

Ever After Awaits
Elizma Du Toit · Ongoing · 188.3k Words
Introduction
There’s the charming stranger from a chance encounter, the one she never expected to see again—but fate clearly has other plans. The sweet barista at her campus coffee shop, whose smile feels like home. Her stepbrother, who makes no secret of his disdain but hides more than he lets on. And then there’s the childhood friend who’s suddenly back, stirring up memories she thought were long gone.
Navigating love, tension, and unspoken truths, she’ll learn that sometimes happily ever after isn’t a destination—it’s a journey filled with surprises.
Chapter 1
“And last, but not least, this year’s Academic Excellence Award winner, Layla Kincaid!”
I step onto the stage & accept my award and graduation certificate from Mr. Anderson, our Principal.
As I’m standing next to him to have my picture taken, my eyes slip across the crowd, looking for my mother’s auburn head of hair just to come up short. I honestly don’t know why I expected anything different.
In the last six months she has become distant, she’s never home and when she is home, she can barely deign to say a handful of words to me.
It’s because she’s met a new man, but I can’t help but feel that there is something else that I’m missing.
After the crowd cheers and claps, we all scatter through the crowd looking for our friends and family.
Becca, my best friend since kindergarten, comes hurtling towards me with a huge smile on her face, her arms spread wide.
“We’ve finally done it!” she screams in my face just before she jumps into my arms. I can’t help but smile at her.
In relation to my 5 foot 8 inch stature, her 5 foot 1 inch is basically miniature. The fact that I’m voluptuous and thick and she’s slim and lean, does not help our size differences in the slightest. But we wouldn’t want it any other way.
I lock eyes with her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Montgomery, over her shoulder and they both have huge, proud smiles on their faces.
Since day one, they welcomed me into their home and treated me like an adoptive daughter. Mrs. Montgomery is the one who taught me how to create mouthwatering dishes, bake amazing cookies and cakes, and even how to balance a household budget. Mr. Montgomery is the one who taught me how to change a tire, fix a lightbulb, hang a shelf, and even knot a tie (just in case).
“Your mom probably got stuck at work.” Mrs. Montgomery whispers in my ear when she leans in to hug me. I appreciate the sentiment but we both know that’s not the real reason she is not here.
We all pile into the Montgomery’s car and head to the local seafood restaurant that is known for its amazing dishes and superb service – Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery’s treat for our special day.
We are at the restaurant and as we wait to be attended to by the hostess, my eyes scan across the space to take in its amazing décor and atmosphere as I’ve personally never been here before.
My eyes catch onto a pair of stunning green ones that are staring right back at me. My breath catches and my heart skips a beat when the force of our stare hits me like a battering ram. What in the ever-loving-skittles is that?
As I come back to my senses, other features come to my attention: a strong jawline that could cut diamonds, golden flawless skin, dark brown (almost black) curly hair that is cropped closely on the sides but longish on top (perfect for my fingers to glide through and grab on to), a tall muscular figure that gives off swimmer vibes and a sinful mouth that is currently tipped upwards into the most delicious, panty-melting smirk. Oh my!
Becca tugs on my arm to get my attention so I can follow them to our table. I glance back one last time but he has slipped away. It might be for the best; I can’t afford any right now.
Our server comes over and introduces herself as Meghan takes our drinks orders, and hurries away to give us a few minutes to peruse the menu.
I hear Becca and her parents discussing the various menu options but I’m not giving my full attention to what’s going on around me; my mind drifting towards my mom’s MIA status, my disappointment in myself for expecting anything different, and a certain pair of green eyes.
My Shirley Temple is placed in front of me and as I go to that Meghan, my words get caught in my throat when I realize it’s green-eyes standing next to me with a decadent smile on his face.
“Hi, my name is Hunter, I’ll be taking over from Meghan. She had to step out for a family emergency. I hope that is okay with you lovely folks?” he says to the whole table, but his gaze lands on me at the end of his sentence. I’m so flustered I can feel a blush creeping up my neck and I dip my head to hide it from him. What is wrong with me? I’m never this nervous around guys!
Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery each order the fish-of-the-day special, Becca orders the paella but I’m stuck between the seafood chowder and the creamy linguine with prawns. Hunter steps up closer to me, leans down a fraction, and asks: “And what can I get you, beautiful?”
