Direwood Catherine Yu

Catherine (Cat) Landon thought she had built a life of trust and love with her husband, Alex Dawson—until she discovered he had emptied their savings to buy a diamond ring for his mistress. Heartbroken and lost, she sought escape in a club, only to be mistaken for a stripper and paid for a one-night stand by a mysterious stranger. That stranger was Aaron Dawson—her ex-husband’s ruthless older brother. Moments later, Cat finds herself at the mercy of a contract marriage with the same man she spent one unforgettable night with. Aaron is cold, calculating, and holds secrets of his own. He doesn’t believe in love, but he refuses to let Cat walk away. As she’s pulled into Aaron’s world of wealth, power, and deep-seated family betrayal, Cat must fight to reclaim her identity and seek revenge on the man who wronged her. But Aaron’s presence stirs something dangerous inside her—a passion she never expected. When old wounds resurface and dark secrets unravel, Cat must decide: will she allow herself to be consumed by vengeance, or will she open her heart to a second chance at love?

" Are you sure you want to do this?" His deep voice made her swallow hard, his dangerous yet beautiful eyes drew her in and finally, his warm touch left sparks on her skin." Ezra will have my head." His words didn't match the look in his eyes. She knew he wanted her as much as she did or maybe more! " I just want my mate." she finally said, making her intentions clear, the desired look in her eyes matching his." I'm here." It all started when Catherine became the chosen mate of the Lycan king who was known for his cruelty. But everything went downhill when fate intervened and her fated mate surfaced, he was no other than the strongest Lycan warrior and the most trusted warrior to the Lycan king. Fate, betrayal, love, and destiny, would Catherine be happy especially when the Lycan king wants no other woman as his mate aside from her?

BLURB. Catherine Mckellen, just graduated from college and has lined her goals - working hard and building up her father's company and living her best life as a single independent woman. Her dreams and goals suddenly come to a hault when her Father's company begins to crumble bit by bit. Catherine is forced to make a sacrifice for her family's happiness. She has no other option than to get married to a man whom she knows nothing about and moves in with a man who doesn't reguard her. Dive in and discover how they both deal with each other's striking differences as they both live under the same roof. Will they be able to put up with each other?

"Mom, I don't get what's happening? Wedding?" "But darling, you already accepted the St Daniels' offer," Melissa said sweetly to her daughter. "I didn't know what I was accepting," Mari protested. "She pleaded with me to help her son Raymond." "Of course, honey, you're helping Raymond by marrying him," Melissa said. Her tone is filled with sweetness, trying to damp her daughter's fury. "And besides, this arrangement is crucial to your father. Tell her, Cullman, she needs to know." Mari's gaze shifted to her father, her eyes narrowing. "Catherine, my businesses are crashing and I'm on the brink of bankruptcy," her father admitted. "I couldn't bear the thought of my competitors gloating over my downfall. I had to strike a deal with the St Daniels. They were looking for a suitable bride for their eldest son, and...I'm afraid you're the price I had to pay, Catherine." Mari sighed, her mind still reeling in confusion. "But Raymond St Daniels is still in a coma, how is it possible for me to marry him?" Both parents exchanged a secret glance. Her mother was the one that spoke up. "Raymond St Daniels has awaken from his coma. But the doctors said he'll be crippled for the rest of his life."

In a world where love and danger intertwine, Catherine Delarasma's life spirals into chaos when her grandmother is brutally attacked, forcing her into a desperate bid for money. Torn between her feelings for her professor, Vincent, and the hospital owner, Calvin—who are secretly twin brothers—Catherine finds herself entangled in a web of passion, betrayal, and dark family secrets. As she navigates her newfound life in Canada, she discovers a twin sister, also named Catherine, whose rebellious spirit ignites jealousy and rivalry. With their father, Debbie, lurking in the shadows and plotting against the twins, the stakes rise. When love turns into sacrifice, can Catherine protect those she cares for, or will her family's greed tear them apart forever? Prepare for a gripping tale of loyalty, ambition, and the lengths one will go to for love.

Naomi Catherine devoted ten years of her life to Liam Claude, sacrificing her dreams, dignity, and heart to build his fame—only to be cast aside like she was nothing. Betrayed, humiliated, and left with nowhere to turn, she believed she had reached the lowest point of her life. Until her stepfather sold her to Lucius Ravenwood. A ruthless and enigmatic CEO, Lucius had no interest in love—only in securing a wife to silence his family’s relentless demands. Catherine needed an escape, a way to reclaim the life that had been stolen from her. The arrangement was simple: one year, no emotions, no complications. But from the moment their worlds collided, the boundaries blurred. Beneath Lucius’s icy exterior lay secrets as dark as her own, and Catherine soon realized that escaping her past wouldn’t be as easy as signing a contract. When old betrayals resurface and past lovers return with dangerous intentions, Catherine and Lucius find themselves trapped in a battle far more treacherous than they had ever anticipated. What began as a cold transaction turns into a struggle for control, survival, and something neither of them expected—longing. Because love was never part of the deal. But now? It might be their only chance at salvation. A high-stakes romance brimming with passion, power, and deception—where the line between love and obsession is razor-thin, and surrendering to the wrong desire could mean losing everything.

