A Pawn In His Dirty Game
All she ever wanted was to be loved.
All she ever wanted was to escape the cage she was born into, but betrayal shatters her world when her fiancé elopes with her sister and her rival blackmails her into marrying him. Now, her goal seems far from reach.
Zachary Wellington—cold, ruthless, and feared by everyone except one woman: Valerie Hampton, the one woman he has despised since high school. She bullied his first love, and the girl died after discovering a secret about Valerie.
Years later, they are powerful rivals, well known in the business world. He calls her Ursula—the villain in his love story—and she calls him Dracula, the devil’s spawn. The next time they meet, Zachary drops a bombshell: she must marry him, or her father’s dirty dealings will be exposed to the public.
Left with no choice and determined to protect her father’s reputation, she agrees to the marriage.
Fueled by old wounds and a twisted thirst for revenge, Zachary turns their union into a twisted game of chess guided by cold rules, where every move is calculated and trust is a luxury neither of them can afford.
But what begins as punishment spirals into something far more dangerous: desire, obsession, and secrets that refuse to stay buried. From betrayal and childhood trauma to a violent heir lurking in the shadows, Valerie and Zachary are about to uncover a truth that could destroy them both.
Love was never part of the plan.
But in a marriage built on lies and vengeance, it might be their only way out.
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Chapter: Chapter 071*VALERIE*Anna's words still bothered me long after she left. They spun in my mind even as the doctor treated the injury at the back of hand, inflicted when the needle ripped off.I couldn't hear what he said to Zachary, all I knew was that after they exchanged words, my eyes began to droop till I drifted into a deep sleep.When I woke up, Zachary was no longer in the room. He was now replaced with Cara.Her teary eyes met mine and they were immediately flooded with relief.“Valerie,” she croaked throwing herself into my arms, the impact nearly knocking the breath out of me. “I thought I'll never see you...” the rest of the words got muffled as she buried her face into my neck, tears sliding off her cheeks and dropping down my shoulder.I could barely lift my right hand, so I just wrap my other hand around her and rubbed her back soothingly.“I'm fine, Cara, really.”I meant for the words to calm her, but it merely made her sob even harder.Her shoulders shook as she clung to me, her
Last Updated: 2026-03-11
Chapter: Chapter 070*VALERIE*She that I never expected would be here.Anna. Her red lips were set in grim line as her eyes darted between us, suspicious. I let my eyes sweep over her form. She looked different. Her ginger curls were now dyed black , cropped at the shoulder length. Her eyes were no longer different colors. They were now brown. She stepped in fully, shutting the door behind her. “Valerie,” she cooed, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “Long time no see.”I didn't share in her enthusiasm. I know first-hand the manipulative snake she was. I wonder what trick is up her sleeves this time. Zachary rose from where he sat beside me and marched towards her. “What are you doing here? ” He asked, grabbing her arm harshly. “I came to see an old friend, of course.”Her voice dripped with fake sweetness.She wrenched her arm from Zachary's grip.“Besides,” she murmured, rubbing her arm. “I helped in saving her.”My brows pulled into a frown. “What exactly do you mean?”Her eyes glinted with
Last Updated: 2026-03-10
Chapter: Chapter 069*VALERIE*Beep. Beep. Beep. The steady rhythm drilled into my skull, dragging me out of darkness.I groaned, trying to roll on my side but a sharp searing pain shot through my arm.My eyes peeled open. Everything was blurry at first. I blinked a few times, my eyelids feeling heavy and slowly, the fog cleared. Harsh fluorescent lights glared from above from the white unfamiliar ceiling.The sterile scent of antiseptic drifted through my nose.A thin tube trailed from my wrist, connecting to the beeping machine.My throat felt like sandpaper...dry and scratchy.I swallowed hard, trying to piece together how I got here.Then it hit me all at once.Panic flared in my chest as I jerked awake.Someone groaned from my side. I stiffened.My head turned slowly and my gaze landed on a figure slumped over the edge of the bed, his messy curls falling over his face.His breath was even, his lips slightly parted as he snored softly.Zachary.His name left my lips in a whisper.Unconsciously, m