I glance up at him, blushing again, but able to find my voice, even if it sounds a bit scratchy. Am I thirsty? “What would you recommend? The seafood chowder or the linguine with prawns?”
He peers down at me, drops his voice a fraction so only I can hear him, and says: “What I would like, is not on the menu.” With that, he subtly winks at me and I’m at a loss for words. Did a fire break out in the kitchen? Why is it so hot in here all of a sudden? Does someone need to call the fire department?
I clear my throat, take a sip of my drink to give me a few extra seconds to rearrange my thoughts, and only then peer up at him through my lashes. “I’ll take the chowder, please.”
He scribbles my order down, tips an imaginary hat in our direction, and then saunters off towards the kitchen.
When I lift my head a couple of seconds later it is to Becca looking at me with a smirk on her face and an evil glint in her eyes. I know that look, it doesn't bode well for me. Urgh!
As we wait for our food to arrive, I excuse myself to run to the restroom quickly. I go inside, finish up in the nearest stall, and then stand at the sink to wash my hands and splash cold water on my neck and wrists. I need to get my composure back. I need my head in the game.
Once I’m calmed down, I exit the restrooms, and as I’m rounding the corner into the corridor that leads to the restaurant, I crash into a wall that wasn’t there 10 minutes ago. Strong hands grab my upper arms to steady me and the intoxicating smell of cinnamon and vanilla assaults my senses.
“Woah there, beautiful.”
“I’m so sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was going, obviously.” Somewhere during the moment he caught me and our verbal exchange, my hands reached out and grasped onto his midsection. I can feel his taught muscles underneath my fingertips, and I have an instinctual urge to run my hands up his stomach, over his shoulders, and into his hair. Bad Layla!
Hunter stares into my eyes for a second, dips his head lower and whispers next to my ear: “You won’t hear me complaining. Feel free to bump into me anytime you want.”
I feel his breath against my skin just below my ear and I sigh inwardly. If I cant my head just a fraction to the side, he would have the perfect angle to run his nose along my neck, lick just behind my ear, and nip at my earlobe.
Instead, my fingertips tighten a fraction just before I step back and create some much-needed space between us.
“Thanks for catching me but I need to get back to the table.” I step around him to leave and as I pass him, his fingers brush against the back of my hand, tingles immediately run up my hand and straight to my heart, making me suck in a breath. When I’m three steps away from him, I peer back over my shoulder and find him rooted to the spot, eyes somewhat larger due to shock. I think he might be just as surprised by that touch as I was. Here’s hoping!
The rest of our meal goes by without a hitch except for the times that Hunter comes by our table to drop something off or collect some of our dirty dishes. I blush every time and he finds a reason to touch me surreptitiously every time.
Our fingers touch when I hand him my empty plate, him stroking his fingers over my shoulder blades when he passes at the back of my chair. Each time it’s as electrifying as the first time.
As Mr. Montgomery pays the bill, we stand to slip our jackets on. Hunter is there to offer me his hand as I go to rise from the table.
I take his hand and as my fingers carefully slip into his, I feel a small piece of paper being slipped to me. He smiles sheepishly at me before releasing my hand and turning towards Becca and Mrs. Montgomery to help them up as well.
We step outside and Becca is on me in a millisecond, squeezing my bicep and smiling at me like a loon. She didn’t miss the exchange between me and Hunter. I definitely will be getting the third degree when we get home. Yay me!
\ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Last Chapters
#151 Chapter 151: Layla POV
Last Updated: 8/17/2025#150 Chapter 150: Layla POV
Last Updated: 8/17/2025#149 Chapter 149: Layla POV
Last Updated: 8/17/2025#148 Chapter 148: Layla POV
Last Updated: 8/17/2025#147 Chapter 147: Hunter POV
Last Updated: 8/17/2025#146 Chapter 146: Layla POV
Last Updated: 8/17/2025#145 Chapter 145: Xavier POV
Last Updated: 8/17/2025#144 Chapter 144: Layla POV
Last Updated: 8/17/2025#143 Chapter 143: Layla POV
Last Updated: 8/17/2025#142 Chapter 142: AJ POV
Last Updated: 8/17/2025
You Might Like 😍
Fangs, Fate & Other Bad Decisions
After finding out her boyfriend cheated, the last thing she expected was to stumble across a wounded man in an alley. And definitely not one with fangs. But thanks to a mix of cocktails, shame, and her questionable life choices, she takes him home. Turns out, he’s not just any vampire—he’s a king. And according to him, she’s his fated mate.
