Bound By Blood
Isabella Marino has spent her life toeing the line between duty and desire, torn between her family’s expectations and her dream of freedom. When her father arranges her marriage to Leonard Ricci, the most powerful and ruthless mafia boss in Italy, she’s thrust into a world of power, violence, and deception. She knows Leonard’s reputation—a man feared by his enemies, respected by his allies, and untouchable in the criminal underworld.
But as their marriage forces them into each other’s lives, Isabella soon discovers the man behind the ruthless façade—a man scarred by betrayal, driven by loyalty, and desperate to protect the empire he’s built. In the shadowy world of mafia politics, where trust is a rare commodity and enemies lurk at every corner, Isabella and Leonard must navigate a dangerous game of power and survival.
As secrets unravel and bloodlines are tested, Isabella faces an impossible choice: follow her heart and risk everything, or remain loyal to a family that sees her as a pawn in their game. But Leonard has his own battles to fight, and in a world where love is a dangerous weakness, the only thing more treacherous than their enemies is the growing connection between them.
Power. Betrayal. Love. When the stakes are life or death, can two souls caught in the crossfire find a way to save each other, or will they be torn apart by the very forces that brought them together?
Read
Chapter: CHAPTER 9Isabella woke to sunlight streaming through partially opened curtains and an empty space beside her. The sheets on Leonard's side were cool to the touch; he had been gone for some time. A note rested on his pillow, written in a strong, precise hand:{Business calls early. Breakfast on the terrace at 9. Don't be late.}She glanced at the elegant clock on the bedside table: 8:17. Just enough time to shower and dress. As she rose, she noticed a small box that hadn't been there the night before, wrapped in silver paper with no bow or card. Inside was a platinum bracelet, delicate but substantial, set with emeralds that matched her eyes. Not diamonds—the traditional choice—but something more distinct, more specific to her.A claim, not a gift. A beautiful shackle.Isabella slipped it onto her wrist regardless, admiring how the stones caught the light. If this was to be her life, she would embrace its luxuries while searching for its weaknesses. She would learn the rules of Leonard's world
Last Updated: 2025-03-22
Chapter: CHAPTER 8He took a measured sip, studying her over the rim of his glass. "I didn't bring you into my home, into my life, merely for the pleasure of forcing myself on an unwilling bride." His voice hardened slightly. "I have higher standards than that."Isabella stood straighter, lifting her chin. "So what exactly are your standards, Leonard? You've made it clear that I'm your property, a political alliance sealed in blood and paper. What role does my willingness play in any of this?"Something dangerous flashed in his eyes—not anger, exactly, but a predatory focus that reminded her exactly who she was dealing with. He set down his glass and approached her slowly, like a wolf circling wary prey."Let me be clear," Leonard said, stopping close enough that she could smell his cologne—sandalwood and something darker. "Our marriage is real, legal, and permanent. You are my wife. That means certain things are expected of us both." He lifted a hand, and she flinched slightly, but he only traced the a
Last Updated: 2025-03-22
Chapter: CHAPTER 7The ballroom had gone silent, hundreds of eyes watching the confrontation. Salvatore's face flushed with humiliation and rage, but the fear in his eyes was unmistakable."Perfectly," he spat, backing away. "Enjoy your wedding, Ricci."As Salvatore retreated, conversation gradually resumed around them. Isabella realized she had been holding her breath and exhaled slowly, trying to process what had just happened. Leonard had defended her—not as a possession being threatened, but as a person being disrespected. The distinction was small but significant.Leonard turned to her, his dark eyes searching her face. "Are you alright?""Yes," she answered, surprised to find it wasn't entirely a lie. "Who was that?""Salvatore Conti. He controls most of the shipping routes along the southern coast." Leonard's hand came to rest at the small of her back again, guiding her toward a quieter corner of the ballroom. "We have... history. He's testing boundaries.""Using me," Isabella said flatly.Leonar
