The Count Of Monte Cristo

Book Three of The Luminary Quartet The bears were currently considered enemy number one, right alongside the elders of my species. The problem was, I didn't know them as that. To me, they were simply friends, family even. My mother's mate had been a bear shifter, and I had ultimately found my own other half within the Ursidae family, as well. Everything had been perfect for a single moment in time, and then I was fleeing my home, right after rejecting the bastard who thought he could put his hands on me. I vowed two things then: to never return and to never give a male that much power over me again. Yet, Luna apparently had some twisted plan laid out for my life because circumstances seemed to keep arising, bringing me ever closer to Reese in spite of my best intentions. The wolves' rapidly declining numbers sent us careening across the county in a race to prevent the destruction of our species by the bears, though I struggled with picking sides. New and old faces appear along the way as rogues and other heretofore unknown foes emerge to stop us, making it difficult to know who to trust during these tumultuous times. Will Scarlett hold fast to her deep-rooted beliefs during the journey, or will her perceptions shift as much as the reality she returns home to? *Note: While the main characters in each book will receive their HEA, I wouldn't recommend reading them out of order due to the overarching storyline that continues throughout them all. ***Warning*** This book is intended for adults 18+. It contains mature themes and adult language. Please read at your own discretion.

It was not pleasant for her to grow up at her uncle's place after her parents died. Despite various problems, she used to be happy with herself. She spread love and harmony in the family. She was grateful to her uncle and was patient with her aunt and cousin. However, her life took a sharp turn when her aunt sold her for surrogacy to repay massive debts. She agreed to this arrangement to pay back her upbringing. When she gave birth to twins, she fled with one baby. She assumed her path would never cross again with the stranger who had gotten her pregnant. But she was proved wrong when a handsome, wealthy man approached her and asked her to be the mother of his son, who was the same age as her son. Is good luck knocking at her door? Or is destiny playing another nasty game with her?

My husband and I go on a road trip back to my hometown before Christmas. I want to ride shotgun, but he chases me to the backseat so his female colleague can sit in front. He says, "Isabel gets carsick easily. You are my wife, so you should be more considerate of her." He seems to have forgotten that I'm pregnant—my morning sickness is at its peak. Halfway through the journey, he and Isabel Slater start smoking. They make me throw up. The smell disgusts them, and my husband wants to teach me a lesson. He and Isabel leave me at the rest stop. Unbeknownst to them, my family is already waiting there. This time, I'm going back with them and getting an abortion and divorce. Later, my husband is filled with regret when he learns the child is gone.

Merida was a certified black sheep of the family. She loves to hear her grandmother's story about fairies, dragons, pirates and princesses and her favorite was the tale about the legendary pirate named Escarial, and a Princess called Athalia. Listening to her grandma’s folktales was her routine all throughout her eighteen years of existence. That’s why when her grandmother died without having at least a last talk with her, she turned badly depressed. She didn’t go to school at all, and just stayed in her grandmother’s room to lock herself away from the rest of the world. Three days after her grandmother’s funeral, strange things happened in her room. The painting her old woman often gazed on suddenly moved and glowed. She succumbed to it, helpless, and had nothing to do to save herself because of the force that was beyond overwhelming. The next thing she knew, she was in North Sonnenfield. What’s more shocking to her was the name she’s called as by her servants; Princess Athalia—the heir of the throne, and the only daughter of King Eldar of North Sonnenfield. She was in awe, because she remembered that King Eldar was the character in the story. The palace where she found herself lost was the same place where the brave princess who ventured the dangerous sea had lived. She loves being in a Sonnenfield. However, she knew to herself that the day will come when she would wake up from a dream. But life always has a twist because Captain Escarial came to the scene. She expects that he will be gentleman just like pirate captain in the book. But to her horror, this Captain Escarial is snobbish, rude and proud. Oh, how she hates him!

