Painted Scars Neva Altaj

Mature Content! Trigger warnings, violence and smut “I'll make you crave the darkness and beg for my salvation," he growls, his voice laced with both danger and desire. My eyes blazing with defiance, meets his gaze head-on. “I won't be owned by anyone, especially not a dangerous man like you.” my voice waver, barely a whisper. In the gritty underbelly of the city, where power, danger and secrets collide, an unlikely connection blooms amidst darkness and despair. Romeo Valentino, a dominant force in the mafia world, battles his inner demon, his alter ego seeking control. When he lays eyes on the enigmatic Julia, a fire ignites within him, compelling him to possess her, body and soul. Julia, a woman shrouded in mystery, harbors her own scars, her path intertwined with Romeo’s in unexpected ways. Drawn to his power and dominance, she fights the magnetic pull between them, even as her heart begs for his touch. As their paths entwine, passion blazes between them, fanning the flames of a love that could destroy them both. Will they find solace and salvation in each other's arms, or will their dark secrets tear them apart?

Evelyn thought marrying Jason meant finding love, a home, and a family to call her own. But reality turned out crueler than her dreams. Scarred from saving her son and silently bearing the weight of sacrifice — including giving Jason one of her kidneys — she is now nothing more than a shadow in her own home. To the world, she is just a maid. To her son Liam, she’s an embarrassment. And to her husband? A secret. Ignored. Unloved. Unwanted. Jason hides their marriage to protect his image, while openly entertaining Ivy — the woman everyone believes is Liam’s real mother. Evelyn’s once-kind son now cruelly compares her to Ivy, mocking her scars and weight. But the final blow comes the day she discovers them celebrating Liam’s birthday — without her. Heartbroken and drunk, Evelyn ends up having a one-night stand with a stranger… only to later discover he’s the company’s new boss — and Ivy’s brother. As Evelyn begins to fight for herself, uncovering her hidden strength and quiet dignity, secrets start to unravel. But how much pain can one woman endure before she finally says: Enough?

Born into a world of pain and betrayal, Winnie never knew love—only survival. Abandoned by a father who never cared, tormented by a stepmother who sold her innocence for profit, and forced into a life she never chose, she learned that mercy was a luxury she could never afford. When her only family—her beloved brother—is ripped from her, Winnie is left with nothing but the scars of her past and the fire of revenge burning in her soul. She refuses to be another victim, refuses to be just another forgotten girl. With the help of Carter, a man with his own demons, and Michael, a protector forged in blood, she fights back. But Damien—the monster who ruled the shadows of her life—won’t let go so easily. He built his empire on broken lives, and he won’t fall without a war. As Winnie uncovers the secrets that could destroy him, she must decide: will she run, or will she burn everything down with him? “shattered chain” is a harrowing tale of survival, revenge, and the power of resilience. In a world where monsters wear human faces, Winnie must break free from the past—or be consumed by it. Will she rise, or will the darkness finally claim her?

"I, Raelin, . eject you, Lucan Trent, as my mate and future Alpha King." She thought that would be her freedom. Instead, it was her sentence to death. Aria was born an Omega- but not just any Omega. She's the unwanted daughter of a ruthless Alpha, abused for her silence and punished for her intuition. When she uncovers a dark betrayal that threatens her entire pack, her courage costs her everything: her name, her bloodline, her home. Banished and broken, she's chased through the woods like prey until fate hurls her into the arms of Kael Thorne, the fearsome Alpha of the Nightborne Pack. A warrior king with eyes like ash and a soul forged in fire. He should have torn her apart. Instead... he spares her. "Why didn't you run?" "Because you looked at me like I wasn't disposable." But Kael isn't just a protector. He's a man with secrets of his own, haunted by blood, prophecy, and the scars of his past. And Aria--trembling, defiant, irresistible-is the one thing that unravels his control. In a kingdom where Omegas are pawns, and Alpha bloodlines must remain untainted, their bond is more than forbidden--it's a threat to everything

In the heart of the opulent Veridian Heights, two souls from opposite ends of the spectrum are drawn together by forces beyond their control, setting the stage for a love story as tumultuous as it is irresistible. Meet Mace Sinclair, a formidable business mastermind with a ruthless edge, a genius mind, and a grin that could seduce the devil himself. The heir to the city's most influential dynasty, he thrives on control, power, and dominance. Yet beneath his cold, manipulative exterior lies a man haunted by a tragic past, and a thirst for redemption he never thought possible. Then there's Nysaa Everhart, a spirited and sharp-tongued troublemaker who refuses to bow to anyone. Beneath her fearless facade, she carries the scars of a painful history that has left her with trust issues and a determination to never rely on anyone but herself. Her unyielding spirit and unpredictable nature make her a force to be reckoned with. When their paths collide, the sparks of conflict ignite a slow-burning desire that neither can deny. Mace, in a twisted game of power, coerces Nysaa into taking care of his defiant niece, Seraphina, as payback for her challenges. As they navigate the forced proximity and constant battles of wills, their banter evolves into something deeper and more dangerous. Can they withstand it? Can they withstand the haunting clutches of their past?

