Novels by Black Pearlll

Natalie's pov The screen went black before we could get a glimpse of the person's face.I stared at the screen, not completely believing my eyes.“That’s not what happened.” I argued, shaking my head vehemently.“Then explain what happened.” the woman said with a tired exhale.“I can’t. I don’t remember that.” I insisted.The woman’s expression hardened.“You don’t remember handing someone illegal substances? You don’t remember who approached you?”“No. I don't!” I spoke again.“Ms Mayers.”“I’m telling the truth.” I said, pleadingly.The woman sighed.“Your answers are becoming increasingly difficult to believe.”My eyes burned. I looked down at my hands. The skin around my fingernails was red from scratching.“You said the complaint was reopened,” I said.“Yes. It was.” She answered.“Who reopened it?”“That information is confidential.” she responded rather curtly.“Who submitted the video?” I persisted.“Confidential.”“Then how am I supposed to defend myself?”The woman paused.

Natalie's pov “Drugs??” The woman echoed, her eyebrows were set in a grim frown. She looked at the people at her side. They all were murmuring, and staring at me in disbelief and conviction.“Yes, but it's not what you think.” I said quickly, my hands up in defense.“Ms Mayers, it'll be to your favour if you actually start speaking with context.” Another woman spoke, her voice sharp.Blood thumped in my ears.“They don't belong to me. They're not mine, they actually belong to my mother.” I said hastily. The panellist exchanged glances at each other.“Then what were they doing on the school grounds?” The woman in the middle asked.For a moment, I couldn’t answer. The room felt smaller than it had a few seconds ago. Five pairs of eyes remained fixed on me. The large screen behind them was still frozen on the video. My face stared back at me from the image, blurred but recognizable.I looked guilty, I felt guilty.That was the worst part. I looked exactly like someone who had been caught

Natalie's pov “Could you come with me? Right now?” The associate Dean asked, his tone grave.The room erupted with whispers.My hands went cold, and I rubbed my fingers, trying to reassure myself.“Is something wrong?”The Associate Dean looked uncomfortable. He glanced at the two officials with him and nodded his head discreetly. I watched his every move, my heart thudding in my chest.“Please come with me,” he repeated now.I glanced at Allison, then at Kian.Kian was watching the Associate Dean carefully.“What is this about?” he asked.The Associate Dean looked at him.“This concerns Ms Mayers and Ms Mayers alone.”“Then tell her,” Kian blurted, standing closer to me.“It’s confidential.”Kian’s expression hardened.“Natalie,” the Associate Dean said, “please.”I paused, and my eyes widened. He had never cared to call me by my first name before.I followed him, quietly.The hallway outside was quiet.“What’s happening?” I asked the moment we headed out of the cafeteria.He didn’t

Natalie's pov By lunchtime, everyone knew. Not just the students in my department, not just some school group chat. Everyone.The rumor had escaped the school forum and spread through campus with the speed of something people desperately wanted to believe. By the time Allison and I walked toward the cafeteria, strangers were already turning their heads.Whispers broke out, and many laughed.Others didn’t bother pretending that it wasn't me they were discussing.“There she is.”“Is that the girl?”“The one sleeping with Kian?”I kept walking, trying not to react to the chatters.My fingers tightened around the strap of my bag, but I kept my face forward. If I looked at them, I would react. If I reacted, they would have something else to post.Apparently, my entire life had become public entertainment. Allison walked beside me, unusually quiet.“You don’t have to come with me, you know,” I said.She looked offended.“Excuse me?” she said with an overly dramatic gasp.“You’ve been f

Natalie's pov Someone had been watching us. The thought settled into my stomach like ice. I stared at the photograph on my phone, my thumb frozen against the screen. The image was slightly blurry, taken from a distance, but there was no mistaking it. Kian stood near the bottom of the staircase. I was halfway up the stairs, and he was looking at me.The angle made it seem intimate, deliberate.Like we had shared some private jokes before I disappeared upstairs. The caption sat beneath the photograph in bold letters. They don’t even bother hiding it at home anymore. My throat tightened. “That picture was taken inside the mansion,” I managed to speak past the huge lump in my throat. Kian didn’t answer. I looked up to see his face. His face had gone completely still. “Kian,” I said again. “That picture was taken inside your house.” “I can see that,” he responded shortly. “No, I don’t think you understand.” I held up my phone. “Someone was inside the mansion. Someo

