Free Will or Fate?

Free Will or Fate?

Melody Raine · Completed · 96.2k Words

380
Hot
2k
Views
103
Added
Add to Shelf
Start Reading
Share:facebooktwitterpinterestwhatsappreddit

Introduction

Melissa Moore just finished eight grueling years of study and writing but she has finally made it to the last step of achieving her lifelong dream of being a professor of Renaissance Literature at Berkley. Five days before presenting her dissertation, Melissa decides to join her roommates for a night of fun. While the party scene is not really Melissa's thing, with a little liquid courage, she decides to let loose for a night and has her first ever one-night stand. While determined to never think of her one night of recklessness or the sex god who gave her the first (and 4th) orgasm she ever had without her BYOB, fate seems to have other plans… Jeremy Janes has been burned by love. Recently cheated on by his fiancee, he takes a new job as the head of the department of Medieval\Renaissance Literature at Berkley. New to California, after living his whole life in New York, he decides to have a night on the town before he begins his new job. Not looking for a relationship, he is open to a one-night stand. Jeremy has had a lot of sex in his 36 years, A LOT. But nothing has ever thrown him off like his one night with Melissa. They are aware that an unexpected pregnancy, an unprofessional (and perhaps unethical) dilemma could throw both of their futures away. Can a "professional" arrangement lead to love?

Chapter 1

Melissa was ecstatic, years of study and hard work had finally paid off. She just handed in her dissertation, after 8 years of sacrifice, she will be Dr. Melissa Moore PHD. That is after her dissertation presentation next Wednesday. Tonight was Friday and she was going to celebrate! Celebrating was not something she did often, free time was a dream and living on student loans did not leave a lot of funds for partying.

Melissa enters the pulsing club, consciously tugging on her snug, short jean skirt, apparently, she had enough money to eat a little too much since the last time she wore this outfit, searching for her roommates, Kristy and Stacey, in the crowd. Not seeing either, Melissa heads for the bar to get a drink. Squeezing in where she can she tries to get the bartender’s attention. Wishing she had of worn a lower cut shirt, hey, she considered herself a feminist but she was not opposed to using what god gave her to get what she wanted. On her second attempt, she waves her money in the air as the bartender continues to walk by. She hears a loud whistle to her left and looks over to the caveman who would do such a thing inside, ready to give him the stink eye, when suddenly all thought leaves her.

Tight black t-shirt pulled taunt over what had to be at least a 6 pack, biceps nearly bursting the seams, Melissa’s eyes traveled down. Sweet baby Jesus, thighs were straining tightly against the black jeans that hugged his lower half. Definitely a soccer player, maybe rugby. Suddenly, the clearing of a throat breaks her from her perusal of this fine specimen. Shaking her head, she starts to look up only to feel a warm breath in her ear, “he’s waiting for your order”, the hot husky voice whisper-shouts, sending a chill down her spine. Pulling her head back, she is met by the deepest blue eyes she has ever encountered. Noticing a slight wrinkling around those navy pools of heaven, Melissa pulls back as she hears a chuckle. “The Bartender, I got his attention for you and now he is waiting for your order.”

Melissa quickly looks away and tells the bartender what she would like. “A Corona girl eh? I would have pegged you for a cocktail drinker.” The stranger next to her says. Melissa, unable to resist the hypnotic deep voice looks his way again. Blushing slightly, she can’t help but remember her earlier perusal of his fine body and decides its best if she looks above the chest only. Yah, that didn’t work out as hoped, if anything the package is even finer above than below.

Broad shoulders, strong neck and chiseled chin covered in a dark 5 O’clock shadow, not thick enough yet to disguise that sexier than hell chin dimple. Up to pronounced cheekbones, those bedroom eyes and a head of thick, wavy brown hair, streaked with stands of red and blond. He is speaking again and Melissa looks at his mouth as she strains to hear him over the music and conversations. Damn, those lips, Melissa licks hers as she wonders what they would taste like. It is then that she notices the spreading smirk across his face before it breaks out into an all-out smile.

