Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1)
Lauren thought her life was perfect until a Valentine’s Day dinner turned into a nightmare. Accused of pushing her mother-in-law down the stairs, she quickly realizes it’s a setup. Sylas, her husband, and her own sister Taylor orchestrated the whole thing to trap her and end their marriage.
With nowhere to go, Lauren runs straight to the one person she never expected: Enzo, her mysterious and ruthless neighbor, the Mafia King everyone fears. As she starts plotting revenge, she uncovers a shocking truth: Sylas is involved with a rival mafia family, and she’s been dragged into a war that could destroy everything she knows.
But things get even more complicated when Enzo reveals he’s hunting for a set of rare paintings that hold the key to a hidden vault of untold wealth. Intrigued, Lauren agrees to help him, even though she knows it could drag her deeper into the mafia’s deadly world.
As Lauren navigates this treacherous new reality, she must decide whether to use Enzo and the growing attraction between them to exact her revenge, or risk losing herself in the chaos. Will she expose the lies and take back control, or will she be consumed by the very world that betrayed her?
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Chapter: Hidden Secrets (2)ENZOI couldn't help but pace around in the warehouse. Leonardo had called me asking me to come and supervise over the productions of the weapons being made. My hands clenched by my side as I thought about what had happened at the hospital. Seeing the little girl who was obviously my daughter, I couldn't help but want to hold her once again. Even if it's just for a brief second. “ Boss? Enzo!” Leonardo called out bringing me out of my thoughts. “ What?” I asked staring at him. I glanced at the boxes where all the guns had been arranged. “Take them out for delivery.” I ordered. The rest of the men did exactly as I ordered carrying the boxes out while Leonardo stayed behind. I couldn't even describe what I was feeling. Anger, disappoinment and hurt. Not at Lauren but at myself. After I found out her identity as Marcello's daughter, I had felt betrayed and abadoned her. I didn't know she had been pregnant. “ Is something wrong? You have been absent minded since. Did something happen
Last Updated: 2025-04-30
Chapter: Hidden Secrets “ Aurora, don't run around.” I said cautioning my daughter as we walked out of the hospital about to leave. Standing at the counter, I stared at the nurse handing her the prescription the doctor had given us. Aurora was asthmatic just like Giovanni. At first, she had not displayed any signs which made me happy however she started having shortness of breath last year. The doctor had said she should be careful and always have her inhaler on her. That was why I kept a watchful eye on her. She was my world. My baby. “ Aurora, make sure you don't lose your inhaler-” I started when I saw Aurora bump into someone. She stumbled back, but the man caught her before she could fall. His large hands gripped her shoulders gently, steadying her tiny frame. “Careful, principessa.” He said, his voice low. Familiar. Too familiar. My eyes lifted and my breath caught as I realized who it was. Enzo. He stood there in a dark coat, tailored and expensive, the collar turned up slightly against
Last Updated: 2025-04-30
Chapter: Queen Amongst Wolves LAUREN “You want to take over the Italian Mafia? You?” Enzo asked in a mocking tone igniting the others to chuckle. I didn't care. I shrugged my shoulders walking past them to take my seat. Crossing my eyes, I held Enzo's gaze. “Why not? I have the money and the power. You can see what I've done with the place. My father was an Italian so that makes me half Italian. Is there another reason why I cannot be the leader of the Italian mafia?” I asked, my words silencing all of them in an instant. Their expressions told me everything. They'd rather support Enzo than me because I am a woman. These egotistical men couldn't handle being led by a woman and that was their problem. “ Just because you have picked a few tricks, doesn't mean that you can lead the Italian mafia, gurriera.” Enzo said making my hands clench by my side. “There are a lot of people far ruthless than you are.” I smiled staring at him. “Is that so?” I asked getting up to my feet. Signaling the bouncer at the door, I
