

A Love Left in Ashes
exclusivegmj · Ongoing · 153.7k Words
Introduction
Chapter 1
Aurora's POV
"I don't have a wife."
As though the weight of our vows and the presence of our marriage were nothing more than a gossip to be brushed aside, Cassian's remarks flow naturally from his lips in a smooth, unconcerned tone.
I don't wince. I stay put. I've learnt to remain motionless and invisible. Deep down, though, something breaks—not outwardly or noisily, just a silent, shattering crack in a heart that has been fracturing for two years.
Sharp-eyed and wearing a sleek black dress, the journalist tilts her head slightly. She presses, adjusting the microphone, "Mr. Viero." "Your marriage has been the subject of rumors—"
Cassian's lips form a contemptuous grin that causes rivals to falter and investors to perspire. As he adjusts the sleeves of his fitted suit, he remarks, "Rumors carry as much weight as fiction." "I'm not married to some imaginary wife; I'm married to my work."
The crowd erupts in laughter.
Phantom.
Ghost.
Curling my fingers around the stem of my unopened champagne flute, I take a deep breath. My mask remains in place—a meticulous, honed display of elegant detachment. I ought to be accustomed to this.
This, however, is a new low.
Julian West, the one man in this room who sees too much, laughs quietly next to me. "Brutal," he whispers, pointing to Cassian with his whiskey glass. Despite his humorous tone, there is a severe undertone.
I keep my eyes off of him. "It is merely business." The deception comes easily to me.
Julian spends too much time studying me. With a slightly too-soft voice, he observes, "You're either the most patient woman in the world or the most foolish."
I grin politely at him. "Perhaps both."
The audience parted to make place for Cassian as he strode toward the middle of the ballroom, stepping down from the platform like a king stepping down from his throne. He looks around the room, through me, beyond me, and not a trace of recognition.
The sting shouldn't still be there.
I should give up hope.
However, I do.
And my biggest error was that.
---
Cassian's POV
I sense it as soon as I leave the stage—the change in the atmosphere, the whispers beneath the surface. I don't care, though.
With his trademark smirk, my CFO, Archer Whitmore, murmurs, "Strong statement," as he settles into step next to me.
I hardly give him a look. "That was the reality."
He gives a snort. "Was it?"
I disregard him. I belong to no one in my universe, and perception is power. Even if my father coerced me into marriage, I never had to admit it.
Then someone moves in front of me.
Julian West.
Smug. It's annoying. And overly preoccupied with matters that don't affect him.
Swirling the amber liquid in his glass, he says, "Viero," with ease. "What a statement that was." For a split second, his gaze darts past me.
I stay put.
I don't play games that I don't want to win.
I take a sip of my bourbon and say, "West." "Are you having fun at my event?"
"Very much." Julian's grin widens as he tilts his head. However, I must ask... Who is the woman observing you as if she were debating whether to burn down the entire place if your wife doesn't exist?
Before I can stifle it, a sharp object flickers in my chest. I don't like the way he says it, but I don't make my face readable. As if he perceives something that I do not.
As if he is aware of something I'd rather not acknowledge.
I take a sip of my beverage. "You must be wrong."
Julian shakes his head and laughs. "Maybe." But before he leaves, his eyes stay on the scene a little longer than is required.
And I find that annoying.
---
Aurora's POV
I must breathe.
I leave the ballroom as soon as Cassian's eyes pass me by, as if I were merely a shadow on the edge of his vision. As I enter the balcony, the crisp night air welcomes me, and I clutch the chilly railing, my knuckles whitened.
I removed the mask. Only for a second.
Aurora, take a breath.
It doesn't matter, I tell myself. that when I married him, I was aware of what I was getting into. That long ago, I agreed to the norms of this invisible, quiet life.
However, something feels different tonight.
Something breaks a little more inside of me.
"Aurora."
The voice is silky and deep. Additionally, Cassian does not own it.
I turn to see Julian standing a few steps away, his face impassive as he watches me. Even though his drink is half-empty and his tie is a little loose, the way he looks at me is not casual.
"Julan, what do you want?" With a firm voice, I ask.
He looks at me, then gives me a little, regretful smile and shakes his head. "I could pose the same question to you."
I don't respond. Because, in all honesty, I no longer know.
Julian looks down at the city lights as he rests against the railing. With a calmer tone, he states, "You have two options." "Remind him of your true identity or remain in the background and allow him to erase you entirely."
My heartbeat quickens. "And why are you concerned?"
