Novels by Rain

Evelyn felt her dress swish around her ankles, the rose silk tickling her calves as she walked toward the steps of the hall. The air was thick with the scent of gardenias, infused with the hum of voices and laughter bouncing off the polished wood beams overhead. Outside, a late summer sun slanted through the windows, turning the dust motes into glitter.She held her daughter, Olivia, tight in her arms—a sturdy, dimpled toddler smelling of milk and biscuits, dark hair curling defiantly away from her bow. Olivia reached for Evelyn’s dangling earrings, gurgling with delight as her mother nuzzled her cheek, smothering her with kisses.“Enough, Mama!” Olivia squealed, squirming.Evelyn laughed, setting her on her hip and pressing a final kiss to her forehead before glancing up at Hunter. He was waiting at the bottom of the steps, looking irrepressibly pleased, hands thrust into the pockets of his navy suit. A violet boutonniere—pinned by Evelyn herself just hours earlier—stood vibrant agai

Three years later - Applause swept through the ballroom in bright, crashing waves as Evelyn’s speech drew to a close. Across the sea of elegant tables and flickering candles, faces shone with admiration. Camera crews crisscrossed in silence, red LEDs like fireflies, their lens trained on Evelyn as she stood, radiant, beneath the crystal chandeliers.The gold award for Woman Empowerment sparkled warmly in her hands, heavier than she expected—a symbol of so many years of struggle, doubt, and relentless hope. As the applause swelled, Evelyn’s chest shivered with the joy and disbelief of it all. She cleared her throat, gathered the final words she’d practiced for weeks, and let the room fall quiet.“My journey has not been easy, and I know there is so much more to do. Still, I stand here tonight because of the women who lifted me when I could not stand on my own, and the men who stood beside me, not ahead of me. This award isn’t just mine. It belongs to every woman who ever wondered if h

The honeymoon was everything Evelyn had never dared to dream: an unfolding tapestry of candlelit dinners, winding cobblestone streets, sun-dappled vineyards, and secret laughter that felt as new as it was familiar. For the first time in years—perhaps the first time in her life—Evelyn allowed herself to simply be happy, to lean fully into the radiance of mornings and the comfort of nights. In those days with Hunter, she was no longer bracing herself for disappointment or pain. She dared to want, to hope, and to trust.Their first morning in the coastal villa, light poured across the tangle of their legs, casting patterns on the rumpled sheets. The scent of salt and wild rosemary drifted through lace curtains as Evelyn woke with her head on Hunter’s chest, the steady drumbeat of his heart guiding her from dreams into waking. For a long moment, she merely listened, tracing the edge of his jaw with a fingertip. Hunter, drowsy and unguarded, tightened his hold around her waist, sighing con

The sun rose over the bustling market district, awash in gold. Their hotel was only a short walk from the city’s beating heart—a labyrinth of stalls packed tightly under patchwork awnings. Aromatic clouds curled through the alleyways, lush with spices and grilled meats, mingling with laughter and shouts in several languages. Evelyn felt at home in the chaos, her cheeks flushed with anticipation as she tucked one arm through Hunter’s and pulled him along.Hunter wore his favorite linen shirt and a pair of worn jeans, but his usual corporate seriousness seemed to have melted away with the morning sun. He gamely let Evelyn lead the way, smiling at her delight. Market sellers called out from their stalls, waving fragrant teas and vivid silks. They weaved between a crowd of locals haggling, tourists gesturing at maps, and children darting past with sticky sweets clutched in their hands.“Look at these colors!” Evelyn exclaimed, pausing at a table bursting with dyed scarves and beaded bags.

