The Painted Veil

When her village is destroyed by corrupted magic, she’s offered protection under one condition: marry Lucan Rhyst , the cold, enigmatic Alpha of the Emberfall Pack. Alina, is an orphaned healer with dormant magical blood. She is forced to marry the cold and ruthless Alpha of the Emberfall Pack and everything within her rebels. Especially because her heart already belongs to someone else—a forbidden someone. But when she learns she is a vessel for a long-lost magic that could tear down the veil between the two worlds, the lines between hate and desire blur. Lucan, Alpha by blood but cursed by prophecy, rejected his mate years ago to protect her from the darkness clawing at his soul. But Alina’s arrival, fragile, defiant, burning with power reignites what he tried to bury. And when war threatens to spill across realms, the only way to survive is together. Forced into a bond neither of them wants, Alina and Lucan are caught in a prophecy that foretells either salvation or destruction. But when Alina’s past lover, Kael, now an emissary of the Underworld returns with promises and lies, everything spirals. As attraction ignites and loyalties shift, Alina must awaken her dormant magic before the King of the underworld breaks through the Veil. In a world where love is weaponized, magic is feared, and betrayal runs bone-deep, can two enemies become the key to peace—or will their bond doom both worlds?

◤─────•~❉᯽❉~•─────◥ "Life is neither short nor long, it's now - that we know as life - it's twisted and cruel I'm its own way with trials coming up with every turn you make. No one knows how many seconds one will live let alone years. You never know" ◣─────•~❉᯽❉~•─────◢ His breath got stuck in his throat as he held the pen above the paper, his eyes searching the room in hopes of having at least a glance of her face. "Answer the maulvi" his father spoke. "Son" his mother pestered from his side. His eyes landed on Hiba's expectant ones. She looked from across the veil questioning his delay. He shook his head as he placed the tip of the pen on the paper, a single stroke formed on the paper but that very moment a frantic Ayan ran in the room. "Turn on the tv right now" he yelled making Hamza to oblige right away. "There had been an accident on the motorway car LEB-780 has been hit by a troller on its way out of the city, the hit has caused an explosion rendering the passengers severely injured and in critical condition-" "That's- that's the car maula bakhsh took to drop—" His ears numbed as the pen dropped on the floor, his heart stopped, his eyes stuck on the TV screen. "Bhai!" He ran out of the house and got in his car, the engine roared and soon he was on the road. ─────•~❉᯽❉~•─────

In the shadows of an ordinary world, Gil stands apart with her ethereal white hair and piercing grey eyes. His life is a ceaseless whirlwind of evasion and concealment. An unseen force with a crimson gaze haunts her steps, a harbinger of a hidden legacy and a fate grander than she could ever imagine. Born under a veil of prophecy, she is the key to mending a fractured world, hunted by those desperate to halt the tide of change she is destined to bring. Enter Aren, the enigmatic Alpha whose very existence is a legend woven through the centuries. Bound to his wolf spirit, Oto, he walks the line between beast and leader of the most formidable pack known to both man and creature. Revered and reviled in equal measure, Aren is ensnared by an ancient curse cast from the depths of darkness—a curse only his true Luna can dispel. Destined descendants of gods, Gil and Aren are the embodiment of ancient power, slumbering until the fateful hour of awakening. An eternal bond of love is their promised salvation, a beacon through battles for a bliss that has eluded their kind for eons. As celestial forces conspire, these solitary spirits are steered by the guiding light of Mother Moon towards one another. In their union lies the balance of love and war, salvation and destruction. But are they prepared for the monumental trials that loom before them? Can their nascent love endure the tempest of an age-old struggle clawing at their heels? Dive into an odyssey where myth meets destiny, and discover whether Gil and Aren can triumph over the darkness that seeks to smother their light.

Trevor Macall ruled Dominant High School he was Feared, Respected and Untouchable Alongside his closest allies, Noah and Rolex, they are known as the he Dominanters They owned the school, not by force alone, but by reputation By power. No one knew where Trevor came from. No one knew who he truly was and that was exactly how he wanted it. His luxury cars, designer clothes, private clubs, and penthouse life painted the picture of a privileged background—but Trevor’s past was a locked door and anyone who tried to open it learned quickly to back away. Until Claudia Jackson arrived Stubborn, Unbending and Untamed She wasn’t part of his world She wasn’t impressed by his power, and she wasn’t afraid of his darkness Claudia came to Dominant High with her own scars, her own complicated past—and crossing paths with Trevor Macall was never part of her plan But Trevor saw her and once he did, there was no turning back. She awakened something dangerous in him—desire, obsession, protectiveness he had never known. For the first time, Trevor broke his own rules For the first time he cared enough to risk everything. Slowly… carefully… he pulled Claudia into his world A world of shadows, secrets, and dark pleasures. As Trevor’s possessiveness tightened around her, Claudia began to understand the truth: bad boys don’t fall easily—but when they do, they fall hard. And they never let go. Enemies rise, Secrets unravel The past refuses to stay buried. But together, Trevor and Claudia are more than broken souls drawn to darkness—they are unstoppable. This is a story of obsession, danger, and a love powerful enough to survive the dark. Enter the world of Trevor Macall and discover what happens when a bad boy falls in love.

