Shippuden Opening 9

The uprising killed the royal Cardinal family. The Cardinals were magic wielders and had ruled for over five hundred years with an iron fist. Eventually, the humans waged war against wielders and shifters. They overthrew the crown, branding all non-human beings as Unnaturals and leaving them to fend for themselves in a broken world. Ida has spent those last ten years since the uprising sold from one household to another, never able to repay her indenture. The situation, although not ideal, has offered her a second chance at life. A life in hiding was better than no life at all, and she did not wish to suffer the same fate as others of her kind. Sold into the services of Duke Kestrel, she meets a seductive yet mysterious Lord Alexander. Already in his thirties, Xander cares very little for his title and responsibilities. He should have been married years ago, but no woman appears to please him. Many assume he is simply difficult, but not all is what it seems. Xander carries the weight of being a shifter, unable to find his mate in this new kingdom. After a chance meeting between them, Ida becomes overwhelmed by Alexander's mixed signals. She dares not succumb to her inner feelings. Letting Xander in would mean opening up about what she truly is, and she is determined to keep her past hidden. Xander, however, has other plans. He intends to get his mate by whatever means necessary. When both their lives intertwine by fate, a new quest emerges fraught with danger as they encounter all walks of life trying to tear them apart. Can their love survive, or is there a more sinister plot afoot?

“I reject you, Avery Miller…” “Don’t bother saying it. I gladly accept your rejection, Alpha Luca. What exactly do you want from me? If laying down my life will make you happy, then so be it!” “What use is your life to me? I want you to agonize for the thousands of souls slaughtered during that raid and spend the rest of your days redeeming the atrocities you and your father committed! I, Alpha Luca, will make sure you regret the day your existence ever crossed mine.” Just when it seemed the Moon Goddess had finally granted them their happily ever after, a brutal truth surfaced: the massacre of the D’Addario family decades ago was orchestrated by none other than Avery Miller’s father…the very man Alpha Luca once called father-in-law. Luca thought his vengeance was complete when he stripped Avery of her love and her wolf, when he broke her spirit and forced her to watch another woman become his Luna. But fate has a wicked sense of humor. Years later, the Moon Goddess intertwines their destinies once more. Only now, Avery is no longer the fragile, obedient mate he once knew. She’s a powerful business tycoon, a devoted mother to his children, and a woman who refuses to be tamed. Can she forgive the man who shattered her world, or is she opening herself to another heartbreak? And if forgiveness is possible, is she willing to risk her heart and her children’s future for a second chance with the Alpha who once destroyed her? “Come back to you? A second chance? Please. I’m worth more than a stepping stone.”

I am ANNABEL DRAKE, a woman who has spent her entire life in the Shadows of others. A forgotten girl child ,and also an underestimated employee, in fact I am everything you can think of because I have been through a lot . It started after my father was imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit. My family lost everything: our fortune, our home, and most painfully, our dignity. My mother fell ill under the weight of disgrace, and I became the sole provider, fighting every day just to keep us alive . When an unexpected job opportunity lands in my lap, I see it as an opening way out of poverty and struggle. Working as an executive assistant for Carson Clair, the almighty billionaire CEO of Sonclair Enterprises, isn't easy. He's rude , and unnecessarily leading over everyone in a bad manner, and I can tell you unapologetically that he's everything I despise in a man. But the paycheck is good, and I need it . Then, the unimaginable happens after a few months. Carson makes me an offer I can't refuse because it is such a juicy offer. It was a contract marriage . He needs a wife to secure a billion-dollar deal, and in exchange, he promises to clear my Father's name, pay off my mother's medical Bills, and set me up for life. It sounds like a dream... Until I realize I'm falling for him. Just as I start to believe that maybe, just maybe, this arrangement could turn into something real, my world shatters again. I discovered a secret which was actually the truth and it changed everything. Carson isn't who I through he was. And neither is the man I've been secretly confiding in ... Fred Mark.

