Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1)
Lauren thought her life was perfect until a Valentine’s Day dinner turned into a nightmare. Accused of pushing her mother-in-law down the stairs, she quickly realizes it’s a setup. Sylas, her husband, and her own sister Taylor orchestrated the whole thing to trap her and end their marriage.
With nowhere to go, Lauren runs straight to the one person she never expected: Enzo, her mysterious and ruthless neighbor, the Mafia King everyone fears. As she starts plotting revenge, she uncovers a shocking truth: Sylas is involved with a rival mafia family, and she’s been dragged into a war that could destroy everything she knows.
But things get even more complicated when Enzo reveals he’s hunting for a set of rare paintings that hold the key to a hidden vault of untold wealth. Intrigued, Lauren agrees to help him, even though she knows it could drag her deeper into the mafia’s deadly world.
As Lauren navigates this treacherous new reality, she must decide whether to use Enzo and the growing attraction between them to exact her revenge, or risk losing herself in the chaos. Will she expose the lies and take back control, or will she be consumed by the very world that betrayed her?
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Chapter: The Devil's ErrandLAUREN“Its time to earn your keep, bella.” Dante said as he led me into his private lounge. Even after staying by his side for so long, Dante didn't trust me. He didn't trust anyone, not even himself. The lounge was dark as we walked in. I heard he liked to keep it that way so that important faces wouldn't be leaked. Following him closely behind, I pulled down the short red dress that he had forced me to wear before sitting down by his side. “What do you mean earn my keep? I've done everything you asked me to.” I answered trying to keep my eye on what was going past on around. A man walked in with a bag catching my attention. Dropping the bag on the table, the man nodded before disappearing. Dante leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as the dim light above flickered, casting sharp shadows across his face. He pulled the bag closer, unzipped it, and turned it slightly so I could see inside.Stacks of d**gs neatly arranged in the bag. It was wrapped in plastic and clear as
Last Updated: 2025-04-18
Chapter: Deadly Obsessions ENZOLauren thrashed against my chest trying to push me away. I wanted to remind her who she belonged to. Who was the only man she should be with. After minutes of wanting of kissing her, of claiming her, I finally let her go watching as she gasped for air. Her body had texted to mine as it always did. She could run but she couldn't hide from me. “ You f**king bastard!” Lauren cussed as she raised her hand slapping me hard across the face.Her slap didn't faze me at all. I knew she would react like this yet I still did it. Raising my hand up, I touched my jaw. My gurriera didn't just slap me, she had f**king bruised me. I turned my head back to her, slow and calm, watching the fire in her eyes burn through the tears she was fighting to hold back. Her chest heaved, hands balled into fists, and for a second, I swore I could feel her hate trying to cut through me.But hate was better than indifference. Hate meant I still owned space inside her.“You done?” I asked, my voice low, steady
Last Updated: 2025-04-17
Chapter: Crossed Lines (2)LAUREN“Do you like the dress?” Dante asked as I stood in his arms dressed in a beautiful silver dress with shiny diamonds. I had managed to get away from Enzo. After running I had been kidnapped by the butler of the Riccardi family. I thought it was going to be Rafael but it was Dante. He offered me a deal I couldn't refuse. The same one Enzo had before in the past. Protection. I knew how to handle Dante. I knew what he wanted. I tilted my head, letting a small smile play on my lips. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered, my fingers brushing over the diamonds stitched into the soft fabric. The dress sparkled under the dim light, catching the gleam in Dante’s dark eyes.Dante's hand slid along my waist, pulling me closer, as if testing how real I was. “You wear it well,” he murmured, his voice low and smooth, like a silent warning wrapped in silk.I kept my expression calm, my heart steady. Dante wasn’t like Enzo. He didn’t need sharp words or raised voices. His danger lived in silence, i
