Leaning Willow

His eyes were dark wild with an emotions I couldn't name. "You are playing with fire kid," he warned his voice a raw ragged growl. A thrill shot through me. I bit on my lower lip feigning innocence as I stared right into his stormy eyes “What if I want it to burn me?" I whispered leaning forward until my lips were a hair's breadth from his. I could feel his warm breath on my skin fast and uneven. "Come on old man," I taunted softly my hand coming up to rest on his chest. I could feel his heart pounding under my palm. "I know you want me. Stop fighting it." ••• For seven years Alyssa White lived a lie hiding her billion-dollar inheritance to be the perfect wife but on the night of her in-laws' anniversary everything shatters. Her husband Damon reveals his secret family and cruel shove from his mistress sends Alyssa falling and causes her to lose the twin babies. Burned by betrayal and imprisoned on false charges Alyssa takes on her identity with burning desire for revenge and her personal bodyguard who is also her ex husband’s Father in law, she would burn Damon’s world to the ground.

He abruptly snatches me, closing the distance between us, putting his hand on the back of my head. All the hair on my body rises on alert; one wrong move I might shapeshift in here. His masculine scent infiltrated me with so much finesse. Damn, he smells divine. "What the hell--" "Shut your mouth; those thugs are after me; I need your help." His baritone tone is manly, very manly which catches me off guard a little. No one can lay a finger on me; he is the first man ever to touch me. I'm with a stranger in a strange position. How annoying can this night be? "Alright, Mister, I will give you three seconds to let me go, or else you might lose your hands." My tone is cold and dangerous. I’m hoping he heeds my warning. The tall man keeps leaning forward to me, putting our bodies in an intimate, awkward setting. "One, Two, Thre--" He steers his legs forward. My heart was beating a mile per second. I can't believe he is doing this! Feeling his warm palms cupping my face, the next thing I know, he is kissing me. His lips taste like strawberries. I got an entry pass into heaven!

On the third anniversary of our bond, I pushed open the private room door, my heart full of hope—only to see Chisel on one knee, leaning in to kiss Sylvia. In that instant, every thread of love and trust inside me snapped. “What are you doing?” My voice trembled; tears blurred my vision. Chisel looked up at me, eyes full of irritation. “Enough, Leah. Stop putting on that wounded look. We were just playing a game. I lost, that’s all. Why are you angry?” I could no longer bear the betrayal. After losing our pup, something inside me died completely. I decided to break the mate bond, to end this painful, scarred union once and for all. Even as Chisel kept apologizing, swearing he would change, I no longer believed him. My voice went cold: “Even if I forgive you, our pup never will.” I left the home that had once been full of love and hope, flying toward a new world that would be mine alone. On the other end of the phone, Chisel’s voice trembled. “Leah, I was wrong. Please… give me another chance…” I closed my eyes, inhaled deeply, and hung up. My voice was calm, final: “I have nothing more to say to you, Chisel.”

lunch went by pretty quickly, and we were back to classes soon enough. I'd like to forget to get a book out of my locker, so I went to go quickly and went to get it. I was leaning against the locker next to mine as I quickly scanned my schedule on my locker door. When warm air fanned the side of my face. "Move" being the excellent human being I am, I jumped out of fright, flinging the heavy calculus textbook in my hands backward. I hear a grunt and turn to find the person hunched over as they hold part of their face "Oh God! I'm so sorry!" I panicked. and then he looked up. the first thing I noticed was his short, dark hair. it looked so smooth, and 1 almost reached out to play with it. My eyes trailed down to his strong jaw line, down to his broad shoulders. I didn't even realize that I was biting my lip as I further inspected the Adonis before me. His arm flexed, bringing my attention to the amber eye he was now covering It was him. Six. He is the most popular and dangerous guy in school. And I'd managed to injure him with my calculus textbook.

“Take off your dress, Meadow.” “Why?” “Because your ex is watching,” he said, leaning back into his seat. “And I want him to see what he lost.” ••••*••••*••••* Meadow Russell was supposed to get married to the love of her life in Vegas. Instead, she walked in on her twin sister riding her fiance. One drink at the bar turned to ten. One drunken mistake turned into reality. And one stranger’s offer turned into a contract that she signed with shaking hands and a diamond ring. Alaric Ashford is the devil in a tailored Tom Ford suit. Billionaire CEO, brutal, possessive. A man born into an empire of blood and steel. He also suffers from a neurological condition—he can’t feel. Not objects, not pain, not even human touch. Until Meadow touches him, and he feels everything. And now he owns her. On paper and in his bed. She wants him to ruin her. Take what no one else could have. He wants control, obedience… revenge. But what starts as a transaction slowly turns into something Meadow never saw coming. Obsession, secrets that were never meant to surface, and a pain from the past that threatens to break everything. Alaric doesn’t share what’s his. Not his company. Not his wife. And definitely not his vengeance.

