Novels by ASHLEY RAY

The sleek black car pulled through the towering gates of the Lycan palace, and Leila's breath caught in her throat. Even after several days of staying here, the magnificence still overwhelmed her, golden spires reaching toward the sky, ancient stone walls that hummed with power, gardens that seemed to glow with ethereal light.Prince Darius helped her out of the car, his hand gentle but protective on her arm. "Welcome home, sister," he said softly.Before Leila could respond, the massive doors of the palace burst open."My daughter!"King William rushed down the marble steps with a speed that defied his regal bearing. His arms wrapped around Leila, pulling her into an embrace that was both fierce and tender."Father," Leila whispered, tears streaming down her face as she buried her head against his chest.The King pulled back slightly, his hands cupping her face as he studied her with eyes that shimmered with unshed tears. "You're home. Finally, after eighteen years, you're home.""I'

As Leila turned toward the car, Adrian's hand shot out, gripping her wrist."Wait," he said, his voice desperate now. "Leila, we need to talk about this. You can't just…"The stranger moved faster than Adrian could track. One moment he was standing beside the car, the next his fist connected with Adrian's jaw with brutal force.Adrian crashed to the ground, the impact rattling his bones. Blood filled his mouth instantly, hot and metallic. He spat it out, staining the pavement red."You bastard!" the man snarled, looming over Adrian with fury blazing in his eyes. "Don't you ever come near her again!"Adrian struggled to push himself up, his vision swimming. "Who the hell do you think you are?"The stranger didn't answer. He simply turned his back on Adrian, the ultimate sign of disrespect, and guided Leila toward the car with a protective hand on her shoulder."Leila!" Adrian screamed, blood dripping from his mouth as he fought to stand. "LEILA!"She paused for just a fraction of a sec

Leila’s eyes widened, her hands trembling as she stared at the contract.The same paper she signed years ago to save him… now being used as a weapon against her.Her chest tightened, her vision blurring with tears. But before she could speak…Adrian’s next words cut through the air like a blade.“Tell me, Leila,” he said slowly, mockery dripping from every word. “How much are you worth this time?”Her tears fell silently… Leila’s hands trembled as she stared at the contract on the table. Her voice cracked, raw with pain.“For the past three years,” she whispered, “I’ve loved you completely. Unconditionally.”Adrian’s expression didn’t change. Cold. Distant.“And that’s what you think of me?” Her tears burned down her cheeks. “Let’s end this.”She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her, sharp, commanding.“You can’t just walk away whenever it suits you.”Leila froze.Adrian picked up the contract and slammed it on the desk. “Clause 3.2,” he said darkly. “Only I can break the contr

“Alpha,” Alex’s voice came through the line, tired but steady. “I checked all the hospitals. There’s no one that matches Leila’s name or description.”Adrian’s grip on the phone tightened. “No one?”“No one, Alpha.”The call ended, and Adrian slowly lowered the phone. His chest constricted painfully as he whispered into the empty room, “She’s just a human orphan. Where could she possibly disappear to?”The words echoed back at him, hollow and haunting. He sank to the floor, resting his back against the bed. His hair was a tangled mess, his eyes bloodshot. A half-empty bottle of alcohol rolled to the side as he pressed his palms against his face. The great Alpha Adrian Blackwood sat broken on the floor, drowning in fear and guilt.Meanwhile, far away in the Lycan palace, Leila had been carried into a grand chamber, her body weak and pale. She was very sick, her breaths shallow. Healers rushed in and out, preparing herbs and remedies.Prince Darius paced back and forth near her bedside,

One of the pack bodyguards scowled down at her.“The servants’ quarters are around the back. Let’s go, human,” he growled, dragging her away.Leila gasped, struggling against his grip. “Get your hands off me!” She kicked and twisted, her voice rising above the noise.Her cry carried across the courtyard. Alpha Adrian’s head turned sharply at the sound. His eyes widened as he finally saw her, his hidden wife, in the crowd, being manhandled like a slave.“Release her!” Adrian’s commanding voice cut through the chaos, his eyes flashing as he stepped forward. The bodyguard immediately dropped his grip on Leila, bowing his head.Leila stumbled back, her arm aching, her hair wet with sweat and tears. Adrian’s gaze landed on her, cold and sharp. “What the hell are you doing here? You know the rules. No unauthorized access.”Leila’s chest rose and fell as her tears slid down her cheeks. “What? Are you afraid that I’ll interrupt your… important work? Or…” her voice cracked, “…your not-so-secre

Leila’s eyes were closed as she was deep in a kiss with her Alpha, Adrian. Her soft moans filled the quiet room, breaking the stillness of the early morning. When he finally pulled away, her eyes fluttered open, locking onto his cold, unreadable gaze. Adrian rolled off the bed, reaching for his clothes without another word.The moment he stood, Leila slowly sat up, her hair falling over her face. She was Alpha Adrian Blackwood’s wife, the feared Alpha of the Blue Moon pack, but no one knew she existed. To the world, she was nothing but a lowborn human hidden in his shadow.After buttoning his shirt, Adrian glanced at her briefly. “I sent you your monthly allowance,” he said flatly.Her phone buzzed on the bed. She picked it up and saw the alert, the money had indeed been deposited. With a small sigh, she set the phone back down and slid off the bed.“Adrian,” she said softly, almost shyly, “do you want to stay for breakfast? I can make your favorite.”“I can’t. I’m busy with pack duty