Barely Tolerable

"It hurts…" Joanna Horton clutched her swollen belly in agony, a deep, wrenching pain twisting through her that words couldn't describe. Terror filled her voice as she cried out, "It hurts so bad… Theo… please, save our baby…" But outside, there was only silence—except for the soft, steady sounds of prayers and chanting from the next room. That was where her monk husband, Theo Brook, was, praying for the soul of his long-dead first love. Ever since Sharon Cooper jumped off that building, Theo had been grief-stricken. He left everything behind and became a monk, never missing a single night of chanting for her. People said he had the heart of a saint, that he was devoted and had never stopped loving her. But they didn't know that just on the other side of that wall was Joanna—his lawfully wedded wife, the one he had once married in a grand ceremony. Joanna was burning up with fever, her eyes barely open, her face pale and tired. A few days ago, she had made Theo angry. Since then, no matter how much she cried out in pain, he ignored her. Another sharp wave of pain hit, and suddenly, a rush of blood spilled from between her legs. The baby inside her stopped moving. She knew then—her child was gone.

The day I found out I was pregnant, they threw me in the cold room. Ninety-nine calls later, Sandro Vaitti finally picked up. "The Family made that call," he said. "It was Genny's birthday. She got a fever because of you. This is your punishment. Just wait—once you're out, I'll marry you." Sandro's favorite line? 'Just wait.' His mafia family hated me. He swore once he gave them their precious heir, he'd cut ties and choose me. I bought it. Waited two years. Waited while he hooked up with Helga Cicili and had a kid—Genny. Then came the kicker: A daughter can't carry the Family name. He had to have a son with Helga. And yeah, I believed him. Again. Waited another year—until Helga got pregnant with his golden boy. I thought, 'Finally. Done waiting.' Then plot twist—I was pregnant too. Day before the wedding. Felt like fate. Didn't even get to tell him. They locked me up. Cold room. I curled up, shaking, barely breathing. When the door creaked open, I knew— I was done. Done waiting. Done begging. I'd leave. And I'd take my baby with me.

"Nah, not gonna happen. I don't want to skip work just because of that girl. She's not that important. I will not make her life easier by impregnating her that soon," I said. "Well, bro, it's your choice. Just don't let yourself be head over the heels for Stacey. That'll create a big issue!" Harry said. "That's cliché, man! Do you think I'll let that happen? I'm so busy torturing her physically and mentally. I won't have any more time to think about loving her. I also barely go home," I confidently said. -----. Stacey's life has always been difficult. She is constantly required to present herself in front of the lads in order to encourage them to offer her money or whatever in return for sex. In addition, there will be a fee for each touch to private parts. It's almost as if you had to pay to touch. Fortunately, she was able to flee this realm thanks to Cygnus, her love one. But because of Yul Matthew Servano, everything became blue, and her life became much more confusing than it was before. It was planned for her to marry him. Will they build affections for each other despite the fact that Yul is a womanizer and Stacey is a transitory relationship for guests?

After my husband died in a car accident, I worked tirelessly running a small restaurant to raise my son, Henry. Right before Henry's wedding, I won eight million in the lottery. Thrilled, I decided to sell the restaurant and finally enjoy retirement. So, I called to tell Henry about selling the restaurant, his usually polite fiancée turned hostile. "You're not expecting us to support you, are you? We've barely started working!" She even warned Henry, "If you spend any of our money on your mom, the wedding's off!" Henry argued with her but then reassured me, promising, "You've worked hard enough, Mom. I'll take care of you." Feeling pretty good, I planned to give him two million to start a business. The next day, I got a call saying Henry had been in a serious car accident and urgently needed fifty thousand for surgery. I sent the money immediately, but afterward, Henry vanished. Desperate, I braved a storm to find him in his city, only to walk into a wedding at some fancy hotel. There's Henry, giving a toast and calling another woman "Mom." And, oh, sitting beside her? My "dead" husband from ten years ago.

He’s the ruthless Alpha. She’s the Omega no one wanted. Together, they’ll break every rule. Thalia has always been the lowest of the low—an outcast Omega in a world that only respects strength. She’s spent her life being invisible, overlooked, and barely surviving. But when Zephyr, the powerful and feared Alpha of the Rising Sun Pack, chooses her as his mate, everything changes. Zephyr is cold, untouchable, and known for his merciless rule. Mates aren’t supposed to be weak, and Thalia—timid, unshifted, and far from perfect—doesn’t fit the bill. But the bond between them is undeniable, and Zephyr has made his claim. In a pack that craves dominance, his choice shocks everyone—and provokes enemies. As Thalia is thrust into a world of dangerous politics, brutal challenges, and a pack that wants her gone, she must prove she’s more than just an Omega. But Zephyr isn’t just fighting for her place at his side—he’s fighting his demons, and the closer they grow, the more dangerous their connection becomes. Caught between pack traditions and Zephyr’s dark, possessive nature, Thalia must find her strength… or risk losing everything, including her life. Two broken souls. One unbreakable bond. Can an outcast Omega and a ruthless Alpha defy their fate—or will they destroy each other?

