When the infamous mafia boss Vincenzo Moretti is assassinated on his wedding day, chaos descends upon the world he built. His young widow, Elena, and her daughter, Alessia, are left vulnerable and alone, thrust into the dangerous shadows of the criminal underworld. But protection comes from an unlikely source-**Luca Moretti**, the new mafia king and Vincenzo's cold, calculating son. Luca is a man hardened by loss, power, and the weight of his father's legacy. When he takes Elena and Alessia into his estate, it's not out of kindness-it's out of duty. Alessia, however, is no stranger to judgment. Luca sees her as nothing but a gold-digger, a parasite feeding off his late father's wealth. But Alessia refuses to cower under his sharp gaze, and their fiery clashes ignite a tension neither of them can ignore. As Luca hunts the enemies who killed his father, he finds himself distracted by the one woman he shouldn't want. Alessia is everything forbidden-his step-sister by marriage and a symbol of a past he resents. But the more he tries to push her away, the deeper he falls into her orbit. Alessia, meanwhile, is drawn into a world of betrayal, danger, and impossible choices. When a wealthy and charming suitor offers her a way out of the mafia's deadly grasp, she is torn between the promise of safety and the magnetic pull of Luca's dark, dangerous love. In a world where loyalty is everything and love is a liability, Luca and Alessia must face their deepest fears and darkest desires. But as enemies close in and secrets unravel, will their forbidden bond survive the firestorm-or destroy them both? Love. Power. Betrayal. In the end, nothing is off-limits when the heart is on the line.
The Castello D'Oro stood like a crown upon the cliffs, its golden walls catching the last rays of the setting sun. The sprawling estate wasn't simply a venue-it was a symbol of power, wealth, and dominance. Tonight, it hosted a celebration meant to unite two worlds: the marriage of Don Vincenzo Moretti, the infamous mafia king, and Elena, a woman who many whispered about but few truly knew.
The grand ballroom was a masterpiece of decadence. Chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling like frozen constellations, their crystal prisms scattering light across the polished marble floors. Gold and crimson drapes framed towering windows that overlooked the restless sea. Beneath the glow of the chandeliers, men in tailored suits and women in glittering gowns mingled, their laughter and chatter disguising the tension that always lingered in gatherings of the powerful and dangerous.
This was no ordinary wedding. It was a declaration. Vincenzo Moretti, a man whose name struck fear across continents, was celebrating his dominance with a lavish display. Every guest in the room knew they were here not just to witness a union but to pay homage to the man who ruled the shadows.
Alessia stood apart from the crowd, tightly gripping the stem of a champagne flute. The twenty-four-year-old adjusted the neckline of her simple satin dress, feeling uncomfortably out of place among the opulence. The air smelled of roses, expensive perfume, and power-a heady mixture that made her stomach churn.
Her mother, Elena, had insisted that Alessia attend. "This is our new life," Elena had said with a smile, her eyes shimmering with hope and determination. But Alessia wasn't so sure.
Her eyes scanned the room, lingering on the man at the center of everyone's attention. Don Vincenzo Moretti stood tall and imposing, his graying hair slicked back, his sharp features exuding authority. He wore a black suit that seemed to absorb the light, his crimson tie the only splash of color. Even on his wedding day, he looked like a man ready for battle.
Beside him stood Elena, radiant in her ivory lace gown. She looked beautiful, almost ethereal, but Alessia couldn't shake the unease that gnawed at her. Her mother's marriage to Vincenzo had been a whirlwind-quick, unexpected, and surrounded by whispers. Alessia had protested at first, even fought with her mother, but Elena had insisted that Vincenzo was a good man who would protect them.
Still, Alessia couldn't ignore the flicker of fear in her mother's eyes, the way her smile sometimes faltered when she thought no one was looking. Was this really love? Or was it survival?
Alessia's thoughts were interrupted when her gaze landed on another figure across the room-**Luca Moretti**, Vincenzo's only son. He stood near the bar, a glass of whiskey in his hand, watching the proceedings with an expression that was both detached and calculating.
Luca was nothing like Vincenzo in appearance. Where his father was all sharp edges and commanding presence, Luca was smooth and refined, his tailored suit fitting him like a second skin. He had jet-black hair, slicked back neatly, and dark eyes that seemed to see through people. But Alessia could feel the same intensity radiating from him, a quiet storm brewing beneath his calm exterior.
