Leaned

"I like her," I said as I sat across from my mother unable to keep the frustration from boiling over. "Like who?" "Callie," I admitted, my chest tightening as I said her name. Her expression froze for a moment before she set the papers aside and leaned forward. "You’re joking, right? Callie is your brother’s girlfriend." "I don’t care," I snapped. "I can’t stand seeing him with her. She should be mine, and I’m not going to just sit back and watch them together." "Well, well. This is interesting." She sat back, steepling her fingers. "You really want her all to yourself?" "More than anything," I confessed. A slow smile crept across her face, and it sent a chill down my spine. "Don’t worry. I have a plan.” Whatever she had in mind, I knew it wouldn’t be simple. But if it meant having Callie… I was willing to do whatever it took. **************** Callie was given a choice by her new boss: either lose her job or act as his escort for his family’s Christmas and New Year celebrations, pretending to be his girlfriend. Left with no other option, she reluctantly agrees to be his escort but what she doesn’t realize is that she’s walking straight into a trap. Dive into a story of love, betrayal, romance, suspense, and a Christmas miracle. Second Chances Under the Tree is a gripping and intriguing read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

The woman Lucas Kingston kept by his side was pregnant. When I found out, I was shocked to realize that she was just as far along as I was. In front of me, she gently caressed her rounded belly before settling herself onto Lucas’s lap. "I heard that Miss Carter’s equestrian skills rival those of men. I’m quite curious and would love to see it for myself. Lucas, could you ask her to give us a demonstration? “If she manages to please me…" She leaned in closer to him, her voice seductive. "Tonight, you can have whatever you want." Lucas’s gaze turned icy as it landed on me. Though he said nothing, everyone present understood his intent. My face drained of color as I pleaded desperately, "Lucas, please don’t do this! I’ll lose the baby!" Laughter rippled through the crowd, while Lucas merely looked at me with disdain. "If you lose it, you can always have another. Now get on the horse! If you can’t entertain her properly, don’t even think about leaving this racetrack tonight!" The moment his words left his mouth, several people grabbed me and forced me onto the saddle. The startled horse reared and took off in a frenzy. Every jolt sent unbearable pain through my abdomen. I glanced back. From the viewing platform, the two of them were already locked in a passionate embrace. Clutching the reins with all my strength, I forced a bitter smile. This was the seventh time. And the last. From that moment on, I would never humiliate myself for anyone again.

I lifted my gaze to meet his unwavering one; his eyes were enigmatic, just like his dominant posture. He had an enviable and captivating physique, with well-defined muscles that accentuated the perfect cut of his suit. His greenish eyes, tan skin, and slightly curly hair, styled professionally, completed his look. He was truly a stunning man. “Finished admiring me, miss?” With a teasing tone, a charming smile appeared on his lips. The CEO was undoubtedly tempting. “Sir...” I cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure and searching for words to escape that uncomfortable situation. “The content is not appropriate to be read aloud; please understand!” “That, I will decide!” He leaned back in his executive chair, watching me calmly as he savored a sip of his favorite whiskey. “I'm waiting.” “I apologize, sir, but I can't do it. You can fire me!” I turned away, ready to leave the office hastily, when his strong hands gripped my wrist, about to pull the door handle. He carefully watched my reaction and then smiled. “Apprentice…” The CEO approached me seductively, causing me to step back a few paces until I was cornered against the wall. He surrounded me with his arms and brought his lips close to my ear, whispering, “There is so much potential in you; I will mold you!” Biting lightly on the tip of my ear, I felt a shiver run through my body. With the tips of his fingers, he traced the outline of my face with his nails before pressing his lips with his thumb, gently parting them. Moving even closer, he pressed his body against mine, making my heart race and my breathing erratic.

“We shouldn't do this, I am babysitting you and Mr. King won't appreciate it if I mess around with his little princess.” Samantha leaned forward and pressed her lips gently against his. “Just this once and I won't bother you for it again.” ~~~ Samantha King was a calm and the least popular girl in the whole college. She had been leading a quiet life in the prestigious university until situation led her to live with Matthew Cruz, the school bad boy who loves making out with his monthly favourite girl in school. Samantha had always had a crush on Matthew Cruz, and the fact that the bad boy could make out with anything in skirt made her think her stay with him would make him for once notice her, and maybe have her as one of his monthly girls. One make-out turned two and two turned three until Matthew Cruz realized he couldn't get enough of Samantha. He wanted more of her. Even more than she ever planned on giving.

The Alpha King, who was rumored to be ugly and violent, and hides his face under the Golden masquerade mask, sent a letter to my Alpha father. ["Dear Alpha Quinn, I'm writing to inform you that your third daughter, Etizia, is my mate. Send her to me, or face the destruction of your Pack. Sincerely, Alpha Nox.”] I was forced to marry the ugly Alpha King. But to my surprise, the cold Alpha King treated me kindly and with care. How did an Omega wolf like me manage to tame the beast of all beasts? I thought everything was doing fine. However, the Alpha King’s brother turned out to be the handsome wolf who rejected me in the past. Can I stay loyal with my faceless Alpha King husband when my brother-in-law wanted me back as his mate? ** ** The Alpha King leaned in close and whispered in my ear, "Are you still considering escaping from me?" I replied, knowing the futility of my answer, "It doesn't matter what I say, you'll never allow me to run." He gently lifted my chin and smiled. "That's the right answer, my Luna. I can shower you with kindness, but I won't tolerate you turning your back on me. NOT AGAIN." With a swift motion, he removed his golden mask, revealing his true identity. My eyes widened in shock as I recognized him.

