Closed Mindedness

***WOLFBANE SERIES BOOK 4*** TERRI Being raised by an alpha meant my life was never truly my own. Now, after being forced into a mate bond I never wanted, even that last illusion of freedom is gone. My only goal? Keep my head down, survive, and escape. Too bad that just got a whole lot harder. Because now, a brooding, untouchable alpha from another pack is living under my roof. He’s cold, closed off, and haunted by a past darker than my own. He’s the last person I should want. But my wolf has other plans, and every time he gets close, I forget why I should stay away. The only problem? He’s made it clear he’s not mine to claim. NIKOLAI I should have died with my pack. Instead, I’m left leading the few survivors, doing whatever it takes to keep them safe in a world that wants us dead. The last thing I need is a distraction—especially not the pack princess. She’s way too cheerful, carefree, and already claimed by another. I should ignore the way my wolf reacts to her, the way every instinct in me demands I get closer. But I can’t. And if I let myself have her, I might just lose what little I have left. *Content Warning: This is a romance with dark themes including explicit adult content, graphic violence, offensive language, and other content some may find offensive. Read at your own risk.*

She was his wife. But she was never meant to be. On the day Calla married Damien Calloway, his first love, Selene, stood beside her, as her maid of honor. The world believed Calla had won. That she had claimed one of the powerful men in the city. They were wrong. For three years, she played the perfect wife, managing his business, protecting what she had to . But behind closed doors, Selene never left. She worked beside Damien, whispered in his ear, waited for Calla to fall. One accusation. One setup. And Calla was dragged away in chains for a crime she didn’t commit. Damien never defended her. Never called. Never visited. Instead, he gave Selene everything, his home, his name, his life. For five years, Calla rotted in prison. Forgotten. But now? She’s free. She won’t beg. She won’t cry. She will make them pay. To destroy Damien, she needs his greatest enemy, Killian Black. Cold. Drop dead handsome but yet Dangerous. A man who could crush Damien’s empire with a single move. But Killian doesn’t trust her. So she made him an offer. “Hire me… and I’ll make you king.” Killian smirked. “I’m already a king,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “But… you can do something else for me.” Now, Calla must decide: will she bring down the man who betrayed her, or lose herself to someone even more dangerous?

My husband's childhood sweetheart was diagnosed with a terminal illness. To fulfill her last wishes and let her experience the warmth of family, my husband, Aaron Turner, gave her my necklace. He even let her claim my birthday. Even our son started calling her "Mom" in private. He told me, "Chrishell, Sylvia is dying. Just give in to her, will you?" Whenever I asked him to spare even a little time and affection for me, our son, Lucas, would rush to speak on their behalf. "Mom, didn't you always teach me to be generous? Sylvia is dying. Why do you always make things difficult for her?" Over time, I stopped asking for anything at all. Then one night, I overheard my son speaking to his father after returning from the hospital. "Sylvia is so gentle and graceful. I wish Mom could be more like her." Aaron chuckled and affectionately brushed his hand over our son's hair. "Your mom may be a little strict, but it's all for your own good. Since you like Sylvia so much, how about we let her be your godmother?" So even the child I risked my life to bring into this world didn't like me. I lowered my gaze, quietly closed the bedroom door, and pretended none of it had happened. Since they were both filled with such regret, I'd leave quietly and give them what they wanted.

*Mature audience only: Contains mature language, sex, abuse and violence.* -------------- She has no name, not anymore, after so long she has simply forgotten what a name is, what it means to be able to choose, what it means to be able to wish, she has simply forgotten what it means to be a person. She's just a slave in a pack that makes a point of reminding her that she's nothing more than an object to be used, whether it's to do household chores or to satisfy the sexual desires of her masters. ----------- He is a king, not only that, but the king of werewolves, his domain extends over all the lupine lands and he has never cared about much, his heart is already closed, destroyed by a past he wants to forget. With one word he could change the whole society, but for what? It's not worth it, the joy of war and fighting is one of the things that keeps him going... And, of course, the pleasure he gets from whoever he wants, whenever he wants, without ever hearing no. -------- He's not just a king, he's an emperor... His vampire empire covers almost all of Europe, many call him a dictator, others a liberator... He rules his lands with an iron fist, his word is law. Tired from a long war, he just wants to rest for a while and find the one who will complete him... After living so long, he's tried everything, but he still hasn't found the person fate has given him. ------- Three completely different people... Three intertwined destinies... Who will heal who and who will survive in the end?

