Novels by Denise

Kiara The silence between Jake and me was still there, suspended in the air. I felt pressured, suffocated, and submerged in an emotion I couldn't understand. His hands were still over mine, warm, big, firm… and then the room’s door opened. The doctor walked in abruptly with a folder in her hand. “Alright, I’m back.” Jake reacted as if he’d been burned. He pulled his hands away so fast I almost felt the air move. He withdrew as if touching me —as if touching our babies— had been something forbidden or irresponsible. My chest tightened. Was that what he felt? Was it forbidden? Was it so disgusting for him to be seen touching me? At first, I didn’t feel comfortable with him touching me, but the way he pulled away made me feel sick. A sharp pang of wounded pride shot through me, and I looked at him before I could stop myself. A cold, hard, disdainful look that even surprised me. Jake noticed it. I saw it in his eyes, in the sudden tension of his back. But he didn’t say anything,

Jake The room fell into a thick, uncomfortable silence after the doctor left. The tension in the air made it hard for either of us to breathe. Kiara was lying on the examination bed, her shirt lifted up to just below her chest, leaving her rounded belly exposed under the white light. The image, the moment, the emotion, none of it was something I ever expected to experience. Two weeks ago, I was a completely different man. And today? Today I was a father. But it wasn’t just the pregnancy. It was Kiara. What she meant to me. Seeing her like that, vulnerable, breathing with that quick rhythm I knew so well. My mind stopped thinking for a moment. I took one step closer, then another, without making a sound. My eyes were stuck on her belly, as if something inside me pushed my hand forward, urging me to touch my children. I saw her exposed stomach, but I wanted to feel them, have solid proof beneath my hands that they were really there. I extended my hand, just a few centimeters, re

Kiara Jake and I had the same uncomfortable expression on our faces, and we both tried not to look at each other. My stomach twisted, warning me that I didn’t want to be here with him as my companion. Jake walked beside me, far too close for my liking. He looked confident, as always. As if everything around us belonged to him. I shouldn’t have let him come along. That was the first thing that crossed my mind when we stepped through the doors, but I hadn’t had a choice. Unfortunately. Everything had spiralled out of my hands. A sudden wave of anger toward Jake washed over me —I couldn’t believe I was walking next to him again after everything— but I swallowed the words. I had to stay calm, focus on my babies, and pray they were okay. The nurse opened the ultrasound room door when my name was called. “Come in, you can both enter now,” she announced with an automatic smile. I felt Jake’s stare on me as I took the first step inside. His fingers brushed my back, as if he wanted to g

Kiara The day of the next ultrasound finally arrived. The doctor had scheduled me for 7:00 a.m., and Jake had the right to know. He knew everything. Everything that was happening to me. I had to have that conversation with him, even though I didn’t want to. The judge’s order spelled it out, and I couldn’t go against it. However, Thomas and I contacted a lawyer to try to fix the situation. The lawyer said he would try to handle it, but the judge’s order was valid, and there wasn’t much we could do for now. He would attempt to make sure Jake didn’t have the power to stop Thomas from going with us to the medical appointments. Jake knocked on the door a little before we were supposed to leave for the hospital. I didn’t expect to see him there. “What are you doing here?” I raised my eyebrows. “Good morning. Don’t you have any manners?” “Jake, what are you doing here?” I snapped. “What do you think? We have a medical appointment in less than half an hour.” “But you didn’t have to c

Jake Seeing Kiara freshly out of bed and Thomas appearing in the hallway in his boxers stopped my world completely. I had never felt so much anger over something, not even when I was cheated on. Imagining Kiara naked with my brother overwhelmed me so much that I felt I had to do something. Something to get revenge. I never had the chance to get revenge. When the truth came out, I decided to take refuge in Irina because she was the only person besides me who knew everything. I got involved with her sister just like Kiara had with mine. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. But that wasn’t enough anymore, not after seeing Thomas show up looking so messy and freshly awake. Thomas frowned when he saw me, surprised to find me there. I turned to Kiara, ready to hurt her just as much as she had hurt me. I know I didn’t love her. I know nothing that Kiara said or did should matter to me. I didn’t want a relationship with Kiara. But I wanted her to be alone. I didn’t want her with my b

KiaraJuliette woke me up saying that Jake was waiting for me in the living room. I froze and looked behind me. Thomas was still asleep and hadn’t noticed a thing.I got dressed quickly, checked myself in the mirror, and fixed my hair after brushing my teeth. My eyes were a mess. I had cried almost the entire night in Thomas’s arms.I stepped out of my room nervously and peeked down the hallway, stopping right at the line where the hallway met the living room.“Jake?”He turned around to look at me, as handsome as ever. His hair was clean and perfectly styled, just like everything about him. His intense eyes were bloodshot. A little tired-looking, but handsome all the same.It looked like he hadn’t been able to sleep either.He was holding a paper in his hand, gripping it tightly. He didn’t look friendly, and I feared the second war was about to begin.“We need to talk, Kiara. Sit down,” he said, pointing at the couch.I obeyed as if I didn’t have any authority of my own. I sat across

