Novels by Okoro Elizabeth

The night was quiet except for the whisper of rain against the windows. Lucy stood by the tall glass doors of the balcony, the city lights shimmering below, her heart steady but full.Behind her, Austin’s footsteps approached. “You still can’t sleep?”She turned, smiling faintly. “It feels unreal. Everything. Us.”He came closer, sliding his arms around her waist. “Then let’s make it real.”She looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the gold of the city. And before she could say a word, he dropped to one knee—again. No audience this time. No photographers. Just them.“Lucy Evans,” he said, voice rough with emotion. “The first time I asked you to marry me, I was a man lost in power. This time, I’m just a man who found peace in you.”Her breath caught as he opened a small velvet box. Inside, a simple silver band gleamed under the dim light. “No contracts. No signatures,” he whispered. “Just love.”Tears rolled down her cheeks as she nodded, unable to speak. He slipped the ring onto her f

The evening sky bled into gold and crimson, the sun dipping low behind the DiMarco estate. The air carried that clean, electric scent that follows rain, soft, heavy, promising something new.Lucy stood at the edge of the hill, the wind teasing her hair as she stared down at the lights flickering below. That mansion had been their battlefield, of lies, love, betrayal, and redemption.And now, it was silent.For once, it didn’t look like a place built for power. It looked like the past was finally letting go.Austin walked up behind her, quiet steps crunching softly on the damp grass. “You always come up here when you need to think,” he said gently, his voice carrying that rough tenderness that only came out when he wasn’t trying to be the heir or the fighter, just a man.Lucy smiled faintly without turning. “It’s peaceful. Feels like the only place the world can’t reach us.”He stopped beside her, his gaze tracing the horizon. “Maybe that’s why I brought you here,” he said softly. “B

The sun had barely risen above the mist that morning, and yet, the entire DiMarco estate was already awake. The gates, tall and golden, gleamed under the pale light as if they, too, were holding their breath.Lucy stepped out of the car slowly, her heels clicking against the marble path. The same path she had once walked as a stranger, as a pawn in a deal she barely understood. But this time, she wasn’t coming as anyone’s contract bride.She was coming as Lucy, daughter, woman, heir… and Austin’s chosen.The mansion loomed ahead, regal and cold, its walls echoing generations of wealth and pride. The DiMarco crest, two lions guarding a crown, was carved into the massive oak doors, reminding her of the bloodline she was about to confront.Behind her, Austin placed a steady hand on her shoulder. “You don’t have to do this alone,” he murmured.Lucy turned slightly, her eyes softening. “Yes, I do. I’ve hidden behind everyone else’s choices for too long. It’s time I stand by mine.”Austin s

The storm didn’t end that night.It lingered, heavy, relentless, washing over the mansion like the sky itself refused to forget what had happened within its walls.By the time dawn crept in, gray and trembling, the fire was out, but the air still smelled like smoke and rain… and secrets.Lucy sat in silence by the window of Austin’s car, her reflection ghosted against the wet glass. The world outside rolled by in streaks of gray and gold, a blur of trees, mist, and half-remembered nightmares.Austin drove quietly. One hand on the wheel. The other occasionally reached for hers.He didn’t speak, and she didn’t ask.There were no words big enough to hold what had just happened.After a long stretch of silence, Lucy finally whispered, “You knew this day would come, didn’t you?”Austin’s hand tightened around hers. “I hoped it wouldn’t.”Her gaze shifted toward him, eyes tired but steady. “He’s your brother, Austin. You can’t just erase him.”Austin exhaled, the sound soft but broken. “I n

“Don’t move.”The voice came from behind her,low, rough, and threaded with something that didn’t belong in the quiet of that corridor. It wasn’t a threat, exactly. It was heavier than that, like a memory she hadn’t invited back.Lucy froze, the photograph trembling between her fingers. Slowly, she turned.A man stood at the far end of the hallway, half-swallowed by shadows, half-lit by the flickering golden lamp. His coat was dark, rain dripping from its edges, his presence foreign yet… hauntingly familiar. He didn’t belong here. But somehow, it felt like he always had.Her voice caught. “Who are you?”He stepped forward, quiet as smoke. “You don’t remember me,” he said softly, and that tone—almost tender—made her blood run cold. “But I remember you.”Lucy’s throat tightened. “What do you want?”His lips curved faintly. “You. Just like before.”Her chest constricted. Before? Before what?He lifted a hand, pushing back his hood. The light caught his face—and for a moment, her world t