"You sound jealous." He pointed out and pushed off the wall. He walked towards me with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You wish." I barely said as my knees went weak with the expectation of him touching me. "Do you want me to fuck your brains out?" Issa huskily asked as he groped me to his hard muscled body. The slit between my legs was heating up. I knew that I had to be very careful about my answer or things were going to take a dirty turn. "In your dreams," I whispered and softly pushed him back. I prayed that he had not caught on to my moment of weakness. "I will be waiting for you in my dreams then." _________ Yulia— a stubborn and rebellious wolf's life is turned upside down when she's forced to move in with her step-uncle, Lycan Issa Frostwood, after her mother's death. As she struggles to come to terms with her new reality, she finds herself tormented by a forbidden desire for the one person she shouldn't— her own uncle. . . But as they both fight to deny their feelings, the danger that surrounds them draws them closer together. Will they succumb to their passion, or will the secrets and lies that haunt their past destroy them forever?

“Say you love me,” he growls. “I love you,” I gasp, clutching at him. “Again. Louder.” “I love you, Cole. I love you, I love you.” My husband smirks like he’s claimed a victory. His hand grips my jaw, forcing my mouth open, kissing me so deep I can barely breathe. Then his fingers are exploring, working me open, ruthless and skilled, dragging me up fast. My body arches, desperate, already trembling. “Beg me.” His voice is harsh, guttural. “Tell me what I need to hear. Tell me you’ll never leave me. Tell me you’ll always be mine.” “I’ll never leave you,” I sob. “I’ll always love you. Always yours.” *** Then I found out that I’m nothing more than a baby incubator for him. He needs bone marrow for his son with another woman, Jade. She’s my mentor. She’s the woman who held my newborn baby and said, I’m proud of you, you’re going to be an incredible designer and mother. I swear, somehow, I will make them pay.

Hallie is determined to become the best female top warrior no matter what it takes. She is not going to let anything stop her, not even some mate bond that she doesn't even want. Until she meets Hugh while away training for a place in the kingdom, will Hallie be able to achieve her dreams, or will she give it all up for a mate who is determined not to let her go? I stood there, feeling all pairs of eyes on me, as if I were on display. Their gazes bore into me, waiting for my reaction. I was at a loss for words. What the hell was I meant to say? I barely knew them, and now I had just found out their son was my mate. The mate that I never wanted. All I wanted was to train and become the warrior I had always dreamt of. This was my worst nightmare come true. “Well?” My so-called mate grinned at me with his hands in his pockets, as if he knew that I was struggling. I glared at him, feeling a surge of anger and frustration. He must be so arrogant, I thought to myself. I wanted to reject him there and then, but his parents were watching me excitedly. They were obviously pleased their son had found his mate. I, on the other hand, was not pleased.

I flinched as his breath fanned my face, my body trembled in his arms. This was the chance, but was I scared? His eyes affected me in so many ways, as they held grief, pain and regret. Our stare was our way of communicating. It was intended, emotional and agonizing. I was hiding the knife behind me, picturing the perfect place to stab him. His searing heat sent a gush of lust inside me. I shouldn't fall for that. This was a revenge plan, not a romantic show-off. "I'm engaged, and I have a child with him" I remembered, barely recognizing my cold voice which had become soft and weak. He let out a dirty smirk, lowering his eyes to my lips as we exchanged breath. "I know, but I can't stop myself from falling" he whispered, and before I could blink an eye, he captured my lips, twirling them to his taste. It was a long liquid kiss that made me wet so that I couldn't fight back. The knife slipped off my hand as my body yanked on his. We both dried up where we stood when her voice resounded in our ears. "Mom?"

Even though this is my eighth time proposing to Beverly Galvan, she still coldly turns me down again. She says that she isn't ready yet and that she needs more time. Since that's the case, I tell myself I will wait as long as it takes. That's when I see it—her and my brother's marriage certificate, posted for everyone to see on her social media. When I question her about it, she merely says in a calm voice, "Timothy's unwell. He can't get too upset, so you'd better not start anything!" They are wearing wedding rings in that photo, and there is a barely visible bump on her belly. In that moment, the storm within me dissipates. Hitting the like button on the post, I type out a comment. "I wish you both a lifetime of joy. May the two of you grow old together!" A year later, a desperate-looking Beverly shows up in front of me, begging that we get back together. Unfortunately for her, her best friend, who was clearly pregnant, steps in with a smile and pushes her aside. "Give it a rest, will you? My husband already has a wife. We can have kids of our own. There's no need for him to be someone's fallback guy."