Michael William was praised by everyone as the most powerful Lycan King. However, with his extraordinary appearance and talents, he could not avoid the sympathy and suspicion from others. He was not only adept at ruling but also possessed a cold, ruthless, and cruel nature when necessary. Due to a misunderstanding, he once decided to kidnap Zoey Anderson, a weak and delicate maiden in the palace. Although she always tried to escape from his grasp and endured torture, her life became more tragic than ever under such a cruel ruler. But despite the suffering and abuse, there was something strange-why did her presence touch the heart of anyone, even just a little, causing them pain? While the falling petals had meaning, the compassionate heart of a powerful king was shattered by her. So, could his heart ever be mended after all of this?
Zoey's POV:
- "Zoey, promise me you'll return in five hours, okay?"
Liam Anderson looked at me anxiously, continuously giving me all sorts of instructions.
I listened and nodded repeatedly, not forgetting to adjust my belongings one last time for assurance.
He always treated me like a little girl, even though I had just turned 17 this year.
Our parents had passed away after the devastating flood that swept through recently, leaving only the two of us to rely on each other to survive.
The town of Jollibee had become much more desolate than before, its few residents living quietly like soulless bodies.
Poverty had shrouded the countryside for decades.
Liam would regularly make trips to the capital city every seven days to work as a helper in various eateries.
They only paid a few coins a day, but it was enough to cover the daily meals for the two of us.
Since I was young, I had learned a bit of medicine from my father, so I would go to the forest every morning to look for new herbs and return by dusk.
Over time, I managed to gather a decent amount of herbs, which could be sold for a few dozen coins.
Thinking it through, today I decided to take my basket and head to the capital.
Liam was still very worried, believing that for a frail young girl like me, who couldn't even tie up a chicken, traveling to the capital was extremely difficult.
I just chuckled, patted my chest confidently, and reassured him:
- I promise I'll come back safe and sound for you, alright?
With that, I turned, grabbed the carefully wrapped basket of herbs, and quickly headed to the door.
Suddenly, Liam grabbed my hand, looked at me thoughtfully, and said:
~ It would be best if you disguised yourself as a boy for my peace of mind.
The capital is a complicated place, full of all kinds of people. If you go there as you are now, trouble is bound to find you if you're unlucky.
Realizing he was right and wanting to put Liam at ease, I returned to the room, tied my hair up high, and put on Liam's clothes.
Only then did he smile in satisfaction.
After saying goodbye, I eagerly set off for the capital.
Since I was little, I had only visited the capital twice when I was four.
Back then, my father also went to the capital to sell herbs, and after much pleading and crying, he finally let me go with him.
The bustling, crowded, and beautiful capital was in stark contrast to our remote, desolate town of Jollibee, making me incredibly excited.
I loved the big, round, sweet candied fruit skewers the most, and I wondered if, after all these years, they still tasted the same as they did back then.
The surrounding scenery was fresh, and the earthy smell occasionally hit my nose, making me sneeze several times.
The path to the capital passed through a dense, damp forest.
I was a bit scared but quickly pulled myself together.
Few people ventured into this forest because it had few medicinal plants but countless bugs.
If one happened to be bitten, their body would be covered in itchy rashes.
Following the forest trail, I picked up a branch from the edge to use as a walking stick to prevent slipping.
The morning dew made the path slippery, and the moss-covered ground was even harder to navigate.
Occasionally, I came across faint footprints-could they be Liam's? Thinking of Liam made me smile.
At this moment, he was probably worrying about me.
When I return, I'll buy him a new pair of shoes; his daily-worn cloth shoes were worn out at the heels.
He would surely be very happy.
Sitting by the edge of the forest to rest for a while, I suddenly heard the sound of galloping hooves.
I glanced around-was someone else here? The sound of hooves grew closer, so I hurriedly hid in a dense bush nearby.
A moment later, more than a dozen men appeared, chasing one another.
They all wielded sharp swords, some with blood dripping from them, their eyes fierce and darting around as if searching for something.
