Dynasty - young, blue-blooded, besotted [edited]

If you've made it this far... good for you. Or for me. Who knows? In the next 2000 words, I will try to explain what all the little stories my head has come up with are about. Kind of always the hardest part, but you'll cut me a little slack, right? Thanks. ____________ The book follows six different couples in their own completed stories. All of them take place in modern times but have the fantasy element of a fictional shifter kingdom to them. As the next generation in a big family of shifters, all the respective protagonists start in a similar place when they are 'summoned' by their parents to go to a function together. For the first time in years. When the family outing gets derailed by a vision, a human trafficking ring being flushed out, and a bounty hunter losing the money he counted on for the evening, our stories start with three of the siblings finding their fated mates. The only question remaining is who will be lucky enough to get over the somewhat rocky start to their relationship the quickest. Whoever isn't at the center of the plot will often be followed as a side character, given time to grow a little in their own right. When the story picks up about a year after the incident the whole family was involved in, one more of the siblings has a chance at changing and being seen in a different light than they have so far. Even if they have to fake a relationship with their fated one to get them to see just how good they'd be together. The next sibling in line resorts to online stalking their chosen love interest instead of facing the possibility of being rejected. Although they have nothing to fear, given it has been longer than the now almost two years since they've last seen each other in person that the beloved has had a crush on them. And the rear is being broad up a few years later when the only one still remaining single stumbles on a smutty fiction novel published for the whole of the higher circles in their world to see... just before they're supposed to take over their father's position. So going to talk to the classmate from high school that posted it seems like the sane option, right? Well, they end up with a second-degree burn and the maniacal woman as their new assistant. However, that happened. :::::::::::::: 'Claws to the Bone' ✍? "OK, now I'd take being called 'piglet' over staring. Please stop." "I can't help it...it's frustrating." Ouch, that wasn't really nice... I think. "Sounds like a 'you' problem.", I spit and scramble sideways just enough to get my mind cleared. Breathe freely without his scent accosting my nose, making my knees go wobbly with its stupid sandlewoody manliness. Goddess, he's a walking cliche. And he has the audacity to chuckle! Seriously?! "By the way you're squirming, I'd say it's an 'us' problem." ✍? Jade has her life set up from here on out. Even though she's the youngest out of her siblings, there was never a question about what she would do once she finished High School: Join the paramilitary guard run by her Aunt and Uncle. Just a few more days and her new life will finally begin. All she needs to do is put on a pretty dress and play nice with the rest of high society for one night. Right? The second, Killian sees his former best friend's little sister, his shifter going crazy, he knows this very easy job can only go badly from here on out. Waving his bounty goodbye, he decides to step up for the first time in years. And it definitely doesn't hurt his feelings that Jade describes him as that 'hydrophobic, soap-hating ' mobster her brother used to be friends with. After all, they are on the same page about what to do about the mate bond. Surely a road trip to get that fixed can only turn out well. Tropes: - forced proximity - Brother's Best Friend ::::::::::::::::: 'Moonlight in your eyes' ✍? 'He's safe.' The whispered phrase of reassurance is louder than the others will ever get. And when I look over at him, I find Greer looking at me like he has since he spaced out earlier. A little awestruck, a little hesitant. But with a constant warmth and affection that sends blood rushing in my veins and heat pooling in my stomach. ✍? Ever since he can remember, Greer has often been the rock his family leans on. His calm demeanor smoothing over fights and putting everyone at ease when needed. So it's only natural that this friendly veterinarian feels compelled to take on nurturing the Selkie they find kidnapped in the basement at a party one night. Though as soon as he discovers how their futures are going to intertwine, it gets harder to do only what's best for HER. When you are finally set free from the only situation you have known since you were a child, picking up life where you left off is unthinkably terrifying. And trusting anyone but the friend you made out of solidarity is harder than Noemi ever imagined. Especially with those very confusing voices in her head telling her that the handsome stranger with the kind grey eyes is who to lean on. But if you lean, you inevitably fall... flat on your face or into the depth of hell, as she's learned. Why does she seem to find it hard to care, though? Tropes: - found family - slow-burn - strangers-to-friends- to-lovers :::::::::::::::::::: 'Once and once again' ✍?"I didn't like her calling you that, that's all. No big deal." "Calling me what? Sugar?" I bristle a little at him saying it, then give a jerky nod when I realize he actually expects an answer. An incredulous look passes over his face, his brows furrowing and the tiny beauty spot between them dipping down. "Why? You call me 'handsome' all the time. Same difference."My mouth pops open, and I stare at him. Then I snort. "I call you that because you—- you're...Never mind. It's not the same. She said it in that way old ladies do when they're looking to hook up with their sons' barely-legal friends." Huffing, I cross my arms in front of my chest. That's when I hear it. That deep sound rumbles toward me from across the table until it gets louder and louder, and I realize it's Silas. Laughing. ✍? When you look at him, all you see, all you ever really want to see, is his scarred face. Silas is convinced that thanks to an accident years ago, not even his family believes he can be strong enough to overcome what inevitably followed after. It's never easy, but especially not when he finds his mate in the only person that has called him 'handsome' from the get-go and has a harder shell built up than he ever could. Cracking is not an option. Valentina has made her way through life knowing what people... men, want. It's easy, really. And although becoming just that has taken a lot from her, looking back is out of the question. Not when there is a whole scary new, free life to have. In typical fashion, though, fate decides to throw a wrench in the shape of a broody man into her gear. Silas Araújo should first, not be allowed to own the car of her dreams and, second, definitely not be the total mama's boy who kind of melts her very unpracticed heart. Tropes: - Strangers to lovers - he falls first :::::::::::::::::::::::: 'Strung along' ✍?