Last Updated: 2025-04-30
Chapter: The Other KingENZO“Did you really have to behave like that? You humiliated me in front of her again!” Barbara’s voice rang through the hallway, sharp and loud, chasing after me like it always did.I didn’t answer. I kept walking.I needed to see my son.I pushed open Giovanni’s room door and stepped into the warm room. It smelled like lavender and old storybooks. Toys were scattered on the floor. Tiny cars, a red ball, a stuffed lion missing one eye.He sat cross-legged on the rug, building something with blocks. His dark curls fell across his forehead, and his little brow was furrowed in deep concentration. When he looked up and saw me, his face lit up.“Papa!”I knelt down, letting him crash into my arms. His small arms wrapped around my neck, and for a moment, everything felt still.“How was your day, Gio?” I asked softly, brushing his hair back.“I made a tower. Mama said it could reach the moon.” He grinned, showing me a crooked stack of blocks that swayed with every breath.I chuckled. “It j
Last Updated: 2025-04-30
Chapter: Bids Of FurySlow music played on the background. Men and women moving around. I moved around the crowd with Miguel smiling as we talked and chatted. My hands clenched as I saw Enzo. I didn't want to alert Miguel so I stayed firm pretending not be okay. But my eyes kept drifting. I scanned the room searching for Enzo. To see if he has already come or if he was going to come soon. Although I was at the party, I didn't want to expose myself just yet. Now was not the time. “Lauren?” I heard someone call making me stiff. No one called me Lauren anymore. I turned to see Rafael behind me. He was dressed handsomely in his suit. Two years had gone by and I couldn't be more grateful enough. If he had not saved my life by coming to get me, I would have been dead. Enzo did not care. “Rafael,” I started as a small smile formed on my lips. “You're here too” “ Of course I am here,…..” Rafael said as he looked around before lowering his tone. “Why didn't you tell me you were back in the country, Lauren? You
Last Updated: 2025-04-30
Chapter: Velvet BladesI swallowed feeling my throat tightening as I stared at Enzo. I quickly turned my gaze away not giving him enough time to see my face. “Sorry.” I muttered as I walked past him heading straight to my car. I put Aurora in her seat making sure she was secure before I got in. Starting the engine, I drove as fast as I could leaving before Barbara could show up. “Mommy, did I do something wrong?” Aurora’s small voice broke the silence in the car, soft and unsure.My grip tightened on the steering wheel. I forced my eyes to stay on the road, even though her question made my heart feel like it was cracking open. The image of Giovanni insulting my daughter and pushing her down made me mad. He was innocent. Two years ago, he had been nothing but a baby. “No, baby,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”She was quiet for a second, then I saw her fiddling with the hem of her dress in the driver’s mirror. “But you looked sad. And that man looked mad.”I blink
Last Updated: 2025-04-30
Auctioned To The Wolf King
Despised by her father and sold to the merciless Wolf King, April’s life seemed destined to be a cruel punishment. But when the Wolf King uncovers his fiancée’s treachery, he stuns April with an audacious proposition:
“Let’s change the terms. Marry me.”
What begins as a desperate attempt to reclaim her freedom soon spirals into something far more dangerous. April believes this is her chance to win over her fated mate, but Duncan, the enigmatic Wolf King, has his sights set on one target. Her father, the man who defied his authority and sided with the enemy.
Thrust into a deadly game of power and revenge, April must navigate a treacherous web of enemies, betrayal, and a passion that defies all reason. As her bond with Duncan deepens, she faces an impossible choice: pursue vengeance for her shattered past or embrace the love that could transform her future.
But with Duncan’s vengeful ex-fiancée scheming to take him back and a dangerously obsessed Alpha fixated on April, the path forward is anything but clear.
As enemies close in and the stakes reach their peak, will April have the courage to claim her place beside the Wolf King, or will she lose everything to the ghosts of her past?
