Enslaved and tortured, she believed darkness had consumed her completely. But then, this man appeared: The Devil, a man shrouded in shadows and mystery. Drawn to his brute strength and dangerous aura, she longed for his protection. However, her love for this dark man dragged her into a deadly game. Can she escape his clutches and find happiness, or will she be trapped forever in his world of shadows?
Here I am, huddled in a cage so small I can barely move, my skin cold against the metal bars that remind me how trapped I am. I'm wearing a threadbare dress, so short and thin that it reveals more than it covers, exposing my vulnerability to these monsters who stare at us as if we were mere objects. Each of their eyes slides over my body like a repulsive caress, as if they already own me, even if they haven't paid the price for it yet. The thought turns my stomach.
In the distance, the raspy voices of men mix with the hum of the fluorescent lights above our heads. They're bidding on us, on the girls trapped in this hell with me. Their numbers are thrown into the air with the same indifference as if they were gambling in a casino, not understanding or perhaps not caring that they are deciding the fate of a human life. Their laughter is like claws tearing at what little remains of my sanity.
I look at the blonde in the cage next to me. She's shaking, though she tries not to show it too much. The way she bites her lips hard, almost to the point of bleeding, tells me she's scared. I don't blame her. Fear is our most faithful companion here. She, like me, has learned to keep quiet. We know that words are of no use in this place, they only make things worse. I spoke up the first few weeks, I screamed and cried, but all I got was punishment. Silence is our only weapon, even if it can barely protect us from the inevitable.
"And here we have the blonde girl," the host announces with a smile that makes my hair stand on end. As if he's showing off the latest model of car at a luxury auction. She shivers more when he points at her, but she remains silent.
The numbers start to go up. "500 thousand," an old man says. I don't recognize his face, but I know who he is. He's always here, buying girls one by one. Another man holds up his sign. "800 thousand." Prices are rising rapidly. I feel a pang in my chest every time someone else bids. It's like they're putting a price on our souls.
Finally, the old man wins the bid with "900 thousand." The blonde will be his. I can't imagine what awaits her, but I know it will be horrible. She knows what's coming, and yet, I watch her struggle to keep her composure. A whisper of hope dies on my lips. There's no hope here, only darkness.
Tomorrow, it will be my turn.
They haven't sold me yet because I'm underage, but that ends tomorrow, when I turn 18. They know that. They're waiting anxiously, like hungry wolves stalking their prey. They have rules here: they don't sell the girls until they're of age, but in the meantime, they rent us out. Over these two years, I've been rented out too many times to count, but they've kept me intact for one reason only. A virgin girl is worth more, much more.
But what they can't take away from me, what they can't sell, is how disgusting I feel inside. Even though I'm still technically a virgin, I feel dirtier than anything else. They've touched me too many times. Their hands have left invisible marks on my skin, scars that will never heal. No matter how much I bathe, no matter how much I scrub, I always feel dirty. Every time I close my eyes, I relive those moments. Disgust consumes me. I'm not me anymore. I'm a shadow of my former self, an empty shell.
"And here's our specialty for today," the host says, pointing at me.
I knew this moment would come. My heart pounds in my chest, but I don't show anything on my face. I've learned not to react, not to let them see how much it affects me. They won't sell me today, not yet, but they will rent me out, as they have so many times before. The room erupts in murmurs. They look at me, they size me up. I'm a trophy to them, an object of desire they long to possess.
"The girl we all love," the host smiles, as if this were some kinds of fun show.
The signs go up once more, the bids fly around the room, and I can only stare at the floor, wishing for this all to end. I feel empty, like my soul has already been ripped from me. I want to disappear, dissolve into thin air, but I can't. I'm trapped, condemned to continue living this hell.
Finally, the host closes the bidding. "A million to Mr. Campbell."
The name sends a chill down my spine. Campbell. That man is a monster, the same one who bought my best friend a year ago. I haven't seen her since. Deep down I know she's dead, but I cling to the illusion that maybe, just maybe, she's still alive. It's a lie I repeat to myself over and over, because the truth would be too painful to accept.
I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to prepare myself for what's coming. The thought of what Campbell will do to me turns my stomach. I want to vomit. I want to scream. I want to die. But I don't do any of those things. I hold myself still, like a broken doll, waiting to be used and then tossed aside.
Sometimes, I wonder why I keep fighting, why I haven't found a way to end all of this. I've tried, I swear. I've searched for ways to end my life, but I always fail. It's like even to die is a failure. The universe mocks me, denying me even the comfort of death. I feel like a mistake, a mistake that should never have been born. I'm paying for that mistake now.
I expect nothing from this world. Heaven, earth, none have given me reasons to believe in anything but this endless pain. I'm alone. I always have been. And that won't change.
"Is it that hard?" I whisper, even though I know no one is listening.
I don't want to open my eyes ever again. I just want peace, a rest that has been denied me since I entered this place. But that is an impossible wish. This world has no mercy for girls like me.