Mia Fernando, A 26 Year old Spanish Woman with Exquisite Beauty, Anywhere she Went, All eyes would turn, She was endowed with Exquisite Black Colored Eyes, Auburn Lush hair, Small and Pointed Nose, Cute Pouty Lips CARL GONZALEZ, a 30 Year Old Ruthless Business Man, He Owned an IT Company which was Responsible for Most Of The Modern Technology we have today Immediately He walks into The Company, Everywhere Goes Quiet and Chilly, Employees Shook and The Mention of Him Name, Peed their Pants at the Sound of His Voice "Why Spend Time Falling in Love when I can make Billions Of Dollars During that time?" These Were His Favorite Words He Hated The Sight of Women but only had a soft heart for..... HIMSELF, His Mom Died Immediately He was Born, His Father joined His Mom When he turned 8 and Ever since then, He had been fending for himself At Age 9, He would go about Each street giving Rich People Shines on their Shoes, He Built what he has today Carl Always thought Women were nothing but Weak, Gold digging Fellas until He Met Her Her Innocence Drew her to him, The way she would scrunch up her face when she was Disgusted, The Way her eyes brow would raise when she was Confused, The way her eyes twinkled when She smiles, He Knew He wasn't In Love with her but He Felt The Monsters within him fall at her foot He Claimed her as His the moment he heard her Voice and When He Saw her for the First Time, He Claimed her as His Bride One Day He Decided To Do Something Ruthless To Get Her, He did something Which got her Wanting to Run Away from Him, What did he do You Might ask He........

「大学を辞めたくないなら、俺の手の中に落ちてこい」 　幼い頃から私を見知っていたと言う９歳年上の男が、ある日突然そんな言葉と共に私の生活を一変させた。 ―― 　母の入院費用捻出のため、せっかく入った大学を中退するしかない、と思っていた村陰 花々里（むらかげ かがり）のもとへ、母のことをよく知っているという御神本 頼綱（みきもと よりつな）が現れて言った。 「大学を辞めたくないなら、俺の手の中に落ちてこい。助けてやる」 　なんでも彼は、母が昔勤めていた産婦人科の跡取り息子だという。 　学費の援助などの代わりに、彼が出してきた条件は――。 クスッと笑えるラブコメ（全32章） （改稿版 2020/08/14〜2021/08/19）

️ Start from chapter 9 when reading for fast pace" "Please stop, I don't want this, you can't do this to me" she sobs louder. "I would've, but what fun would it be if I lost the money. You're just my little plaything". His hand traveled down to her wet pant, placing kisses on her neck, down to her waistline. "What do you think that I have feelings for you...?" He let out a chuckle. "I never did, every single moment spent with you has been nothing but a bet, all I wanted was the right opportunity, and now I have it, there's no more pretense.” Seven years ago, Diana thought she was celebrating the happiest night of her life, her eighteen birthday with the man she loved. However, Michael drugged her and broadcast her humiliation online, proving that she had only ever been a pawn in his ruthless game. To him, she had never been anything more than a tool. Broken, disgraced, and pregnant, She disappeared from his world carrying a secret he knew nothing about. His child. She raised her daughter and slowly rebuilt a life far away from the man who had once shattered her trust. But fate brings them together again. Michael is no longer the man Diana once knew. Now he is a powerful mafia leader, feared by many and surrounded by enemies. When their paths cross again, after seven years of betrayal, to him, she is just another insignificant woman. But, Diana has waited seven long years for revenge, and this time she plans to make Michael pay for everything he did to her. But revenge becomes far more complicated when the past refuses to stay buried… and the feelings she thought had turned to ashes begin to burn again

In the dangerous world of organized crime, love is a luxury few can afford. But for Andrea Lopez, the daughter of a powerful mafia family, it's the one thing she craves most. Despite her kindness and resilience, past traumas have left her wary of opening her heart. When fate brings her face-to-face with Stefano Costanzo once again—her best friend's brother and the ruthless don she's always longed for—sparks fly, and old wounds reopen. Stefano, a cold and ruthless mafia don, lives a life devoid of emotional attachments, harboring a secret pain known to few. Yet, seeing Andrea again after so many years reignites emotions he thought long buried. As they navigate the treacherous waters of their shared past and uncertain future, they're drawn inexorably together despite their best efforts to resist. But their reunion is not without peril. Stefano's dangerous world threatens to consume them both, and Andrea must confront not only her own demons but also the demons of the man she loves. Can they find redemption in each other's arms, or will their love be their undoing?   *** “Why the hell did you just do that?” I demand, my anger rising. “I’m trying to protect you,” he says, his eyes blazing. “Protect me from what? A good friend?” “He’s not who you think he is. I don’t trust him.” “You don’t trust him, or you’re worried he’ll take me away from you?” I challenge. Stefano’s eyebrow arches. “You think I’m worried he’ll take you away from me?” He leans in close, his lips brushing my ear. “Oh, luce del sole, no one can take you from me. You’re mine.”