Rima: Jacob Snow is a puzzle. I had initially mistaken him for a cold, uncaring, and arrogant CEO, but as we work together, I realize he's the exact opposite. He's warm, considerate, and humble, a far cry from the man I had painted in my mind. But acknowledging this doesn't mean I'm ready to let my guard down. My past is a dark, haunting shadow, and I refuse to let anyone get too close, afraid of the potential pain that could follow. It's been a while since I've felt this way about someone, and the familiarity of these feelings scares me. The last time it ended being the worst mistake of my life. I don't want to give in to these feelings, but I can't deny that Jacob is becoming more than just a boss to me. Jacob: Rima is enigmatic. She’s resilient, determined, and initially, she appears distant. But as we collaborate, I find myself drawn to her strength and determination. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met, and the spark between us is undeniable. She’s built a fortress around herself, a wall that's impossible to penetrate, but I’m determined to break it down. I sense she’s hiding something, and I can’t shake off the protective instinct that emerges whenever I see her. As we confront the danger together, I find myself struggling to resist the growing feelings I have for her. As danger looms, Rima and Jacob find themselves struggling to resist the growing attraction between them. Their pasts threaten to tear them apart, but they can’t deny the feelings that are blossoming between them. Will they be able to overcome their fears and trust each other? Or will their pasts continue to haunt them and prevent them from finding love?

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.

Shawn Hansen, Wigston's most notorious playboy, always has a thing for dazzling women. This time, his eyes are set on Carrie Myers, my fiance Harvey Anderson's close friend. And now, he decides to marry her on the same day as my wedding. When I go to Harvey to discuss the wedding details, I walk in on him holding Carrie and promising, "Don't worry. I'll marry you. Our churches are side by side, and with your face hidden under the veil, I'll swap you in for her. No one will ever notice." Carrie sobbed, her voice filled with concern. "Angelina is clever. She will undoubtedly notice something is wrong." He kisses her forehead gently and comforts her, "I'll drug her so she won't be able to think straight or resist." Only then does she relax, yet she asks curiously, "You really don't mind letting her marry Shawn?" Harvey thinks seriously before replying, "I love you and must marry you first. Shawn is my good friend, so even if he marries her, he wouldn't touch her. I'll bring her back once he realizes the bride has been switched. By then, the two of you can serve me together." I can't bear to listen any longer, and I turn to leave with a broken heart. Despite the sorrow, I am determined to become Shawn's wife.

As Jastrelle's golden girl, I draw lots to pick my groom, and fate finally hands me Felix Ledger, the childhood sweetheart I've wanted forever. During the impromptu wedding, a funeral convoy belonging to a scion of a rich family in Jastrelle passes right outside. I hate the omen. Felix laughs, pulls me into his arms, and places the veil over my head himself. "I'll take it as a good omen. With you, I'm covered from first breath to last," he says. His adoptive sister, Winnie Ledger, hears him, bursts into tears, and bolts outside. The funeral convoy runs her down, and she dies. Felix barely reacts. Three years later, Dad is framed, driven into bankruptcy, and falls gravely ill. He dies, and I lose everything. At the funeral, Felix sends everyone off, shoves me into the open grave, and buries me alive. He spits, "You rigged everything to get me. You left Winnie ruined. She bolted outside, and that funeral convoy ran her down. For three years, remorse has eaten me alive. I want you torn apart! "With your last protector gone, I can finally make you suffer a hundredfold the pain Winnie felt and ease my hatred!" When I open my eyes, I'm back at the groom-selection ceremony. Dad smiles as he hands me the lots. I shake my head, look out the window, and point at the funeral convoy passing outside. "I'm not choosing anyone. I'll marry that dead man!"

Abby Barns is about to turn eighteen and face the Capitol, where every heir must meet to try and find their fated mate. But Abby isn’t ready to bind herself to a mate she hasn’t even met, not when she’s never felt her wolf stir since she was twelve and not when her family’s secrets keep gnawing at her like a hidden ache. Her sister Melody, once lively and fierce, is presumed dead behind a veil of illness that strikes their clan with increasing ferocity. Abby’s father, Graham, clings to a truth he refuses to admit: Melody’s condition might be more than misfortune. It might be poison. With two friends who are all sunshine and all spark, Abby steps into a city of glittering banners and looming danger, where a prince is guardian to the realm but aloof to the heart. Adrian, the silent, powerful protector with the deepest green eyes, seems to deny Abby’s presence even as her own pulse answers to his almost unspoken call. As old wounds surface, a rogue threat grows louder, and the mystery of Melody’s poisoning unravels a legacy that could redefine who Abby is and who she is fated to become. As Abby discovers the truth about wolf’s bane coursing through her veins, she must decide whether trust is a risk worth taking or a trap designed to hold her forever. In a world where love is both weapon and salvation, Abby’s journey from uncertainty to a life altering bond will test family loyalties, awaken a dormant wolf, and force her to choose between a dangerous future and a love she never expected.

At the wedding, I immediately recognized that the woman under the veil wasn't Selene, but an impostor. But I still went through with the ceremony as if nothing was wrong. In my previous life, Selene had been forced to return and complete the wedding with me after I exposed the fake bride in front of everyone. That very night, however, her childhood sweetheart was rushed to the ICU with acute alcohol poisoning. When Selene heard the news, she didn't shed a tear. Instead, she cursed him, saying he got what he deserved. … After we married, Selene and I appeared to be a loving couple on the surface. I kept funneling money from my family to save her family business from collapse. But on our first anniversary, my wife—with not even a sliver of warmth in her eyes—tied me to a helicopter with her own hands. "If you hadn't forced me to come back and marry you that day, Chase wouldn't have ended up like that," she snarled. "What right do you have to live so happily? I'll make sure you feel the pain he went through before he died." She threw me from ten thousand yards up, and I hit the ground as nothing more than a broken heap of flesh. So, this time, I pretended to know nothing and went through with the wedding alongside the fake bride. I wanted to see just how Selene would manage to save the crumbling Liraine Co. without the Schreiber family's support.