In the resplendent Forbidden City, a storm of power and intrigue quietly brews. Wan Fei, born of humble origins yet possessing beauty and intellect, catches the emperor's eye and rises to the pinnacle of favor. However, the palace is a cauldron of jealousy and treachery, where the Empress and rival consorts plot her downfall, and the emperor-her only ally-may not be as devoted as he appears. In this power-hungry, desire-fueled court, Wan Fei must navigate the treacherous waters of palace politics. With each step, she must fend off the poisonous schemes of other women, defend her position, and preserve her dignity. Every court intrigue is a life-or-death gamble, and every decision could alter the course of her fate. From her humble entry into the palace to her rise as a cunning and formidable figure, Wan Fei's journey is one of resilience and strategy. How will she survive the ruthless competition among the women of the harem? How will she reconcile the love and hatred she feels for the emperor? And as the line between power and emotion blurs, can Wan Fei preserve the warmth and sincerity she once knew? This is a story of power, love, and betrayal. Each figure in the palace harbors secrets, and every inch of the royal grounds is soaked in sacrifices made in the shadows. Will Wan Fei find her true place in the stormy tides of the Qing dynasty?

Zahara Blackwell was destined for greatness-or so she thought. As the first-born daughter of the esteemed Alpha and Luna of the Silver Hollow Pack, and a powerful Black female werewolf, she spent her whole life preparing for the moment the Moon Goddess would reveal her fated mate. But fate, it seems, had a cruel sense of humor. On the night of her 21st birthday, Zahara's world shatters when her fated mate is revealed to be none other than her childhood crush, Alpha Kieran Vale-strong, revered, and the man she'd secretly dreamed of loving. Instead of joy, she's met with betrayal: Kieran publicly rejects her in front of the entire pack, scoffing at the idea of her as his Luna. And in a twist of the knife, he turns and claims her younger sister, Seraphina-the delicate, soft-spoken "golden girl" of the family-as his chosen mate. Humiliated and heartbroken, Zahara is pushed to the edge. When she dares to stand up for herself, her parents-more concerned with reputation than justice-condemn her for "jealousy" and "disrupting the pack's harmony." With no one to turn to, Zahara rejects her title, her family, and her pack, becoming a rogue in the dead of night. For months, she survives on instinct and raw power, until she's found half-starved and injured at the border of the powerful Nightfang Pack. There, she meets Alpha Lucien Graves-a tall, battle-scarred warrior with haunted eyes and an aura of silent strength. He offers her sanctuary, not sympathy, and Zahara finds herself slowly healing under his quiet protection. As trust grows and sparks ignite, Zahara begins to imagine a future where she is truly seen, loved, and chosen-not because of duty or status, but because of who she is. But just when her new life begins to flourish, her past returns. RANKINGS: #1 in Fated Mates

Excerpt only: I quickly run in their direction as my claws elongate into fierce points. I watch as a man in all black strikes down and kills one of the innocent packless men before turning to another. I make a flying leap to attack and am suddenly hit with a strong, overwhelming scent of vanilla and citrus. "Mate!" My wolf yells in my head. My conviction evaporates and confusion hits me, but I don't have time to think about what this means. Before I even have the chance to realize what is happening, the unknown man who had been my target spins to face me. We are mere centimeters apart and pain explodes through my stomach. I look down to find a black hilt sticking out of me and crimson spreading out around it. The man drops his hand from the dagger and I look up to meet his eyes. There are so many emotions swirling through his gorgeous sapphire eyes, confusion, shock, sadness, fear, anger. I don't get the chance to contemplate this as I stumble backwards, my consciousness slipping away from me. And then everything goes black. ---------- Scarlet Denton is a fiery young she-wolf with no family and no pack. She lives in the outskirts of Crescent City which is ruled by the feared Alpha Ethan Kane. They may live in the same area, but their lives are quite different from each other. What happens when they find out that they are mates?