The host takes me by the arm, dragging me out of the cage. My body is tense, fear runs through me from head to toe, but I don't bother to fight anymore. I just hope that this time it will be quick, that this man will use me and leave me alone. But I know that won't be the case.
I look at the floor as I am led to my destination. The murmurs of the room follow me like a dark cloud, and the cold of the hallway's seeps under my skin. My heart beats so fast that it feels like it will explode at any moment, but at the same time, I feel a complete disconnection from my body. As if I am no longer me, as if my soul left this place a long time ago.
Tomorrow will be worse.
Tomorrow, they will sell me.
A party that gets out of control An infidelity that breaks my heart Betrayals, secrets, and truths coming to light They accuse me of a crime I didn't commit, but I will prove my innocence. I don't remember much, just a few gray eyes that became my salvation in more ways than one.
She... a sweet, tender, delicate and insecure woman, expelled from her family. He... a man scarred by battles, strong, confident, strict and known for being cruel A favor that united two people beyond a friendship. They were polar opposites. The attraction was irremediable. 3 months were enough to love each other.
Ares wants revenge and for that alone, he has returned to Olympus, but he will meet a muse who will make him rethink his priorities. Although it may not seem like it to him. War has always been his only love, the only reason for his existence, he enjoys the pleasures that his divinity grants him but everything changes from one moment to another. Can Ares admit that he has a heart? Will he accept that he not only loves war but also loves love? Only a muse can be the reason for his existence and make him know true happiness, but not everything is easy, can the gods of Olympus separate them? Revenge, love, betrayal, and drama ... I invite you to know the other side of the God of war.
A bastard like him shouldn't have her ... A woman like her shouldn't be wasting herself on someone who doesn't know how to treat a lady. She does not interest me what they think, she will be for me. I am the one who will make her enjoy it and worship as the goddess that she is. Go ahead, you can judge me ... but I want and want for myself, my brother's wife. And I won't stop until I get it. My name is Santino and this is the story of how an unusual woman snatched away the calm and peace that she had in my life. Alexa came to me in the simplest way possible and without doing anything to get my attention, but my brother was the trigger that the passion that existed in me focused on his girl, and in his attempt to be better than me, he committed the mistake of unleashing a forbidden love between her and me.
I am not the type of girl who attracts men, my life is not very social and my best friend is my cat Salem. He dedicated me to writing, hanging out with my brother, and sometimes with my few friends. Everything was normal until that Valentine's Day when everything changed for me. Two men burst into my life as if they were earthquakes, their auras indicating danger and they enveloped me in their life as if I had belonged there. My mother always said that men with tattoos were a danger and a problem for girls. But these two Greek gods got me and now I'm part of the mob. This is my story
Lailah Gazth had her whole life planned, but her world falls apart when her best friend Alison dies in a car accident, caused by nothing more and nothing less than the young criminal Azael Grimm or so he calls himself ... Lailah decides to take a risk and report him, getting a trial in which they will debate whether he is guilty or not, but that will be in three months, the same time Azael has to make her fall in love and prevent her from testifying against him and thus not go to jail. Will she get it? What consequences could she bring to her after her?
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was back—and with child—they couldn’t wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, I’m the one asking for a divorce every single day. I want it even more than any of you!" But they brushed off her remark as a paltry attempt to save face. Until William made a declaration himself. "Divorce is out of the question. Anyone who spreads false rumors shall face legal consequences!" Renee was at a loss. What was this crazy man up to now?
Lyric had spent her life being hated. Bullied for her scarred face and hated by everyone-including her own mate-she was always told she was ugly. Her mate only kept her around to gain territory, and the moment he got what he wanted, he rejected her, leaving her broken and alone. Then, she met him. The first man to call her beautiful. The first man to show her what it felt like to be loved. It was only one night, but it changed everything. For Lyric, he was a saint, a savior. For him, she was the only woman that had ever made him cum in bed-a problem he had been battling for years. Lyric thought her life would finally be different, but like everyone else in her life, he lied. And when she found out who he really was, she realized he wasn't just dangerous-he was the kind of man you don't escape from. Lyric wanted to run. She wanted freedom. But she desired to navigate her way and take back her respect, to rise above the ashes. Eventually, she was forced into a dark world she didn't wish to get involved with.
Veronica is an eighteen-year-old omega who falls into an emotional breakdown when her Mate, who was soon to be the Alpha of the Sun crest pack, turns against her, hurls hurtful words at her, and rejects her on the night of the full moon festival because he and everyone in the pack, including her, thinks she is an omega. As if the pain of rejection, helplessness, and worthlessness wasn't enough, she lost her best and only friend to the cold hands of death when rogue wolves attacked their pack. Right in the presence of her mate, she was tagged as someone who always attracted problems and calamities anywhere she went and he turned a blind eye and watched as she was banished from the pack. With hatred for her life, she runs deep into the woods that were off-limits and jumps off to end her life, but in a turn of events, something else happens. What would her mate do when he finds out that Veronica is not who he thinks she is? Will she be able to forgive him? What fate lies ahead for them?
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"