Shield Drawing

"Melina, my dear," The alpha king declared as he entered the chamber, his voice rich with authority. "The time has come for our union. I would like you to disrobe." In the face of such a demand, Melina stood her ground, her voice unwavering. "I, Melina Haephastus, refuse Your Majesty," she stated firmly as she walked gently backwards. A palpable tension hung heavy in the air, as the king's countenance contorted, a display of surprise mingled with frustration. He strode purposefully towards her, his narrowed eyes fixed upon her. A derisive chuckle escaped his lips as he advanced. "Refuse? You dare to reject the authority of his highness, Melina?" Drawing upon an inner strength, Melina met his gaze, unyielding. "I am more than a mere vessel for an heir, Your Majesty," she asserted, her voice ringing with determination. "I am an individual with my own hopes and aspirations. I will not allow myself to be reduced to a mere breeder." *** Melina, once the niece of a rebel leader who had dared to conspire against the Alpha King in league with outsiders, now found herself a captive within the opulent walls of his palace. The King deemed her the perfect candidate to bear his heir, a role that sought to firmly ensnare her in the machinations of his reign. Against the backdrop of political intrigue and deceptions lurking within the shadows, Melina was faced with a formidable choice. Would she succumb to the shackles of her predetermined destiny? Or would she rise above, unraveling the truths concealed by the threads of conspiracy, and forging her own path? Follow Melina's journey as her determination pushes against the constraints of societal expectations and unveils a web of hidden truths.

[UNDERGOING HEAVY REVISION] Go ahead and check out my other complete and ongoing books. I personally recommend Contracted for the Alpha and Marked by Moonlight. You can thank me later. 😉 "Are you nervous, Miss Bologna?" What the fuck? Did he just read me? I shifted slightly in my seat. "Detective Gunner, you seem to think you know me. But let me assure you, you don't." He shook his head, an inky black curl moving down his forehead. "I might not know you, Miss Bologna, but all one point two million followers don't know you either." A cocky grin crossed his face, drawing my attention to those damn dimples again. I uncrossed my legs and then crossed them again. "It's a necessary precaution." He held his arms up and shrugged. "And I get that. Being the daughter of the wealthy, powerful, notorious Wall Street guru, Dante Bologna has its downsides, I suppose." I glowered at him from underneath my lashes. "Tell me what you want, Detective Gunner." He tucked his phone back into his pants pocket. "I want you to tell me what the fuck is happening in this city." * * * To Love A Bologna is a four-volume series about the trials, temptations, and heart-burning romance of the Bologna family. | This first volume is focused on Nessa, the last and only daughter of the renowned mafia lord, Dante Bologna, and her love interest, Detective James Gunner who is on a quest to catch and destroy the Bologna family. When detective Gunner discovers the truth about the Bolognas, will he be able to go through with his plans? Or will his stolen heart make the choice for him?

In my previous life, my brother took his sugarbaby to see a meteor shower because she said she wanted to. He drove to the countryside with all his bodyguards to create a perfect stargazing night for her. Unfortunately, business rivals whom my brother had bankrupted saw this opportunity and broke into our estate seeking revenge. My mother fought desperately to protect me, suffering severe injuries that left her fighting for her life. I called my brother repeatedly, begging him to return quickly and help us. He finally had to come back with his security team. The intruders were captured, but then terrible news came from the countryside. His sugarbaby had left a suicide note, her fate unknown. In her letter, she accused me of deliberately drawing my brother away, causing her to be tortured by his enemies before she took her own life. My brother coldly burned her letter and told me not to worry about it. Afterward, my brother was blamed for what happened, and my father promised to put me in charge of the company. However, after the celebration dinner ended, my brother brutally murdered me in my bedroom. His face showed no emotion as he coldly said, "Someone as treacherous as you should have died long ago. "You should have been the one to die, and the family inheritance should have been mine!" I died with my eyes wide open in disbelief, and when I opened them again, I could hear our enemies breaking down the front door of our mansion.

Caitlin and Caleb find themselves, once again, back in time—this time, in the London of 1599.

London in 1599 is a wild place, filled with paradoxes: while on the one hand it is an incredibly enlightened, sophisticated time, breeding playwrights like Shakespeare, on the other, it is also barbaric and cruel, with daily public executions, torture, and heads of prisoners impaled on spikes. It is also a time of superstition and grave public danger, with a lack of sanitation, and the Bubonic Plague spreading in the streets, carried by rats.