Their eyes met briefly, and Alessia's stomach tightened. Luca didn't bother to hide his disdain. She could see it in the slight curl of his lip, the way his gaze swept over her as though she were an annoyance. He hadn't said much to her in the few times they'd crossed paths, but his opinion of her was clear.
Gold digger. Opportunist. Parasite.
The words weren't spoken, but they hung heavy in the air between them. Alessia broke the eye contact first, turning her attention back to her champagne flute. She didn't care what Luca thought of her. His opinion didn't matter. This wasn't her world, and she had no intention of staying in it longer than she had to.
The music shifted, signaling the start of the ceremony. Guests began taking their seats, their conversations fading to murmurs. Vincenzo extended his arm to Elena, his expression softening just enough to show a glimmer of affection. Alessia watched as her mother placed her hand on his arm, her fingers trembling slightly.
"You'll be fine," Alessia whispered, squeezing her mother's free hand. "You've got this."
Elena smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Thank you, cara mia. Stay close, okay?"
Alessia nodded, though she wasn't sure how much help she could be. She felt like a spectator in her own life, swept along by forces she couldn't control.
As the bridal march began to play, Alessia stepped back to let her mother and Vincenzo take center stage. They walked toward the altar near the grand staircase, their movements slow and deliberate. The guests rose to their feet, applause echoing through the ballroom.
But Alessia couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. There was a tension in the air, subtle but growing. She glanced around, her heart quickening. The guards stationed at the entrances seemed more alert than usual, their hands hovering near their weapons.
Then she saw him.
A man in a black suit, standing near the back of the room, his face partially obscured by the brim of his hat. Something about him set off alarms in Alessia's mind. He wasn't clapping. He wasn't even watching the ceremony. He was watching the guards.
Before Alessia could process what was happening, the first gunshot rang out.
The sound was deafening, shattering the fragile illusion of peace. Screams erupted as the guests scrambled to take cover, toppling chairs and tables in their panic. Alessia froze, her mind struggling to catch up with the chaos unfolding around her.
More shots followed in rapid succession, the sharp cracks of gunfire echoing through the ballroom. Men in black suits stormed into the room, their faces hidden by masks, their weapons raised. They moved with military precision, their target clear.
"Get down!" someone shouted, but Alessia couldn't move. She could only watch in horror as Vincenzo staggered, clutching his chest as blood blossomed across his suit.
"No!" Elena's scream cut through the chaos as she tried to reach him, but one of the attackers grabbed her, dragging her back.
Alessia's paralysis broke. She lunged forward, her instincts screaming to protect her mother, but a hand yanked her back.
"Stay down!" a deep, commanding voice growled in her ear.
It was Luca. He appeared out of nowhere, his expression as cold and unyielding as steel. His grip on her arm was like iron as he pulled her behind an overturned table.
"They're here to finish him," Luca muttered, peering over the edge of the table. "And they won't stop with him."
"My mother-" Alessia began, her voice shaking.
"She's alive. For now," Luca snapped, his tone sharp. "But if you don't shut up and stay down, you won't be."
Tears blurred Alessia's vision as she crouched behind the table, her heart pounding in her chest. The sounds of gunfire and screams filled the air, but it all seemed distant, like a nightmare she couldn't wake from.
Minutes felt like hours, but eventually, the gunfire stopped. The attackers retreated as quickly as they had arrived, leaving behind a scene of destruction. Broken glass and overturned tables littered the floor. The once-beautiful ballroom now looked like a battlefield.
Alessia slowly stood, her legs trembling. Her eyes searched the room until they landed on the motionless form of Vincenzo Moretti. He lay in a pool of blood, his lifeless eyes staring at the ceiling.
Elena was on her knees beside him, sobbing uncontrollably, her gown stained with crimson. Alessia's breath caught in her throat as she took a step toward her mother, but Luca's hand shot out, stopping her.
"Wait," he said, his voice low and urgent. "They might come back."
Alessia turned to him, her eyes blazing with anger and grief. "We can't just leave her like this!"
