open season c. j. box

He watched her in the distance, his mind clouded over in confusion. How could he, one of the coldest Alphas in the country, have a mate?The thought of having to take care of someone for the rest of his life haunted him. He always thought he was meant to run the most powerful pack that had no weaknesses; once his wolf becomes attached to hers, nothing can tear them apart. It is known to be the cause of the deaths of many great Alphas, and yet here he stood, unable to tear his eyes away from her.Her soft, shimmering lips stood out to him from across the clearing, occasionally being grazed by her soft, silky golden hair. Her delicate fingers brushed a strand from over her crystal blue eyes as they continued to gaze over the leather-covered book resting in the center of her lap.A soft breeze flowed over her bare shoulders, sending her scent right in his direction. A shiver traveled up his spine as his eyes rolled back into his head. A low growl erupted from his chest, wondering why she was all alone in an empty clearing. She seemed like a prize he had yet to win. (Complete

Lily Shawn never got the chance to meet her mother whom she was told died the day she was born and was raised by Abigail whom she knew as her Aunty. She fell in love with Derrick Mingle and found out the truth about Abigail through that love. She became bitter, broke up with her boyfriend, and vowed to take revenge for her mum. Can their love heal Lily's, bitter heart? Will Lily be successful in taking her revenge or will she face a new obstacle? To know more, read "Lily Shawn"

Angela and her friend, Zora went out to celebrate Angela's success in landing a new job after completing her college, but things took a different turn when Angela got drugged and ended up sleeping with a man who was equally drugged. Angela woke up the next day to realise the stranger she had slept with was her new company's CEO, her boss Bryce Moore, and the Moore family's heir. The two ended up getting married secretly and Angela moved in with her boss. However, Susan, the boss's childhood sweetheart could not stand the relationship blossoming between Angela and Bryce. She reported it to Bryce's father. Bryce who had fallen in love with Angela decided it was time to announce her but unfortunately, when Bryce brought Angela to his family house for the first time, Angela found an artefact which was stolen from her home on the night that her parents were gruesomely murdered. How did the artefact get to Bryce's family home and what would Angela do now that she is also in love with Bryce? Let's find out together in this story of hate, betrayal and murder. Will love win?

Scarlett Carter had it all, wealth, status, and a husband she thought she could trust. But in a single moment, everything crumbled. Her husband betrayed her. Her best friend stole her life. Her stepbrother took everything she built. And now, pregnant and penniless, she’s nothing more than a scandalous headline. Just when she thinks she’s lost it all, Adrian Carter appears. The black sheep of the Carter dynasty. The vengeful older brother Daniel erased and despised. A man with power, money, and a vendetta just as deep as hers. Adrian offers her a deal, help him destroy those who made him an outsider, and in return she’ll get protection for her baby and revenge against those who hurt her . But revenge comes at a cost. As Scarlett steps into Adrian’s world, she’s no longer the woman they left behind, she becomes something far more dangerous, stopping at nothing to get her own pound of flesh. And when passion ignites between them, the lines between vengeance and desire blur. She was once the billionaire’s placeholder bride. Now? She’ll be the one to burn his empire to the ground.

Her father had just received a promotion. Then she discovered he’d moved across the country. She wasn’t happy finding this out. With her mood spoiled as school is starting soon, she never expected that she’d bump into the hot linebacker on her first day there. She wouldn’t escape his clutches so easily when she befriends a girl. Later, she’d been told something very unexpected about that guy. The future is on her mind all the time, and she’s already looking for them. When she encounters the linebacker again, she finds out his name. She also discovers he got everything he’d want: a hot girlfriend, a fantastic football team, great friends, a future career. It hits home harder that she got none of that. No boyfriend, no friends to speak of... and what career? Though her new friend is making life better. When she’s invited to dinner, she discovers things about this linebacker she never knew. She realizes she got her very own Cinderella moment because of this unexpected dinner. A dinner that will change everything for her future...

"เป็นบ้าหรือไง จู่ๆ ก็มาแก้ผ้าให้ผู้ชายดู!" "เอ้า! ลุงไม่ได้จับหนูมาเพราะอยากทำแบบนี้เหรอ? แก้แค้นไง ลุงบอกว่าหนูทำลุงเสียอนาคต ลุงก็ทำให้หนูเสียอนาคตด้วยสิถึงจะสาสม" "เธอมันประสาท!! ใส่เสื้อผ้าเดี๋ยวนี้!!!"

