Barely Synonym

I was just eighteen when I mistook a business deal for a fairy tale, letting a schoolgirl crush blind me to the truth. My prince charming? He turned out to be more of a wolf in an Armani suit. Now, five years and a thousand broken pieces later, I've rebuilt myself into someone I barely recognize, a CEO, a survivor, and most importantly, a mother to my beautiful son Griffin. I thought I'd buried the naive girl who once dreamed in a garden. Apparently, the universe had other plans. My ex-husband's back, claiming he's changed and wanting a second chance. And then there's James Drake, a billionaire with scars that match my own, who makes me wonder if my heart remembers how to beat for something other than revenge. Between poisoned flowers showing up at my office and threats creeping too close to my son, I'm learning that success is the best revenge, if I can stay alive long enough to enjoy it. They say love is sweeter the second time around, but can I trust it when betrayal wore the face of love once before? One thing's certain: I'm not that naive wife anymore. And this time, I'm playing for keeps.

“It’s her I want”. Aurelius, the ruthless alpha of the Crescent Pack was pointing directly at me. His eyes, piercing and intense, locked onto mine in a challenging manner. Seraphine Everhart’s family had been massacred when she was barely six years during a pack war between her pack and the Nightshade Pack. Aurelius Vortigen, the alpha of the most ancient and feared Crescent Pack is cold, cruel and didn’t have a problem living up to his title as the ‘Ferocious Alpha’ even when Seraphine waltzed into his life. Seraphine who was lucky to survive and work as a slave in the Nightshade Pack had everything she needed, a decent boyfriend, a woman that loved her like a daughter and amazing friends but when the alpha plans to form an alliance with the Crescent Pack, everything she had spent 15 years building came crashing down from the storm of Aurelius’ presence. She hated him from their first meeting and when he selected her as a gift, she rejected him as her mate. He also didn’t want her, but he didn’t want to let her go. Suspending on an empty space, that was how he kept her, a pawn in a game she never wanted to play. “I, Seraphine Everhart, reject you as my mate”, my voice was firm and loud. Enough for Aurelius to hear, but not quite enough for him to take me seriously. He let out a cold laugh that made me flinch in fear. Then he finally said, “I, Aurelius Vortigen, alpha of the Crescent Pack, do not accept your rejection.” “Don’t you get it love, you’re mine and you can’t let go of me that easily”. On saying that, he grabbed my chin firmly and smashed his lip against mine.

“I know exactly who you are,” I whispered. He took a step forward and I took one back until my back hit the wall barely leaving any space between us. His eyes bore into mine,“Then tell me.” “You are the Demon wolf.” “And yet you dare to defy me?” His tone was almost playful, but there was an edge to it that made the hair on body stand. “Yes,” I swallowed hard. “I dare.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When Melody stands up to Carmine Moreno, the ruthless mafia werewolf lord, to save her father's life, she never imagined the dangerous path it would lead her down. Bound by a desperate deal, she becomes Carmine's 'pet' for a year, thrown into a world where power, betrayal, and passion collide. Carmine's presence sets her soul on fire, his touch sparking a desire she never knew existed. Yet, as she navigates her new life, she finds herself drawn to Carmine's close friend, Luther a man whose loyalty to the alpha is as strong as his surprising kindness to her. Amidst this confusion, Melody's hidden powers begin to awaken, powers that Carmine's pack has long wanted to use. As she deals with her growing abilities, she uncovers dark secrets that could destroy everything she cares about. The lines between friend and enemy blur, and Melody must decide who to trust in a world where everyone has their own hidden plans. Caught between Carmine's magnetic charm and the comforting strength of Luther, Melody's heart is torn. With danger lurking everywhere, she must harness her new powers to protect herself. In a story where love, betrayal, and survival are intertwined, Melody is forced to chose. Will she give in to the powerful pull of the mafia lord, or will she end up being consumed?

She has a debt He needs a bride; They hate each other, but they will marry; Harper Ross's life has never been easy. Raised by an absent mother and a violent stepfather, Harper knew pain before she even understood what the feeling meant. However, even in the face of all the difficulties, the talented and determined pastry chef never gave up on achieving her goals. And when everything seemed to be falling apart, an arrogant and powerful man entered her life and radically changed her fate. Liam Specter is a wealthy and powerful businessman who runs one of the largest construction companies in the country. He is an arrogant and unscrupulous man who is willing to do anything to maintain his empire, even if it means marrying a woman he barely knows to keep up appearances. At first sight: hatred, contempt, and incompatibility define the relationship between Harper and Liam. But living together will make them see each other differently. However, a lie will put everything at stake. If love can endure all, is it capable of overcoming rejection?

Kimberly Walker was betrothed to.Roland Carter since she was sixteen years old. Roland was handsome, wealthy, and charming and represented everything Kimberly thought she needed. But that illusion shattered the night she caught him entangled in her sister’s arms.  She was angry and heartbroken, and recorded their betrayal before they even realized she was there. As her world collapsed, she fled, only to crash into Damien Carter—the one man Roland despised more than anyone. In a reckless bid for revenge, she kissed Damien, igniting a spark neither of them saw coming. Damien was arrogant and ruthless, but he was devastatingly handsome. And carried himself with so much grace and class. After he experienced that kiss, he knew things would never remain the same between Kimberly and him.  Roland refused to let go, swearing that his betrayal had been a mistake..  When the formidable matriarch, Mrs. Evelyn Carter, saw the evidence of Roland’s betrayal, and the picture of Kim kissing Damien, she made her decision—Kimberly would belong to Damien. An instant marriage followed, binding Kimberly to a man she barely understood.  But marrying Damien Carter came with a price. Damien was unwilling to give his heart to Kim. Meanwhile, Roland, fueled by jealousy, sought every opportunity to prove that Kimberly belonged to him, exploiting the cracks in her fragile new marriage. As family conflicts escalated, Kimberly had to navigate a dangerous game where she constantly had to prove her loyalty to Damien. In a world where wealth dictated fate, Kimberly was about to discover that trading one Carter for another was only the beginning of her battle. Will she be able to conquer Damien's heart? Or is there a chance to return to Roland, her first love who claims he still loves her? ---