I clapped a hand over my mouth, my body trembling, trying to stay as silent as possible, while my mind kept lamenting: "The heavens are so cruel to me!"
The man at the head of the group, whom I assumed was the leader because he wore different armor from the others and exuded an aura of authority, had sharp, cold eyes that were as icy as they were cunning. A strange red mole marked the center of his forehead.
He spoke in a deep, hoarse voice:
~ Bring him out here!
Immediately, another man grabbed a black-clad man by the collar and threw him to the ground at the leader's feet.
The man was terrified, clasping his hands repeatedly, drenched in sweat, pleading desperately:
- Prince...! Spare me, please...! I beg you...!
The prince smirked mockingly:
- You conspired with the Empress Dowager to plot behind my back, and you think I would spare one of her lackeys?
Then, with a wave of his hand, the pitiful man was killed instantly with a single slash.
I was truly horrified; it was the first time I had witnessed such a gruesome scene in my life.
This forest was desolate, yet they had dragged the man here to kill him, proving they wanted to keep the matter absolutely secret.
I just wanted to get out of there as fast as I could; if they discovered I was there, they would surely kill me to silence me.
"Rustle, rustle!" I turned toward the sound coming from beside me and saw a large snake, which had somehow appeared, with its mouth open and ready to strike.
I screamed loudly and leaped out of the bush where I had been hiding.
The group of cruel men turned to me in shock, their eyes burning with anger.
Unlucky.
Because I moved too abruptly, the cloth tying my hair slipped off, causing my hair to fall loose.
I stepped backward while keeping my eyes on them.
The sharp, piercing eyes of the prince fixed on me, as if he intended to crush me.
Zoey, oh Zoey, you're in deep trouble now!
I didn't have time to think; the only option was to run. Using all my strength, I sprinted away as fast as I could to escape.
Contrary to what I expected, there were no sounds of horses following me.
What I didn't know was that he didn't chase after me because, from that moment, he was certain I would never be able to escape him.
Not for the rest of my life.
The event just now left me utterly terrified, but fortunately, I managed to get away.
Once out of the forest, I tied my hair back up, straightened my clothes, and headed into the capital.
The crowd grew thicker, people jostling one another more and more.
I carried my basket of herbs, happily making my way to the city gates.
A few guards were already stationed there for inspections.
They lifted my basket, checked it thoroughly, then handed it back to me.
Once inside the city, I looked around in awe.
Carts moved slowly along the road carrying goods, while the cries of street vendors calling for customers occasionally rang out.
I searched for a place selling candied fruit skewers.
Oh, how I craved them.
With one in my mouth, joy filled my heart, a feeling so strange and wonderful.
- Umm, madam, may I ask, is there a place in this market that buys herbs?
I asked a young woman who was engrossed in picking out fabrics nearby.
The woman, with a lovely face, smiled warmly and pointed to the end of the market:
- At the end of the market is Beta Thomas's pharmacy.
Everyone says that CEO Anderson is a formidable figure in the Kingdom of Alssta, someone not to be trifled with. His name alone inspires fear, and those who see him instinctively bow and lower their heads. Some even claim that CEO Anderson's home is a den of dragons and tigers, filled with corpses and bones. Rumor has it that the young bride, who was married off in her sister's place, has already died... When they meet again, CEO Anderson flashes a menacing smile and takes out...
Otis and Mei had known each other since college but broke up before graduating. Both of them ran off to places thousands of miles apart, thinking they would never cross paths again. Yet, fate had other plans, and they ended up becoming roommates. The moment Otis pushed the door open and saw Mei sitting on the sofa, he froze. "You look like my ex-girlfriend." Mei immediately jumped up, stomping her foot in frustration. "I am your ex-girlfriend!!!"
