Novels by Ogala Miriam

ELIANAThe ride back was calm, not because I lacked words or didn't want to talk, but because my mind was elsewhere.My thoughts were a jumbled mess, consumed by the desperate need to convince Gabriel that Axel loved me, even though a part of me knew it was a lie I was telling myself as much as him.But I desperately needed to prove it to him - that Axel's love was real, that I was worthy of it. Gabriel's words had cut deep, leaving me feeling like I didn't deserve to exist, like I was somehow less than, unworthy of love or happiness. Maybe he was right, maybe I wasn't good enough, but the thought of accepting that was unbearable. I had to prove him wrong, had to show him that I was more than what he saw me as. The need to prove it burned inside me, overshadowing everything else, even the things that should have mattered more. It was a maddening obsession, one that consumed me, drove me to find a way, any way, to make Gabriel see what wasn’t existing- that Axel loved me, and I was w

ELIANA"My mind was racing with possibilities, consumed by the endless what-ifs. What could Vivian be hiding? What did Axel know that I didn't? The more I thought about it, the more my thoughts spiralled out of control. I felt like I was stuck in a maze with no exit, every door I opened leading to more questions. The worst part was the feeling of being in the dark, like I was the only one who didn't know what was going on. It seemed like everyone else was in on some secret, and I was just a pawn in their game. The thought sent a chill down my spine. Was I being manipulated?"He's in a discussion with the elders of the pack," she said, but even I could tell it was a lie. The words sounded rehearsed, lacking the sincerity that would have made them believable. I studied her face, searching for any hint of truth, but her eyes darted around the room, avoiding mine. The look on Axel's face said he wasn't buying it either. His eyes had narrowed, his brow furrowed in skepticism. He seemed to

ELIANA“Oh, hello dear,” I drawled, the sweetness in my tone dripping with sarcasm. She thought she could always toy with me, push me around like a pawn on her chessboard, but today was different. Today, I was ready to show her that I wouldn't be messed with, that I wouldn't be her doormat anymore.Her face was a picture of surprise, like she'd never heard me talk back before. I felt like I'd won the lottery, and my confidence was through the roof. I basked in the glory of standing up for myself, even if it was just for that one moment.“You look stunning,”she said, her voice laced with a sweetness that made my teeth ache. But I wasn't fooled – I saw the condescension lurking behind her words, the subtle dig that made me wonder if she was genuinely trying to compliment me or just manipulate me. I knew her game, and I wasn't buying it. The phrase 'you look stunning' sounded more like a backhanded compliment, a way to make me feel good about myself while subtly reinforcing her own supe

ELIANAAs I walked out of the restroom, I could sense Gabriel's gaze following me, his eyes lingering on me even though I wasn't looking directly at him. I could almost picture the smug, annoying smile spreading across his face, a familiar and infuriating sight."You spent so much time, I was almost getting worried," Axel said to me as I returned to the event center, his voice tinged with concern.I bit back a smile, hearing that he'd expressed worry about me. Maybe I was reading too much into it, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it meant more than it seemed. The thought lingered.I hated how little words of his made me feel - like a flutter in my chest, a warmth that spread through my veins, and a sense of being seen that I'd never experienced before. It was as if he had this uncanny ability to tap into emotions I thought I'd long buried, emotions I'd never even acknowledged to myself. Those few words, casually spoken, somehow managed to unravel me, leaving me feeling exposed

ELIANAThe thought sent a wave of anxiety through me. I had dug myself into a hole, and now I had to figure out how to get out of it without getting caught. Keeping up with the lie would require careful planning, quick thinking, and a lot of luck. I wasn't sure if I was up for the challenge, but I knew I had to try. The question was, how could I sustain this facade without losing my grip on reality?My mind was a whirlwind of different ideas, each one swirling around me like a vortex, pulling me in different directions. Some ideas seemed plausible, like stepping stones across a rushing river, promising a safe passage to the other side. Others, however, were far-fetched, like grasping at wisps of smoke that vanished into thin air the moment I thought I had a hold of them. As I stood there, mentally juggling these ideas, I felt like a juggler trying to keep too many balls in the air at once. Some ideas dropped to the ground, shattering into a hundred pieces, while others seemed to hover

ELIANA"I am not done with you," he said, his voice low and even, without a hint of anger or frustration. Yet, the words themselves carried a sense of finality, a warning that this conversation was far from over. He didn't raise his voice, but the calmness of his tone only made me feel more uneasy. As he spoke, his gaze roamed over me, from head to toe, with an intensity that made my skin prickle. It was as if he was taking stock of every detail about me, every curve and contour, every aspect of my appearance. I felt exposed, like I was standing in front of him without any defenses. The scrutiny was unnerving, and I shifted uncomfortably, trying to break free from his grip. But he held tight, his fingers still wrapped around my arm, a gentle but firm reminder that he wasn't letting me go anywhere. "I want us to talk," he added, his eyes locking onto mine once more. The words were simple, but the way he said them, the way he looked at me, made it clear that this wasn't a request. It w

