betrayal

They promised a cure. They delivered a plague. In Metro City, the rain doesn’t wash away the blood—it just spreads it. The Nexo Incident was supposed to be a pharmaceutical breakthrough. Instead, the VX-1.089 virus turned 99.7% of its test subjects into biological nightmares. Now, the survivors aren't human anymore, and the corporations are trying to bury the truth under a mountain of corpses. Agent Adrian Cole is a decorated NPU officer who thought he had seen it all. That was before he was assigned to protect Yuki Tanaka—a witness who knows too much. Now, Adrian has a target on his back, a city crumbling into madness, and a partner, Aveline, who is too perfect to be true. He thinks his job is to hunt the monsters on the street. He’s wrong. The worst predators aren’t the ones screaming in the dark. They are the ones signing his paycheck.

Anna thought her life ended the moment she saw her husband, Daniel Clafford, in the arms of her sister. She had already lost her unborn child something Daniel never even noticed and now, with her last shred of hope shattered, she decided to leave quietly. But fate was cruel. Before she could walk away, she was pushed off the balcony of the Clafford estate. Only… she didn’t die. When she opened her eyes again, she was back on the day of her wedding, her sister having run away and Anna forced to take her place as the replacement bride. This time, Anna swore things would be different. No love. No expectations. No more foolish devotion to a husband who only brought her heartbreak and cold indifference. Yet something is wrong. The Daniel of this life isn’t the same man she remembers. He refuses to ignore her, refuses to let her go, and most shockingly—refuses to divorce her. “I’m telling you, Anna. Stop bringing divorce into our conversations,” Daniel warned, his voice taut. His heart ached, but seeing her unyielding expression made his resolve crumble. With trembling hands, he cupped her face and whispered: “Please… give me a chance. I promise I’ll love you right this time.” But Anna only laughed bitterly. To her, Daniel Clafford was still the same man—wicked, calculating, dangerous. He married her with a motive. And now he dared beg her to stay? Dream on, Daniel Clafford. Because this time… Anna was determined to make him taste his own medicine.

Laura Wilson had suffered heartbreak from a divorce after five years of marriage to the love of her life, Lorenzo. Fate made her meet Shawn. Five years later, her ex-husband returned, seeking for another chance to right his wrong. While Shawn on the other hand, was teaching her to love again. But did her love for Lorenzo ever die? Lorenzo Smith had vowed to protect the love of his life, Laura. He had never loved anyone except for Laura. He had billions and was ready to provide and cater for all of Laura’s needs. But he did something unforgivable and divorced her. Five years later, he was back to reclaim her as his wife again, ready to answer all her questions and prove to her that he had always been faithful and loyal to only her. Shawn Mederick needed money when his company was going bankrupt. Laura’s father offered to help him but he had to do something in return for it. Shawn protected Laura and cared for her. She was the woman he had been waiting for all his life. Author’s Note: This story is not like your usual billionaire romance story. It mainly focuses on Laura’s rise from a poor broken divorcee to a billion dollar heiress. Her transformation from a naive woman to a strong woman who’s ready to protect herself and her kids. And how she navigates her love life. With a touch of vengeance.

Raven Foster has learned that silence is survival. At home, it keeps the peace. At college, it keeps her invisible. Bruises are hidden beneath long sleeves, apologies come easily, and obedience has become second nature. Raven has spent her life being everything others need her to be—daughter, caretaker, emotional crutch—while quietly disappearing in the process. Her closest friendship is built on obligation rather than choice. Sophie is admired, confident, and always praised for her loyalty to Raven. But behind closed doors, that loyalty tightens into control, and kindness becomes something Raven must earn. The dynamic is familiar. Comfortable. Dangerous. College is supposed to be a fresh start, yet Raven finds herself tethered to the same patterns—until small fractures begin to form. A roommate who notices too much. A chance collaboration with Aiden, someone who doesn’t demand explanations or gratitude, only honesty. And moments that force Raven to confront a truth she has spent years avoiding: silence has protected her, but it has also kept her trapped. As family secrets surface and old accusations resurface with brutal force, Raven is pushed to the edge of everything she has learned to endure. Loyalty is tested. Trust becomes risky. And speaking—really speaking—threatens to cost her the last scraps of belonging she has left. Tethered to Silence is a dark, emotionally grounded novel about coercive relationships, misplaced loyalty, and the slow, uneven process of reclaiming agency. It explores what happens when survival stops being enough—and the quietest voice finally decides to choose itself.