One scorching night was all it took for the ruthless billionaire…Damien Voss to haunt Isabella Barnes' dreams. He took her body, shattered her trust, and vanished, leaving her with scars deeper than the secret she buried alone. Now, on a Christmas getaway meant to heal her, Isabella wakes in chains. Her captor? The same man who ruined her. Damien mistakes her for the daughter of his sworn rival and vows to break her as leverage in his brutal corporate war. But as days bleed into nights of dark pleasure and forbidden surrender, the truth unravels: he's been hunting those unforgettable eyes ever since that fateful night. And he has no intention of letting her go. Trapped in his luxurious prison, Isabella fights the pull of his possessive touch. But still, anger and pain burns in her veins... until his obsession awakens something twisted and intoxicating in her own soul. Once he claims her, escape isn't an option…she might not even want it. In a world of betrayal, deadly rivals, and unrelenting passion, will she shatter her captor when she discovers that he’s the same man that has haunted her dreams for years...or become his forever?

Mina endured unimaginable pain—physically, mentally, and sexually abused by her own mother and stepfather. When she was finally rescued and placed under the care of her real father, her life slowly began to change. But the scars of her past refused to fade. The nightmares still haunted her, pulling her back to the darkness she desperately wanted to escape. And no matter how hard she tried, the dream of living a normal, peaceful life always seemed just out of reach. Because peace, it seemed, was never meant for her. Kristoff and Kenobi Sandoval—two brothers burning with hatred for Mina’s biological mother—decided to make her the target of their rage. Kenobi made it his mission to turn her college life into a nightmare. No matter what she did, no matter how hard she tried to stay out of his way, he always found an excuse to bully and humiliate her. Then there was Kristoff. The complete opposite of his brother. He was her unexpected protector—the one who always stepped in to shield her from Kenobi’s cruelty. But behind his gentle facade was a secret agenda, a hidden motive for getting close. And Mina, once again, finds herself caught in the middle of a game she never wanted to play.

One look. One kiss. And a scandal. That was all it took for her well planned life to take a drastic turn. Vivienne Reynolds has spent almost a decade of her life in the shadows with only three things on her agenda. Taking care of her mom Staying out of the spotlight and avoiding the cameras Never trusting anyone But one night was all it required for her life to be upended and become entangled with Hollywood royalty and heartthrob; Liam Pryce. At first glance, Vivienne knew that this man was going to be trouble because he came with everything she solely avoided. The good looks, fat bank account and worst of all; the cameras. A part of Vivi wanted to trust him because he rekindled that part that sent her pulse racing with every glance and sinful touch. However, the other part of her—the part that has been burnt and scarred because she had trusted the wrong people warned her against it. It had been what got her into this mess in the first place. In the battle between caution and chemistry, Vivienne will have to choose between risking everything for the man who is determined to never let her go and letting the scars of her past dictate her future. N/B: Reader's discretion is highly advised.

Aria Moonvale was born to be Luna—until the night her mate chose her best friend. Humiliated before her pack and betrayed by the bond she trusted, Aria shattered her mating bond and fled, carrying scars that would never heal. The Moon Goddess stayed silent. Fate turned cruel. Wounded and hunted, Aria crossed into forbidden Lycan territory, where mercy was rare and kings were monsters. There, she met Ronan Blackfang—the Lycan King feared across all lands. Cold. Ruthless. Untouchable. One night destroyed the walls she built. By morning, Aria ran again—this time carrying a secret powerful enough to shake kingdoms. Five years later, Aria lives in hiding with her triplets, children born with ancient power and the unmistakable blood of a king. She believes she has escaped fate. She is wrong. When Ronan finally finds her, he doesn’t beg. He doesn’t ask. He claims. Betrayals resurface. War brews. The Moon Goddess reveals the truth too late. And Aria must face the mate she never wanted—and the destiny she cannot outrun—as the Lycan King’s secret triplets awaken their true power.

"You're... oh," I whispered, my eyes rolling back as his lips found that irresistible spot on my neck. "You’re mated!" I gasped, barely finding my voice. Julian's eyes burned with a golden fire as he nodded. "You’re still mine, Avery. I want to own every inch of your body and soul." His words swept away my senses, rekindling feelings I thought had died three years ago. How could he say that and not make my heart flutter? But I hadn't learned my lesson then and feared I still hadn't. _________ My mate chose another woman, parading their love in front of me and shattering my heart into pieces. The pain was unbearable—I lost our baby and, with it, the last hope that he might one day love me. The harsh truth that he never cherished me cut more profound than any wound, leaving scars that time couldn’t heal. Three years later, fate brought us together again in the most unexpected way. Despite the pain and every warning in my mind, I find myself drawn to him again.