Novels by Jossie.D

RAVEN'S POV I woke up with a start. My throat was dry, my body sore as if I had been dragged for miles. When I tried to sit up, my ribs burned and I fell back onto the soft bed. A low ceiling stared back at me, wooden beams dark with age. The smell of herbs and smoke filled in the room.“Don’t move too fast,” a voice said.I turned my head and saw a woman by the corner of the room. She was middle-aged, her hair streaked with gray, tied in a knot at the back. Her eyes were sharp, brown like bark, watching me the way hunters watch a wounded animal.“You’re awake,” she said, setting down a clay bowl on the table beside me. “You were half-dead when I found you.”I licked my lips. “Where… where am I?”“My house,” she replied, not smiling. “Deep in the forest, away from the villages. I don’t usually keep strangers here. But you looked like you were running from death itself.”Her words tightened my chest.I looked away, fighting the ache that consumed my body. “I— I must have collapsed in

Author's pov. The forest shook with the thunder of approaching paws. Kai stood in the middle of the trail, his claws extended though his arms trembled from the poison already eating through his veins. His chest heaved, every breath dragging fire through his ribs. He couldn't shift fully because of the poison so he could only depend on his years of training and his claws. The first Lycan burst through the trees, a massive, black-furred Lycan, its eyes burning gold. It lunged straight for his throat. Kai met it head-on. His weakened body moved slower than before but he was still able to push forward. He slashed across its snout, sending it howling backward, blood spraying through the air. Another Lycan slammed into his side, and he staggered, but twisted enough to rake claws down its flank.Kai had the upper hand and for a moment he thought he could hold them off. But then three more Lycans appeared. They circled him like wolves closing on wounded prey. Their roars rattled the bra

Kai’s POVRaven’s fingers locked around my wrist like iron, her nails digging in just enough to make sure I understood that she wasn’t letting go no matter what. This was the first time I found her stubbornness annoying rather than sexy. “Raven—” I tried to pull my hand free, but her grip only tightened.“No,” she snapped, her voice shaking with something between fury and desperation. “If you think for one second I’m going to leave you here, you’ve lost your damn mind.”The pounding of Lycans steps were getting louder, another rememberance that we just had few minutes left maybe less.“Raven, let me go!” I barked, pushing her back, but she clung to my arm with both hands. “I’m poisoned. I can barely stand—if you stay, you die too.”Her eyes blazed. “We’re going to be fine,” she insisted, dragging me forward. “You walk, I’ll drag you if I have to. But I am not running away without you.”We stumbled deeper into the forest, branches slapping at our faces. Every step sent a bolt of fir

Raven’s POVI inhaled deeply, allowing the fresh evening breeze to carry away my tension— even though it didn't do much. I was leaning against Kai, my head resting on his chest, his arms wrapped around me. His legs were on either side of me, holding me in place like I could disappear if he didn’t.The forest was quiet except for the soft rustle of leaves above us and the slow beat of his heart against my ear. This was what I have been waiting for all my life. A life filled where I would be free as Raven wouldn't think about the next time the Lycans would attack. But I would have preferred if I still had a pack with me. I inhaled deeply, a small lips playing on my lips as I wrapped my hand around his arm. This was far more than I wanted. Despite everything, I still felt peace. One that I don't think my pack would have provided for me. “So… what does the future hold for us?” Kai asked, breaking the silence. “Huh,” I frowned, trying to look up at him. “Do you think the future has s

Author’s POVDraven rode back into the Nightshade palace with Theodora bound to the back of a horse. Her wrists were tied, her cloak torn, and her hair hung in loose strands over her face. She didn’t look at anyone as they passed through the village gates. People whispered among themselves, some threw stones at her. The news had already spread—Theodora had lied to them for nearly thirty years.By the time they reached the great hall, the full council was waiting. The elders sat impatiently, their expressions hard as stone. Draven stood before them, his hand gripping Theodora’s arm as he pushed her forward.“This,” he said loudly, “is the truth you were all denied. The Alpha you served… was never a man.”Gasps broke the silence. Several council members leaned forward, their eyes narrowing. Others shook their heads in disbelief.“You expect us to believe this?” one elder barked. “That our Alpha Rowan, the warrior who led us, was a woman all along? Impossible!”“It is not impossible,”