Last Updated: 2025-03-21
Chapter: CHAPTER 6Isabella stared at her reflection in the ornate full-length mirror, barely recognizing the woman who gazed back at her. The wedding dress—a custom Valentino creation of ivory silk and delicate lace—hugged her figure perfectly. Too perfectly. It felt like a beautiful cage."You look stunning, Isabella" whispered Maria, the elderly maid who had been assigned to help her prepare. Her wrinkled hands trembled slightly as she adjusted the cathedral-length veil.Isabella met the woman's eyes in the mirror. "Thank you," she replied, her voice hollow. She wondered if Maria knew what this wedding truly was—not a union of love, but a business transaction sealed with her body and freedom as collateral.The door opened, and Gia slipped in, her bridesmaid dress a shade of burgundy that matched the Ricci family colors. Her face was a mask of practiced cheer, but her eyes betrayed her concern."They're almost ready for you," Gia said, approaching carefully. When Maria stepped away to retrieve the bou
Last Updated: 2025-03-21
Chapter: CHAPTER 5I could feel the weight of it all as soon as I entered the restaurant. The sound of glasses clinking and soft conversation blended with the aroma of roasted garlic and herbs. It was meant to be familiar and reassuring. But it felt like a prison tonight. The shiver that was creeping up my spine was too strong for the cozy glow of the candlelight.I saw Leonardo already seated at the table with my father. Wearing his typical fitted suit, my father appeared very relaxed, as though this were just another informal family meal. He took a slow, peaceful sip of his wine. However, Leonardo was another matter.He sat there like a king on his throne, exuding power in every subtle movement. He didn’t have to say a word, but his presence alone commanded the room. The waiters even appeared to be more careful around him, as if they were worried about taking a wrong step. The whole place seemed to give way to his will. With every step becoming more difficult, I forced myself to move in the direction o
Last Updated: 2024-10-27
Chapter: CHAPTER 4I watched the steam rise from my unfinished cappuccino while I sat in the rear of the café. The outside world seems so typical. People were passing by, having fun, and going about their daily lives as if nothing had happened. As if they weren't stuck in a nightmare from which they couldn't escape.As though I wasn't.Gia was eyeing me with that expression in her eyes as she swirled her drink across from me. When she sensed I was going to break, she always had the one.She crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, saying, "Spill it." "You're suppressing something, and I won't let you go until you tell me what's happening."With a sigh, I combed through my hair. Even though the sun was streaming through the café windows and giving everything a lovely glow, it didn't make the pit in my stomach go away.What was I meant to say about this? How could I explain something to her that even I found difficult to comprehend?With a sour tone, I blurted out, "I'm getting married."Gia blinked,
Last Updated: 2024-10-27
Twin Hearts,Broken Bonds
Lyra was betrayed by her twin sister, Nyla, and heartbroken by Alpha Xander Bennett, the man she loves.
On the verge of death, Nyla asked the moon goddess to help her seek revenge and is reborn as Mia, the daughter of Beta Sinclair, a new identity with a chance to get revenge on those who hurt her.
But when she crosses paths with the powerful Alpha King Damion Byers, her quest for vengeance becomes more complicated.
As she deals with complicated relationships and struggles in her new life,she learns that love can grow in surprising ways.
In this story of second chances, deceit, and surprise romance, follow Lyra as she accepts her strong new self, confronts her past, and learns that real strength might come from her ability to rise again. Torn between love and justice, Lyra must decide whether she will rise as the Luna Queen or let her thirst for revenge consume her.