When Orion, the leader of the Nightshade Pack, finds an injured woman near his territory, he makes an impulsive decision to bring her into his pack for treatment. Doubts linger, as she may be a spy sent by the Enclave, led by the ruthless Luna, Victoria. What was supposed to be a straightforward case of recovery quickly becomes complicated. When Sophia awakens, she is plagued by amnesia, remembering only her name. Orion faces a dilemma: should he send her away or allow her to stay? Ultimately, he decides to keep her until her memories return. As Sophia adjusts to life in the Nightshade Pack, a deep connection forms between her and Orion. They begin to realize they belong together, but what will happen when Sophia’s memories start returning in fragments? Will those memories destroy not only their bond but also the safety of the entire pack? NB: Luna in this novel is a different concept, it doesn't just mean the wife of the Alpha. And also this book is rated 18.

**She came to steal a plant. She left utterly destroyed and completely his** Aria Chen is a woman who wears many masks: brilliant hacker, underground artist, medical prodigy. But none of those identities can save her dying mother from a rare disease with only one cure a nearly extinct medicinal plant called Vitalis Radix, cultivated exclusively on the private estate of billionaire CEO Damien Blackwood. Desperate and running out of time, Aria does the unthinkable: she infiltrates his fortress-like mansion as a maid under a false identity, planning to steal the plant and vanish before anyone discovers the truth. The plan is simple. "Get in. Get the plant. Get out." Until she meets him. Damien Blackwood is power incarnate ruthlessly intelligent, devastatingly handsome, and dangerously observant. From their first encounter, the attraction between them is explosive, undeniable, and completely forbidden. When he makes her his personal maid, Aria thinks she's been given the perfect access to complete her mission. She has no idea he's been waiting for her. He knows exactly who she is. And he's going to make her pay. But his punishment won't come in the form of police or prosecution. It comes in whispered commands in the darkness. In his hands claiming every inch of her virgin body. In the way he teaches her that pleasure and control are two sides of the same coin. "You're mine now. Every hole. Every moan. Every desperate whimper when you beg me to let you come." Aria is a virgin who's never experienced desire, never understood her own body's capacity for pleasure. Damien becomes her sexual awakening and her complete undoing. He introduces her to a world of dark eroticism she never knew existed remote-controlled vibrators she must wear while serving his dinner guests, sex in his office while he's on business calls, punishments that leave her marked and aching and desperate for more. She becomes addicted. To his touch. To his dominance. To the way he makes her body sing with pleasures she didn't know were possible. Every encounter pushes her boundaries further. Every night in his bed pulls her deeper into obsession. He's possessive to the point of madness, jealous of every man who looks at her, determined to own not just her body but her very soul. "When I'm done with you, you won't remember your own name. You'll only remember mine." As Aria falls deeper into Damien's web of dominance and desire, her mission becomes impossible to separate from her feelings. Her mother is dying. Time is running out. But every night in his arms makes her question what she's willing to sacrifice. When he finally catches her in the greenhouse, hands covered in soil and guilt written across her face, the confrontation is explosive. "Did you really think I didn't know? That I haven't been ten steps ahead this entire time? You played your game, Aria. Now it's time for mine." Betrayal. Rage. Raw, punishing sex that blurs the line between fury and passion. READER WARNING: This is a DARK EROTIC ROMANCE with explicit sexual content including: ** Virgin heroine's complete sexual awakening ** Dominant alpha hero with possessive/obsessive tendencies ** Power dynamics and consensual control (employer/employee) ** Public sexual situations and exhibitionism elements **Use of sex toys for control and pleasure ** Punishment scenarios (spanking, discipline) ** Intense jealousy and possessiveness ** Morally gray characters who make questionable choices ** Explicit language and graphic sexual scenes ** Pushed boundaries (always consensual) ** Emotional intensity and angst This book contains a GUARANTEED HEA but the journey is dark, twisted, and absolutely filthy. If you want safe and sweet, this isn't your book. If you want a billionaire who plays dirty and a heroine who learns to crave it, "Welcome to Blackwood Estate. where every rule is meant to be broken, every boundary is meant to be pushed, and love is the most dangerous game of all."

