Reluctant Crossword Clue

I'm Caleb Jennings. When I announce my early retirement, everyone in the city cheers. Only Nathan Sloan, my junior from the police academy, who claims to be able to see things from the criminal's perspective, panics at the news. During the party organized in his honor, he openly states his intention to find me. "I owe my success to the guidance Caleb Jennings has provided me all along. I hope everyone can help me find him and bring him back into the police force." Scoffing, I choose to ignore that. … In my previous life, I was the celebrated captain of a criminal investigation team. Yet, whenever I uncovered a clue, Nathan, a rookie in the city police department, would announce it first, beating me to it. After multiple incidents like this, everyone started saying that I was past my prime. To prove myself, I worked myself to the bone for three months before finally locating the hideout of a human trafficking ring. However, when I arrived on the scene with my team, Nathan had already swept through the place. He was launched into stardom, becoming the rising star detective that everyone adored. As for me, the public mercilessly tore me apart, labeling me as incompetent and shaming me. Due to the pressure from work and the negative public opinion directed at me, my mind was distracted. I ended up getting killed while hunting down the remnants of the trafficking ring. When I open my eyes again, I find that I'd gone back in time—to the day we launch a raid on the human traffickers' hideout.

Ember accepted her lot in life. On the run, she only wishes to find out the truth behind her dreams and solve the memory of her past. Keegan has only cared about protecting his pack, but when he sees the beauty dancing on stage and the flicker of flames in her eyes his body screams, Mate! Can Keegan tame the flames of Ember and together solve the mystery of her missing past? Or will they all burn together? Excerpt: “This is the reason I’m always tired,” I think to myself. Twenty-four years of coming here and still not a single clue, but every time I close my eyes, I return to this place. I know my surroundings perfectly. Oddly the place is beautiful to the eyes. The old house sat among flowers growing around all sides. The aroma of honeysuckle and jasmine fill my lungs filling me with a moment's peace. I’m sitting in my usual spot. Gripping the ropes of a swing in the front yard held by a large oak tree. Waiting I begin pushing my legs back and forth sending me in motion. I know something is about to happen. It happens every night. The house moves in front of my eyes. I see the shadows coming, but I don’t stop swinging. They are black as night but I can see smiles within the shadow grinning bright. “What is this place!” I cry, fed up with this nightly repetition, but no sound emerges. A noise can be heard from the back of the house. One of the shadows turns toward it. I jump down to follow only to have the other shadow hold me back. “Don’t go. Not yet. Listen to me!”

You are the bane to my existence, Ethan. Always hovering over me, dictating my life. But I won't let you control my heart." "Oh, Ava, if you only knew the chaos you've stirred within me. You challenge me in ways I never thought possible. I'm captivated by your spirit, your unwavering determination. Let me show you a love that defies expectations, a love that is entirely our own." "I'm not one to be easily swayed by words, Ethan. I need actions, true intentions. Prove to me that this arrangement isn't just another game of power and control." **** In the dazzling world of high society, Ava Sinclair is a force to be reckoned with—a fiercely independent woman who defies conventions and fights for her dreams. But when an arranged marriage binds her to Ethan Morgan, a brooding and enigmatic billionaire, her carefully constructed world is turned upside down. Ava resents the idea of being tied to a man she barely knows, and Ethan is equally reluctant to enter into a loveless union. Yet, as they navigate the intricacies of their forced arrangement, they find themselves drawn to each other in ways they never anticipated. As their initial animosity gives way to unexpected sparks, Ava and Ethan discover a connection that transcends their obligations. But with their families and society watching their every move, will they have the courage to defy tradition and pursue their own desires? Amidst grand balls, scandalous secrets, and whispered gossip, Ava and Ethan must navigate the treacherous waters of high society and their own guarded hearts. Will they succumb to the pressure of societal expectations, or will they dare to chase the love that sets their souls on fire?