Feeling her face ablaze this time Melissa gives herself a good shake and speaks over his shoulder, “thank you but I could have managed to order my own drink”. What the hell? That came out a lot bitchier than intended, Melissa never speaks that way to anyone. But there is just something about this guy, he has thrown her off. She was caught drooling over him for the love of God! How embarrassing. Hoping the floor would open and swallow her whole, she looks forward as the bartender returns with her order. Just as she pays him, she hears giggling, turning she finds Kristy directly behind her.

“Hey girl, it’s about time you showed,” Kristy grabs her into a tight hug. “Stacey is saving our table”, she looks appreciatively at the attention grabber to my right, “unless you want to stay here of course”.

This is it; I think, she found her admirer for the night. At 5’9”, legs like a giraffe and a double D cup, Kristy always gets her man and a man never passes her over for me, or any other woman in the room. I look over and am shocked to see him gazing at me, it’s like he doesn’t ever see her standing there. What is wrong with him? This will just not do for Kristy, she takes a deep breath, sticking her chest out even further, reaches her hand out and speaks to him, “Hi, I’m Kristy. And what might your name be?”, she asked as she bats her eyelashes at him.

Paying Kristy no attention whatsoever, the stranger, still holding Melissa’s gaze, replies, “Jeremy,” reaching out his hand to Melissa he asks, “and who might you be?”

What the hell is happening here? Melissa asks herself, is this some type of joke? She glances around to see if there are perhaps cameras aimed in her direction. No man has ever ignored Kristy for her. Five inches shorter, 20 pounds heavier and a C cup on a good day, Melissa was a wall flower compared to her friend. Stunned, she simply stands there unable to reply.

“This is Melissa, she doesn’t get out much, “Kristy giggles. Melissa visibly cringes at this remark and deepens her already red shade. As Melissa tugs on her arm, Kristy addresses Jeremy again, “come visit our table later if you are not meeting up with anyone. We are up the dance floor, on the right side. I’ll save you a dance.” She blows him a kiss as they turn to go to their table.

With a deep sigh, Melissa follows Kristy to their table, feeling sorrow for having to leave Jeremy behind but more so at the fact that I wouldn’t have the nerve to do anything about it anyway. One last glance over her shoulder and he is still looking her way, he smiles and tips his glass in her direction. Melissa catches herself just as she begins to stumble over her own feet. Damn heels, it had nothing to do with those intense blue eyes, absolutely nothing.

Last Chapters

You Might Like 😍

Alpha's Heat His To Ruin Hers To Heal

Alpha's Heat His To Ruin Hers To Heal

7k Views · Completed · Retroferd
A betrayed politician’s wife.
A rebel alpha with nothing to lose.
A town crawling with secrets.
And a war waiting to ignite between blood and fang.
Calla Hart thought the worst thing her husband could do was cheat.
She was wrong.
After catching Senator Blake Hart in bed with a vampire, and learning he’s part of the Crimson Order, a vampire mafia that wants her blood.
Calla runs. Not for love, but for survival.
Because what’s in her veins isn’t normal.
She hides in Ravenridge, a decaying supernatural border town where monsters walk like men and shadows bite back.
A place where the veil between worlds is wearing thin.
There, she crashes -literally-into Axel Cain, the 20-year-old Alpha of the Vanguard Pack, a feral biker gang that patrols Ravenridge like outlaw wolves. Axel doesn’t do politics. Doesn’t do mates.
And definitely doesn’t do soft, wealthy women from the city.
But something in Calla’s scent sets his wolf on fire.
And when he learns who she’s running from-and what she really is-he makes a choice that will cost him everything:
Keep her close. Claim her.
And start a war that could burn the veil between their worlds.
Extra Note for Readers
This is a slow-burn paranormal romance with steamy heat, deep emotions, and an age-gap dynamic.
She’s older, hunted, and secretly powerful.
He’s younger, dominant, and doesn’t play nice.
Together, they might save the town… or destroy it.
Omega Bound

Omega Bound

2.1m Views · Completed · Veronica White
Ayla Frost is a beautiful, rare omega. Kidnapped, tortured, and trafficked to rogue clans and corrupt alphas to do with as they pleased.  Kept alive in her cage, broken and abandoned by her wolf, she becomes mute and has given up on hope for a better life until one explosion changes everything. 