Natalie's pov “What the fuck,” Ryan cussed, struggling to break free from Kian’s grip. Kian stood behind him with his hand still twisted in Ryan's collar. The entire hallway went silent, the whispers stopped immediately like everyone was anticipating Kian's response. My eyes trailed his face again, my mind racing with fear, anticipation and anger. That was when I noticed. His eye bags looked more pronounced than they did yesterday. Kian looked tired, more tired than I had ever seen him. Yet right now, there was something else in his eyes now - something cold. “Finish that sentence,” Kian demanded, his voice a lesson in calmness. Ryan pulled at his shirt, contorting his body to break free. “Get your hand off me, man,” he grunted, failing to escape Kian's grasp. “Finish it,” Kian insisted. “Kian,” I started, taking a step closer to him. He didn't look at me, or even acknowledged my call. “You're proving the rumor.” Ryan's face had hardened into a look devoid of th

***Three Weeks Later***“The Council finds Elder Lysandra guilty of conspiracy, manipulation of ancient laws, and betrayal of the werewolf community.”I watched from my seat as the elderly woman was led away in chains. She didn't look at anyone. Didn't beg. Just walked with her head high, even in defeat.“Justice served huh?” Sofia murmured beside me.The Council chambers looked different now. The council had been purged completely. Maybe one day, it would be replaced with new faces. People who actually cared about the packs rather than power alone. “Any ancient laws regarding fated mates are hereby abolished,” Alpha Kristoff announced. “With this, bonds will no longer be manipulated.”Applause filled the chamber. I felt Sandro's hand squeeze mine.“You did this,” he said quietly.“We did this,” I corrected.After the session ended, we walked out to the pack house. “It's beautiful. The whole pack is filled with more life,” Maria said, walking beside us with Silas. Her belly was larg

Elara's POV When I gave the fae leader my instructions, she wasn't sure they could actually carry it out. Neither was I. But when we got a surprise visitor that evening, my confidence level was over the roof.Lin handed the cloth to me and I unwrapped it. The weapon Seraphina and Father Matteo had joined forces with the Fae to create.I unwrapped it but didn't pull it out yet. A blade. Simple, elegant. Just holding it in my hands made me feel more powerful than I felt before. Supernatural, superior. It glowed with combined fae and holy magic, courtesy of Seraphina.A loud shriek sounded from the creature’s mouth and it rushed towards us, taking me by surprise. I only managed to narrowly dodge out of the way, feeling its claws graze my arm slightly. With a wince, I wiped the blade on the cloth and I held it in front of me like a weapon. Asides those who made it, only a selected few knew what that weapon could truly do. And by selected few, I meant Sandro and I. An entity like Umbra

The scream finally came. It tore out of my throat, sounded raw, itchy and primal. Ordinarily, I wouldn't have believed such a sound came from me. The ground beneath us cracked. Trees bent away from the force. Warriors stumbled backward, shielding their eyes as blinding silver white light erupted from my body. Lunar energy poured from every inch of me as my scream stretched out. “What's happening?” someone yelled. I didn't answer. I couldn't. No one could. The magic was consuming me. All I felt was pain. Pain unlike anything I've ever felt before. “What the fuck have you done?” I yelled out towards Sofia who looked dumbfounded. “Sandro. Please baby.” I cried, turning back to him. “Elara!” Dante's voice was distant. “What are you doing?” My hands pressed against Sandro's chest from where blood still seeped out. Tears fell onto his bloodstained skin, one drop after the other. Tears were streaming faster down my face, faster than I could even stop them. Burying my face in his ch

Everything happened in fragments. Sofia's claws, gleaming in the darkness, were just inches from my chest. My body froze and I was unable to move, unable to breathe.Suddenly, Raka's massive form slammed into me from the side, throwing me to the ground.“No!” The scream tore from my throat.But it was too late. Sofia's claws that were meant for my heart sank deep into Raka's chest instead.The horrible, wet sound of flesh tearing, bones cracking filled my ears and time stopped.Raka's eyes found mine. His amber eyes were flickering to Sandro’s dark ones. Eyes that had looked at me with love, with fury, and with every emotion in between.Blood poured from the wound, slowly dripping down his fur.With the last bit of his strength, Raka's hind legs kicked out, hitting Sofia's wolf in the chest with devastating force. Her claws pulled out of his flesh and she flew backward, landing hard on the ground about twenty feet away.“Sandro!” I scrambled toward him as he shifted back to human fo

