enemiestolovers

[WARNING MATURE CONTENT] For the first time in Nuelle's life, she experienced what you see in a movie. From the bullying to the unexpected love situations and the heartbreak and betrayal she still can't believe her once peaceful life is now full of drama. Nuelle kalio is a 17 almost 18-year-old girl that moved from her home country Nigeria to New Orleans with her family. She had a normal life with no drama but all that changed when she meets Jeremy Morgan. Jeremy Morgan is a troubled 19-year-old who is used to people being at his feet, what is he going to do when the new girl in school is not easily intimidated? Can they handle what life has in store for them? PS cover picture from Pinterest

Tags: Romance, R18, Revenge, weaktostrong, Fast-paced, Royal family Betrayal. Breeder, Touch her and die , Lycan, Ruthless, Dominant, Witches, Gore. On the night before her wedding, Arabella Montclair believed she was the luckiest wolf alive. Mated to the powerful Alpha Victor Ashford. Chosen by the Moon Goddess. Finally free from a lifetime of living in her stepmother’s shadow. She poured her heart into planning the perfect ceremony, convinced that tomorrow would mark the beginning of her happily ever after. Instead, it became the day her world shattered. Before the entire Silver Moon Pack, Arabella walks into her own wedding hall, only to find her mate standing at the altar with another bride. Her stepsister. Humiliated and exposed, her most guarded secret is revealed: she carries an F-class fertility rating, deemed cursed, unworthy of bearing an heir. In a world where fertility defines a wolf’s value, she is rejected, discarded, and publicly stripped of her title as mate. “I reject you.” With those words, her bond is severed. Her wolf falls silent. And Arabella is condemned to the lowest fate imaginable, declared a breeder, a life worse than slavery. Beaten. Broken. Forgotten. But fate is far from finished with her. On the very day she is cast aside, the immortal Lycan King, Enzo Obsidian, arrives unannounced at Silver Moon Pack. A ruthless ruler with violet eyes and centuries of power behind him, Enzo has come to investigate corruption festering within the pack. He expected deceit. He expected betrayal. He expected blood. He did not expect her. Among the women paraded before him as entertainment, one figure stands out, a girl in torn white lace, head bowed, silent yet defiant. She smells of pain… and something far rarer. She does not belong there. As secrets unravel and hidden truths surface, the rejected breeder may be more than what anyone believes. And the king who fears nothing may soon find himself entangled in a fate neither of them saw coming. Because sometimes, the one deemed unworthy by a pack… is the one destined to stand beside a king.

Fates entangled - Synopsis “The unavoidable pyre is the one built from desires, so always be prepared to burn.” . . . He was a playboy living the life he wanted, with everything going his way. She was an actress living the life she had fought for, with the future shining bright for her. They have never met, and their lives should have never intersected. Only, their lives did intersect… and they met. That day, she broke into his apartment and tied him to a chair for that small box that held the key to a whole empire. He smiled, laughed, and joked, until he could not laugh anymore, because suddenly, their fates were now entangled, all because of a red string, all because of an old man who left one last gift for his beloved grandson, along with one last infuriating message: ‘Kid, fate is a marvelous thing, but it has never been kind to you. However, what one can not do, two will be able to. Even against the world, together, you will be able to stand. With the red string tied, your fates are now entangled, like two sides of the same coin, sharing pain and joy, fortune and misfortune. Of course, there is nothing that can't be undone. You will just need to find out the how by yourself, then get the true treasure. Till then, beware of the full moon. Hehe…’ Yeah, a very infuriating message indeed. Then nothing wanted to go his way anymore. _ _ _ _ _ _ Their first meeting? She broke into his apartment and tied him to a chair. Of course she got what she wanted, but not the last laugh, ending up tied to him in what could only be called a forced engagement. After all, only if she was his other half would she share his misfortune with him, right? Shackles, heirship, legacy, and life, some things to be fought against, others to be fought for, because maybe he didn't know, or maybe he did, that the last misfortune was coming for him, even though he… never drank blood… or maybe precisely because he never did. ..... Available on Watt pad and Royal Road too unless contracted.