Eloise Muir is a young, energetic woman. She has everything in her which makes any man kneel to her. Working in a News Firm, she had encountered many admirers and turned down their proposals elegantly. But, her one co-worker, David Cooper was reluctant to accept her refusal, hence, he kept finding every way to please her and help her in anything she wanted no matter how cold or indifferent she would act to him. After Eloise's trip to Germany, she was supposed to return alone but she returned with an unexpected boyfriend who soon turned into her loving husband. After the delightful rollercoaster of events in Eloise's life, she returned to her work as a Married Woman looking more sexy, confident, and beautiful, but she didn't know that there was someone waiting eagerly for her return. On her first day at her job as a Married Woman, Eloise and the seven members of her staff got kidnapped by none other than David. He felt betrayed by Eloise and was eager to punish her, to make her realize that no one except him could give him the best pleasure of her life. Seven Days, Seven Hostages. One Hundred and Sixty-Eight Hours, Will Eloise be able to survive in those terrible hours and days of her life? Will she be able to resist the temptation of David and betray her husband? Will she be able to make wise decisions that would save her and her colleagues' lives, or would she be drowned in David’s lustful games?

"Fangs, Friends, and Fumbling Feelings." 
 "What’s scarier—falling for your best friend or turning into a werewolf?” Dale thought coming out to his parents was the hardest thing he'd ever do. Then, he turned into a werewolf. With his best friend, Kirk—a self-appointed expert in bad advice and a fabulous wardrobe—by his side, Dale must navigate love, fur, and family drama… without biting anyone’s head off. All Dale had wanted was a little night out, but when a mysterious bite left him with strange urges and even stranger body hair, he realized his life just got much hairier. With his best friend Kirk, who’s more than happy to point out every supernatural misstep, Dale is plunged into a werewolf love triangle that pits him against tradition, transformation, and a particularly hunky alpha named Juke. As Dale fumbles through newfound powers (and fur), he has to figure out if love is worth the bite or if he’s doomed to be the next gay virgin martyr of the werewolf world. One thing’s for sure: Dale’s love life is about to get beastly! After a disastrous night out, Dale wakes up to find he’s gone from worrying about his rent to worrying about his claws. Now, with Kirk playing cheerleader and reluctant werewolf coach, Dale must decide between life as a lone wolf or rolling with the pack (and the ridiculously attractive alpha Juke). In this romcom packed with supernatural mishaps and laugh-out-loud twists, Dale learns that sometimes, love bites—and he just might like it.

“What are you going to do with him? Take him back???" Brion demanded, his gaze incredulous. "Take him back?" I scoffed, a smirk coming over my face as I stared at the picture in my hand.  "I have no plans to do that, BRION. I want him to fall for me, then push him down like he did to me. I want to make him feel the pain I passed through in his hands." I got to my feet and threw the picture on the floor. "It's time he dances to the tune of his music," I gritted out as I stomped hard on the picture. *** A loveless marriage wasn't part of Nova's plans for the future, but a one-night stand with a stranger changed her life forever. Bound to a man, who only saw her as a means to an end, Nova tried to salvage the relationship. However, things spiralled out of control with the return of his ex-girlfriend, and first love, and the realization that Nova was pregnant.  Her life was threatened, but she survived with the help of her secret admirer, who took care of her for five years until she was ready to stand on her feet. However, a business deal took her back to the country she left years ago.  With her return, Nova was ready to prove to the world that she didn't need her ex-husband by her side, but Dashiell was desperate. Knowing how much he loved her, he was reluctant to let go. But Nova wasn't ready to take him back, not until she had made him experience the heartache of those years ago.

"It's a pity you can't talk," he leaned closer, his voice low and husky, sending a shiver down my spine. I pushed him away, my hands trembling with fear. He shifted back almost immediately, his eyes narrowing as he stared down at me like I had done something outrageous. I looked around frantically, trying to communicate with him. But my gaze fell on space, and I realized that I was alone with this stranger in a desolate, unfamiliar room. My eyes scanned the room again, weakly, searching for any clue, any hint of what was going on. But there was nothing. Just as I was starting to feel desperate, his face appeared before me again, making me startle. I jerked back, my heart racing, as he asked, "What are you looking for? Wouldn't you like to know about me?" My fist shook as I gestured to him, trying to convey that I wanted to write, that I needed a paper and pen to communicate. His eyes widened as he stared at me, a look of surprise crossing his face. "You...you're not scared of me?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. ******** Sage, an omega in the Moonstone Pack, is rejected by her best friend and lover on her coronation day. After being accused of cheating on her lover. No matter how she tried to explain she was innocent she wasn't heard. Instead, he banished her out of the pack and decided to go for his real fated mate. But things change for Sage when she is saved by the alpha beast, the one alpha no other pack wants to cross down to his territory. The one alpha everyone calls a Beast.