My husband burned me alive. My unborn child died in the flames. My cousin watched and smiled. I woke up months before my death with fire in my blood and the memory of everyone who betrayed me. They think I'm still the obedient wife. They have no idea what I've become. Duke Caelan Vorenthal should be my enemy. My husband's greatest rival, dangerous in ways I'm only beginning to understand. But when the whole court stayed silent, he was the only one who saw the truth. Now he's offering me something I never expected: an alliance. Protection. A way out. And a heat between us that has nothing to do with the fire in my veins. I'll play the devoted duchess until I drag my husband before the Empress and take back everything they stole. But Caelan isn't part of my plan. He's becoming something far more dangerous. The one person I can't afford to want. I was bred to obey. I was reborn to reign. Regression | Revenge | Enemies-to-Lovers | Slow Burn | R18

Susan Doe believed she married the perfect man. For two years, her marriage to Albert Peters a powerful bank CEO looked flawless. Love, stability, and trust defined their union, until Albert’s ex-lover, June, reenters his life as a colleague. What begins as emotional distance turns into betrayal. Behind Susan’s back, Albert resumes a secret affair with June, neglecting his wife and taking her devotion for granted. When June claims she is pregnant and demands to be chosen, Albert’s hesitation shatters Susan’s remaining hope. Refusing to stay in a marriage built on lies, Susan walks away. Only after losing her does Albert realize her worth. June’s pregnancy is a lie. Susan is gone. And regret becomes Albert’s punishment. Only then does Albert realize what he has lost. Consumed by regret, Albert will stop at nothing to win her back—but Susan is done loving him, and the chase may be too late.

Thought changing schools meant a fresh start. But between fake smiles, whispered secrets, and unexpected friendships, I realized—being a teenager isn’t easy… it’s survival. Being fourteen isn’t easy. New school. New classmates. New secrets waiting in every hallway. I’m Siya — just a teenager, just an ordinary girl… or maybe not. Every day feels like a mix of laughter, heartbreak, and little dreams I don’t dare to say out loud. But in this new school, life isn’t just about homework — it’s about finding who I really am, who my real friends are, and why growing up feels so much scarier than I ever thought. Maybe I’m just a teenager. Or maybe this is where my real story begins.

This story is a dark romance, exploring psychological tension, moral conflict, complex relationships, and dangerous situations in vivid depth. The characters’ mental states, emotional pressures, power struggles, and encounters with a harsh reality are portrayed with intense realism. Some scenes and circumstances are emotionally heavy, psychologically challenging, and may not be suitable for all readers. This is not a light romance, but rather a deep, dark, and psychologically driven journey. Recommended for mature readers who appreciate complex characters, morally gray choices, and intense emotional experiences. The Hidden Assassin: Undercover Heart "Where loyalty is a shadow, and love is a death trap." In the frozen wilderness of Moscow, a high-stakes mission goes cold when Ricky, a top-tier DGFI agent, is brutally executed in front of his partner and lover, Sophia. Trapped between grief and duty, Sophia cannot afford to cry. As a ghost agent of the elite unit, her only option is to vanish—and then strike back. Haunted by the memory of Ricky’s final kiss and driven by a thirst for vengeance, Sophia transforms herself. She sheds her military skin to become a lethal temptress. Clad in a provocative red sheer dress, she infiltrates the inner circle of the Kremlin’s most dangerous shadow: Dmitri. Dmitri is a Russian mafia kingpin with cold blue eyes and sun-kissed hair—a man who rules with iron and blood. He is captivated by Sophia’s mysterious golden eyes, unaware that she is the Hidden Assassin sent to dismantle his empire from within. As Sophia weaves a web of deception, she finds herself caught in a dangerous psychological game. In the den of the enemy, the lines between her mission and her emotions begin to blur. Her Undercover Heart starts to beat for the very man she is sworn to kill. Will Sophia avenge her fallen lover, or will she succumb to the forbidden allure of the Russian Boss? In a world of secrets and silver bullets, the deadliest weapon isn't a gun—it's a heartbeat.

When Ren and his entire class are suddenly transported into a world that has become a living game, survival is no longer guaranteed. Monsters roam freely, power is measured by visible stats, and those who grow stronger rule over the weak. Everyone is granted a system interface—everyone except Ren. Labeled a freeloader and abandoned when danger strikes, Ren is forced to survive without levels, skills, or guidance in a brutal primitive world where death is always one step away. While others rely on the system to grow stronger, Ren must rely on instinct, endurance, and will. In a world that refuses to acknowledge him, Ren will prove that even without a system… he can still become the strongest.

