Vanessa thought her life couldn't get worse-until it did. A hardworking woman from a modest background, her world shatters when her father, Jonas, falls gravely ill and their family is left bankrupt. Her stepmother and stepsister abandon them, and to make matters worse, Jonas owes an unpayable debt to Alaric Moretti-a ruthless Mafia lord who is as feared as he is deadly. Dragged into Alaric's dark world, Vanessa is prepared to fight for her father's survival. But when Alaric's mate bond snaps into place the moment he meets her, everything changes. Vanessa is his fated mate-a rare connection that Alaric, a cold-hearted monster, doesn't want and refuses to accept. To settle her father's debt, Alaric makes a horrifying demand: Vanessa must give her blood and a lung to save his dying girlfriend, Emma. Refusing to be a pawn, Vanessa strikes her own deal-she'll comply only if Alaric marries her, securing her father's treatment and her siblings' futures. It's a business arrangement, nothing more.
View MoreThe invitation had arrived in the form of a sleek black envelope, sealed with a gold crest. I barely had time to process it before Alaric had informed me I would be accompanying him. No argument. No choice.Now, as I stood in front of the mirror, dressed in a gown that must have cost more than my old apartment, I felt a strange mix of nerves and defiance.The dress was deep crimson, hugging my curves in a way that made me self-conscious. The slit up one leg was daring, the neckline low but elegant. I had been given the best of everything—diamonds at my throat, heels that added inches to my height, and a stylist who had worked on my hair until it fell in soft waves down my back.I barely recognized myself.But none of it compared to the man standing beside me.Alaric was dressed in a black tailored suit, his presence overwhelming, his power palpable. His dark hair was styled perfectly, and his sharp features made him look like something out of a dangerous fantasy.He didn’t speak as he
The first thing I noticed was warmth. A heavy, enveloping heat pressing against me, surrounding me. My mind swam between the haze of sleep and wakefulness, and for a moment, I didn’t recognize where I was. The bed was too soft, the scent in the air too rich—cologne, leather, and something distinctly masculine. I stirred slightly, and that was when I realized why I felt trapped. An arm—strong, unyielding—was wrapped around my waist, keeping me anchored against a hard chest. I blinked, my body stiffening as awareness sank in. Alaric. My pulse spiked, my breathing shallow as last night’s events came rushing back. I had fallen asleep, exhausted from everything—physically, mentally, emotionally. And now… now I was in his bed. With him. Panic flared through me, my body tensing instinctively. I moved the slightest bit, but the moment I did, his grip tightened. A low, rumbling sound—something almost primal—vibrated from his chest, a warning. I froze. He wasn’t awake. At least, I
My lungs burned as I sprinted through the dark woods, twigs snapping under my feet as I pushed forward, refusing to stop. The scent of damp earth filled my nose, and the cool wind whipped through my hair, but none of it mattered. All that mattered was getting away. Alaric had given me a ten-minute head start—ten minutes to try and escape before the hunt began. I wasn’t stupid. I knew it was a game to him, something thrilling, something primal. And I knew he was coming. The thought sent a shiver down my spine. I pushed harder, forcing my body to keep moving despite the sharp ache in my legs. I had to try. Then I heard it. A low, guttural growl in the distance. My pulse spiked. I whirled around, scanning the dense forest, but saw nothing. He was near, and he was letting me know. The air felt charged, thick with anticipation. I took off again, adrenaline surging through my veins. But it didn’t matter. I didn’t stand a chance. One second, I was running. The next, I w
"he thinks he can order me around," I scoffed in my room. He was a devil and I wasn't going to stand for this bullshit. I was angry with him and myself for still being here for not trying hard enough to escape. How could I have given up so easily . With the way my body kept betraying me in front of him I couldn't stay ...if I did I don't know were this would lead. I didn't want to know...no ways.I packed a small bag,that way it would be easy for me to get away. I slippee through the door ,luckily Alaric had stopped stationing guards outside my door- I guess he also figured I wouldn't rum. I rolled my eyes .I barely made it past the grand foyer when a firm hand clamped around my wrist.My breath hitched as I was yanked back, spun around until I was face-to-face with the last person I wanted to see right now.Alaric.His dark eyes burned into mine, sharp with amusement but lined with something much more dangerous. He didn’t look angry—no, that would’ve been easier to deal with. Inste
The room was still thick with tension when Alaric walked away, leaving me standing in the aftermath of what I had just witnessed. My heart was racing, my mind spinning with everything that had happened. I had seen Alaric’s ruthlessness before, but this… this was different. The cold precision in the way he commanded the room, the way he controlled fear itself—it was terrifying, but at the same time, I couldn’t look away. I took a shaky breath, forcing my legs to move. I needed to get out of here, to put distance between myself and what I had just seen. But before I could even make it to the door, dizziness hit me like a wave. My body, still weak from everything I had been through, protested against the stress and lack of rest. I reached out, gripping the edge of a table to steady myself. Black dots danced at the edges of my vision, and I barely registered the sound of footsteps before a strong hand wrapped around my arm. “You need to rest,” Alaric’s voice was sharp, but not unk
