Cloud Strife Smile

One night is all it takes to burn her world to ash. Dragged from the ruins of her family’s estate, Serenya Vale is thrust into the heart of a palace that thrives on whispers, beauty, and blood. At its center sits Prince Kael Dravaryn — dangerous, breathtaking, and the very man everyone swears is her captor… and her only protector. Surrounded by wolves in silk, Serenya is given a choice: obey the Prince and survive the court’s games, or defy him and be devoured by those with sharper teeth. But survival becomes far more complicated when a mysterious knight begins crossing her path — his gaze lingering too long, his presence unsettling the careful balance Kael keeps around her. In a court where a smile can be a blade and a kiss can start a war, every step Serenya takes binds her tighter to two men… and to a fate she never asked for.

The powerful Will Hudson, Bardou City's untouchable kingmaker, was set to marry my sister. Everyone said he was a monster, a man broken in body and mind, that marrying him was no different from stepping into hell itself. My sister, Carrie Wheaton, wept as if her heart would break. I pulled her aside and said, "I'll marry him for you. But in return, you'll stay in the countryside and guard the safe buried beneath Mom's grave. For three years, you mustn't open it." She thought it held a fortune—billions, perhaps—and joy lit up her face. She agreed without hesitation. I watched her greedy expression twist with excitement and couldn't help the cold smile that rose within me. 'Carrie, guard it well. Let's see if you can handle the kind of fortune that can destroy you.'

"Dad, Mom, I've decided—I'll go through with the marriage arrangement with the Kingston family. I'll be back by the end of the month." Daphne Wharton made the decision in the middle of a camping trip with Luke Hardy. She curled into herself, pulling her scarf higher against the chill. For a moment, there was only silence on the other end of the line. Then, her mother's voice came through, thick with tears. "Daphne, we know this isn't fair to you. Our company is struggling, and the Kingston family is willing to help—but only if you marry their son. We've failed you as parents…" Her father let out a heavy sigh beside her mother. Daphne listened, her gaze unfocused. A faint, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "It's okay, Mom, Dad. This is what I should do. I'll be back in fifteen days—when their son returns to the country."

Three years after being brought back to my family, I jumped off a building. As my soul floated in the air, I wanted to see how my parents and brother, who always despised me, would break down in tears, filled with regret. But my father simply shook his head indifferently and looked at my lifeless body, saying, "How childish." My mother pressed her lips together and sighed in relief, as if a burden had been lifted. My brother stood in front of the fake heiress, shielding her from the gruesome sight of my death. Even so, the fake heiress burst into tears, prompting the whole family to rush to comfort her. I stared in stunned silence for a long time before a bitter smile crossed my face. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the moment I was first brought home.

Noah Hawkins is the broken brother. The one with the dangerous smile and the kind of eyes that promise sin. He's the one who's always having episodes and has been termed bipolar. He's the bad boy with a history and a mean streak of breaking girls' hearts. He maims, destroys and breaks everything he touches. – Isabella's scholarship to college comes with a price... no dorm, no place to stay. And the only spare room belongs to her boyfriend's brother. Noah. He's not supposed to want her. She's not supposed to want him. He tells himself he'll stay away. Until he doesn't. Because Noah's never been the kind to ask permission. And when he decides he wants something... He doesn't stop until it's his. Even if claiming her means breaking everything in his path... including her heart.

Heads up! This story includes mature themes, strong language, and steamy scenes. Readers discretion is advised. Warm lips pressed against the sensitive skin of my neck, just below my ear, sending waves of shock down my spine. “After promising me a hot fuck, you decided to ditch me, huh Clara?” a low, male voice murmured into my hair as his hands slid down, palms flattening against my stomach, pulling me flush against a hard, solid body. I wanted to push him away, probably punch him in the face also but I'm Clara. He thinks I'm her and I have to be her. I took a deep breath, a wide smile on my face as I turned in his arms, finally looking at him. To my surprise, he was handsome, dark hair, strong jawline and I could see the confidence in his eyes. He knew Clara...maybe intimately. "I thought she has Jeremy, does she just fuck around now", I thought. “I got held up, I'm sorry,” I managed, forcing Clara’s sly smile onto my face, praying it looked convincing. “Uh-huh,” he said, his voice a low rumble. He didn’t believe me, but he didn’t care. His hand came up, his thumb brushing my lower lip. “You owe me, Clara. Big time.” ****************************************** Jenna has always had the perfect life, Her mate, Damon...the Alpha of the pack who accepted her, a pack that wanted her as their Luna..... Until it was stripped off her on the coronation night. Just minutes to the coronation time, she wakes up in Clara's body (Her mate's sister) Now she's trapped...replaced and forgotten while someone takes her crown, her mate and her position as the Luna of the pack. She must solve that mystery while living Clara's messed up life.

Evelyn thought she had everything she ever wanted—a marriage built on love, a husband who adored her, and a life that looked almost perfect from the outside. Paul was steady, passionate, and fiercely protective, the kind of man who could sweep her off her feet with a single look. She believed nothing could shake the foundation they had built together. But all of that changed the night she met Adrian. Paul’s estranged stepbrother wasn’t just a man of power and wealth—he was the kind of presence that filled a room and left it spinning long after he was gone. His eyes saw too much, his smile promised too much, and his touch lingered far too long. One moment in his arms was enough to awaken something in Evelyn she had never felt before—and wished she never had.

The wealthy Governor is in a fix when the wealthiest business family in the town asks his youngest daughter’s hand in marriage to their oldest heir in order to even their past betrayals and settle down their generation old enmity into an alliance. With both the families having their own secrets to hide, will this alliance be fruitful or will the first meeting of the billionaire heir and the Governor’s daughter turn things upside down? A story where Opposites Repel. ____ "Dream on, Mr Kayden Knight. I will never be your bride." Eleanor said through gritted teeth. "We are two headstrong people, Eleanor Watson. We will have enough time to clash after our marriage. So, stop creating problems now and smile for the cameras to give them their desired headline." Kayden Knight gives a gentle squeeze to her shoulder and continues smirking at the photographers. Eleanor gives him a wary glance and does as told.

Two months remained until debut evaluation night. Before our unit performance, our main dancer suddenly offered me her center position. I stared at her, confused, "The trainers always praise your stage presence. Why give up your spot?" "You... you deserve center more than I do." Her smile was painfully forced, and she was fidgeting with her practice clothes - obviously not saying what she really felt. Puzzled by her strange behavior, I asked, "Are my moves too big? Am I making it hard for you to perform?" She suddenly started shaking, looking at me with pure fear in her eyes. After what felt like forever, she finally choked out, "Please, just stop. I won't try to compete with you for center anymore!"

When Ava Carter walks into Blackridge Academy with a fake name and a flawless plan, she’s not there to make friends — she’s there to destroy Jace Langston. He’s the boy who made her brother disappear. Son of a corrupt police chief. Golden boy with a perfect smile and a darkness no one sees. She knows getting close to him is the only way to expose the truth — and take down the entire Langston legacy. But Jace is not the careless rich boy she expected. He’s suspicious, cold, and way too clever. And the more Ava plays the part of the sweet new girl, the more she starts to see the cracks in his armor... and the truth in his eyes. As their twisted game spirals into something dangerous and electric, Ava has to choose: Break his heart — or let him have hers. Because revenge was never supposed to feel like this.