At the bachelor party the night before the wedding, the truth-or-dare penalty was brutal—show the most hidden photo on your phone. Gina, Peter's so-called "girl bro," lost. She just grinned and cast her screen onto the big TV. A marriage license filled the screen, stamped by the county clerk. Names: Peter Cooke and Gina Draper. Date: yesterday. The room went dead silent. I stared at Peter's drained face. Gina didn't flinch. She patted his shoulder. "Oops. Guess you found out. Joey, don't take it seriously. Just a dumb bet. I wanted to see what the county clerk's office looked like, so I dared Peter to register a marriage with me." She leaned in, eyes on me like I was the joke. "You're still getting your wedding tomorrow. The vows, the ceremony. I just borrowed your fiancé for a stamp. Don't tell me you're jealous of his buddy." Peter jumped up and pulled me in. "Babe, listen. You're the only one in my heart. It was just a joke." He pulled out the diamond ring, dropped to one knee. "I'll file for divorce first thing tomorrow. It won't mess up our noon wedding. Invites are already out. Don't make this a scene in front of my friends. Once we're married, all my money's yours, okay?" I smiled. He had no clue how any of this worked. Didn't even know divorce came with a thirty-day wait. I didn't take the ring. I pulled out my phone and blasted a group text canceling the wedding.

Malin Holstin is the daughter of Liam and Angel Holstin and the twin sister of Quinn. She and her sister are the 5th and 6th children born to her parents. After her brother took over as Alpha, her older sister became the acting Luna until Rich found his mate. Malin has led a charmed life, always protected by her father and three older brothers, never needing to take on much of a role in the pack since first Leana, then Emlyn, took the role of Luna. Cohen Forte is the second child and first son of Cara and Rik Forte. He took over as Alpha nearly a year and a half ago. His pack is well established and is flourishing. The only thing he is missing is his Luna. Cohen realizes that Malin is his mate before she’s old enough to feel the pull of the mate bond. He and one of his friends and fellow Alphas, Emerson, realized that they are each mated to one of the twins. While Cohen has been around Guardians all his life, not only his mother and sister, but also having been raised with the neighboring packs who also had Guardian children, it’s very different when you realize that your mate is a Guardian, especially when she’s assigned to your pack right before a war. Malin may inherently know how to fight and protect her mate and pack, but she has no clue how to be a Luna. Cohen couldn’t care less about her lack of knowledge, he’s just thrilled to finally have his mate know that she belongs to him. Can Malin learn what it takes to be a good Luna so that she can be the mate that Cohen deserves and the Luna that this pack desires?

Amelia Kai was her name. She was born into an Alpha's home and was chosen as the successor of the Alpha throne as a Luna. Amelia has a friend called Elias who she made a promise to that she'll always protect him and never forget him no matter what but on Amelia's coronation day, the Pack was attacked and she was killed. Due to the promise she made to Elias and the avengance spirit she had, her soul didn't rest so she decided to be reborn and Eighteen years later a female soldier who was the replica of the dead Luna was found in the human city and her name was Rihanna James. Rihanna knew nothing about what was living in her but she started to get some clue after she clocked Eighteen. Six month later after the Soldiers holiday, Rihanna returned to the school of soldiers but she started getting a wierd feeling her. She becomes angry anytime she looses in training and she craves meat alot. She later discovered that she was once born as a werewolf years back through one of her fellow Soldiers named Ayesha and she got to meet Elias again, though she could not remember him at first, she remembered later through the promise that kept ringing in her ear and Elias had stop ageing so he looked like how he was eighteen years ago. Her pack was being ruled by her parents rival "brown rocks." With Elias as her mate, she unlocked her inner wolf once again and Rihanna allowed Amelia to borrow her body. After they fought and won the war, Rihanna returned to the city and told her family about everything then took them to Amelia's pack.