Basic Mathematics

EXCERPT: John freed himself from the security lashes in order to gain more access to Tom. He gripped his friend's waist, squeezing to emphasize how much he was willing to give up for this man. "I can touch you. We can touch. Touch me." Tom searched John's face with his eyes, the flush on his cheeks darkening and capturing John's attention once more. He could feel Tom's uncertainty as if it were a weighted net falling over them both to pin them in place. Summoning his courage, he stripped his tunic from his upper body and seized Tom's hand in his own. "Touch me. Please." John thought Tom was going to refuse until he used his free hand to reach out. SYNOPSIS: Refugees of a dead planet, the Zen are grateful the people of Earth are willing to offer them a new home. Executive Orders from the White House declare America a safe-haven for any of the shapeshifting aliens as long as they follow three basic rules: 1. Zen must take a human appearance. 2. Zen must register with human names at Social Services. 3. Zen must find paid work or volunteer to help their country. Two friends declare themselves "married" during their registration without realizing they are now legally bound to one another as a couple. Will New Americans John and Tom see their friendship turn into a romance or will they reject being accidentally married aliens?

After years of battling several illnesses, I died and woke up in a werewolf romance as a girl named Selene. It was uncertain what book I reincarnated into but as an avid reader of werewolf web novels, I knew the basic plot-line so I didn’t panic. From what I learned about my character, I was obsessed with the Alpha’s son and I bullied the women around him. I was ‘that’ woman; the one that stands between the Alpha and his abused omega mate and meets an unlucky end. All I had to do was sever ties with the Alpha and enjoy my new life so how did I end up in bed with him!? And why was the Alpha who was supposed to hate me following me around like a lost puppy? ** To Xander, Selene is nothing more than his best friend’s arrogant, stalker sister. He hates her but one day things change. After a night of shared passion, she begins to avoid him. At first, he believes it’s a new trick to get his attention and later, he thinks she used him for his body and he wants her attention back on him. Xander and Selene seem like a match made in heaven but they aren’t. When Xander meets his fated mate, Selene’s worst nightmare is confirmed. She’s grown attached. Xander is unwilling to let Selene go but how can he hold on when his destiny lies with another woman? Is the love between the two strong enough to resist destiny?

“So, you just use me for your safety and leave when you want?” His voice was dangerously low, making everyone shiver. Everyone but Lucia. She looked him square in the eyes, no hint of fear in her clear hazel gaze. “Mr. Sinclair, from the bottom of my heart, I’m truly grateful for your help and for being there for me—but I have nothing to offer you.” Adrian chuckled to himself, hands in his pockets. Lucia was back. The fire in her eyes said it all.... Lucia Gregory has never known an easy life. As an orphan shuffled between foster homes, she learned early on that the only person she could truly rely on was herself. Now in her final year of college, she juggles her demanding studies with long, exhausting shifts at a high-end bar tucked away in the city’s elite district. The job pays the bills, but it also serves as a front-row seat to the world of the wealthy—a world she has no desire to be a part of. Adrian Sinclair. Young, devastatingly handsome, and impossibly rich, he is the heir to Sinclair Enterprises, a global conglomerate built on power and prestige. But despite having everything at his fingertips, Adrian's life is anything but simple. Lacking basic family warmth as a child,he was taught that everything he wanted could be bought with money but when he comes in contact with Lucia,she changes the whole narrative. He feels sudden attraction to her and tries everything to get her,mere fascinating blossoming to something deeper. Will this encounter lead to a simple love story? Will they be able to stand strong when Lucia's past comes knocking and it is discovered that Adrian's family has a hand in it?

Dominic regarded the female before him curiously. He had been told that she was Kage, but they hadn’t mentioned that she was a tiny little thing. Considering the fact that she had been kidnapped and forced to be in his company, he had expected a young, fragile creature. But there was no fear in her expression, nor was it drifting from her like steam, as he would have expected. Instead, she looked royally pissed. He had become so accustomed to the scent of fear that he now found himself a little thrown. He also found that he was becoming painfully hard as a raw, basic hunger surged through him, beating at his self-control. She was freakishly beautiful, beautiful in that in-your-face, sophisticated kind of way, but not just that. With her long black hair and blue eyes, she possessed that natural, all-woman, all-real beauty that was dabbling with his mind. Although she was slender, she was blessed with mouth-watering curves that had all sorts of fantasies playing around in his head. It was her mouth that had most of his attention, though. It was plush and carnal and made a guy think impure thoughts. A mouth that was currently set into a hard line, communicating how livid and stubborn she was. Still, the stench of fear hadn't permeated the air. Maybe she just didn’t recognize him. Perhaps if she knew who he was, the emotions he expected from her would finally emerge. Drawing his lips into a thin line, Dominic growled, "Do you know who I am?" Natalie rolled her eyes. "Why don’t we just skip to the part where you tell me how the hell I got here and why exactly I'm here at all, Mad King?"