Raven’s POVThe moment they pulled me away from Allen, my body felt like it was moving without me. My legs dragged over the dirt, my ears still ringing with the sound of his voice, with the memory of his claws so close to my throat.A woman appeared from nowhere and slipped her cloak from her shoulders and wrapped it around me but it couldn’t stop the shiver that shook me to the bone.“Keep your head down,” she said, her tone brisk, her arm firm around mine.I swallowed hard, my throat raw. “Wait—no—” My voice cracked, the words breaking apart with my breath. “We can’t leave. We have to go back. My mother is still there!”Her pace didn’t falter. “If we go back now, we die with her. That’s not saving anyone.”“You don’t understand!” I yanked against her hold, tears blurring my sight. “She’s my mother!”Her grip tightened, her jaw hard. “I understand exactly. That’s why I’m not letting you turn around.”The forest closed around us, trees rising like dark pillars. Every step farther mak

Rachel’s POVThe warm steam from the shower still clung to my skin as I stepped out, wrapping myself in a robe. The water had helped calm me, but my mind was still spinning.I sat on the edge of my bed and stared at the mirror across the room, my mind drifting back to what happened today, my hand slowly finding its way to my neck. I swallowed hard, remembering the way its red eyes stared at me, its hand wrapped tightly around my neck…but even with that, the creature felt familiar. The message on the paper boldly written at the back of my head. "He watches me, even in the dark…He says I belong to him."What was happening to me? Was it a memory? Could I see Rachel’s past by touching her things? Or was she trying to speak to me from the afterlife Suddenly, someone knocked on my door, I jerked up from the bed in fear, turning to the door, my breath heavy. “Miss, dinner is ready,” Sharon said walking in. “Are you okay?” She asked, her brows furrowed in curiosity.I let out a sigh of r

Rachel’s POVAfter dropping Ashley off at school, I watched her run inside, her small backpack bouncing as she waved at me one last time. I waved back, forcing a smile. As soon as she disappeared into the building, I let out a deep sigh.I was finally free to drop the act. It wasn't like I didn't want to be a mother to her, but everything she does reminds me that my son is still without his mother. I climbed into the car, shaking my head as mind drifted back to Selena's words about Cynthia. Rachel led a complicated life and had many enemies. Looks like Allen isn't the only one that wanted Rachel dead, I won't be surprised if they were more. I stared out of the window as the car started moving. It didn't take long before the mansion came into view. I inhaled deeply, folding my hands under my breasts. This was definitely more than I bargained for but it is the only way to get my son back. By the time we pulled up to the entrance, my body already felt tired, even though the day had

Valtor POVI entered the palace’s grand hall, my boots hitting echoing through the walls, the Elders sat around the long wooden table, their eyes following me. Some of them looked nervous, others curious, but none of them said anything. Slowly, I took my seat at the head of the table and leaned back in my chair, my fingers tapping the wooden armrest, waiting.I nodded at Daniel who took his seat. “The meeting has officially started, please lay your complaint or concern in a respectful manner.”They exchanged glances with each other, none of them was ready to begin…more like none of them wanted to lose their head. Finally, Elder Gregor cleared his throat. “Alpha Valtor, we need to talk about Rachel.” he said, carefully. I placed my elbow on the armrest, placing a finger on the side of my head. “What's there to talk about her again?” I frowned. “I already submitted all the proof you wanted to show that Rachel is indeed the real Rachel, what else does the council need?”“You have to