“Lucy!”Austin’s voice tore through the storm.He slammed open the mansion door, rainwater splashing against the marble as thunder cracked like a whip overhead. His heart was pounding so hard he could barely breathe. He had felt it, something wrong. A pull in his chest he couldn’t explain. And now, the study door was half open, the smell of smoke crawling through the air like a warning.“Lucy!” he called again, his boots echoing through the hall.When he stepped inside the study, the world seemed to freeze.The shattered window. The broken glass glittering under the stormlight. The overturned chair.And there, on the floor, Lucy, motionless, pale, her hair spread out like spilled ink against the marble.“God, no.”Austin dropped to his knees, lifting her gently. Her pulse, faint, but there. Relief hit him like lightning. He cradled her against his chest, shaking her slightly. “Lucy, wake up… come on, baby, wake up.”Her eyelids fluttered weakly. “A… Austin?”“I’m here,” he said hoarse

“Today,” the Priestess called out, voice ringing with power, “we witness the return of the Alpha’s daughter, Luna's forgiveness, and the blessing of a child yet unborn.” A hush fell over the crowd. Georgia stepped forward, placing Jared’s hand over her stomach again. “By the blessing of the Moon, may this child be strong,” she said. “And may our bonds be unbroken,” Jared added. The Priestess dipped her fingers into sacred ash and drew ancient runes on both their foreheads. “You are now bound by heart, spirit, and blood.” She turned to Keira. “Daughter of the Alpha. Heir of the Bloodfang line. Do you accept your place again among your people?” Keira stepped forward, her voice clear. “I do.” “Do you trust your Alpha again?” Her eyes met Jared’s. She didn’t hesitate. “I do.” As the cheers slowly quieted and the drums softened into a steady pulse, the Priestess turned her gaze to the two boys standing at Keira’s side, Kelvin and Kelsey, their young faces brave but s

“Are you okay?” Jared asked again, his voice barely above a whisper, his arms still locked around Keira like he was afraid she’d disappear again.Keira nodded against his chest, breathing in his scent, the familiar warmth of pine, leather, and something purely him. It calmed her, grounded her. She’d found her way back, and now that she was here… she wasn’t letting go.But just as the moment settled around them like a warm blanket, Georgia cleared her throat softly.“Alpha…” she said, her voice hesitant but purposeful.Jared looked up, his golden eyes narrowing with curiosity. “Yes, Georgia?”“There’s… something I need to tell you,” she said, placing a gentle hand on her stomach.Keira pulled back slightly, her eyes flickering to her mother with confusion.Jared’s brows furrowed. “Are you all right? You look pale… Why are you holding your stomach like that?”Georgia’s lips twitched into a small smile, and she looked down for a second as if gathering strength. Then she raised her eyes a

“Okay, Mom… I’ll go back,” Keira finally said, her voice low but certain.Georgia turned quickly, her eyes lighting up. “Really?” she asked, hope laced with excitement in her voice.“Yes, Mom,” Keira nodded, trying to smile. “I think I got it all wrong. That dream… or whatever I saw, it wasn’t real. Alpha Jared… he’s been nothing but good to me.”Georgia’s eyes glistened. She reached out and cupped Keira’s cheek gently. “Yes, baby. Your dad is a good man. I’m so sorry you had to see that terrifying dream. And I’m even more sorry for what Uncle James did years ago. But… he’s gone now. The pack is at peace again.”Keira hesitated. Her eyes narrowed in thought.“But Mom… isn’t it wrong to kill someone?” she asked softly, her voice trembling.Georgia froze, lips slightly parted, shocked by the heaviness of the question.“Mom…” Keira whispered, “Uncle James killed Aunty Serafina. Your er…”Georgia’s heart clenched. “Yes, I know, baby girl… it’s… it’s…”Keira’s voice cut her off. “And now…