The private jet sliced through the cloudless sky, silver and clean against a world of soft blue. Sunlight streamed through the windows, pooling in golden puddles across the pale leather seats, glinting off Hunter’s wedding band as he laced his fingers through Evelyn’s. She didn’t let go, not for a single mile of the flight, and each soft squeeze sent a thrill humming through her chest. She was his wife now—hers, always.Evelyn had imagined their honeymoon would be impossible, a dream reserved for someone else’s fate. Yet here she was, glowing inside and out, her hand safely locked in Hunter’s grip as they soared across continents to a place where the world felt impossibly far away. A blend of luxury and intimacy: secluded cliffs, private plunge pools, sandy coves lit by lanterns and moonlight—every whim attended to but every moment theirs alone.Hunter caught her staring out the window, lost in thought. “Planning our next great adventure, Mrs. Blackwood?” He murmured her new name, sav

A gentle breeze rolled in from the ocean, carrying with it the tangled scent of salt and blooming gardenias. Under a billowing white canopy lined with strings of twinkling fairy lights, Evelyn surveyed the guests weaving between tables adorned with trailing vines and jars brimming with wildflowers. In the distance, linen-draped lanterns glowed amber, and the soft, persistent murmur of the surf gave a rhythm to the laughter and clinking glasses around them.Everything felt impossibly dreamlike. Plates of lemon cake and tiny crystal flutes of champagne circled from hand to hand. Children in pastel dresses darted around adults’ ankles, bare feet kissing the damp sand. Someone’s tie had already come undone; another’s crown of daisies bobbed crooked in her hair. Through it all, Hunter watched Evelyn. Not with the nervous admiration of a new love, but with a profound calm—a deep, unshakeable certainty that made her pulse skip.A string quartet under the canopy plucked out a gentle, familiar

Lily’s POVThe rest of the school day unfolded in a surreal, almost dreamlike state of forced normalcy. It was a carefully orchestrated performance, a collective act of denial played out against the backdrop of ringing bells and echoing hallways.No fights erupted, no sharp, sarcastic jabs were thrown my way, no cruel comments were uttered within earshot. The usual undercurrent of tension that often simmered beneath the surface of my interactions with Ryder and his entourage was strangely absent.But the silence that filled the void was far more deafening, more oppressive than any verbal assault. It was a thick, suffocating blanket that stifled the very air I breathed, a constant, aching reminder of the unspoken truth that hung heavy between us.Ryder didn’t speak to me again after that first, chillingly possessive “mate” jab in the morning. He moved through the crowded classrooms and bustling hallways as if I were invisible, a mere figment of his imagination. His booming laughter ech

Lily’s POVThe morning sun, usually a welcome sight, felt like an unwelcome intruder, its harsh, unforgiving rays streaming through the classroom windows as if determined to expose every raw nerve I had desperately tried to bury beneath a fragile veneer of normalcy the night before. It illuminated the dust motes dancing in the air, each one a tiny, mocking reminder of the chaos that now reigned within me.School felt different today. Colder, somehow. Quieter, despite the usual morning bustle of students. Or maybe that was just my perception, the world around me muted and distorted as I walked through the familiar hallways like a ghost, a spectral presence pretending that everything was normal when the very foundations of my existence had irrevocably shifted.They were my mates.Ryder.Hunter.The words echoed in the hollow chambers of my mind, a relentless, insidious mantra that felt more like a curse than a blessing. Each syllable carried the weight of my past pain, the chilling unce

Lily’s POVThe walk back into the grand hall felt like traversing a tightrope suspended over a chasm of unspoken truths. Sam’s steady presence beside me was the only anchor in the swirling vortex of my emotions.My heartbeat hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat that echoed the chaotic rhythm of my thoughts. My skin felt strangely disconnected, alternating between icy chills and sudden, unwelcome flashes of heat. The invisible thread that tethered me to them – Ryder and Hunter – seemed to tighten with each step I took toward the throng of smiling strangers and the looming table laden with brightly wrapped gifts.I forced a smile onto my face, a brittle, carefully constructed mask that felt alien and unnatural, as if it had been crudely glued there. My mom’s eyes, scanning the room, finally locked onto mine, and her entire face illuminated with a radiant joy that pierced my carefully constructed defenses. “There you are! We were starting to worry, sweetheart. Everyone’s waiting