Coraline Hart was a typical young woman for those looking at her from the outside. She went to work at a café, paid her bills, and was never seen without a smile on her face. But no one was to know the true horrors of what Coraline was forced to endure behind closed doors. To deal with his pain, her father went to the bottle and spent most of his time off his face with drink to forget his feelings. Due to his alcoholism, he can never hold down a job, and whatever money he does have, he drinks away. Causing Coraline to give him all of hers, knowing the dangers of what he could do if she were to say no. She had accepted this was her life now, going to work and giving all her money to her father, but that was until her saviour, in the form of a man in a very well-pressed suit with slicked-back hair and the thickest Spanish accent, walked into her café. This mysterious man soon becomes infatuated with this woman, who had unknowingly saved him the day they met; to him, it proved she was his and no other person was to cross her. But his infatuation was soon about to turn deadly; any man that he deemed too close to his Coraline soon slipped away without any hassle. When a police officer comes into the café and shreds some light on the man she was seeing, her world comes crumbling down. But for the mysterious man with the thick Spanish accent, he can never let go of his new obsession. Read on to find out how this simple interaction between two complete strangers became deadly.

"Kelsey," Jason's voice was a mere whisper as he pulled her closer, their lips almost touching. Her eyes closed instinctively, her breath hitching in anticipation of what was to come. It was a moment of surrender and vulnerability that had never before been seen in him. Jason, also known as Alpha Rafe, was the revered leader of the Silver Moon Pack. His striking good looks and piercing gaze were matched only by his strength and bravery. His authority was unquestioned, and he had long since accepted the solitude that came with his position. However, the fiery Kelsey had managed to pique his interest in a way no one else had before. In that moment, standing on the precipice of something entirely new and terrifying, he felt a flicker of something he couldn't quite put into words. It was a warmth, a stirring sensation in his chest, something he had believed himself incapable of feeling. There was a moment's hesitation, and then he gave in, surrendering to the intense desire that pulsed between them. Their lips met in a gentle collision, a silent confession of the turmoil that raged within him. The passion that sparked that kiss was intense and overwhelming, leaving him breathless. When they finally pulled apart, he looked into Kelsey's eyes, seeing his own fears and vulnerabilities mirrored back at him. She had become his only confidante and his only hope for redemption. Her presence—her very existence—was a lifeline he hadn't known he needed. In this riveting tale of forbidden desires, courage, and human resilience, they are forced to confront their deepest fears and darkest secrets. Their quest to protect their pack and each other presents unforeseen challenges, and perhaps, just perhaps, Jason might discover that the most dangerous journey is the one that leads to the heart.

Harriet Avellino received a death sentence for killing the old billionaire, Sorren Fabroa, the owner of Fantell Architecture Firms. After serving the Fabroa Family and did her very best as the chairman’s secretary, Harriet couldn’t believe that she’ll be sentenced guilty at the crime she did not do. Although everyone knows how much Sorren treat Harriet as if his real granddaughter, no one took her side. At her last day, Harriet's friend visited her in the jail. She is Reese, an old friend who turned out to be the missing daughter of a billionaire Astell Wyatt, and also the fiancee of the man Harriet is in love with. Harriet thought that Reese visited her to tell that she believes her and to mourn in sorrow at the sad end of her friend. However… “I know you aren't the one who killed sir Sorren. But you need to disappear, Harriet,” said Reese with a grin on her lips. “For my happiness, the real heir must die. You'll do it since we're friends, right?” At the last day of her life, Harriet just found out that Reese stole her identity. She snatched her position as the heir of Wyatt corporation, and the chance to be the fiancee of Zion Fabroa, the man Harriet loves the most. But it is too late. When Harriet sat at the electric chair to receive her sentence, she knew it's too late for her. However, by the time she closed and opened her eyes, a miracle happened. The time turned back. And so, going back to the past, Harriet vowed to revenge at the people who abandoned her, who stabbed her from the back and those who stole her love and wealth that should be hers. The real heir came back with vengeance.

