In a city where shadows hide secrets and power rules the night, billionaire Adrian Valkov stands at the top-a ruthless leader hiding a deadly curse. He controls the world's most powerful corporations, but beneath his polished exterior lies something far more dangerous: he is the alpha of a secret werewolf society, bound by an ancient curse tied to the blood moon. For centuries, Adrian has ruled with dominance, his humanity slowly eroding with each passing night. Until selene Alaric steps into his world. Selene is a fierce investigative journalist, determined to uncover the corruption lurking behind the city's most powerful men. But when her pursuit of justice leads her to Adrian, she uncovers more than she bargained for. Drawn into his dark world of primal instincts and dangerous power, Selene finds herself irresistibly captivated by the brooding billionaire-and the beast within him. But Selene's connection to this underworld is deeper than she knows. Bound by a legacy of ancient werewolf hunters, her bloodline holds the key to either freeing Adrian from his curse or condemning him to an eternity of darkness. As the blood moon rises, the bond between them grows stronger-and more dangerous. Selene must decide: can she trust the man who is both her greatest temptation and her worst enemy? As passion and peril collide, Adrian must battle the monster he has become while Selene grapples with a secret that could change everything. In a world where trust can lead to destruction and love is the ultimate risk, their lives are entwined in a deadly dance of betrayal, redemption, and power. With the blood moon hanging over them, one thing is certain: their destinies are written in blood. Blood Moon Rising is a thrilling dark romance that explores the limits of love, the darkness within, and the fight for redemption against all odds.
Chapter 1 A CITY BENEATH THE SURFACE
New York City was more than just a skyline and bustling streets-it was a complex web of influence, a realm where the powerful flourished while the vulnerable were left behind. Adrian Valkov understood this reality better than anyone. From his penthouse, the city sprawled out before him like a personal dominion. The cool night breeze flowed through the open balcony doors as he stood in the shadows, a glass of whiskey in hand, contemplating the empire he had constructed.
Beneath the polished surface of his life lay a truth far more brutal than the public could ever fathom. He was the alpha-a man wielding more power than most could ever dream of, yet burdened by the primal beast that lurked beneath his skin. The ancient curse coursed through his veins, granting him dominion over his pack-wealthy, influential men who shared the same dark secret.
Adrian's gaze drifted to the full moon hanging in the night sky. It beckoned to him, a constant reminder of his true nature.
But he had long since mastered his control. Tonight was not about the beast; it was about business-the relentless stream of deals that fueled his empire's expansion.
Just as he was about to retreat into his office, his phone vibrated.
The message was brief and cryptic: "She's getting too close."
He didn't need further details. The 'she' in question was Selene Alaric, a woman who had become an unexpected thorn in his side. The investigative journalist had been probing into his financial affairs for weeks, and despite his efforts to keep her occupied, she had proven to be far more tenacious than anticipated.
There was something about her-her audacity, her refusal to back down-that piqued his interest and stirred something dangerous within him.
Adrian had dealt with journalists before, silencing them with ease. But Selene was different. She wasn't merely after a story-there was a personal dimension to her investigation that captivated him. He knew he should eliminate her from the equation, but there was something in the fire behind her words that held him back.
The doorbell rang, pulling him from his thoughts. He opened the door to find Lucas, one of his pack members, standing there with a serious expression.
"She's not backing down," Lucas said. "We tried to throw her off with a few leads, but she's sharper than we anticipated."
Adrian took a sip of his whiskey. "Let her come closer. I'll take care of her myself."
Lucas frowned but nodded in agreement. Adrian shut the door, feeling the fire within him start to intensify. Selene Alaric had no idea what she was getting into. But deep down, he sensed that he might not be fully prepared either.