DanaThe wedding night has finally arrived. The long wait would end in less than an hour.I looked at my long, white, expensive, tailor-made dress. It was strange to get married for the second time, but we both decided to leave the past behind and focus on a new future. I'm not going to lie and say it's easy, because it isn't. But we've tried. We've done it together.Our relationship has strengthened after everything we've been through. Demian has become a better partner. Even better than in our past marriage. He has made it his mission to make me fall in love with him day by day and to show me his love.Our three children were happy to have a united family. I could see it in their faces. Soon, a fourth child would join our lives. Demian and I planned it. My health was stable, so we decided to try.“Miss, are you ready?” my chauffeur asked.The limousine was ready to take me to the church. After our wedding, we will go together as a family to the Caribbean. When we return, we will mov

DanaThe first month without him was hard. Without my mother's support, I would never have been able to move forward.The second month was terrifying. I cried so much. I don't know how I didn't become dehydrated.In the third month, my children were already so strong, and the doctors discharged us from the hospital, and we went home, where a four-year-old brother was waiting for us. I took care of Demian's little son because he was left alone. Rachel abandoned him, and he needed a mother. That little boy was not to blame for having a mother like Rachel, so I took care of him as if he were my own son. I know Demian would have loved that.The fourth month was just as painful as the third. I couldn't accept that he wasn't near me. I missed him so much. There wasn't a day when I didn't cry over his departure. I wondered if he was okay. Was he alive? Did he miss us? What did Rachel do to him?In the fifth month, I visited Jeremy's grave almost every day, asking him to help bring Demian hom

DanaI suddenly opened my eyes and sat up in bed, gasping. I coughed non-stop, and my mother was worried about me. I touched my abdomen and noticed that my belly was no longer the same as before. I frowned and looked at my mom."What happened? Where are my children?""The babies are alive in the maternity and baby room. They are in an incubator, daughter" my mom explained, stroking my hair.My babies... my children had been born, and I had been asleep the whole time. I wanted to touch and kiss them. I needed to see and meet them. Their faces, their little hands, and feet. My eyes filled with tears. Finally, I was a mother. Finally, I could meet them.I begged to be allowed to see them. Mom said she would call the doctor to have me taken to see my children. I had never felt such great excitement. I felt energetic like I hadn't felt in a long time."Don't strain yourself. You just came out of a complicated surgery. You have to stay calm. We'll wait for the doctor. Okay?"A surgery? Why

DemianI looked for the address where a black car with tinted windows would pick me up. Rachel's henchmen were coming for me to take me to her. That was the deal. I understood we were going to leave the city and the country so no one could find us. It was madness to leave the country and have no further contact with my family, Dana, or any information about my children. But that was the deal I made with Rachel so she would tell me how to save Dana. I trusted the maid would be of great help to Dana, my son, and my other two children. I wanted to believe everything would be fine while I was gone, but I wasn't sure of it.Nerves were eating me slowly and anxiety was my worst enemy. The star-filled sky didn't match the horrible feeling in my heart today.They picked me up and put a bag over my head. Another rule was not to resist the kidnapping they were going to perform. So I stayed still. I felt a prick on my neck and it took hold of my skin. I grimaced. That wasn't part of the deal, bu

DemianI had to make a quick decision to save Dana. I had to leave or stay with Dana while she died slowly. There was no certainty in Rachel's words, but I had to do something for Dana, and I believe the maid was right all along. If being with Rachel was the key to Dana's survival, I was going to do it. I had to take that risk. I had seen her die before my eyes. I couldn't let that happen again and have it be permanent. Dana and my children needed me. What kind of man was I if I couldn't protect my family from this hell? What kind of man was I if I couldn't keep them alive?I had to accept going with Rachel, but first, I had to make sure the surgery was successful. Hours passed without any answers. A doctor approached Dana's mother, and I went to listen to what happened."What happened? I'm Dana's husband. How is she? My children?""We delivered the babies, and they are alive, but they need to be monitored in incubators for a while, as their organs are still developing. Ideally, the b

DemianDana's heart stopped suddenly while we were talking. Her eyes were fixed on mine, but she was no longer moving. I was terrified. I felt a fear like I had never felt in my life. Anguish took over my body, dragging me down the path of pain. My chest tightened as I realized she was gone. Dana was gone. Someone had to do something. They had to bring my beloved back to me. I couldn't live without her because living without Dana was like being dead in my own life.I took her face in my hands as I heard the long beep of the machine connected to Dana. I searched for something to help her, but I didn't know how. No one prepares anyone for this. Not even I, a powerful Alpha, could escape such immense pain."Dana, no... No!" I shouted. "Don't go! You can't go! I won't allow it. Not like this. Please," I begged. I had never begged anyone for anything in my life, but for Dana, I was willing to do anything.I would give my life for hers. I was willing to take her place and her pain so that s