Last Updated: 2026-03-09
Chapter: Chapter 068*VALERIE* I froze, the cold metal pressed against my temple. My eyes squeezed shut, my heart pounded violently. This is it. I'm going to die. “Lower your guns.. or I blow off her skull.” No one moved. Gareth's fingers pressed against the trigger as he cocked the gun. The officers lowered their weapons and my eyes widened in fear. What are they doing? “Step back! ” he barked and they followed his orders. Then he backed away slowly towards the waiting car, the muzzle of his gun still pressed to my head. He pulled open the car door and shoved me inside like a ragdoll. Pain shot through me as my injured shoulder made contact with the leather chair. Without waiting for a second, he swung into the driver's seat and stepped on the pedal. The engine roared to life. Tires screeched as the car lurched forward away from the clearing into the moonlit road. Bullets rained after us as the officers open fire. A bullet hit one of the side mirrors but that
Last Updated: 2026-03-08
Chapter: Chapter 067*VALERIE* Beep. Beep. Beep. The steady rhythm drilled into my skull, dragging me out of darkness. I groaned, trying to roll on my side but a sharp searing pain shot through my arm. My eyes peeled open. Everything was blurry at first. I blinked a few times, my eyelids feeling heavy and slowly, the fog cleared. Harsh fluorescent lights glared from above from the white unfamiliar ceiling. The sterile scent of antiseptic drifted through my nose. A thin tube trailed from my wrist, connecting to the beeping machine. My throat felt like sandpaper...dry and scratchy. I swallowed hard, trying to piece together how I got here. Then it hit me all at once. Panic flared in my chest as I jerked awake. Someone groaned from my side. I stiffened. My head turned slowly and my gaze landed on a figure slumped over the edge of the bed, his messy curls falling over his face. His breath was even, his lips slightly parted as he snored softly. Zachary. His name left my lips in a whisper.
Last Updated: 2026-03-07
Chapter: Chapter 066*VALERIE* I froze, the cold metal pressed against my temple. My eyes squeezed shut, my heart pounded violently. This is it. I'm going to die. “Lower your guns.. or I blow off her skull.” No one moved. Gareth's fingers pressed against the trigger as he cocked the gun. The officers lowered their weapons and my eyes widened in fear. What are they doing? “Step back! ” he barked and they followed his orders. Then he backed away slowly towards the waiting car, the muzzle of his gun still pressed to my head. He pulled open the car door and shoved me inside like a ragdoll. Pain shot through me as my injured shoulder made contact with the leather chair. Without waiting for a second, he swung into the driver's seat and stepped on the pedal. The engine roared to life. Tires screeched as the car lurched forward away from the clearing into the moonlit road. Bullets rained after us as the officers open fire. A bullet hit one of the side mirrors but that didn't stop Gar
Last Updated: 2026-03-07
Chapter: Chapter 192*FREYA*Lyra tugs at my arm and I turn back to her. “You should leave.”I shake my head frantically. “I can't leave without seeing Leonidas.”“Don't you get it?!” She hisses, panic rising in her voice. “You are going to get hurt.”“I am capable of protecting myself, ” I snap, voice harsher than I intended. “But—” she tries to protest but Kieran squeezes her arm gently. He lift his head and hold his gaze. “Let her go. It's best she does. We don't know how Leonidas is doing. ”The foot steps echo louder and without warning, Alera bolts to the corridor screaming. “Help! a rogue just broke free!”I stiffen. What is she doing? The footsteps halt and a voice barks. “What are you doing here, omega?! ”We heard Alera gasps for breath and we exchange glances. “I came to feed to feed the former beta and his mate as the Alpha ordered me to. On my way out, I saw a rogue break free from his cell.”“That is impossible, ” one of the guard says. “Are you sure about this , Omega? ”“Yes,” come
Last Updated: 2026-04-30
Chapter: Chapter 191*FREYA*Lyra tugs at my arm and I turn back to her. “You should leave.”I shake my head frantically. “I can't leave without seeing Leonidas.”“Don't you get it?!” She hisses, panic rising in her voice. “You are going to get hurt.”“I am capable of protecting myself, ” I snap, voice harsher than I intended. “But—” she tries to protest but Kieran squeezes her arm gently. He lift his head and hold his gaze. “Let her go. It's best she does. We don't know how Leonidas is doing. ”The foot steps echo louder and without warning, Alera bolts to the corridor screaming. “Help! a rogue just broke free!”I stiffen. What is she doing? The footsteps halt and a voice barks. “What are you doing here, omega?! ”We heard Alera gasps for breath and we exchange glances. “I came to feed to feed the former beta and his mate as the Alpha ordered me to. On my way out, I saw a rogue break free from his cell.”“That is impossible, ” one of the guard says. “Are you sure about this , Omega? ”“Yes,” come