She learned to survive by shutting everything out. No trust. No past. No second chances. Then she meets someone just like her. Equally dangerous. Equally broken. They don’t get along. They don’t need to. They share one goal, get out alive. So they make a deal. Simple. It doesn’t stay that way. Because survival isn’t just about staying alive. It’s about what follows you. What remembers you. And what refuses to let you go. Some things survive the end of the world. And some of them wear a human face.

At Twenty-three, Scarlett Bellingham signs a ten-year contract with London’s most powerful billionaire, Jude Maguire. To the world she is the perfect wife; elegant, fashionable, composed and untouchable. But behind closed doors, their marriage is just an agreement on paper. Scarlett keeps her end of the deal smoothly even when she unexpectedly gets pregnant. She refuses to let motherhood weaken the life she has spent years building being Mrs Maguire. As the contract comes close to its expiration date then Micheal Gerard, a rival CEO who likes Scarlett shows up. Scarlett then finds herself at the center of a dangerous game as her carefully constructed world starts to crumble . Jealousy from a love interest develops. Hatred and betrayal from family surfaces but the truth is far more dangerous than anyone could imagine it to be. When the truth is finally exposed , Jude is forced to choose between the empire he controls and the woman he never intended to love. But Scarlett doesn't wait for him to choose as she walks away. Leaving behind the man who finally learned how to love and the children she calls nothing but a contract bonus. But she returns and this time not for survival but to destroy everything and take control.

Dahmer Lukas is a man of chilling precision and unparalleled intellect. As an "Enigma"—the rarest, most elusive and strongest personality type in the omegaverse—he functions more like a machine than a man. Cold, calculated, and entirely devoid of emotions, he runs a massive scientific empire with one singular focus: Project Z. His goal is as ambitious as it is controversial: to synthesize a serum capable of pacifying the hyper-aggressive Alpha population. To complete the formula, he requires a biological sample from the world's most powerful Alphas. He has successfully harvested samples from every target—except one: Malcom Ford, the ruthless CEO of Deviloy Technology Company Malcom is an anomaly in his own right. Known for his cold, unyielding nature, he never releases during intercourse, keeping his genetic essence locked away. Dahmer orchestrates a masterfully deceptive plan: He adopts the guise of a wide-eyed, vulnerable Omega intern, and infiltrates Deviloy Technology. His objective is simple: seduce Malcom, trigger the impossible release, and secure the sperm sample for his research. But there are two major complications: Malcom Ford is staunchly, aggressively uninterested in men. He views his own biological urges as a weakness to be controlled, and he is immune to the typical ploys of those trying to get close to him. To infiltrate Malcom’s guarded inner circle, Dahmer must learn to mimic expressing emotions. He studies the art of a smile, the mechanics of a genuine laugh, and the physical act of crying. But as he performs these human behaviors to manipulate Malcom, something begins to shift. The more Dahmer acts, the more his own cold, Enigma logic begins to fray. Dahmer Lukas set out to dissect Malcom Ford, but as the lines between deception and desire blur, he realizes he is the one being dismantled. Can a man who has never felt love survive the fire of an S-tier Alpha who refuses to be tamed?

This is a fanfic on the story of jayfer. This mainly focuses on the development of their relationship. From dating to marriage (hopefully) this explores all the nooks and crannies of love. this book will be a roller-coaster of emotions (at least i will try)