The man knelt in the center of the room, his face battered and streaked with blood. His shirt was torn, stained with sweat and fear. Behind him stood two of Alaric’s men, their grips firm, unyielding. And then there was Alaric. He stood before them, every inch the cold, untouchable king. His suit was immaculate, his presence suffocating. In his hands, he toyed with a sleek dagger, twirling it between his fingers like an afterthought. He didn’t speak immediately, letting the silence stretch unbearably thick. “so you think you can steal from me? ” Alaric’s voice was a death sentence, quiet but unwavering. The man trembled, his breathing ragged. “I-I swear, I didn’t take the money! I was framed, I-” The crack of Alaric’s palm against the man’s face echoed through the room. I flinched. The force of the slap sent the man’s head snapping to the side, blood trailing from his split lip. “I didn’t ask for excuses,” Alaric said, his tone calm, terrifying. “I asked if you knew why you
I remember falling asleep in the car after the auction.I was so drained and I wanted to go home but Alaric kept talking business non stop so I went to the car for a quick power nap.I woke up to the distant hum of voices. My body still felt sore, but I was better than before. The events from the auction replayed in my mind—the whispers, the judgment, the overwhelming presence of Alaric as he dominated the entire room. And then… the way he had pulled me to his side, the unspoken claim in his touch.I had thought I’d have some peace after that, but apparently, my life was destined to be one endless rollercoaster.Pushing myself up, I realized I was in Alaric’s bedroom again. The dim lighting cast long shadows across the sleek black furniture, and the scent of him—smoky, woodsy, and undeniably masculine—lingered in the air.I needed to get out of here.I stood, my legs shaky but functional, and made my way to the door. As soon as I stepped into the hallway, I heard him.His voice was calm
The auction was nothing like I’d ever seen before. The kind of thing only people in Alaric’s world could experience—a world where power and money collided like thunder and lightning, lighting up the dark sky with intensity and raw energy. Alaric had recently started taking me places ,today it was this auction.As we entered the venue, the heavy, velvet curtains parted to reveal a stunning hall—crystal chandeliers hanging like stars above, casting their soft light on the sea of wealthy, powerful individuals gathered in front of the stage. The floor beneath our feet was polished marble, and the walls were adorned with priceless art—pieces of history. There were whispers in the air, low and hushed, from the well-dressed elite who sipped champagne, eyes darting from one to the other.I felt all their gazes fall on us as Alaric’s presence dominated the room. He wasn’t just a man in this world; he was a force—a legend. Every person in the room either feared him or respected him, and there w
I wasn’t sure what I had expected when Alaric told me to get ready for the night. His world was still a mystery to me, one I was slowly beginning to uncover, piece by terrifying piece. But when his assistant laid out an outfit for me—a sleek black dress with a plunging neckline, diamond earrings that looked too expensive to even touch, and stilettos that screamed wealth—I knew tonight was different. I stood in front of the mirror, staring at the woman reflected back at me. The dress clung to my body like a second skin, molding over my curves in a way that made me look dangerous and alluring all at once. My hair cascaded in loose waves, my lips painted a deep red. I didn’t look like the Vanessa I knew. I looked like a queen. Like a woman who belonged to a king. A knock on the door made me jump slightly. “Come in,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. The moment Alaric stepped in, the air shifted. His presence was overwhelming, as it always was—commanding, powerful, and utte
The smell of burnt toast wafted through the kitchen as I juggled Anna’s lunchbox, my coffee mug, and a pile of unpaid bills. The latter stared at me from the counter, a constant reminder of how far we’d fallen. I took a quick sip of coffee—cold, of course—before setting it down and spreading peanut butter onto the last slice of bread."Anna, come on!" I yelled over my shoulder. "The bus won't wait, and I’ve got to leave in five minutes!"Thirteen-year-old Anna shuffled into the kitchen, already wearing her oversized hoodie and carrying her tattered backpack. Her curly brown hair was in a messy ponytail, and her face looked half-awake."I'm here. Chill," she muttered, grabbing a granola bar from the counter.“Chill? I’m the one running around to make sure you’re fed and don’t miss school!” I snapped, sliding the sandwich into her lunchbox and snapping it shut. “And grab your homework this time. Last week was not fun.”She rolled her eyes but grumbled a soft “Thanks, Ness,” before stuff...
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