
Free Will or Fate?
Melody Raine · Completed · 96.2k Words
Introduction
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
#75 Epilogue: Fee Will and Fate
Last Updated: 1/9/2026#74 Chapter 74: And Then There Were Three
Last Updated: 1/9/2026#73 Chapter 73: A Real Proposal
Last Updated: 1/9/2026#72 Chapter 72: New Beginnings
Last Updated: 1/9/2026#71 Chapter 71: Twilight Zone
Last Updated: 1/9/2026#70 Chapter 70: Decisions to Make
Last Updated: 1/9/2026#69 Chapter 69: Friendly Advice
Last Updated: 1/9/2026#68 Chapter 68 : Waiting Game
Last Updated: 1/9/2026#67 Chapter 67: Proof Needed
Last Updated: 1/9/2026#66 Chapter 66: That's What Friends are For
Last Updated: 1/9/2026
You Might Like 😍
After the Affair: Falling into a Billionaire's Arms
On my birthday, he took her on vacation. On our anniversary, he brought her to our home and made love to her in our bed...
Heartbroken, I tricked him into signing divorce papers.
George remained unconcerned, convinced I would never leave him.
His deceptions continued until the day the divorce was finalized. I threw the papers in his face: "George Capulet, from this moment on, get out of my life!"
Only then did panic flood his eyes as he begged me to stay.
When his calls bombarded my phone later that night, it wasn't me who answered, but my new boyfriend Julian.
"Don't you know," Julian chuckled into the receiver, "that a proper ex-boyfriend should be as quiet as the dead?"
George seethed through gritted teeth: "Put her on the phone!"
"I'm afraid that's impossible."
Julian dropped a gentle kiss on my sleeping form nestled against him. "She's exhausted. She just fell asleep."
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
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 Prison Project
Can love tame the untouchable? Or will it only fuel the fire and cause chaos amongst the inmates?
Fresh out of high school and suffocating in her dead-end hometown, Margot longs for her escape. Her reckless best friend, Cara, thinks she's found the perfect way out for them both - The Prisoner Project - a controversial program offering a life-changing sum of money in exchange for time spent with maximum-security inmates.
Without hesitation, Cara rushes to sign them up.
Their reward? A one-way ticket into the depths of a prison ruled by gang leaders, mob bosses, and men the guards wouldn't even dare to cross...
At the centre of it all, meets Coban Santorelli - a man colder than ice, darker than midnight, and as deadly as the fire that fuels his inner rage. He knows that the project may very well be his only ticket to freedom - his only ticket to revenge on the one who managed to lock him up and so he must prove that he can learn to love…
Will Margot be the lucky one chosen to help reform him?
Will Coban be capable of bringing something to the table other than just sex?
What starts off as denial may very well grow in to obsession which could then fester in to becoming true love…
A temperamental romance novel.
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?
Alpha Nicholas's Little Mate
What? No—wait… oh Moon Goddess, no.
Please tell me you're joking, Lex.
But she's not. I can feel her excitement bubbling under my skin, while all I feel is dread.
We turn the corner, and the scent hits me like a punch to the chest—cinnamon and something impossibly warm. My eyes scan the room until they land on him. Tall. Commanding. Beautiful.
And then, just as quickly… he sees me.
His expression twists.
"Fuck no."
He turns—and runs.
My mate sees me and runs.
Bonnie has spent her entire life being broken down and abused by the people closest to her including her very own twin sister. Alongside her best friend Lilly who also lives a life of hell, they plan to run away while attending the biggest ball of the year while it's being hosted by another pack, only things don't quite go to plan leaving both girls feeling lost and unsure about their futures.
Alpha Nicholas is 28, mateless, and has no plans to change that. It's his turn to host the annual Blue Moon Ball this year and the last thing he expects is to find his mate. What he expects even less is for his mate to be 10 years younger than him and how his body reacts to her. While he tries to refuse to acknowledge that he has met his mate his world is turned upside down after guards catch two she-wolves running through his lands.