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Chapter: The Mark and the Madness APRIL "Help!" The voice was low. Barely above a whisper yet I could hear it. I had been in my room when I suddenly heard it. Something stirred in me and my heart ached. Suddenly, my eyes widened as I realized who it was. Duncan. I rushed out of my room running up the stairs. It was not the full moon neither was anyone attacking. What was happening to Duncan? Without a single thought, I headed to his room. Just as I was about to reach there, Emmett appeared out of nowhere. His eyes glared wolf as he tried to stop me but I wasn't having it. I needed to go and save Duncan. "Get out of my way." I warned angrily as I stared at him. " Wolf Queen," He mocked. "You are not getting in my way this time. No one is going to save that miserable wolf." "Duncan is my mate. If you want to harm him, you're going to have to go through me first." I said gritting my teeth as I stared at him. Both of us stood glaring at each other. Emmett had his wolf already to the surface but I di
Last Updated: 2025-04-30
Chapter: The Fracture Point DUNCAN I stared at the pictures that Melissa had given me. It was April standing with a man that I barely recognized. His face was covered with a black cloak so I couldn't see it and plus April was standing in front of him. I turned to April slightly checking her reaction as she saw them. She didn't flinch or anything. Melissa stared at me intensely as if she was waiting for me to get angry. I knew better than to give her what she wanted. " This is not April." I said denying it even if the evidence was right in front of me. My wolf growled angrily wanting answers as I wanted. She was my mate. Mine. She shouldn't be with any other man. " Duncan, you can't be serious." Melissa said scoffing at me as if I was a fool. "I just told you that your mate was with another man. The pictures are proof." " These pictures must be fake, Melissa. I have always known that you are jealous. You want me back. However insulting my mate is something I will never tolerate. She is not a cheat
Last Updated: 2025-04-27
Chapter: A Tangle Of Rogues "Rogues?" I whispered as panic coiled in my stomach. I was without a wolf now so I could not change or defend myself. Rogues were dangerous. Dangerous because once you were beaten by them, there was a huge possiblity you might not survive. They were stronger than most werewolves, more faster. " Who sent you? What do you want?" I asked staring at them as they circled me slowly entrapping me with no way to run. One of them snarled, baring yellowed teeth, his eyes glowing with a wild hunger. He looked more beast than man, his clothes torn and stained with old blood. The others were no better. They all had red eyes and scary looking faces. They didn’t answer. Instead, the tallest one stepped forward, his bare feet silent on the damp forest floor. His presence was suffocating. Power rolling off him like he was dangerous. "Wolf Queen, don't blame us. It's your fault for getting entangled with Duncan Blackwood." He said snarling as he talked. Duncan? Were they here becau
Last Updated: 2025-04-24
Chapter: A Binding Oath"I'll just get going." I said removing my hand from Duncan's. I tried to walk past Duncan when suddenly, he grabbed my hand again. My gaze darted to him with questioning gaze. " Whatever you have to say, say it in front of April. She is my Wolf Queen now." Duncan said as his hand tightened around mine. I couldn't believe it. Duncan was not leaving me for Melissa. Duncan's gaze turned to mine and I could see the determination in his eyes. Melissa's eyes flicked to our joined hands. Her lips parted, but no words came out at first. She looked... lost. Like she hadn’t expected Duncan to say that especially not in front of me. "I just..." she began, her voice soft, almost breaking. "I wanted to say I’m sorry. For everything." I blinked. Sorry? From Melissa? That wasn’t what I had expected. Duncan said nothing, his hand still firm around mine, grounding me like an anchor in a storm. Melissa looked down at her feet, then back up at Duncan. “You chose her. I can see that now. A
Last Updated: 2025-04-22
Chapter: The Crown and the Knife APRIL My eyes flickered open the moment Duncan asked about the ring. Opening my eyes, I could see his eyes narrow as he looked at the ring. Did he know?My fingers curled instinctively into a fist, concealing it before he could speak. He couldn’t know. Not yet. "Just a ring my mother left for me." I lied holding his gaze as I stood. I turned away, letting the hot spray from the shower mask the panic rising in my chest. The water coursed over my skin, but it couldn't wash away the fear. I had fought too hard for this moment. To become Duncan’s Wolf Queen and claim my place beside him. I couldn’t afford his doubt. Not when I was this close. When I officially become Duncan's Wolf Queen, I would be able to have the power to search for my mother's remains. Even my father would not be able to go against me then. " Let me help you." Duncan said, his voice rough as he took the sponge from my hand. Duncan reached out turning me around and I let him. Closing my eyes, I relaxed in
Last Updated: 2025-04-18
Chapter: Unleashed Under The Full Moon (2)DUNCAN April's wolf was the most beautiful wolf I had ever seen. Her beautiful silver fur glistened in the room and I could see everyone was as stunned as I was. Her wolf was strong and very domineering unlike any I had seen. Watching as she moved around, I stepped forward expecting her to recognize me as I held her wolf's gaze. She was my mate, after all. " Is she refusing to submit to the Wolf King?" Melissa asked, trying to cause more trouble, and April's wolf seemed to be stirred by it. Melissa's voice instantly turned the attention of April's wolf to her. Her gaze changed and I could see that something was wrong. Almost as if April was in no control of her wolf like I did. "Duncan," Melissa said as she saw April's wolf. April’s wolf let out a deep, menacing growl, her silver fur standing on end as she turned her piercing gaze toward Melissa. A fierce, untamed energy flickered in her golden eyes, something raw and dangerous that sent a chill down my spine. My heart po
Last Updated: 2025-04-07
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