Dire Crossword Clue

In a world where family ties and business deals are intertwined, Ivy Smith finds herself trapped in a nightmare. Her father's company is struggling, and the only way to save it is by forming an alliance with the powerful Blackwood family. The cost? Ivy's hand in marriage to Victor Blackwood, a ruthless and cunning man with a reputation for getting what he wants, no matter the cost. Ivy is devastated. She's always been a strong-willed and independent person, and the thought of being tied to someone like Victor is unbearable. But her family's situation is dire, and she feels she has no choice but to accept the arrangement. As the wedding preparations begin, Ivy's brothers - Ethan, Lucas, and Julian - are fiercely protective of her. They know Victor's true nature and are determined to keep her safe. But they're also bound by the agreement, and their hands are tied. Victor, on the other hand, is determined to break Ivy's spirit. He's cruel, manipulative, and has a hidden agenda. He sees Ivy as a trophy, a way to solidify his family's power and control. And he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants. As Ivy navigates her new reality, she must find a way to survive Victor's abuse and manipulation. She's trapped in a gilded cage, with no escape in sight. But she's determined to fight back, to find a way out of this nightmare and take control of her own destiny. The story is a dark, twisted tale of love, family, and power. It's a tale of survival and rebellion, of one woman's fight against the forces that seek to control her. Will Ivy find a way to escape Victor's clutches, or will she be forever trapped in this living hell?

I'm Caleb Jennings. When I announce my early retirement, everyone in the city cheers. Only Nathan Sloan, my junior from the police academy, who claims to be able to see things from the criminal's perspective, panics at the news. During the party organized in his honor, he openly states his intention to find me. "I owe my success to the guidance Caleb Jennings has provided me all along. I hope everyone can help me find him and bring him back into the police force." Scoffing, I choose to ignore that. … In my previous life, I was the celebrated captain of a criminal investigation team. Yet, whenever I uncovered a clue, Nathan, a rookie in the city police department, would announce it first, beating me to it. After multiple incidents like this, everyone started saying that I was past my prime. To prove myself, I worked myself to the bone for three months before finally locating the hideout of a human trafficking ring. However, when I arrived on the scene with my team, Nathan had already swept through the place. He was launched into stardom, becoming the rising star detective that everyone adored. As for me, the public mercilessly tore me apart, labeling me as incompetent and shaming me. Due to the pressure from work and the negative public opinion directed at me, my mind was distracted. I ended up getting killed while hunting down the remnants of the trafficking ring. When I open my eyes again, I find that I'd gone back in time—to the day we launch a raid on the human traffickers' hideout.

Ember accepted her lot in life. On the run, she only wishes to find out the truth behind her dreams and solve the memory of her past. Keegan has only cared about protecting his pack, but when he sees the beauty dancing on stage and the flicker of flames in her eyes his body screams, Mate! Can Keegan tame the flames of Ember and together solve the mystery of her missing past? Or will they all burn together? Excerpt: “This is the reason I’m always tired,” I think to myself. Twenty-four years of coming here and still not a single clue, but every time I close my eyes, I return to this place. I know my surroundings perfectly. Oddly the place is beautiful to the eyes. The old house sat among flowers growing around all sides. The aroma of honeysuckle and jasmine fill my lungs filling me with a moment's peace. I’m sitting in my usual spot. Gripping the ropes of a swing in the front yard held by a large oak tree. Waiting I begin pushing my legs back and forth sending me in motion. I know something is about to happen. It happens every night. The house moves in front of my eyes. I see the shadows coming, but I don’t stop swinging. They are black as night but I can see smiles within the shadow grinning bright. “What is this place!” I cry, fed up with this nightly repetition, but no sound emerges. A noise can be heard from the back of the house. One of the shadows turns toward it. I jump down to follow only to have the other shadow hold me back. “Don’t go. Not yet. Listen to me!”