Jared cupped her face, his thumbs brushing away the tears that trailed silently down her cheeks. His voice was low, thick with emotion, laced with the growl of his wolf just beneath the surface.“Georgia, I swear on the bond that ties our souls,” he whispered, his breath hot against her lips, “I will love you deeper than the moon loves the night, and I’ll protect you, our triplets, and this pack with every drop of blood in me. Even if it costs me my last breath, I’ll never let harm touch what’s mine.”Her eyes glistened, wide and fierce, searching his face like she was memorizing the weight of his promise.“Say it again,” she rasped, her voice trembling but demanding. “Promise me, Jared. Not as my mate, say it as the Alpha. Say it like your life depends on it.”His grip tightened around her, firm but reverent, like he was anchoring himself to her heartbeat.“I promise you,” he growled, pressing his forehead to hers, eyes glowing with that primal silver fire, “as your Alpha, as your ma

"Mom…Is... is Uncle James dead?"Kelvin’s voice trembled as he whispered the question. He clung to his mother’s cloak, his small fingers bloodstained from when he’d tried to shield his eyes too late. His wolf was young, barely awakened, but it felt the weight of loss. The corridor still echoed with the sounds of the brutal battle, the growls, the bone-snapping strikes, the sickening final crunch.Her voice broke entirely then, and she crumpled forward with a sound that wasn’t quite a sob—more like the kind of pain that lived in silence for too long and finally found a voice.Kelsey's mother dropped beside her, wrapping trembling arms around her daughter’s small frame. But Kelsey didn’t lean in. She sat stiff in her mother’s embrace, her eyes still locked on the body.“I hated him sometimes,” Kelsey whispered. “But I didn’t want him to die.”Her mother froze, fingers tightening around her. “Baby…”“He scared me,” Kelsey continued, her voice raw now, stripped of the filter children usua

Outside the window, the snow kept falling.Inside the room, the fire of a mother’s love burned hotter than any curse.And in the silence that followed… another feather floated down from the crack beneath the door.Not black.Crimson"Where is he?" James thundered, his voice like gravel grinding against stone. His eyes burned gold with fury, the beast beneath his skin clawing for release. "Jared. That bastard who dares call himself my blood. My brother. Where is he?!"The corridor trembled with the force of his presence as James didn't just push the door—he *slammed* through it like a wrecking force, the thick oak splintering against his shoulder as it burst open.Jared stepped out from the shadows of his room like a ghost emerging from the grave, silent, steady, and heavy with the weight of all that had been buried. His bare feet made no sound against the stone floor, yet every step felt thunderous, like the earth itself recognized the brewing storm in his wake. The dim torchlight lin

Lyra’s POV The day had finally arrived: my wedding day. The world outside seemed to know it was special, too. The sky was a canvas of soft blues and wispy white clouds, with the sun gently warming the seaside breeze. Every detail of the morning felt surreal, like I was walking through a dream I never wanted to wake up from. In my bridal suite, the air buzzed with excitement. Sophie, my bridesmaid and Angela’s closest friend, was helping me into my wedding dress. The dress was everything I’d imagined, sleek and elegant with delicate lace running down the sleeves and tiny pearls dotting the bodice. The train cascaded behind me like a flowing river of ivory silk. As Sophie zipped the back, I caught my reflection in the full-length mirror. For a moment, I didn’t recognize myself. “You look stunning, Lyra,” Sophie said, stepping back to admire me. Her voice was thick with emotion. I turned to her, my own heart brimming. “Do you think Kurtis will like it?” Sophie laughed. “Like i

Lyra's POV The next morning, I woke up to the smell of coffee drifting up to my room. For a moment, I stayed under the covers, savoring the warmth of my bed and the quiet anticipation that filled the air. Tomorrow, I would become Mrs. Lyra Hartley. The thought sent a flutter of excitement and nerves through me. Finally, curiosity got the better of me, and I padded downstairs, barefoot, my robe loosely tied. In the kitchen, I found Angela standing by the counter, a steaming mug in her hands. Her back was to me, and she seemed lost in thought. “Good morning,” I said, stepping closer, my voice soft so as not to startle her. Angela jumped slightly but quickly recovered, turning around with a faint smile. “Good morning. I didn’t mean to wake you. I just... couldn’t sleep.” I reached for a mug and poured myself some coffee, the rich aroma wrapping around me like a comforting hug. “You didn’t wake me,” I assured her. “But you being up this early is definitely unusual. What’s on your