During the ten years since I was found and brought to my biological family, Sonia Baxter, the girl who took my place, and I have been as close as real sisters. Even Mom says that Sonia cares more about me than a real sister would. I once swore I'd give my life to protect our special family of four. When Sonia is rushed into emergency surgery with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, I am in my office, calmly practicing a basic suturing technique on a surgical simulator. On the screen, the robotic arm threads the needle with such precision that it looks like a work of art. A few minutes later, my boyfriend, Oliver Lyons, slams open the office door and shouts at me, "Amelia Baxter! Sonia's in critical condition. Only your micro-dissection skills can save her! Every expert in the hospital is waiting for you! We've got less than an hour before the window closes!" He looks at me with hopeful eyes. I'm the only person in the country capable of performing a surgery this complex. My hands are even known as the "Hands of God". However, I simply reply with a hum and continue fiddling with the model. Suddenly, my parents rush in. Mom grabs my arm and cries out, "Amelia! That's your sister in there! How could you just stand by and watch her die?" I gently pull away from her and hold my right hand out in front of them. This hand, which had once created countless medical miracles, is now trembling slightly. "Unfortunately, since yesterday, I've been showing symptoms of essential tremor. Dad, Mom… this hand is ruined."

I was sitting in City Hall, about to sign that damn mate bond certificate with Logan—Alpha of the Eastside Moonclaws—when his phone buzzed. One glance. Then he stood up like this was all just another errand. Didn’t even flinch when he said: “Something came up. Let’s push the bond signing to another day, yeah?” And just like that, he was gone. Left me sitting alone, surrounded by bonded pairs, all glowing with that sickly sweet “forever” vibe. Why? Because Emma, his darling little childhood packmate, twisted her ankle during pack-speed training—trying to keep up with the advanced wolves when she barely passed the basic shifts. Ten minutes later, I get a text: “Emma’s injury’s kinda serious. I gotta stay with her. Let’s move the wedding, okay?” Just another time—maybe the last—Logan picked her over me. But this time? No tears. No begging. No rage. The clerk gave me a quiet look, like she already knew how the story ended. “Ma’am... do you still want to proceed?” I pulled out my phone.Didn’t wait for him to change his mind. The clerk gave me that soft, pitying look. “Ma’am... do you still want to proceed?” I shook my head, and dialed home. The moment my Beta sister picked up. “Tell Alpha Dad I’m coming back to the Ridge. Today.” A pause. “You sure?” “Yeah,” I said, standing up, my voice steady. “I’m done here.” And just like that, I walked out. Not just from the building—but from him.

Si Sheids Noah Fawzi ay isang tagapagmana ng isang malaking kumpanya sa Turkey pero nilisan ang bansa at pamilya upang i-pursue ang pangarap na maging teacher sa Pilipinas, sa bansa kung saan lumaki ang kaniyang Filipina na ina. Nag-iisang anak ito na lalaki kaya ang pangarap ng ama nitong Turkish siya itong magpapatuloy ng legacy ng kumpanya ng pamilya. Pero ang passion niya sa pagtuturo na nakuha niya sa side ng ina ay mas malakas kaysa hatak ng pagiging business minded sa side ng ama. Sa Polaris University ito nagta-trabaho as Mathematics' Professor, Calculus major. Ang isang taon na balak lang nitong pananatili sa bansa ay naging tatlong taon, at dinagdagan nang makilala si Astherielle Zuluetevo, ang kauna-unahang estudyante nitong pumukaw sa atensiyon niya. Napakagandang babae sa kabila nang pagiging simple. Pumasok ito sa klase niya sa suot na hindi pa niya nakikita sa mga estudyante sa University, naka-oversized t-shirt, baggy pants at rubber shoes. Si Astherielle ay ilang buwan pa lang na nakalalabas ng facility dahil na-diagnosed siya ng kakaibang sakit, nymphomaniac. Doon nanatili sa loob ng dalawang taon para magpagaling. Nang makompleto ang gamutan, gumaling, lumabas at nagpatuloy sa buhay. Pero nang makilala niya ang guwapo at kakaibang Professor, may sumasanib na naman rito na kakaibang kaluluwa. Sa takot niyang bumalik ang dating sakit, bumalik siya sa pag-inom ng anti-depressant na gamot. Sa kabila ng naging sakit, naprotektahan niya ang pagkabirhen sa pamamagitan nang pagiging maingat at maagap. Nilabanan niya ang sakit gamit lahat ng makakaya niya noon, at iyon uli ang gagawin niya kung sakaling balikan siya ng sakit. Isang gabi ay nalaman ng Profressor ang katago-tago niyang sekretro. At hindi niya inasahan kung paano siya nito tinulungan at pinrotektahan sa mga tao at sa mundong mapanganib. Ang unang lalaki na rin na pagbibigyan niya ng sarili.