"It's a pity you can't talk," he leaned closer, his voice low and husky, sending a shiver down my spine. I pushed him away, my hands trembling with fear. He shifted back almost immediately, his eyes narrowing as he stared down at me like I had done something outrageous. I looked around frantically, trying to communicate with him. But my gaze fell on space, and I realized that I was alone with this stranger in a desolate, unfamiliar room. My eyes scanned the room again, weakly, searching for any clue, any hint of what was going on. But there was nothing. Just as I was starting to feel desperate, his face appeared before me again, making me startle. I jerked back, my heart racing, as he asked, "What are you looking for? Wouldn't you like to know about me?" My fist shook as I gestured to him, trying to convey that I wanted to write, that I needed a paper and pen to communicate. His eyes widened as he stared at me, a look of surprise crossing his face. "You...you're not scared of me?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. ******** Sage, an omega in the Moonstone Pack, is rejected by her best friend and lover on her coronation day. After being accused of cheating on her lover. No matter how she tried to explain she was innocent she wasn't heard. Instead, he banished her out of the pack and decided to go for his real fated mate. But things change for Sage when she is saved by the alpha beast, the one alpha no other pack wants to cross down to his territory. The one alpha everyone calls a Beast.

Malin Holstin is the daughter of Liam and Angel Holstin and the twin sister of Quinn. She and her sister are the 5th and 6th children born to her parents. After her brother took over as Alpha, her older sister became the acting Luna until Rich found his mate. Malin has led a charmed life, always protected by her father and three older brothers, never needing to take on much of a role in the pack since first Leana, then Emlyn, took the role of Luna. Cohen Forte is the second child and first son of Cara and Rik Forte. He took over as Alpha nearly a year and a half ago. His pack is well established and is flourishing. The only thing he is missing is his Luna. Cohen realizes that Malin is his mate before she’s old enough to feel the pull of the mate bond. He and one of his friends and fellow Alphas, Emerson, realized that they are each mated to one of the twins. While Cohen has been around Guardians all his life, not only his mother and sister, but also having been raised with the neighboring packs who also had Guardian children, it’s very different when you realize that your mate is a Guardian, especially when she’s assigned to your pack right before a war. Malin may inherently know how to fight and protect her mate and pack, but she has no clue how to be a Luna. Cohen couldn’t care less about her lack of knowledge, he’s just thrilled to finally have his mate know that she belongs to him. Can Malin learn what it takes to be a good Luna so that she can be the mate that Cohen deserves and the Luna that this pack desires?

Lors du banquet de noces, Clément Duchamp est arrivé en retard, vêtu du costume du témoin, tenant son premier amour par le bras, tandis qu'il avait jeté avec désinvolture le costume du marié sur le canapé. « Clément, ce n'est pas notre mariage aujourd'hui… » « Jade Bernard ! » Clément m'a interrompue sèchement, les yeux pleins de menace. « Tu sais ce que tu peux dire ou non. Sois digne, ne me pousse pas à te détester. » J'ai esquissé un rire amer. L'ex de Clément avait perdu la mémoire, tout le monde jouait avec elle à un jeu de souvenirs retrouvés, alors personne ne devait la heurter. Pour m'apaiser, Clément m'a prise dans ses bras et m'a murmuré à l'oreille : « Jade, tu peux me comprendre, n'est-ce pas ? » J'ai hoché la tête pour lui montrer que je comprenais, puis je me suis tournée pour prendre la main du vrai témoin et entrer avec lui dans le sanctuaire du mariage. Plus tard, alors que je faisais des achats enceinte au centre commercial, il m'a arrêtée, les yeux pleins de larmes : « Jade, on jouait un rôle, non ? Comment as-tu pu tomber enceinte ? »

From birth, I was rumored to be a witch who possesses an unknown power. And on getting to the world, I could tell you the exact time my life began to fall apart!. Luck in which I was told to have, ran out on me immediately, and life showed me nothing but how cruel it could be to me. Becoming a slave in your parent's house is not what you could pray for or even wish your enemy. Why it is so is still unraveled. "Come back here, Lucia!"My mother shouted, trudging after me as I ran far into the woods in escape. Fear filled my heart and I pray earnestly it won't kill me before the real death chasing me right now would come. "Run away, run away!"that was what my wolf kept chanting as it stirred unhappily inside of me. And I noted it to myself the dire need to escape from this death. It remains two more steps; just two more for me to cross the border to a new pack when I hit my legs on an unforseen stone that stood as a hinderance on the way.And before I knew it, I was in the air and almost reaching the floor. And when I finally did, it was with a thud!. "Arrgh....."I cussed out in groans and before I could attempt to move from the ground and take to my heels, she appeared- right before me. Then with blood-shot eyes,"Have always knew you aren't meant to be my daughter, Get up now, run into that house and pick out my favourite whip.....Lay on the bed unclad and wait just a second for me, for your usual punishment!"she ordered viciously. And at once; I knew I was a dead meat.

