interlude shadow

Tess Janssen was ridiculed with the betrayal of her childhood lover after their marriage and discovering he only agreed to their marriage for the sole purpose of establishing his company with her father´s support, and after her father´s demise he treated her like used water. Unable to make terms with the fact that she was in love with a shadow all along, Tess drugged Ruben and made love to him at a room in the hotel the ceremony for the official launching of his mobile app was held. Ruben woke up furious as memories of the steamy night clouded his memory, she didn't only violate him, she left him signed divorce papers which he tore in rage. Tess traveled to the US and realized a few weeks later that she was pregnant. For a second, she thought to return to Ruben’s side, but news of his marriage got to her ears, and her chest burned furiously with revenge, discarding the thoughts of reunion. On the other side of the world, Ruben made his assistant spread the fake news of his marriage to Tess´s acquaintances. Ever since that night, a seedling of conflicting emotions sprouted in his heart, burning furiously. She was different that night compared to the usually meek Tess, she was wild and free, a part of him was attracted to that and upset she stepped all over him. Unknown to Tess, they were still a legally wedded couple, and Ruben has been on the search for her. Her return to the Netherlands was a mission for her second identity as a hacker, Blue Bird, to investigate ´De Vries, Ruben´s mobile app company for stealing his mobile app users´ personal information. The perfect chance for revenge for both sides wielding a double-headed sword.

The cold seawater engulfs me, its relentless pull dragging me into the abyss. I kick desperately, my lungs burning, but the surface drifts farther and farther away. "Save me, Kane… save our child…" Pain lances through my body as I clutch my stomach, shielding the fragile life within me. The child I never thought I'd have, the child who was supposed to be our blessing. Through the watery haze, I see Kane Porter standing on the jagged cliffs above the shore. His tall, commanding figure is framed by the moonlight, his golden eyes burning with hatred. The alpha of the Nightfall Pack, the man who once whispered my name with reverence, now looks at me like I'm filth beneath his feet. His voice cuts through the roaring waves, sharp and merciless. "Don't think I don't know what you've done, Selene." The currents tug me deeper. My strength wanes, but his words stab deeper than the water ever could. "You drugged me with a philter, hoping to make me mark you—hoping to force your way into the position of my Luna. Because of your selfishness, Arya is gone. You destroyed her mind, pushed her into madness!" A shadow of despair twists across his face, but it vanishes beneath pure fury. "She fell from that cliff because of you." I shake my head, but I can’t speak. The sea is swallowing my voice. "Do you know what it’s like to wake up every day in torment? To live knowing the woman I loved died because of you?" His eyes glint like a wolf ready to tear out his prey's throat. "I want you to feel every ounce of that pain. I want you and your cursed child to die with her." The waves crash above me, and darkness claws at the edges of my vision. When I open my eyes again, I'm taken back to the day Kane's philter takes effect. He approaches me, his face flushed and his breathing rapid. He's already undone his buttons. "Hang on, Kane. Arya will be here soon!" I back away and open the door behind me. Then, I run off.

Aurora I am the princess in the tower, the Alpha's daughter. Locked away by my father, Oliver Crane. My mother died when I was a child. Today is my eighteen birthday. My father has a party planned. This party isn't about me. It's about my father's power, wealth, and will include guests from our rival pack, the Hawthornes. Little did I know this was my wedding day, I was marrying a monster, and I would find my saving grace, my Mate, on the run. SawyerI'm the second son: the beta, the nobody of the Hawthorne family pack. I've lied, cheated, killed, and now stolen. I've been Aurora Crane's shadow for years. She is beautiful, innocent, and I'm in love with her. For her birthday, she has no idea what is in store. Her father has sold her to mine. She's marrying my brother. He's evil and cruel. But no one cares how he breaks women because he's the next Alpha. He will destroy her. I can't let that happen, no matter what the Alpha commands.*Warning & Triggers* Mature Themes including Detailed Sexual Content, Violence, and Attempted Sexual Assault

Beneath the charming harbor town of New Haven lies a world ruled by kingpins—where empires rise and fall, love is a dangerous game, and betrayal exists in every corner.- Tag Cassandra Reed is no stranger to survival. Between being an underground deliveryman, waitress by day, and stripping at The Velvet Mirage by night, her life is a delicate balance of secrets and sacrifices—all for the sake of her mother’s medical bills. But one fateful night, everything changes. A mysterious man ends up dead in her arms, and Cassandra becomes the prime suspect in a murder that pulls her into the dark, dangerous underworld of New Haven’s mafia elite. Alexander Wolfe is cold, calculating, and determined to avenge his family’s downfall. Cassandra might hold the key to uncovering the conspiracy that threatens his empire, but her defiance and vulnerability stir something he thought he’d buried long ago. As the walls between captor and captive crumble, a deadly game of trust, betrayal, and passion begins. Together, they unravel a web of secrets tied to a stolen ledger, corrupt politicians, and a rival mafia boss with a thirst for domination. But as enemies close in, Cassandra must make an impossible choice: sacrifice her freedom to protect the man who’s captured her heart or risk everything to take down the woman who destroyed her life. In this world, love is dangerous, loyalty is deadly, and power comes at a price. Can two fractured hearts survive a war built on vendetta? Or will their love be consumed by the shadows of desire? Perfect for fans of dark romance and thrilling mafia story, His Shadowed Desires delivers unexpected twists, unforgettable characters, and a love story forged in the least likely of places. Prepare to be captivated until the very last page.

