Guarded

*Emily 🖤* Just one night. That’s all it was supposed to be. I never knew one night could change everything. Could burn through every wall I’ve built. Could leave me craving someone I should’ve walked away from. He’s handsome—dark in the way shadows linger even when the lights are on. Powerful. Dangerous. Magnetic. Everyone says he’s a hero. That he’s the man who takes down the monsters hiding in plain sight. But he doesn’t look like the hero to me. Not when I’ve seen the way he watches me. Not when I’ve felt the way his hands command and control. There’s something he’s not telling me. Something I shouldn’t have seen… something I can’t unfeel. And now my sister is involved — and that’s when the truth dawned. This isn't just danger. It's a storm. I should run. He’s mafia. I’m just a college girl with a sharp tongue, a guarded heart——and one secret. I’m not built for his world. But near him, all the strength I thought I had crumbles. I’m bold. I don’t bend. But with him, I shatter. And the worst part? I don’t want to be saved from it. I want him. All of him — the light, the dark, the secrets, the sins. But one thing I know for sure: Love like this? It always ends in blood. *Xavier.* ⬛ One night. That’s all it took. She thinks it was nothing, but from the moment I saw her, I knew. She was mine—her body, her mind, her chaos. She cracked the Omertà file. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s already in my world. In my world… There’s no way out. ---

Sera Voss spent three years shrinking herself. Growing up as the hidden daughter of Alpha Caden Voss, she had been raised in power—marble halls, guarded doors, and a future carved in certainty. She was meant to lead. Instead, she chose Eli Grant. They met in a border town where she introduced herself as just Sera—no title, no legacy. Eli was easy, warm, uncomplicated. Loving him felt like freedom. So she gave up everything quietly and followed him into a smaller life, convincing herself she was happy being ordinary. Then Mila returned. Eli’s first love came back sharper, stronger, and impossible to ignore. Sera saw the truth long before he said it—that she was second place in a story that had started before her. Still, she stayed. Because leaving meant admitting she had chosen wrong. Eli ended it simply. Mila was his fated mate. He was sorry. Four days later, Sera learned she was pregnant. She told no one. She went home. The Voss palace received her without questions. Six months later, she stood before the continent—pregnant, composed, untouchable—and reclaimed her title. She gave birth to twin boys and rebuilt herself from the ground up: in law, diplomacy, and power. The girl who left for love returned as something far more dangerous. Years later, at the Continental Alpha Convention, Eli saw her again. Not the girl he dismissed—but a leader. A force. And before he could reach her, another man did. Alpha Dorian Crest crossed the room, addressed her by her full title, and stood at her side as if he had always belonged there. Eli spent the rest of the convention trying to find a moment alone with her. Sera never gave him one.

In the heart of New York City, amidst the chaos of honking horns and towering skyscrapers, Michael Stone—Alpha of one of the most powerful werewolf packs in the world—sits impatiently in the back of his black luxury car. He’s in the city for a high-stakes business meeting with humans, one that could alter the future of his pack. Time is slipping away, and traffic is at a standstill. Then he sees her. A young woman, effortlessly beautiful, walks down the busy sidewalk, unaware of the world watching her. She moves with quiet grace and a softness that cuts through the noise. Human, he assumes—until the primal force within him growls a single word: Mate. Without a second thought, Michael abandons the car—and his meeting—and follows her into a hotel building. Her name is Anastasia (“Anna”). She’s cautious, guarded, yet her kindness radiates like sunlight. Their chance encounter turns into a pull neither of them can deny. As days become weeks, Michael can’t stay away. Belle, a gentle soul and devoted single mother to a little boy, begins to open up to the mysterious, commanding man who keeps appearing in her life. What she doesn’t know is that Michael is no ordinary man—he’s a werewolf Alpha, and he’s already claimed her as his. Despite his world being one of power, secrets, and supernatural law, Michael makes Anna a promise: if she trusts him, he’ll give her a life she’s never dreamed possible. But trust is hard won—and danger looms. Because Anna isn’t who she thinks she is. And the truth, once revealed, will change everything. Love, loyalty, and fate collide in The Unexpected Fated Mate—a gripping paranormal romance that proves sometimes the biggest secrets hide behind the most human hearts.

