Sheila

I touch my necklace. Nothing is known about my biological parents. I only have this necklace as an heirloom. The pendant is shaped into a crescent moon with a star on the tip where a diamond lays in the center. Engraved on it is some writing I can't read. Just like my pendant, I also have a crescent-shaped birthmark with a star on my hip. My mom said it might go away in time like most birthmarks do. Mine seems to have become more prominent over the years. I sometimes imagine it sparkles.
The wind picks up suddenly, swirling around me and I smell it. The scent of fresh cut grass and wood shavings. Two of my favorite things.
"Do you smell that, my child? Follow it," says a woman's voice.
I sat there thinking against it. The first time I heard voices, I freaked out my mom. She wanted me to see a psychiatrist because hearing voices isn't a good sign. I explained they were guiding me to do things. My mom said, "Ok, but before you do whatever these voices tell you to do, sit down and think before you do. AND, if it becomes too much to handle, tell me so we can go see an expert." So far, whatever I hear, hasn't gotten me into trouble. So why not follow that scent? As the wind picks up again, I jump off the fence and follow the scent.
What will Hope find? Is she ready to learn the truth?

My life has been a lie.
"Your mother, Amy, was an ER nurse at a local hospital in New Jersey. She was beautiful, had a good heart and was always ready to save a life. 'A life gone is one life too many.' That's what she would always say whenever I tried to ask her to spend more time with me. When she told me she was pregnant with you, I rejected the pregnancy. It was the biggest mistake of my life. When I finally realized this, it was too late." My dad sighed. "I know what you're thinking, Diana. Why didn't I want you at first, right?" I nodded my head.
"We aren't Sullivans. My real name is Lucas Brent Lockwood. Alpha of a wealthy pack situated in New Jersey and New York. I am werewolf. Your mother was human which makes you what they call a half-breed. Back then, it was forbidden for a wolf to consort with a human and produce an offspring. You were usually banished from the pack for that...to live as rogues."
"I was about to be the first Alpha to break that rule, to take your mother as my mate, my Luna. My father and brother conspired together so that wouldn't happen. They killed your mother hoping you would die with her. When you survived, they killed your mother's human family in order to kill you. I, your Uncle Mike and another Alpha from a neighboring pack saved you from the massacre. Since then, we have been in hiding, hoping my former pack would not come looking for us."
"Dad, did they try to kill me for being a half-breed?"
"No, Diana. They tried to kill you because you are my heir. You are destined to be Alpha of the Lotus Pack."

"I know you can feel the electricity between us," Drew said while running his fingers down my neck all the way to the top of my breasts. My nipples hardened and protruded through my white bikini top while my breath quickened. His fingers aroused something deep within me, something I have never known before.
The corners of his lips curved into a mischievous smile, pleased of my reaction to his touch. He bent down and whispered in my ear; his warm breath sending shivers down my spine.
"Don't fight it, Fire. You know it as well as I do, my sweet. We were meant to be."
A blue-eyed she-wolf was prophesied to become the Enchantress of the Blue Star of Aludra. After hundreds of years and after a long line of sons, finally a daughter was born, blessed with blue eyes. Her name...Sapphire Turner.
After the death of her parents, she was entrusted to an unexpected ally who would train her to be an assassin of an ancient enemy who has been at war with the wolves for centuries. Fire was determined to fight for the survival of her kind. She was the best in her craft and she always worked alone, assisted remotely by her aunt.
However, during an assignment to retrieve the Flaming Sword, an artifact of importance to the wolves, she met Drew Drago, a wealthy businessman, and everything she was fighting for now had a whole new meaning.
Will Fire and Drew's love continue on amidst the fight for the preservation of the wolves' existence?
Author's note: This is a stand-alone book which takes place in the same universe as 'The Silver Hope' and may mention characters from that story.
For updates, please join my Facebook group "Sheila's Secret Corner". Enjoy.