Now, she’s stuck with an overprotective, brooding bloodsucker who keeps rescuing her, a growing list of enemies who want her dead, and an undeniable attraction that’s making it very hard to remember why falling for a vampire is a terrible idea.
Because if she’s not careful, she won’t just lose her heart—she’ll lose her humanity.
Goddess Of The Underworld.
When the veil between the Divine, the Living, and the Dead begins to crack, Envy is thrust beneath with a job she can’t drop: keep the worlds from bleeding together, shepherd the lost, and make ordinary into armor, breakfasts, bedtime, battle plans. Peace lasts exactly one lullaby. This is the story of a border pup who became a goddess by choosing her family; of four imperfect alphas learning how to stay; of cake, iron, and daylight negotiations. Steamy, fierce, and full of heart, Goddess of the Underworld is a why-choose, found-family paranormal romance where love writes the rules and keeps three realms from falling apart.
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.
The mafia princess return
Letting Go
That fateful night leads to Molly and her best friend Tom holding a secret close to their hearts but keeping this secret could also mean destroying any chance of a new future for Molly.
When Tom's oldest brother Christian meets Molly his dislike for her is instant and he puts little effort into hiding it. The problem is he's attracted to her just as much as he dislikes her and staying away from her starts to become a battle, a battle that he's not sure he can win.
When Molly's secret is revealed and she’s forced to face the pain from her past can she find the strength to stay and work through the pain or will she run away from everything she knows including the one man who gives her hope for a happy future? Hope that she never thought she would feel again.
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?
Mr. Ryan
He came closer with a dark and hungry expression,
so close,
his hands reached for my face, and he pressed his body against mine.
His mouth took mine eagerly, a little rudely.
His tongue left me breathless.
“If you don't go with me, I'll fuck you right here.” He whispered.
Katherine kept her virginity for years even after she turned 18. But one day, she met an extremely sexual man Nathan Ryan in the club. He had the most seductive blue eyes she has ever seen, a well-defined chin, almost golden blonde hair, full lips, perfectly drawn, and the most amazing smile, with perfect teeth and those damn dimples. Incredibly sexy.
She and he had a beautiful and hot one-night stand...
Katherine thought she might not meet the man again.
But fate has another plan
Katherine is about to take on the job of assistant to a billionaire who owns one of the biggest companies in the country and is known to be a conquering, authoritative and completely irresistible man. He is Nathan Ryan!
Will Kate be able to resist the charms of this attractive, powerful and seductive man?
Read to know a relationship torn between anger and the uncontrollable desire for pleasure.
Warning: R18+, Only for mature readers.
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
“Burn those who burned me!”
Burn those who burned me is an anthology book circulated on truth; justice; and REVENGE!
Story #1 The Ballad of Rabena Price.
Story #2 The rebirth of Clara Granger
Story #3 The violin of Graceland Teague
Story #4 The list for Josie Taylor
Story #5 COMING SOON!
Healing His Broken Luna....
Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend
“You are going to take every inch of me.” He whispered as he thrusted up.
“Fuck, you feel so fucking good. Is this what you wanted, my dick inside you?” He asked, knowing I have benticing him since the beginning.
“Y..yes,” I breathed.
Brianna Fletcher had been running from dangerous men all her life but when she got an opportunity to stay with his elder brother after graduation, there she met the most dangerous of them all. Her brother's best friend, a mafia Don. He radiated danger but she couldn't stay away.
He knows his best friend's little sister is off limits and yet, he couldn't stop thinking of her.
Will they be able to break all rules and find closure in each other's arms?
I Am His Wolfless Luna
Ethan also kept emitting deep roars in my ear, 'Damn... I'm going to cum... !!!' His impact became more intense and our bodies kept making slapping sounds.
"Please!! Ethan!!"
As the strongest female warrior in my pack, I was betrayed by those I trusted most, my sister and my best friend. I was drugged, raped, and banished from my family and my pack. I lost my wolf, my honor, and became an outcast—carrying a child I never asked for.
Six years of hard-won survival turned me into a professional fighter, fueled by rage and grief. A summons arrives from the formidable Alpha heir, Ethan, asking me to return as a wolfless combat instructor for the very pack that once banished me.
I thought I could ignore their whispers and stares, but when I see Ethan's emerald-green eyes—the same as my son’s—my world tilts.