"I told you to stay away," Evanora whispered, her voice wavering. Eros's cold smile widened. "You made your choice. You came to me, offered yourself that night. Now, you think you can run?" "It was supposed to be one night," she breathed, meeting his gaze. Eros traced her jawline, his voice low. "One night wasn’t enough, tesoro. It never could be." He pinned her against the wall, his lips brushing her ear. "And if I have to burn the world to keep you, I will." _________ Sometimes, a single mistake can either ruin your life or change it forever. Evanora Scott, the youngest and most powerful woman in New York City, had everything—a successful career respect, and control, an excellent actress. But after finding her soon to be husband in bed with her best friend, she made a reckless decision. Heartbroken and drunk, she decided to give away the one thing she’d always guarded—her virginity. She chose the man in front of her, a stranger who radiated danger and mystery. Hypnotized by his charisma and the alcohol in her system, she surrendered herself to him, never expecting to see him again after that night. But she couldn’t have been more wrong. She had fallen into the clutches of Eros Kane, the most feared billionaire. A man with more than just political power—he was the embodiment of terror and sin. In the mortal world, he was a billionaire with influence, but in the underworld, he was something far more dangerous. Lucifer. The King of Darkness. The creator of sin and ruler of hell itself. After that one night, Eros couldn’t forget her. She’d imprinted herself on his dark soul, and now, there was only one solution. She had to be his—forever. She has to become his wife....

"Her crown was built on a lie. His love will help her burn it all down." At fifteen, Valencia De Von Cruz was the most feared girl in school— a shield of cruelty masking the trauma of her mother's unsolved murder. The only boy who wasn't afraid, Aaron Sinclair, left a rose for her on Valentine's Day. She never came. She vanished, leaving him with a broken heart. Six years later, Aaron is a business kingpin, and Valencia is the ruthless Queen of the underworld. When he’s attacked, she saves his life in a blur of violence, not recognizing the man she once inspired. To find her again, Aaron lies. He walks into her empire and hires her for the one thing she sells: protection. Valencia agrees, hiding her own truth: her crown is a cage. Her grandfather, who blames her for her mother's death, controls her with brutal trials. Aaron sees through her carefree facade. He witnesses her pain and wages a secret war against her grandfather, his love for her rekindled into a fierce, protective flame. As their guarded hearts collide, a shadow from the past emerges. A secret organization, *Phoenix*, is systematically destroying Aaron's empire and has its claws in the underworld’s very foundations. To survive, Valencia and Aaron must unravel a conspiracy that leads to a devastating truth: the mastermind behind her mother's murder has been hiding in plain sight all along. Now, Valencia must remember the tragedy she locked away. To claim her future with Aaron, she must first tear down the legacy built on her mother's blood. Even if it means becoming the monster they all fear. *A story of shattered pasts, fierce love, and brutal revenge, where the most dangerous weapon isn't a gun— it's the truth.*

Nora and Noah's story from contracted: Love in the Shadow. "Hey, Nora..." Noah tried calling her, she ignored him. He bit his lips in anger, as her hand touched the doorknob, he yelled, no, more like roared, "DANYON!" Nora immediately froze in place. She closed her eyes for a second, fighting back tears. that name--- Noah, seeing her wounded expression, took a deep breath, "Look, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--" "Don't," she snarled, haughtily glaring at him. “Don’t you even think about it.” “Nora—" He began to say, but she turned her back on him and stormed out of his office, ignoring the many eyes that followed her. ** Nora Danyon wasn’t supposed to survive the crash that killed her husband and children. Stripped of everything—her family, her sanity, and her will to live—she’s forced to start over in a world that feels colder than ever. And just when the darkness threatens to swallow her whole, he shows up… Noah Bamford—her late husband’s best friend and the man she once secretly loved. But Noah isn’t the same boy from the past. He’s distant, guarded, and haunted by ghosts of his own. Still, his presence pulls her back to life—until one stolen kiss in an elevator changes everything. Now emotions are spiraling, old wounds are ripping open, and just when Nora starts to believe in love again… Noah betrays her in the most unforgivable way. Now Nora is forced to male a choice ------ In a world where nothing is promised, and love isn’t written in contracts, can two broken souls rewrite the rules—or will their story end in ruins? There is drama, there is hate, and there is love, and above all, do they deserve a second chance? Sit back and enjoy the ride.

She chased a rich man for revenge. She collided with a mafia king instead. Ophelia Barclay has spent her entire life playing by the rules of a family that never wanted her. Now, after a humiliating betrayal by her fiancé and stepsister days before her wedding, she’s done playing nice. Revenge is the only thing on her mind, and she knows exactly how she’ll get it: find a rich, powerful man who can elevate her beyond the Barclays’ reach, and leave them choking on the dust of her success. First-class flights become her hunting ground. But when she meets Ludwig Gallo, a man whose presence steals the very air from her lungs, her plans unravel before they even begin. He's everything she’s been looking for: dangerous, devastatingly handsome, and so wealthy it hurts to breathe near him. The problem? He doesn’t even glance her way. Humiliated and desperate, Ophelia thinks she’s lost everything… until fate throws her right into Ludwig’s world. Tracking a lost necklace, her most treasured possession, she finds herself sneaking into the heavily guarded Gallo estate, only to be captured by the mafia king himself. Mistaken for a spy, imprisoned in enemy territory, Ophelia’s survival instincts kick in. When Ludwig proposes a deal to pretend to be his girlfriend to silence rumours that have driven his mother into depression, Ophelia sees an opportunity. She’ll play the doting lover, smile for the cameras, win the favour of one of the most feared families in the underworld… and use Ludwig's wealth and power to destroy everyone who wronged her. But Ophelia didn’t plan on Ludwig being more than just a cold-blooded king. Beneath his ruthless exterior, she finds a man haunted by a violent past.

