In the world of professional rodeo, two powerful family legacies collide when Stetson Wright’s daughter crosses paths with J.B. Mauney’s son, Jagger. What begins as rivalry and pressure under the arena lights slowly turns into an unexpected connection neither of them can ignore. As their families’ reputations, expectations, and old tensions rise, the two are forced to decide whether they will follow the path laid out for them—or risk everything for something real in a world built on competition.
The courtyard fell silent. King Ben stood on the castle steps, the royal scepter raised high as Auradon celebrated his coronation. Beside him stood Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos, smiling as cheers echoed through the kingdom. Then the sky turned green. A blast of emerald fire struck the center of the courtyard, sending everyone stumbling backward. Maleficent emerged from the smoke, her staff clicking against the stone. “Well,” she purred, “look at all my little disappointments.” Ben instinctively stepped in front of Mal. “It’s over, Maleficent.” “Oh, is it?” She laughed. “Mal, hand me the Fairy Godmother’s wand.” Mal tightened her grip around the wand. “No.” Maleficent’s smile disappeared. “You’d choose these people over your own mother?” “They’re my family.” For a moment, neither of them moved. Then Maleficent slowly smiled again. “Very well.” She reached into the folds of her cloak. “If you won’t give me the wand…” She pulled out a glowing sapphire crystal wrapped in black iron. “…then I suppose it’s finally time.” Mal frowned. “What is that?” Maleficent held the stone high above her head. “I think it’s finally time…” Her eyes locked onto Mal’s. “…you meet your older brother.” The courtyard went completely still. “What?” A swirl of brilliant blue fire erupted from the stone, unlike Maleficent’s usual green magic. The flames spiraled into a towering vortex before collapsing inward. When the smoke cleared… A teenage boy stood in its place.
Coral Key, Florida (fictional coastal town inspired by the Florida Keys) Coral Key is the kind of place where everyone knows each other. There are pastel beach cottages, marinas full of fishing boats, hidden sandbars, tiki restaurants, and endless turquoise water. Tourists come and go, but the locals stay—and they all have stories. But when her and Finn meet everything changes
The Avengers were having one of those rare, completely ordinary afternoons. Steve was sitting at the table going through paperwork. Clint was arguing with Natasha over something on the television. Bruce was reading on the couch. Thor was attempting to explain a story from Asgard to Peter, who was only half listening. Then the elevator doors opened. Tony walked in carrying a manila file. “Hey, does anyone know who used the last—” He stopped. Everyone looked at him. Tony glanced down at the file in his hand. “Oh. Right.” He walked over to the table and tossed the file down. Steve looked up. “What’s that?” Tony pulled out a chair. “Work.” Clint raised an eyebrow. “That doesn’t answer the question.” Tony sighed. “Fine.” He opened the file casually, flipping through several pages. “Someone has hired the Viper Assassin.” The room went completely silent. Tony looked up. Nobody said anything. Peter looked around at everyone. “…Who’s Viper?” Natasha’s expression had changed. Barely. But enough for Steve to notice. Steve turned toward her. “You know that name?” Natasha didn’t answer immediately. Clint stopped arguing with her. “Natasha?” She finally looked at Tony. “Where did you hear that?” Tony leaned back in his chair. “That’s the interesting part.” He pulled a photograph from the file. He slid it across the table. A young woman stared back at them. Dark auburn hair. Ice-blue eyes. A completely unreadable expression. Steve picked up the photograph. “Who is she?” Tony looked at him. “Scarlett Volkov.” Bruce sat forward. “And she’s the Viper?” Tony nodded. “Apparently.” Peter looked at the picture. “Okay, but why is everyone acting like she just walked in here?” Clint gave him a serious look. “Because she hasn’t.” Peter frowned. “What does that mean?” Clint looked back at the photograph. “It means if she’s been hired…” He paused. “…we don’t know when she’s coming.” Steve turned back toward Tony. “Who hired her?
