Novel-novel oleh 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 pov“Guess who I found at the infirmary threatening a nurse to make an antidote for the bite on her neck.” Grayson nodded his chin towards me. My eyes went wide. Theo stilled. Rose looked like she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her, while Grayson had a triumphant smirk on his face even as Rose kept squirming against his hold.“You what?” came Theo’s voice, sharp and void of the softness he held earlier.Rose flinched. “I wasn’t threatening the nurse, I swear. I was just—”“There’s no point in lying, Rose. I saw you,” Grayson countered before she could finish.Her face scrunched up in a frown. “When will you learn to start minding your own business?” she said as she glared up at him.“You’re my best friend’s little sister. Your business is my business,” Grayson said, a pleased look in his eyes as he peered down at her. “Enough. The both of you,” Theo ordered, his voice hard. Then he turned to me the same time I averted my gaze, trying to look anywhere else but at

Destiny’s povOur lips ravaged against each other the moment we embraced. I didn't care if I was acting like a druggie that was relapsing. What I wanted was him.My body vibrated as our hands went everywhere. It was like if I didn't touch him, I would explode. He was wearing a black tank top, so the heat of his skin was easily felt underneath my palm, but I wanted more.“Take this off,” I said, briefly disconnecting from our kiss as I grabbed a fistful of the tank top.He raised a brow, amusement flickering in those grey orbs of his.“What?” I asked when he wasn’t doing as I said.He placed a soft kiss on my lips; the connection was tender, but it was enough to send another zap of pleasure through me, making the flesh between my thighs wetter than ever.“Let’s head inside first, then you can do whatever you want to me.” He grabbed my hand and started to move.I shook my head, my body vibrating with want. It felt like I was going to die if I didn't have him now. “No. No.” I pulled him

Destiny’s povSandra’s muscular arms gleamed with sweat as she trudged back and forth in front of me, her face all serious as she spoke. “Since the alpha has shown you how to throw a punch, I’ll be introducing you to self-defense.” She stopped, her body facing me, her hands locked behind her back. “Let's start with the basics. Everything starts with your feet.” She nodded to my feet.I nodded in response, trying to push all my other thoughts away. This was about me. This was about learning to protect myself so I would never feel as helpless as I did yesterday.She showed me a basic fighting stance. My feet were supposed to be shoulder-width apart, my knees bent, and my weight centered. It looked simple, but when I tried it, I felt clumsy and awkward. I wobbled a little, my arms held up uselessly in front of me.Sandra stepped in front of me, her own stance a picture of perfect balance. "Your body is a weapon," she explained. "But only if you can use it right. You're too stiff. You nee

Theo’s PovThe stench of blood and sweat hit me the moment I stepped into the torture room. It was everywhere. It clung to the damp stone walls, thick and metallic, mixing with the smell of fear. The low, pained whimpers of the rogue were a constant background noise, followed by the sharp crack of bone or the tearing of flesh.Matt, my Beta was standing over the rogue's broken form. He held a whip in his hand. The tip of it was already dripping with blood. Matt was efficient and brutal when he needed to be, and was very loyal. Beside him stood Maria, her face a mask of cold satisfaction. A few other enforcers and high-ranking pack members were also present, their faces grim, but none showing any sign of pity. This rogue had threatened the Alpha's sister, and worse, he was connected to Elder Elara’s petrification. No mercy was going to be shown. At all. The rogue was a mess. His skin was raw and bleeding in places. His bone was probably showing in others. He was tied to a chair, hi

Chapter Sixty sixTheo’s povDestiny. My mate who didn't know she was mine. Her lips, soft and sweet, were still on mine. The taste of her, a mix of sleep and something that was…her had hit me like a physical blow. It was a jolt that went straight to my core, a jolt that shook the foundations I’d built around myself. My wolf was purring deep inside me. It was a sound of pure contentment. He was urging me to deepen the kiss, to pull her closer, to lose myself in her.Just as I was about to do just that, she pulled away.It was a small back up, but it was enough to break the spell. Her eyes, still heavy-lidded from sleep, fluttered open. I saw a flush creep up her neck, painting her cheeks a soft, rosy pink. I forced back a smirk creeping to my lips. She was flustered. Good. I loved that her breath was coming in short, quick gasps. And the sight of it, the way she reacted to me, like a wild thing that was caught off guard, brought a low, pleased growl to my chest. It was a good feel

Destiny’s pov“It just… wants to destroy. To kill. It’s terrifying, Rose, because it feels so powerful. So… me.”I recounted how the darkness felt, my voice was thick with fear and confusion. “I don’t understand it. The first time, it was when Maria threatened me. And then again today, when he was hurting you. It’s like it comes out when I feel… violated, or when someone I care about is in danger.”Rose reached out, taking my hand. Her fingers were still a bit shaky, but her grip was firm as she held me. “You’re scared of it.” It wasn’t a question.I nodded, looking down at our joined hands. “I’m absolutely terrified. I’m sure if Grayson didn’t show up the time he did, I would have pounced on him, Rose. If you hadn’t held me back earlier, with Maria, I don’t know what I would have done. Something inside me screaming to be let loose, to tear him apart. And that was not my wolf.”“But you didn’t let loose,” Rose said softly, squeezing my hand. “You didn’t let it take over completely. Th