[+18| Adult Content | Dark | Erotic Mafia Romance] In Central City, everyone knows the name Marcone. It’s a name whispered in fear, a name synonymous with blood, shadows, and an empire built on the broken bones of anyone who dared to cross them. Adrian Grayson is a ghost. A widower frozen in three years of grief, he lives for his art and nothing else. He doesn't care about the city's monsters, until he accidentally crashes into the most dangerous one of all. Twice in one night, the cold, lethal Matteo Marcone saves Adrian’s life. Adrian hates to owe anyone, especially a devil. But when he asks how to settle the debt, the answer isn't money or blood. "Climb into my bed if you want to repay me," Matteo rumbles. "Or remain forever in my debt." Adrian is straight. He is a man of honor. But in a fortress of stone and iron, trapped by a man who refuses to let him go, Adrian realizes that the Devil doesn't just want his body, he wants to consume his very soul. Will Adrian pay the price, or will he discover that some debts can only be paid in skin? A/N: This story is entirely fictional. All characters, names, locations, and events are products of the author’s imagination. Any similarity to real people, living or deceased, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Amara, a wealthy aristocrat's well-bred daughter with a secret to hide, is thrown into despair when her world is suddenly shattered after discovering she isn’t the Caldwells' biological daughter. It was incredibly convenient for her father to discard years of love, devotion, and family ties, quickly sending her as a marriage tribute to a Werewolf Prince after receiving an invitation that, according to the Peace Treaty between Werewolves and Humans, required one of his daughters. It no longer mattered that she wasn’t truly a Caldwell, nor that she was already in love with someone else. So, on the night of her planned elopement with her lover, her fate with the monster was ruthlessly sealed. Forget that the Alpha Prince is a cursed monster—yet, why is he always in her face, treating her like his perfect plaything to pass the time? But most importantly, if he truly doesn't care about her, why do those who cross her suddenly disappear or get punished? — Excerpt: Amara could feel the tension in the way Alexander stood before her—the restraint in his silence, the weight of his attention pressing against her body. He shouldn’t be this close to her after cornering her against a tree. “Do you know what happens when I want something?” he asked, his voice dangerously controlled. Her breath trembled, but she shook her head. “I—I don’t know.” “I take it.” Amara inhaled sharply as she lifted her gaze to meet his dark, conflicted eyes, burning with something that made her heart stutter. “Then why haven’t you?” she whispered. His gaze dropped briefly to her lips. “Because if I cross that line,” he said, “I won’t stop.” “Then cross it.” Her voice was barely audible. Instantly, the restraint in Alexander’s eyes shattered. He lowered his head and claimed her mouth in a desperate, hungry kiss.

Lucien's control was fraying. He watched Elian's shoulders shake, watched fat tears roll down those flushed cheeks as the younger man tried—and failed—to hold back broken sobs. The sight should have disgusted him. Instead, it ignited something feral in his chest. "Be quiet, Elian," Lucien warned, voice low and strained. Elian's head snapped up, eyes blazing through the tears. "No! I will not be quiet!" His voice cracked, raw and defiant. "I demand you let me go. Set me—ah!" Lucien moved before he could think. In one brutal motion, he slammed Elian against the nearest wall, the impact knocking the breath from both of them. Elian's back hit stone with a dull thud, his wrists pinned above his head by one of Lucien's large hands. "Be quiet," Lucien hissed again, forehead pressed against Elian's, their breaths mingling hot and desperate. Elian whimpered, twisting uselessly in his grip. "You monster… you—" Lucien's mouth crashed down on his. It wasn't gentle. It wasn't a kiss—it was a claim. Hard, punishing, devouring. Elian gasped into it, the sound swallowed instantly as Lucien pressed closer, body caging him completely against the cold wall. The taste of salt from Elian's tears mixed with something sweeter, something that made Lucien's blood roar. Elian struggled for half a second… then his lips parted on a broken moan. Lucien pulled back just enough to growl against his mouth, "I said be quiet." But Elian—trembling, furious, aching—only whispered back, voice wrecked: "Make me." **** Some truths are worth killing for. ​Son of a traitor, Elian Morel was meant to burn in the Duke's dungeon. Instead, the ruthless Duke Lucien pulls him from the darkness and keeps him locked in his private wing—close enough to watch, to touch, to break. Elian hides a dangerous gift: with one touch, he can drag out the truth behind any lie. Lucien is cold precision and merciless control, a man bound by a royal betrothal and secrets of his own. But the more he tries to possess Elian, the more his iron restraint begins to crack. In a world of court intrigue and deadly politics, their charged proximity turns into something darker—something hungry. Every defiance, every forced confession, every lingering gaze pushes them closer to the edge. Between captor and captive, hatred and desire, a forbidden bond begins to form. One that could destroy them both. Power, obsession, and a love that defies the throne.