Lily’s POVI stood there, by the edge of the shimmering turquoise water, the cold night air clinging to me like a damp, unwelcome shroud. The distant sounds of the party – the muffled laughter, the faint strains of music – seemed to mock the turmoil raging within me.The golden flickers of light spilling from the mansion’s windows danced across the surface of the pool, a distorted reflection of the joy I couldn’t share. My dress, a flowing expanse of soft blue silk that had felt so promising just hours ago, now felt heavy and constricting against my skin, a tangible representation of the weight that had settled in my soul.The door behind me creaked open again, the sound slicing through the stillness of the night. I didn’t need to turn to know who it was. The soft, rhythmic click of heels against the cool tile was unmistakable. Slowly, reluctantly, I turned to see my mother—Olivia—walking toward me, her silhouette framed by the warm glow emanating from the doorway. Concern was etched

Lily’s POV“Mates… mates… they’re our mates,” my wolf kept whispering, a mournful lament that echoed within the confines of my skull. It was a sound I had never heard from her before – a raw, wounded cry that tugged at my heartstrings despite my fierce resistance.“No,” I choked out, my voice a mere breath against the stillness of the night. My hands gripped the edge of the pool, my nails digging into the rough cement, as if I could anchor myself to reality, to the life I knew before this impossible revelation. “No, it can’t be. It can’t be.Of all the people in the world, the moon goddess, the supposed architect of our destinies, had to choose them? The sheer injustice of it was a bitter pill that threatened to choke me.Ryder—the devil incarnate, the golden boy whose casual cruelty had haunted my high school years. The one who tormented me with his cutting words, who humiliated me with his dismissive glances, who had even, on that horrific night, slapped me across the face, a brutal

Hunter’s POVThe celebratory air in the grand ballroom evaporated the instant that single, earth-shattering word echoed in the deepest recesses of my being. It wasn't spoken aloud, not by human tongue, but by the ancient, primal part of me – my wolf.Mate.The pronouncement hit with the force of a physical blow, knocking the breath from my lungs and sending a jolt of raw, untamed energy coursing through my veins. My wolf, usually a steady, watchful presence, surged forward with a ferocity I hadn't anticipated, a guttural snarl of pure instinct ripping through my consciousness.Mine. Ours. The claim was possessive, absolute, echoing the undeniable truth that resonated within the very core of my soul.No. The denial was a reflexive whisper in the face of such overwhelming certainty. No way. Not her. Lily? The quiet, almost invisible girl who navigated the halls of our lives like a ghost? The one Ryder… the one we had both, in our own ways, overlooked?And yet, despite the shock, despite

The study room was silent, the kind of silence that pressed down on the chest and left the air feeling thick and heavy. Layla sat across from him, her hands folded tightly in her lap, her knees pressed together as though they could hold her upright against the tension. The room smelled faintly of leather and polished wood, of books left closed for months, of order and control. Every corner seemed to reflect Colden’s presence — meticulous, precise, and intimidating. Lamps cast a muted glow that highlighted the sharp angles of his face, the steel in his eyes, the way he carried himself like a predator sizing up prey.“Layla,” he began, his voice low, measured, almost casual, but with a weight that made the words hit harder than a slap. “We need to discuss the next step of our marriage.”Her stomach lurched. She had anticipated discussions about the household, about etiquette, about appearances — but this? The cold matter-of-factness with which he stated it made her jump in her chair.“

The iron gates slammed shut behind them with a final, echoing clang. Outside, the last remnants of chaos faded — the voices, the flash of cameras, the clamor of reporters. It all dissolved into silence. She turned toward Colden. His suit was immaculate, not a single hair out of place, as though the scene outside hadn’t just exploded into scandal and humiliation. He stood in that same calm posture — one hand in his pocket, the other at his side, his gaze somewhere far away.For a moment, she didn’t recognize him. The man who had silenced her parents with a few words — who had ended the spectacle with chilling authority — looked more like a storm disguised in human form.“You didn’t have to do that,” she said finally, her voice small, fragile. “I would have handled them myself.”Colden’s eyes shifted to her, unreadable as always. “They were an eyesore.”Layla blinked, not expecting the bluntness. The way he said it — flat, dismissive, like her family’s cruelty was nothing more than dir

