Novels by Denise

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

JakeMom said the words, and for a second, everything inside me froze.A knot tightened in my chest, and Kiara’s pain flashed in my mind.Mom watched me, and I quickly replaced my expression of surprise with a calm one. I didn’t want her to think this affected me, because it didn’t. Whatever happened to Kiara was none of my concern. I didn’t care.Yet the feeling was still there.I decided to ignore it.“So, will they be moving here soon?” I turned my back on her.“Yes. Until they find a house suitable for them. It needs to be a spacious house for my grandchildren.”I turned around.“Don’t call them that,” I snapped.Mom stayed calm, but narrowed her eyes.“They are my grandchildren, Jake. And whether you like it or not, they are your nephews.”I let out a humorless laugh.“I don’t have a brother.”“When will you stop being so stubborn? Both of you, because your brother is just like you. You’re both stubborn and don’t care about family.”“That’s not it. It’s the betrayal. He didn’t ca

Kiara“He knows I have cancer,” I told Thomas when he came to pick me up.He frowned and helped me stand from the cold steps where I had been sitting. When Jake walked into the house, I knew I couldn’t stay in the same place as him. I asked Thomas to hurry and come get me, and he arrived as soon as he could. In the meantime, I had to wait for him outside the house.Breathing the same air as Jake suffocated me. It filled my lungs with resentment, anger, and the love I wanted to forget.“What?”“He asked me if I have cancer. He knows. How does he know? Did you tell him?” I accused, while he helped me get into the car.“No, I didn’t tell him anything.”“Then how does he know?”“Kiara, I don’t know, but I didn’t open my mouth.”I didn’t want to think Thomas was the one who told his brother that I have cancer, but he was the only person who knew. The only person I trusted aside from my sister, who lives out of town.“You’re the only one who knows about this.”Thomas looked hurt.“How can y

Jake When that intrusive question escaped my lips, Kiara stiffened. I waited for her to turn and face me, but she didn’t. Her breathing quickened, sharper than before. A second later, she kept walking toward the exit. She couldn’t bear being in the same room as me, and honestly, I couldn’t stand her either. Maybe she couldn’t confront the guilt of what she did to me. She slept with my brother. She got pregnant. With twins. If anyone had to feel uncomfortable and leave the house, it should’ve been her. Not me. This house wasn’t for traitors like her and Thomas, but Mom made the mistake of welcoming them. In some twisted way, my mother chose to forgive Thomas for what he did, but not me, not for separating from Kiara, and not for getting involved with Irina. But I didn’t do anything wrong. I only did what they had already done to me after they both betrayed me. Before that, my loyalty to Kiara had always been spotless. I never betrayed her. I never looked at another woman. I never

Kiara I felt the burning rise up my throat the moment I faced Jake. I stood up from the chair and rushed out of the room. Thomas ran after me down the hallways. I entered the women’s restroom, and he followed me to hold my hair back. I threw up mercilessly. My hands were shaking, and I could barely stay on my feet. “This is going to start happening now,” I murmured. “Is it because of the chemotherapy?” “I think so, but I’m not sure. Or maybe it’s from seeing them. They make me nauseous,” I replied. I had to go back home while Thomas stayed for the rest of the meeting. Jake and Thomas’s mother, Juliette, wasn’t there either because she wasn’t feeling well. Thomas left me at his mother’s house, both of them facing the same illness. But I didn’t want her to know what I had, so I focused on taking care of her while she rested in her room. I sat in front of the TV, thinking about the weakness the doctor said would soon overwhelm my body. It wasn’t the best moment to get pregnant, b

Jake One of the most impulsive decisions I ever made was divorcing Kiara. The second was getting involved with her sister. The third was marrying Irina. We had just gotten married in secret. I managed to get a last-minute appointment at the civil registry so we could get married before the meeting where Kiara and Thomas would be present. I wanted to rub it in Kiara’s face, show her that it hadn’t been hard for me to move on, just as it hadn’t been hard for her. I wanted to prove that I didn’t suffer. That it didn’t hurt. That I didn’t care about what she had done, or the fact that she was pregnant with my brother’s children. But for some reason, deep down, it didn’t feel right. The meeting was about to start. I was late, but when I walked into the office, Kiara was already there. Alone. Without Thomas hovering around her. When Thomas came in and sat beside her, I felt such rage that I couldn’t stop myself from telling them that Irina and I were planning to have a baby. Si

KiaraI nervously clutched the strap of my designer handbag, the one Thomas had given me last month after I began my chemotherapy treatment.Mornings were the hardest. I hadn’t had too many symptoms from the treatment yet. Still, the mornings were difficult, worse than I’d expected. The nausea wouldn’t let me get out of bed. I always needed a moment to fully recover.That’s how I fell in love with Thomas. He was always there for me. It didn’t matter if it was late at night; he was wonderful company. I didn’t fall in love because of expensive gifts; I fell in love because he proved to be more than his brother ever was.“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked, standing at the doorway.“Yes. You helped me for a long time. Now it’s my turn to help you,” I repeated, though I didn’t feel sure at all.Thomas drove to the company. The turmoil in my stomach wouldn’t let me think clearly. I didn’t know if it was from the treatment, the babies, or the nerves about seeing Jake.“I don’t want