Once they are brought to him he finds himself once again facing his mate and discovers that she's hiding secrets that will make him want to kill more than one person.
Can he overcome his feelings towards having a mate and one that is so much younger than him? Will his mate want him after already feeling the sting of his unofficial rejection? Can they both work on letting go of the past and moving forward together or will fate have different plans and keep them apart?
Invisible To Her Bully
The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride
Yet Alexander made his decision clear to the world: “Evelyn is the only woman I will ever marry.”
The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates
"Let me go," I whimper, my body trembling with need. "I don't want you touching me."
I fall forward onto the bed then turn around to stare at him. The dark tattoos of Domonic's chiseled shoulders, quiver and and expand with the heave of his chest. His deep dimpled smile is full of arrogance as he reaches behind himself to lock the door.
Biting his lip, he stalks toward me, his hand going to the seam of his pants and the thickening bulge there.
"Are you sure you don't want me to touch you?" He whispers, untying the knot and slipping a hand inside. "Because I swear to God, that is all I have been wanting to do. Every single day from the moment you stepped in our bar and I smelled your perfect flavor from across the room."
New to the world of shifters, Draven is human on the run. A beautiful girl who no one could protect. Domonic is the cold Alpha of the Red Wolf Pack. A brotherhood of twelve wolves that live by twelve rules. Rules which they vowed could NEVER be broken.
Especially - Rule Number One - No Mates
When Draven meets Domonic, he knows that she is his mate, but Draven has no idea what a mate is, only that she has fallen in love with a shifter. An Alpha that will break her heart to make her leave. Promising herself, she will never forgive him, she disappears.
But she doesn’t know about the child she’s carrying or that the moment she left, Domonic decided rules were made to be broken - and now will he ever find her again? Will she forgive him?
I Slapped My Fiancé—Then Married His Billionaire Nemesis
Technically, Rhys Granger was my fiancé now—billionaire, devastatingly hot, and a walking Wall Street wet dream. My parents shoved me into the engagement after Catherine disappeared, and honestly? I didn’t mind. I’d crushed on Rhys for years. This was my chance, right? My turn to be the chosen one?
Wrong.
One night, he slapped me. Over a mug. A stupid, chipped, ugly mug my sister gave him years ago. That’s when it hit me—he didn’t love me. He didn’t even see me. I was just a warm-bodied placeholder for the woman he actually wanted. And apparently, I wasn’t even worth as much as a glorified coffee cup.
So I slapped him right back, dumped his ass, and prepared for disaster—my parents losing their minds, Rhys throwing a billionaire tantrum, his terrifying family plotting my untimely demise.
Obviously, I needed alcohol. A lot of alcohol.
Enter him.
Tall, dangerous, unfairly hot. The kind of man who makes you want to sin just by existing. I’d met him only once before, and that night, he just happened to be at the same bar as my drunk, self-pitying self. So I did the only logical thing: I dragged him into a hotel room and ripped off his clothes.
It was reckless. It was stupid. It was completely ill-advised.
But it was also: Best. Sex. Of. My. Life.
And, as it turned out, the best decision I’d ever made.
Because my one-night stand isn’t just some random guy. He’s richer than Rhys, more powerful than my entire family, and definitely more dangerous than I should be playing with.
And now, he’s not letting me go.
Balance of Light and Shadow
Little did she know how much both worlds need her to bring peace and true freedom.
Thornhill Academy
Hunted, haunted, and newly awakened, Allison is dragged into a rebellion built on blood and belief, the same fight her parents died trying to protect. As enemies close in and desire sharpens into something dangerous, she must decide what kind of power she will become. The weapon the Council always wanted. Or the storm that tears their world apart. When Allison rises, kingdoms kneel and when she loves, she loves like war.
Dark Academia | Reverse Harem | Dark Romance | Dark Humour | Action-Packed | Steamy | Unputdownable