In the heart of New York City, the NYPD never sleeps—and neither do its secrets. Detective Jocelynn Sanchez is all sharp edges and silence. Closed off, cold, and constantly on guard, she’s built walls few have dared to climb. Her time at the academy left her scarred, thanks to a group of recruits who made it their mission to break her spirit. Now, years later, she’s forced to join a new unit—led by none other than Andrei Smirnov, friends with the men who put her through hell. Andrei has always wanted to work with Jocelynn, though she has no idea. Unlike his friends, he saw her strength back then—and admired it. Her arrival on his team feels like fate. But earning her trust proves harder than expected. She barely speaks, avoids everyone except her one friend, and seems to carry a past she’ll never share. Still, Andrei is patient. An open book with a big family and an even bigger heart, he slowly begins to break through Jocelynn's defenses. And in doing so, he discovers the truth: she’s not cold—she’s protecting herself. Jocelynn sees that Andrei isn’t like the men who hurt her. He’s kind, steady, and genuinely wants to understand her. But there are secrets she won’t risk exposing—not even to him. Like the fact that her godfather is their precinct captain, or the real reason she cut ties with her family. As cases grow more dangerous and their bond deepens, Jocelynn must decide if she can finally let someone in. Shadows in Blue is a slow-burn detective romance about trauma and trust, told from both perspectives.

She opened the door, and when she stepped inside, someone else closed it behind her. She jolted. Her head spun in shock to see him standing there. Her nerves felt jittery. He couldn’t possibly kill her now, could he? “W-what do you want?” Anna stuttered. The usual smirk wasn’t on his lips as he glared at her. “One thing I hate is when things don’t go as I planned. Silly little loopholes,” he said, pushing away from the doorframe. Her heart rippled when he took a step toward her. He was tall and large—she felt like a little girl compared to him. “I will scream,” Anna breathed, cold sweat rolling down her back. He held her chin. His hold was gentle as he caressed her jawline. Anna shivered. Then his lips tilted into a smirk—not enigmatic like the ones she had usually seen. This one was… sinister. One that told her he didn’t have good plans for her. “Careful there. We wouldn’t want you ending up with a broken spinal cord now, do we?” His large palm flew to her throat, his thumb gently caressing it. Tears brimmed in her eyes. “What do you want?” Her voice came out as a low whisper. “Your body,” he deadpanned. “As manure for my apple tree.” After being thrown to the wolves by her own father, Annalisa must make the ultimate choice—follow her heart or destroy the man she’s come to love.

Selina Anderson, a perfect teenager whose life meant nothing but sadness and dull grayness of the world. Oblivious of the secrets her parents hid behind. A power she possessed that neither she, herself, does not know. A power that could either destroy or create worlds. A day without ruthlessness of reality, a day without confronting the cold – Selina decides to pick a book on a winter day. Only to discover that it wasn’t any normal book she’s holding onto her hands. It was a portal – a path to a world of magic. Upon her arrival to this world, slowly, she uncovers the secrets her parents hid all these years. She discovers her true self. But upon finding the truth about everything she thought she knew – she found herself in the face of disdain. Would there ever truly be enough answers to her questions? Will she accept the truth? Or will she be the destroyer of worlds? -- **She suddenly sat up, her light blue hair swaying on her back. "But hey, at least you could always ask me if you want some kind of space or something." She looks at me with the brightest smile pasted on her face. A smile slowly formed on my face as I looked at her. Her smile was like this infectious thing that would brighten the whole room. I sat up and glanced down on the mirrored ground - I could see my own reflection. Blonde hair, red eyes looking right straight at me, a smile. But the smile was almost evil in the reflection. I closed my eyes, the smile that found its way on my face disappeared. "Don't stop smiling." I look up to see Lyv gazing at me softly, observing me. "You look beautiful when you smile."**