Chapter 21 The Giver

“I’m going to fuck all of Vincent’s memory out of you,” he murmurs. “You’re Carter’s woman now.” ★★★★★ At just 21, Lyla Rose thought she had it all; a loving husband, a powerful mafia family, and a future she believed was secure. But everything comes crashing down when a medical report reveals she’s infertile. Vincent Ricci, her ruthless mafia husband, can’t tolerate that one imperfection. In a brutal, heartless move, he divorces her and replaces her with Maria, the fertile woman who can give him the heir Lyla never could. But that’s just the beginning. Refusing to be discarded so easily, Lyla struggles to let go. But when Vincent plans to lock her away in a basement, everything changes. Carter Ricci, Vincent’s cold, calculating uncle, steps in. He takes her to his penthouse, promising to protect her, cherish her, and vowing he’s nothing like his nephew. But Carter has his own dark secrets. And once they’re revealed, everything Lyla thought she knew about him will be shattered. When Vincent realizes the mistake he’s made, regret consumes him and he comes to take her back. But Carter has no intention of letting her go. He’s claimed her, body and soul. Now Lyla must choose: Will she return to the man who shattered her, or stay with the one who trapped her in a web of lies and manipulation? And can Carter really hold onto the woman he took through deceit, or will his dark past destroy everything they've built? ★★★★★ TROPES YOU’LL LOVE ✔️ Ex-husband’s uncle ✔️ Mafia x secrets ✔️ Betrayal & forbidden love ✔️ Innocent x ruthless ✔️ Age gap ✔️ Dominant x submissive ✔️ Dark obsession ✔️ Lies & twisted romance

Violet eyes with piercing sight. Mane of gold in pale moonlight. Skin so hard and lily white. Voice so soft, yet filled with might. He comes to me in the dark of night. Flash of teeth, smile so slight. There is no fear, no need to fight. In his embrace, I crave his bite. -S.R. Michele, or Shelly to those closest to her, is a typical 21 yr old, trying to find her way in life. She has good family, a close circle of friends. She's outgoing and friendly, and a bit reckless and impulsive sometimes. And she has certain gifts...when she touches things, she can see into the past, she can feel what was felt by others, and she can sense things before they happen. Ok, so maybe she's not so typical. An impromptu trip to New Orleans, a party on Bourbon Street, and an attempted assault in a dark alley lead her into a world she didn't know existed...but one she's not afraid of. She doesn't know if the violet-eyed stranger that comes to her rescue, and follows her home, is a friend or a foe - and honestly, she doesn't care. Once you've had a taste of the darkness, it's hard to pull away... **** This book was written in the late 1990's - early 2000's, and originally published in 2004, under the title: Diary of a Vampire by S.M. Royston. It was my first book, and it wasn't long until I came to hate it! (Please, don't look it up - I promise you, it's terrible) So here we are, years later, and I've decided to throw out my original work, and re-write it. Because I'm the author, and I can do that. The story, characters, and settings are the same - but the writing style is different, and in my opinion, much, much better. I hope you enjoy it. ****

Elena Vorontsov ( 21 tahun ) diasingkan ke desa Bergdorf selama empat belas tahun oleh ayah kandungnya sendiri. Namun, ia tiba-tiba dijemput dan dipaksa menikah dengan Meix Dalton (30 tahun), pria yang terkenal dingin dan juga mandul agar bisa menguasai harta warisan ibunya. *** Meix melepas kancing kemejanya satu-persatu hingga dadanya yang bidang terbuka lebar. Cahaya lampu temaram menyinari ototnya yang atletis. Mata cokelat Meix tak berpaling dari Elena yang semakin menjauh. Meix mengangkat paksa dagu Elena—membuat tatapan mereka akhirnya bertemu. "Buka gaunmu di sini," perintahnya dingin. "A-apa?" tanya Elena dengan mata membulat. Sudut bibir Meix terangkat. "Kenapa kaget? Kau istriku. Buka bajumu di hadapanku." Tubuh Elena menegang. Kelopak matanya bergerak cepat. Kakinya melangkah semakin mundur, namun dengan cepat Meix menarik pergelangan tangannya membuat Elena terjerembab ke dalam pelukan Meix yang tinggi dan kokoh. Lengannya yang kuat melingkar di pinggang Elena—merapatkan ke perutnya tanpa kelembutan. Ia menarik tengkuk istrinya itu, lalu menekan bibirnya dalam ciuman kasar, tanpa rasa. Elena tersentak. Ia mendorong dada Meix sekuat mungkin. Berusaha melepaskan diri dari cengkeraman suami yang tak diinginkannya itu. Nafasnya memburu, tangannya bergetar hebat. "Maaf, Tuan. Aku rasa... tidak seharusnya kita melakukan itu," ujar Elena. Nada suaranya cepat dan tidak teratur. Wajahnya terus tertunduk seolah enggan menatap kebringasan suaminya. *** Bagaimana perjalanan pernikahan Elena dengan pria kasar dan arogan itu? Akankah ia mampu membuat Meix jatuh cinta padanya? Atau... Justru membuatnya semakin terpuruk?