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
Accardi

Accardi

937.7k Views · Completed · Allison Franklin
“I thought we discussed this earlier, Weakness? I warned you. His death is on your hands.”
“I thought you said you were done chasing me?” Gen mocked.
“I am done chasing you.”
Before she could formulate a witty remark, Matteo threw her down. She landed hard on her back atop his dining room table. She tried to sit up when she noticed what he was doing. His hands were working on his belt. It came free of his pants with a violent yank. She collapsed back on her elbows, her mouth gaping open at the display. His face was a mask of sheer determination, his eyes were a dark gold swimming with heat and desire. His hands wrapped around her thighs and pulled her to the edge of the table. He glided his fingers up her thighs and hooked several around the inside of her panties. His knuckles brushed her dripping sex.
“You’re soaking wet, Genevieve. Tell me, was it me that made you this way or him?” his voice told her to be careful with her answer. His knuckles slid down through her folds and she threw her head back as she moaned. “Weakness?”
“You…” she breathed.


Genevieve loses a bet she can’t afford to pay. In a compromise, she agrees to convince any man her opponent chooses to go home with her that night. What she doesn’t realize when her sister’s friend points out the brooding man sitting alone at the bar, is that man won’t be okay with just one night with her. No, Matteo Accardi, Don of one of the largest gangs in New York City doesn’t do one night stands. Not with her anyway.
Ruined : You will always be mine.

Ruined : You will always be mine.

37.8k Views · Completed · Nia Kas
I could feel him standing in front of me. He grabbed my legs and in one single move thrusted into me.
“Fuckkk”, I couldn’t help but scream.
“You need to learn to be obedient” he said as he kept thrusting into me. When I felt his hands on my clit my body shook.
“Asher please, it’s too much”.
“No. if I really wanted to punish you, I would give you all of me”, he said against my ears and my entire body froze. Suddenly he moved and I was standing again. This man was insane.
I felt him behind me. “Ten Lashes for your disobedience”, he said
“Asher please”,
“No”. His voice was cold and void of any emotion.

Asher was what I wanted , what I truly craved until it was too late. An orphan should never fall in love with someone out of their reach. I thought loving him was the right thing to do until he revealed his true identity and Ruined me. I was ruined for everyone one else . I could still feel his touch, it was as if it was etched into my skin. I tired to avoid him but fate wouldn't let it happen.
The Sterling's were the most powerful in Havenwood and Dorian Sterling was off limits.

As an orphan finding out you still have people looking for you is hard to take but when it turns out to be people of wealth and standing I took the other road and ran, but running led me right back to the place I was avoiding and the person I was avoiding.
Asher and Dorling Sterling one and the same. When his first love shows up and along with everyone that has set out to ruin me, I prayed that he could protect me.
The Last Sempyr: Alpha's Fated Mate

The Last Sempyr: Alpha's Fated Mate

2.7k Views · Ongoing · outdcloset21
“You don’t run from me, Ira,” Ruel growls, rough hand caging me against the wall.
“Watch me,” I snap.
His icy gaze flicks to my lips.
I know I’m trapped.
I’m a stray fighting to keep orphans alive—until I’m caught and chained to the North’s most feared Alpha.
Xuaru Ruel is war-forged, ice-cold, bound to a king who owns him.
He was born to kill my kind. Instead, he keeps me close.
Calls it discipline. Lies.
The fated mate bond ignited, and his wolf won’t let me go.
He fights the pull, yet always comes back.
If he learns my secret…
He’ll choose: hand me to his king…
Or burn the world to claim me as his.
Game of Destiny

Game of Destiny

1.2m Views · Completed · Dripping Creativity
Amie's wolf hasn't shown herself. But who cares? She has a good pack, best friends and a family who loves her. Everyone, including the Alpha, is telling her she is perfect just the way she is. That is until she finds her mate and he rejects her. Heartbroken Amie flees from everything and start over. No more werewolves, no more packs.

When Finlay finds her, she is living among humans. He is smitten by the stubborn wolf that refuse to acknowledge his existence. She may not be his mate, but he wants her to be a part of his pack, latent wolf or not.

Amie cant resist the Alpha that comes into her life and drags her back into pack life. Not only does she find herself happier than she has been in a long time, her wolf finally comes to her. Finlay isn't her mate, but he becomes her best friend. Together with the other top wolves in the pack, they work to create the best and strongest pack.