“Why are you wearing panties?” he growled dangerously in my ear, sending a shiver of fear down my spine. “Did you forget that I told you not to wear them and to always be ready for me in our bed?” My heart raced. I didn’t want to provoke my husband, his rage was an unpleasant one. Alessandro Valentino, the Mafia lord of Western Italy—my husband. I had been so exhausted and sick lately that I had forgotten everything he had said. Alessandro was undeniably wealthy and handsome, but he was also incredibly dangerous. Upsetting him could lead to serious consequences—like a bullet to the head. Our marriage wasn’t a mutual one; it was an arranged union. Alessandro married me because his grandfather insisted on it. I was an orphan who had saved his grandfather’s life, and he believed I was the perfect bride for his grandson. When Alessandro resisted, his grandfather threatened to disown him, stripping him of all his inheritance, including the Mafia empire and Valentino Enterprises. His grandfather was a strong figure in the Mafia, and no one dared defy him, at least no one who valued their lives did. From the start, Alessandro didn’t care for me; he often called me a gold digger and never missed a chance to express his disdain. I lay there, his burning gaze fixed on me as he pressed his naked body against mine softly. My skin reacted involuntarily to his touch, but then he tore my panties away and entered me without warning, making me cry out in pain. I wasn’t prepared for this; I had no intention of having sex tonight.

"Don't deny it. You want it." Killian said to me, stroking the nape of my neck with his thumb. His face is so close to mine and I forgot to breathe. I gasped when he pushed my dress higher, revealing my thighs to him and let his hands rest between my thighs. I tilted my head to the side to avoid his lustful gaze, penetrating deep into my soul. "Your body craves it." He said, firing kisses down my neck till his lips touched my hard, naked nipples. That sent shivers down my spine. My body erupted with goosebumps and I exhaled sharply. I want to speak, but I can't. He has that much effect on me. His tongue played with my nipples and I mewled. That felt so good. "You want me as much as I want you." He whispered with his lips pressed on my skin. I shouldn't be doing this. I know I should stay away from this man but how can I when he invades my thoughts daily? When he's the only one my body wants. It's frustrating because no matter how hard I try, I can't say no to him. And I am this close to making the worst mistake of my life. I swallowed, trying to fathom the words out.His fingers brushed my core and I jerked forward, pressing my body on his. "I don't want you." "You're lying." He said, playing with the strap of my thong with a lazy finger. My eyes rolled back in my socket with pleasure. I am lying but he's making it so hard. "We shouldn't be doing this, Killian." Killian? Do I really have the right to call him that? "Give me one reason why and I won't touch you." "Because you're my best friend's Fiance."

Luna Astrid had been a faithful and dedicated partner to Alpha Jarvis and the entire Emberclaw pack. She took care of the pack when Jarvis was away. She was happy when she learned that Jarvis would be coming home. She waited, only for him to come back with a lady he claimed was his fated mate. Astrid was torn apart. Yet, Jarvis assured her that bringing another woman to the pack wouldn't change anything between them. A situation occurred, and Astrid was accused of theft. She pleaded innocent, but no one listened. She was subjected to the walk of shame, forced to walk naked in front of the entire pack. With certainty that her world had come to an end, the twisted and dark alpha of the Shadowfen pack took her in. He trained her, and she became one of the best warriors in Veridian. When tragedy struck the Emberclaw pack, Jarvis ran to the Shadowfen pack to ask for help. "How dare you ask for my help after what you let them did to me?" Astrid demanded. "I'm sorry, Astrid. I was lost and following the pack orders. You should come home." Jarvis pleaded on his knees. "I'm sorry to disappoint you. Astrid belongs to me and to the Shadowfen Pack." Soren pulled Astrid to his side, not willing to let her go. Would Astrid go back to her pack, to the man she once loved or stay with the man that had saved her?

“Hm. Sounds like this little mouse wants to play. I can’t promise you more than tonight, Emerald, but let’s not deny we both want this,” his silky voice overwhelms me as he gently strokes my hair behind my shoulders. I do want this. I want him. Hell, even my wolf is jumping around in the back of my mind in excitement. What do I have to lose? After tonight, this would mean nothing to him. And I can say I did something for myself for once. This doesn’t have to be anything but one night. “What do you want, Sir?” I ask him softly. With no warning, he crashes his lips into mine. -------------- Emerald Patience Stone is the second eldest of the five Stone Sisters. Known for her strengths as a strategist, Emmy excels in thinking one step ahead of her opponents. As smart and strategic as she is, she couldn't foresee being used and turned down by men. Accepting her fate as always being second-choice, Emmy makes a plan to go out on her own and pursue her own dreams, rather than sacrificing her wants for her family, again. That plan is ruined when Emmy is, once again, asked to help her family forge an alliance with another pack, to help defend against a shared enemy. Alpha Vincenzo is the distant, but caring, Alpha of the Forza Pack. With a dark past, he has accepted that he is destined for a life alone- filling his evenings with meaningless one-night stands. After all, he is cursed, and won't risk hurting anyone else. Will Emmy and Vincenzo be able to defeat the enemy lurking in the shadows? Will they open themselves to the possibility of love once more? Book 2 of The Stone Sister Series: Book 1: Fearing Fate