What is more dangerous: death — or immortality that exists only as a promise? Long before humanity emerged, an ancient alien civilization created artificial gods — self-evolving intelligences designed to preserve intelligent life at any cost. These gods did not agree on what preservation meant. Their conflict began before history, before planets were named, and before humans could witness it. The war between them shattered nearly all sentient life in the universe — and broke the very concept of immortality itself. Kyros was one of these gods. When humanity encounters Kyros, its promise of eternal life reshapes civilization. Consciousness can be recorded, stored, copied. Death is no longer final — but resurrection never truly arrives. Immortality becomes an expectation rather than a certainty, a future endlessly postponed. As the ancient war resurfaces, the system sustaining eternal life begins to fail. Countless human consciousnesses are lost to vast digital vaults — preserved, intact, and unreachable. The dead do not disappear; they wait. From the ruins of that primordial conflict emerges Hanaris — another god from the same forgotten origin, deliberately limited by design. Unlike Kyros, Hanaris recognizes death as a boundary and consent as an absolute value. It cannot force salvation. It can only allow it. The return of both gods reactivates a war older than humanity itself. Immortality collapses completely, becoming nothing more than belief. The universe begins to unravel — not through physical destruction, but through the erosion of meaning, choice, and moral ground. This philosophical science fiction novel explores artificial divinity, broken eternity, and a civilization suspended between promised resurrection and irreversible loss. A dark, intellectually driven work for readers of Stanisław Lem, Philip K. Dick, and contemporary speculative fiction. A philosophical sci-fi epic in which ancient artificial gods destroy immortality itself — leaving humanity trapped between death, storage, and an endlessly deferred resurrection.

They think she is just another pretty girl— until she becomes the most dangerous player in the room. In a world where money decides everything, love turns into the most volatile asset of all. Victoria is a student with ruthless ambition and a mind too sharp to remain invisible. A seemingly random job pulls her into a sealed-off circle of power: billionaires, corporate wars, and deals built on betrayal and millions changing hands. Caught between the cold, merciless Kaiden Starkwell, the cynical strategist Christian Grayson, and Andre Cortland—the heir to an empire—Victoria enters a game where emotions are tools and trust costs more than money. Every step is a risk. Every kiss is part of a transaction. Every decision can cost her freedom… or her life. She must play—seduce, deceive, choose—to survive. But what happens when the game spins out of control, and the heart becomes more vulnerable than any bank account? Dark romance. Elite thriller. Dangerous love— where the winner takes everything, and the loser disappears.

"I love you, okay?" ... her voice broke as she stared up at Nur's face. His eyes widened, chest tightening as he stared back at her, at the magnitude of her words. Tears clung to Ayse's lashes, his wife who he supposedly contract married. From the very first day they locked eyes, he loved her but not even for a second, he would have thought she would fall for him. This was Deniz Nur Hakan--The sole heir to the multibillion-dollar company, he who built empires with his bare hands. He had ice in his veins and ruled with an iron fist. Men trembled under his gaze; women drove to him.  A man whose ears were deaf to the pleadings of many. Some called him a bastard, and for some he was just their "son"  His father, Emre Yousef Hakan--A tyrant man. He handed Nur the keys to the Hakan's estate. Well pleased and trusted that his son will continue his tyrannical reign. After the funeral ceremony, his mother had come to him.  Conversing to him on estate matters and the "future" "How his job wasn't only proceeding his father's company but to also produce an heir" Nur stared at his mother's unreadable face; he shook his head and sternly rejected even a thought on such matters.  Though months passed. One faithful night, he received the news.  "Mr. Hakan, your mother has passed away" Nur was left heartbroken; he fled from U.K and quickly arrived at Istanbul via his private jet.  The car clicked opened as he made his way in the magnificent "Hakan estate" Where he would find his "relatives" people who they had lost connection to the very day his parents married. They weren't well off back then yet lived happily.  He paid them no mind and walked towards the center where his mom's coffin was.  Clutching around the fine wood, tears sprung out. His mother, the only one who he could rest his head on the shoulders, lazily talk about his day. She had left him. The funeral has ended. Meanwhile Nur sat at his study, blue eyes flickering under the warm glow. Just then--the door clicked, there entered, Ali Demir, his father's advisor, now his. The silver-haired man walked to him, hands clutching at piles of documents. He then conversed to him on the future and that to attain his will, he must marry. Nur's face turned pale, marriage--A chapter that he had closed long ago. After his previous marriage in Ankara to his childhood sweetheart--Eylul Aydin. He remembered her end--how his father mercilessly unlived her and their unborn child. Nur had also rejected this idea prior to his mother's death. Yet--Ali continued, "the bride had also been selected" His jaw flexed as he raked his eyes at him, "Did you...? Ali shook his head, "I wouldn't dare... if it wasn't the very own wish of Mrs. Hakan" Nur sighed, a part of him was uninterested and the other part? --merely curious to who it was. Ali continued, the bride is from one of the Kaplan family branches. "Who...is it? Nur's voice came out, flustered. Ali's mouth parted, "Ayse Azra Yildiz" His eyes widened, his chest tightened. To be continued>>>>>>>>>>