Last Updated: 2026-04-30
Chapter: Chapter 190*FREYA*I quickly wrap the veil around my face, trying to brush past her. She grabs my arm stopping me. “Freya, where have you been ? ”My heart stutters.Damn it.“I'm sorry, I don't know who is that,” I say, averting my gaze . “I'm not Freya.”“Don't lie to me. I know you are Freya. ”My stomach drops.Shit!I should have known I would run into her somehow and made a plan for it. I bite down on my lips, thinking if what to do.Should I keep on denying or just tell her the truth?No, I can't.What if she's on Dorian's side?“Is it really you Freya?” her shaky voice cuts through my thoughts and I lifts my head slowly to meet her teary gaze.A sharp gasp tears from her throat, a hand flying to her mouth in disbelief.“It's really you.”I say nothing, eyes searching her face for any hidden motive.But my guts tells me she's innocent.Tears are slipping down her cheeks as she throws herself into my arm.“Oh Freya. I thank Selene for bringing you back to me.”The doubt in my chest slowl
Last Updated: 2026-04-30
Chapter: Chapter 189*FREYA*I quickly wrap the veil around my face, trying to brush past her. She grabs my arm stopping me. “Freya, where have you been ? ”My heart stutters.Damn it.“I'm sorry, I don't know who is that,” I say, averting my gaze . “I'm not Freya.”“Don't lie to me. I know you are Freya. ”My stomach drops.Shit!I should have known I would run into her somehow and made a plan for it. I bite down on my lips, thinking if what to do.Should I keep on denying or just tell her the truth?No, I can't.What if she's on Dorian's side?“Is it really you Freya?” her shaky voice cuts through my thoughts and I lifts my head slowly to meet her teary gaze.A sharp gasp tears from her throat, a hand flying to her mouth in disbelief.“It's really you.”I say nothing, eyes searching her face for any hidden motive.But my guts tells me she's innocent.Tears are slipping down her cheeks as she throws herself into my arm.“Oh Freya. I thank Selene for bringing you back to me.”The doubt in my chest slowl
Last Updated: 2026-04-30
Chapter: Chapter 188*FREYA* The guard leads us towards the stairs and stops in front of a door. He turns to us, his face still set in a scowl. “This is the Alpha's room, ” he says in a gruff voice, shooting me a nasty stare. He storms off after saying that and both I and Eira don't bother thanking him. As soon as he's out of earshot, I turn to Eira. “Do you think Dorian recognizes you? ” she whispers, casting a wary glance across the floor. My brows knit. “I really don't know.” Now that I think about it, his reaction is quite odd. He saw my face even though the lower half was covered with a black veil, he should have recognized me. But he made no mention of it. Does it mean Eira's plan of masking my scent worked? As if she can read my thoughts, Eira whispers back, “ That's a good thing. We don't have to worry about him for now.” I nod in agreement and we both turn to face the door. I freeze. This is Leonidas's room. Dorian took his place and his room too. He really has no sham
Last Updated: 2026-04-30
Chapter: Chapter 187*FREYA*The guard leads us towards the stairs and stops in front of a door. He turns to us, his face still set in a scowl. “This is the Alpha's room, ” he says in a gruff voice, shooting me a nasty stare. He storms off after saying that and both I and Eira don't bother thanking him.As soon as he's out of earshot, I turn to Eira. “Do you think Dorian recognizes you? ” she whispers, casting a wary glance across the floor. My brows knit. “I really don't know.”Now that I think about it, his reaction is quite odd. He saw my face even though the lower half was covered with a black veil, he should have recognized me. But he made no mention of it. Does it mean Eira's plan of masking my scent worked? As if she can read my thoughts, Eira whispers back, “ That's a good thing. We don't have to worry about him for now.”I nod in agreement and we both turn to face the door. I freeze. This is Leonidas's room. Dorian took his place and his room too. He really has no shame. Anger simmer
Last Updated: 2026-04-30
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