Sixteen Candles Dresses

In the relentless storm of misfortune, Jessa's world crumbled as her businesses fell like a house of cards, leaving her drowning in a sea of debts. The remnants of her once comfortable life vanished one by one, leaving only an overwhelming sense of financial ruin. Among the mounting troubles, the most pressing was her father's debt to a menacing loan shark. Jessa had to settle it, or risk dire consequences for her beloved Papa. To make matters worse, the family home was on the brink of foreclosure by the relentless claws of the bank. Desperate, she approached the formidable Mr. Guiller Moretti, proposing a dire trade-her internal organs in exchange for her father's life. Yet, Mr. Moretti turned down the grim offer and presented an alternative. A job. A demeaning profession she never thought she would consider. Faced with the choice of endangering her father or sacrificing her own dignity, she opted for the latter. Jessa agreed to become a high-priced escort to secure her father's freedom. Little did she know, this was just the beginning of her tumultuous journey. Fate took an unexpected turn when her first client turned out to be Xyrius Dale Smith, a notorious playboy from the university she attended. Xyrius not only paid off her father's debts but showered her with opulence-expensive dresses, cars, condos, and jewelry. Yet, the exorbitant price for this lavish lifestyle was her exclusivity. He demanded her body to be his and his alone. Was it a heaven-sent salvation? Far from it. Was she lucky? Definitely not. From the moment Xyrius became obsessed with her allure, Jessa's life took a chaotic nosedive into a whirlwind of unexpected passion and turmoil, leaving her to question if this twist of fate was a blessing or a curse.

Aurora Hayes, a fifteen-year-old orphan, lives in the of Silver Creek, North Carolina. Raised by her adoptive parents, attending Pine Ridge High School, believing she’s just an ordinary girl. Everything begins to change when Rowan Rivers, a mysterious new student, transfers to Pine Ridge after his previous school burns down. Almost immediately, Rowan senses a connection to Aurora and realizes she’s his mate. The only problem? Aurora is human. To stay close to her, Rowan joins the school’s football team. Zander Blake, the brooding quarterback of there football team, has always made Aurora’s life difficult. But as her sixteenth birthday approaches, his teasing takes a turn. On the day she turns sixteen, Zander is stunned to discover that Aurora is also his mate. With both boys wanting her attention and harboring tension between themselves Aurora is caught in the middle, completely unaware of the supernatural forces surrounding her. That is, until a rogue werewolf attacks the school shatters her perception of reality. Aurora learns that werewolves exist and that she has an unpredictable connection to their world. Yet, despite Rowan and Zander’s certainty about the bond with her, Aurora feels nothing in return. Confused and overwhelmed, she begins to question everything. Her identity unravels when it’s revealed that the magical bracelet she’s worn since birth was enchanted to suppress her true nature. As the spell begins to fade, Aurora starts to uncover secrets about her identity, including the reason she was sent away. Now, with her world turned upside down, Aurora must come to terms with who she is. Torn between two rival mates Rowan, the gentle protector, and Zander, the reformed bully with a complicated heart Aurora must forge her own path and embrace the destiny she never saw coming.

Detective Jane Michaels arrives in Ridgeview to start fresh after a catastrophic case nearly ended her career. On her first day, she’s assigned a gruesome case involving a serial killer who dresses his victims as brides and leaves a single rose. As Jane dives deeper, she uncovers unsettling details about the victims and their lives. Amidst the investigation, she crosses paths with Nathaniel Carter, a kind and mysterious local writer who slowly chips away at her walls. But Ridgeview is a town of secrets, and the truth is never as it seems. When a victim escapes the killer’s clutches and gives a description, the case takes an unexpected turn. The town is rocked as the killer is unmasked—someone who was hiding in plain sight. In the final confrontation, Jane must use her wit and emotional resilience to bring the killer to justice. But even as the case is solved, a sinister shadow lingers, and Jane faces her own demons, left with an unsettling gift that raises more questions than answers.

Two exes—who haven’t spoken in years—are forced to swap apartments for a month due to a housing mix-up caused by a mutual friend. She moves into his stylish city loft; he ends up in her cozy small-town house. At first, they leave petty notes criticizing each other’s lifestyle (like “Who needs this many candles?!” and “Why do you own a sword?!”). But soon, they start rediscovering each other—through texts, video calls, and unexpected visits.

**Evelyn Karamazov** I’ve spent all twenty-three years of my life immersed in the world of the mafia, groomed to rule with an iron fist. But power in our world doesn’t come without a price, and that price is marriage—a union built on strategy rather than so-called love. It’s the last thing I want, but in this life, sacrifices are the currency we trade in. And if I have to choose, I’ll sacrifice to the devil I know rather than the angel I don’t. But make no mistake, a sacrifice is still a sacrifice, and it demands its due. **Killian Bandini** Sixteen years—that’s how long I’ve waited to exact my revenge. Sixteen years to drown in nightmares, consumed by guilt and the unyielding desire to set things right. My father is dead, and now the Bandini empire is mine. The time has come to collect what is owed, and God help those who wronged me, because they will pay with blood. ★ What happens when the most lethal, most infuriating man to ever walk the earth crashes your wedding, puts a bullet in your would-be husband’s head, and holds everyone at gunpoint just to ensure you marry him instead? Killian Bandini doesn’t ask; he takes. But if he thinks I’m some meek bride to be bartered and controlled, he’s dead wrong. I may have to marry him, but I sure as hell won’t make it easy. He’s come for blood and power, but he doesn’t know that I’m not just a pawn—I’m a queen, and this game has only just begun.