Rachel's pov. I grabbed my purse before Ashley could drag me, her face filled with excitement as she held my hands, running towards the car. She looked just like Rachel, a beautiful sweet girl that unfortunately has a dick as a father. “Come, we are going to be late,” she rushed me. I forced a smile, trying to keep up with her pace. I wonder what Valtor was thinking when he agreed to this sick proposal, he was the one that insisted I don't suck up to his daughter and I totally agree to it. What changed this time?“Daddy,” she called, pointing in the direction ahead of us. My whole body froze as I saw Valtor walk past, his cold eyes flickered towards us but he didn't stop. Daniel ran behind him. I swallowed hard, placing my hand on my chest, my cheeks turned red remembering what happened a few days back. “Ah,” I muttered, my face etched with disdain as I touched my lips. That dick actually kissed me and completely got away with it. Who does that? Oh, I almost forgot he was a d

Valtor’s POV. I stood before the mirror, fastening the last button on my shirt, studying my own reflection. The dark fabric clung to my frame, emphasizing the sharp angles of my face. The door suddenly creaked open and my step mother, Andy walked in, a small smile playing on her lips.My brows furrowed in curiosity wondering what she was doing here. No one was allowed to come into my room except Daniel, Ashely wasn't even an exemption and she was my daughter. “Valtor,” she called, slowly walking in and shut the door behind her. “Can you spare a minute?* I scoffed, turning back to the mirror, adjusting my cufflinks. “What do you want?”I saw the relief on her face through the mirror, she walked closer to me, staring at me through the mirror. “I want to talk to you about Rachel,” she revealed. “What about Rachel?”“She is finally back to us after five years, but I feel she is quite distant, Ashely needs her mother.”“I thought I was clear,” I paused, turning to her. “We shouldn't

Rachel’s POVA soft knock on the door woke me from my sleep, I stretched, feeling the comfort of the bed under me, my brows furrowed. It was already morning, marking it my second day in this house, I rolled my eyes, raising the blanket over my head. Maybe if they don't hear anything, they would leave me the fuck alone. The door creaked open and some people walked in, I clenched my fists, turning to them. The maids bowed to me, walking closer, their fingers locked and placed on their stomach, the lady in the front was a tall brunette carrying a tray with tea and honeyed bread. I sat up, rubbing my eyes. “Good morning,” I mumbled.The blonde swallowed hard, her face went pale, and her eyes grew wide, like she had seen a ghost.I sighed. “Not again,” I muttered. I knew what this was about. “I promise I’m real,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “You don’t have to be scared.”The brunette gave the blonde a quick warning look, and the blonde seemed to snap out of her trance. The br

MARIA'S POV.It was a bright morning, the sun shining at its peak, casting a beautiful glow through the hospital glass, my hips swinging left and right as I walked through the hospital halls. The male doctors and some patients' mouths fell open as I passed them, they whispered among themselves. “Isn't that Maria Maria?” They asked each other. Yes, I am Maria Maria, I changed my last name, there was no need to carry on my last name after they chased me out of the company. “I am sorry,” a man bumped into me. “I am sorry,” he apologized, with a bow and turned to go. “Michael,” I called. He paused immediately, turning back to me.“How do you know my name?” He asked, his brows furrowed in curiosity. Thirty minutes later we sat in a coffee shop, he sat quietly across the table sipping his coffee. “You seem to miss the coffee a lot,” I broke the silence. “I am trying to process all that you just said,” he revealed, dropping the cup on the table. “So you're telling me that you found m

MICHAEL'S POV. I opened my eyes slowly as I looked around me. The last thing I remembered was the lady with Allen knocked me out. I couldn't believe he could do this…after everything I have done, and sacrificed for him, he was beyond redemption, when I see him I would make sure I cut his legs off. I looked around, I was placed in my car, I tried opening the door but it was jammed, I scanned the surroundings hoping to find someone who could help me, but it appeared that I was on top of a cliff. Why would they bring me here? Were they planning to threaten me or kill me? Either way, I would make sure the two of them pay for everything they have done.“You have woken up,” I heard Allen's voice, I turned to the screen attached to my windshield. “Allen,” I smoldered, clenching my fist in anger. “You little bastard… when I get out of here….”“I would rip your limbs apart and feed them to my dogs,” he interrupted, rolling his eyes. “C'mon Mike, we both know you are no longer capable of t