Just reject me already! I braced myself as our eyes locked, his piercing green orbs penetrating mine. “I, Kai–" He didn't get to say more before Knox, the devil’s advocate, raised a hand. “Halt!”A cruel smirk spread across his face. “Rejection is too much mercy. I think she might just be useful.” *** It’s one thing to be an unattractive outcast, it’s another to be an unattractive outcast with a target on your back. Dala is all of the above. As a half-breed from a small pack, she will pay for her sin of being THE ERYMOR TRIPLET’s fated mate. Identical heirs to the throne, feared and revered by all, except Dala who barely acknowledges their existence. Like being sold as a maid into their household isn’t enough torture, she has to go to school with the same brothers hellbent on ruining her existence. Afterall, she’s nothing but filth to their reputations. She’s barely able to keep her pants on. Amidst hot secrets and blurring hate, the mysterious step-brother, Vander comes back into town to ruin everything. Is their bond strong enough for four? How well will Dala play their games while having a secret agenda of her own?

Olivia’s heart was shattered by her boyfriend Luke's betrayal. She witnessed him cheating with another woman in his apartment and was devastated. To numb the pain, she drowned herself in alcohol, seeking solace in the bottom of a bottle. It was during this haze that she met Antonio. Despite barely knowing him, Olivia felt a powerful pull towards him, a connection she couldn't explain. That night, she surrendered to the stranger, and despite the circumstances, she didn't regret it. The night held a strange, bittersweet memory for her. Olivia was determined to forget that night, to escape the pain and the man who had taken her innocence. But fate had other plans. They met again in their hometown, and despite trying to deny it, Olivia found herself falling for Antonio. He pursued her relentlessly, and she couldn't fight the feelings that were blossoming within her. She accepted his kisses, his embraces, and his promise to marry her. But fate seemed to be playing a cruel game. Olivia discovered that Anton was involved with Sandra Cervantes, the woman who had brought them together. She also learned that Anton was planning to buy a large portion of land in their province, a move that would displace many workers. Despite her own heartbreak, Olivia, driven by her love and trust in Antonio, convinced him to abandon his plan. He agreed, but only on the condition that she marry him, which she couldn't refuse. Their relationship blossomed, and they eventually married, with the majestic Mayon Volcano as a witness to their love.

A year ago, my life was simple. I was just Ariel Anthony…a regular college student, cheerleader with decent grades, daughter of a struggling baker, and recently appointed step-sister to a guy I barely knew. Nothing special. Then came the storm. Not just the thunderstorm that trapped me in Professor Grayson's apartment that night, but the storm that followed. The one that's still raging around me, that I created. They don't warn you about men like Luther Grayson in freshman orientation. They don't tell you how a single glance from the right person can make you question everything you thought you knew about yourself. About what you want. About what you'd risk to get it. They also don't warn you about guys like Ethan Cross, with his perfect smile hiding something dark. The kind of guy who's used to getting what he wants and doesn't understand the meaning of the word "no." And no one, absolutely no one…prepares you for what it feels like when the person who's supposed to be your brother looks at you with something else in his eyes. Mom once said I had a gift for making complicated situations worse. If she only knew. My phone buzzed beside me, and I glanced down to see Luther's name on the screen. My heart still jumps every time, even when I'm aware of what could happen if people learned about the two of us. I should ignore it. I should block his number, focus on my classes, help Mom with the bakery, and pretend none of this ever happened. But I'm already reaching for the phone. That's the thing about crossing lines… once you step over them, it's almost impossible to step back. And I've crossed so many lines now, I can't even see where I started.

“Say hi,” Hades ordered, voice thick with amusement. I could barely breathe as the phone lay between us on the bed, his son’s voice pouring out of the speaker. “H-hi,” I choked, flushed, sweat-drenched, full. “Hey, Violet. Are you okay?” “Sound normal,” Hades growled, thrusting into me again. “I—I am,” I stammered, biting back a cry. “Good girl,” he murmured, brushing my hair back. “Now talk to my son while I fuck my name into that pretty little pussy of yours." Violet never imagined she’d become nothing more than a substitute in her four-year relationship. But ever since his childhood sweetheart returned, she’s been the second choice. The final blow was when two of them fell into the pool, he didn’t hesitate, he saved her instead. Left to drown, Violet was pulled from the water by a mysterious stranger, who now wants nothing more than to have her in his bed. Too bad that stranger turns out to be her boyfriend’s father, Hades Sinclair.

It shouldn’t have to be difficult, Ashton,” I uttered, my voice quivering as I stared at him. “It was a mistake, Novah,” he sighed, closing the door on my face. “I love you,” I whispered, my heart cracking as I stared at the door. He was never going to see me as anything other than his pathetic step sister. I could never be more. Novah’s life wasn’t as perfect as the world thought. Trapped in a house that felt too cold to be called a home. With a father who barely looked at her, without hatred in his eyes. But the world didn’t know that, all they saw was the perfect daughter, and a great student. All Novah has ever wanted was love, someone who sees her to be just as more than just a nerd. Worlds collide when she realises that the boy she had been crushing on for two years would be her step-brother. Will Novah kill the feelings that she had harboured for years? Or will she act on them and deepen the rift between her and her father? In the toss of family and love, where do morals stand?