Valyha has always been the most perfect and wonderous queen. Loved by everyone, especially herself. ‎ ‎One day in the midst of a horrendous war, Valyha sacrificed herself to drive the enemies out of Earth ‎ ‎However her sacrifice did not pay off as she ended up becoming the fifth bride of her enemy ‎ ‎The FIFTH BRIDE!! POLYGAMY!??!!! ‎ ‎What is this satire!? I will be posting this story on royalroad.com ‎

WARNING: MATURE CONTENT!! Bullied, unwanted and neglected all her life, Theodora thought only one thing could make her regain her honour - Win the blood Tournament and Gain her father's favour as his heir. But things don't go as planned. Instead, her father rewards her victory with a sentence far worse than death: Betrothal to Cain Pendragon, the ruthless Dark Alpha King whose names alone makes the whole realm tremble. Refusing to become a pawn in a monster's game, Theo disappears. Her refuge is Gravemont Academy - an elite all- male training academy where the weak is trampled upon, and heirs are forged into Kings. With the help of her best friend, Eric, whom she is hopelessly in love with, she disguises herself as her cousin and Joins the Academy. The intention was to lay low, but not when she was paired with a Dark-eyed roommate, Hezekiah Pendragon, the son of Cain and Eric's big brother. He reeks of sin and violence, with a lethal promise in his gaze. And of course, Sylas Veylor - her Homeroom professor with piercing blue eyes, with a deadly calm and shadows darker than anyone could decipher. Now, she's stuck between the both of them, trying to hide not just her secret identity but an even darker secret of hers that could shatter bloodlines, ignite war, and without a doubt, change the fate of the werewolf realm! And the Dark Alpha is closer than she thinks. Much closer. Excerpt from the book: Zeke's voice dropped to barely a whisper. "You think your heart belongs to Eric…" His thumb brushed the edge of her pillow, so close to her cheek his knuckles grazed her breath, "…but your heart hasn't met me properly yet," Theo's throat bobbed. "I'm not giving you up, Hellcat. Not tonight. Not tomorrow. Not until you look at me, really look at me, and your heart says my name," Her lips parted, and a shaky breath escaped. Zeke straightened slightly but he didn't step back, "I won't touch you without permission anymore, and I won't force anything," He swallowed hard, his eyes burning with a lethal promise, "But mark my words Hellcat, the day I catch you staring at me the same way you look at Eric, or i sniff a whisper of my name in your mind, I will let loose and god helps anyone who gets in my way," He exhaled softly. "And trust me, Hellcat…" His orange eyes glowed faintly, his wolf shimmering beneath the surface, "…you will," Another Excerpt from the book: Something fluttered in her chest and she slowly looked up at him with trembling eyes. Sylas looked back at her, "I've never wanted anything more. I know I'm older—far older," he said, his voice low and steady, like he was confessing a sin he had no intention of repenting for, "but that changes nothing for me." Theo's heartbeat stuttered again. Sylas took one step and faced her properly, "When I'm with you," he continued, "The chaos stops. The noise stops and the world stops trying to tear itself apart," His eyes stared into hers, open and unflinchingly honest, "You are the first thing in a very long time that doesn't feel like a war," Theo's breath hitched, and his voice deepened with a quiet tremor beneath the calm, "Do you know what that means for a man like me?" Her throat tightened and she shook her head. "It means I'm already ruined," ✅Steamy ✅Werewolf ✅Enemies To Lovers ✅Forbidden Romance ✅Love Triangle ✅Strong Female Lead ✅Secrets ✅Smut ✅Dark Academia ✅Forced Proximity ✅Twists at Every Turn ✅Mafia You can also read my Other books... His Majesty's Bride ( Highly Recommended) Enchantment of the Night - Get ready to be mindblown.

"Die a pathetic nobody, Deborah. You never stood a chance against me." Those were the last words Queen Deborah heard before dying in a freezing prison cell. She was stripped of her crown, betrayed by her husband, the King, and replaced by a cruel, bewitching new woman who stole her entire life. But death refused to keep her. Waking up with a gasp, Deborah finds herself back in the past. It is the exact day her husband returns from the battlefield, proudly holding the hand of that same vile, gorgeous mistress. History is repeating itself right before her eyes. In her first life, she begged for his love and paid for it with her blood. In this life, she refuses to be the victim. Deborah faces a thrilling, dangerous choice: Force the king to fall desperately in love with her just to break his heart... or abandon him to ruin and take her ultimate revenge. Will she make him fall, or watch him burn?