MICHAEL'S POV. I sat quietly on the couch shaking the glass of wine in my hand, my mind still clouded with guilt. I still couldn't believe Allen talked me into this evil act, it wasn't because I was righteous, I was the complete opposite. My name was Micheal but I was known among the billionaires as “The drug devil”. I was a drug dealer, one that you shouldn't mess with…one that valued money more than family. I was someone who sent shivers through people's spine, there was no single person that crossed me and never lived. I had everything, the face, the looks, the aura, the money, the power…everything was at the tip of my fingers, there was nothing I couldn't do or get. But how did I end up here? Let's rewind… I killed a family, from the father to his two-day-old child, he was a cop…yeah, I never feared authority, he messed up a deal and I lost fifty million dollars because of that, but after that, it was like a whole was left in me, I felt empty…this wasn't the life I want

MARIA. I woke up with a splitting headache, I cleaned my blurry eyes as I scanned through the room, wondering how I was still alive after getting involved in a fatal accident. Someone was there at the scene, and he pulled me out before the car exploded, I owe him my life but right now I don't have any time for this, I have to tell my grandfather about Allen's unfaithful act. I got up from my bed, looking at the mirror in front of me and I had no scratch on my body. How would that be? That accident could have taken my life but I ended up not having a single scratch. I glanced around, it was definitely a hotel room but the man was nowhere to be found and there was nothing to show that anyone was there except me. I grabbed my purse and walked out of the room, I had to get home quickly, Allen would pay for everything he had done. I wasted two years of my life, I gave two years of my whole life to Allen…I left to grow his dying business and this is what he was doing behind my back…

MARIA'S POVI'd say Old Grandpa was the only one who was genuinely happy to see me.The rest of the people at the party had just been there as a formality.I can't blame them, I would be mad too if I had received an invitation out of the blue.But maybe I shouldn't complain. This party was for me after all, was it not?Maria Rodriguez. My name. The name that sent shivers down men's spine in my world.I was young, rich, beautiful, and successful. Everything anybody could ever wish for. Being the CEO at 26 had created so many opportunities for me and now I was leading the most successful company in the world.“Ah, Maria. Nice to meet you” An old man who I immediately recalled as Mr Lionel from old family dinners greeted me as he bowed slightly.I immediately returned the gesture and straightened up to see him looking around.“Ah, where's Allen?” The man's eyes scanned around the room, looking for him.“Oh, he's not here” I quickly said.Allen Thomas. My fiance. The love of my life and t

Raven's povI woke up with a start. My throat was dry, my body sore as if I had been dragged for miles. When I tried to sit up, my ribs burned and I fell back onto the soft bed. A low ceiling stared back at me, wooden beams dark with age. The smell of herbs and smoke filled in the room.“Don’t move too fast,” a voice said.I turned my head and saw a woman by the corner of the room. She was middle-aged, her hair streaked with gray, tied in a knot at the back. Her eyes were sharp, brown like bark, watching me the way hunters watch a wounded animal.“You’re awake,” she said, setting down a clay bowl on the table beside me. “You were half-dead when I found you.”I licked my lips. “Where… where am I?”“My house,” she replied, not smiling. “Deep in the forest, away from the villages. I don’t usually keep strangers here. But you looked like you were running from death itself.”Her words tightened my chest.I looked away, fighting the ache that consumed my body. “I— I must have collapsed in