Luca's jaw tightened, his dark eyes flashing. "Do you think I don't want to help her? Do you think I don't care? But if you go out there now, you'll get yourself killed. And then what?"
Alessia bit her lip, tears streaming down her face. She hated him in that moment-hated his cold logic, his unshakable calm. But she knew he was right.
Luca stood slowly, his movements careful and deliberate. He surveyed the room, his expression unreadable. "They'll come for us next," he said quietly. "We need to move. Now."
Alessia hesitated, her heart torn between staying with her mother and following Luca. But the look in his eyes left no room for argument. He wasn't asking. He was commanding.
Taking a deep breath, Alessia nodded. "Lead the way."
As Luca guided her toward an exit, Alessia cast one last glance at her mother, silently promising herself that she would come back. But deep down, she knew that nothing would ever be the same again.
"You're mine now," Kieran growls as he presses her against the wall, his body holding her in place. His fingers trail across her skin, making her shiver. "Your mother's debt will be paid-with your body and your obedience." His lips brush her ear as his hand moves lower, making her gasp. "You can fight me, little human, but my wolf has already claimed you." He grabbed her from her waist and pushed her to the bed, "I'll fuck you as much as I want.... because You're mine forever." One night changed Lena's life forever. Lena, a college student, is kidnapped and sold in an auction to creatures with glowing eyes. Just as all hope seems lost, a powerful stranger steps in and saves her. His silver eyes and the strength in his voice are unforgettable. They call him the Alpha King. Weeks later, Lena's mother surprises her with big news-she's engaged to a rich man and they'll be moving to his grand estate in the mountains. But when Lena arrives at the mansion, her heart stops. Her mother's fiancé is the same man who saved her at the auction. Kieran Volkov isn't just a rich man. He's the Alpha King of the werewolves, creatures Lena never even knew existed. And every time he looks at her, Lena feels his intense, burning desire. When Lena's mother runs away before the wedding, stealing valuables and leaving her behind, Kieran gives Lena a terrible choice. She must take her mother's place as his bride-or he'll track her mother down and make her pay. He doesn't just want her out of revenge-he believes she's his true mate, the one woman who can calm the beast inside him.
Amelia Hart's wedding day is supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Dressed in a gown fit for a fairy tale and poised to marry Ethan Cole, the billionaire tech mogul every woman dreams of, she has everything she's ever been told she should want. But as she stares at her reflection-a stranger in a dazzling white cage-she can't ignore the truth clawing at her chest: she doesn't love him. With the weight of expectations, family pressure, and a room full of glittering guests waiting for her grand entrance, Amelia makes the decision to do the unthinkable-run.
Trigger Warning: This novel contains themes of sexual violence, abuse, and manipulation that may be distressing to some readers. Carla never dreamed of becoming the Luna, but when the ruthless Alpha King claimed her as his mate, she was thrust into a life of power, pain, and impossible expectations. To secure her place as Queen, she must accomplish one task: conceive an heir within the next twelve months. Failure means a fate worse than death-being discarded as a slave, handed over to the warriors for their pleasure. But there's one devastating problem: the Alpha King is infertile. Desperate to survive, Carla turns to the Beta-the only man who shows her kindness-and seduces him into her bed. As their forbidden affair ignites, Carla concocts a bold and dangerous plan: if the Beta kills the Alpha, they can be together, and she can finally claim the freedom she craves. Yet in the tangled web of lies, lust, and betrayal, Carla begins to question her own heart. Does she truly love the Beta, or is he just a pawn in her carefully crafted scheme? And as the walls close in, will she sacrifice him, herself, or the kingdom for the chance to be with her true mate?