"Let’s go on a proper date, with flowers and candles, his lips twitched in a cocky smile, he leaned in forward, inhaling my scent like a drug he was addicted to. “And then what?” I replied, quivering. His lips were too distracting as they stood dangerously close to mine. "We can pretend to get to know each other if you want. And after that, I can fuck you senseless." Looking up to meet his dark gaze. I swallowed hard, I had only two choices, but whichever I chose, I knew I was screwed. Zach always knew his mate was out there, but at 25, after searching every pack, he had nearly given up hope. Then came Nicole, on the run from a broken past, scarred by betrayal after a humiliating scandal with her crush who sinisterly released a sex tape of her that would haunt her for life. She’s sworn never to trust any man, but destiny had other plans. What happens when the one person you’re meant to love is the last person you think you can trust?

Three years ago, on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, Lynell Gibbs was left completely broken. It was her 20th birthday — a day she had been so excited for — but instead of candles and wishes, she got heartbreak. Shaun Hernandez, the guy she loved with all her heart, broke up with her. No fight, no warning. Just a simple, cold explanation: “Nagising na lang daw siya at narealize na hindi na niya ito mahal.” Those words haunted her for years. And no matter how strong she tried to be, the pain left a scar too deep to forget. But she survived. She stood up, rebuilt herself piece by piece, and slowly became the woman she never thought she could be — stronger, wiser, and even more beautiful. Gone was the naïve girl who gave everything to someone who didn’t deserve her. She had learned her lesson. She moved forward and opened her heart again. That’s when Martin came into her life — kind, respectful, and everything Shaun wasn’t. For the first time, she felt safe. Finally, she believed she had healed. Until one unexpected announcement shattered her peace. Their company was under new management. At first, she didn’t think much of it — change was normal. But everything came crashing down the moment she heard the name of their new CEO. Shaun Hernandez. The same man who once tore her apart... was now her boss.

They say fate chooses your mate. But what if fate is cruel? Aiden has always been a nobody—abandoned, cursed, forgotten. Raised by Jake, the stoic professor who saved him once. Aiden vanished at sixteen after confessing the one truth that shattered everything: “he loves him.” Now twenty-five and hiding a deadly secret—a feral lycan curse counting down the days—Jake walks into Aiden’s college classroom as his student. Aiden was older, obviously. But, he was bitter and still hurting. Jake left his pack, his title, and his past behind for a quiet life of just books and lectures. But nothing prepared him for Aiden’s return—or the soul-deep pull that threatened to destroy the walls he had built. As the time for curse creeps closer, only one thing can save Aiden- his true mate. Jake’s not just the professor. He’s the one thing Aiden can’t have… and the only one who can save him.

At just six years old, Archer, the son of Cerberus and Alpha Zeina, shifted into his wolf and embraced a power that shook the packs. Whispers spread quickly, that he would grow to become the strongest wolf to walk the land. By sixteen, he proved them right, claiming leadership of the Western Pack and striking fear into Alphas far older than him. She-wolves flock to him, drawn without effort, yet none hold his interest. Enemies rise against him, even the Alpha King himself, but Archer stands unshaken, certain he can overcome them all. Until fate delivers him the one thing he never anticipated, his destined mate. And she is nothing like the wolf he imagined.

“You can play Priest for as long as you like,” he spat, ignoring my protests, “but you will never find salvation.” His words struck like a curse, but that wasn’t the reason my chest heaved, goosebumps littered my skin, and definitely not the reason I felt hot despite the chilling dip from the lake. Ezreal’s eyes widened momentarily, noticing. I winced as his hand shifted, pressing against the stiff betrayal straining against my soaked robes. He stilled for only a second, then a wicked grin overtook his features. “Well, well,” Ezreal drawled, his voice taunting “Look who’s getting excited,” “Stop,” I gasped, squeezing my eyes shut as the humiliation dug deep. “Please….” He leaned forward, his breath hot as his lips ghosted over the shell of my ear. “I will taint you so bad,” he whispered, his hand tightening against my crotch. “So bad you won’t have the courage to stand on the altar you abandoned me for.” ****** At sixteen, Ezreal Vossell took the fall for a murder to protect the only boy he ever loved—Baron Lander, the timid son of the town’s high priest. A known delinquent, the bastard child of the mayor, but the only one who saw him for his true self was Baron. Ezreal made the ultimate sacrifice, and all he wanted in return was Baron’s support. But alas, on the day of the trial, Baron betrayed him, casting him aside to please his father. Ezreal was sentenced to life in prison, his heart shattered beyond repair. Fifteen years later, he was released, but gone was the naive sixteen-year-old. He’s returned as the ruthless leader of a mafia syndicate, and with all the power and wealth at his fingertips, he yearned for one thing alone. Revenge.