Arti Secret Admire

***This is the sequel to "Second Chance Luna" and picks up where that story left off. I highly recommend reading that one before attempting to jump into this story.*** Update schedule is Mon. Wed. Fri. US Mountain Time Alpha Aleksandr Volkov had to fight hard for his second chance mate, a human named Rieka who has 4 children from her deceased human husband. After teaching her about the supernatural world, and rescuing her from rogues, they finally tied the knot, but just as they prepared to leave for their honeymoon, another alpha shows up to warn them that Rieka is still in danger. There is a secret in her past that even she doesn't know about. They have to work together with new allies to uncover her family history and ensure future safety of her and her children, all while navigating a new mate bond and the uncharted territory of a human mated to an alpha.

In a top Shanghai high school, Li Jingyi rules the basketball court with unbreakable focus and a fierce drive to win nationals. Everything changes when arrogant transfer student Chen Hao joins the team his talent matches hers, but his attitude clashes with everything she stands for. On-court battles turn legendary, off-court tension ignites reluctant attraction. The twist: Hao is hiding a forged identity and a family corruption scandal that could get him expelled, disqualify the team, and destroy their championship shot. Forced into a secret alliance to protect their dreams, rivalry blurs into something deeper, leading to a final game where love, loyalty, and redemption are on the line.

Deborah grew up as the only girl among six overprotective brothers, each powerful, intimidating, and fiercely loyal. In their eyes, no man is ever good enough for their sister. They swore that only they would choose the man worthy of her hand. But Deborah has a secret that could destroy everything. Behind closed doors and hidden glances, she’s been having an affair with Luther Cain, the cold, enigmatic CEO of one of the country’s most powerful companies… the Cain Industry….. and the very man her brothers consider their greatest rival. As their forbidden relationship deepens, passion turns into danger. Lies begin to unravel. And when her brothers discover the truth, Deborah must choose between the family that raised her, and the man she’s willing to burn the world for.

"Just let me hold you for a while, please," he said after setting me back down. This time, he laid me in the middle of the bed before sliding in next to me. "What if this was really me? Not a dream version of Lucy but the real thing?" I asked. He reached his hand across to me, pulling my hair behind my ear before pulling me closer to his body. "Well, in real life, you probably would have slapped me for doing this," he said, making us both laugh. Little did he know. After I witnessed my mom's murder, I fled my pack to search for a freedom I knew may never exist. I dreaded the day I would turn 18 as I never wanted a mate bond after the horror I had lived through. After years of being sold as a slave, I found myself belonging to a new pack once again. And then, I turned 18. I found not just one but two mates along with untapped power that I have no idea how to manage. ***TRIGGER WARNING - SA AND PHYSICAL ABUSE MENTIONED THROUGHOUT STORY***

My Alpha husband, Ryder, has always hated the sound of a crying pup. But recently, he started caring for my adopted sister's newborn pup, staying by its side in the nursery every night until dawn. Every time Ryder left our bedroom for the nursery, an inexplicable stabbing pain would pierce through my chest. This agony would last all night until dawn when he returned. I had finally reached my breaking point. At the Full Moon Festival, I announced in front of the entire pack that I was rejecting our mate bond. The pack's mind-link erupted with whispers that the battle had damaged my mind. A golden light ignited in Ryder's eyes as he stared at me in disbelief. "Because I was too busy to check on you when you were injured, you're rejecting our bond over a six month old pup?" I didn't meet his eyes. Instead, my gaze lingered on the faint lipstick mark smudged inside his collar. My voice trembled, yet it did not waver. "Since you love her pup so much, once our bond is severed, you can openly be the father."

Nang malaman ni Elira na si Gavin Cordova, na hindi lamang kaibigan ng kanyang amang matagal na niyang kinamuhian, kundi siya rin palang ninong niya — ay gumuho ang tiwala niya. Pakiramdam niya, isa lang siyang obligasyong kailangang bayaran. Hindi niya matanggap na baka kaya lang siya tinutulungan ni Gavin ay dahil sa utang na loob nito sa kanyang ama. Pero habang patuloy siyang ginagabayan at palihim na tinutulungan ni Gavin, hindi niya mapigilang mahulog sa taong handang ipaglaban siya, kahit labag iyon sa lahat ng inaasahan ng mundo. At nang pumasok sila sa isang bawal at lihim na relasyon, kailangan nilang harapin ang tanong: tunay bang pagmamahal ang namamagitan sa kanila, o isa lang itong pagkakamaling hindi na maaaring itama?

“I break every tie I have with you today, Sophie. Go and never return!” Those words were the beginning of Sophie's pain and never-ending struggles. Sophie Stones, once the beloved mate of Crown Prince Maxon Ironclaw, saw her world crumble with just a few damning words. Their love, once the envy of all, turned to ashes when Sophie was found guilty of killing Maxon's sister and cheating on him. Maxon, who had forsaken his crown for their love, felt the sting of betrayal pierce his heart. He severed all ties with Sophie, casting her out of the palace and erasing her from his life. Sophie, unaware of her pregnancy until after she was thrown out, discovered that one of her twins had a disability due to the fall caused by Maxon's push. This fueled an eternal enmity within her towards him, vowing to shield her children from his influence and make him pay if they ever crossed paths. Five years passed, and fate brought them face-to-face once more. Sophie's hatred for Maxon, fueled by her child's condition, remained steadfast. Simultaneously, Maxon's anger burned fiercely for Sophie's infidelity and her sister's death, driving them both to seek revenge upon each other. The stage was set for a confrontation where past wounds would resurface and old flames would reignite. Their once-broken relationship would either remain broken or be repaired.

Laurent Leyva grew up in Valencia, Spain and moved to the Philippines when he was sixteen years old after the death of his mother. Being the secret bastard of the country's head of state and later on introduced as the president's nephew; Laurent never anticipated it. He eventually met his half-brother named Sebastian Gabrielle Blanco, who was numb, cold, and slightly a temperamental artist. Until one night, Sebastian and Laurent did something that shocks the entire country. Something that people did not expect at all.

Jacques struggled hard to get out of the small town filled with gangs not only to improve her life, but also to get away from 'him' - the one she calls 'The Monster'. She had offended him by breaking the friendship with his little sister. She thought she escaped it all when years passed and she settled in the city. A nice job, a lovely boyfriend, a small home for them... She thought she had what she needed. She almost forgot about 'him'. But then he came back in her life for his sister, and took everything away from her. Her boyfriend, her little home, her freedom, and to her dismay he even took the child in her belly. He is a self-made man although he is from a powerful family. He has attained everything he has, working hard with his own hands. He has plans, He has secrets. But for him, she is the moon. She is his first love. She came to him one noisy night and he couldn't forget her from then. But every time he tries to get close to her, she suffers as if they are not meant to be. He wanted to stay away from her to not see her suffer. He did stay away from her for years. But when a chance presented itself pushing her to him, he couldn't stay back and tried to get close to her. And he got close to her to help her, but then he made her lose her child unwittingly.

After moving to Italy to leave her troubled past, Mykaela pursues a modeling career while living with Miles, her best friend. All seems well and routine until unforeseen circumstances ruin her career plans and force her back to New York. Miles Falco, an artist enjoying the Italian countryside, must choose between the simple life he loves and being successor to a clan of influential businessmen contending for power in all of Italy. Can he escape his predetermined fate? A life of deceit, chaos, and deadly encounters with the mafia? Will they survive the odds that threaten their future together? ◆ PG-16 ◆ cover design: mzmauve