Placating Gesture

Lilly Riverwood, daughter of Alpha Mick and Luna Harmony, lives in the shadow of her brother Luka, the heir to the Riverwood werewolf pack. Unlike most Alpha offspring, Lilly isn't power-hungry or interested in pack politics. She's a talented violinist who has gained fame in both human and werewolf societies worldwide. Standing tall at 5'9", Lilly is unusually tall for a she-wolf. She finds herself constantly avoiding her brother's overprotective nature and the scheming she-wolves who try to befriend her solely to get closer to Luka. While her brother enjoys popularity as the Alpha heir and football team captain, Lilly prefers a quieter life focused on her violin, studies, and helping at the pack's preschool. Under her mother's guidance, Lilly has been training to become a future Luna, as her mother believes she's destined to mate with an Alpha from another pack. The only thing Lilly truly does for herself is playing the violin, having no genuine friends except Emma, Rachel, and Mia. Lilly's routine is disrupted when a mysterious new Alpha heir named Axel Blackthorn joins her Advanced Music Theory class. After she performs a violin piece that captivates the class, Axel approaches her and shows interest, kissing her hand in front of everyone. This unexpected gesture sends the school's rumor mill into overdrive. When confronted by Kendra, the self-proclaimed future Luna of the Riverwood Pack, and her posse about Axel's attention, Lilly finally snaps and declares that, unlike them, she doesn't aspire to be someone's Luna—she just wants to be left alone with her violin and her music.

Viren, the main character of the story, has a complex history that has led him to hold a strong aversion to romantic commitment. As the only son of industrialist Rai Bahadur, he carries the weight of responsibility, as the CEO of the family company. Despite being perceived as a shrewd and ruthless businessman, Viren possesses a deeply caring and considerate nature, especially when it comes to his family and loved ones. His tall, well-built stature and sharp features make him a highly sought-after eligible bachelor, but his past has left him wary of commitments and hesitant to embrace love. In stark contrast, Priya is a vibrant, middle-class woman who works as an assistant to Rai Bahadur. She is kind-hearted, devoted to her family and possesses beauty and intelligence. The story progresses with Viren expressing concern for Priya's scepticism and offering to help her with her problems. Priya then shares her family's financial challenges, including her brother-in-law demanding money and her father's mounting medical expenses, which she struggles to meet with her salary. In a heartfelt gesture of support, Viren offers to arrange the necessary funds for Priya if she agrees to a paper marriage, as his father's critical condition compels him to settle down. He grants Priya two days to consider his proposal. Despite their initial reservations, they unexpectedly find themselves falling in love with each other. Unaware of each other's feelings, they continue to navigate the complexities of their awkward and initially unwanted relationship. According to their contract, they eventually decide to dissolve their marriage after the completion of a year. However, following their separation, they both come to realize their true feelings for each other. The question arises: will they proceed with the divorce despite their newfound understanding, or will they find a way back to each other?

Welbeck was the epitome of an eligible son-in-law. He was successful in his career, financially stable, kind-hearted, and always put his family first. He had been with his girlfriend, Keira, for three years and was ready to take the next step in their relationship. Keira's parents had high expectations for their daughter's future husband and were initially skeptical of Welbeck. However, he slowly won them over with his respectful manners, genuine interest in their family traditions, and admiration for their daughter. Welbeck also went out of his way to bond with Keira's younger brother, who had initially been hesitant about his older sister's new boyfriend. Welbeck was a successful entrepreneur who started his own business and had a great reputation in his industry. However, he never let his work consume him, always made time for Keira, and was supportive of her career aspirations. Additionally, Welbeck had a strong sense of family values, which was essential to Keira's parents. He not only took the time to get to know her family but also made an effort to connect them with his own family. Keira's parents were impressed by Welbeck's ability to balance his professional life with his commitment to his family. What set Welbeck apart from other potential son-in-laws was his genuine love and care for Keira. He was attentive to her needs, made her laugh, and always put her first. Keira's parents saw that Welbeck was more than just a good match, but the perfect partner for their daughter. In the end, Welbeck proposed to Keira in a grand gesture that embodied all of the qualities they valued. Keira's family was thrilled to have him as their future son-in-law, and they knew that Welbeck would continue to make Keira happy for years to come.

My sister, Fiona Miller, has recently opened a luxury spa for business. As such, I bring Dad along to check it out. Of course, we pick the most expensive treatment package available. But barely a few presses from the male therapist, and Dad feels a sharp pain in his chest and can't seem to breathe properly. All the color drains from his face, and cold sweat starts beading on his forehead. I call the manager over, but he seems annoyed. "Oh, he just has poor blood circulation. He'll be fine after the massage. That's just a normal reaction." I can't believe what I'm hearing. "My father has a heart condition. What are you lot even doing to him?" The manager, Seth Zeller, explodes as if I've insulted him and raises his voice. "That's his own pre-existing condition. How is that our problem? We run a legitimate business here. No refunds once treatment begins. Got it?" I gesture at the credentials displayed on the wall. "I don't see your name anywhere up there. You're not even certified. Is this the kind of operation Fiona's running?" Seth folds his arms across his chest, looking down his nose at us. "I'm the boss here. You and your dad look broke as hell. I can tell you're just trying to get a free massage and walk out without paying." "Let me spell it out for you. This package is 38,000 dollars. Adding in the cost of my emotional distress and lost time, the total is 100,000 dollars. Pay up now, or I'm having you both arrested." A massage that almost kills Dad costs 100,000 dollars? So that's why Fiona was suddenly so eager to open this spa. As it turns out, she and her boyfriend are running a fraud scheme. I reach for my phone to call her, but Seth is already making a video call. "Babe, you need to get here right now. A couple of deadbeats are trying to get a free massage and walk away without paying."