18+ READERS ONLY: The story contains explicit sexual content (SMUT) dark romance, Force Proximity, Morally grey hero, strong languages, crime investigation and enemies-to-lovers power imbalance. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED SYNOPSIS They say the enemy of my enemy is my friend but what happens when that friend becomes an enemy you cannot escape? Fiona Brett's rise as a promising actress is abruptly derailed when her parents, desperate to save the family from financial ruin, accept a marriage proposal on her behalf from a man she barely knows. Forced to shoulder the burden of her family’s survival, Fiona is compelled to sacrifice her own dreams. Seeking solace, she turns to the love of her life, Alexander only to discover him entangled with her own sister. Betrayed and heartbroken, Fiona meets a tragic end at the hands of those she trusted most. But fate gives her a second chance. Reborn on the very day everything fell apart, Fiona awakens with a burning resolve: revenge. Determined to reclaim her life, she strikes a dangerous deal with her fiancé, a pact laced with thorns and unforeseen consequences. As her past wounds begin to heal, Fiona finds her heart ensnared deeper than ever by Manson’s dangerous game yet even he is unaware that he, too, has been caught in its snare. Together, they step into a world far darker than Fiona could have imagined: a world of deception, hidden truths, ruthless manipulators, and long-burried sins. She soon realizes that the game she thought was hers alone is far larger than any personal vengeance, orchestrated by forces far beyond Manson, herself, or any other player. In a tangled web of greed, betrayal, and power, one question remains: who will emerge victorious?

After her inexplicable death in her sleep, Kurokawa Saki was thrown into the Death Game section selection. Receiving information that there are 12 players with various different IDs, she quickly found out how unreliable most of them were. Moreover, half of them were in the Red party and the other half was in the Black Party. So the werewolves game has started. Moreover, the game still gave them inexplicable missions from time to time. Kurokawa Saki: “...” It's so exciting. When the mainline started and the ‘dead’ players received new ID, they had just realized the game was driving them further and further away in various ‘fun’ scenarios. … [No. 1]: I know that I'm the member of the organization on the surface but what the hell is this task of dancing in the nightclub? Moreover, I'm being hit on and could only run away. That blond haired bartender has been glaring at me! [No. 2]: My second ID is a high school student and I transferred to Teitan High School. Due to the mission to get Sonoko's sister's phone number, I had to play with these two students and Conan has been glaring at me, ah, ah! [No. 3]: My first ID is a killer, the second one is a serial killer, and the third one is a drug dealer. Can't you give me a normal identity? I didn't even dare to come out of my house now! [No. 4]: I'm a police officer, but I'm not even as good as an elementary school student in solving cases. And what do you mean that I'm just a violent police officer, huh? Watch me break the telephone pole, you b*stard! + 8 more people. … After a few scenarios, everyone came to the same conclusion The players: This game is too hard! Not only do they have to act in accordance with their ID card, they also have to complete various strange missions. So… let's make trouble :) When the vice leader of their group sees what they have been doing through their daily share in the chat…. Public Security Officer [5]: … NO, What the hell is wrong with you? One of you is fighting with Shuichi Akai and the other one is fighting with Furuya Rei? You even earn exclusive titles from them! You two are on the freaking Red Side! The two troublemakers: Hehe, sorry, Vice Leader, we're under too much pressure and fighting can enhance ‘friendship.’ Public Security Officer [5]: No, your exclusive titles from them show how much they hated you. And when he tried to calm down, he found out the others are not any better. [6]: Wow, it's so fragrant to tease this pink haired post graduate school student~ [7]: Ah, I nearly died in the hands of Gin… when can I receive the death script QAQ [8]: Let me fight the FBI again. I'm itching to fight. [9]: Why do I have to be the attending doctor of the main characters, ah… [10]: Oh, I just threatened Vermouth [11]: Oops, Conan is glaring at me for teasing Ran [12]: Hey, this female announcer is really nice. I felt bad for lying to her. As the only serious one, no. 5 just wanted to say one thing: [5]: …Destroy it. I'm tired. … Note 1: There’ll be OOC and the character's interpretation might not be correct. A lot of original characters in the world’s settings, playing for fun and all. (more wines and police officers, a few original cases, and the player group’s self made case) Note 2: There will be a lot of personal subjective thoughts in the article. If you have any parts that you don’t agree with, please stop the loss in by clicking the arrow on the upper left corner in time. Thank you for your cooperation. Note 3: The style is mixed between comedy and tragedy… you’ve been warned Note 4: This is a fan fiction, I don't own the characters belonging to the comic. I only made a few original characters for the sake of the story Note 5: I made this more for myself and for fun so eh, don't expect too much