In this environment Caitlin and Caleb land, on the search for her father, for the third key, for the mythical shield that can save humankind. Their mission takes them through a whirlwind of London’s most amazing medieval architecture, through the British countryside’s most breathtaking castles. It takes them back into the heart of London, where they just might meet Shakespeare himself, and see one of his plays live. It brings them to a little girl, Scarlet, who just might become their daughter. And all the while, Caitlin’s love for Caleb deepens, as finally they are together—and as Caleb might just finally find the perfect time, and place, to propose to her.

Sam and Polly have traveled back, too, and as they find themselves stuck together on their own journey, their relationship deepens, as they each, despite themselves, can’t help feeling more deeply for each other.

But all is not well. Kyle has come back, too, as has his evil sidekick, Sergei, and they are both intent on destroying everything good in Caitlin’s life. It will be a race to the finish, as Caitlin is forced to make some of the hardest decisions of her life if she is to save everyone who is dear to her, save her relationship with Caleb—and try to make it out alive.

“I stood by you when all your family members were against you, when your family members mocked you because the doctor said our child cannot be born I still took the risk and went under the knife to give you a child, you have forgotten who stood by you all these years and just because of a crooked lie and confusion you became so blind and stand before me to threaten me with a divorce paper, I'll sign these papers but I promise you that you'll regret this action someday and for your family members that did this to me, time shall tell” Sarah’s husband’s family teamed up and set her up on bed with a stranger, forged a fake DNA result which says that the child she had for her husband is not his, and lastly they succeeded in causing her husband to Divorce her. He wrote her a cheque of one million dollars as a settlement for their eleven years of being together, but Sarah rejected the cheque and left, she stumbled across the cold, egoistic Army General of the Country and they ended up striking a deal, to be his Acting bride while he gives her power and authority. With these two worlds apart, a heartbroken single mother that's looking for a shield and a roof over her head, a cold powerful Army General who only cares about country affairs and power, what happens when they start developing strong feelings amidst their fake marriage, and Williams comes back to claim his wife and his son. watch as the rich rivals against each other, and power against power, who will Sarah end up choosing a husband she once loved, or the cold General who's slowly stealing her heart.

“Come on, Juliet… it’s time to write a new story.” After years trapped in an abusive marriage, Juliet Pierce finally runs. Alone, with two children and a suitcase full of trauma, she leaves behind the luxury — and George Monroe, the man she once loved — in search of a new beginning. The destination? Manhattan. The plan? Just survive. But everything changes on her first night working as a waitress at Paradise, an exclusive BDSM club where pleasure meets power. Afraid of being recognized, she wears a mask — a shield she desperately needs. And that’s where she crosses paths with Noah Blake: billionaire CEO, relentless Dominant, and co-owner of the club. He sees her. He wants her. He has no idea who she really is… yet. Days later, Juliet applies for a position as Noah’s assistant. This time, she’s not wearing a mask — and he starts putting the pieces together. Juliet wants distance. Noah wants to tame her. “I do love a challenge,” he says. Juliet is everything he never expected: funny, bold, intense — fragile on the outside, but with eyes that reveal how untamed she truly is. He wants her on her knees. She wants to prove she can love without losing herself. What begins as a dangerous arrangement becomes a quiet war between fear and desire, past and redemption. But Juliet’s past is closer than she thinks. And when it resurfaces to haunt her, she’ll have to choose: surrender… or fight for herself — and maybe, for the love of a man who swore he would never love. “It was in that moment I realized I was about to discover: Whether this would be a nightmare… or the best experience of my life.”

"Let's make a contract. I will help you get revenge and you cure me. What do you think?" Vincenzo's deep voice rang out, drawing her out of her misery. "Cure? How do I do that?" She asked, feeling determined yet confused. "All you need to do is have sex with me" Bang! Ariana Scott never thought she would fall in love with another person other than her fiance or be filled with a taste for revenge towards him after five years of relationship! Being cheated upon and almost dying from the plots of her fiance, Ariana was caught between her pride and her taste for revenge. Nevertheless, she was never going to forgive him so she vowed to take revenge by pairing up with Vincenzo Alberto, her boss and savior. Vincenzo, hot and dashing young billionaire known for his ruthlessness and cold attitude towards women, finally found a solution to his long hidden illness which only the strange girl who works for him can cure. Seeing her desperation for revenge, he offered her help but under one condition. The illness can only be cured when they have sex. Burning for revenge, Ariana agreed in exchange for revenge. What would happen when this revenge-cum sex contract marriage began sinking into an ocean filled with love? Was Ariana ready for another ride in love or would she continue to stick to the contract that had her bound to the dashing hot billionaire? Seeing how he was slowly falling for his cure, what would Vincenzo do to turn this strange contract into something worth more? Find out in this mind-blowing and revenge-filled story from the billionaire's contracted wife!