The villa gates were chaos reporters shouting, cameras flashing, the metallic tang of microphones shoved through the gaps in the fence. The guards tried to hold the line, but the sight of Layla’s adoptive family screaming accusations was too sensational for the media to ignore.Layla stood still in the middle of it all, her heart hammering, her throat tight. She had faced cruelty before, but never with so many eyes watching. Her father was red-faced, his voice raw from yelling. Her mother’s wails were dramatic, rehearsed. Her brother sneered like a man who’d found his ticket to fame.“Ungrateful girl!” her father shouted, spittle flying. “We gave you food, a roof, everything you have, and this is how you repay us? You forget your family the moment you marry rich!”“Stop it,” Layla said, her voice trembling but clear. “You didn’t raise me out of kindness. You raised me because you wanted someone to clean your house and obey your orders.”Her mother gasped loudly, clutching her chest as

Morning light slanted through the curtains of a small, cluttered house in the poorer part of town. The old television flickered as Layla’s face appeared on-screen, sitting beside a man whose very presence screamed wealth and power.Her adoptive father froze, the spoon of half-eaten porridge hovering midair. “What the hell—” he muttered, turning up the volume.Her mother’s eyes widened as she leaned forward. “That’s… that’s Layla!”Their son, sprawled lazily on the couch, snorted. “The orphan? No way. What’s she doing with the Frost heir?”There she was — their discarded girl — now standing beside Colden Frost in front of flashing cameras, dressed in luxury. The news headline scrolled boldly across the screen:“Colden Frost — The Elusive Heir Marries in Secret. Meet His Bride: Layla Hayes.”The father’s expression twisted with disbelief, then rage. “That ungrateful brat! She’s been hiding from us all these days, and now this? She married into money! But how did that poor bitch do that?

words)The sky outside the mansion was pale and quiet — the kind of fragile gray that follows a long, sleepless night. As the car rolled down the long gravel path, the towering estate behind them grew smaller, swallowed by the mist and morning light.Layla sat in the passenger seat, her hands clasped in her lap. Her reflection in the window looked like a stranger’s — pale skin, tired eyes, lips pressed too tightly together.For a long while, neither of them spoke.Colden drove with the same focus he gave to everything else — precise, unreadable, detached. The engine purred softly beneath them, the road stretching endlessly ahead.Layla stole a glance at him. His profile was sharp, his eyes fixed on the road. Nothing in his face betrayed emotion.Her mind, however, was a whirlwind. Evelyn’s words still clung to her like a stain.First love.It shouldn’t matter, she told herself. It had nothing to do with her, nothing to do with the deal she’d agreed to. But it did. Because something ab

The morning light spilled through the tall windows of the mansion, soft and filtered through thin white curtains. The estate was quiet, the kind of silence that came not from peace but from control — a hush built by fear and precision. Every servant moved quietly, their steps muted against the polished floors.Colden was already awake.He stood before the mirror, buttoning the cuffs of his shirt with mechanical precision, his reflection as sharp and disciplined as his thoughts. The events of last night still lingered faintly — the conversation with his mother, her voice as cold and poised as ever, the reminder of vengeance pulsing like an old scar.He had slept little. Revenge didn’t allow rest.“Layla,” he said quietly, turning from the mirror.She looked up from where she sat near the dressing table, her fingers fiddling nervously with the hem of her dress. “Yes?”“We’ll be leaving soon,” he said, his tone even, clipped. “Be ready within the hour.”She nodded, swallowing hard. “Alri

2 years later - The stage, still shimmering under the golden wash of the spotlights, echoed with the thunderous applause even as the velvet curtains descended, sealing off the spectacle. Selena stood at the heart of the stage, her chest heaving, her breath coming in ragged, triumphant gasps. The final, soaring notes of her performance, a culmination of years of relentless dedication, hung in the air, a testament to her talent. Yet, the audience's roaring cheers, a wave of unabashed adoration, confirmed what she already knew: she had captivated them.She had done it. She had finally reached the pinnacle she had so ardently pursued.From her early days as a precocious prima donna in the grand opera houses, where her crystalline soprano had enchanted audiences, to this very night—her Broadway debut as the leading lady of a prestigious opera troupe—her journey had been a testament to her unwavering spirit. Yet, as she took her final, graceful bow, her gaze fell upon a familiar sight wait