James has spent 15 long years awaiting his fated mate. When Laila, a fierce, independent human with a six-month timeline in the States, unexpectedly enters his life, she's everything he never knew he wanted. But Laila is no pushover; she's determined to resist James's persistent advances, wary of his notorious playboy past. Yet, despite her best efforts to keep her distance, Laila finds herself irresistibly drawn to James's charm and undeniable magnetism, despite her better judgment. But their budding romance is complicated as Laila finds navigating her relationship with James isn't easy, requiring adjustments and understanding on both sides. As their passion intensifies, they must navigate the complexities of the werewolf community's culture and the looming shadow of Laila's departure. And when a mysterious third enters the scene, harboring a secret affection for Laila, their love is pushed to its limits. Will James and Laila's connection prove strong enough to withstand the challenges thrown their way or will the Moon Goddess have other plans?

LEILANI: I owe my life to Phoenix Baxter, leader of the Sandcastles MC. He'd saved me from my abusive father, gave me a life, gave me a home. I'll forever be indebted to him. Which is why when he propositions me to marry him, I don't refuse. But the Sandcastles MC isn't what it once was, and war rears its ugly head. To protect me, Phoenix places a bodyguard in charge of my welfare. It would've been better if it were someone else. But he choose Mason Vampelt. The one man whose presence does unspeakable things to my body. As the war casts it's shadow over the city, my feelings for Mason develops, and soon we're crossing lines, not giving a damn. I love two men: one out of gratitude, and the other out of my body's devotion. MASON: Leilani and I grew up together in the Sandcastles MC. Once inseparable, we drifted apart as we grew older. Reason being because my boss Phoenix wanted her for a wife. She owes her life to him, as I do mine. But I've seen the way she steals glances my way. Seen the way her body reacts to my presence. We both want the same thing. Each other. Phoenix might've saved my life once, but it's Leilani that gives me the will to keep on living. And I'll have her as mine no matter what.

Anastasia Forrester had suffered the worst heartbreak by the man who had been extracting revenge from her for something she had not even been guilty of. Five years later, Devin Richard Crighton was back in her life unwaveringly setting out to achieve his purpose. He was in for a surprise because Ana was no longer the love-struck woman of the past, she was a fully-fledge twentieth century woman, stronger and independent, ready to fight him with all her might. Could Ana resist falling for him all over again? Devin was a cynically ruthless man - life had taught him many lessons at the tender age of fourteen. For years, he had planned his revenge on the daughter of a man who had destroyed his family not caring that he was destroying himself in the process. He hadn’t expected someone like Ana, a woman so strong and innocent who would make him understand what was at stake. Will they finally be able to make it together? Or will the past always cast a shadow on their happiness when it’s time to heal….

"If only my pain could be seen through my smile, I would have been treated and petted like an egg." **** Have you ever been in a situation where you think that no one notices you? Where you are just your sister's shadow? Where you get to see only everything you love and want but you watch it be snatched away by your twin sister? That is exactly what Ellie Williams was going through. Her sister, Elsa Williams being everyone's favorite made her think she was not enough. From getting a new job to getting admission and meeting her all-time crush, Jayson Smith, who not only showed interest in Elsa during their first meeting but also tried to prove Elsa wrong about her perception of rich kids. Ellie tried her best to make Jayson notice her but then when he sees her, he sees her sister. Heartbroken and dejected, Ellie makes sure not to give up, instead she rose to prove her sister wrong and that too, Shawna, Jayson's fiancee. Read to find out how Ellie fought her way through the envy and pain of the betrayal of being twins.

Being born into the family of Richard Davison, the CEO of Davison Hotels, was no fairy tale life for Carly, as expected. From the moment she was born, she was forced to walk in the shadow of her elder sister, to the extent of pursuing the same course in college, all in an attempt to fit the mold her family had created for her. Carly was seen as the black sheep of the family, the imperfect daughter who deviated from their expectations. But her fate would take an unimaginable turn when, after a failed business deal, her father made a desperate decision. He sold her to Alessandro De Luca, the infamous mafia lord known for his ruthlessness. Alessandro was notorious for his cold heart and the expectation was that he would treat Carly poorly, as nothing more than a possession. Carly's world shattered as she found herself thrust into a dangerous realm she never asked for. However, fate had different plans, and everything took a new turn when Alessandro, a man known for his detachment and indifference, started falling in love with her. Against all odds, an unexpected bond formed between them. As their connection deepened, Carly discovered a side of Alessandro she never knew existed.

Lyra, a young lady who is unaware of her remarkable ancestry in a world where fate and old predictions collide. After the brutal massacre of her pack when she was just 6 years old, Lyra was raised by human foster parents- who just moved to a small, quiet town, Leading to an uncertain life for her. Jake, the Alpha king of the Shadow Claw pack, ensnared by evil curses, rescues her from a rogue attack in an outing during her 18th birthday. Their blossoming romance becomes threatened when Lyra learns of Jake's clan involvement in her parents death. Lyra must also battle a malicious adversary Leo- her brother, who wants to take advantage of her abilities and rule the werewolf world. As she uncovers her real power connected to the moon goddess, with the prophecy looming and danger at every turn, Will the ancient prophecy be fulfilled?Will Jake's curse be broken?Will Lyra create a new future for herself and the entire wolf world or will the shadows of the past consume her?