Novels by Laurel O.

RavenI tried to hold back my tears, but I couldn't stop the thoughts of abandonment from rolling in my mind. I’d always considered myself to be a strong woman. You know, someone who could overcome anything. Who could stand in front of a challenge and laugh, then go ahead and pull it down under my feet.It had always been like that, from the days of college up to now. It’s why my family’s media company was ranked among the top five media houses in the country. I was a strong force of power.Or I used to be.I was in the passenger seat, looking out the window as Leo drove. It was pretty outside; the sun was a huge yellow globe in the bright blue sky. Tall buildings cast shadows over us as we passed by. Everyone from different walks of life roamed about, either walking alone or with someone by their side.It all seemed peaceful, like life was going on. But right now, I felt anything but. At this point, life wasn't something I felt like living.It was only when I felt a hand on my should

Raven My father had never hit me. Not even when I was a spoiled brat growing up. Not when I’d been in trouble countless times by doing what teenagers did best: breaking the rules.That was a long time ago. The responsibilities of being the youngest CEO in the state crept up on me, and I grew up fast.So, imagine my surprise when the sting of his slap registered in my brain. I held my hand to my cheek, my mouth open, my eyes wide in surprise and… hurt."You disgrace!" My father's voice, which was usually so loving, was laced with venom. "How dare you show your face here after all the shame you've brought upon this family! Running off like a coward, causing such chaos, making a mockery of everything we've built!"Tears filled my eyes, blurring his enraged face. Words tumbled out, desperate and choked. "Father, no! It's not what you think! I didn't run away! I was... I was poisoned! Ian, Marco, Selena... they tried to—My stepmother, Racheal, didn’t let me finish. She stepped forward, h

Raven"Two words. Marry me."The words hung in the air, heavy and absurd. I stared at Liam, my mouth slightly agape, waiting for the punchline, for the smirk that would tell me he was joking. But the intensity of his eyes told me he was serious.Aiden was watching with a glint in his eyes, while Leo remained impassive, his dark gaze still fixed on me."You're joking, right?" I finally managed to say, my voice like a strained whisper.Liam didn't even crack a smile. "No, I’m not. I'm proposing a mutually beneficial arrangement, Raven. You get your revenge, and we get something in return."My brows furrowed. "What do you mean, 'something in return'?"He took a step forward, his presence filling the space between us. "My company, Knight Corp, is one of the biggest real estate companies in the country. Your company, Brandon's Corp, is also the biggest. Individually, we're powerful. Together, we'd be unstoppable. We want to merge the two entities."My eyes widened. Merging Brandon's Corp?

RavenI was staring into space, disbelief running through me at the words of these men.I looked between them, my head shaking. “I don’t believe you. No, there’s no way that happened. No one would believe them.”The blonde-haired guy entered the room, his phone in hand. He registered the scene before him, the smile on his face instantly wiped off as soon as he took in my expression.He looked between us. “The doctor is on his way,” he said, joining the other two men who were watching me intensely, his own green eyes fixed on me. “Let me guess. You told her.”Liam gave a nod. “She doesn’t believe us.”They were talking about me as if I wasn’t in the room.Blondie tilted his head to the side. “Understandable. Then we should show her.” He tapped on his phone, handing it to me.With a raised brow that held curiosity, I took the phone, not liking that the brush of our fingers sent a tingle through my body. I pushed the feeling aside and focused on the video playing on the phone.My brow fu

RavenNumbness.It was something I never thought I’d ever feel as I fluttered my eyes open, confusion instantly hitting me.Where the hell was I?I blinked. Once. Twice. Then I started to sit up. Why did my body feel like a brick? I forced myself into a sitting position.I looked down my arm to see a drip attached to my wrist, following the tube to see a heart monitor. More confusion.The room I was in didn’t look like a hospital room. It didn’t smell like antiseptic or bleach. Instead, the air smelled like sandalwood. The walls were grey. One side was all glass that showed clear blue skies. Right there, a man’s back was turned to me, he wore a white shirt with his hand in his pockets. My brow furrowed. That wasn’t Marco. “Hello?” My voice was croaky as I called his attention.He instantly turned around, surprise flashing in his eyes before he hurriedly moved to where I was. “You’re awake.”More confusion filled me because I had no idea who this man was. And now that he was closer,

RavenI woke up to a sensual pressure between my thighs, the feeling sending pleasure through my body, making me release a long moan. My eyes opened to see movement beneath the cotton grey sheets, my breath becoming heavy as the pressure on the space between my thighs intensified.I threw my head back and let out another moan, reveling in the sensation that swelled through my naked body.“Good morning, pookie,” Marco said as he poked his head from beneath the blanket covering his own naked body.I winced at the nickname. I had tried to get him to stop calling me pookie since we started dating, which was four years ago, to no avail. “Good morning, Marco.” I smiled, pushing away any negative thoughts. Today was a special day, and I wasn't going to let anything ruin it for me. Not even my fiancé.He raised himself upward and leaned into me, giving me a kiss. “Happy birthday, my love.”Now that. That was what I liked to be called. His love. My heart fluttered, my toes curling when he dee