Kael’s POV. The second Xena’s heels clicked away toward the bathroom, I dropped my fork and reached for my napkin like a man about to commit a crime. I didn’t even pretend to be polite about it—just brought the damn thing up and spat into it as quietly as I could. The taste of that… whatever-the-hell-it-was was still clinging to my tongue like a bad memory. Slimy. Sour. Vaguely like something that had already been eaten once before.“Never again,” I muttered under my breath, balling the napkin and pushing it to the side of my plate.I only ordered the food to get on Xena's nerve. I wasn't going to let her find a perfect excuse not to eat the food so I ordered mine. Bad—- very bad idea by the way. Suddenly my phone buzzed, I reached for my phone, grateful for the distraction, but the relief died fast when I saw the name lighting up the screen.Celina.A pulse of anger went through me. She was the reason Xena found me in a questionable situation. She was the one who’d grabbed in th

Xena’s POVKael’s eyes flicked over me once, his eyes sharp and unreadable. Then, without missing a beat, he said, “We’re late for dinner.”That was it. No “sorry,” no explanation, not even a hint of what had him looking like he’d just fought with a ghost in the hallway.I glanced past him, back toward the bathroom mirrors, and my stomach knotted. The same woman from before was standing in front of the sink, reapplying her lipstick with lazy precision.Something hot and irrational rose in me. I didn’t even know her name and I didn't want to know, what I wanted right now was to march over and rip every strand of hair off her head. My mind supplied its own story: her with Kael, pressed against the cold bathroom wall, while I was busy adjusting my lipstick like an idiot.If Kael wanted to play house with me, fine. But if he wanted me to believe any of this was real, he could at least keep his pants zipped long enough to make it to dinner.I turned back to him, my voice cold. “Fine. Let’

Xena’s POVKael’s eyes flicked over me once, his eyes sharp and unreadable. Then, without missing a beat, he said, “We’re late for dinner.”That was it. No “sorry,” no explanation, not even a hint of what had him looking like he’d just fought with a ghost in the hallway.I glanced past him, back toward the bathroom mirrors, and my stomach knotted. The same woman from before was standing in front of the sink, reapplying her lipstick with lazy precision.Something hot and irrational rose in me. I didn’t even know her name and I didn't want to know, what I wanted right now was to march over and rip every strand of hair off her head. My mind supplied its own story: her with Kael, pressed against the cold bathroom wall, while I was busy adjusting my lipstick like an idiot.If Kael wanted to play house with me, fine. But if he wanted me to believe any of this was real, he could at least keep his pants zipped long enough to make it to dinner.I turned back to him, my voice cold. “Fine. Let’

Xena’s POVI couldn’t really pick a style because none of them were mine. The dresses, skirts, and jackets the attendants brought me looked expensive—too expensive—but they didn’t feel like me. It was like dressing up in someone else’s life. But since I wasn’t the one paying, I decided not to overthink it. If he wanted me to try all this, then fine. I’d just take everything and let him deal with the bill.When I finally walked out of the changing room, the attendants were waiting. One of them carried a small box and opened it with a bright smile. Inside was a bracelet—thin, gold, with tiny diamonds that caught the light in a way that made it almost blinding.“This is on the house, ma’am,” the woman said politely.I hesitated for a second. People didn’t just hand out things like this where I came from. “Thank you,” I said quietly, still unsure.They began wrapping up the clothes I’d picked, layering each item in crisp white paper, tucking them into glossy bags. I stood there, watching

Kael’s POV. After two weeks of getting to know more about Xena's boring life… literally, she had a boring life. The only thing she considered fun was stuffing her face with fictional men. Who does that? The detective was another thing entirely, he was always at the corner of my house, guiding my house more than the so called securities. And the fact that he wasn't hiding it made it more annoying but Viktor said that I couldn't kill him so I let him be but decided to give him a little fun today. I was taking Xena shopping. Not because I wanted to waste money but because I wanted to get as far away as I could from Xena's book and of course, give Reyes a little wide goose chase. The boutique I took Xena to was one of the best in the country. We had to take the helicopter to get there quickly and make it back to the restaurant I reserved for tonight. Another sprinkle of delulu dust for the jobless world who so badly want to know about my life. The boutique was on one of the busiest s