Novels by NOBLE PINK

AustinI don’t remember the exact moment grief stopped feeling sharp and started tasting like guilt. But it’s been stuck in my mouth for days now like a bitter, unshakable taste. I sat on the edge of my bed, head hanging low, my mom’s photo in my hand. She looked like I remembered in this one, smiling softly, a knowing glint in her eye. Her brown curls fell loosely around her face, her blue eyes looking so alive. God, I miss her.They said time heals. They didn’t say it would twist me into someone I barely recognize. I didn’t cry at her funeral. I didn’t scream. I just stood there like a statue, cold and unreachable. They called me unfeeling and said I was a psychopath for not shedding a tear. But the truth was, I was hurting. Just like my father.Speak of the devil. My phone buzzed with a message from him. "Dinner tonight. 7 PM. Governor Kalu will be there. Bring Reina. She’s family now."I blinked. Reina?We hadn’t spoken in over a week. Not really. We just shared sideways glances i

AustinI didn’t know how to feel. Scratch that—I knew, I just didn’t want to admit it.My dad marrying the mother of the dork I tease at school? That was low-key insane. Out of all the women in the city, heck, in the country, he had to choose her? Reina’s mom? The one who sells cheap flowers at the downtown street market in that dusty little kiosk that always smells like overripe lilies?It made no sense.Worse, now Reina was going to be part of my family. Family.Just thinking about it gave me a headache.Reina Grimes, the scholarship girl with oversized sweaters and those weird drawings in her notebook. The quiet, awkward, totally beneath the Reed name. But somehow, she managed to get under my skin.It wasn’t like I had a thing for her, hell no. But something about the way she reacts to me always made my day a little more interesting.The way her cheeks flush when I call her “charity case.” The way her lips tighten like she’s trying not to scream. And those icy blue, sharp eyes burn

ReinaWhen I got close, he seemed to be deeply engrossed in a conversation with one of his friends."Hey, Winnie," I called at his friend who sneered at me and walked away like I didn't exist.With a scowl, Austin turned and his expression only hardened. "What do you want?"I swallowed but before I could speak, he was stepping closer. Too close. "Listen to me, weirdo. I already told you to stay away from me. You and your thieving mom."My chest squeezed but I couldn't just let that slide, so I grabbed his arm with both hands and pushed him in the chest."No, you listen to me! You don't get to tell me what to do. Okay? And you don't you dare call my mom a thief!""Well, what is she? Less than two months into courting and she already wants a ring." The people around us seemed oblivious to our bickering and I was grateful for that. Especially since I could practically feel his weight crushed on mine, pressing me against the counter.My heart was racing, but it wasn't because I was scared

ReinaI had never seen him shirtless but seeing him like that made it seem like I had just walked into a dangerous zone. Yet, I couldn't look away. He smelled like a heavenly mix of mint and pine, which only added to my embarrassment.For what felt like an eternity, we stared at each other. His eyes widened slightly before narrowing into slits, taking in my bra and shorts. His jaw tightened and his hand clenched around the towel. The silence was deafening, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum."What the hell are you doing in my room?" he barked, breaking the spell."This isn't your room," I said, my voice shakier than I would have liked. "This is mine!" I insisted, pointing at my bag, my heart racing faster than a cheetah on the Serengeti.He took a step closer, his towel slipping slightly. "And what makes you think that?" His eyes narrowed, and I could feel the anger radiating off him."My bag," I murmured, pointing at it again. "It's right there."He strode over to it, his musc

ReinaAustin and I shared a hateful glare from across the table as Brock and my mom were too busy clinging to each other and laughing.I knew what that glare said. I could translate it anywhere. And it meant, "I don't trust you one bit."As if he could read my mind, he finally spoke, his gaze panning towards his dad."If I were you, I'd be more careful so I don’t become the exploited. I thought that was one lesson of becoming a successful politician."My face burned with anger and embarrassment mixed in one. I wanted to reach out and smack the shit out of his face. Yes. That same face that turned to me and had a smirk on it as he leaned back on his chair and continued to stare at me.It must have been a week since the devastating news of my mother getting married to the father of a guy who absolutely hates my guts. That morning, I had intentions of making it be as good a day as possible. Until my door creaked open and my mother walked in, still in her nightdress."Good morning, darlin

ReinaIt was day six of staying home but nothing remained the same. Mom was constantly receiving calls that she would receive away from me. On days she didn't receive these calls, she would rush out in the evening, leaving me with a note that read "Be back soon." It was unlike her.Then, she called me into her room. She was dressed in a red silk dress, looking stunning and nervous. "Reina, sweetie, I need you to put on something nice. We're going out for dinner tonight.""Okay, sure. Where to?" I asked, playing along with her sudden burst of energy."To this fancy place downtown. It's called 'Le Coeur'. You'll love it." Her eyes twinkled as she spoke, and for a second, she looked so young and happy.Le Coeur was indeed fancy. The chandeliers were so bright, they could outshine the sun. The walls were adorned with gold and velvet. The smell of gourmet food wafted through the air, making my stomach grumble. We were led to a private section of the restaurant, and I noticed a man sitting