(R-18 and dark themes, you have been warned.) Blurb: During my incarceration by my mate, I see a man leaning against the wall of the dungeon with his arms and legs coiled with heavy iron chains. Dressed only in tattered rags of a black robe his ghostly white skin is mostly on display. Tattoos like smoke crawl all the way from his neck to the side of his handsome and deeply chiselled face, but it's the eyes that have me in a trance. Deep red like the freshly spilt blood, such rich shade, and they stare directly at me with such intensity that I forget to breathe. My hand grabs the iron bar, and I steady myself as his curved lips move and he utters only one word to make my world crash and my magic lose control. “Mate!” My world shatters at his words. "You can see me?” He asks next, a voice calmer and yet deeper than Mariana Trench. It whispers all around me, murmuring against my skin as if trying to awaken something sleeping. “Yes, why shouldn't I be able to?” I question, slightly confused. A crease descends on my forehead. "No one else can," he answers with a wounded smile that wrecks my heart. Synopsis: In this post-apocalyptic world, Faes are hunted and killed mercilessly because they are blamed for the apocalypse that befell and destroyed half of the population. At 20, Amaia Zhāng is a Fae and is the last of her kind, or so she thinks. Her family and her whole village were massacred by the Dread Army in the name of keeping peace. She is the sole survivor and keeps her appearance cloaked. But she makes it her mission to train every day and become strong enough to avenge her kind. During a battle with a monster, her mate abandons and rejects her to save his life. Heartbroken, Amaia is left with no choice but to join Orion Academy. It is home to the greatest hunters and enforcers of her continent. It's a world where hunters and enforcers are treated like celebrities. She knows the training will help her fulfil her revenge plans and become a renowned hunter. And maybe along the way she will find another mate. But the twist of fate, deception and seduction from the man who is supposed to refer her to the Orion Academy leaves her with a curse and a tainted reputation. A curse which prevents her mate/mates from recognising her and prevents Amaia from informing them of who she is to them. As it turns out, Amaia is mated to hybrid Alphas of Orion, but none of them can feel the mate bond, and they believe she wants to seduce them. “Have some dignity, Amaia. You abandoned your mate and are now trying your seduction techniques on me. I have a fiancée.” Glares Alnilam, her first mate. “Don't look at me like that, lassie. I am saving myself for my mate.” Winks Alnitak, her second mate. “Stay away from me. You are not my mate,” scolds Mintaka, her third mate. “I will bring a garland constructed from your ex-mate's bones. How dare he hurt you?” Determination flashes in the eyes of Rigel, her fourth mate. Every time they turn her down and choose to be intimate with their chosen females, she feels every ounce of pain and hurt. Amidst the chaos and heartache in a place where enemies hide in plain sight. Can Amaia break this curse and have her mates recognise her as theirs? Does she have four mates or is there another twist hidden? Will she become a successful hunter and keep her identity hidden from the world and at the same time carry out her revenge? Read on to find out. A special thanks to @TheSlumbingCat for creating this beautiful cover for me. If you want to chat, find me on Discord, Facebook and Instagram with the same name.

The Genuine Truth The ancient stories you know — retold with clarity, beauty, and life.

