Romans & histoires Duke University Libraries

Abigail has always lived in pain—unloved at home, blamed for her father’s death, and trapped in a life that never felt like hers. When her mother remarries a wealthy man, she enters a new world that still doesn’t accept her. At university, her life shifts the moment she meets him. Alex. Arrogant, dangerous, and impossible to ignore—until she realizes the truth. He’s not just a stranger from a reckless encounter. He’s her stepbrother. Now bound by secrets, tension, and forbidden attraction, Abigail is caught between fear and desire, while enemies at school try to break her down. She should stay away. But some people are impossible to escape… even when they’re the ones you should fear most.

Mike, a student at a university fell in love with Gabrielle, a newly admitted student. Mike had Jane who sponsored his education and expected his love in return. There was Brian, a poor uneducated badboy who saved Gabrielle from bullies and later fell in love with her. He could not open up to her because he felt he was not good enough to be her lover. Mike found out Brian was in love with his girlfriend so he set him up. Brian shamefully left the city. He returned on the eve of their wedding, stole the bride's heart and left without a trace. Gabrielle abandoned her fiance on her wedding day and went in search of Brian. Do you think she will ever find him?

Ryan Carter came to Arkwood University to escape his past especially Jake, the possessive ex who blurred every line between love and control. But his “fresh start” takes a messy turn when he clashes with Daniel Brooks: the cold, perfect, student body VP with too much power and zero patience for Ryan’s sharp tongue. They hate each other on sight. But hate has a way of burning too hot and the line between enemies and something else is thinner than either of them is ready for. What starts as tension becomes obsession. And when the past comes knocking, Ryan finds himself stuck between who he was, who he’s becoming, and a boy he never planned to want.

It's about Avery Williams, who is special as she is not just a wolf/witch, but she got two sides: her wolf- Angelstar, and her Veela-Anglica. She is a nerd, loser, and whom everyone made fun of, even her friends called her Wallflower. Usually, when the Moon Goddess finds you your other half, one or two mates the most there will be for you. But Avery is a different werewolf, she does not have one or two mates but four mates. She fated to the four most dangerous, most popular, and most arrogant boys in school, the four horsemen Alphas: Elijah Woods, Jake Stone, Andrew Bradford, and Matthew Steele. The four bad boys knew the whole time that she is their mate but doesn't want anyone to know, instead they hide their feelings about Avery. Avery finally finds out her mates are her bullies and torturer, but when she turns 19 on her birthday, that is when it all changes. That is when she finds out she is a Veela. Will Avery forgive them about they make a bet to see how to get her to fall in love with them? What if someone in her family's past wants her too and they kidnap her right at the dance.? What if the guys find her in time but she is married off the Vampire Prince: The Duke Conway...? Will the Quads break everything in their path to get to Avery including the walls she has built around her heart? It all remains to be seen in The Wallflower And The Alphas.

When His Majesty King Dominic Thornfield was attacked, my husband, Roland Wentworth, Commander of the Royal Guard, was busy placating his first love, Vivian Sinclair, who had stormed off in a fit of anger. I did not light the signal flare in my hand. Instead, I used my heavily pregnant body as a human shield to protect the King and help him escape. In my past life, I had lit that flare. Roland abandoned Vivian to rush back and save the King. He was rewarded for his loyal service by being made a Duke Protector. However, Vivian fell into a trap and died on the spot. On the surface, Roland said nothing. Yet, on the very day I went into labor, he threw me into the Beast Dungeon. My face twisted in agony as I demanded to know why. Roland merely glanced at me coldly and said, "His Majesty had plenty of guards around him, so why did it have to be me who came back? You must have done it on purpose, only caring about power and wealth. If you hadn't lit that flare, Vivian wouldn't have died. Whatever suffering Vivian endured, I'll make you pay it back tenfold!" In the end, I was torn apart and devoured by the beasts. Even the child in my womb was consumed completely. When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day the King was attacked.

Lendon Martin was a renowned Duke of England. It said that he would lead world politics and business in the future. Everything was served to him on a silver platter, and his noble status was feared by many. His ruthless and cold temperament made everyone shivered, yet a dark secret lies on his deceiving look. For many years he suffered a series of attacks, and his body has been deteriorating. Kendra stumbled on his way, and he treated her like his possession. He gave passion yet caged her. One full moon night changed their lives together. “What is that smell?” The man suddenly got close to Kendra’s neck and whispered. He smelt Kendra’s body carefully. He had never smelt this fragrance before. It was not like the smell of rose or lily, but he was attracted. Who was this girl? How did she dare to come here on a full moon night? Wasn’t she afraid of death? The man stared at Kendra and wondered. Kendra moved back in horror, but the man kept coming to her. “Who are you? What are you doing here?” The man's voice came again. When the man opened his mouth to speak, Kendra thought he wanted to eat her alive. “Don’t come here! I…I just happened to come across.” she hurriedly retorted. “What a coincidence!” The man sneered. The next moment, the man rushed to Kendra and pushed her down.

