The Lottery Rose

Mates! The one person created solely for you. The other part of you, the missing piece of your soul. They say that a mate is there to cherish and protect you. They say that nothing is stronger than the bond between mates. And they say that it’s always love at first sight… Well, let’s test that theory, shall we? Preview: Lesley’s POV His voice got deeper and more menacing with each word that left his lips. “But if you for just one second think you’re getting out of this by getting me to reject you---” He pushed me so hard against the wall, I’m sure my ribs broke! “You’re. DEAD. WRONG!!!” His enormous body was pressed against mine, trapping me between him and the wall. His hand gripped my throat – not cutting off my airways, but enough to let me know, that he was currently in control of my life. “You’re. MINE!” My heart dropped. His threatening growls were getting closer and closer until I could feel his breath on my skin. His wolf was in control. His alpha wolf… “And I’ll bend and break you before I’ll EVER let you leave! Do you understand?”

After the real son, Asher Vale, was brought back, everything in our house became tied to drawing lots. The chef of the day, who would have to cook a particular person's preferred dishes, had to be decided by drawing lots. Even our parents' kisses and hugs were chosen the same way. I always drew the short stick. The long stick, by default, belonged to Asher. He never had to do anything to receive our parents' love. Whenever I felt it was unfair and wanted to cry, Mom would scold me sharply, "I bought the lot-drawing box because I was afraid you'd feel hurt. I wanted to be fair to both of you. If you want something, decide it yourselves. Your father and I won't interfere. If you can't draw the long stick, you can only blame your bad luck." So I began practicing every day, shaking the box diligently, over and over, in hopes that one day, it would help me earn my parents' love. Unfortunately, for ten years, I never once drew the long stick. Until my birthday. Asher wanted to go to the amusement park, and Mom once again told us to decide by drawing lots. I secretly glued the two short sticks together and handed them to Mom, hoping to keep her with me. She slapped me hard across the face, screaming that I was cheating and disobedient. Then she stormed out of the house with Asher. When I fell to the ground, the short stick stabbed deep into my neck. 'I'm sorry, Mom. Next time, I'll work harder. Next time, I'll definitely draw the long stick.'

Every Christmas Eve, the heir of the Marco mafia family—Adrian Marco, must follow the family tradition: Draw a name to decide whether he’s allowed to marry me. Because I, Irene Cast, am not mafia-born. Unless he draws the slip with my name on it, he can’t take me as his wife. For four years, Adrian has drawn four times. And not once did he draw my name. I always thought he fought with his family because of me— that he was willing to risk losing his position as the Don, just to choose me. Every time he failed, he held me so tightly and whispered, “It’s okay. There’s always next year.” And I loved him so much it hurt. Hurt enough that I was willing to wait, year after year. This year, I told myself: If he still doesn’t draw my name… I’ll secretly switch the result. I sneaked to the door of Adrian’s study, and heard his younger brother ask: “Don… every year you do draw Irene's name. Why do you pretend you didn’t? Is it because you still can’t let Sera go?” But he simply said, in a flat voice, “Sera needs me for something urgent. Do what you always do: swap Irene’s name for a blank one.” He walked out without looking back. Instead of swapping, he tossed the blank slip into the trash, left the one with my name on the table, and hurried after Adrian. I went inside, picked up the blank slip from the trash, and replaced the one with my name. Watching my own name fall into the garbage. Adrian…I don’t want to wait and marry you anymore. I’ll grant you your choice.

Albert is a detective, author of a book on criminal psychology called: "The Punisher." One day, he received an invitation from the chief of the police department of city A to participate in investigating a case. With his help, the case was quickly solved. This was a sad case that left a deep impression on him. After solving the case, he thought it would end here. Unexpectedly, right after that, a series of cases happened in city A. In each case with different forms and perpetrators. The special thing is the mysterious black rose which is tightly stuffed in the mouth of the victims. "Is it a coincidence? Not true! An evil hand in the back is manipulating all of this. Who is that person after all? What does that rose mean?" Since then he has been drawn deep into this mysterious case. He meets Melanie, a girl from the action team of the crime-solving team. Here, together, they step on the path to find the truth. Together they witnessed tragedies.After investigations, they discovered clues to help find the manipulator behind. The mystery of 15 years ago is gradually revealed. the black roses was telling a tragic story. Will Tran Nghia face what? How does he have to make a choice? The line between innocence and evil is like a thin flame. With just a little bit of lead it will burn so fiercely that it cannot be extinguished...

(Prev Title Alpha Hades and The Red Rose) "On a hot summer night, would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses?" Quote co. Meatloaf and Jim Cummings 1976/1977 from 'You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth.' Alpha Hades is an Alpha with a tragic past. He has crafted the persona of The Dark Alpha, to deter his rivals from attacking his pack. As a child, his parents and all previous pack members were wiped out in a rogue attack. He alone survived with the help of his wolf, Cerberus, and the assistance of a human girl called Lydia. But now, Cerberus is dying, and Hades is searching for Lydia in the hope that she is the key to saving him, as Cerberus is convinced that she is their mate. The Red Rose is a human huntress, who is feared by all wolves. She hunts rogues and single-handedly, deals out justice to them as she searches for the Rogue Alpha. He is the one responsible for all of the attacks on the packs, and for an attack on her when she was a child. What will happen when these two meet during a pack dispute? Will Hades find Lydia, before it is too late? And will The Red Rose be able to end, the Rogue Alpha's killing spree?

Her sixteenth birthday became her worst nightmare. The instant the clock struck twelve, all hell let loose and her life flipped into jeopardy. She was to lose her virginity that same day or welcome death with full arms. The school's rebel, Jordan Hill, doesn't believe in love, he thinks all romcoms are cringe and so are his parents whom he couldn't find even more pathetic when they brought fought a ridiculous offer onto his plate. Turns out it was a lottery, after all, a chance to take the prime Minister's daughter virginity is an opportunity that comes in a lifetime. But why is it that after that one boring night, his soul never departed from her? Wanting no more than to avoid Jordan like a total plague, she succeeded but only for a year. She unfortunately caught his attention again and this time, Jordan is sure to make the rest of her school years miserable than it already was. She refuses to leave, he refuses to back down.