"A man from my past shattered my heart into a thousand pieces. I decided from that day on I would never give my heart to a man to be broken again. I know it sounds foolish because I was so young. However, that heartache has affected how I am with men. I am terrified to give my heart away like that again only to have it shattered." Natalia still felt the hurt and betrayal like it was yesterday. "I promise to never break your heart. Give me a chance to prove that I won't hurt you. I've never felt like this for anyone before I met you. I know it's only been two days, but you're all I've thought about since seeing you that first time. Let me erase the pain that's in your heart." Hayden took both her hands in his. --------------------- Natalia Crawford is the top female CEO in the city. She has worked tooth and nail to climb to the top without compromising her morals. She's beautiful with long blonde hair and green eyes. Men want her for her beauty, brains, and money. When she met Hayden Sumner, he was determined to make her his. She agreed he was easy on the eyes, tall with thick black hair and blue eyes, but she had no desire to be in a relationship. After a chance encounter, she ended up opening her heart for a chance at love. People all around them want to see them fail in both love and business. Even as one of them is fighting for their life, it doesn't stop others from trying to bring them down. Will love conquer all, or will everyone who wants to hurt them be successful in tearing them apart?

In my last life, my brother Leo—the heir to the Moretti crime family—stripped our estate bare of every last soldier, all for a Vegas jaunt. All because his new flame, Scarlett, had a jones for the high-roller tables. The Volkovs—our rivals, the very ones Leo had just pissed off—saw their opening and stormed our gates. My mother, Sofia, took a bullet meant for me. Died protecting me. I blew up Leo’s phone, my pleas turning to screams. He didn't answer. He waltzed back in after the shooting stopped, bringing our men home, but far too late for it to matter. Then, the news from Vegas. Scarlett was gone. A suicide note left behind. In it, she painted me as the monster. The one who’d leaked our weaknesses to the Volkovs. The one who'd orchestrated a fake kidnapping and torture plot, all to drive her to despair and lure Leo home. A perfect, tragic lie. Leo read the letter calmly. Then he burned the letter and told me, "Forget it. It's handled." Father tore into Leo for abandoning his post, for leaving his family to die. And me? I was named the new Consigliere. But after the celebration, Leo cornered me in the wine cellar. His face was a mask of cold fury as he pressed the barrel of his gun to my forehead. "This is for family traitors," he hissed, his voice pure venom. "The throne is my birthright, not some backstabbing bitch's prize!" When I opened my eyes again, I was back. Right in the middle of the fire and the blood. This time, I shoved my mother behind me, dragging her toward the panic room. And the bastards who were too blind to believe me? They’ll regret it.

The night Enzo was made boss of the Moretti family, I gave him my virginity. He was the heir I'd been promised to since before I could speak. We kissed against the floor-to-ceiling windows, tangled in the humid, twilight heat... His rough, urgent hands hurt me, but I didn't pull away. Even the pain felt sacred, a sacrifice I was willing to make for love. Lost in the heat of the moment, he promised me a pair of the most beautiful crystal shoes, so I could dance the opening waltz with him at his coronation ceremony the next day. The first dance is always reserved for the new boss and his future bride. I cried with joy, believing my years of secret pining and patient waiting would finally culminate in a fairytale ending. But I was wrong. So terribly wrong. The next morning, I dragged my aching body out to get his favorite espresso, only to overhear the guys joking as I returned: "So you finally popped the family cherry, huh? How was Vivian on your first night as boss?" Enzo's voice was lazy, mocking. "Face of an angel, body of a devil. She's a hot little viper in bed." The room erupted in sleazy whistles. "So, you really gonna marry her, young boss?" "Are you kidding me?" Enzo scoffed. "Vivian's just a warm-up. Once I get some practice in, I'll go tame the Falcone ice princess. When I get bored, I can always circle back and put a ring on her." I stood frozen in the doorway, my vision blurring, the coffee cup trembling in my hand. Before the world faded to black, I sent a coded message to the Don: "Uncle Romano, for the promotion in three days, get me a transfer. As far away from Enzo as possible."