He pushes a hand through his dark hair and lets out a long laugh. "Because, Aurora." His voice falters a little. "A ghost is helpless. A woman scorned, though? That is an extremely powerful force.
Something else, not dread, sends a chill down my spine.
Something that is perilously near temptation.
I start to reply, but before I can do so, I tense up at the sound of footsteps.
Cassian.
Before I even turn, I am aware of it.
His face is unreadable as he enters the balcony, but his presence is commanding as usual. His gaze darts from Julian to me. "Am I disturbing someone?"
Julian remains still. doesn't turn away. "Not at all. All I was doing was talking to Aurora.
Although Cassian's tone remains neutral, his eyes become more intense. That's intriguing. I had no idea my wife and my rival were talking about anything.
My wife.
The words ought to have some meaning. However, they are completely meaningless in light of what he said tonight.
Julian just grinned. "Verio, there are a lot of things you don't know." Pulling his cuffs straight, he pushes off the railing. "But I guess that's the result of ignoring what's directly in front of you."
Cassian clenches his jaw.
I'm left alone with the one man I shouldn't still want when Julian gives me one more glance before leaving.
We both remain silent for a long time.
Cassian then looks at me, his eyes unreadable. "Avoid getting close to him."
I laughed softly and without humor. "Cassian, are you finally admitting that I exist?"
His jaw tightens, but he remains silent.
He doesn't, of course.
Because only when it suits him does Cassian Viero speak.
And I've finally realized tonight that I need to stop waiting for him to notice me if I want to be seen.
I'll need to get him to see me.
In one way or another.
Last Chapters
- #137 137Last Updated: 5/31/2025
- #136 136Last Updated: 5/31/2025
- #135 135Last Updated: 5/31/2025
- #134 134Last Updated: 5/31/2025
- #133 133Last Updated: 5/31/2025
- #132 132Last Updated: 5/31/2025
- #131 131Last Updated: 5/31/2025
- #130 130Last Updated: 5/31/2025
- #129 129Last Updated: 5/31/2025
- #128 128Last Updated: 5/31/2025
You Might Like 😍
His Mission
Emily is suddenly thrown from one world of danger and uncertainty into another. The two teens ride the rollercoaster of love, unbelievable betrayal and heartache.
The Biker's Fate
I squeezed my eyes shut.
"Dani," he pressed. "Do you get me?"
"No, Austin, I don't," I admitted as I pulled my robe closed again and sat up. "You confuse me."
He dragged his hands down his face. "Tell me what's on your mind."
I sighed. "You're everything my parents warned me against. You're secretive, but you're also honest. I feel wholly protected by you, but then you scare me more than anyone I've ever known. You're a bad boy, but when I dated a so-called good one, he turned out to be the devil, so, yeah, I don't get you because you're not what I expected. You drive me crazier than anyone I've ever met, but then you make me feel complete. I'm feeling things I don't quite know how to process and that makes me want to run. I don't want to give up something that might be really, really good, but I also don't want to be stupid and fall for a boy just because he's super pretty and makes me come."
Danielle Harris is the daughter of an overprotective police chief and has led a sheltered life. As a kindergarten teacher, she's as far removed from the world of Harleys and bikers as you could get, but when she's rescued by the sexy and dangerous Austin Carver, her life is changed forever.
Although Austin 'Booker' Carver is enamored by the innocent Dani, he tries to keep the police chief's daughter at arm's length. But when a threat is made from an unexpected source, he finds himself falling hard and fast for the only woman who can tame his wild heart.
Will Booker be able to find the source of the threat before it's too late?
Will Dani finally give her heart to a man who's everything she's been warned about?
Omega Bound
Thane Knight is the alpha of the Midnight Pack of the La Plata Mountain Range, the largest wolf shifter pack in the world. He is an alpha by day and hunts the shifter trafficking ring with his group of mercenaries by night. His hunt for vengeance leads to one raid that changes his life.
Tropes:
Touch her and die/Slow burn romance/Fated Mates/Found family twist/Close circle betrayal/Cinnamon roll for only her/Traumatized heroine/Rare wolf/Hidden powers/Knotting/Nesting/Heats/Luna/Attempted assassination
Mr. Ryan
He came closer with a dark and hungry expression,
so close,
his hands reached for my face, and he pressed his body against mine.
His mouth took mine eagerly, a little rudely.
His tongue left me breathless.
“If you don't go with me, I'll fuck you right here.” He whispered.
Katherine kept her virginity for years even after she turned 18. But one day, she met an extremely sexual man Nathan Ryan in the club. He had the most seductive blue eyes she has ever seen, a well-defined chin, almost golden blonde hair, full lips, perfectly drawn, and the most amazing smile, with perfect teeth and those damn dimples. Incredibly sexy.
