Bright Lights

A woman runs, holding onto her torso as she keeps glancing behind her. Tears spilling from her already wet cheeks. She catches her breath and screams as the hurt in her chest tore her up internally. "Why... why?!" She cries as her clenched fist hits her broken heart. Her lover tried to rid her of their unborn baby. She was hurt. She felt betrayed. She grew to hate him with all of her being. Still, memories of the love they shared still plagued her. How could she possibly still trust him? And yet, despite her anxiousness, she still held onto a small scale sliver of hope. All she could do now, was to leave him and keep their child safe. *** 16 years passed and there stood a young boy with silver hair and bright amethyst coloured eyes. He smiles at the horizon, staring at the capital city of the country of Enoch. Finally, he was old enough to venture out into the great city. Said to be the largest and most prosperous of the kingdom. He holds firmly onto the hope of an exciting journey as he kissed his mother goodbye. Thinking of all the warning she gave him before his journey could begin. Once in the city, his life changed forever and his perilous struggles began.

When Dr. Ella Harper uncovers her billionaire husband Marcus’s affair with a glamorous model, the perfect marriage she believed in shatters. Betrayed by the man who vowed eternal love, Ella is forced to confront the ghosts of her past—her mother’s heartbreak and her own vow to never forgive a cheater. Determined to reclaim her strength, she seizes a life-changing opportunity to study abroad and secretly signs divorce papers, leaving Marcus a parting gift he’ll never forget: the truth, delivered when she’s already halfway across the world. “You’ll only know I’m gone when it’s too late, Marcus. Then you’ll see I’m not a woman to be played with.” Devastated by his mistake, Marcus spirals into desperation, chasing after Ella and pleading for forgiveness. But Ella, now thriving in her new life, has moved on—her heart guarded, her future bright, and a new suitor vying for her affection. Years later, Marcus is still haunted by his betrayal, refusing to give up on the woman he loves. Yet a shocking secret—a hidden child born from their fractured love—threatens to unravel everything. Will Ella ever open her heart to Marcus again, or will the pain of his betrayal and the weight of their shared secret keep them apart forever?

The things we want are so very rarely the things we need. Clifton Heights, a modest Adirondack town, offers many unique attractions. Arcane Delights sells both paperbacks and hard-to-find limited editions. The Skylark Diner serves the best home-cooked meals around, with friendly service and a smile. Every August, Mr. Jingo’s County Fair visits, to the delight of children and adults. In essence, Clifton Heights is the quintessential small American town. Everyone knows everyone else, and everyone is treated like family. It is quiet, simple, and peaceful. But shadows linger here. Flitting in dark corners, from the corner of the eye. If you walk down Main Street after dark, the slight scrape of shoes on asphalt whispers you're not alone, but when you look over your shoulder, no one is there. The moon shines high and bright in the night sky, but instead of throwing light, it only seems to make the shadows lengthen. Children disappear. Teens run away. Hunters get lost in the woods with frightening regularity. Husbands go mad, and wives vanish in the dead of night. And still, when the sun rises in the morning, you are greeted by townspeople with warm waves and friendly smiles, and the shivers pass as everything seems fresh and new... Until night falls once more. Handy's Pawn and Thrift sits several blocks down from Arcane Delights. Like any thrift store, its wares range from the mundane to the bizarre. By daylight, it seems just another slice of small town Americana. But in its window hangs a sign which reads: We Have Things You Need. And when a lonely traveling salesman comes looking for something he desperately wants, after normal visiting hours, after night has fallen, he will face a harsh truth among the shelves of Handy’s Pawn and Thrift: the things we want are rarely the things we need. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

Holy shit. Hell no. Ivette’s brain turned into a puddle as she stared into those bright brown eyes that had wiped her world away on that night weeks ago. She would never forget those eyes that haunted her dreams every night. His knowing smile. His full mouth that had touched every inch of her skin. His dark hair that her fingers had dove into and pulled as she moaned against his tan skin. His scent that made her knees wobble with need. At least, now she knew his name. When Ivette King's long-term boyfriend proposes to her, in a bid to find some semblance of peace, she takes a step in the wrong direction. A one-night stand with a rival. A mistake, she called it. An unforgettable experience, he begged to differ.