Eleanor's heart pounded as Armando backed her into a corner, his eyes dark and unrelenting. "Why do you keep resisting me, Eleanor?" he asked, his voice a low threat. She tried to pull away, but his grip on her wrist tightened. "I won't be your possession, Armando." A slow, dangerous smirk curled on his lips. "We'll see about that." His hand snaked around her waist, pulling her against him, the warmth of his body making it hard to think straight. Before she could protest, his mouth claimed hers, fierce and demanding. She wanted to fight, but the intensity of his kiss shattered her defenses. Her hands, instead of pushing him away, gripped his shoulders, drawing him closer. When he finally pulled back, they were both breathless. "You can lie to yourself all you want," Armando whispered against her ear, his breath sending shivers down her spine, "but you can't deny what's between us." Eleanor's heart raced with conflicting emotions, knowing he was right-and hating herself for how much she wanted him. * * * * * * Eleanor's life spirals out of control when she is sold to Armando, a merciless Mafia boss. Their fiery confrontations spark a powerful and dangerous connection neither can deny. As betrayal and threats close in from every direction, Eleanor must decide if she can trust the man who holds her captive or if their growing bond will destroy them both. In a world of ruthless power struggles, love becomes the ultimate risk.

After being accepted into Doctors Without Borders, I handed over the position of Chief at the capital’s hospital to Elaine Brown. My best friend frowned at me. "You’re destroying any chance of a future with Jeffrey if you go.” I gave him a faint smile. "I'm just returning him to the woman he's always had in his heart." In my previous life, Jeffrey Carter and I were the infamous bickering couple everyone in our circle knew to avoid. He resented me for refusing to replace Elaine when she applied to join Doctors Without Borders. She later caught an infection and died on the job. I resented him for his hypocrisy. If he loved Elaine so much, why did he agree to my parents' demands to care for me for the rest of our lives? We spent seven years of marriage together, yet the best we ever wished for each other was a miserable death. However, amid the gunfire and chaos on the battlefield, he used his last ounce of strength to shield me completely when his heart was pierced by a bullet. "I've arranged for someone to meet you. Once the sweep ends, run. You must survive!" he whispered, his voice fading. "I'll protect you fully in this life… and in the next, we’ll never meet. "Elaine, I'm doing this for you." However, the bomb dropped from above gave us no chance to escape, and we were both annihilated. When I opened my eyes, I had returned to the eve of our wedding. Jeffrey… In this life, I would fulfill your wish.

In a world teeming with danger, Nicole Parish's life takes an abrupt and forceful twist, leaving her at the mercy of a single man: Shane Ryder. For four years, Nicole's father kept her hidden away in the UK, determined to shield her from the perils that awaited her. Unbeknownst to her, her father's seemingly ordinary business fronted a notorious drug empire, and she was the coveted daughter of a dangerous drug lord. The truth remains concealed until the day she returns home, unravelling a web of chaos. Shane Ryder, the enigmatic kingpin of America's most powerful mafia, has long sought vengeance against Drake Parish. A betrayal born from a simple misunderstanding fuels his desire to see Drake pay. Nobody in America dares to cross Shane Ryder without facing dire consequences. He controls not just the underworld, but also the police and even the government. Nicole is a captivating beauty, with a complexion that hints at fiery passion and dark brown eyes that ensnare unsuspecting souls with a single glance. Shane, on the other hand, is a charismatic Greek god sent from the depths of hell, with icy, piercing blue eyes that freeze his enemies in their tracks. Ruthlessness defines him, and refusal is not an option. He is the epitome of a hardened badass, willing to go to any lengths to maintain his mafia's iron grip on American soil. She represents fire, while he personifies ice. The story unfolds as they clash with disdain, hurling insults and inflicting pain upon each other. One is drawn into a world darker than she ever imagined, while the other ruthlessly rules over his kingdom of shadows. Yet, what transpires between them defies expectations, as their relationship blossoms into something entirely unforeseen by both parties.