Lyra’s POVThe morning light streamed through my bedroom window, painting everything in soft gold. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, jolting me out of my thoughts. I reached for it, my heart skipping a beat when I saw Kurtis’s name flashing on the screen. “Good morning, baby girl,” his deep voice greeted me. “Good morning,” I replied, feeling a flutter in my chest. Even after everything we’d been through, his voice still had that effect on me. “How did you sleep?” he asked. “Better than I have in weeks,” I admitted. “Knowing Alice is finally in custody helps.” There was a pause, and then he chuckled. “I knew that would ease your mind. But listen, we have something more important to focus on now—our wedding.” My heart soared. “You’re right. No more delays.” “Exactly. Can you meet me at the venue later today? I’ve already called a decorator and the caterer to start discussing ideas.” “Of course,” I said, excitement bubbling up. “What time?” “Around two. I’ll text you

Kurtis’s POVThe morning after James was arrested, I woke up feeling lighter, yet there was still a lingering weight on my chest. Alice. She was the real puppet master, the mastermind behind James’s schemes. If I let my guard down now, it could all be for nothing. I sat at the edge of the bed, watching Lyra sleep. Her face was serene, untouched by the chaos that constantly tried to invade our lives. I wanted to keep it that way. Standing up, I grabbed my phone and dialed Detective Harper. “Harper,” her voice was sharp and awake despite the early hour. “We’ve got to move on Alice,” I said, my tone firm. “If she gets wind of James’s arrest, she’ll bolt. We need to act now.” There was a pause on the other end of the line before Harper responded. “Agreed. Do you have anything concrete on her yet?” “Not enough to keep her locked up for long,” I admitted. “But James’s arrest is going to shake her. If we can catch her making a move, we’ll have something to work with.” “I’ll dispa

Kurtis’s POVI was still seeing the the moment the handcuffs clicked around James’s wrists, playing in my eye, how I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. It wasn’t just about justice, it was about keeping Lyra safe, about making sure that maniac wouldn’t come anywhere near her again. As the officers led him out, his defiance hadn’t wavered. “This isn’t over, Kurtis,” James hissed, his eyes filled with venom. “You think taking me down changes anything? You have no idea what you’re up against.” His voice echoed back in my ear.I didn’t respond. He could spit all the poison he wanted; his threats didn’t matter anymore. His reign of terror had ended the moment those cuffs locked into place. Once the police cars disappeared into the night, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Detective Harper walked up to me, her expression grim but satisfied. “You did good tonight, Kurtis,” she told me.“I just did what needed to be done,” I replied, glancing at the warehouse where

Kurtis’s POVJames was a menace, a shadow that loomed over Lyra and Angela's lives for far too long. As I stood by the window of my penthouse suite, staring at the city lights below, the thought of letting him roam free even for another day was unbearable. Lyra’s safety wasn’t just a responsibility, it was personal. “I’m not waiting for him to make his next move,” I said, turning to Detective Harper on the other end of the phone. Harper’s voice was professional but tinged with determination. “We need solid evidence to make the arrest stick, Kurtis. What you’ve given us so far is compelling, but I need more to ensure he doesn’t wriggle out on a technicality.” I clenched my fist. “Then you’ll have it. I’ll send over every document, every email, every recording we’ve compiled so far. And I’ll make sure he has no place to run.” After hanging up, I paced the room, my mind racing. James was clever, but arrogance was his fatal flaw. He never imagined I’d play the long game, collectin

Months later, under the same rain that once witnessed my goodbye, I stood outside the bakery with Adrian, hand in hand. The rain came softly this time, not the wild, angry storm that once soaked me to the bone, but a gentle drizzle, cool and cleansing, like the world was washing itself clean.The street glistened under the glow of the lamplight, cobblestones shining like polished glass. Behind us, Whispers of Home glowed warmly through the mist, golden light spilling through the window, blurring against the falling rain.Adrian’s fingers tightened around mine. “You remember the last time it rained like this?” he asked, his voice low, almost lost in the soft patter of drops.A smile tugged at my lips. “How could I forget? I was running barefoot, crying, and swearing I’d never look back.”He chuckled, brushing a strand of wet hair from my cheek. “And yet, here you are—looking perfect, standing right where you belong.”I rolled my eyes, laughing softly. “Perfect? I’m drenched, my hair’s