The night my husband, William Costello, was assassinated by his enemies was supposed to be a celebration—our wedding anniversary. I was dressed in his favorite red dress, waiting for him, when the phone rang. "Mr. Costello was shot at the harbor. The bullet went through the back of his head. He died on the spot." I collapsed to the floor. I clung to his belongings, mourning for a week straight. We even lost our unborn child during this time. Everyone said William and I were true love. Even the Don himself came to the funeral, resting a heavy hand on my shoulder with a sigh. He said, "All of Blackhaven knows you were the only woman he ever loved." Grief nearly destroyed me. I stood at the river's edge, ready to follow William into the afterlife. However, I overheard my sister-in-law, Emily Hawkins, leaning into my brother-in-law, Jones Costello, her voice dripping with a twisted affection. She purred, "William, I love you so much. Between Nina and me, who do you think is sexier?" "Of course it's you, babe!" came the husky reply. I stood frozen, my eyes wide and my body trembling. Why was Emily calling my brother-in-law by my husband's name?

Jamari spent her life living in her twin sister's shadow, only made worse when she found out she didn't have a wolf on her 18th birthday. When her sister disappears she learns a lot about herself and the destiny Fate has in store for her. She couldn't actually be the Wolf Queen? Could she? With the help of the Lycan King and Demon King, Jamari searches for the truth of her existence as an unknown threat threatens life in all the Realms. Will Jamari fulfill her destiny with the help of her mates, or will she crumble under the newfound pressure of being Queen?

"Lift your hand," I said looking at how he held onto his bicep with a tight grip. "Let me take a look at the bullet wound." "No tesoro. I can do this myself," Vittore grumbled and I gave him incredulous look. "Don't start that bullshit with me Vittore. Remove your arm and let me help you or..." I trailed off, not able to say more. I was still in shock but I could do this. "Just... just let me help." "No." I glared at Vittore. "Why are you being so damn egotistic?! Let me help you! Do you know what it was like to find you like... and to..." I couldn't even get all the words out. "Let me help you. Please." Begging wasn't something I'd ever do but I just needed him to let me help him. "No-" "Why?!" I suddenly exploded. "Why won't you just let me help you?!" "Because I don't know how to handle it ok?!" Vittore suddenly exploded, his dark eyes glaring at me. "I don't know how to handle these... feelings. Fuck tesoro you drive me crazy! Don't you see that? You make me question everything I've ever known and... I can't..." I watched Vittore as his expression turned determined. "Fuck it." He leaned forward and pressed his lips on mine.

When Exalia's 18th birthday coincides with a mysterious dream and a long-awaited meeting with the alpha, Jake, her life takes a drastic turn. Rejected by the one she loves and humiliated in front of the pack, she is mated to another, the most dangerous Alpha. Exalia must do everything in her power to save her pack and mate from the world of werewolf politics and ancient magic. With a powerful wolf awakened within her and a prophecy unfolding, Exalia must embrace her true potential and confront the forces that seek to destroy her. Will she find the strength to rise above her circumstances and claim her rightful place, or will the shadows of a mysterious woman define her future?

In a kingdom ruled by magic and shadowed by secrets, Princess Elara was born to uphold a prophecy—one that demands her heart, her blood, and ultimately, her sacrifice. Magic belongs to the elite, and power is passed through bloodlines, but nothing prepared her for the storm of desire and danger that would unravel everything she believed. Vesper Moretti, the ruthless heir to a deadly mafia empire, was the first man to shake her world. Cold, calculating, and intoxicatingly powerful, he vanished without a trace—leaving behind a shattered heart and unanswered questions. Now, he’s back… alive, dangerous, and claiming what was once his. Torn between Vesper’s dark pull, Kael’s fierce loyalty, and Dain’s quiet rebellion, Elara is caught in a web of betrayal, prophecy, and passion. As the prophecy unfolds, one truth becomes chillingly clear: only one man can survive the end—and her choice will ignite war or salvation. With ancient powers awakening and the line between love and ruin blurring, Elara must uncover the truth buried in blood and magic… before her kingdom, and her heart, are lost forever.

Orphaned Jadenne has lived through more trials, and tribulations than any wolf could imagine. Alone in the world with no friends, and very few prospects she is desperate for a change. On the day that she plans to end it all, she has a chance encounter with the feared Pierce. Known for his brutal judgements, and swift consequences no one crosses the lycan Pierce. True to his name the man is cold, and hard as stone. Then Jadenne falls into his arms, and he feels an unnatural pull to protect her against the world. Can these two troubled souls find love, or will their own guarded hearts keep them apart?