Aria never wanted to marry Kael, the arrogant playboy her father forced her to accept as her fiancé. But Kael had his own twisted motives-he only wanted her because she was the one girl who refused him. When Aria rejected his demand to sleep with him a week before their wedding, Kael tried to take what he wanted by force. His drunken pursuit ended in tragedy when he was struck by a car, leaving Aria caught in the crossfire of blame. Zander, Kael's elder brother and the soon-to-be Alpha King, believed Aria was responsible for his brother's death-and promiscuous to boot. To prevent war between their packs, Zander agreed to marry her, but only for revenge. His plan? Ruin Aria's life for a year, then cast her aside and divorce her. But Zander's scheme begins to unravel when his ex-best friend Asher returns, determined to take Aria for himself. As secrets from the past resurface, Zander discovers betrayal, lies, and truths he never wanted to face. Was Aria truly guilty, or was she just another pawn in a deadly game of power and revenge? Asher laugh and say, "You're a fool; she never wanted to come. I told her you were with Lyra, so she came. And now I've achieved my goal: I ruined your marriage." Zander feel foolish, asking, "But why? I never did anything to you! You were my best friend. I should have killed you when you slept with my ex fiancée, Lyra!" Asher respond, "You knew I loved her, but you stole Lyra from me. She was my true mate, but she refused to marry me because you were soon to be the Alpha King! She never loved you. She loved me but wanted to be the queen of werewolves; that's all." Zander would realize how foolish he was. Yet, he still believed Aria wasn't innocent because she slept with his deceased brother before the wedding.
She spent eighteen years in an orphanage, but it was time to get out. According to the orphanage rules, once a child reaches legal age, they must depend on themselves. Celine didn't know what to do; luckily, she met her savior that day. If only she had known what she was getting herself into, she would never have gone with him. Celine found herself caught in a life of addiction, living in his house, where he was ready to sell her organs to get his fix. To save her life, she had to help him sell drugs. Her innocence became a liability. Soon, she found herself targeted by the king's men-kidnapped, bound, and tortured for selling drugs without their permission. But sometimes, what we fear the most might turn out to be the best for us. Celine found herself trapped in the king's palace, drowning in his love and married to him by force.
"Please, let me go," she begged, her eyes brimming with tears and her voice shaking with fear. Struggling to breathe, she felt trapped in his overwhelming embrace. He ignored her pleas, seemingly unaware of the pain he was causing, driven by jealousy that clouded his judgment. With all her strength, she pushed against him, desperate for even a moment of freedom. But he held her down, his voice low and threatening as he said, "No, I want you now." In that moment, everything changed for her. She was his younger brother's fiancée, and this encounter marked the beginning of a dark path. In an instant, her innocence was shattered, but she would eventually seek justice.
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Julia and Evan were the perfect couple-or so she thought. But everything changed when Evan abruptly ended their relationship, leaving her heartbroken and unable to tell him she was carrying his child. Years later, Julia has built a life for herself and her son, Andy, while Evan has risen to unimaginable wealth and success. Their paths cross again at a chance meeting, but Julia soon discovers Evan has moved on with someone else. Julia is done with the pain. She's fought battles alone, raising a son who deserves the truth about his father, even if Evan doesn't deserve her forgiveness. When Julia told Evan years ago she had something to say, he didn't listen. Now, it's time for him to listen. But is it too late to reclaim what he lost? "We should break up," he'd said, the words cutting through her like glass. The pregnancy test in her pocket stayed hidden, just like the child they would never share. Now, it's Evan's turn to hear the truth-and to face his deepest regret.
"It's getting hot in here, don't you think?" I shudder as my clit becomes wet with his smooth voice. I melt away in his arms. He kisses me with a passion I've never felt before, and I moan into his mouth, lost in the moment until I sense him kicking open a door. I realize we're in a room. He continues the kiss as I wrap my leg around him, pulling him closer, his erection pressing into me. I feel my panties dripping wet from arousal. He releases me, resting his back on the headboard, and grabs my thigh, pulling me closer. His hand goes to my hair, releasing it to let my curls fall freely. He guides his fingers from my scalp to the ends of the curls, muttering in a husky voice, "Fucking beautiful. ****** Jasmine found herself trapped in a loveless marriage. Her world shattered when she uncovered her husband's betrayal on his birthday. Heartbroken and betrayed, she made the difficult decision to leave him and start anew in Illinois, with her friend Ava by her side. As Jasmine tried to go through her new life, a one-night stand left her pregnant, uncertain about the father's identity. But complications arose as Maxwell, Jasmine's ex-husband, refused to let go. Jasmine discovered shocking truths about Ava's betrayal. As secrets unraveled and loyalties were tested, Would she find the strength to overcome the obstacles in her way? Could she trust her heart, or would the shadows of the past forever haunt her?