The soft glow of the fireplace flickered across the dimly lit living room, casting long, dancing shadows that painted the walls with a warm, intimate hue. Julian leaned back on the couch, his arm stretched along the top, a silent observer of Selena as she tucked her legs beneath her, creating a cozy nest of her oversized sweater. There was something about the way the firelight danced in her eyes, catching the subtle flecks of gold and amber, that made his chest tighten with a complex mix of tenderness and a vague, unsettling apprehension. He’d always admired her quiet strength, but tonight, there was a fragile vulnerability that both captivated and worried him."You've been quiet," he murmured, his voice a low rumble that barely disturbed the stillness, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The simple gesture was meant to be comforting, a gentle reminder of his presence, but he felt a flicker of unease at the way she flinched slightly, as if startled by his touc

Selena's breath hitched as Julian planted a series of soft, wet kisses down her neck, his teeth gently nibbling at the tender skin. His hands roamed freely across her body, leaving goosebumps and a warmth that felt like wildfire wherever they touched. He caressed her breasts, teasing the nipples until they were taut with desire.Feeling the firmness of his erection pressed against her, Selena couldn't resist any longer and reached down to stroke him slowly. The base of his cock felt thick and velvety in her grasp. Julian let out a deep moan that reverberated through her entire body, sending shivers dancing along her spine.Their limbs tangled together, Selena's legs wrapped around Julian's waist as their bodies moved in perfect sync. Their breathing grew ragged and desperate, their exhales and inhales mingling together in a symphony of passion.Julian's gaze lingered on Selena's flushed face and he paused for a moment, his pupils dilating with unbridled lust. "You are so beautiful," h

Every day was a new adventure, every moment a testament to their connection, their bond growing stronger with each passing hour. They explored the city together, sharing kisses in the rain, and dancing in the moonlight, their laughter echoing through the streets, their love a constant, steady flame, burning bright, warming their hearts.It was perfect, it was bliss, it was everything she had ever wanted, and as the days passed, and the months turned into years, Selena couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, fairytales could come true after all."Marry me," he whispered one night, his voice a low, husky murmur against her skin, his eyes filled with an intensity that made her heart ache."Aren't we already married?"He smiled. "I want to marry you again, grand and happily."She nodded, her smile a promise, her gaze filled with a love that spoke volumes, her answer a silent declaration of her devotion.He smiled, his expression tender, his gaze filled with a deep, unfathomable aff

They returned to their home at night.Home.Selena loved how the word felt on her lips, a promise, a hope, a dream come true.That night, after a romantic dinner in a dimly lit restaurant, their meal accompanied by a string quartet and a glass of rich, velvety wine, Julian led her upstairs, his touch reverent, his eyes dark with a passion that mirrored her own.When he touched her, when he kissed her, her mind went blank, a haze of desire, and her body, her body was on fire, aching, longing for the feeling of him, the warmth of his skin against hers, the intimacy of their shared pleasure.He gently pushed her on the bed and hovered above her.She felt his hand brush the sensitive spot on her stomach, moving up to her breasts and cupping them, teasing them, and she couldn't hold back the moans that escaped her lips.She closed her eyes and arched her back. His hot, wet mouth enveloped her left breast while his thumb circled the nipple of her right.He sucked, nipped and bit until the p

Paris was everything Selena had imagined, and yet, it was also so much more. It was a living, breathing dream, a symphony of sights, sounds, and scents that resonated deep within her soul. She had seen the postcards, read the novels, watched the romantic comedies, but nothing, absolutely nothing, could have prepared her for the sheer, intoxicating reality of being here. The city hummed with a vibrant energy, a palpable sense of history and romance that permeated every cobblestone street, every ornate building, every whispered conversation. Every corner held a story, every street exuded a timeless charm, and every glance Julian sent her way, every touch, every word, amplified the magic tenfold.Their first morning in Paris, the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains of their bedroom, Julian had woken her with a gentle kiss on her forehead, a feather-light touch that sent a shiver down her spine. "Get dressed, sweetheart. We’re going out." His voice, a low, husky rumble, w