“Fall for me in the same way I loved you, so you can feel the pain and despair you put me through, before I take your life.” ~--~ Sylvia’s world revolved around her husband, Duke Alec Winston. For a lifetime, she gave him everything despite his infidelity. But in the end, when she wasn’t necessary for his plans, he plunged a sword through her flesh without a single parting word. That should’ve been the end. Yet Sylvia finds herself regressed, back to her ten-year-old self living in the slums of the Rezine Empire. With the lingering sting of betrayal in her heart and the memory of dying imprinted in her mind, she decides to eliminate the source of her misfortune while atoning for her past life’s sins. Even if it means going against known and hidden powers within the empire. To start, she needs allies worth their salt and the backing of her family, the duchy of House Lundren. But despite her knowledge of the future and a lifetime’s worth of experience, Sylvia soon realizes that she knew so little. For there are secrets she’s yet to discover, stories she’s yet to hear, and prices yet to be paid. After all, a human living past death over and over is nothing short of an anomaly, and a power that can grant it won’t come for free. Death wasn’t the end. For Sylvia, it was the beginning. And a curse.

Aurora Claramay. She was called ‘ The Villainess Rose ‘.The only daughter of a grand duke, well-protected by her three brothers. Some say that she’s the villainess in this story and some don’t. Her cold and distant-like personality attracted many suitors while her elegance, gracefulness, and perfection are ladies' idols. Many say that she’s unattainable and beyond one’s reach. On the other hand, rumor has it she’s cold-hearted, merciless to those who betrayed her, and non never received her trust. Aidan Wyatt. He called by many as ‘ The Light ‘ who shone as bright as the sun and beamed as the dazzling moon. Just as the reputation had known by all, he is a well-respected person, justice for the wronged, people called him a monster on the battlefield and a hero who brought peace for the empire. An archduke who ruled both the south and the east. Countless offers came before him, marriages, alliances, partnerships, etc. However, being the first knight in command during the battlefield and a great strategist, was not a groundless rumor. Being quick-witted as well as sly as a fox, he manages them effectively. Fate brought them together one night, where the full moon shines brightly, where all the trees and flowers danced together with the wind and where fireflies even fairies decorated the starry night. However, many agreed that they’re both like chalk and cheese and sometimes fight like cats and dogs and maybe, just maybe some butterflies in their stomach. Will love be born between these two or will thorns be piercing both hearts?

“I didn’t just save your sister’s life, Elara. I bought yours. And I’m a man who expects a return on his investment.” Elara didn’t have options. Her sister was dying, the doctors had given up, and the only thing left in the house was an old grimoire and a ritual she was never supposed to touch. So she touched it. Now she belongs to Vane ,demon, Duke of the Seventh Circle, and the most terrifying man she has ever stood in front of. He doesn’t look like what she expected. He looks like someone who buys companies before breakfast and ruins people for sport. Cold, beautiful, and completely unbothered by the fact that he now owns her life. The deal was simple. Her sister lives. Elara obeys. Except the mark he burned into her skin doesn’t say owned. It says sacrifice. And the more time she spends inside his world , his rules, his house, his dangerous, suffocating presence ,the more she realises that Vane didn’t just answer her call that night. He’d been expecting it. She just doesn’t know why yet. And maybe that’s the most terrifying thing about him not the power, not the contract, not the way he looks at her like she’s something he’s been waiting centuries for. It’s that she’s starting to look back.

Connie Reid doesn't date athletes. She doesn't talk about her past. And she definitely doesn't play hockey anymore. She built her new life at Crestfield University carefully — warm smile, sharp instincts, a matchmaking reputation that keeps everyone else's love lives running smoothly while her own heart stays locked away. It works perfectly. Until the university board decides her skills belong to them. The deal is simple and non-negotiable: fake a relationship with Kyrian Maddox — Crestfield's most controversial hockey recruit — on a live reality dating show, or watch her most painful secret broadcast to every student on campus. Kyrian Maddox doesn't explain himself to anyone. He arrived at Crestfield already carrying a scandal he didn't cause and a reputation he can't escape. The PR arrangement forced on him is just another thing he has no choice but to endure. The girl they've paired him with is warm, clever and reads people like open books. He finds that deeply suspicious. Off camera they're strangers who tolerate each other in cold silence. On camera they're convincing enough to trend. But the longer they share a house, an ice rink and the weight of secrets neither will speak aloud, the harder it becomes to remember where the performance ends. Then the boy who destroyed Connie's life walks into the show house smiling like no time has passed. And everything she buried starts clawing its way back to the surface. Kyrian notices the shift in her before she can hide it. What he doesn't know yet is that protecting her might cost him everything he came to Crestfield to rebuild. Some performances become real. Some secrets refuse to stay buried. And some people are worth burning everything down for.