The days that followed were filled with a quiet, growing purpose. The bakery, our little corner of sweetness and peace, began to bloom in ways none of us had expected.Word spread through town and beyond about Alden’s Bread & Blessings. People talked about it everywhere, at the market, at the post office, even at the train station. They said the little shop on the corner felt like stepping into a warm memory. But to everyone’s surprise, it wasn’t the pastries or the croissants that drew people in, it was the warmth.There was a calm joy that seemed to live in every corner of the shop. The air always smelled like home, like cinnamon, honey, and second chances. Mornings began with laughter spilling from the kitchen, and by noon the front room would hum softly with conversation and the clinking of teacups.Travelers who wandered off the road often stayed longer than they planned, saying the bakery had “a way of making you forget time.” Children pressed their faces to the glass display

Days turned into weeks, and the rhythm of our new life unfolded like a soft melody, simple, sweet, and deeply alive.Mornings began with the scent of yeast and sugar, the hum of the ovens, and Mrs. Alden’s cheerful humming drifting through the bakery like sunlight through lace curtains. The warmth of freshly baked bread filled every corner, wrapping around us like a soft embrace.Adrian and I would move around each other easily, a quiet dance born of familiarity and affection. I’d be at the counter, hands deep in flour, kneading dough until it turned smooth and elastic beneath my palms. He’d be beside me, sleeves rolled up, tongue caught between his teeth in concentration as he tried, always with such determination, to braid a loaf without turning it into a lumpy, uneven mess.Sometimes he’d look up, flour smudged on his cheek, and grin sheepishly when I caught him sneaking glances my way. I’d tease him about it, and he’d laugh, that warm, unguarded laugh that made the whole bakery f

The stars came out slowly that night, scattered diamonds across a velvet sky. The drizzle had stopped, but the scent of rain still lingered, that soft, clean sweetness that made everything feel new.Adrian’s arms were still around me, his heartbeat a steady rhythm against my cheek. For a long time, neither of us spoke. We didn’t need to. Silence had never felt this safe before.Finally, I pulled back just enough to look at him. His hair was damp, his eyes bright in the soft streetlight glow. “Do you ever think,” I whispered, “that maybe everything we went through had to happen… just so we could find our way back here?”He smiled faintly, brushing a strand of wet hair from my face. “Maybe the storm wasn’t meant to destroy us,” he said quietly. “Maybe it was meant to wash everything else away.”I laughed softly, the sound breaking through the cool night air. “You always did know how to make pain sound poetic.”“Only when it’s about you,” he teased.We started walking down the quiet str

The storm followed me halfway down the road, then softened into a quiet drizzle that felt like forgiveness. By the time I reached the small town, the world had changed, not in color, but in weight. Everything seemed lighter. The streetlamps glowed softly through the mist, the sidewalks shimmered, and my old shoes made that familiar squeak against the wet ground.When I reached the corner, I stopped.The bakery stood right where I left it, the same white-and-blue sign that read *Alden’s Bread & Blessings*, the same wide windows fogged by the warmth inside.For a moment, I just stood there, breathing in the smell of sugar, cinnamon, and nostalgia. Then I pushed the door open.The bell above the door chimed, a tiny sound, but it hit something deep inside me. It sounded like *home*.Mrs. Alden turned from behind the counter, flour dusting her apron and cheeks. Her eyes widened, and for a second, she just stared. Then her hands flew to her mouth.“Lena?” she whispered, her voice trembling

The storm didn’t wait for me to reach the gates.It crashed down all at once, cold, unrelenting, heavy.Each raindrop hit my skin like fragments of memory refusing to fade.I ran, barefoot on the marble steps, my dress clinging to me, my breath uneven. The mansion’s golden lights blurred behind me, glowing faintly through the downpour like ghosts that wouldn’t let go.“Lena!”The voice came through the rain, rough and desperate.Then another.“Lena, wait!”I stopped halfway down the long driveway, turning just as Zane and Liam appeared in the doorway, running after me. Their shirts were soaked through, their faces pale and raw beneath the stormlight.Before I could step back, Liam reached me first. He grabbed my wrist, spinning me toward him, his chest rising fast against mine.Rainwater slid down his face, mixing with the tears he refused to hide.“Don’t do this,” he said, breathless. “Don’t just walk out like none of this meant anything.”“Liam—”But before I could finish, Zane was