In a world teeming with danger, Nicole Parish's life takes an abrupt and forceful twist, leaving her at the mercy of a single man: Shane Ryder. For four years, Nicole's father kept her hidden away in the UK, determined to shield her from the perils that awaited her. Unbeknownst to her, her father's seemingly ordinary business fronted a notorious drug empire, and she was the coveted daughter of a dangerous drug lord. The truth remains concealed until the day she returns home, unravelling a web of chaos. Shane Ryder, the enigmatic kingpin of America's most powerful mafia, has long sought vengeance against Drake Parish. A betrayal born from a simple misunderstanding fuels his desire to see Drake pay. Nobody in America dares to cross Shane Ryder without facing dire consequences. He controls not just the underworld, but also the police and even the government. Nicole is a captivating beauty, with a complexion that hints at fiery passion and dark brown eyes that ensnare unsuspecting souls with a single glance. Shane, on the other hand, is a charismatic Greek god sent from the depths of hell, with icy, piercing blue eyes that freeze his enemies in their tracks. Ruthlessness defines him, and refusal is not an option. He is the epitome of a hardened badass, willing to go to any lengths to maintain his mafia's iron grip on American soil. She represents fire, while he personifies ice. The story unfolds as they clash with disdain, hurling insults and inflicting pain upon each other. One is drawn into a world darker than she ever imagined, while the other ruthlessly rules over his kingdom of shadows. Yet, what transpires between them defies expectations, as their relationship blossoms into something entirely unforeseen by both parties.

« Tout va bien, chérie. » C’est ce que Steven lui répète depuis des mois. Mais ce soir, lors de leur fête d’anniversaire de mariage, Shirley ne peut s’empêcher de sentir que quelque chose cloche. Son mari, autrefois si présent, paraît désormais distant. Ses regards fuyants, ses sourires forcés… et ce message qu’il a tenté de dissimuler à tout prix. « On ne peut pas continuer comme ça. Tu dois lui dire la vérité. » Le texte s’affiche sur l’écran de son téléphone, et Shirley sent son monde vaciller. Sept ans de mariage, une vie en apparence parfaite : une maison impeccable, une fille adorable, un mari aimant… du moins le croyait-elle. Mais derrière les portes closes de leur foyer, les mensonges s’accumulent. Shirley, ancienne prodige de NYU qui a tout sacrifié pour sa famille, s’apprête à affronter une vérité capable de tout faire voler en éclats. Trahisons, secrets enfouis, choix impossibles… Shirley est projetée dans un labyrinthe de tromperies où chaque révélation la rapproche d’une décision déchirante : rester et pardonner… ou tout risquer pour se retrouver elle-même. « Parfois, la vérité ne libère pas. Elle brise. »

Ma vie était toute tracée. Je savais que j’hériterais de la meute, mais je ne savais pas qu’un mariage arrangé faisait partie des devoirs de l’Alpha. Donc, évidemment, je n’aimais pas la fille que mes parents avaient choisie, même si c’était ma compagne — belle et intelligente !Mon instinct de compagnon m’avait poussé à la revendiquer, mais mon côté rationnel me força à la rejeter après une nuit parfaite. Je n’ai réalisé mon amour pour elle que lorsque je l’ai perdue, quand elle a quitté la meute pour réaliser ses rêves. Cependant, mon amour n’était pas mort quand je l’ai revue, lors de mes fiançailles avec quelqu’un d’autre. Cette fois-ci, je ne la laisserai pas partir, même si ça voulait dire blesser une autre fille, ou même provoquer une guerre de meute. Mais elle m’avait dit que ce n’était pas possible, qu’elle aimait quelqu’un d’autre et qu’elle avait déjà eu un enfant de lui. Déçu et désespéré, je pensais l’avoir perdue pour toujours, mais… Pourquoi est-ce que son bébé me dit quelque chose ?