Warren arrived at the hotel, his heart racing as he got to the roof. Panic seized him when he didn't immediately see Anastasia. As he moved closer to the ledge, he finally spotted her-lying dangerously close to the edge, her body slack and seemingly on the brink of slipping into unconsciousness. The sight of the empty bottle of pills and whiskey shattered something inside him. "Oh, Ana," he whispered, his voice thick with anguish as he approached her. But then, in a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity, he saw her body begin to roll off the edge. The horror that gripped him turned his blood to ice. Without a second thought, Warren launched himself over the ledge after her, diving headfirst through the night air. The wind roared in his ears, but he moved with the precision of a bullet, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. When he finally caught her, relief surged through him. Cradling her tightly in his arms, he expanded his angelic wings, the pure white feathers cutting through the darkness as he propelled them upward, away from prying eyes. __________________________________________________________________________________________ After the loss of her mother and the abuse she receives from her stepfamily, Anastasia finds herself living in a world where grief and betrayal are commonplace. She turns to her childhood best friend and first love, Bastian, for consolation. But after a tragic accident leaves him in a coma Anastasia's world crumbles as he passes away from his injuries. Warren, a mysterious angel, enters her life just when it seems hope is lost. Because he is harboring secrets that may change everything, his presence is both comforting and unsettling. As Anastasia is drawn further into a world of angels, demons, and ancient abilities, she learns a shocking family secret and danger lerks around every corner. Anastasia is at the core of it all. Worse, she harbors her own secret even she doesn't fully understand, one known only by her late mother and a few others. As her connection to Warren deepens, Anastasia is forced to confront the reality of her family's past and the supernatural forces determined to destroy everything she loves. In a race against time, Anastasia must decide whether to embrace her hidden destiny and face a terrifying future or risk losing everything-including the love that might just save her. Secrets, danger, and a forbidden love that transcends time and reality collide in this heart-pounding journey of self-discovery and survival.
The Prologue
Anastasia hovered on the ledge of the roof, knees drawn tightly to her chest, cradling them with desperate arms. Tears, mixed with smudged mascara, streaked down her cheeks as she gazed at the city lights glittering against the dark sky. The wind whispered through her long, wavy brown hair, as if trying to soothe her anguish.
"How did it come to this?" she thought, her heart heavy with despair. Her mind swirled with memories of pain and betrayal, each one cutting deeper than the last.
She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping to block out the storm of emotions threatening to consume her.
Tonight was supposed to mark a new beginning, a joyful milestone in her life. Graduation. A day filled with hope, celebration, and promises of a bright future. Instead, it had shattered into pieces, leaving her more broken than she'd ever been.
The betrayal had blindsided her. Walking into that room, seeing him tangled up with her, and hearing the cruel confession that followed-it had been too much to bear. Her stomach twisted as the memory surfaced, vivid and raw.
Anastasia replayed the scene over and over, the pain fresh and unrelenting. Her fingers trembled as she reached into her pocket, pulling out a small bottle of sleeping pills and a half-empty flask of whiskey.
"Maybe this will help," she muttered, her voice barely audible over the wind. The pills were bitter on her tongue, but she swallowed them down with a swig of whiskey, the burn in her throat a welcome distraction from the ache in her heart.
As the alcohol dulled her senses, she let her thoughts drift to the past-to her first love, Bastian. The one person who had always made her feel safe. His name was a whisper in her mind, a flicker of warmth in the cold darkness surrounding her.
She stroked the bracelet on her wrist, the one he had given her all those years ago. Memories of him flooded her mind: his laughter, his touch, the way he had made her feel like the world wasn't such a terrible place after all. Losing him had nearly destroyed her, and now... now it felt like she was losing herself.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I wish I could've been stronger. Maybe if you were still here, things would be different. Maybe I..." Her words trailed off as tears streamed down her face.
The city lights blurred as her vision grew hazy. She lay back on the cold concrete, dangerously close to the edge, and closed her eyes. The pills and whiskey were taking effect, pulling her into a heavy, drowsy state. She welcomed the numbness, the escape from the torment that had become her reality.
"Bastian," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "If you're out there... if there's anything after this... I hope we find each other again."
A gust of wind whipped through her hair as she began to drift, her body swaying precariously. In her mind, she dreamed of falling-the sensation of weightlessness, the rush of air against her skin as she fell off the ledge.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 1 – The very beginning
Before heartbreak, before betrayal, before she lost everything, Anastasia Goodwin had a perfect life.
Her father, Wyatt Goodwin, was a well-respected lawyer, his name spoken with admiration across Chicago's courtrooms. He was charismatic, intelligent, and dedicated-not only to his work but to his family. Her mother, Helena, was the heart of their home, her warmth and laughter filling every room. She had a way of making even the most ordinary days feel magical.
Then there were her younger brothers, Matt and Sean. Wild and full of energy, they were always dragging Anastasia into their mischief, whether it was sneaking extra marshmallows into hot cocoa or plotting against their unsuspecting babysitters.
They weren't rich, but they were happy. Summers were spent on road trips, discovering hidden gems across the country, while winters meant snowball fights and curling up by the fire. Her parents had taught her that love wasn't measured in wealth, but in the moments they shared together.
But even in the happiest stories, storms are always waiting on the horizon.
One ordinary afternoon, Anastasia's world tilted. It started with whispered phone calls behind closed doors, the tension in her mother's smile. Helena, who had always been the strongest woman Anastasia knew, began to look tired. The family still went on trips, still laughed around the dinner table, but there was an undercurrent of something unspoken. Something dark.