Read
Chapter: CHAPTER 53Lyra(Mia’s)POVI sat in the dark car that had brought me here. The only difference was that Logan was driving, and I was with the man responsible for everything that was going on—Xander. Logan couldn’t stop taking shots at him. “Oh, you are so dead, Mr. Smart.” “Let me get this straight. So after you had declared that you had nothing to do with Xander, you are spotted with him. Do you lie for a living, or are you just trying to piss off Damion?” “You can’t ask me any questions.” After all, he had been there when everything was falling apart. He could have stepped up to rescue me. “Just take us to the damn palace.” He did me a favor and kept mute until we got to the palace. Damion was still in his silk bed, but he looked a lot more worn than when I had last left him. I stood in front of Damion, counting my toes. Xander stood beside me. It was a strange mystery how he still handled it all with confidence. Either Damion was feeling merciful, or he was feeding off the fact that he
Last Updated: 2025-03-23
Chapter: CHAPTER 52Lyra(Mia’s)POV I can't believe it. I had put so much effort into making sure that he was in good health. I never would have expected that he would play down all of my sacrifices. I was pissed, to say the least. The anger was boiling up, but that didn't take away the fact that I was still thinking about how he was feeling. So much for caring about him. The hospital had gotten toxic for me. I could understand his mother being ungrateful, but I expected more from him. Selling me out like that should have never been an option. I didn't care about the injury on me anymore. Instead of returning to my hotel room, I slipped on a hoodie and headed out of the hospital. I had just made it out of the hospital when I saw a car standing close to the hospital gate. I immediately recognized it as Xander's. It couldn’t have been him… The windows were down, and my biggest fears were confirmed. He stepped out of the car and began walking toward me. “How the hell did you get in here?” I asked, b
Last Updated: 2025-03-21
Chapter: CHAPTER 51Damion’s POV “Good riddance to bad rubbish!” my mother fumed under her breath as Mia closed the door. She was spiteful. But something about the whole thing made me feel like what just happened was the wrong decision. “But Mother, what you did was too harsh.” “Come off it, Damion . I don't know if that evil woman attempted to use some kind of spell on you while you were asleep. Don't forget she is not looking out for your good.” That didn’t sound right, even to a heartless man like me. If she didn’t care one bit, she wouldn’t have come to watch over me despite her injuries. It was absurd to see that she would put herself in such a position. Logan walked closer after I turned to him. I noticed that beneath the usual excitement he appeared to have, he hesitated, visibly troubled. “Leave!” he instructed the nurse before turning to me after she had left. “What is it?” “Tell me all about what happened.” “You transformed,” Logan began. But my mother wouldn’t let him finish. “Don’
Last Updated: 2025-03-20
Chapter: CHAPTER 50Damion’s POV Every part of my body was hurting. My legs felt like they were about to split in half anytime soon. Even the slightest movement was sending signals that shot through my nerves, making even breathing a struggle. I could hear a steady beeping sound in the background and the chatter of people. They didn't sound near, but their jumbled discussions were not clear enough. The light hit hard as I slowly lifted my eyelids. It took a couple of seconds and blinks to finally acclimate to the intrusion of light. "Where am I?" I managed to mutter. The answer was before me. All I could see was white—sheets and emptiness. There was no one in sight as far as my eyes could stretch. Sitting up would have given me a better chance to see the room, but my arms felt like a thousand grams were pressing down on them. I decided to lift a finger, but a sharp pain immediately repelled me. The thick smell of antiseptic whipped my nostrils, leading me to let out a sharp sniff. My eyes took i
Last Updated: 2025-03-19
Chapter: CHAPTER 49Lyra(Mia’s)POVThat was loud enough to wake up anyone who was asleep—that is, if there was a slim chance that anyone would fall into slumber despite the chaos going on. I shut my ears and jumped back as the noise left his lips. My first thought—that he was about to attack—had been debunked, so I moved closer, lifting his hairy face to meet mine. Damion blinked. And for the briefest moment, his red eyes flickered back to gray. My heart leaped in hope that he was coming back. But then a loud horn sounded. I looked back sharply to see Logan at the back end of the loud horn. It was his signal to let me know he was on standby. “No, wait. Don’t fire. He is back to normal,” I yelled out in plea. But my voice fell on deaf ears. “Fire!” he commanded. Immediately, the little darts poked out of the guns and were headed right at us. I heard the grunts but quickly focused on the darts as they blew through the air. They came in from all directions mercilessly. “No,” I screamed as I watched t
Last Updated: 2025-03-18
Chapter: CHAPTER 48Lyra(Mia’s)POVI should have fled. At that moment, I regretted everything that led me up to this moment. If I could turn back the hands of time, I would have made sure to run away as fast as I could. Just looking at those eyes was enough to chase away any atom of conviction I had managed to muster. But there was no turning back—his eyes were locked onto mine. If I made any attempt to move, I would be the best target. “Please, Damion. You need to stop with this madness. You are hurting people. You need to stop.” I made sure to yell at the top of my lungs. But I was even more sure that my message didn't get to him. If anything, it bounced off as soon as it hit his ears. He kept charging forward. The ground chimed as he kept taking heavy steps closer. All he did was inhale as he walked closer. I wasn’t just calling out to him—I had a plan. And it was a great one if he would stick to me. I was hoping to ensure I stuck this blade into his chest. “Damion!” I screamed. “You don’t want
Last Updated: 2025-03-17
LOGIN