Maria Walker has spent her entire life under the weight of expectations in a world where reputation trumps happiness. As the daughter of the respected Walker family, every choice—including her relationship with kind, loyal Noah Bennett—is judged by high society, who see him as far beneath her standing. Daniel Rothfield faces a different pressure. The powerful, emotionally guarded CEO of Rothfield Holdings has avoided relationships since a devastating breakup left him unwilling to risk love again. Yet his parents and business partners insist a man of his status needs to project stability—and a serious relationship is the perfect image. When Maria and Daniel unexpectedly arrive together at a prestigious charity auction, a fleeting moment ignites rampant speculation. Within hours, social media explodes with rumors that the billionaire CEO and the Walker heiress are secretly dating. Rather than deny it, Daniel proposes a solution: pretend the rumors are true. A fake relationship solves both dilemmas. Maria’s parents would stop pressuring her about Noah, while Daniel’s family and associates would see him finally settling down. It’s meant to be simple, temporary, and strictly controlled. Rules are set: No real feelings. No crossing boundaries. No forgetting it’s just an act. But pretending to be in love proves far more complicated than planned. As they appear together at events, family gatherings, and public functions, undeniable chemistry emerges—shifting from performance to something dangerously authentic. Meanwhile, Noah grapples with quiet jealousy fueled by headlines and photos, Daniel’s past resurfaces to threaten the facade, and their carefully built lie begins to crumble. In a society that measures love by status and appearances, Maria and Daniel face an undeniable truth: the relationship they pretended to have may be the most real thing either of them has ever felt.

Explicit Romance | BDSM Themes | Read With Headphones and Holy Water right beside you.🔞‼️⚠️ (This begins heavily from chapter 40.) ***** Rhydian’s middle finger plunged deep into my slick core. “Rimming you feels so good, little Wolf?” I writhed, my core clenching around his finger, craving more. “Your scent… one of a kind.” Astarian growled, slowly adding his finger. My head fell off the mattress’ edge, eyes locking onto the opposite mirror. My toes curled, leaving me trembling as ecstasy built inside me from the penetration of both fingers. “As… Asta—” My voice trembled. “Walls have ears in the palace.” Tavian groaned, easing his cock into my mouth with sweat smearing the skin. “You’re our little slut.” ~~~~~ Twenty years ago, the three Alpha kings slaughtered my Omega clan. But the Moon Goddess cursed their unborn sons by binding them to a single fated mate they were to claim before their twentieth birthday, or die. I am that mate. But— Rhydian Frost despises me on sight, even as the bond screams at him to get closer. Tavian Ashborne seduces me like it is a game, not realizing I am the one playing him. Astarian Grey offers devotion that could break my carefully guarded heart. I have powers they do not know Omegas possess—I can make them beg, take their forms, and bring alphas to their knees. My plan was perfect until the mate bond made it complicated—the three of them are my mates. The closer I get to revenge, the harder it becomes to remember why I need it. Because intimacy is a weapon that cuts both ways, and destroying their fathers might mean destroying myself and the young alphas. This is an Omega’s reckoning.

Ofelia Rosario - I take pride in being smart, careful, and independent. Fostering a pregnant cat was supposed to be the one soft thing in my life—until the fire. I stayed too long trying to save Spitfire, and I nearly didn’t make it out. But Zach Dayton pulled me from the flames—calm, strong, and way too charming. He’s everything I shouldn’t want. Everything that scares me. But he keeps showing up, helping, and making me laugh when I want to cry. And Spitfire? She seems convinced we belong together. Maybe love isn’t something you can logic your way around. Maybe it’s something you lean into. Zach Dayton - Falling in love isn’t supposed to feel more dangerous than running into a burning building. But then there’s Ofelia—stubborn, guarded, beautiful Ofelia. I was just doing my job when I found her trying to shield a pregnant cat from the smoke. But the second I saw her, something shifted. I’ve always believed I’m not built for love—too much loss, too many close calls. But she makes me want to try anyway. The way she looks at me, the way she fights for that cat, for herself… she doesn’t need a hero. But maybe she’ll let me be hers anyway. Book 8 in the Ravenwood Series. It can be read as a standalone. However, to learn about the characters and past events that may be referenced, you should check out the rest of the series. Book 1 - The Princes of Ravenwood (Zach's first appearance) Book 2 - Chasing Kitsune Book 3 - Expect the Unexpected Book 4 - Out of My League Book 5 - Man's Best Wingman (Ofelia's first appearance) Book 6 - Troubled Heart Book 7 - A Bark in the Park