The day her mother sat her and her brothers down, Anastasia already knew what was coming.
"I have cancer," Helena said softly.
The words landed like a blow. Anastasia couldn't breathe. Sean and Matt looked between their parents, searching for reassurance, but none came.
The fight had already begun, and it was a battle their mother would lose.
"Rate that one," Ethan whispered, sidling up to me as I tried to swallow my frustration. He gestured toward another girl walking by with her father-a tall man with a belly that strained his too-small suit jacket. "Girl's a solid six," Ethan murmured, barely holding back his grin. "Dad? Three. No, wait. Two-point-five. Those shoes are a crime." "Piss off," I hissed, though the corner of my mouth twitched. Teely joined him, holding two champagne flutes, one of which she offered to me. "You look like you need it." "Gee, thanks," I muttered, downing the drink in one go. It didn't help. Teely laughed softly. "Relax, Luca. You'll survive this. Probably." "Only because I haven't strangled anyone yet," I shot back, earning another chuckle from Ethan. "Seriously, though," Ethan said, dropping his voice. "You've gotta pick someone, or your dad's gonna lose his mind. And let's be honest, the guy doesn't have much sanity left to lose." I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "I'm not picking anyone. None of these people matter." "Your funeral," Ethan said with a shrug, though there was a flicker of understanding in his eyes. He knew. He always knew. The night dragged on, every interaction blurring into the next. Girls smiled politely, their fathers talked about alliances, and I nodded through all of it like I wasn't seconds away from bolting out the door. Then it hit me. A scent. Faint, but unmistakable. It was like rain on warm soil, mixed with something sweet and soft-something her. My chest tightened, my wolf snapping to attention like someone had just poured gasoline on a fire. I froze, the world around me dimming as I tried to track it. My head snapped to the left, then to the right. Where? Where was it coming from? "Luca?" Ethan's voice sounded far away, like it was coming from underwater. There. My eyes locked on the grand staircase at the far end of the hall. A girl was descending, her dress shimmering in the light like it was made of emeralds. Her movements were slow, almost deliberate, and I couldn't see her face yet. But I didn't need to. My heart hammered in my chest, each beat louder than the last. She was holding the arm of a man-tall, broad-shouldered, and irritatingly familiar. But I couldn't focus on him. Not when she finally turned her head, her face coming into view. Quinn. My legs nearly gave out. My breath caught, my wolf howling inside me. It was her. After everything, she was here. And she wasn't alone. ******************************************************************* Seventeen-year-old Quinn Wayne moves with her family from bustling New York City to a secluded, mist-shrouded town in Alaska, where her parents have purchased a dilapidated inn. Surrounded by dense forests and towering mountains, the picturesque town promises a fresh start-but Quinn quickly realizes it holds secrets far darker than she could have ever imagined. In this epic journey of love, sacrifice, and self-discovery, Quinn must rise as the Lunar Guardian, embracing her newfound powers and her identity as Luca's mate. The path ahead is uncertain, filled with loss, triumph, and transformation. But one thing is clear: the choices Quinn makes will forever alter the balance between humans and werewolves-and determine whether love can conquer even the darkest of curses.
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
She was hurt. She was bullied and made fun of. And the only hope that kept her going was finding her mate. She has always been weak. Weak to the world. Why? Because she was a lantern. She didn't have a wolf. That's what everyone thought about her. When she found her mate, he wanted her to be his slut and not a wife. She might be an omega, but it doesn't mean she will take disloyalty and betrayal lightly. So she did something that no one in history ever did. She rejected an Alpha. "I, Alexis Clark, reject Brandon Sterling, the alpha of Black mist pack, and consider myself a free soul until I decide so."; Were her last words before she left that torturous place and became a rogue. A rogue that everyone was fearing and finding. Why? Because she was the rogue that has become one of the biggest problems of almost all the packs in the country. She was Alexis Clark. A rogue that rejected an Alpha, stealth food, kill other rogues, and more than that was living with humans and studying with them. What will happen when her case is given to the world's most dangerous alpha, Sebastian Sinclair, who has taken it upon himself to punish this rogue. The one who hated rogues and omega to a level that was beyond understanding. Why? Because his mate was an omega, who betrayed him with a rogue before dying. How will Alexis tackle this alpha, in whose College she was studying and living under hiding for almost a year? What will Sebastian do when he finds out the new girl he had been talking to is none other than the rogue omega that he had decided to kill? "To love you with all my might was my only wish, but you were the only one who gave me endless suffering. So today, I promise myself to not fall for anyone."; A simple saying that both Alexis and Sebastian had vowed upon. Will they be able to find their love amidst all these problems?
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 was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
Accused of murder, Sylvia Todd's mother was deemed a traitor by the entire pack, condeming Sylvia to live the rest of her life alone in humiliation as a lowly slave. All she wanted to do was to prove her mother's innocence somehow, but fate never seemed to be on the side of the traitor's daughter. Still, Sylvia never lost hope. As the future lycan king of all werewolves, Rufus Duncan possessed great power and status, but he had an inexplicable reputation for being cruel, bloodthirsty, and ruthless. Unbeknownst to everyone, he had been cursed long ago to transform into a killer monster on every full moon. Even though fate did not always look upon the two, it brought Sylvia and Rufus together as each other's destined mates. Will justice be served for Sylvia's mother? What about Rufus' secret? Can Sylvia and Rufus defy all societal norms and stay together? Will these two unlucky souls have their happy ending?