Last Updated: 2025-04-14
Chapter: Crossed LinesENZO“Ms. Hills is here to see you.” Stefano's voice made me open my eyes the moment he said the surname. I watched him leave feeling anxious. Quickly, I ran my hand through my hair before glancing at the mirror in my study. By the time he came back, I thought it will be Lauren but it wasn't. It was Taylor. My eyes narrowed as she walked into my study wearing a very elegant short flower patterned dress. She looked almost exactly like Lauren with the way her hair cascaded down her shoulders. “Mr. Santoro.” Taylor said bringing me out of my thoughts. “ I believe I have something to tell you.” “ What might that be?” I asked staring at her cold as I reached for the things on my table. I pretended to start arranging them and didn't offer her a seat. I thought Taylor would take the initiative to leave but she was beyond stubborn. “ I want what you were offering Lauren. Protection.” Taylor said making me stare at her. “ I was offering Lauren more than just protection. I was offering he
Last Updated: 2025-04-13
Chapter: Fleeing the Flames LAUREN“I’m leaving.” I said staring at Enzo. It had taken me a lot of courage to say it out loud and even hold his gaze but, I couldn't bear it anymore. Seeing him with Barbara, the way they decorated their baby's room each day and the way she walked around with a smug smile each time she saw me. Now, her baby was almost at risk again. Just like that at the hospital. Seeing the way Enzo held her so gently and kissed her hair as I drove them to the hospital made me so mad. It should have been me in his arms.“ What are you talking about? I don't have time for this, Lauren.” Enzo said dismissively as he turned staring in the direction that the mysterious doctor had gone once again.He was still the same. He didn't listen to me. “ I am leaving. I can't stay watching you and Barbara act like a sweet, loving family every single day.” I said unable to hide my jealousy. Enzo's frown turned into a smirk immediately. He seemed happy seeing me slowly losing my mind. As if he was deliberat
Last Updated: 2025-04-11
Chapter: Cracks (2)Barbara gasped calling my name. I rushed to her side immediately holding her before she could fall. Her hands went straight to her hips as she sobbed. Barbara's sobs hit me like a punch to the gut. I barely had time to process the blood pooling on the floor before she collapsed against me, her body trembling. Her face was pale, eyes wide with panic.“Enzo… help me…” Her voice cracked, raw with fear.I caught her before she could fall completely, my arms tight around her waist as I tried to steady her. But something wasn’t right. The way she was clutching her stomach, the way her breath came in short gasps, it wasn’t just from the shock.“Stay calm,” I muttered, my voice gruff, trying to ignore the pounding in my chest. My mind raced, but I couldn’t afford to lose control. Not now.Barbara’s hands shook violently as she gripped my arm. “I— I didn’t... I didn’t mean to…” She stammered through her sobs, her body shuddering in my arms. The words didn’t make sense. “It’s... the baby...”
Last Updated: 2025-04-11
Auctioned To The Wolf King
Despised by her father and sold to the merciless Wolf King, April’s life seemed destined to be a cruel punishment. But when the Wolf King uncovers his fiancée’s treachery, he stuns April with an audacious proposition:
“Let’s change the terms. Marry me.”
What begins as a desperate attempt to reclaim her freedom soon spirals into something far more dangerous. April believes this is her chance to win over her fated mate, but Duncan, the enigmatic Wolf King, has his sights set on one target. Her father, the man who defied his authority and sided with the enemy.
Thrust into a deadly game of power and revenge, April must navigate a treacherous web of enemies, betrayal, and a passion that defies all reason. As her bond with Duncan deepens, she faces an impossible choice: pursue vengeance for her shattered past or embrace the love that could transform her future.
But with Duncan’s vengeful ex-fiancée scheming to take him back and a dangerously obsessed Alpha fixated on April, the path forward is anything but clear.
As enemies close in and the stakes reach their peak, will April have the courage to claim her place beside the Wolf King, or will she lose everything to the ghosts of her past?
