Faded Shadow

The Borrowed Husband Collection Did you know that men are like women? They look for the one to wake up with in the morning. They search for the one to go old with. They seek out the one they are going to marry. And when these men find the women for them, they are going to fight for the women's affection! These are the titles of the men ready to be husbands to fortunate women: "The Borrowed Husband" She was stranded when her fiance faked their marriage and ran off with her money. He was looking for his lost wife of ten years. Their fates were similar but with different circumstances. "The Wily Husband" He was jewelry and antique collector while she was the owner of an antique gem. How could he possess both? "The Impatient Husband" Marry in haste, repent at leisure… Falling in love at first sight should not be followed by getting married at first chance! What if the first flush of attraction faded? "The Ardent Husband" An indecent proposal to a woman who was willing to be a stand-in girlfriend could assuage the emptiness of the missing love. What would happen to the substitute lover when the affair had ended? "The Contract Husband" She had one year left to live. She wanted to marry a man who was her ideal... He accepted her unusual proposal. Only one year of marriage and they would say goodbye to one another?

Luca Moretti is a name whispered in fear. The ruthless Italian mafia boss has spent years building his empire, crushing enemies without mercy. But his greatest rival, the powerful businessman Damian Laurent, has always remained untouchable—until now. When Luca discovers that Damian has a son, Adrien Laurent, he sees the perfect opportunity for revenge. Adrien, delicate yet defiant, has spent his life in the shadow of his father’s fortune, oblivious to the blood-soaked rivalries that shaped his world. That is, until Luca kidnaps him, dragging him into the dark underbelly of the mafia. But what starts as a move in a deadly game turns into something far more dangerous. Adrien is not the helpless pawn Luca expected—he fights, he resists, and worst of all, he tempts. The fire in Adrien’s eyes ignites something in Luca, something possessive, something obsessive. As tensions rise and secrets unravel, Luca must face the one thing he never anticipated: the possibility that his greatest enemy’s son might just be the only thing he can’t let go of. He took him as leverage. Now, he’ll never let him go.

So there I was, stuck in this dark Victorian mansion for a whole freaking century, thinking I'd never get out. Then, out of nowhere, these two gorgeous girls swoop in and rescue me! I couldn't believe it, and we instantly hit it off. They showed me a whole new world I'd only ever imagined, and I was all about living a normal human life.   But just when I thought things were looking up, this vampire named Vivaldi pops up out of thin air, grinning like a possessed Jack-o'-lantern. I mean, a name like Vivaldi is bound to give you the creeps, right? He claimed I had some ancient first blood running through my veins and demanded that I sign some crazy blood contract with him—the kind of deal that comes with some seriously freaky consequences.   Vivaldi was trying to sell me the idea that this blood contract was his only lifeline, the only way to save his skin from something worse than death. But I wasn't some clueless newborn vamp; I knew better than to just dive into something as serious as a blood contract. Those things come with some heavy consequences, and I wasn't about to sign up for that without a second thought.   The problem was, if I didn't go along with his messed-up plan, he promised to make my friends' lives a living hell—the very people I'd started to care about. I was trapped between a rock and a hard place. If I decided to team up with Vivaldi, I'd be keeping him around, which is far from ideal. But if I refused, my friends and the whole town of Shadowvale would be in serious danger.    It felt like I was caught in this impossible situation, like I was trying to choose between two rotten apples.

The Darkness is being manifested by an unknown enemy, and prophecies of a war start coming true. The Protectors of the throne have been preparing for war for over 1300 years, but everyone is still wondering if the prophesized royal will emerge in time to protect the Osvald Kingdom. Rolf, a Regent Prince, has been hiding the fact he is a member of the Protector Family so he can earn his rank in the Lycan Army without the privilege he was born into. His world is turned upside down when he meets his mate and must decide if she is worth the exposure. Thyra has one mission in life, to avenge the slaying of her pack that happened five years ago. She doesn't have time for the pull she feels toward another soldier in the Officer Leadership Academy. Will he understand that her oath has to come before the distraction he brings? Or will she have to submit to him just so she can keep looking into his amber eyes...