Alessia had been given an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy as a reward for her outstanding contribution in her workplace. It was like a life-changing experience for her. However, Alessia encountered a devastating turn of events upon her arrival in the country when she was abducted by unknown men and found herself being auctioned in a bidding event. Not only that, she was bid on by the ruthless mafia lord, Angelo Santoro. ~~ "Ten million," I heard someone say from the crowd. The lights from the ceiling were blinding my eyes, and the handcuffs secured around me weren't making the panic inside me any better. I had no idea why I was at an auction event. "Fifteen million," another voice came through, making me more confused than ever. "Twenty million," another followed, and then someone raised the bid to "Thirty million." "Two hundred million," this time, the voice was sharp and carried danger as he spoke. The whole room fell into dead silence. In that moment, my eyes met his. Dark and penetrating, they instantly sent shivers down my spine.

My four-year-old son dies after someone crashes into him with a motorcycle. The culprit is a college freshman who's just been admitted. I'm devastated, but my husband generously forgives her. "We have to give her a chance since she's such an outstanding student. She's still young—we can't ruin her future." Ha. She has plenty of opportunities and a bright future ahead of her. What about my son? He was only four. Later, I rip his letter of forgiveness to pieces before his face. He wants me to forgive the young lady? No way in hell!

MATURED CONTENT: RATED SPG! (MM ROMANCE) R18+ No freedom? Yes, I feel trapped, like just another pawn on a chessboard, limited in my movements. As a child of a wealthy family, I'm bound to follow their rules, one of which is to expand our wealth. To achieve this, I am expected to marry the child of another affluent family that partners with ours in business. Our marriage has already been arranged—not because of love, but because we must adhere to the dictates of our families. The night before the ceremony, a rebellion sparked within me. I decided to defy my parents' rules, if only for a single night. I found myself at a club owned by a friend, where I submerged myself in alcohol, seeking an escape. As I reveled in the music and the dim lights, I spotted a handsome man who had been watching me since my arrival. Fueled by liquid courage, I approached him without a second thought, ignoring the consequences of my recklessness. In a bold move, I kissed him directly on the lips. To my surprise, he kissed me back, and thus began a long, passionate night together. When morning came, I assumed I would never see him again, completely shocked when I realized that he was the uncle of my fiancé. As I stared at him in disbelief, he flashed a charming smile and said, "Nice to meet you, my nephew-in-law."

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!

Ah… Nothing like getting cheated on at a birthday party they personally invited and drove me to, only to get hooked up with my best friend and fight every day to stay alive. Oh, and the icing on the bright blue birthday cake?... my ex-boyfriend was sucking face with the girl he cheated on me with… patient zero… go figure. Now there are zombies everywhere. Buckle up this is going to be a bloody ride.

Vampire Selina, after avenging her brother's murder, slept for five hundred years, after which she was forced to wake up by a strange scent. Just woke up from a long sleep, she was forced to sign a blood contract by a human girl - Oralie Langley. Oralie promises that after Selina helps her get revenge, she will forcefully break the contract, volunteering to turn to ashes and set Selina free. Selina is convinced, reluctantly along with this lowly human to go through the conspiracies and engage in danger. Oralie - A human girl who is warm, gentle, and sincere, like a little sun. And a vampire as hungry for warmth as Selina fell in love with that girl. But this little sun, not as bright as it seems… After all, who is Oralie? What is her true identity? And her true purpose, is it as simple as she says it is? Stripping away this beautiful skin, what does Oralie have left? Is it a corrupt conspiracy, or a dirty truth?