My EX-Husband is a Werewolf Billionaire
Ava, a fierce entrepreneur with a heart scarred by past wounds, and Ryan Blackwood, a man torn between love and ambition, find their worlds colliding in unexpected ways. After a bitter divorce, Ava is determined to reclaim her life and dignity, while Ryan grapples with the consequences of his choices.
Ava’s journey to rebuild her shattered world is fraught with emotional turmoil. From confronting Lily Crawford, the woman who taunts her with her past, to facing down her own self-doubts, Ava’s resilience is tested at every turn. Ryan, on the other hand, is haunted by regrets and memories of what he lost, struggling to find a path to redemption.
As Ava navigates the treacherous waters of entrepreneurship, she encounters both allies and adversaries. David, a seasoned businessman, offers guidance and support, while former friends like Lisa undermine her confidence. Ava’s mother’s concerns and societal expectations add layers of complexity to her struggle for independence.
Will Ava overcome the obstacles that stand in her way and emerge victorious, or will the ghosts of her past drag her down? Can Ryan find a way to atone for his mistakes and rekindle the love he once shared with Ava, or is it too late for redemption?
Excerpt from Wolves of Betrayal © Copyright 2024 Eva Nash
Chapter 1: The Wounds of Divorce
The New York sky hung heavy with overcast clouds, casting a somber hue over the bustling city below. Inside the opulent living room of the villa, tension thickened the air, suffocating Ava Miller as she clutched the divorce agreement in trembling hands. Her knuckles were pale, strained from the weight of emotions too heavy to bear. Her eyes, once bright with love, now swollen with tears, reflected weariness and a stubborn resolve.
Across from her, Ryan Blackwood sat on the sofa, his demeanor cold and distant, a mask of indifference barely concealing the turmoil within. His eyes, normally a window to his soul, betrayed a complexity akin to a caged beast—struggling, yearning for freedom, yet imprisoned by a facade of calm control.
“Ava, is this truly what you want?” Ryan’s voice, deep and restrained, echoed through the room like a distant plea from the depths of his soul, tinged with an almost imperceptible tremor.
Ava lifted her gaze, meeting his with a mixture of pain and disappointment. “Ryan, isn’t this the consequence of your actions?” Her voice wavered, holding onto a fragile determination amidst the emotional storm raging within her.
Ryan’s brow furrowed, a subtle pulsing of veins betraying the inner turmoil beneath his stoic exterior. “Why must you be so stubborn, refusing to hear explanations?” His voice, edged with impatience, strained against the mounting tension.
A bitter smile tugged at Ava’s lips, laced with self-mockery and sorrow. “Explanations seem feeble compared to what I’ve witnessed.” Tears threatened to spill over, yet she fought valiantly to keep them at bay.
Into this charged atmosphere, Lily Crawford entered with graceful poise, her designer attire and confident demeanor exuding an air of arrogance that only heightened the palpable tension. A smug smile graced her face, as though the crumbling of Ava and Ryan’s marriage was a personal triumph. “Ryan, haven’t you two reached an agreement yet?” Her voice, dripping with artificial sweetness, cut through the room like a knife, a stark contrast to the raw emotions laid bare before her.
The scene unfolded like a silent battlefield, where words unspoken carried the weight of shattered dreams and unfulfilled promises, each heartbeat echoing the unraveling of their once-shared future.
The New York sky hung heavy with overcast clouds, casting a somber hue over the bustling city below. Inside the opulent living room of the villa, tension thickened the air, suffocating Ava Miller as she clutched the divorce agreement in trembling hands. Her knuckles were pale, strained from the weight of emotions too heavy to bear. Her eyes, once bright with love, now swollen with tears, reflected weariness and a stubborn resolve.
Across from her, Ryan Blackwood sat on the sofa, his demeanor cold and distant, a mask of indifference barely concealing the turmoil within. His eyes, normally a window to his soul, betrayed a complexity akin to a caged beast—struggling, yearning for freedom, yet imprisoned by a facade of calm control.
“Ava, is this truly what you want?” Ryan’s voice, deep and restrained, echoed through the room like a distant plea from the depths of his soul, tinged with an almost imperceptible tremor.
Ava lifted her gaze, meeting his with a mixture of pain and disappointment. “Ryan, isn’t this the consequence of your actions?” Her voice wavered, holding onto a fragile determination amidst the emotional storm raging within her.
Ryan’s brow furrowed, a subtle pulsing of veins betraying the inner turmoil beneath his stoic exterior. “Why must you be so stubborn, refusing to hear explanations?” His voice, edged with impatience, strained against the mounting tension.
A bitter smile tugged at Ava’s lips, laced with self-mockery and sorrow. “Explanations seem feeble compared to what I’ve witnessed.” Tears threatened to spill over, yet she fought valiantly to keep them at bay.
Into this charged atmosphere, Lily Crawford entered with graceful poise, her designer attire and confident demeanor exuding an air of arrogance that only heightened the palpable tension. A smug smile graced her face, as though the crumbling of Ava and Ryan’s marriage was a personal triumph. “Ryan, haven’t you two reached an agreement yet?” Her voice, dripping with artificial sweetness, cut through the room like a knife, a stark contrast to the raw emotions laid bare before her.
Ava glared at Lily, her eyes blazing with fury as if she could ignite her with just a look. “You, home-wrecker!” Her voice sharpened with anger.