Destiny’s povA year laterPeaceful.Beautiful.It was exactly how life was this past year.We settled into a gentle rhythm, a precious quiet, and contentment that was very far away from the world of chaos that happened the previous year.The pack that was once a place of suspicion and distrust for me was now a place of family. It was as if everyone here had adopted me.They had accepted me, not just as their Alpha's mate but as their Luna, their co-leader. And I had accepted them, a complex group of shifters, both male and female, who were finally, truly, my home.I had stepped into my role as Luna without a single misstep. My heart, which was a wild, frantic thing just a year ago, was now filled with a quiet, confident strength. I had learned to lead with compassion, to listen with patience, and to make decisions with a boldness that surprised even me.The darkness that I had tried to control, the darkness that had been terrifying, was now fully a part of me. I was still learning to

Destiny’s povThe world had come to a horrifying stop. My heart was hammering against my ribs, a constant, physical reminder of the terror that had engulfed me.Theo was on the ground, his body a twisted knot of pure pain. It was the same pain I had witnessed in the cave, the same silent, tormenting thing that had consumed him. But this time, it was worse. It was a million times worse.And it was happening at the worst possible moment.Rose was a few feet away from me, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and disbelief. She didn't understand what was happening to her brother. She just saw him, the strongest Alpha in the realm, writhing on the ground, a broken, pathetic thing. “Theo, get up!” she screamed, "Get up and fight them!"“Shut the fuck up,” Max snarled as he stomped forward, his eyes filled with hatred that I’d never seen before he was banished. He stomped over to where his former alpha was, standing over him.He looked Theo, a cruel, mocking gleam in his eyes. “Look at him.

Destiny’s povThe moon festival that happened yearly was a beautiful thing. It was vibrant with laughter and joy under the soft glow of the moon.The Venus pack gathered in the main field, filled with happy faces and chattering voices that expressed the joy they felt. The air smelled of roasting meat, sweet cakes, and the earthy scent of the forest floor. It was a perfect night, the kind of night I used to dream of, and it was all real.Theo and I were sitting together on a log, a little away from the crowd, just watching the festivities.Days had passed, and sometimes I couldn't believe just how happy I’d become these past few days. Theo had made me feel like I was on top of the world. He made me feel wanted with every second that passed and never dropped telling me just how much he loved me.That alone was enough to make every freaking wall around my heart come down. I was falling for him too. But I was terrified all this wasn't going to last.Liam was asleep in my arms, a small, pe

Destiny’s povWe were back at the Venus pack the next day.The air in the pack house felt different. It was cleaner, lighter, and a little less suffocating.The pack members who witnessed my arrival with their alpha stared at me with a mixture of shock, confusion, and a strange, hesitant pity. I clutched Liam closer to my chest, a small, warm presence that was a constant, physical reminder of the reason I was here. I was his mother, and I would do anything to make sure he had a good life. To make sure he survived.Theo didn't say anything to them. He just led me to the main hall. The pack members whispered among themselves, their eyes on me.I could feel their thoughts. They thought I was a monster. They thought I was the danger. They thought I was a danger to Theo. Their eyes flickered to my child in my hand. I bet they also thought an innocent child was a monster too. My teeth gritted.Was coming back here really a good idea?Theo had called together a meeting the moment we stepped

Destiny’s povWe were back at the Venus pack the next day.The air in the pack house felt different. It was cleaner, lighter, and a little less suffocating.The pack members who witnessed my arrival with their alpha stared at me with a mixture of shock, confusion, and a strange, hesitant pity. I clutched Liam closer to my chest, a small, warm presence that was a constant, physical reminder of the reason I was here. I was his mother, and I would do anything to make sure he had a good life. To make sure he survived.Theo didn't say anything to them. He just led me to the main hall. The pack members whispered among themselves, their eyes on me.I could feel their thoughts. They thought I was a monster. They thought I was the danger. They thought I was a danger to Theo. Their eyes flickered to my child in my hand. I bet they also thought an innocent child was a monster too. My teeth gritted.Was coming back here really a good idea?Theo had called together a meeting the moment we stepped

Destiny’s povMy body was aching all over as I glared at the man holding my child. Fear filled my insides as the sounds of my baby’s piercing scream filled the air.The sound was a perfect, beautiful sound, and for a moment, I forgot about the pain. I forgot about the man. All I saw was my child. My pup. My baby. My everything.“Give me my baby back,” I said, my voice a low, raspy whisper. My body was shaking with both fury and fear, but my words were filled with a cold, hard finality. I was a mother, and I would do anything. Anything at all, anything to protect my child.The man just smiled, the look of triumph and cruelty that sent a fresh wave of terror through me. He looked at me, his eyes filled with cruel pleasure. “Look at you,” he said, his voice a low, raspy purr. "A monster. A werewolf. And you have the audacity to think you can demand something from me."My blood ran cold. He knew. He didn't just suspect. He knew. A fear so strong wrapped its hand around my heart.On a norm