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Chapter: The Crown and the Knife APRIL My eyes flickered open the moment Duncan asked about the ring. Opening my eyes, I could see his eyes narrow as he looked at the ring. Did he know?My fingers curled instinctively into a fist, concealing it before he could speak. He couldn’t know. Not yet. "Just a ring my mother left for me." I lied holding his gaze as I stood. I turned away, letting the hot spray from the shower mask the panic rising in my chest. The water coursed over my skin, but it couldn't wash away the fear. I had fought too hard for this moment. To become Duncan’s Wolf Queen and claim my place beside him. I couldn’t afford his doubt. Not when I was this close. When I officially become Duncan's Wolf Queen, I would be able to have the power to search for my mother's remains. Even my father would not be able to go against me then. " Let me help you." Duncan said, his voice rough as he took the sponge from my hand. Duncan reached out turning me around and I let him. Closing my eyes, I relaxed in
Last Updated: 2025-04-18
Chapter: Unleashed Under The Full Moon (2)DUNCAN April's wolf was the most beautiful wolf I had ever seen. Her beautiful silver fur glistened in the room and I could see everyone was as stunned as I was. Her wolf was strong and very domineering unlike any I had seen. Watching as she moved around, I stepped forward expecting her to recognize me as I held her wolf's gaze. She was my mate, after all. " Is she refusing to submit to the Wolf King?" Melissa asked, trying to cause more trouble, and April's wolf seemed to be stirred by it. Melissa's voice instantly turned the attention of April's wolf to her. Her gaze changed and I could see that something was wrong. Almost as if April was in no control of her wolf like I did. "Duncan," Melissa said as she saw April's wolf. April’s wolf let out a deep, menacing growl, her silver fur standing on end as she turned her piercing gaze toward Melissa. A fierce, untamed energy flickered in her golden eyes, something raw and dangerous that sent a chill down my spine. My heart po
Last Updated: 2025-04-07
Chapter: Unleashed Under the Moon "April! April!" Duncan's voice echoed loudly in my ears. I felt so different after what happened. I could feel it. My wolf lingered deep inside me. I gasped as my body trembled, my senses overwhelmed by the flood of power coursing through me. Every sound was sharper, every scent richer, every heartbeat in the room like a steady drum in my ears. My wolf. She was there, fully awake, stretching within me like she had always belonged. The room was deathly silent, all eyes fixed on me. I could feel their uncertainty, their fear. I pushed myself up, my fingers gripping the cold stone beneath me. Duncan was crouched beside me, his hands firm on my shoulders, but it was the look in his eyes that shook me the most. Relief mixed with something else. Something wary. Michael’s voice cut through the silence like a blade. “This is wrong,” he said, his expression hard. “The Moon Goddess does not grant wolves to those born without them. This is not her blessing. It’s something else.” I clench
Last Updated: 2025-02-07
Chapter: My Wolf's AwakeningDuncan’s eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, his presence making my pulse stutter. The afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting long shadows over the garden, but I felt exposed under his gaze. I curled my fingers behind me, pressing my injured wrist against my back, willing the wound to close before he noticed. Even though I didn't have my wolf, I still had my healing abilities. “What are you doing out here?” His voice was steady, but there was something beneath it. Something edged with suspicion.I forced a casual shrug, even as my heart pounded. “Just needed some air.”His gaze flickered to my hand, his wolf-sharp senses picking up something I couldn’t hide. I shifted, angling my body away from him, but it was too late. His fingers caught my wrist before I could react, his grip firm but not harsh.“April.” His tone was low, unreadable. “You’re hurt.”I swallowed hard. I couldn’t tell if it was an observation or an accusation. Having no other option, I exposed my hand letti
Last Updated: 2025-02-03
Chapter: A Deal in the Shadows Caden’s knowing smile lingered in my mind long after he disappeared, leaving me alone in the dimly lit kitchen. My heart raced, and my breaths came shallow as I stared at the shattered pieces of the cup on the floor. His words clung to me like a second skin, both tantalizing and terrifying. How did he know about the Lunaris Hemlock? And why had no one else told me? I sank into the nearest chair, my body trembling with the weight of the revelation. My blood wasn’t just different. It had been deliberately tampered with. By who? My father? Duncan? Someone else entirely? The room felt colder and emptier without Caden’s unnerving presence, but his offer hung heavy in the air. To awaken my wolf, to finally stand beside Duncan as his equal, I had to make a deal with the devil. But would Duncan see it that way? The thought of his reaction made my stomach twist. I’d promised to help him take down my father, yet here I was, making secret bargains with the Vampire King. Would Duncan ever
Last Updated: 2025-02-01
Chapter: Chains of FateAPRIL I nestled in Duncan's embrace throughout the night, a wave of happiness washing over me. At last, we had bridged the gap between us and united against a common foe. My father. The rage I'd felt toward him bubbled beneath the surface, yearning for justice, not just for the pain he inflicted on me, but for the suffering he brought upon my mother and our entire pack. Hours slipped by as I lay wide awake, the weight of my thoughts pressing down on me like a heavy fog. My mother’s face flickered in my mind, a haunting reminder of the past. She was gone, and the desire to finally give her a proper farewell consumed me. I longed to lay her to rest, to turn the page on our shared anguish and reclaim the peace that had long evaded us. "Good morning," I said smiling as I felt Duncan shift under me. Duncan's eyes opened and I saw his wolf's presence before his eyes changed to normal. Rolling me closer to him, I was stunned as Duncan placed a kiss on my head before getting up. I sa
Last Updated: 2025-01-26
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