She shifted.Her massive wolf opened its mouth and black smoke poured out of it like breath. It threw its head back and howled.The sound was wrong, layered with something that wasn't wolf at all.“Get ready,” Sandro said via mind link, positioning himself directly in front of me. “She's coming right at us.”Sofia's wolf lowered into a crouch, muscles tensing. Her eyes stayed steady on mine.“Elara,” The Fae leader's voice held a warning. “With wolf strength, if she hits the shield at full force–”“It might not hold,” I finished for her, my heart hammering against my ribs.Sofia's wolf charged straight toward us. Straight toward the forcefield that was our only protection.“Brace!” someone yelled.But I couldn't turn my eyes away from those black eyes, from the form of my friend hurtling toward us with one sole intent. Sofia's wolf slammed into the forcefield with a devastating force and the vibration echoed.“Fall back,” Trevor yelled out. “Luna, step back, it won't hold.”She charg

The robed figures emerged from shadows that had been given form and they moved across the ground with unnatural speed.The shocked gasp from someone behind me pulled me back to reality. I raised both hands, magic erupting from my palms in a blinding wave. My magic slammed into the first line of followers and their bodies jerked backward.Raka lunged forward, his massive jaws clamping down on the nearest one. The figure shrieked, jerking away from his hold and moving backwards.“How do we kill them?” Trevor asked, getting ready to shift too. My arms shook from the strain of using so much at a time. Sweat dripped down my temples. The magic pulsed, flickered.A follower broke through on the left. Alessia intercepted, but another one slipped past, getting stopped by a wolf that flung it far away.“Alpha, Luna, we need–” someone started but I cut them off.“I know!” I gritted my teeth, scanning the environment for the nearest threat. My vision blurred at the edges.They were steps away fr

I had just finished washing my hands and was back to where my men stood over Alice's body when I saw a ball of colours approaching me with speed from a distance. My face softened when the ball of colours got closer to me. Nazlynn threw herself into my arms, almost knocking us both off balance. I hugged her tight, breathing in her calming scent and presence. She ran her hand up and down the nape of my neck, and I involuntarily relaxed into it. She squeezed me tighter in her arms, like she was scared to let go.I attempted pulling away to see her face but she shook her head and held on firmly to me. Chuckling, I pulled her closer in my arms, placing a kiss into her hair. When she pulled away, she raked her eyes over my body, running her hand over it at the same time. “Are you hurt anywhere? Did you get… Oh my God, you're bleeding,” she said fearfully, as her hand touched a wet patch on my shirt.“No baby, hey, relax. It's water, I just washed my arms. I'm okay, I promise.”She nodded.

Elena ducked just in time for Enzo to aim for Alice's hand. The bullet went through her flesh, making her drop the gun and release her hold on Elena. She had pulled the trigger as her gun clattered to the ground.Alice glared at me, then looked at the door behind her through the corner of her eyes. I fired a shot as she pushed back into the door and into the library. I heard her groan that indicated my bullet had hit her but not enough to take her down.“I need someone in the rooms beneath and above the library. The rest of you secure this building in case there's a way outside of it. Gabriel, Enzo, with me,” I instructed before following behind her with my gun raised.Gabriel and Enzo walked silently behind me. When we got in, all the lights were turned off, making the library extremely dark. “You don't peg me as the ready type Alice. You can't exactly hide in there forever,” I called out as I walked further into the library.I silently cursed whoever had the idea of making a home