ISABELLA I stretched, feeling the warmth of the bed and the softness of the blankets. As I sat up, I noticed a note on the bedside table. It was from her, written in her familiar handwriting."Good morning, sleepyhead," the note read. I smiled, feeling a warmth in my chest. I folded the note and tucked it into my pocket, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. I couldn't wait to see her again and continue where we left off.I sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes, trying to shake off the haze of sleep. As I looked around, I realized I was in my own room, surrounded by familiar walls and furniture. But as I thought back to the previous night, I couldn't quite piece together how I had ended up there.I vaguely remembered watching movies with her, laughing and snuggling on the couch, and then... nothing. My memories seemed to fade away, leaving me with a puzzled expression.I threw off the covers and swung my legs over the side of the bed, planting my feet firmly on the ground. I stoo

ZADE I didn't want to be doing this. The words hung in my mind like a reluctant confession. Whatever "this" was, it felt like a burden, a weight I carried with each passing moment.The reluctance seeped into my bones, making every step feel like a chore. I trudged along, driven by obligation rather than desire. The thought of continuing down this path filled me with a sense of dread, a feeling that I was trapped in a life that wasn't mine.As I stood there, frozen in the moment, my gaze became inexorably drawn to Isabella, her presence radiating an otherworldly aura that seemed to command my attention, and it was her eyes that truly captured me, those beautiful, shimmering orbs of light that sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight, holding me spellbound in their mesmerizing depths, as if the very essence of her being was distilled into those two glittering pools of blue, inviting me to lose myself in their tranquil beauty."My heart heavy with resistance, I felt the weight of duty set

ISABELLA The dinner was super awkward, and we barely said a word to each other. The only sound was our spoons clinking against the plates, which was kinda weird. But honestly, it was better than trying to make small talk and having an uncomfortable conversation. The whole vibe was just really tense, and I was feeling pretty uneasy. Sam attempted to break the silence, clearly uncomfortable with the quiet atmosphere. “Bella, have you settled in okay?” he asked, and I initially responded with just a nod. But when my mom shot me a warning glance, I knew I needed to play along. “Yes, Sam, thanks for asking,” I said with a hint of sarcasm, almost rolling my eyes in annoyance. Zade remained silent throughout dinner, not even bothering to glance my way. He just kept eating, his expression unreadable. My mom picked up on his unusual mood and tried to break the ice. “Zade, are you enjoying your dinner?” She was clearly proud of the effort she'd put into cooking. But Zade didn't even l

ISABELLA As I quickly moved away from Zade, a wave of embarrassment washed over me. I couldn't help but hope that my mom hadn't witnessed the exchange, or worse, that she wasn't jumping to any conclusions. Panic began to set in as I thought about how she'd react - she'd be furious, and I'd have to apologize profusely. My mind was racing with different scenarios, but before I could process any of it, my mom's next words cut through my thoughts."Oh, Bella and Zade, it seems like you guys are getting along quite well," she said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I realized I must have misread the situation earlier, and I released a breath I didn't even know I was holding. Zade didn't seem fazed by the situation before my mom spoke . I wondered if he thought it was normal to have a romantic relationship with his step-sister. Did he not consider the potential consequences or the unconventional nature of their relationship? Or was he simply c

ISABELLA My heart sank as I turned to face Zade, his gaze piercing through me. I felt a wave of mortification wash over me, and I wished the earth would swallow me whole to escape his intense stare.He stood there, looking like he'd just stepped out of a shower, water droplets cascading down his chiselled chest from his damp hair.I couldn't help but feel like I was trapped in a rom-com, with Zade as the ridiculously handsome leading man. The kind of guy who makes your heart skip a beat just by being in the same room.His face was etched with annoyance, and I scrambled to come up with a plan to defuse the situation, desperately searching for an escape route from this awkward confrontation.I stuttered out an apology, feeling like a total jerk. "I’m sorry, I was actually looking for you to, uh, ask for a favour." Yeah, I was a horrible liar, and as soon as the words left my mouth, I knew I sounded super sketchy. But weirdly, I felt like he was actually buying it, which only made me f

ISABELLA The silence in the house was deafening, and I couldn't help but wonder where everyone was.I glanced around cautiously, ensuring I wasn't being followed, before making my way stealthily to the room I suspected belonged to Sam.Honestly, finding my way around this massive house was a total pain. It was like, a never-ending maze, and I was getting super frustrated trying to locate Sam's room.My instincts screamed that this was Sam's room. The door stood out - it was the largest I'd seen so far, and there was something enigmatic about it. I couldn't explain why, but everything about it felt off, and I was convinced that this was the room I was searching for.Just as I was about to enter, my phone's shrill ringtone pierced the air, freezing me in my tracks. I muttered a curse under my breath as I glanced at the screen to see who was calling at such an inconvenient time.The sight of Ariana's name on my screen slightly cleared the fog from my mind. I hesitated for a moment, wond

