Bec Homestuck

I gave up my surgical career to be his wife. He gave our anniversary night to his ex. Three years of cold shoulders, public humiliations, and a husband who believed every lie Celeste whispered. I endured it all—until I discovered I was carrying his child. I left without a word. No fight. No tears. Just divorce papers and an empty mansion. Now I’m Dr. Victoria Preston again. The renowned heart surgeon they said I’d never be. My brother helped me disappear. My best friend made sure the divorce was airtight. And I’m raising my daughter in peace. But Nathaniel Preston isn’t the same man who signed those papers. He’s seen my face on every medical journal. He’s lost sleep staring at the sonogram I left behind. And when he finally finds me, his eyes are no longer cold, they’re burning with obsession. He says he’ll win me back even if it takes the rest of his life. But Celeste isn’t done. She wants my child, my reputation, my life. And Nathaniel’s mother is helping her. They thought I was the docile wife who would break. They never met Dr. Victoria Preston.

Lara Dela Cruz was a normal girl—well, normal in the sense that she was an overworked call center agent who hated her boss, loved iced coffee, and had mastered the art of sarcasm to survive the horrors of capitalism. But one night, while rushing home, she slipped on a puddle (thanks to her horrible luck) and hit her head hard on the pavement. When she woke up… she wasn’t in her world anymore. Instead, she found herself in a medieval kingdom, in the middle of a chaotic slave auction. And before she could even scream in protest, she was bought by the most feared man in the entire empire—Duke Alistair Von Nacht, also known as the Tyrant Duke. Now, instead of dealing with rude customers, she had to deal with an emotionally constipated warlord who could kill her with a flick of his fingers. But what’s worse? She might be falling for the grumpy tyrant.

The air in the Parisian haute couture salon smelled like money and fear. I’d waited six months for my wedding dress. Now, it was draped over the shoulders of Sofia Ross—the trending influencer, and my mafia fiancé Vincent Cassio’s god-sister. The salon manager was sweating bullets, his eyes darting between me and the man lounging on the velvet sofa. Vincent Cassio stood up. He adjusted a fold of the diamond-encrusted train on Sofia with a casual flick of his wrist. “Her premiere next week needs a statement piece. She’s borrowing it. Pick something off the rack and stop making a scene.” His tone was flat, final. Under the crystal chandeliers, Sofia admired herself in the full-length mirror, a triumphant smile on her lips. I looked at my reflection in the same mirror, wearing jeans and a soaked trench coat. I looked like a lost tourist. Suddenly, the entire past year of planning felt like a sick joke. I didn’t yell. I just felt cold. Numb. I slipped the five-carat engagement ring off my finger. It hit the glass coffee table with a sharp, final click. “You’re right, Vincent. I don’t need this wedding dress. This wedding… I don’t need it either.”

Matapos malaman ni Pan ang panloloko na ginawa ng boyfriend niya sa kaniya na si Logan, sinimulan niyang akitin ang step-brother nito na si Juancho para sa personal na dahilan. Si Juancho ang dati niyang kapares sa kama na kapag siyay dinatnan ng init ng katawan ay napapawi ng binata. 8 years ago, isa siyang pariwarang dalaga na nagri-rebelde at tambay sa bar. Doon niya nakilala si Juancho Bec, ang lalaking pumuno ng pantasya niya noong bata pa siya. Pero sa kaniyang pagdalaga, nakilala niya si Logan at nainlove siya dito. Nagbagong buhay na siya at handa na siyang magsettle-down. Pero sa kasamaang palad, nahuli niya itong nambababae sa isang bar. Luhaan siyang umalis at nagtagpo muli ang landas nila ni Juancho. “Come here and open your mouth,” paos na utos ni Juancho at parang alipin na sinunod ni Pan ang utos niya. Sa kaniyang ginawa, babalik ba si Logan sa kaniya? O may bagong pag-ibig na mabubuo?

Pendant huit ans, j'ai été le secret d'Alpha Adrian. Il a fallu attendre le centième anniversaire de son grand-père pour qu'il accepte enfin de ramener notre fils, Gauthier, et moi dans la meute. Il m'avait juré que les Anciens avaient finalement donné leur bénédiction. Notre fils, surexcité, sautait sur le lit en brandissant sa médaille de champion, celle qu'il avait gagnée lors du tournoi junior de combat. Il s'était battu bec et ongles, juste pour rendre son père fier. Mais à peine avions-nous posé le pied sur le domaine de Boisnoir… qu'on l'a vu. Adrian, dans les bras d'une louve blonde, l'embrassait à pleine bouche. Avec un sourire aux lèvres, il nous l'a présentée : « Ma compagne, Sophia. » Gauthier s'est précipité vers lui, furieux, tendant le doigt vers la marque de morsure bien visible sur mon cou. « C'est la marque que Papa a faite à Maman ! Vous la voyez tous, non ?! » Le Chef des Anciens s'est avancé. Il a à peine jeté un regard, puis a lâché un ricanement glacial : « Une astuce de magie de sang, rien de plus. Ça peut imiter une odeur, mais jamais la connexion d'âme d'un vrai lien d'âmes-sœurs. N'importe quel loup expérimenté s'en rend compte au premier coup d'œil. » Je me suis tournée vers Adrian, paralysée, incapable de bouger. Lui, il m'a ignorée… et a caressé doucement la vraie marque sur le cou de Sophia, qui brillait d'un éclat argenté sous la lumière de la lune. « La meute de Boisnoir n'acceptera jamais une sang-mêlé incapable de se transformer, » a-t-il dit froidement. « La seule digne de se tenir à mes côtés, c'est Sophia. » Je l'ai regardé… et un rire amer m'a échappé. Penser que j'avais réprimé mon propre sang Royal Alpha… pour un homme pareil.