Mira has always lived in the shadow of pack politics, her heart tethered to Lucian, the powerful Alpha of Blackpine. When Lucian chooses duty over desire and claims another as his mate, Mira’s world shatters. Alone and carrying Lucian’s child—a secret that could ignite war—she flees into the wild, determined to protect her unborn pup from the harsh traditions that once bound her. Lost and vulnerable, Mira stumbles into the territory of Rowan, the enigmatic Alpha of Silverpine. Unlike Lucian, Rowan offers acceptance and a chance at a new life, vowing to protect Mira and claim her child as his own. As Mira’s bond with Rowan deepens, she finds herself torn between the pain of her past and the hope of a future she never dared imagine. But Lucian cannot let go. Driven by regret and an unyielding need to reclaim his child, he risks everything to breach Silverpine’s borders, threatening to ignite a conflict that could destroy both packs. As loyalties are tested and old wounds reopened, Mira must choose where her heart—and her child—truly belong.

My Alpha mate, Dominic, rules the entire Stormfang Pack, but in our ten years together, he has never once given me a gift. Even our bonding tokens—a pair of rare healing crystals that cost me an entire year's savings—were taken by him without hesitation. He claimed that as Alpha he needed to appear frugal and understated, which is why he marked me in secret without hosting a proper mating ceremony. Because of this, most pack members don't even know I'm his mate. Yet when Sylvia, his childhood sweetheart, returned to Stormfang territory, he publicly announced their mating plans. He even dipped into the pack's long-term savings to throw her an extravagant celebration. When my mother was attacked by rogue wolves and left critically wounded, I begged Dominic to return my healing crystals—the only things that could save her life. Instead of helping, he denied knowing me in front of the entire pack and ordered his guards to drive me away with burning torches. Later, my mother died during the Blood Moon Festival. I lost my only family during what should have been our most sacred celebration. I renounced my Stormfang membership that same night and accepted the Northern Shadow Pack's Chief Healer position. While packing my belongings, Dominic returned from his honeymoon with Sylvia. He found me and assumed I was merely sulking. For the first time ever, he made a generous offer: "Come on, what could possibly happen to your mother? At worst, I'll give you that fancy mating ceremony you've always wanted. That should satisfy her desire to be an Alpha's mother-in-law." What he didn't realize was that from the moment my mother died, I had already sworn to the Moon Goddess that our mate bond would be broken forever.

The remnants of the pack gathering had barely faded when my whole world changed. My best friend, Hallie Richmond, vanished, snatched away by rogues. Only for her to reappear the next day, found bruised and bitten near the pack borders. My heart ached for her, so I went to her with her favourite apple pie. But the solace I intended to offer shattered into a million pieces the moment I heard the words of my boyfriend, Camilo White, our pack's beta. "...Hallie's family will destroy her if they learn of this. I have no choice but to mark her first.” "What about me, Camilo? I'm your girlfriend!" The words tumbled out. "You can be my secondary mate, Violet. It's just a small favor. Surely, if you truly loved me, you wouldn't hesitate to help?" Camilo's words ripped my heart out, breaking up with me and replacing me with Hallie for the marking ceremony we had both anticipated with such joy. From that moment forward, I became a shadow. The pack whispered words of how I was deflowered before my true mate could claim me. My family now regarded me with disappointment. My father's anger was a physical force, driving me to my knees beneath the icy waterfall. Then, the following day, a figure emerged from the mist. Alex Skye, the Alpha's son, pulled me from the water. He leaned close, his sky-blue eyes holding mine, and whispered the words that offered home: "I'm your true mate, Violet. Break up with that vile, idiotic boyfriend of yours. I believe you will be the perfect future Luna."

