Artemisia's dream of marrying the man she loved shattered into a million fragments when her parents auctioned her off to a wealthy stranger she barely knew. She met the stranger at the altar and realised he was the same man she had met two years ago. After the wedding, Artemisia realized there was more to her new husband than he was letting on, and she decided to unravel the mystery even though it almost cost her life in the process. Sinclair Steele, the Alpha of Blue moon park and CEO of Sin Inc was about to ascend the throne. But before that, he needed a Luna by his side. He wasn't enthusiastic about getting married to his fling, who he believed was a golddigger, older sister. He got to know his wife wasn't the regular human he thought her to be. Instead, she was a gift made specially for him by the moon goddess.
ARTEMISIA
Loud music blasted from the boombox which was situated beside the huge counter.
Several teenage students could be seen swaying on the dance floor to the rhythm of the sensuous music that has been going on for an hour now.
I sighed for the umpteenth time whilst using my hand to support my chin as I glared at nothing in particular.
My eyes wandered around the room for a brief second, then I shook my head as I found nothing to keep my waning interest.
I wasn't a fan of night parties, but I wondered why I had let Julie talk me into coming with her.
Julie was my best friend since junior year. She had been wanting to get me to attend one of the parties she frequented. Yet, all had been in vain because I often declined her offers whilst lying that something important came up.
I jerked and let out a grimace as I felt a hand draped around my shoulder.
"Loosen up, babes! This is going to be the best night of your life only if you let it." Julie hollered above the loud music.
I winced whilst scrunching up my brows at the loudness of her voice infiltrated my poor sensitive ears.
"You will get me deaf in no time if you keep on yelling like that," I replied, rolling my eyes as she began to twist her waist when another music came on.
"Come on, let's dance." She grinned and staggered towards the dance floor with a red disposable cup filled with a spiked punch in her hand.
I ignored her, still sitting where I was. But, my eyes were on her.
Despite being tipsy, she got a great move. She danced perfectly along to the rhythm of the song. Unlike some of the girls that had been dancing awkwardly.
I believed it was because Julie was part of the dance team and the cheerleader. That was why she could still dance well despite being intoxicated.
A boy with blond hair, who looked about the same age as Julie and I gripped her waist and began to ground into her.
I recognized him instantly. He was Jordan and part of the swim team in Lone Oaks High. Also, he was one of the most popular boys in school.
He was also the host of the party and the boy Julie had been seeing. Might I add, secretly.
Although I wasn't interested in half of the things she was into; partying, drinking, shopping and all. I knew she was seeing him.
Even though she had attempted to keep it a secret.
I came across her diary one day and took a snoop. I didn't mean to. But, I was intrigued by how neatly wrapped the pink notebook had been, unlike mine that looked jagged and old.
So, I was tempted to take a look.
Then, I saw some things she had doodled as well as the part she had confessed having a feeling for him.
I didn't ask her about it. I knew when the time came, she was going to tell me. But, I guessed she wasn't comfortable with it yet.
"Hey, beautiful."
Reluctantly, I peel my eyes away from the dance floor, then back to the bar.
My eyes clashed with a boy who had a cheeky grin on his face. He had a white apron tied around his waist and a baseball cap on his hair which I noticed was in a buzz cut.
I squinted whilst assessing him.
I hadn't seen him before until now. Perhaps, because I was too engrossed in my thoughts to notice him.
"I'm Aaron." He introduced.
"Artemisia," I murmured, eyeing him.
"Like the goddess Artemis?" He tilted his brows.
I shrugged, shaking my head.
"I'm kidding." He chuckled. "Are you from around here? I haven't seen you before. Also, I don't forget a pretty face."
I blush as he winked at me. Like I said earlier, I hadn't seen him before either.
Not even in school. With his look- twinkling teal eyes, chiselled angular face, brown hair and impressive height that could be seen in most of the athletes that attended Lone Oaks High, I could see him being part of the popular crowd.
"Besides, you have a beautiful name and eyes."
"Thank you," I mumbled, politely.
I was aware he was being polite with his compliment. Also, I knew he was hitting on me which I didn't mind.
At least I seemed attractive enough to him.
"You aren't having fun like your friend." He nodded towards the dance floor. "Not a fan of the dancefloor?"
I ignored his question whilst squinting as I searched for Julie.
She wasn't there. Neither was Jordan.
My eyes travelled around the room for a few minutes. Yet, I didn't see the familiar mop of brunette hair. Neither did I see the brand new red halter dress she had donned.
I shrugged and glanced back at Aaron who I noticed was observing me.
I believe she wasn't lost. So, she might have been either in a room or in a corner, making out with Jordan.
"What?"
"What, what?" Aaron retorted, smirking.
"You've been staring at me," I said.
"Don't you like it?" He cocked a bushy brow, then added. "I mean all girls like being stared at."
"Well, I'm not all girls." I rolled my eyes. "It's unnerving. I don't like being stared at."
Aaron chuckled, shaking his head. "You are different."
"Is that awful?"
"No. I like how different you are." He said.
He stared at me for a while, then his eyes flickered to a girl that came for a drink.
I downed the content of the drink he had given to me and winced.
My throat scorched and I shook my head at the burning sensation in my chest.