Enzo shot bullets after, but she was no longer in sight. “Go!” I barked at my men who were staring at the place where she stood in shock. “Don't kill her,” I said as they passed by me. “That's for me.”If anything, I was glad we left that floor and were going back to the ground.“I don't know who's sloppier, you or your men,” I heard her call out, cackling. “You have a lot of guts, talking when that would only help us find you faster,” I said, nodding to my men to follow the sound of her voice.“What makes you think that's not what I want?” She asked in a cunning tone. I halted my men, clenching my jaw.Her words were suggestive. The only thing I could think of was that she may be setting up a bomb inside, or she may have already done it within the few minutes she had earlier. She seems to like playing with explosives.She was behind a door, and we had the door surrounded from a safe distance. I knew my men were waiting for me to give a go ahead so they could march in, but everybod

I pulled Hailey out of her crib and into my arms, cradling her shakily. My eyes darted from Alice’s face to the door and back.Alice took a step towards me, and I scooted back on the floor, ignoring the stab of pain as my skin dragged across the shards of glass. “What's wrong? Waiting for hubby, or should I say your prince charming to save the day again?” She let out a menacing laugh. “Lucky for me, it's currently an all girl’s house.”“Please don't hurt my baby, I beg you, Alice,” I pleaded just as Hailey started to cry from the noise she had heard. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the door to the bathroom open slightly, and Enzo peeked into the room.He gave me a small nod. Once I saw him raise his gun, I ducked, covering Hailey with my entire body. Alice was faster than him, but unfortunately, she managed to dodge the bullets that Enzo rained down on her until she ran out through the door and into the main house.“Fuck,” he swore loudly, rushing to my side.“Are you okay? Did

Nazlynn’s POVAlice was certainly a girl who clearly didn't want to be found. Luca had his contacts pull some strings in the police department to put up a surveillance on her, but nothing has turned up so far. Nothing of essence was discovered at the house that Luca had found me in. Of course, his contacts in the police force had to cover up using some story about a robbery gone wrong. The bodies had already been taken care of by the time they arrived at the scene.I was up to speed at everything that was happening in no time. Elena and Mathias decided to have a small wedding but postponed it until after the whole Alice thing had been dealt with. Luca cleared things up with his father, and they were back to having their weird love-hate father-son thing. Whatever the hell that meant. I was about to convince Luca not to kill my so-called birth father. It's the least I could do since he saved my life.Our mansion was almost completely back on its feet, and we moved back in two days be

“What do you mean you couldn't find her?” I asked shakily. Luca gave me a concerned look.“Luca, what do you mean by that?” I asked again, scooting towards the head of the bed and away from him.“Hey Nazlynn, calm down, baby. I'm right here, and I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, okay?” He said, reaching out to me.I smacked his hand away before it could come in contact with my skin. “No! No, no. She's going to kill me. She's going to kill us all. My baby. Where's my baby?” I asked hysterically. Luca shot up from his position on the chair and approached me carefully. I could see concern for me in his eyes.“Wh..where's Hailey?” I stammered as tears started streaming down my face. “Dr Martin!” Luca said, trying not to shout too loudly but making sure his voice was loud enough. He kept his eyes on me. He edged closer to me until I was cowered up by a corner of the bed. “Gabriel, get Dr. Martin now!” He yelled again.I grabbed his hand tightly, and I could feel my fingernails diggi

Sebastian's PovLocation: THE GRAND AURORA HOTEL Staff moved briskly across the ballroom, adjusting crystal centerpieces, polishing wine glasses, and making last-minute changes to the seating arrangements.The scent of fresh white orchids lingered in the air.At exactly six-thirty, I stepped into the ballroom.Conversations died almost instantly."Good evening, Mr. Hale.""Evening, sir.""Everything ready?" I asked."Yes, sir."I swept my gaze across the room.Round tables dressed in black linen, gold cutlery and towering floral arrangements.The stage stood beneath a massive LED backdrop displaying tonight's theme.ARTS, WEALTH & ARCHITECTUREExactly as I wanted.My eyes caught a waiter adjusting a centerpiece."It's crooked."The waiter froze. "I'm sorry, sir."He straightened it immediately. I nodded once. "Better."Perfection wasn't an obsession. It was a standard."Mr. Hale." Nathan, my executive assistant, appeared beside me with his tablet.I stood still, my hands tucked in my