When it's time for the pack games, the event that decides the packs rank for the coming ten year, Amie needs to face her old pack. When she sees the man that rejected her for the first time in ten years, everything she thought she knew is turned around. Amie and Finlay need to adapt to the new reality and find a way forward for their pack. But will the curve ball split them apart?
What the Heart Wants (Book 1 of the Alpha Faros Series)

What the Heart Wants (Book 1 of the Alpha Faros Series)

2.2k Views · Ongoing · FM Publishing
Loving him will cost them everything…

Not loving him will cost more.

Derek has one goal: survive high school without drawing too much attention or pissing off his pack’s alpha.

As the youngest son of the alpha, his life is governed by lycan hierarchy, tradition, and politics. With no signs of awakening a lycan spirit, his only value is what he can do for the pack’s image. He knows he’s only ever one misstep away from exile… or worse.

Then, he finds a boy trapped in a locker on orientation day, and everything changes.

Derek shouldn’t want Nikolias. He’s off-limits. A risk Derek can’t afford.

So why does it feel like he’s the only thing worth fighting for?

Nikolias has just lost everything: his parents, his home, and any sense of peace. Sent back to the town his family left years ago to live with his prejudiced and controlling uncle, who wants nothing to do with anything—or anyone—not human, he’s trying to do everything in his power to get out quickly.

But then he meets Derek again, and all of his plans vanish in the soft, yearning flecks of gold in Derek’s green-hazel eyes. He’s drawn to Derek in a way that’s impossible to deny, and he thinks Derek feels the same way, despite the danger their relationship holds for him.

As Moonshadow's politics turn deadly, Derek and Nikolai are caught in the crossfire of a war that had started long before they were born, and their bond becomes a threat and a lifeline that neither can afford to sever.

Because the heart wants what it wants….

And it never asks permission.

TW: Graphic Violence, Suicide Ideation, Suicide Attempt, Child Abuse, Cult-Like Behavior
Accidentally His: The Billionaire’s Wife in High Society

Accidentally His: The Billionaire’s Wife in High Society

3.4k Views · Ongoing · The Hana
Five years ago, during a passionate sexual encounter, Freya Myers stole sperm from a mysterious and dangerous man, intending to have a genetically superior child. That man was none other than Declan Castle, the ruthless, enigmatic CEO of the globally renowned Castle Group.

Five years later, Freya Myers returns to the city with a pair of exceptionally gifted twins, desperately trying to conceal their existence from the world. But when she interviews for an internship, she unexpectedly encounters Declan Castle—the very same man from years ago—as her interviewer. From then on, Declan Castle becomes a persistent, demonic force haunting her!

Five years ago, a single, desperate mistake changed Freya Myers's life forever. Intending to secure a future with the man of her dreams, she ended up in the wrong room, stealing the 'seed' of the wrong man. That man was Declan Castle—the cold, ruthless, and enigmatic CEO of the world-renowned Castle Group.

Now, Freya has returned to the city as a struggling single mother, hiding a pair of genius twins from the world. When she lands an internship at the Castle Group, she hopes to remain invisible. But fate has other plans. Declan Castle, a man who has remained mysteriously untouched by any woman since that fateful night, instantly senses something familiar about the new designer. He has spent years searching for the woman who 'ruined' him, and now that he has found her, he has no intention of letting her go.

Forced into a high-stakes marriage of convenience with the domineering CEO, Freya must navigate the treacherous waters of high society while desperately guarding her children's true identity. Between a scheming stepmother, jealous socialites, and a series of deadly secrets, the walls are closing in.

What started as a game of cat-and-mouse and a quest for revenge soon ignites into a passion that neither can control. In a world where power is everything and betrayal is a way of life, can Freya protect her heart and her children, or will the relentless Mr. Castle claim everything she’s been trying to hide?
Shifted Fate: The Alpha Begs Me Back

Shifted Fate: The Alpha Begs Me Back

11k Views · Ongoing · regalsoul
After a brutal public humiliation by her cheating fiancé, Andrea surrendered to one reckless night with Kade—the notorious Alpha, her fated mate… and the last man she ever wanted to be claimed.
But fate wasn't kind. When that night left twins growing in her womb, Kade was engaged with another for power. Betrayed. Claimed. Abandoned. Andrea boarded the first flight out, determined to vanish forever… until she realized that night already changed her forever.
Something dark had awoken inside her.
A forbidden power—one that could burn the world to ashes.
When destiny forced her back into Kade's path, how could she protect the pack's future—without shattering her wounded heart all over again?