*I didn't know that night would become my worst nightmare. *
It was my junior year in high school. After two years of being bullied, I was now finally accepted by my peers. I had finally blossomed into a lady and now everyone wanted to become my friend. But... the thing happened.
I will never forget what happened to me that night.
I will never forget that I wasn't given the justice I deserved.
I want revenge. I want them dead...
So do my three lovers. The Underbosses of the Blood Disciples.
*
I knew Xavier was in love with Joy the moment he met her. However, it didn't stop me or Cristos from falling in love with her too.
"I doubt an empire will come crushing down because we love the same girl," I said. De Luca looked at me, shocked.
*
"Do you guys steal money from other people?" I asked, completely shocked at his revelation. I knew Cristos was good with computers and encryption, I just didn't know how far it went.
"Sometimes. Sometimes we manipulate, troll, steal incriminating evidence. The usual."
"Our fake ID's...did you make them?" I asked. I was impressed because they looked so real. "Judging from the monitors, it looks like a call center. How could you have the capital? The security to work without even being scared of law enforcement?"
"Sebastian, Xavier and I were born into this kind of life. Since we were little, we were trained to work as a unit just like our fathers. Mama Rose isn't just a simple housewife. She is also part of the organization and sits as a third high ranking official," Cristos explained. "Sebastian, Xavier and I are underbosses of the Blood Disciples, the ruling party of the West Coast Mafia. Our fathers are the bosses while our mothers and sisters are consiglieres. We are in training to become the bosses once our fathers retire. Sebastian is in charge of merchandise, ports, and businesses while Xavier handles the trash. I, on the other hand, am in charge of the virtual world. Anything digital goes through me."
*
After leaving her small town, Joy Taylor gets a second chance at life and love when she crosses paths with three handsome young men in college.
Now, she's happy, prosperous, and in love with three beautiful men who think the world of her. It seems there's nothing else she could ask for. Her life felt complete.
However, she could never let go of the pain of her past. Especially when she discovers the four boys, who raped her during their junior year in high school, have done it again. This time, the young girl wasn't so lucky. Her body was found floating in a lake near town.
Now, Joy is back in New Salem, seeking her revenge.
Ten years may have gone by, but revenge has no expiry date.
Unfortunately for Joy, things are not always what they seem.
TW: The story contains graphic references to sexual assault and violence.
(The prologue was written by the third POV; the following chapters by the first POV.)

Evie Howell has loved Draven Blake since the day they first met when they were only thirteen years old. She is human and he, wolf. Little did she know, she would be drawn into a world that was completely unknown to her.
Draven Blake, born the Alpha Lord, is a powerful and rich wolf who is determined to create a destiny of his own. He rejects the idea that Evie Howell is his mate. Instead of placing his mark on her and completing the mate-bond, he forges a friendship with her. He keeps her by his side as his bestfriend, bringing her along with him wherever he goes.
Curiously, she a human, has felt the wolf-mate bond at thirteen, while he, wolf, continously ignores it.
For fifteen years, Evie has held on to the hope that she and Draven would eventually be together, praying he would realize they are meant to be more that just bestfriends. One night, she briefly gets her wish. She catches a glimpse of those mesmerizing red eyes of the Alpha Lord and succumbs to his touch and passionate kisses.
"You are mine, Evie. No one will ever touch this beautiful body... ever."
However, much to her dismay, it was the wolf talking and not the man. Her happiness was short-lived.
To make matters worse, Draven's uncle, Maverick Blake, is intent in gaining Draven's Alpha Spark to rule over all wolves. But Maverick is not a strong enough wolf to take it himself. Instead, he plans to kill Draven's mate to push Draven into madness.
Only then will Draven Blake be weak enough to kill.
Determined to win against his uncle, Draven places his mark on Evie for the sole purpose of becoming stronger. When Evie discovers this, she finally realizes Draven will never love her the way she has always loved him.
She leaves him to live a simple life on her own.
However, things are never simple.
Evie finds herself pregnant and alone.