She and he had a beautiful and hot one-night stand...
Katherine thought she might not meet the man again.
But fate has another plan
Katherine is about to take on the job of assistant to a billionaire who owns one of the biggest companies in the country and is known to be a conquering, authoritative and completely irresistible man. He is Nathan Ryan!
Will Kate be able to resist the charms of this attractive, powerful and seductive man?
Read to know a relationship torn between anger and the uncontrollable desire for pleasure.
Warning: R18+, Only for mature readers.
“Burn those who burned me!”
Burn those who burned me is an anthology book circulated on truth; justice; and REVENGE!
Story #1 The Ballad of Rabena Price.
Story #2 The rebirth of Clara Granger
Story #3 The violin of Graceland Teague
Story #4 The list for Josie Taylor
Story #5 COMING SOON!
Surrendering to Destiny
Graham MacTavish wasn't prepared to find his mate in the small town of Sterling that borders the Blackmoore Packlands. He certainly didn't expect her to be a rogue, half-breed who smelled of Alpha blood. With her multi-colored eyes, there was no stopping him from falling hard the moment their mate bond snapped into place. He would do anything to claim her, protect her and cherish her no matter the cost.
From vengeful ex-lovers, pack politics, species prejudice, hidden plots, magic, kidnapping, poisoning, rogue attacks, and a mountain of secrets including Catherine's true parentage there is no shortage of things trying to tear the two apart.
Despite the hardships, a burning desire and willingness to trust will help forge a strong bond between the two... but no bond is unbreakable. When the secrets kept close to heart are slowly revealed, will the two be able to weather the storm? Or will the gift bestowed upon Catherine by the moon goddess be too insurmountable to overcome?
THE ALPHA'S NANNY.
Lori Wyatt, a shy, broken twenty two year old with a dark past is given the deal of a lifetime when she is asked to be the nanny of a newborn who lost her mother at childbirth. Lori accepts, eager to get away from her past.
Gabriel Caine is the Alpha of the revered Moon fang pack and the CEO of Caine Inc. A drunken one night stand leads to the birth of his daughter and he finds her a nanny following the death of her mother. When he meets Lori, he finds out that she is his mate and vows to protect her from his enemies.
The two of them cannot stop the instant attraction between them. Lori, who believes she is unworthy of love, cannot explain why the powerful billionaire is after her and Gabriel who is totally smitten with her is unsure of how to be totally honest with Lori about him being a werewolf.
Fate has brought them together and now together they must fight for their love, amidst the conflicts between packs and secrets that Lori’s past holds.
Will their love survive?
Nanny and Her Four Alpha Bullies
I Am His Wolfless Luna
Ethan also kept emitting deep roars in my ear, 'Damn... I'm going to cum... !!!' His impact became more intense and our bodies kept making slapping sounds.
"Please!! Ethan!!"
As the strongest female warrior in my pack, I was betrayed by those I trusted most, my sister and my best friend. I was drugged, raped, and banished from my family and my pack. I lost my wolf, my honor, and became an outcast—carrying a child I never asked for.
Six years of hard-won survival turned me into a professional fighter, fueled by rage and grief. A summons arrives from the formidable Alpha heir, Ethan, asking me to return as a wolfless combat instructor for the very pack that once banished me.
I thought I could ignore their whispers and stares, but when I see Ethan's emerald-green eyes—the same as my son’s—my world tilts.
The Wrong Alpha - A Twist of Fate?
Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend
“You are going to take every inch of me.” He whispered as he thrusted up.
“Fuck, you feel so fucking good. Is this what you wanted, my dick inside you?” He asked, knowing I have benticing him since the beginning.
“Y..yes,” I breathed.
Brianna Fletcher had been running from dangerous men all her life but when she got an opportunity to stay with his elder brother after graduation, there she met the most dangerous of them all. Her brother's best friend, a mafia Don. He radiated danger but she couldn't stay away.
He knows his best friend's little sister is off limits and yet, he couldn't stop thinking of her.
Will they be able to break all rules and find closure in each other's arms?
The Alpha's Plus Size Urban Human Mate
Confident plus size Ji'lahni, her two cousins, and friend owns a successful Wedding planning company along with a dance, and self defense workout studio, get hired by their new friend who is like a mother to them plan her sons wedding I mean mating ceremony?
What will happen when the sassy plus size women step into the world of werewolves?
Read to find out.