Somehow, facing a billionaire felt easier than spending another minute at Holloway museum.The dinner suddenly felt like the perfect getaway.I packed my things, arranged the remaining files and headed to the salon.My stylist got my hair done in twenty minutes and I was back to the Bryce Mansion.I'd picked out a black off-the-shoulder gown with feathered trim, paired with nude pointed-toe stilettos.I sat in front of the mirror at the corner of my room staring at myself.I couldn't help but wonder what the dinner would be like.I tried practicing my pitch in case I was approached by an intending investor or collector.I sat upright, cleared my throat and poised myself at the edge of the chair, legs crossed.“Hello, I'm Tara Bryce…” I caught myself, the last name causing a bitter taste in my mouth.Let's try again“Hello, I'm Tara Lancaster…” I straightened my shoulders. Moving forward, I have one job, make the Lancaster name count.“I'm a curator at Holloway Museum. I specialize in

I chose myself.I didn't give in. I made a decision for myself. I thought I'd wake up feeling guilty.Instead, I slept better than I had in months. Choosing myself felt... surprisingly peaceful.Until I remembered.Britney was still in my house.It was hard to believe that I could stand up to my husband. The same man I worshipped all my life.The house was unusually quiet this morning. I let out a slow breath. It was a new day and I wasn't going to let anything spoil my day.The Hale dinner was scheduled for tonight, and I already figured out what I was wearing.I got ready for work and headed to the dining area for breakfast. Daniel and Britney were already at the table. I paused at the top of the stair, when my eyes landed on them.As though on cue, Britney's head shot up and our eyes locked. She winked at me and rubbed Daniel's shoulder.I scoffed.Very cliché for a mistress. Daniel's voice reverberated in my head.“Britney is just a friend.”I scoffed even harder and shook m

I froze at the moment I saw the invitation on his hand.“What are you doing in my room?” I shot back.“Don't try to change the subject, Tara.”“What is this?” He repeated, swinging the invite in my face. “It's an invitation. What does it look like?" I questioned defensively. I walked past him and sat on the bed.The bed was filled with my pajamas and nightgowns.I scoffed. Unbelievable “Were you about to give Britney my nighties?” My voice rose slightly at the end because I felt a strange sting saying it out loud. He turned to me. “She needs it. Besides, you're the reason she's staying over.”“Daniel, you didn't bother to ask your wife if it was okay for your childhood friend to stay over.”“And you think it's also okay to just hand her my things without my permission as well?” “Stop with the angry displays, Tara. It's just a night. There's no harm in sharing.” My jaw dropped.Britney was obviously putting on an act. One so good I even panicked.But Daniel was too blind to see

TARA'S POVI always had to remind him to pull out my chair whenever we went on dates. The main course was served shortly after Britney arrived.Butter-Basted Filet Mignon.Well, that's a fancy word for steak.Everyone dug in but I fiddled with the cutlery, my gaze fixed secretly on Daniel and Britney. I anticipated a complaint from Daniel's parents, but three minutes into the meal, there was none. It usually took thirty seconds before the food gets criticised.Britney hadn't taken a bite. She was focused on Daniel, staring at him like a child who just saw a rainbow. I cleared my throat. But she didn't flinch“Have some water and stop interrupting the meal, Tara,” Daniel's Father instructed and I lowered my head in shame.I wasn't jealous but something about Britney didn't sit right with me. Daniel finally offered her a piece of his steak. “I thought you forgot our tradition,” she giggled before taking the piece.I scoffed at her behaviour, shook my head and returned to my food.E

TARA'S POV I spent the first five minutes staring at Daniel's message and wondering how and why I loved him for this long. The kitchen staff were all over the place, prepping the ingredients.For dinner, I didn't want to do too much. I prepared the main dish while the chef made the appetizer and dessert. The table was all set, awaiting the arrival of our in-laws. I smoothed my sage-green dress as I looked at the utensils closely.Everything had to be spotless.Soon, Daniel came running downstairs.“They're here,” he said before dashing out to the main entrance while trying to stay composed.I sucked in a breath and followed after him slowly.“Oh my child!” I heard Mrs Bryce exclaim and I hastened my step. “Good evening, Mother… Father,” I greeted, bowing my head slightly. Silence Mr Bryce was too focused on inspecting the condition of the mansion. His eyes scanned the grand foyer and chandeliers, then they moved to the living room and finally landed on me.“Welcome.” I did an aw