Zoey Prince was a good girl. A girl with impressive goals. Goal Number One: Finish her bachelor's before age 21 - Tick Goal Number Two: Begin her Master’s by age 22 - Tick Goal Number Three: Get married to the love of her life by 25 - Not Quite On the day her Master’s program began, she discovered that the man she’d spent the past four years loving was cheating on her with her best friend, his excuse being that she was boring and by the books, and he needed someone fun. Zoey was shattered. Throwing caution to the wind, Zoe decided to prove to herself that she was not a boring person. She went on an escapade and this led her into the arms of the one man that promised to make her life a living hell. Professor Simon Beaumont. Simon Beaumont was a menace. At thirty-three, he’d achieved a feat his peers hadn’t achieved half of. Feat: Become a professor by twenty-eight - Tick Feat: Become a billionaire before thirty-five - Tick Feat: Get over his divorce from his ex-wife - Not Quite When his student, Zoey Prince got on his nerves, he was determined to make her life a living hell. When life threw her into his arms, he pushed, but soon he came to realize something: They both needed each other. Zoey would help him get over his messy divorce, and he would teach things about her body. … “Zoey, a man as impure as me shouldn’t be with someone as chaste as you. I’m a sinner before man, and before God.” Simon muttered as Zoey dry-humped him, placing her hands on his neck, her fingernails digging into the flesh of his nape. “I don’t care, professor. Just claim me as yours.” She whimpered into his ear.

Reyna's life has been far from sunshine and roses. As the Alpha's daughter, at the age of 21, should have received her wolf by now. She was the only member of her pack without a wolf and had to endure constant bullying and heartache, which was made worse by her intended mate's rejection in favor of her step-sister. This life made her determined to leave, and so she hatched a daring plan to escape during the highly anticipated Hallowed Bond Ball, which was a night of celebration that marked one year after the end of the War of the Three Alpha Kings. She had no idea that destiny was about to throw her a curveball. Just as she was attempting to escape under the cover of darkness, a surprising twist of events suddenly takes place. The word 'mate' reverberates through the castle walls, spoken in not one, but three distinct voices. To her astonishment, Reyna finds herself bound to three mates. A wolfless mate to all three powerful Alpha Kings fresh from being at war with one another. With the fragile truce between the three Alphas threatened, Reyna's life is in danger from powerful families who would do anything to keep the peace after decades of war. Reyna stands at the center of a prophetic revelation, holding the key to something far greater than she could have ever imagined. But as soon as she learns why she was chosen, evil slowly starts closing in. *** “You're intoxicating, darling… I think we may have found something we're all addicted to..." My face reddens as I look at them, and for the first time in ages, I feel like I belong. The way they're looking at me with reverence and the desire I know is meant only for me… I feel like a Queen.

Fūma, a cold-blooded doctor who had killed many people for revenge, no longer believed in others due to past events that happened to him. He didn't believe in love. However, it all changed when he picked up a little girl who looked like a "broken doll" with bruises and bandages all over her body. Yuki, the little girl who had to face the bitter reality of her life. She was tortured, alienated, and banished by her own family. She continued to believe that someday there would be someone who wanted and needed her, even when she was in a dying state before being discovered by Fūma. Since then, Yuki, who initially only considered Fūma as her benefactor, began to open up her heart to him. Likewise, Fūma, who originally picked Yuki just for his own sake, now began to feel different things for the little girl who was growing up. Nevertheless, both chose to hide their feelings, which resulted in frequent misunderstandings between the two of them. When they finally found out each others’ feelings, and Fūma started to believe in love, happiness, and sincerity, destiny had another plan. It actually separated the two of them. Fūma felt fooled by destiny. He vowed not to fall in love again and avenged her death. However, once again, destiny brought them together in the future. With new identities and new lives. Would they finally be together? Or would their love tragedy be repeated once again? Current release: 2-3 regular chapter/week ***** The English version was first published in 2018. Revised and re-edited (published on GoodNovel) in 2023

"Luna Seraphina, are you certain you wish to proceed with the breaking of the mate bond? Once we begin the ritual, the bond between you and Alpha Kaden will be gone forever. Your power, your standing, and everything you hold within the pack will no longer exist." The aged priest of the pack held Seraphina’s hand, her weathered eyes reflecting worry. Seraphina nodded, her voice unwavering with determination. "I’m sure." The priest persuaded Seraphina, "The ritual will bring you unimaginable pain, and Alpha Kaden will suffer greatly too. Please, could you reconsider it?" Seraphina broke the skin of her finger with a silver pen and pressed her blood print on the ancient werewolf script to seal the deal. "Let’s begin." "Very well. After the ritual, you will forsake the name, Seraphina Mor, and in return, the Moon Goddess will grant you a new life. You will go by Kathryn Flint, is that correct?" "Yes." Kathryn would leave and begin a new chapter in a forest. It was a path she had set out for herself. She was going to leave and break free from the pack that had been nothing but lies. After the ritual, the priest handed her a new human ID and passport. "Can I leave the territory now?" "Yes, you may. The confirmation slip holds the Moon Goddess’s blessing, which has the power to mask your scent from the Alpha seeking to track you, but it can only last for a week." Seraphina prepared her departure with haste. She would bring nothing else with her, neither her Luna staff nor her registered name on the pack’s records. Seraphina was leaving with her new passport in a week anyway. The Luna title could remain with the pack for good, for she no longer needed it.

