Beat Takeshi

After our eighty-eighth canceled wedding, I called my business partner. "I'm taking the Haviana market project." There was a beat of stunned silence. "Seriously? That's ten years overseas. You just got married—well, weren't you? Does your husband even know? What about your parents? You always said staying close to them was everything." I glanced around the empty church and let out a sharp laugh. "There was no wedding. No husband. And my parents? They've got Cindy. That's all they need." Another pause. "Alright. Pack your bags. You leave tomorrow." After the call, I ran a hand down my wedding dress. One last tear slipped out, quiet and pointless. Cindy had another "episode" today. Claimed she'd off herself. Andrew canceled—again. I'd looked at him, drained. "It's the eighty-eighth time." He dropped his head, guilt all over him. "Just a little more time, Viv. She's been off since the accident. I'm scared she'll actually do it. I swear, I'll talk to her. For real this time. Then we'll get married. Promise." My parents didn't hesitate. "Vivian, let Andrew go. If Cindy hadn't gotten kidnapped trying to save you, she wouldn't have these breakdowns. Are you really putting a wedding over your sister's life?" "How could you be so selfish?" I'd heard it all before. Used to fight it. Not this time. If neither my fiancé nor my parents wanted me around, then fine. I'd leave.

Lillian Hawthorne is the embodiment of perfection in the eyes of the public, burdened by the expectation of setting an impeccable example. As a member of the powerful Hawthorne clan, she understands that any misstep is unforgivable. Following orders has always come naturally to Lillian, but as she grows older, she finds herself gradually falling for Alexander Montgomery, her father's best friend who happens to be twice her age. Lillian is well aware that her attraction to Alexander is considered sinful by her father and society, so she keeps her desire hidden from prying eyes. Just when Lillian believes her secret is safe, her stepbrother, Marcus Sullivan, unexpectedly appears and discovers her forbidden romance with Alexander. Marcus becomes a threat to Lillian's flawless facade, compelling her to do everything possible to please him and protect her secret. In her efforts to safeguard her forbidden love, Lillian finds herself developing feelings for Marcus, further complicating an already tangled situation. As her heart begins to beat for her stepbrother, Lillian is faced with an agonizing choice. Will she choose Alexander, her father's best friend, with whom she shares a forbidden connection? Or will she succumb to the complex emotions stirring within her for her stepbrother, Marcus? In this tale of forbidden love and intricate relationships, Lillian must navigate the treacherous waters of her own heart to discover where her true desires lie.

Elara has spent her life as an outcast. Marked by a half-moon birthmark and whispered to be cursed, she has known nothing but isolation in the Grimshade Pack. When her fated mate rejects her—only to die soon after—the rumors of her misfortune spiral out of control. Then, in an unexpected twist, Alpha Andrew of the Salientmoon Pack claims her as his mate. Ruthless and feared, Andrew is known for his icy heart and the dark whispers that surround him. His offer isn’t born from love—it’s a calculated move in a brewing war. But as Elara is pulled into his world, she begins to wonder: is she truly cursed, or is there more to her fate than she ever imagined? And beneath Andrew’s cold exterior, does a heart beat that just might shatter the chains binding them both?

What was it like to grow old? Graduate college? Have a career in life? Get married and have your own family with your own kids? I am Celene Monte and I dreamt of those once maybe somewhere in my other ninety-nine lifetimes. Once the hands of the clock struck at twelfth midnight on the 22nd of April again, the day I turned eighteen, I died all over again and reincarnated to another world. And now this will be my 100th new cycle of life to live before turning 18. But I didn't knew that in this lifetime, new things would begin again when I met a crazy but famous lead vocalist of Dare, the Interhigh Academy's most famous band. And a very stubborn girl who was determined to beat Dare and dream to become the best band in the world. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wordcount per chapter excluding the Prologue: 1200-2000 words A/N: Happy Reading to all!

Never did vampires and werewolves get along. The two clans considered that their clan was the best. However, because of a bond of fate, they will unite. Is this an indication that the two clans will make peace, or will their conflict intensify? This begins with the story of Orlando Arsenio Raymond, an Alpha from the Redwood Pack who has waited a long time for his mate. He is very patient and constantly optimistic, perhaps this is not the greatest time for him to find his mate. On a bright day, Orlan saw a woman who made his heart beat faster and made wide his eyes. He had a wonderful and surprising day. How come? It turned out that the long-awaited mate he had been seeking was a vampire!