The Royal Series PRINCEZONE Logan Nielsen Logan Christopher Nielsen is the future king of Denmark. He will take over his father's throne when he turns 25 and before that he has to find his bride. When he turned 18, he had to move to London to go undercover. Amanda Estelle Just a basic poor girl living in London with her father. Her grandfather disowned her dad for not wanting to take over the family business, just because he wanted to be an artist. Trouble Isaac Calland One of the most powerful man in Norway. He's known as the key to Norway's trading industry and he's a part of royalty. He loves his job that sometimes he forgot how to rest and have fun until the Princess come into the picture. He knew right away that she's trouble but he welcomes her knowing that it will be one hell of a ride. Linnea Lindberg She's the Princess of Sweden who used to be daddy's girl. After her first love broke her heart, she changed. She ran to America to avoid her first love and then she has to go back to Sweden to get married to the Prince of Denmark. Instead of settling down and prepare to rule Sweden, she ran away to Norway and there she met again her childhood crush. Leonardo&Juliet Leonardo Nielsen The future King of Denmark and he's so eager to take over the throne quickly. His hobby is reading about politics, economy and social related books. He's the definition of boring which is a completely opposite of Carter. Juliet Calland Princess of Sweden and she's currently living in Paris to live up her dreams becoming a famous designer. She's bubbly, fun and so attractive. Everyone loves her except for one man who will become her future husband.

Addison wakes up thinking this day is going to be like any other, but soon she finds out her uncle has other plans: she is going to marry King Gregory Dominis, the most handsome yet intimidating man she has ever met and the ruler of a far away kingdom. Now she is going to be the wife of a man that terrifies her and the queen of a place she knows nothing about. ******* excerpt ******* “I have great news for you, Addison,” he announced. “You are to be married today!” At first, his words made no sense, how could I be getting married today if wasn’t even engaged? I didn’t even have a suitor! “Ma… married?” I babbled. “Yes, don’t you know what married means? I don’t understand why you look so baffled, girls your age marry all the time!” He exclaimed. The king was right, it wasn’t unusual for girls my age to get married in Lerene, but they were usually informed in advance, not the very same day of the wedding. “But… today? It is so soon…” I mumbled. “I know, but the groom is a busy man who has no time for a long engagement,” he said. His reply made me realize I hadn’t asked the most basic question. “Who is the groom?” “I am glad you asked, Addison, because that is the best part,” he said smirking. “You are to be married to King Gregory Dominis of Dranda.” My heart sinked into my stomach. I felt like I was going to get sick. Did he just say I was going to marry King Gregory Dominis? How could I marry a man I have never met? And he was not just any man but a king!

Daaaarrr ! Lagi-lagi suara petir, biarpun aku nggak terlonjak seperti tadi tapi cukup bikin hati lumayan ngenes. Dengan kecepatan siput seperti ini jam berapa aku akan sampai Jakarta. Aku mendesah sedih, desahan yang sia-sia karena cuman aku sendiri yang tahu. Bruukkk ! Aku kaget lima kepalang. Aku menabrak sesuatu? Buru-buru aku melankah ke depan mobil, ingin melihat apa yang tadi sepertinya aku tabrak. Noooooo…..orang? Ada orang…eh laki-laki jatuh tertunduk di depan mobilku. “Tempat apa ini?” akhirnya dia berbicara. Pheeeww…aku menarik nafas lega, minimal dia bisa berbicara, coba kalau dia ternyata tidak bisa berbicara dan aku tidak tahu menahu bahasa isyarat bagaimana kita akan berkomunikasi coba? “Bandung….” Jawabku ragu-ragu, aku tidak yakin apa maksud pertanyaan dia dengan “tempat apa ini”, apa maksudnya kita di mana? Aku yakin sih aku belum meninggalkan bandung. “Bandung? Apa itu nama desa?” Hah…dia tidak tau Bandung? Mati gue, jangan-jangan tabrakan tandi membuat dia gegar otak. Sekarang dia mengalami amnesia dan tidak tahu siapa dirinya, tidak tahu apapun! Terus apa yang harus aku lakukan? Tiba-tiba aku ingat film Jason Bourne, dimana dia mengalami amnesia setelah tertembak dan jatuh ke laut. Tetapi lelaki ini bukan Jason Bourne, tapi dari postur badan dan wajahnya bisa saja lho dia menjadi the next Jason Bourne. Aarrrgghhh gue ngelantur lagi. “Mas ingat namanya siapa?” ok, pertanyaan basic untuk memastikan apakah dia amnesia atau bukan. “Gajah Mada” jawabnya singkat. Aku dengan refleks menyunggingkan senyum kecil, pasti emak bapak si emas ini adalah fans berat patih maha tersohor dari Majapahit tersebut. “Kenapa kamu tersenyum?” tanyanya membuyarkan lamunanku.