Novels by Denise

Kiara Jake knocked on the door. I didn’t need to look to know it was him. He arrived on time, exactly as we had agreed. I knew he was just as restless as I was. When I heard the door, I was sitting on the couch, staring at the window. I had seen him arrive in his car, and a wave of nerves hit me mercilessly. I asked Thomas to go upstairs with Juliette and leave us alone so we could talk calmly. Thomas didn’t want to leave the house or leave me alone with Jake, but it wasn’t right for him to be there, so we agreed he would go upstairs. He wasn’t happy about it, but he understood the situation. He respected me. “Thomas,” I grabbed his hand before he left. He turned to look at me, worried and anxious. I smiled softly. “You will always be the father of my babies,” I assured him. He gave me a small smile and a quick kiss on the lips. He left, and I forced my legs to walk toward the entrance. I opened the door and found myself face-to-face with Jake’s dominant, imposing presence. Hi

JakeMy phone rang in the morning.I looked beside me. Irina was still asleep, naked under the sheets.The caller ID didn’t recognize the number. I answered anyway.“Hello. Who is this?” I asked.There was silence on the other end.“Hello?” I insisted, not in the mood for nonsense.I thought it might be a prank call, and I was about to hang up when I heard a voice. A voice I recognized instantly, even though it made no sense that she would be the one calling me.“Hi, Jake.”“Kiara? Is that you?”“Yes, it’s me.”I went silent for a moment. A wave of nerves washed over me for some reason I couldn’t understand. Several guesses crossed my mind: Was this about what happened last night? Was she finally going to tell me the truth?I remained still, but when I saw Irina shift in bed, I knew it wasn’t a good idea to talk with her there. I got out of bed, almost naked, and walked downstairs to the living room.“I’m listening,” I encouraged her to speak.Every time I heard or thought about Kiara

Kiara I woke up in the morning with an important decision to make. Juliette knew the truth, and I knew she wouldn’t keep the secret for us no matter how much we begged. She had her stance, and I couldn’t change it. I realized it was time to tell Jake the truth and try to reach an agreement. After thinking about it all night, I saw no other option. I felt trapped. Still, Jake could only be part of my children’s lives if he acted like a father. I needed Juliette’s help for this. I wanted her on my side, supporting me and caring for her grandchildren. I needed her to help me talk to Jake if necessary, because he loved his mother, and with her insistence, I knew Jake might listen. I got up with Thomas and asked him to talk to Juliette in the kitchen. My boyfriend had no idea what I was about to tell her. He probably thought I would ask his mother not to reveal the truth. The tension in the room was palpable the moment Juliette saw us enter the dining room. She was already having br

KiaraI swallowed hard.“Mom, what are you doing coming into the room without knocking?” Thomas walked toward her, trying to get her out of the room.Juliette looked at my belly.Damn it.I wanted the earth to swallow me whole.It was one thing to ask Thomas to keep the secret, but asking Juliette was something entirely different. She was Jake’s mother. She didn’t want to pick sides, but when it came to a truth like this, I knew she would die before keeping it from Jake.“Go to sleep. Kiara is too tired to talk right now.” Thomas tried to send her away, but she wouldn’t allow it.She slipped out of her son’s grip.“No! Don’t try to kick me out.”She pushed her son aside and took a few steps toward me.“Kiara…”“I don’t know what you heard, Juliette, but it’s not what you think,” I tried to come up with a lie, but nothing coherent would form.Either way, she cut me off.“I heard perfectly well what you said. Jake was right: they’re his children,” she said, looking at me in horror.The

KiaraI was shattered. Worried.The worst part? I felt alone.I know I wasn’t. Thomas was with me, but he was part of my problem.After the fight between Thomas and Jake, I had to eat dinner in bed. Thomas forced me to eat, but I had no appetite. Still, I kept the promise I’d made to my doctor and to myself. I had to feed myself to stay strong, and I couldn’t let the situation with Jake break me.I set the tray aside on the bed. Thomas was sitting at the edge, near my bare feet. He didn’t speak, so he wouldn’t interrupt my dinner, but I knew there were words stuck in his throat.Ever since what happened, we’d barely talked about it. I was angry at Thomas for starting a fight, but in a way, I felt grateful he’d beaten Jake up.What did Jake want from me? After everything that happened, did he now want to take my children from me?I know he didn’t say it that way, but how long would it take until Jake tried?If Jake discovered the truth, everything would fall apart. I know Jake would us

KiaraMy chin trembled desperately when I heard Jake’s words. He called me a whore.Me… The person who had always been there for him, every moment, and who never betrayed him. But I was the whore. The villain of a badly told story. He was the real villain. Not me.I didn’t deserve that treatment. I didn’t deserve those cruel words that hurt me. I never thought anything else Jake could say would hurt me after everything that happened, but he managed to hurt me again. Not even his marriage to Irina hurt as much as hearing him call me a whore.I felt so much rage inside that I wanted to hit him, but I knew I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t do that to myself, because a physical fight would hurt my babies. But Thomas didn’t let Jake’s comment pass.In the blink of an eye, Thomas lunged aggressively at his brother and punched him in the face.Jake fell to the ground instantly. I knew perfectly well he wouldn’t just stay still after that. Jake would hit back. Jake was not the kind of man you hi

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

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