BrightThe police station had a smell I didn’t like. I could sense the anxiety, the confinement. I went through security, left my phone in the tray, and was forced to sign a few papers. I hadn’t called James—not from home or my phone— to tell him I was coming here, because he wouldn’t have agreed with my decision.They led me to the visiting room. Metal table, phone hanging from the wall, two guards watching from a distance. I’d asked to see Dante face-to-face, no glass between us. They said they’d consider it, that they’d see if it was possible. I sat down and waited. I didn’t speak, didn’t check the clock. I just waited for them to bring him in.He came in handcuffed. The guy walked with his head high, as if nothing weighed on him. He had that same arrogant smile he used to wear when he thought he owned everything. He lacked conscience and overflowed with ego. The guards sat him in front of me and stayed close, just in case.“Bright,” he said, like he was anywhere else but a prison.

SophiaThe doorbell rang, and my heart jumped.I knew they were coming, but part of me wished they wouldn’t. Ever since they told me the police would stop by the house to talk to me, I hadn’t been able to sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I went back to that room. To him.Bright was the first to get up from the couch. James, standing near the door, took a deep breath before opening it."Police," a woman called through the door.Two officers stepped in, a woman with her hair neatly tied back, sharp eyes, and a young man holding a folder."Inspector Roberts. Officer Francis. Here for Mrs. Sophia."“That’s me,” I replied, trying to sound calm, though my voice trembled.“We just want to ask you a few questions,” she said. “May we come in?”I nodded. Bright gestured toward the living room so they could sit down. I remained standing, not knowing what to do with my hands.“We’d like to clarify a few details about your case,” the inspector began. “First of all, we need to understand why a f

SophiaSophia remained by my side, breathing calmly, her face serene against the pillow. The light coming through the open curtains slid across her skin like a golden trace. It had been so long since I had seen her so peaceful, without fear or tension. But I could still sense the trauma lingering in her. It was a calm born from exhaustion, not peace, an aftermath of darkness that she still carried within her. The darkness Dante had left behind.I couldn’t get out of my head what Dante had told me a few hours ago. Unlike her, I felt like I was losing my mind, trying to figure out the new game Dante was planning. Dante was clever, a real killer. A master planner. If he’d managed to sneak into our wedding night, into a house full of werewolves who already had his scent, then he was capable of anything. I didn’t even feel completely safe knowing the house was surrounded by wolves; after all, we had been attacked once. Sophia had no idea about the deaths Dante had caused that night. I didn

SophiaSophia was still asleep, deeply, breathing calmly. Every now and then she moved her head slightly or her lips curved into a small grimace.She had stayed awake all night. I couldn’t take my eyes off her, not after everything that had happened. I was afraid that if I closed my eyes, when I opened them again everything would disappear, that Sophia would vanish like an illusion, like those times I dreamed of finding her and woke up with an empty chest.I was sitting next to the bed, elbows on my knees, hands clasped. The silence was so deep I could hear her breathing. Her skin still smelled of soap from last night’s shower, and her perfume filled the room as well.A soft knock on the door pulled me out of my trance.“Bright?” it was James, his voice low.I looked at Sophia before answering. She didn’t move.“Yes, come in,” I said, almost in a whisper, but I knew he would hear me.The door opened slowly, careful not to make a sound. James’ hair was damp and his clothes clean. His e

BrightThe silence in the room was almost absolute. Only Sophia’s soft breathing and the faint ticking of the clock could be heard. There was little light, but it was enough for her to rest well. She looked peaceful in her sleep, and that broke my heart. I knew she hadn’t truly slept in a month. Her face looked exhausted, different.Her skin was pale. Her body looked thinner, and her lips were dry. Still, she was beautiful. She looked so fragile that I was afraid if I touched her, she would break. I had dreamed for so long of seeing her sleep peacefully by my side. I couldn’t believe it had finally happened.A soft knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. I didn’t have to ask who it was. I would recognize that knock anywhere.“Come in,” I said quietly, careful not to wake her.James peeked his head in before entering slowly. His expression was a mix of exhaustion and relief. His clothes were dirty, his hair messy, and there were a few scrapes on his arms, probably from running

SophiaThe door opened, and the warmth of home wrapped around me deeply. My house. The house where I grew up. After so much cold, after so many days filled with darkness, I had finally come back to them. The familiar scent of the house —my mother’s strong perfume— reached my nose. My eyes filled with tears even before I saw them.“Sophia!” my mother’s voice was the next thing I heard, trembling, vibrant, filled with an emotion I hadn’t heard from her in years.Before I could react, I saw her running toward me. Her white apron moved with her hurried steps, her hair grayer and thinner, as if she had aged in the month I was gone. When she reached me, she threw her arms around me and didn’t let go. I felt her embrace so tight that I thought she might break my bones. But feeling my mother’s arms again made me feel like a little girl. I had missed her so much.I clung to her and cried.“Mom…” was all I managed to say.She sobbed uncontrollably, burying her face in my hair, stroking my back