In the high-stakes world of corporate law, Elle Monroe and Adrian Knight are sworn rivals. Elle, a rising star at one of the city's top law firms, has built her reputation on winning cases and taking down opponents-none more infuriating than Adrian. Known for his razor-sharp wit and devastating charm, Adrian is everything Elle despises: arrogant, calculating, and entirely too good at getting under her skin. When a multi-billion-dollar merger forces them to work together, their fiery rivalry reaches new heights. Sparks fly as their clashing personalities and mutual disdain turn every meeting into a battleground. But as the tension between them simmers, they begin to uncover the layers beneath each other's facades-secrets, vulnerabilities, and a passion neither can deny. Caught in a whirlwind of ambition, attraction, and danger, Elle and Adrian must decide: Can love bloom beneath the flames of their enmity, or will it consume them both? A steamy, emotional enemies-to-lovers romance that will keep you turning the pages until the very end.
### Chapter 1: Sparks and Ashes
The glass doors of Bryant & Co. slammed shut behind Elle Monroe, her heels striking the marble floor like a declaration of war. Her perfectly tailored navy blazer swayed as she marched toward the conference room, ignoring the curious glances of junior associates. This was her battleground, and Adrian Knight was the enemy.
Adrian sat at the far end of the table, leaning back in his chair with a smug smile that could melt glaciers-or enrage them further. His dark suit fit him like a second skin, exuding a confidence Elle found infuriating. He didn't bother to look up when she entered.
"You're late," he said, flipping through a folder without sparing her a glance.
"And you're predictable," she shot back, dropping her leather briefcase onto the table with a resounding thud. "Always starting with an insult."
Adrian's lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile as he finally looked up. "Not an insult, just an observation. Shall we?"
Elle bit back a retort and took her seat. The meeting began, but her mind was a storm of annoyance and something else-something she refused to name.
They had been at odds for years. From courtrooms to business negotiations, Adrian always seemed to be one step ahead, his smug confidence lighting a fire in Elle that was equal parts fury and... intrigue.
The hours dragged on as they dissected the terms of the merger. Every point became a battle, every word a weapon. When Adrian leaned forward to counter her argument, the proximity sent a shiver down her spine. She stiffened, refusing to let him see the effect he had on her.
"You seem tense, Monroe," Adrian said, his voice smooth and teasing. "Afraid of losing?"
"I don't lose," she replied coolly, though her pulse betrayed her. "Unlike you, I don't let my ego get in the way of my work."
Adrian chuckled, a low, rich sound that sent heat crawling up her neck. "We'll see about that."
As the meeting adjourned, Elle gathered her things, refusing to look at him. But as she turned to leave, Adrian's voice stopped her.
"Dinner tonight," he said, not as a question but a statement.
Elle whirled around, her eyes blazing. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," he said, his tone casual but his eyes gleaming with challenge. "We're on the same team now. Might as well start acting like it."
She opened her mouth to refuse, but the words caught in her throat. The thought of spending more time with him-of peeling back the layers of the man she hated so fiercely-both terrified and thrilled her.
"I'll think about it," she said finally, spinning on her heel and walking away, her heart pounding louder than her footsteps.
Behind her, Adrian's smile lingered, a mix of triumph and something softer. The game was just beginning.
"I, Riccardo Saviano, future Alpha of the Grey Shadow Moon Pack, reject you, Artemisia Guerrieri, Daughter of Alpha Franco of the Blood Moon Pack, as my mate and future Luna." One single sentence. One stupid single sentence was all it took to disintegrate my life. And the day of my birthday, on which this sentence was audaciously uttered to me, I lost the love of my life, my future mate, and my wolf, all at once. As I'm still assembling the pieces of my shattered heart years later, there they come. Like lightning out of a crystal blue sky. My Mates. But wait... If I am mated to triplets, how come I'm about to be mated to 5 gorgeous men? *** TW: explicit and foul language; spicy content; explicit sex scenes ***
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
“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.
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.
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."