I thought I had found my forever with Daniel, the man I loved for four years, the one who promised me a future. But my dreams shattered the night I was supposed to get engaged. Instead of a proposal, I was met with betrayal. Daniel arrived at our anniversary dinner, with another woman on his arm. His fiancé. It was Catherine, my worst nightmare, the woman who made my life hell in college. “Did you really think I could love someone like you?!” Daniel sneered. Humiliated, broken, and cast aside like trash, I barely survived. But just when I thought my suffering had reached its peak, I discovered a shocking truth… I was finally pregnant with Daniel’s child after having a difficult time conceiving. Before I could tell him, a mysterious and dangerous man appeared, offering me protection. “You cannot go back to the life you had before,” he warned. “I’m the only one who can help you.” But why should I trust a stranger? Who is he, and what does he know about Daniel that I don’t? Trapped between a ruthless ex-fiancé and a man shrouded in secrets, I must uncover the truth before it’s too late. Because the man I once loved is not who I thought he was. And the stranger who claims to protect me… might just be the most dangerous one of all.

"Aria please give our love a chance?" he begged. Aria Knight was destined to be Luna—beloved mate to Alpha Claus Sawyer, heir to the Nightshade Pack, and the only wolf she ever loved. Their bond was undeniable, written in stars and sealed in childhood promises. But fate, as cruel as it is cosmic, twists with ambition. At the annual pack gathering, Aria arrives expecting a proposal… only to witness Claus publicly announce his engagement to Camila Greer of the powerful Black Moon Pack. A political alliance. A betrayal masked in smiles. A rejection so devastating it severs not just hearts—but souls. In a moment of heartbreak and rage, Aria invokes forbidden Luna magic to cut their bond—a soul-rending act that awakens a buried evil: Eryx, the ancient entity that feeds on broken mates. Her cry shatters the moonlight, and the Council brands her rogue. Her pleas go unheard. Her legacy erased. Alone, hunted, and wounded, Aria collapses near death—only to be saved by Catherine, a sharp-tongued exiled witch. Catherine leads her to Duskrend, a cursed pack led by the cold and brooding Alpha Zion Hurricane. Zion lets her stay, but something in her scent unnerves him… and awakens his wolf. As Camila and the corrupt Council plot Aria’s destruction, and the shadows of Eryx grow stronger, Aria discovers a new purpose: protect the innocent, master her magic, and heal the curse threatening the wolves of Duskrend. But with war looming, and Zion’s fate now entangled in hers, Aria must decide—will she remain a broken Luna, or rise as a flame-touched warrior, ready to burn the world for those she loves? She was betrayed by her fated mate. Now she is the spark of rebellion. And the moon will never shine the same again.

She was only supposed to be the help… but she might just be his salvation. Billionaire Asher Brown is a man haunted by loss. Ever since his wife’s tragic death, his world has revolved around two things—his daughter, Chloe, and his business empire. Love is the last thing on his mind… until Dahlia Reigns walks through his door. Hired as Chloe’s live-in maid, Dahlia never expected to become more than just an employee. But as she brings warmth and laughter back into the Brown household, she finds herself drawn to the brooding man behind the suit. And Asher? He can’t seem to stay away from her. But not everyone wants to see them happy. Catherine, his late wife’s sister, has her own plans—and she’s willing to destroy Dahlia to keep Asher under her control. As secrets unravel and lines blur, Asher and Dahlia must decide: Will they risk it all for love, or will the past win once again? SPECIAL NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR Dearest incoming readers, this may sound unkind but it needs to be said. Please, if you're expecting a fast-paced, smutty romance book, then this one might not be the one for you. This book is a slow-paced, fluffy romance that focuses on building trust and a lovable communication with mature and understanding characters. Which means no toxicity from the ML and FL of any such. While there will be smut, more of it to come, please do not expect it within the first few chapters. If you're looking for something different and unique, I suggest you give this one a try, and if it's not your style, please skip. Bad and unnecessary comments will not be condoled. Thank you.

Catherine Smith was born into untouchable wealth, a girl with everything except the freedom to love by choice and not demand. When she falls for Elijah Blakes, the quiet, kind man who works at the repair shop, she thinks she’s found the one thing money can’t afford: real love. But Elijah is hiding a secret. He’s not poor. He’s not powerless. He’s the estranged heir of a rival empire— and he’s been pretending to be someone else to keep her close. When her powerful parents discover their forbidden relationship, they break them off mercilessly. Catherine is forced to marry into a loveless engagement. Elijah, heartbroken, disappears and marries someone else. Years later, fate brings them back together. He’s colder now. Married. Untouchable. But the fire between them never died. And now, with everything to lose and nothing left to hide, the only question left is: Will she risk everything again for a man who lied to win her heart or—will love truly the only thing they can’t afford?