What does being a powerful woman mean? This question is at the core of this book where we see every female protagonist from different circumstances go through various challenges and do their best to navigate them. Our adventure starts with Patina Garcia, an artist who falls into poverty after her grandparents pass away but encounters a surprising new destiny when she discovers a Bothy in Scotland for sale. Then we meet Rose Marley, an elderly widow whose life takes an unexpected yet drastic turn after buying a Bothy. Then there is Clarissa Gould, a woman escaping domestic abuse after a fist fight with her narcissistic ex-boyfriend that leads her to a new home in the mountains. Further on, we meet Kendrick Samuel's, a happily married expectant mother whose life is turned upside down when she finds out that her husband is a hybrid on the run. Next, we have Maria Morgan, a woman on the run after being broken out of a sanitorium that she's spent the last year in after being accused of murder. Finally, we meet Audrey Willow, an unsatisfied housewife who battles a drug, and alcohol addiction before meeting a politician who changes her life forever.

Willow (“Wills”) is a werewolf who was abandoned as a baby by her injured mother and raised by her adoptive father, Conall, the fireman who found her. Unaware of her true nature or the existence of an underground werewolf society, Wills lives a normal life, covering up her monthly shifts with Conall’s help. Her world changes when she meets Zale, the regional alpha, during a work project. Zale recognizes her as a werewolf but is puzzled by her immunity to alpha commands—a rare trait linked to her mysterious bloodline and her mother’s tragic past. As Zale tries to integrate Wills into his pack and uncover her origins, she resists, wary of trust and power dynamics. As their relationship build and her past is revealed with secrets about her lineage, a hidden betrothal, and her villainous biological father, who seeks to exploit her unique powers. Wills’ newly discovered abilities allow her to influence pack bonds and heal or command rogue wolves, making her a target. Amidst attacks, betrayals, and shifting alliances, Wills gradually learns about her heritage, discovering the true nature of the rogue wolf curse, and embracing her role in the werewolf community.

Synopsis: Tess, a 25-year old free spirited artist, lives in Willow Creek, where she owns a small art studio. She's always felt a connection to nature, and her art reflects that. One night, she meets Liam, the 30 year old alpha of the local werewolf pack, at a bar. He's brooding and intense, and Tess is drawn to him. They have a wild, passionate night together, but when she wakes up the next morning, he's gone. As Tess navigates her feelings for Liam, she's also dealing with the attention of Fred, a 28 year old human guy who's been in love with her for years. Meanwhile, Cath, a 27 Year old werewolf who's been interested in Liam for years, becomes increasingly obsessed with destroying Tess. As the story unfolds, Tess discovers she's pregnant, and she's not sure who the father is Liam or Fred. She decides to keep it a secret, unsure of how to navigate the situation. But when her life is threatened by Cath, her powers surface, and she transforms into a full white wolf. Liam, who has been searching for his fated mate, realizes that Tess is the one. He must navigate his feelings for her, all while protecting her and their child from those who would seek to harm

Lost in my desires, I pulled him in, taking his lips in mine. Sucking on his lower lip, I bit him slightly as my tongue searched for his. His hands moved to my thighs as he caressed them softly. The graze of his fingers sent sparks through my body as he lifted me in his arms. Walking towards the bed, he placed me gently. Leaning in slowly, he sniffed my neck, engulfing my scent in his senses. Trailing his lips on the side of my face to my lips, he took mine viciously as I let out soft moans in between our kiss. His hands navigated my body as his fingers explored my curves wildly. Drawing away from my lips slowly, he traced my face with his lips, making his way to my ear. His voice a deep whisper, "You asked for this." ...***... After a whirlwind night of betrayal and heartbreak, Maya seeks a fresh start in California. Desperate for a job, she lands a position as a secretary for Adrian Steele—the man from that fateful night. Just as she believes her past is behind her, long-buried secrets resurface, throwing her life into chaos. Will Maya find true love, or will the turmoil of her past leave her disillusioned? Will the hidden truths be unveiled, or remain shrouded in mystery? Read to find out

"You're an insensitive Bastard," I say. I want him to say something to do something, but he just leans against the wall staring at me. To my horror, I feel the telltale sign of tears, but I blink it away aggressively. Max walks towards me and cups my face "You've no idea," he says, leaning in. I don't know what I hope for, but I lift my head to face him anyway. We stare at each other for what feels like an eternity when he whispers "Do you think I'm not tired Callista, you should know by now that I am an addict and you are my addiction, I know I should back away, but these days when it comes to you, it seems my body doesn't obey my commands. I close my eyes, and i see you. I breathe, and your scent fills the air. Every day, i crave a taste of you. You everything to me. " His nose caresses my cheek, and he takes a long inhale, and I realise he's breathing in my scent. He then puts his forehead to mine, and his lips brush mine when he says "I'm never going back to how I was before, am I?" When I open my eyes, he's gone.