LARAThe moment I read the words, “Lara, the Luna, the Killer,” a cold certainty, not fear, settled in my stomach. I knew that script. That neat, precise handwriting, and the twisted, self-righteous tone. It belonged to only one person, Evelyn.My sister.She wasn’t here just to visit. She was here to finish the job Henry had started. This note wasn't a warning, it was a reminder of the threat she held over my head.I crushed the paper in my fist. The mission. That was the only thing that mattered.My body was still tingling, humming with the memory of Jerry’s hands, his mouth, the forceful, primal way he had claimed me. He had stripped away the pain of Evelyn’s insults and Henry’s threats, if only for a few hours. He had called me "the best thing." But that sweetness, that sense of belonging, was a distraction I couldn't afford. I married him to find Max’s killer, and Max’s killer, I was now certain, was somehow connected to Evelyn and Henry.I slipped out of the bed, grabbing Jerry'

LARAThe Alpha's command, “Go to the room,” echoed in my ears, yet his words barely registered over the storm of betrayal raging in my gut. Henry. The smug wink, the contemptible smile. He hadn't sent me to war, he'd sent me to test me, to see if I would run, justifying Max’s murder in his own twisted mind. He was the venom, and I had nearly walked right back into his trap.I didn't pause to watch Jerry's performance of fury for the guards. Henry’s presence drained all the air from the courtyard. I simply turned and walked toward the main house, my soaked riding clothes heavy and cold against my skin. Jerry's sudden, weak pity when he heard Henry’s explanation, that brief, soft look, it was dangerous. It made me want to lean on him, to admit my fear, to tell him everything about Sasha and the crown and the prayer. But I was still the one who murdered Max, in everyone's eyes. And I was still the unwanted wife.I reached our shared chambers. It was a massive room, built for an Alpha and

His voice—just the sound of Alpha Jerry’s fury—yanked my attention away. I didn't wait to hear more. Ignoring my pointless, annoying prayer for help, I spun and ran, bolting toward the stables.I let out the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding, only to hear Sasha’s voice, dripping with false sorrow. "You came back. I thought you would go to your Luna, Lara."Oh, hell no. This was the absolute worst time to appear. He couldn’t see my face, but I desperately needed to know where his mind stood regarding our forced marriage. I pressed myself into the shadows of a corner, straining to hear their conversation."I won’t let you speak badly about Lara," he warned. His voice was tight, stripped of any warmth or trace of a smile."It was a forced but forbidden union! I will do everything in my power to make her face the crime she committed rather than let her assume the place of a Luna!" Sasha’s voice rose, simmering with genuine fury now.Jerry stomped his foot—I heard the heavy thud—an

Where was I going? Anywhere I could find peace.The horse rode on, and I began to enjoy the rhythm of the journey. It felt as if the dear animal sensed my pain, deciding to offer comfort in the only way it could. The world blurred into a soothing green.Then the rain began.At first, I welcomed the cool drops on my skin. It was cleansing. But soon it intensified, becoming a deluge that left me soaked and shivering. I was in the middle of nowhere. The ride was no longer a pleasure; it became a desperate search for shelter.A solitary hut appeared through the downpour. “Perhaps I’ll find help here,” I murmured to myself.I quickly tied my beautiful silver horse to a nearby tree. The action was barely finished when the hut's door opened, and a woman appeared. She was stunning—my age, perhaps a little older.“My dear, Alpha parks his horse there. Please find another spot,” she said. Her voice was nice enough, but the words held a casual dismissal, as if who I was didn't matter.“Uh—hello,

LARAHenry's blatant display wasn't working. Watching him stroke his long d**k didn't turn me on; it just filled me with a cold wave of disgust."Can you please be decent and cover up?" I demanded, my voice tight.He simply smiled—that smug, irritating smile—and took a step toward me, hand outstretched."Stay away from me, or I will report every detail of this to Alpha Jerry the moment he returns," I threatened. I expected him to flinch, to scramble to cover himself, to end this pathetic spectacle. Instead, he just continued to stroke himself, his eyes fixed on mine."Imagine this deep inside you, baby," he whispered, a predatory gleam in his gaze.I wrenched my eyes away. There was no point in looking. I turned to leave, but his hand shot out, clamping around my wrist and yanking me back."Where are you going?" he chuckled. "I need you to ride on this d**k like you'd ride your horse.""Let go of me, you imbecile!" I scoffed, slapping his repulsive hand away from my skin.He lunged aga

LARAMy heart stopped. It felt like the day I found out my mom died. I stood motionless, covered in sweat. I wanted Eveline to repeat what she'd said, but I didn't have to. "Alpha Jerry never liked you. This marriage was just so he could expose the evil in you. He has gone to be with the one he truly loves," she said, laughing. I clutched my chest, which felt like it was about to burst.Jerry has a lover? What was I thinking? The cruel man whose company I enjoy has gone to be with the one he truly loves. Tears dropped uncontrollably, my mouth hung open, and my vision blurred. I saw three Evelines, the trees looked like they were walking, and the clouds seemed to be spinning. My head swam, and I lost my balance, falling to the floor.Eveline didn't stop. I could still hear her repeating the words, "I wondered what made you think the Alpha loves you, not after taking his younger brother's life." Her voice was filled with happiness. I've never had a reason to hate my sister before, despi