Nicole is a sweet girl that is currently in a relationship with Louie. Louie is her best friend in high school and boyfriend during her first year in college but they broke up. After several years of separation Nicole is now working in an office in New York. She did reconciled with Louie. Along with their 2nd chance, Nicole is puzzled of the behavior of Louie as he's been secretive from her. Until one day as she joins her colleagues' night out, and met Marco. Marco is interested to her immediately that he keeps on pursuing her even he knows that Nicole is currently in a relationship. He is so persistence in winning the heart of Nicole. He asked help through her friend Terrence. Marco is courageous and patient person. He waits for the perfect timing to pursue Nicole. Until one day, all truth about Louie come out, Nicole is broken knowing the truth that Louie did cheat on her. She avoids Louie and Marco in the same time as she wanted to be sure about her feelings. Until she choose to close the chapter of her relationship with Louie. Marco never stops to pursue her until he asked her to marry him. They got married and after several months of marriage, Nicole gets diagnosed of ectopic pregnancy. After that she has multiple complications from the surgery, that her doctor was forced to look thoroughly and found out that the cause of all complication is she is already dying with AIDS. As advised by her doctor Marco should also undergo HIV testing. Right after they found out that he has also HIV positive. Nicole is depressed, questioned where they got the illness. She even doubted Marco. Marco never gets tired of understanding her and hope that everything gets better.

Midnight Cravings WARNING: 18+ ONLY. This compilation contains explicit adult content, including graphic sexual scenes, taboo themes (step-sibling forbidden lust, best-friend betrayal, power-play seduction), dubious consent elements, rough dominance, breeding kinks, multiple partners, dirty talk, and intense orgasms. Read at your own risk — these stories are unapologetically filthy and designed to leave you breathless, wet, and craving more. ~~~~~ "Fuck, Mia," he growled against my neck. "Been thinking about this since their wedding. About spreading you out and tasting every inch." His hand slid up my thigh, under the dress. Fingers grazed the edge of my panties. Soaked. "Gosh. All this for your stepbrother?" He rubbed slow circles over the fabric, right on my clit. "Tell me you want it." "I... we shouldn't—" "But you do." He pushed the lace aside, one finger sliding through my folds. "Say it." "I want it," I whispered. He groaned, sinking a finger inside me. Slow. Deep. Curling. "Good girl.” ~~~~~~~~~~~ Midnight Cravings is a dark romance collection of standalone erotic shorts that will ruin you in the best way: filthy surrender on camera. And many more. Each story drips with intense chemistry, dominant alphas, submissive good girls, dirty praise, multiple orgasms, and that addictive rush of "we shouldn't… but we can't stop." Perfect for fans of dark taboo romance, steamy forbidden love, high-heat erotica, and quick, bingeable smut that keeps you up all night unlocking chapter after chapter. One taste and you'll be addicted. Welcome to Midnight Cravings… dive in if you dare.

``Aku adalah bintang yang tenggelam di jurang malam yang akan selalu dikenang oleh semua orang meski diri ini akan segera tenggelam``. Lintang Cahaya Manohara gadis cantik berbulu mata lentik bak modelling. Rambut panjang lurus seperti ekor kuda dan kulit putih bagai tepung kanji. Namun nyatanya ia memiliki perangai yang dingin dan siapa saja akan takut padanya. Tapi nyatanya dia adalah satu satunya gadis tegar jika dibandingkan dengan orang lain. Setiap kesedihan selalu terselip kebahagiaan takdir masih syg kepada nya! dia memiliki seorang Arkan yang selalu menjadi bagian dari kisah hidup nya. Tidak hanya Arkan! namun Devano anak baru di sekolah Lintang yang terkenal dengan sebutan bad boy dan cowo terkeren di sekolah barunya itu selalu ingin menjaga dan melindungi Lintang karena ia punya rasa kepada nya. Dan masih banyak lagi kisah kehidupan masa SMA yang harus dilalui oleh mereka semua. Terkadang, pahit dan manis juga hal yang tak terduga, tapi hal itu tak mengubah kita untuk menjadi penakut dan menyerah! Namun adakalanya seseorang harus pergi dan meninggal kan jejak kenangan kepada Lintang lalu siapakah itu? Arkan or Devano? Dan masih banyak lagi kisah manis diantara mereka berdua antara rasa kecemburuan, perhatian dan kepedulian mereka berdua terhadap Lintang. don't forget to always read every chapter and feel every story and the curiosity inside of you:) @Aesjennie12_