I blinked back the tears that had gathered at the corner of my eyes and stepped further into the room in search of Julie.
It was getting a bit late and I had promised my parents to arrive home early whenever I left the house.
I know whether I arrived early or not, I was still going to get into trouble for going out without their consent.
I was a goody-two-shoes. I followed all the orders without breaking any rules. My little sister, Emma, was the rebel in the family and different from me.
But, who cares?
It was a day before my graduation and I needed the party to make my final year in high school worthwhile.
Even though I didn't want to go in the first place, I believe it was better than being holed up in the house doing nothing.
★★★★
My nose crinkled as I stepped out of the fifth room in the house.
I had been searching around for Julie for the past hour. Yet, I couldn't find her.
I went back to the dance hall and noticed some of the party-goers had already passed out.
Whilst others were heaving into the trash can, potted flour and anything they could see.
I gagged as a blonde staggered towards me. She had barf on her clothes and I wondered what she would have done if she had been in the right state of mind.
"Julie!" I called out as I stepped out of the door.
I inhaled and let it out slowly as frigid air smacked my face.
I rubbed my palms on my exposed skin and shivered slightly.
I didn't know it would be this cool. Because since the past week, it has been warm. Also, it hardly gets cold at this time of the year in Lanes.
It was a wonder tonight was cold.
Perhaps, the weather report I had checked earlier had been wrong.
I shrugged, walking around the parking lot of the house.
Maximus Hernandez is a fifty-seven-year-old billionaire who made his money during the era when investments just hit the world. Now all he does with his time is find different ways to spend his money and different ways to enjoy women. Kiki Thomas is a woman with an ambitious spirit and pants constantly on fire. She wants to be on top but her lustful nature is a beast that can never be tame. Their paths cross and she falls madly in love with him but soon discovers that Maximus belongs to no woman, well that is until he meets her little sister.
Captivating smile 5ft, 6inches tall, a willowy build and gorgeous translucent skin Janice Sketches was a well-known matchmaker that could solve any problem within seconds. She finds matches to those unable to and was very skilled at it. But, she hadn't found her perfect match. Jules Forrest, also known as the devil for being a ruthless CEO. He only engaged in a nightstand and didn't believe true love existed. However, his principle changed when he met the stunning woman that shared his bed after a night at his brother's wedding.
What Elena Lockser wanted was to secured a job in Aiden Inc which was her dream company and nothing else. She encountered Aiden Crooks, the CEO of Aiden Inc, also the man she had been running from all her life as her interviewer. Aiden Crooks, aside from being the CEO of Aiden Inc, he was an Alpha werewolf, and a single father. He never believed in second chance mate until he met Elena in his office. Will they get the true love they deserve when obstacles arise to drift them apart?
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
Trigger warning!!! Intended for mature readers who enjoy morally complex, slow-burn, poseesive, forbidden, dark romance that pushes boundaries. ***EXCERPT*** Blood everywhere. Trembling hands. "No!" My eyes blurred. His lifeless eyes stared back at me, his blood pooling at my feet. The man I loved-dead. Killed by the one person I could never escape - my stepbrother. *** Kasmine's life was never hers to begin with. Kester, her stepbrother, controlled and monitored her every move. At first, it was all sweet and brotherly until it began to turn into an obsession. Kester was the Alpha, and his word was law. No close friends. No boyfriends. No freedom. The only consolation Kasmine had was her twenty-first birthday, which was supposed to change everything. She dreamt of finding her mate, escaping the sickening control of Kester, and finally claiming her own life. But fate had other plans for her. On the night of her birthday, not only was she disappointed that she wasn't mated to the love of her life, but she found out that her mate was none other than him - Her tormentor. Her stepbrother. She'd rather die than be mated to a man whom she had known as her big brother all her life. A man who would do just anything to make sure she was his. But when love turns to obsession, and obsession turns to blood, how far can one girl run before she realizes there is nowhere else to run to?
"I, Erika Blackwood, stand before you, Alexander Robertson, with a heavy heart. I hereby reject you as my mate. The bond we once shared has grown fragile, and my soul yearns for a different path. May you find solace in the love of another, and may we both find the happiness we seek." Alexander didn't say a word and looked at me. But he refused to accept. *********** Erika Blackwood is the next Alpha in line of the Ironclaw Pack. She hides her identity and gets mated to the Alpha of the Moonforest Pack, Alexander Robertson. Three years passed, but Alexander is still unwilling to let go of his childhood sweetheart. Erika is mistreated and eventually framed by the same childhood sweetheart. Now she leaves with that humiliation, and goes back to her pack, swearing vengeance on those who hurt her. They all waited for her to return and beg, but what happens when they realize that the famous Ironclaw Pack that was going to help in the rogue war, was ruled by a woman named, Erika Blackwood. Now her Ex mates want her back. Other Alphas want this woman.. But will she accept any of them? Or will she stay independent forever?...
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
“Drive this woman out!” "Throw this woman into the sea!” When he doesn’t know Debbie Nelson’s true identity, Carlos Hilton cold-shoulders her. “Mr. Hilton, she is your wife,” Carlos’ secretary reminded him. Hearing that, Carlos gives him a cold stare and complained, “why didn’t you tell me earlier?” From then on, Carlos spoils her rotten. Little did everyone expect that they would get a divorce.