olive kitteridge novel by elizabeth strout

In a world ruled by power, fear, and blood, Dante Ricci is nothing short of a walking demon. A powerful mafia boss, he commands respect through sheer brutality, feared by his enemies and even those closest to him. Dante despises weakness, ruthlessly crushing anyone who dares to oppose him or show vulnerability. Cold-hearted, dominant, and cruel, he lives by the law of the underworld—survival of the fittest. On the other side of the city lives Elena Carter, a cheerful and innocent college student. Adopted by parents who despise her, she has always felt out of place in a world that offers her little love. Unbeknownst to her, her real parents were killed years ago, but she knows nothing of the dark secrets that shroud her past. She’s focused on her studies, trying to live a normal life despite her broken family. Fate takes a dark turn when Elena accidentally witnesses Dante in the middle of a brutal murder, crime no innocent eyes should have seen. Dante, always careful to eliminate any loose ends, has no choice but to kidnap her. She’s nothing more than a liability, a weakling in his eyes, and his first instinct is to kill her. As secrets unravel and tension mounts, Dante must confront the demons of his past while Elena fights to survive in a world she never belonged to. Will Dante’s hatred and heartlessness lead him to kill her, or will the unexpected connection between them change their lives forever?

Extract The thought of Louis stalking me send cold shivers down my spine. Cold sweats formed on my forehead and I could feel my make-up washing off by my sweats. " Who are you?" Austin roared, but the wicked smile on Louis's face never left my mind. Why was he smiling that way? I couldn't help but wonder with my body trembling. " Louis Rusev" Louis answered and the audience gasped. At this moment, the priest had disappeared and everyone was holding their breath. " The alpha of lake pack?" Austin asked with squinted eyes to be sure the person standing before him wasn't an imposter. I didn't tell Austin the identity of my ex-mate, I only told him what happened between us. " Bravo, you know me well" Louis applauded and approached us on the stage. " What do you want?" Austin asked and I felt his grip tightened around my wrist in a protective manner. " I want my mate back" Louis answered calmly with a domineering voice. My heart dropped to my stomach at his response and I felt tears brimming in my eyes. Didn't he reject me? Didn't he send me away? why did he appear suddenly? In a world where people go over the moon when they find their mate, Nora's life crumbled after finding hers. Happy that her long-time crush, Alpha Louis Rusev was now her mate, she offered herself to him willingly not knowing Fate was Tempting her. How far can she survive the cruel action of fate and the partiality of the moon goddess?

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?

A trio of Vampire, Werewolf and Hybrid band together to rebel against clans and save humans from their barbaric killing rituals. Little did they know that the 17 year old human girl they had saved from the claws of a Lycan would end up becoming the fourth addition to this strange family. Through three years of endless fight, clash between clans and these rogues, their human friend grows into a beautiful young woman. So beautiful that she makes the heart of more than one of her roommates race with lust. What happens when all three find themselves caught in this circle of love? A tremendous fight is incoming- can the powerful trio resolve their inner conflict before the storm arrives? The human can choose only one. Can the other two calm their raging spirits at being denied what they crave most?

Hazel was once a mistreated omega, only to be betrayed on the night of her wedding to Alpha Damien. Left for dead, she is saved by Callan, a powerful and cursed alpha who reveals that she is his destined mate. As Hazel grapples with her past and the rising conflict with powerful enemies, she learns that she is part of a greater prophecy—one that could change the fate of all supernatural creatures. Torn between the love of two alphas and the betrayal of one along with the threat of a dark magic that could destroy everything, Hazel must choose whether to accept her destiny or fight it to protect those she loves. Will she be torn by fate or bound by love ?

The thrill behind old Manors, old love letters and a lack of job inspires Meg to go write for a man she has never met. A man she has no idea what he looks like.But she has a fantasy built up in her mind, who wouldn't? With all the mystery and intrigue?But Jack is not like any of Meg fantasies.He is not a guy scuplted like Adonis with the perfect face and charming attitude, no.He is a man riddled with scars and a past that left him bitter against the world.Meg should not be attracted to him, this she knows,Yet, she finds herself drawn to him, inexplainably...wanting to do his every will, to submit...

Abducted at the young age of 10, groomed by a mistress specialized in raising girls for special duties and catering to needs of sick depraved men, Isabella Blanchet had her life planned out for her before she got the chance to dream and make wishes. That was until she crossed paths with him, Dante Moretti, the ruthless Don of the Moretti family. A legend to some, a scary bedtime story to get children in bed and a nightmare to all who crossed him. Some would go as far as calling him the boogeyman. Would he succeed in sinking her into the darkness or will she be the only ray light in his dark world?

After Jasmine’s father puts their pack in debt, the Lycan kings offer her father a deal to pay off the pack's debt in exchange for his daughter. Unfortunately, her father doesn’t hesitate in selling her off to the Lycan kings and she has no choice but to obey her father’s order. The rumors she has heard about the powerful and wealthy Lycan kings who ruled over all four groups of packs were beyond terrible! Things get more twisted when she finds out she’s mated all three of the Lycan kings! Can she soften the hearts of the cruel Lycan kings? Or will the new life she's thrust into completely ruin her?

She had always wished to be a successful person with a good heart, but that never happened. After living a life as a maid after her father died, her step mom decided to sell her off into a brothel were she was bought by a ruthless Mafia who loves to inflict pain.

Lucy the beloved daughter of Alpha James, has never experienced love. Whilst visiting a neighbouring pack she is thrown into a life of love, jealousy and betrayal. Torn between two, neither one wants to let her go and she can not choose between them. They are both fated to love her and while trying to navigate their complicated love triangle, she is thrown into an unexpected battle and finds herself all alone. The only way she can survive is putting her trust in a group of outcasts, who quickly become her family.