The Catch

When Gwendolyn Lee Grace lands her first nursing job after graduation, she’s thrilled — until she realizes her new position is a live-in caretaker for the reclusive patriarch of the wealthy Bearanstein family. Their sprawling mountain estate is as mysterious as its owners… and none more so than Arthur Bearanstein III — the brooding, impossibly gorgeous heir everyone calls Baby Bear. Arthur’s life is already ruled by duty. As the only son, he’s next in line to inherit the Alpha position from his ailing father. But there’s a catch: the ancient power of the Alpha can only pass to one who’s bonded with his fated mate. And Arthur’s mate is nowhere to be found. Until Gwendolyn walks through the door. From the moment they meet, sparks fly hotter than a forge fire. She’s everything he can’t have — human, off-limits, and dangerously tempting. Yet beneath her golden curls and soft smile lies a strength Arthur can’t ignore… and a secret even she doesn’t know. When Gwen discovers that the Bearansteins’ wealth hides something wild, ancient, and fur-covered, she must decide whether to run from the beast within Arthur — or embrace the destiny that’s been calling her all along. In a world where love can awaken the beast, sometimes “just right” means fated.

Important Note to Readers: This story includes two books in the same series. Each book focuses on a different generation of the powerful Wyndham family. Book 1: Gabriel & Isla (Completed) A scandal forces Isla Ainsworth to marry Gabriel Wyndham, the billionaire heir she never wanted. Tied down by duty, surrounded by enemies, and trapped in a loveless marriage, Isla has to survive in a family that never accepted her. He gave her his fame, wealth, protection, and his whole world… but never his heart. Until the truth changes everything. “Please, give me one more chance.”The proud billionaire kneels on one knee and kisses her hand earnestly. “Sorry, Mr. Billionaire. I already have a new life.” Book 2 (Start from Chapter 261) : Mercy & Aurelian (Ongoing) Betrayed by her fiancé. Sold by her parents. And used for profit. Mercy loses everything in one night. Determined to rebuild her life, she takes a job at Wyndham Holdings, only to catch the attention of its powerful, reclusive heir. Aurelian Wyndham doesn’t date. He doesn’t trust. And he’s not the type to marry. But when his family pressures him into an arranged match, he shocks everyone by proposing to Mercy instead. It was supposed to be a convenient marriage. Until living under the same roof begins to reveal secrets about Mercy’s past… secrets tied to the Wyndham empire itself. And now, walking away is no longer an option.

Cheryl Jacqueline Alejandro, her life is full of perfection. A charming, beautiful face, seductive body goals, rich parents who always give everything, also a handsome fiancé who loves her so much. Carlos never left her, never had an affair, and was attracted to other women. Carlos just stares at her, never turns to anyone. However, Carlos' loyalty just made her feel curious with foreign gazes that watched her like a hungry lion. Rafael Frederich Wagner, a man she knows as her sister-in-law's ex-boyfriend. In a smoldering fire game, Cheryl finds herself on the run with Rafael from pursuing a foreign mob who is trying to catch him. In her heart, there was a big question mark about who was the man who was running holding her hand. Who is the man who looks so thirsty when staring at her body? Who is the man who dares to burn her skin with a hot seductive kiss? And then, Cheryl is in a tremendous vacillation between continuing her life with her fiancé or choosing another line with the new man in her life. The man who made her fall in love differently, faster, smoldering, and made her crave a foreign desire that surged in her body. Forbidden, but kept calling her to come closer, as if calling her name in a seductive voice. *** Should I fight the world for you? —Rafael Frederick Wagner— Should I fight the world with you? — Cheryl Jacqueline Alejandro—

Imagine being born into a wealthy family that thinks you don't deserve a place at the table because you're different. Imagine being told you'll never be loved for who you are. Imagine believing this is true until you meet that one person who doesn't care what the world thinks of you. At 26, Dana Travis had resigned to a life of art and listening to her voice on her small recorder. But when she meets the unusually handsome Alex Logan, a billionaire CEO, who asks her to sign a contract marriage for two years with him, Dana says, “why not?” Imagine your hands stuck in the cookie jar, imagine owning the cookie jar. Like all agreements with an expiry date, Dana and Alex's contract of a delicious marriage ends . . . but not Dana’s feelings. But Alex is a billionaire, while she's . . . nothing, just a pretty girl with a big imagination. Or is she just that? Could Dana somehow get Alex to believe her feelings are true, or is she in this alone? “It was just a contract,” Dana tells herself. “Nothing more.” But it is clear there is more. Dana caught feelings, hard. What woman wouldn't after being deliriously loved by Alex Logan. It was supposed to be a contract, no strings attached. But now there's a whole pregnancy attached, and a heart that beats only for Alex. But Alex seems to have moved on with a new catch, the undefeated beauty, Jodie . . .

"Ten million." He uttered calmly like he was discussing the weather. Bella's steps slowed behind him. He continued with a nonchalant shrug. "Ten million. After six months, you'll walk away with ten million." She took a deep breath, heart pounding as she spun around to face him, speechless. Ten million wasn't just a lot. It was life-changing. Turning, he met her glare, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "All you have to do is be my wife – pretend rather." ________ Arabella Carver always has things under control but finds out she isn't as lucky when everything comes crashing down. She is betrayed by her fiance, on the brink of eviction, and with her mother's life hanging by a thread, she's desperate for help. But as she tries to get the help she needs, only one person is willing to offer and it is none other than Adrian Davidson. The first man to claim her heart only to shatter it like it meant nothing. However, there is a catch to his generosity. He needs a wife to appease his grandmother, and Arabella happens to be her ideal choice so he gives her the papers that bind them. A marriage contract. With little choice and a grudge in her heart, she signs them. Besides, what could go wrong? It is, after all, just a contract. But what happens when old wounds resurface and sparks begin to ignite?