Ethan's POV I stepped out and saw Emily in the living room. "Is there a problem?" I asked, concern etched on my face. "I was hearing loud voices.”I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. "An unexpected visitor?" I repeated, my voice gentle. I took a step closer to Emily, trying to get her to meet my gaze. "Everything okay?" I asked, my tone softening."There isn't," she said, her gaze drifting away from mine. Her voice was laced with a hint of tension, and I could sense that she was hiding something.I nodded, taking note of the subtle change in Emily's demeanor. "Olivia's back," she announced, her voice neutral. I couldn't help but think of my own unwanted visitor. But my attention was quickly refocused on Emily, and the hint of unease that lingered beneath her composed exterior.She cleared her throat nervously. "I was about to inform you... I will be leaving this morning." Those words made my heart drop."Just wait until after dinner, then," I said, trying to sound casual. But E

EMILY'S POV I rushed back, my footsteps silent on the stairs as I watched him walk away. His eyes sparkled with a love so true as he confirmed his love for Olivia. My heart shattered into a million pieces as I realized the painful truth: he was in love, and he had always been in love. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I felt my world crumbling around me. My box of emotions was overflowing, and I couldn't hold back the sorrow anymore.I was already packed, my bags stood silently in the shadows, a poignant reminder of the decision I'd made. Immediately after dinner, I would be leaving him forever. The thought was razor-sharp, cutting through my heart like a knife. I felt a chill run down my spine as I contemplated the finality of it all - the end of our relationship, the end of our life together.Tomorrow was a day of conflicting desires. A part of me yearned for its arrival, eager to escape the anguish that had become my reality. I longed to leave behind the shattered remain

Ethan's POVI found myself drawn to her room, compelled to gaze into her eyes. Their piercing beauty had a calming effect on my frazzled nerves. I stood there, mesmerized, unsure of what to say to her. Our time together was fleeting, and soon we'd be parting ways forever. In the precious moments I had left, I couldn't help but indulge in the beauty of her gorgeous eyes.I retreated to my bedroom, seeking solace in the familiar comfort of my bed. As I lay down, I stretched out my muscles, trying to release the tension that had been building up inside me. But despite my efforts to relax, my heart remained heavy with pain.My heart ached with the weight of inaction. I yearned to fight for what I desired, but the risk of vulnerability held me back. The fear of being shattered once more, of enduring an everlasting pain, kept my emotions in check. My mind screamed to take a stand, to seize what was mine, but the terror of heartbreak silenced my resolve, leaving me paralyzed and torn.The sh

EMILY'S POV Liam's eyes darted around the space, his gaze lingering on every corner as if expecting someone to emerge from the shadows before finally settling on me to ask, "Did Ava speak harshly to you?” “No,” I replied, my voice firm so he couldn't see right through me, but unfortunately he did because I met a skeptical look on his face. “Emily,” he called, his voice gentle as always, "Are you hiding anything from me?" he added. His eyes locked on mine with an intense gaze. “I'm not.” I needed to be out of her. My body was here, but my mind and soul were with someone who cared least about me. I realized at that moment I was in love with Ethan. I had always known that, but what I just discovered was the connection between me and Liam-Lust. I didn't know how to put it. I didn't know how to tell him why I was giddy with excitement whenever he was around. It wasn't because I loved him; it was because I wanted to escape the sad reality of unrequited love. “Emily,” I snapped out o

Ethan's POVI watched from a distance as Liam's car pulled away from the curb, a mixture of curiosity and unease swirling in my chest. I had specifically warned Emily to keep our arrangement private, and yet, here she was, meeting with...him. I narrowed my eyes, my mind racing with possibilities. What were they discussing? And why did Emily feel the need to sneak around behind my back? I made a mental note to confront Liam about this later, my eyes never leaving the fading tail lights of his car.The anger simmered beneath my surface, a slow-burning fire that threatened to consume me. I couldn't believe she would kiss me, pretend to have feelings for me, when all along she was still entangled with Liam. The thought was a bitter pill to swallow, and I felt my jaw clenched in frustration. I wasn't used to feeling this way about anyone, especially not a woman. My usual detachment, my ability to remain aloof, had been breached, and it was a disconcerting feeling.I stood in front of the s

EMILY’S POVI felt a surge of anger and frustration towards Ethan, mixed with a strong dose of self-loathing for the desire I still felt for him. It was a toxic combination that left me feeling raw and exposed.I hated how my heart went crazy whenever Ethan was near. The skipping beats and nervous flutters were a dead giveaway to the feelings I was trying to suppress.I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't notice Liam standing there, and I ended up bumping into him.Liam raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile on his face. "Hey, looks like I've got Miss Clumsy back in the building."I attempted to muster a smile, but my heart wasn't in it. The pain and turmoil I'd been feeling lingered, making it impossible for me to feign happiness.Liam's eyes locked onto mine, and he could tell something was off. "Hey, is everything okay?" he asked, his voice soft with concern."No, I'm good," I said, trying to downplay my emotions. But Liam wasn't buying it. He kept looking at me with that c