“Adrian,” Raya whispered, voice trembling. “Choose — her or me.” His eyes darkened. “Why should I choose,” he said softly, stepping closer, “when I can have you both?” Her breath caught. “You’re insane,” she whispered. He brushed a thumb over her lips. “No,” he murmured, “i'm yours as you're mine. Whether you want it or not.” ~~~ To save her father, Raya agrees to become the fiancée of a man who could destroy her. She thought she was walking into a simple contract. But when she steps into Adrian Blake’s world, she steps into a maze of power, obsession, and dangerous secrets. Adrian never loved Seraphina, the woman he was supposed to marry. He only needed her family’s influence to seize the Blake empire. But when Seraphina vanishes… Raya becomes the perfect replacement. She’s stubborn, penniless, and nothing like Seraphina. Except for one disturbing detail She looks exactly like her. His terms are everything she should refuse: • Pretend to be his fiancée. • Pay off her father’s impossible debt. • Leave when he says so. Simple. Until she realizes the man behind the cold mask isn’t simple at all. The more she falls for him, the more dangerous he becomes. Because Adrian Blake doesn’t want love. He wants control. And now, he wants her. When the truth about Seraphina begins to unravel, Raya must choose: Run before she’s swallowed by Adrian’s darkness… or stay and risk losing her heart, and her identity, to the man who already owns her.

you would never be my mate.sienna said to Daniel frowning. really? he asked. Later she smiled and said, I love you the most Dan. *************************** Two most powerful people are put together, would they set aside their grievance and be together or would they choose to fight each other to death?!. the werewolves vampires humans and witches are forced to face the foxes as they they tried to rule over the other four races. Daniel and Sienna stand up to face Ducaleon the only hybrid vampire and werewolve and uncrowned king of the vampire and adopted son of the fox royal family who caused the death of their parents but what happens when they face HIM the man behind the scenes, who wants to rule over the five races, with the help of Ducaleon who is completely unaware or is he?

{COMPLETED} "Are you not scared it might be poisoned?" Abrielle's asked Cedric who drank the wine without hesitation. Cedric leaned closer to her with his head crooked on her neck, his warm intoxicating breath trickling on her skin. His hoarse voice came out lightly. "If the poison is given by my wife, I will drink it without hesitation. It will be an honour to die in your hands." Abrielle's mouth fell agape, stunned by his words. What was wrong with his head? Cedric then bit the tip of her ear to distract her from her thoughts. "Now I have done your bidding, dear wife; it is time you do mine. How about we get rid of this restriction on your body?" Abrielle's face flushed red. This sly scum. She could not wait to kill him. **** Being transmigrated to your favourite novel would be anyone's dream, well, except for Hazel. Hazel, a world-class writer, was transmigrated into her book, "The Dragons and the priestess." after she died in an unfortunate accident a day before her first date with her long-time crush. She was already cussing her luck until she was hit by a double tragedy. Hazel was now Abrielle, the Villainess of the novel, who was destined to die at her husband's hand, Prince Cedric. Struck with this tragedy, Abrielle attempted to escape the border before her wedding but failed miserably. Forced to marry the heartless first prince of Darconia in a marriage that could only be broken with death as the escape, Abrielle came up with another plan."A hundred ways to kill her husband." Abrielle, who finds herself in the middle of the messed up plot of her novel, tries to navigate this world by trying several methods to kill her husband because she refuses to die by her creation's hand. But why does, despite multiple attempts of trying to kill this heartless prince, he refuse to die and just keeps on bothering Abrielle? He should be interested in the female lead and not the villainess! Why don't you join this epic journey and see how Abrielle's and Cedric's story unfold? Would she be able to escape her fate? ***** Note: Abrielle's story starts from the pre-sequel of her actual book The Dragons and the priestess where she discovers how different this world is from her actual book. She tries to navigate the unknown from a disadvantaged stand as a weak talentless noble lady before the actual plot starts