“Say my name again,” he demanded. "Say you're MINE!"
I threw my head back and moaned as he bit my neck. “Kade,” I gasped.
I didn’t care that we were out in the open woods or that this was the man I had sworn off of; I had to have him inside me right then and there, or I would die from need.
Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother

Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother

2.7m Views · Ongoing · Harper Rivers
Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother.

"What is wrong with me?

Why does being near him make my skin feel too tight, like I’m wearing a sweater two sizes too small?

It’s just newness, I tell myself firmly.

He’s my boyfirend’s brother.

This is Tyler’s family.

I’m not going to let one cold stare undo that.

**

As a ballet dancer, My life looks perfect—scholarship, starring role, sweet boyfriend Tyler. Until Tyler shows his true colors and his older brother, Asher, comes home.

Asher is a Navy veteran with battle scars and zero patience. He calls me "princess" like it's an insult. I can't stand him.

When My ankle injury forces her to recover at the family lake house, I‘m stuck with both brothers. What starts as mutual hatred slowly turns into something forbidden.

I'm falling for my boyfriend's brother.

**

I hate girls like her.

Entitled.

Delicate.

And still—

Still.

The image of her standing in the doorway, clutching her cardigan tighter around her narrow shoulders, trying to smile through the awkwardness, won’t leave me.

Neither does the memory of Tyler. Leaving her here without a second thought.

I shouldn’t care.

I don’t care.

It’s not my problem if Tyler’s an idiot.

It’s not my business if some spoiled little princess has to walk home in the dark.

I’m not here to rescue anyone.

Especially not her.

Especially not someone like her.

She’s not my problem.

And I’ll make damn sure she never becomes one.

But when my eyes fell on her lips, I wanted her to be mine.
The Hunted Human Mate

The Hunted Human Mate

3.5k Views · Ongoing · A.J Andrew’s
Allie lived in her human world, scarcely aware of the wolves that lurked in the shadows, but after her life fell apart and a fateful night out, she is now the Luna of a pack. Thrown into the middle of a turf war, Allie now has a target on her back as the human mate. Her prophetic power, a gift from the goddess to protect human mates, makes her the wrench in the plan of some domineering wolves who think humans have had it good for too long. She and her mate Green now have to unite the packs and save their way of life. She just found this wonderful world, and now she has to save it.
Alpha Cameron's Vengeful Mate

Alpha Cameron's Vengeful Mate

19.4k Views · Ongoing · Nina Cabrera
Tiyanna, born of two Alphas, is a member of the Red Dawn Pack though her parents were not the Alpha and Luna. They came from another pack and when it was destroyed, they left and joined as the new Betas. Her life was great as she and the Alpha’s daughter were best friends and were practically inseparable until a rogue attack took the life of her parents while they were protecting the Alpha and Luna. Jealousy of her beauty as well as greed for her parents’ fortune that was left to her upon their deaths took hold and they treated her as a slave. She dreamed of turning 18 so that she could finally claim her inheritance and leave this god-awful pack. She never anticipated that when she found her mate, he would reject her for her ex-best friend or that she would get a second chance mate in the form of the most feared Alpha of the strongest pack in America, Alpha Cameron of the Black Diamond Pack. Will he reject her as well or will he take her as his mate?

Alpha Cameron is the strongest Alpha in America and the most feared, but he has a secret. He doesn’t want a mate because of this and has decided to take a chosen mate to become his Luna in name only. His mother, sister, and beta urge him constantly to rethink his decision as the woman he has chosen is a nightmare. They believe that he should wait for his fated mate, but their pleas fall on deaf ears. What happens when he visits the Red Dawn Pack for the Alpha daughters’ coming of age party and finds his fated mate being beaten? Will he save her or reject her?