“Highly doubt it.” Jordan grins. “Oh, but I do have one request myself, that I want to add.” “Don’t think you’re in the position to do that, but I’m hooked on double my daily dose of sugar now, so I’ll allow it.” There is that dimple again. Aboard! Don’t stare! Aboard! “I want to know what ‘Percy’ is short for. It’s not 'Percival' that much is sure.” “Could be.” “Nope.” “'Persimmon' then." “You are from the south, but not even the biggest redneck ever would name their kid that. So no. Nice try, though.” He leans in, and the smell of his cologne almost makes my mouth water. Stupid, stupid pregnancy hormones. “I’ll take the truth now, please. Or I will continue calling you ‘sweet pea’, sweet pea.” “Don’t you dare!” “Man up then.” Blowing out an exasperated breath, I lift my gaze until it meets his. “Persephone.” And I swear I see his pupils dilate for the briefest moment. “Now, was that so hard… Persephone?” ✍? After years of paparazzi following him around, Jordan starts to feel like they might just be the bane of his existence. Especially when they decide to go after a newly added member of the family, that has in no way signed up for this. And it isn't helping that while trying to find a solution for this, his family keeps rubbing his 'inability' to have an actual relationship in. How do they know he couldn't or wouldn't want to? Might just have to show them. Pregnancy is just another uneven stone on the long 'yellow brick road' leading to the career of Percy's dreams: Be a doctor. And who said you can't get through your last 2 years of medical school with a baby? She definitely could. If her rocky past couldn't stop her, this can't either. Unless the one man she sure doesn't want to see at her place of work set's up for a gig and doesn't seem to get why the hell he should stay the f*ck away from her. No, Toto, we are no longer in Kansas. Tropes: - unexpected pregnancy - found family ::::::::::::::::::::::::: 'Half of my heart' ✍? My hazy mind is definitely playing tricks on me. Yup, long night. When bile rises as I try and squint harder at the man, panting, trying to push past Chase, I decide that that last half bottle of vodka was probably too much. "F*ck." Oh, I agree with the sentiment. Especially when the hulking figure moves closer, and I see that I'm indeed not hallucinating. Raising my hands in mock surrender, I try to smirk. But looking at Konstantin, my muscles refuse to work with me. "Couldn't let you be right." I shrug. He says nothing. The way he looks at me, his eyes scrutinizing my face for the longest time, is enough to have me squirming in my seat, though. "Told you to place your bets wisely. I'm truly the wrong person to get d*ckmatized by. Everyone- Suddenly, my world is upside down, and the huff of my stomach hitting a shoulder luckily doesn't make me want to revisit my dinner. Swinging slightly from side to side, I stare at Konstantin's wide back. "This is not the way to prove that, though." "Bear--" I try again, but he interrupts me. "No. You don't die because you're a sore loser and shitty at expressing your feelings. Not going to happen." ✍? Give half... maybe a third. Never to a one-night stand, though. And let's be honest, that's all Khai has ever felt like he wants to take any relationship to. Get in, get out, no hurt feelings. The only time when he allows himself to wish for anything more is in front of that screen. Talking to the much younger guy he's had a crush on for ages. Light stalking is OK if it's your profession, right? The only man that has ever made him feel less numb to the world is speaking at his high school's 'job fair'. F*ck him, if Konstantin doesn't use the chance to finally ask his brother's best friend out. Given he answers in the next 1-2 business days. Seems rather gobsmacked this one. But he'll get over it. What might be harder to get over is Konstantin's family breathing down his neck, forcing him into a position he's been avoiding thinking about for the last 2 years. Tropes: - Brother's best friend - first crush :::::::::::::::::::::::::: 'When Sloan met the main man...' ✍?Of course. Of course, it had to be like THIS. The first time in six years that my male lizard brain is rearing its head is when SHE comes into the picture. The girl that could single-handedly destroy what I've worked for the past years. I glare at her past the man in the line in front of me. Who looks good in Orioles Orange?! I give you a hint: It has a smile that makes your throat go dry, 'love handles' that call you 'Daddy' from 10 feet away, and with the push of a button, could distribute a TOTALLY FICTIONAL atrocity of a story to half your friends, colleagues, and investors. I could strangle her. ✍? Keep in line, so you stay in control. Sounds easy enough, right? If only everyone else in Luca's life would adhere to the same sentiment. Most of all, the girl he apparently went to high school with and that has chosen now of all times to pitch the smutty romance novel she wrote to editors and publishers. How is that his problem? Well, the book is so obviously based on him, that his obnoxious older brother keeps calling him 'Kenneth' and cackling while loudly reading passages about his 'thick shaft'. So it's surely time to talk to her before one of his investors catches a whiff of any of this. Getting her life back together has been the sole focus of Lina's efforts over the past few months. That is until THE guy walks into the coffee shop she works at. The only reason she doesn't immediately self-combust is that she knows for a fact he has no idea who she is. Doesn't stop him from being an a*shole, though. But luckily, there is nothing a little coffee to the crotch can't cure. And if it ends up scoring you a job instead of just getting you fired from your current one, you'll even put up with the uptight guy you were madly in love with when you were sixteen. Tropes: - enemies-to-lovers (kind of?) - slow burn