In a world of werewolves and pack rivalries, Jasmine Wilson, Alpha of the Blue Crescent pack, has resigned herself to a life of loneliness after losing her mate in a rogue attack. But fate intervenes when the goddess grants her a second chance at love, only to pair her with Lucas Oswald, the fearsome and ruthless Alpha of the Crimson Shadow pack. Lucas is everything Jasmine never wanted in a mate; his reputation for being incapable of love precedes him. Determined to maintain control over her pack, Jasmine resists his advances and refuses to surrender her authority. The stage is set for a battle of wills as Lucas demands her submission and loyalty. As they navigate their turbulent relationship, a looming threat from their past emerges, leaving people missing and a mystery to unravel. Forced to work together, Jasmine and Lucas must set aside their differences and join forces to confront the enemy that threatens their existence. Caught between her duty as an Alpha and the possibility of a second chance at love, Jasmine finds herself faced with an impossible choice. Will she sacrifice her pack and the life she has built for herself, or will she risk everything for a shot at happiness with Lucas? In this gripping tale of power, love, and redemption, Jasmine and Lucas must find a way to unite their packs and solve the mystery before it tears them apart. The stakes are high, and the future of their packs hangs in the balance as they embark on a thrilling journey that will test their limits and challenge everything they once knew. Book 2 of the mated series. It can be read as a stand alone, but it is advisable you read the first part of the series, "The Alpha Luna" to better understand back story.

17-year old Star Sullivan was no stranger to loss, having recently endured the heartbreaking passing of her parents. Struggled to come to terms with her grief, she found herself uprooted from her familiar surroundings and thrust into a new town under the care of her godparents. The weight of her sorrow hung heavy on her shoulders casting a shadow over her once bright spirit. Star navigates the unfamiliar street and faces of her new home, a glimmer of intrigue caught her eye - a student with eyes as silver as moonlight, a captivating mystery etched in every glance. Drawn to this enigmatic figure, she found herself unable to resist the pull of curiosity that tugged at her heart. His mysterious past whispered secrets that beckoned to be unraveled, a puzzle waiting to be pieced together. With each passing day, Star found herself entangled in a web of intrigue and emotion, her heart torn between the allure of the unknown and the safety of familiarity. As the threads of secrets began to unravel, revealing truths that shook the foundation of her newfound life, Star stood at a crossroads, her heart torn asunder. Would she choose to stand by her new friends and family, embracing the complexities of their intertwined destinies, or would she heed the call of uncertainty, fleeing to the safety of the hills, away from the tumultuous storm that threatened to consume her? Only time held the answers to the questions that plagued her restless mind. The clock ticked away, each passing moment a reminder of the choices that lay ahead, the paths diverging into the unknown. In the quiet of the night, as the stars whispered tales of destiny and fate, Star found herself standing on the precipice of a decision that would shape the course of her future.

Lilian Jackson has the worst luck, between balancing multiple jobs, playing the role of both parents for her siblings, managing her alcoholic father and paying back her student loans, 24 hours is just not enough for her. As if that's not enough life throws her a curveball in the form of a life threatening heart disease. "I must be paying my debts from my past life for all this to be happening to me" There is Byron Bladell, heir to a multi-million chain of restaurants and CEO in his own right. He is tall, rich, handsome and seems to have it all with a loving family and a beautiful girlfriend. The world sees him as the most eligible bachelor in town but he is chasing a shadow from his past. Their lives intertwine as pictures of their chanced meeting sweeps the internet suggesting an intimate relationship. "It's just a rumor" Lilian attempts to convince everyone. "Why don't you just marry me" Bryon suggests. In what seems like the answer to both their problems, Lillian and Byron enter a contract marriage. The initial indifference towards each other fade as they stay under a roof and play the part of a loving couple to outside world. The lines between acting and reality start to blur as their emotions come to play. Without the pressure of providing for her family, Lilian regains her fierce and cheerful attitude which mirrors someone from Byron’s past. It's just a fake relationship but what was happening to her heart. "Is this a symptom of my heart disease or is my heart racing for him?" It is the journey of two hurting souls finally finding healing from their past and inner peace, after all it all started with a racing heart.