Lily shrugged nonchalantly, disdain curling her lips. “Ava, if you can’t hold onto Ryan’s heart, don’t blame others.” She walked over to Ryan, deliberately linking her arm with his, a display of dominance towards Ava.
Ava trembled with anger, unable to control her shaking. “Ryan, look at her! Look at what she’s become!” Her heart was bleeding, seeing the man she once loved standing with another woman.
Ryan remained silent, his eyes flickering, unable to meet Ava’s gaze. Guilt and desire warred within him, and in the end, he chose silence.
Taking a deep breath, Ava tried to calm herself. She picked up the pen and signed her name on the divorce agreement, each stroke feeling like a cut to her soul. Then she tossed the agreement in front of Ryan, the paper floating through the air, mirroring their shattered love. “From now on, we have no ties.” Her voice was cold and final, turning away to leave.
Ryan suddenly stood up, calling out, “Ava…” His voice carried a hint of pleading, as if wanting to stop her but unsure how to begin.
Ava paused but didn’t turn back, afraid that if she did, she would fall back into endless pain. “Is there anything left to say?” Despair filled her voice.
Ryan opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.
With determination, Ava walked out of the villa. As the door closed behind her, tears streamed down her face like a floodgate opening. Outside, a torrential downpour began, raindrops fiercely pounding the ground, as if protesting against her ordeal.
Ava walked aimlessly, the rain soaking her hair and clothes, but she hardly noticed. Each raindrop seemed like heaven’s pity, yet unable to wash away her inner torment.
She reminisced about the beautiful moments she once shared with Ryan: strolling through Central Park, basking in the gentle caress of sunlight and breeze; watching sunsets by the sea, pledging eternal vows; spending countless sweet nights together in their cozy home. Those sweet moments now felt like daggers piercing her soul, unbearable in their memory.
The city around her blurred into a backdrop of loneliness and heartache, her footsteps echoing in sync with the downpour—a melancholy melody of loss and shattered dreams.
Ava bit her lip, the taste of rain mingling with the salt of her tears. She willed herself to stay strong, to not let this setback defeat her, but the tears continued to fall, unnoticed amidst the downpour.
Suddenly, a sleek car pulled up beside her, the window rolling down to reveal Emma Johnson, impeccably made up but with eyes gleaming with malice. “Ava, how pathetic, being abandoned by Ryan,” she sneered.
Ava’s glare could have set fire to the rain. “You’re no better!” Her voice cracked with anger, raw and hoarse.
Emma laughed, the sound sharp against the steady drumming of raindrops. “Hmph, just wait and see how happy Ryan and I will be.”
With a rev of the engine, the car sped off, leaving Ava standing drenched, her skirt sodden from the splashing water. Defiantly, she shouted into the storm, “I won’t let you bring me down!” Her voice echoed, drowned out by thunder.
Ava walked aimlessly, her legs heavy with fatigue until they led her to the welcoming glow of a coffee shop door. Rainwater dripped from her, forming puddles on the floor as she pushed inside.
The staff glanced up, surprised at her disheveled state. “Miss, are you…” one of them began, hesitating.
Finding a quiet corner, Ava’s voice was barely audible as she ordered, “A hot coffee, please.”
The coffee arrived promptly, its warmth a balm to her cold, trembling hands. Steam rose, momentarily clouding her vision but not her inner pain.
Her phone rang, Jenny’s name flashing on the screen.
“Ava, where are you? I heard what happened,” Jenny’s voice held both concern and urgency.
Sniffing back tears, Ava tried to sound composed. “I’m outside, Jenny. I’m fine.”
“Don’t you dare say ‘fine’! Tell me where you are—I’m coming to find you,” Jenny insisted firmly.
Ava relented, giving her the coffee shop’s name. Moments later, Jenny rushed through the door, concern etched on her face.
Seeing Ava’s distraught state, Jenny enveloped her in a tender hug. “Ava, that jerk isn’t worth your heartbreak,” Jenny’s voice carried a fierce edge, reflecting the anger in her eyes.
Ava leaned into her friend’s embrace, tears flowing freely once more. “I don’t understand why it had to end like this,” she murmured, her voice tinged with confusion and pain.
Jenny gently rubbed her back, offering solace. “Stop trying to make sense of it, Ava. From now on, you’re living for yourself.” Her gaze was unwavering, a beacon of warmth and strength for Ava in her darkest hour.
Nodding slowly, Ava wiped her tears, summoning her resolve. “I will, Jenny,” she affirmed, her voice wavering but filled with newfound determination.
The two sat in the coffee shop for a long time. Ava poured out her grievances and pain. Jenny patiently listened, offering support and encouragement.
When they left the coffee shop, the rain had stopped. A beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky. Ava stared at it, silently vowing to stand up again.
She returned to her modest apartment, feeling oddly comforted despite its simplicity. She tidied up and changed into clean clothes.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Ava took a deep breath. “Ava Miller, you can do this.”
She turned on her computer, starting to draft her business plan. She was determined to carve out her own place in this harsh world, to prove to everyone that she wasn’t easily defeated.
Yet, the road to entrepreneurship wasn’t easy. Ava sought investment everywhere but faced repeated setbacks. Investors either weren’t interested in her project or doubted a woman who had just gone through a failed marriage.
But she didn’t give up. Every day, she hustled between office buildings, refining her proposals, using her sincerity and persistence to impress every potential investor.
Just when she felt hopeless, a mysterious man entered her life.