I've been in a secret relationship with Declan Gibson for five years, and I've tried to seduce him more times than I can count. Yet, when I stand in front of him in my birthday suit and a pair of bunny ears, all he does is worry that I'll catch a cold and wrap me in a blanket. I used to think his restraint came from being the mafia don, that he was saving our first time for our wedding night. However, one month before the ceremony, he secretly plans the city's grandest fireworks show to celebrate his childhood sweetheart's birthday. They hug and share a slice of cake in public. That night, they check into a hotel. … The next morning, I watch them leave together. That's when I realize Declan is not restrained. He just doesn't love me, so I walk out of the hotel. I call my parents. "Dad, I've broken up with Declan. I'll marry into the Sullivan family as planned." My father is stunned. "I thought you were madly in love with Declan. Why did you break up? I heard Bryson can't have children. You've always loved kids. What will you do once you marry him?" "It's fine," I reply, disheartened. "We can always adopt."

The night I found out, I almost fixed it. Almost. My assignment had been changed to Everglades Academy. Two thousand miles south. Swamp territory. Three omegas died there last year. I'd asked Kael to file my school preference. Silver Peak Academy. Together. The way we'd planned since we were twelve, lying in the snow making promises to the stars. Now the screen said Everglades. I called him immediately. He picked up on the second ring, relaxed as always. "Hey." "My assignment," I said. "It says Everglades." "Oh." Not guilt. Recalibration. "Lil came by while I was filing yours. She wanted to play a prank—switched it to Everglades for a laugh." He laughed. Light. Careless. "Deadline's tomorrow night. Just override it yourself. It takes thirty seconds." "If I hadn't checked—" "But you did check." That patience. "Fen. You always check everything. That's why she knew you'd catch it. It was just a joke." Just a joke. So my future was a punchline. My life, someone else's entertainment. I said nothing. I packed my gear. I left for the transport hub on departure day. Kael found me at the platform. His smile was gone. "I told you to override it. You didn't change it back?" "No."

Everyone in the company knows one thing about Ethan Jang. Our CEO has no heart. Cold. Emotionless. Brutal enough to fire someone before they finish “Good morning.” So imagine my shock when I walk into his office at 2 a.m. and catch the “Ice King of Seoul” ugly-crying over a K-drama, clutching a tissue and whispering, “Don’t die, Eun-bi… please…” I should’ve backed out slowly. Instead, he saw me. Now Ethan Jang billionaire, perfectionist, professional soul-crusher — is doing everything to shut me up: bribing me with bonuses, threatening to transfer me to Antarctica, and begging me (yes, begging) to keep his midnight K-drama breakdowns a secret. But hiding it becomes impossible when: • He accidentally quotes K-drama love lines during meetings. • He drags me into a fake-dating scandal to protect his image. • He insists on “rehearsing” romantic confession scenes with me… too close, too intensely. • And worst of all, his cold façade starts cracking — and I’m starting to like what I see underneath. He’s all logic and walls. I’m chaos, emotions, and bad decisions. We were never meant to mix… yet somehow we’re falling into the messiest, funniest, and most unexpected romance of our lives. Because the scariest man in the company isn’t heartless after all he’s just been waiting for someone to rewrite his script.

Isang matapang na dalagang negosyante si Ysabella Cruz na handang gawin ang lahat para mailigtas ang pamilya nila sa pagkakautang—kahit pa ang kapalit ay isang kasunduang kasal. Ang catch? Ang lalaking papakasalan niya ay si Mayor Alaric Dela Vega—bata, makapangyarihan, at misteryosong lider ng kanilang bayan. Hindi inaasahan ni Ysabella na ang lalaking minsang tumulong sa kanya noong kabataan pa sila ay siya ring magiging "asawa" niya ngayon—ngunit sa papel lamang. May sariling dahilan si Mayor Alaric kung bakit pumayag siya sa kasunduan: kailangan niyang mapanatili ang imahe niyang "settled" upang matuloy ang pagtakbo sa mas mataas na posisyon sa pulitika. Ngunit habang lumilipas ang mga buwan sa ilalim ng iisang bubong, unti-unting nabubura ang hangganan ng kasunduan. Sa pagitan ng mga scripted na halik sa harap ng kamera at mga gabing puno ng katahimikan, may damdaming unti-unting nagigising. Hanggang kailan sila magtatago sa likod ng kontrata? At kapag dumating ang oras ng pag-pirma ng annulment papers, sino ang unang aatras—ang pusong natutong magmahal o ang pusong takot masaktan muli?

After I married Riccardo, the Don of the Moretti family, he paraded a string of mistresses in front of me. He never gave me a second glance. But on our tenth anniversary—right after my father’s death—he suddenly promised me half of his empire. The catch? In return, he planned to seize control of all my family’s arms-dealing routes. That pissed off his favorite mistress. She cornered him on his yacht, demanding he take his words back. Then she fell overboard and died. An “accident.” After she died, Riccardo went insane. He took it all out on me. He tied me to the back of his yacht. He dragged me through the sea, a human anchor, until the rocks shattered my legs, crippling me for life. I became the family’s shame. Then, as I lay helpless, he finished the job with poison. Then I opened my eyes. I was back on the day Angelo Marino—the head of our rival family—proposed to me. In my last life, my family forced me to say no. He came for me, a one-man army. He killed Riccardo, but died in the process. This time, I looked at his kind face and nodded. Yes. But as we embraced, Riccardo appeared. He ripped me from Angelo's arms and claimed me as his own. That’s when I realized the cruelest joke of all. My monster was back, too.