Revenge is, by all means, one of the most guaranteed things to happen when a warlord with dragon blood in his veins and ether at his side is betrayed, poisoned, and reduced not to death but to decades of obliterating pain as his ether channels burn from his very soul. Only one remained. One channel, thin and fragile around his heart, survived long enough for him to endure, to wait, to plan, to manipulate, and, eventually, to return to the world with one clear purpose: to burn down the nation of the traitor who thought he had erased him for good. But then came a fortune teller at a street stall. And with the fortune teller came a dare Arik accepted for fun, a spread of cards drawn with no real expectation beyond momentary amusement. Instead, he found something far more dangerous than revenge waiting for him. His mate. A story of rebirth, revenge, enemies-to-allies-to-lovers, political ruin, ether, and the deeply unfortunate reality that the one person tied to Arik’s fate may be the very last person he should ever want. — Warnings, disclaimers, cries for help… call them whatever you want. This is the third book set in the same universe, but it can be read on its own. The world will be fully presented, so nobody needs to do homework before stepping into the chaos. For anyone curious, the first two books are: Bound by the Mark of Lies Shadow Unit Scandal: The Commander’s Omega This universe is ABO dragged directly into etherpunk, political fantasy, violence, bad coping mechanisms, and my ongoing inability to let powerful people make emotionally healthy decisions. There will be violence. There will be gore. There will be smut. There will also be vengeance, terrible restraint, worse impulses, emotional damage, and at least one man reacting to fate like it personally insulted his bloodline. Good luck.

Ananya never expected death to bring her into another life. One moment, she was running her parents’ restaurant in the modern world. The next, she opened her eyes in silk robes, surrounded by hostile stares — the Queen Consort of the empire. But this body was cursed in everyone’s eyes. The Emperor loathed her. The mistress laughed at her. And the court whispered behind her back. Only she wasn’t truly alone. > “Finally, someone can see us!” “What kind of Queen Consort are you, so calm even with ghosts in your chamber?” “Shut up, Wei Rong, let her breathe. She looks like she’s about to faint.” Three ghosts — a stoic scholar, a brash general, and a mischievous noble girl — lingered at her side. They were invisible to all but her. And with them, she learned to survive the poisonous palace. When rumors spread that she was cursed, Ananya stood before the empire’s court. Instead of tears, she offered proof. Instead of fear, she offered dignity. > “If Heaven believes I am cursed, let the fire and smoke betray me. I will not hide.” And Heaven sided with her. Outside the palace, crises struck — starving soldiers, missing supplies, merchants growing fat from stolen grain. Inside, Lady Zhen, the Emperor’s favored mistress, grew bolder by the day, flaunting her beauty and mocking Ananya’s quiet grace. > “Sister, do you still dream of winning His Majesty’s heart? Look at you — plain, dull, unworthy.” “If simplicity is a crime, then let it be mine,” Ananya answered, unshaken. The Emperor indulged Lady Zhen openly… but in the silence of night, he tasted Ananya’s food, lingered at her table, and found himself unsettled by her calm. > “This is not palace fare,” he muttered. “It is lighter,” Ananya replied softly. “Easier to sleep after.” Step by step, conspiracy thickened. At a grand banquet, a poisoned cup was placed in Ananya’s hand. But a ghost’s laugh echoed in her ear — and the cup was swapped. A dancer collapsed instead. From that night on, the Emperor’s gaze changed. He began to notice the woman who never begged for favor, never fought for attention, yet always endured. Still, war brewed at the borders. Betrayals reached even the throne. Assassins crept through the palace halls. And the one person who seemed weakest became the calm at the center of the storm. Through whispered secrets, mischievous hauntings, and quiet resilience, Ananya carved her place in the empire. She would not simply survive. She would rise. And the Emperor who once despised her would one day whisper only her name.