Lia Blake's last summer in high school and prom night ended up being her worst summer and prom night ever. Her crush found his mate and abandoned her. Broken, she fled from the pack to where no one knows her to settle in but that night, she appeared before the Lycan king as his bride. …Slowly, he shifted away the portion of the white veil covering her lips, then he leaned in and his lips claimed hers. But it lasted for a moment as the guards stormed into the hall. "The Lycan Luna is gone! That woman is an intruder!" At once he tore his lips away from her, gripped the veil and flung away. His grey eyes darkened as he realized the woman before him wasn't his bride. "Seize her!" The cold hardhearted Lycan king had commanded and she was at once seized and thrown into his dungeon. Derrick Kings, the Lycan king and leader of four packs. The Alphas, werewolves and Lycans obey his commands. His past and secret hunted him and turned him into a beast with his enemies lurking and waiting to strike him down at any chance. But what he didn't know was how fast his life will change the moment an unknown woman appeared before him as his bride. What is the fate of Lia Blake, will she survive the wrath of the hardhearted Lycan King whoose secret and past hunted, Or will she regret ever leaving her pack?

"I think the both of us were destined to meet," he leaned closer, casually trapping me between him and the tree behind me. As intense as this was, I had to pull myself together. Maxine Carlisle doesn't show emotions! "Well I think you're delusional. There is no such thing as destiny," "And yet here we are," he gave me a sly smirk. "We were just unfortunate to be here," I reciprocated the gesture. I wasn't going to show him that he's gotten to me. "I'm starting to like you Maxine," somehow, those words sent butterflies in my stomach. "You don't want to make that mistake Ryan. I'm bad news!" Maxine isn't one to feel sadness, or pity or even compassion for anyone. She doesn't gossip with her friends and she doesn't giggle about boys. When girls her age are out shopping, she's out on the streets doing graffiti on walls... so no, she isn't your typical average teen. Her father may have all the money in the world, but even he can't get her a new attitude. And all the love he showered her with still didn't manage to soften her heart. Tired of her daughter's rebellious attitude, her father takes her to a Summer camp in hopes that her daughter may at least learn to tolerate people if not live with them. 'Nothing good could come out of this' she told herself, 'a total waste of valuable time. But she ended up slightly enjoying life without WiFi... and shocker! Actually making a friend. Miseri Camp changed her life completely... and the pessimist arrogant rebellious girl who hated the world and didn't believe in love.. Well... Read and find out!!!

“I love him and I have never loved you so if you know what good for you, you'll let me go” I muttered through clenched teeth as I stared into his eyes but his fingers just tightened around my neck, not so much that it hurt but enough to keep me in place as he leaned down close, the tip of our nose touching. “Your mouth is saying something else while your body, your body knows who it belongs to. You'll always be mine and I'll do anything to make sure of that”... ~ Scarlett had never expected that the one who would ruin her life would be her mate, her husband, Alexander Hilton. Falling in love with him had been her biggest mistake and she vowed never to love again but when he comes back into her life and is ready to kill and die for her, Would she still be able to keep that vow? When another Alpha comes into the picture and is willing to burn the whole world just to have her, can she resist his charm? When truth, Secrets and lies began to unfold, Scarlett is left with a decision to make. Who will she choose? The Alpha who ruined her life or the Alpha with many secrets?...

Closing the door shut, I exhaled lowly and turned around to make a dash into the room when my eyes met with a pair of raging fireballs glaring into my soul. How come he is here? I made sure to lock the door. “And you think that a wooden door is strong enough to prevent me from meeting my mate?” He answered my unsaid question, his tone strident and laced with pure rage making me cower back. But still, I mustered up courage and shot him a defiant look. “And I made it clear to you that I don’t accept you as my mate,” I spoke confidently while looking straight into his eyes. My breath hitched when I noticed his eyes darkening. He was clearly pissed by my protest but I stood my ground. Taking a deep breath I continued, “Listen, I can’t be with you nor with anyone. What happened that night was just a mistake and I never accepted you so stop harassing me and just leave-“ Before I could complete it, my neck was grabbed in a vice grip as I was pinned against the door. I quickly shielded my belly with my arms dreading he would hurt my children. But irrespective of my fear-stricken face, he leaned dangerously closer to my face and flashed me a diabolical smirk that dripped with menace. “I think I made it clear to you last night Ms. Evans. I had never asked for your consent in the first place so you… don't really have a choice. ‘Cause once you enter Xavier’s maze, there is no going back, Grace.”

On the night of Mom's birthday, as she was making a wish under the moon, Dad suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered something. My usually cautious mother, who valued her life above all else, turned around after hearing those words and jumped straight into the pack's silver pit. The silver pit is deadly for us werewolves; only those with a death wish would go there. After her death, countless pack members questioned Dad about what he had said. Someone even offered a million dollars in exchange for those words. But he remained silent. Until the day of my mate ceremony, Dad showed up. He walked up to my fiancé and whispered something...