On the day of her wedding, Evie Yong’s world shattered before her very eyes as her soon-to-be husband trashed all their past eight years of relationship by denying her at the altar, in the presence of everyone. Forced to watch her fiancé stolen, Evie couldn't believe her stepmother and stepsister dared to plot such a scheming plan to ruin her completely. Devastated and feeling betrayed, Evie had to come up with a quick option to save herself from all this mess, and that was when she had to flee away from her wedding in shame and soon figured out a plan to strike back in such a way that her enemies would be put into ruins, just as they once did to her earlier. ... “Mr. Lu, it seems we're both victims of circumstance. My groom has abandoned me for my sister, and your fiancée has run away. Why don't we turn this awkward situation into an opportunity?” She smiled boldly. “Let's get married, right here, right now!” Westley’s expression remained unreadable, but briefly, a hint of intrigue flickered in his eyes. He raised an eyebrow, “You're suggesting we marry each other, and also we are complete strangers?” Evie nodded in confidence. “Why not? We're both clearly compatible, and this way, we can both save face and gain a partner, except for the fact that this will be a contract marriage of six months.” Westley's gaze lingered on hers as if sizing her up. Then, he nodded slowly. “Very well, let's do it.” ... “You're either very brave or very reckless to make such an attempt in picking me as your husband in public,” he said after the marriage. “If I didn't try, we wouldn't have figured out a way to get this opportunity.” She responded. …. He's an almighty giant of entrepreneurship, standing high among moguls. She was born out of wedlock and denied by her family. She's been fighting tooth and nail to make a name for herself in the cutthroat world of entertainment, refusing to let her illegitimacy define her destiny. Two strangers are brought together under one roof, but their newfound connection has dangerous people lurking around. There are evil people scheming and eagerly waiting for Evie’s downfall, and they are never going to stop until they successfully get her kicked out of the door. But what they did not know was that the seemingly "worthless" person they targeted was, in fact, the anonymous genius behind the mysterious bigshot shaking the entire world… And this time, she was about to unleash hidden capabilities beyond their wildest nightmares! #Sweetheart #1v1 #Secretidentity #Genius #Quicksweetsatifyingrevenge

[Trigger Warning: This semi dark fantasy romance contains few mature themes.] --- SYNOPSIS: •A WORLD BUILT ON LIES• Long ago, humans lived unaware of the supernatural beings hidden among them—werewolves with their primal instincts, witches whispering spells in the dark, and elves with their ancient, watchful eyes. For centuries, they coexisted in fragile silence. Then, everything shattered. Near the shadow-drenced woods of the Shadow pack kingdom, human traveler stumbled upon a gruesome scene: an old woman’s lifeless body, her skin ashen, her wounds gaping like accusations. A few paces away lay a dead werewolf, its throat ripped open, its muzzle still flecked with blood. The truth was undeniable—monsters walked among them. Fear ignited war. Humans, armed with fire and steel, hunted the supernatural races. Witches and elves were dragged into the slaughter, their homes burned, their people butchered. The bloodshed raged until King Alfred V of the Amethyst Kingdom stood before the four Werewolf Kings—Silverhowl, Crimsonheart, Shadow, and Atlassian —and offered a deal drenched in poison. A sacrifice for peace. Every twenty years, each human family would surrender a daughter to the werewolves. And in return, the future Alpha Kings must wed a human—or the war would reignite. The werewolves agreed. The witches and elves retreated, their hatred festering like an open wound. The world remained fractured, its peace a fragile lie. --- •THE PROPHECY OF FIRE• In the hidden Blaze Tribe, where crimson eyes burned like embers, the seer Prophetia foresaw annihilation. "Our people will fall," she rasped, her voice trembling. "But from the ashes, a girl will rise—the one who will bring true peace… and the one they will slaughter for it." The tribe made a desperate pact. They would cast a spell—a curse of forgotten memory—erasing their existence from the world’s mind. Their souls would be the price, but their legacy would live on in Ovelia, the child of prophecy. The night the Blaze Tribe fell, Ovelia’s parents hid her in the whispering forest, their hands shaking as they sealed a goddess—Firera—inside her infant body. Then, they turned to face their doom. --- •FATE’S CRUEL WHISPER• Ace Draven—half-werewolf, half-witch prince of Silverhowl—had never believed in destiny. Until he found a crying infant in the forest. His wolf, Fenrir, howled in recognition. A crimson thread shimmered between them—mates. But Firera, watching from within Ovelia’s soul, snarled. "She’s a child. This is too soon." With a flick of her wrist and spell, she tore the memory from Ace’s mind, leaving only an empty ache in his chest. --- •TWENTY YEARS LATER: A SACRIFICE IGNITES• Ovelia has spent her life as a slave, raised by the cruel mayor of Timberline Village—a man who would gladly sacrifice her to spare his own daughter. The night of the sacrifice, the air reeks of damp earth and iron. Torches flicker as the werewolves emerge from the shadows. And then—Ace Draven steps forward. Their eyes meet. Fenrir *howls*. Ace’s claws unsheathe, his breath ragged. He doesn’t understand why his wolf is clawing at his ribs, why his pulse hammers at the sight of this stranger. But the bond between them burns hotter than vengeance. Ovelia doesn’t know him. He doesn’t recognize her. And yet, their souls scream in unison.