron's proposal. Will their fake marriage blossom into something more beautiful, or will several obstacles, such as Kayden's determination to bring Aaron down and ruin him or lenah inherited enemies, become their destruction
BLURB In the moonlit realm where love and lycanthropy entwine, a reluctant werewolf finds herself thrust into an arranged marriage. Uniting two ancient packs for the sake of peace, she grapples with her inner wolf and the enigmatic alpha chosen for her. As the full moon approaches, their connection deepens, transcending the boundaries of duty. Through challenges and transformations, the arranged union blooms into an unexpected love story, proving that sometimes the heart howls for its own happily ever after.
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
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.
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"