When 15-year-old Callisto's life's flipped completely upside down in a matter of hours, it's up to to her and her companions to restore a broken kingdom before an evil warlock, Zephyr, destroys all she holds dear. They travel across the nation of Pasiphae to find the only person who can help them, an old, wise wizard who has the power to beat Zephyr. Can this sheltered teenage unite a divided kingdom? Or will Zephyr and the darkness and pain of the real world show her that most things in life are out of her control? •••Updates Every Sunday and Wednesday at 11:11 am EST

Shortly after I married Andrew Lorne, my mother-in-law has my husband's widowed sister-in-law move in with us. She wants my husband to bear the responsibility of caring for two families. My husband says he wouldn't be who he is without his elder brother's help, so he won't let his sister-in-law suffer. And so, she and her son steal my home and my husband's love. Meanwhile, my daughter and I are banished to the countryside. On the first day of our banishment, I'm violated and murdered by beggars who barge into the house. … It takes three years for my husband to remember me. He comes to the countryside to take me home. "Come out, Jovana. I'll immediately bring you home as long as you agree to give your property to Tiana as an apology for the things you've done." As soon as the words are out of his mouth, my daughter emerges from the yard, which is overgrown with weeds. She tells him I was dead. He doesn't believe her. He allows his mother to beat my daughter half to death and berates me while he's at it. "How dare you, Jovana! You haven't learned your lesson at all, have you? These dirty tricks are all you know, and you even taught our daughter to lie! It's been years, yet you still can't compare to Tiana!"

What if you woke up in an unfamiliar bedroom and find out that you got kidnapped? What if you find out that you have magical powers? What would you do if your beloved got murdered that very day? And what if you fall in love with the murderer? Particularly, I would call myself insane but the case was a lot different with Cressida. Cressida, a girl with a goddess like face and body, perfect grades and with a promising future, will face an incident which will bring a great turn in her life, will make a predictable future turn into an unpredictable one. All the kids with the magic manipulation powers will be kidnapped by a mysterious academy; one which promises to guide them to the right path and help them learn how to use their powers. But what will make their lives more astounding, will be the secrets that will keep unfolding, thanks to Cressida and her 4 more friends. The Prophecy states that 4 Keystone Diamonds, will come, their loyalty bounded to the Queen of Magic Manipulation Powers, and the fate of the century old powers will rest in her hands. But what else lays behind the Prophecy, that the academy tends to keep hidden? Will Cressida be able to unravel the mysteries, handle the surprises, heat of the undesirable love, and beat her mysterious enemies? Follow the adventure of Cressida with her friends to have fun at an amazing ride of bunch of genres, all at once!

"What do you want?" Leo said angrily. "I just want to go back to sleep," Alana replied, winking. "And?" "I want to sleep in your arms. Not difficult, right?" "No way." "Come on, we've been sleeping apart all this time; I feel so cold," Alana exaggerated. "But if you refuse, that's okay. I'll gladly do what I wanted to do earlier," Alana replied, making Leo rub his face roughly. "Come here," but the next moment, Alana grinned widely as Leo opened his arms and told her to come closer. Without wasting time, Alana tumbled into Leo's embrace, resting her head on Leo's arm, and hugging Leo's waist tightly. "Comfortable and warm," murmured Alana while continuing to nestle deeper into Leo's embrace. "Stop moving, or I'll push you away." "Yes, yes, fine, but can you stroke my hair?" Alana said while tilting her face up, immediately getting a sharp look from Leo. "Tsk, I'm just—," Alana's banter was cut off when Leo moved his hand on the top of her head gently. "It seems I'm going to have sweet dreams," Alana murmured, tilting her face up even more. From this close distance, Leo could clearly see Alana's face, and for some reason, his heart beat faster. Leo was sure Alana could hear it this time. "Hurry up and sleep," Leo said while shifting his gaze, choosing to look at the ceiling of the room. However, instead of stopping the teasing, Alana made Leo more flustered.

Meet Kaya Daygon, a misfit in Crimson Pack. In a typical pack, wolves look out for each other, but Kaya is an exception. Everyone in her pack hated her because of the circumstances surrounding her birth, and some even beat her. As a result, she had more scars than she would have liked. She was despised for practically being born. In the midst of everything, Kaya discovers her mate when she least expected it. Meet Tyler, the Crimson Pack's Alpha. Everyone dreads him, especially since he overcame the most vicious Alpha in the area, Zerx, and took control of the pack. What will he do when he discovers his mate could be his ruin?