1. Ophelia always believed she would be with Finnian. At the age of eight, they became step-siblings and faced the hardest times of their lives together. Finnian once promised, "Ophelia, wait for me to succeed, and I will marry you." But on her birthday, he publicly announced his relationship with the famous actress, Eamon. 2. The man she had waited for all these years found someone new, while her family's business teetered on the edge of bankruptcy. Ophelia stood amidst the storm-not only were there those waiting to see her fail, but others with malicious intentions biding their time to strike. But what everyone expected didn't happen. Instead of succumbing to despair, Ophelia stunned everyone by organizing a grand wedding that shook Selista. The Radcliffe family, the most prestigious family in Dolasiats, hosted an extravagant wedding in Selista for their beloved daughter-in-law and sole heir, Logan. In an instant, Selista became the gathering spot for more than half of Dolasiats' elites. No one could figure out which lady from Selista had such incredible fortune. When Ophelia appeared in a pristine, dazzling white wedding gown that captivated every gaze, the entire audience was stunned. Finnian, attending the wedding, dropped the wine glass he was holding. It shattered to pieces on the ground. 3. Ophelia knew full well that this marriage was not stable; it was merely a transaction of benefits and could end with each going their separate ways. But Logan had given her so much. After registering their marriage, she gradually made concessions, fulfilling his every demand. From moving in under the same roof, to sharing the same bedroom, and then... Each night, he was possessive, indulgent. She could no longer endure it. Her eyes turned red, and she trembled as she protested, "Can you restrain yourself a little?" The man leaned down, kissed her damp hair, and in a husky voice coaxed her gently at her ear, "Be good and call me husband*."
At her own engagement party, she was betrayed by her best friend, making her a laughingstock in front of everyone. With no other choice, and being a person with pride, she couldn't just walk away humiliated. So, she impulsively grabbed someone to salvage the situation. Unexpectedly, the man she happened to pull was none other than the cold and fearsome CEO of RS, someone everyone dreads to cross paths with. But she wasn't the innocent, defenseless white lotus people saw on the surface. Just wait and see-who would prove to be stronger!
Once, there was a kind-hearted young girl who saved the life of a little beggar boy. Amid hunger, bitter cold, and the overwhelming sense of despair, the girl drove away a pack of stray dogs that threatened the boy and gave him a box of chocolates she loved dearly. This simple act planted a seed that would blossom sixteen years later. The boy, now grown, returned to find the girl who had once saved him, silently protecting her in the guise of a naive, seemingly useless husband.
Calista Whitaker and Dorian Blackwood were childhood sweethearts, engaged for a long time. But just when the crucial moment approached, an unexpected twist occurred- On the day of the engagement, Dorian's affair was unexpectedly exposed. While the marriage alliance between the two families hung in the balance, a weary yet striking man appeared, his gaze both proud and leisurely, skimming over their clasped hands. Alpha Zephyr introduced him flamboyantly as another son of his. Despite his youth, he had already taken control early on and now held the lifeblood of the Blue Moon pack in his hands. As Dorian scrambled for an opportunity to explain, news of the broken engagement spread across the city, yet no one knew that Eamon Blackwood had secretly arranged a meeting with Calista. The man casually tossed her a tempting proposition: "Miss Whitaker, would you mind if the groom were to change?" -Would you like to turn this half-baked victory into a guaranteed triumph and become my accomplice?
Veronica is an eighteen-year-old omega who falls into an emotional breakdown when her Mate, who was soon to be the Alpha of the Sun crest pack, turns against her, hurls hurtful words at her, and rejects her on the night of the full moon festival because he and everyone in the pack, including her, thinks she is an omega. As if the pain of rejection, helplessness, and worthlessness wasn't enough, she lost her best and only friend to the cold hands of death when rogue wolves attacked their pack. Right in the presence of her mate, she was tagged as someone who always attracted problems and calamities anywhere she went and he turned a blind eye and watched as she was banished from the pack. With hatred for her life, she runs deep into the woods that were off-limits and jumps off to end her life, but in a turn of events, something else happens. What would her mate do when he finds out that Veronica is not who he thinks she is? Will she be able to forgive him? What fate lies ahead for them?
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.
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?