Coarse Crackles

"You look like my wife, but something tells me you're not her." Betrayed. Poisoned. Forgotten. Luna Hale thought the worst pain a mate could bring was rejection — until the night her own husband and twin sister ended her life in a hospital room that reeked of betrayal. Her last breath was a promise whispered to the Moon Goddess: “If I ever return, I will never forgive them.” But fate had other plans. Reborn in another body — that of Alara, the missing Luna of a rival pack — she wakes beneath a silver moon with no memory of how or why she’s there. The only thing she knows is survival. Yet the world she’s thrust into is darker than the one she left behind. Shadows whisper her name, and every heartbeat feels like someone else’s. When she’s brought before Alpha Ryder, her new husband, she senses danger beneath his calm gaze. And when her former mate, Alpha Damon, appears at a grand ball, the air itself crackles with an impossible truth — her soul still burns for him. The mate bond hasn’t died. It’s only changed. Now, two Alphas want her. One for love. One for redemption. But the Moon Goddess doesn’t give gifts — she trades souls. And to escape her curse, Luna must face the cruelest fate of all: Loving the man who killed her… or killing the man she still loves.

For the first twenty years of my life, nothing interesting happened to me, nothing at all. I was just an orphan, trapped inside a prison of my own creation. My life was mundane, colourless, predictable, and for the longest time, I liked it that way. Life scared me. People scared me. Hell, everything scared me. Then Adrian walks into my life. Devilishly handsome and mysterious, the new priest sets me alight with desires I never knew existed. It's a sin, I know, but I can't help myself. His touch is magic. But Adrian is not what he appears to be. Our new priest is a Lycan King on the run from his enemies. And me? I'm not who I thought I was. I'm neither human nor wolf. I'm something else. Something that puts my life in danger. Just like that, my life is filled with excitement, adventure and more colour than I can handle. * I feel, more than see, as the priest kneels next to me. “Are you afraid of me, Pippa?" A little,”I answer. It's easier to be honest when you can't see the person's face. "Why?” "You- you make me…feel things.” "Hm-hm,”he grunts."And you've never felt these things before?" "No.” Out of nowhere, his warm hand falls on my hip, and a solitary finger traces along the length of my hipbone. My body comes alive and crackles with electricity, but I don't move, I don't even breathe.

Chased by Sorin through neon-lit Vegas, Dawn’s uncontrolled light magic crackles in desperation. She slips past the ward that hides a magical realm and crashes into the Black Pistons motorcycle club’s territory. The club is led by twin alpha dragons, Riku and Rain, who have vowed against mating. Dawn’s arrival ignites an unexpected bond: Riku flirts, teasing her with warmth and guidance, while Rain, the colder brother, distances himself despite an undeniable draw. Offered shelter and protection, Dawn steps into a world of dragonfire and the shadow of a dark wizard who promises safety if she stops running. Rain’s distrust of Dawn’s magic leads him to impose strict rules while Riku encourages her to explore her power. Sorin infiltrates the ward, probing defenses and leaving Dawn shaken. A midnight ride under desert stars ends with an almost-kiss as Riku’s warmth contrasts Rain’s questions that reveal his inner conflict. During a training session Riku teaches her to channel light magic through touch, sparking an intimate moment abruptly interrupted by Sorin’s attack. As dreams twist under Malachar’s promises, Dawn finds herself torn between the twins’ opposing teachings when Rain, rescues her from danger. Jealousy and desire fracture their trio when Dawn admits to a bond with both brothers. Riku’s teasing hides tender devotion, while Rain’s hesitation dissolves as he tends to her wounds with touches. In a moonlit orchard their passion ignites until Rain’s sudden arrival sparks tension. Malachar’s emissary breaches the ward bearing a sigil, forcing the twins and Dawn into battle. Dragonfire and light magic merge in a display of unity that scatters their foe. In the aftermath adrenaline fuels an moment where neither brother claims her outright, their unclaimed bond shimmering with danger and undeniable promise.

Lily never imagined she’d end up married to Ethan, her sister's boyfriend. But now, she finds herself under the same roof with Ethan and his family, her life taking an unexpected turn. Caught in the web of her confusion, anxiety, and the judgment of her family, Lily is left feeling more isolated than ever before. Once a close-knit and loving family, the atmosphere now crackles with resentment. Lily’s every move is scrutinized, and the disapproval from her own family is overwhelming. Her desire for acceptance seems impossible as the weight of her actions presses down on her. However, there’s one person who still offers her warmth, Mommy Maita, her mother-in-law. Unlike the others, she tries to make Lily feel welcome, offering her kindness and comfort. But Lily can’t help but question whether this kindness is genuine or just a way to keep up appearances in a family already torn apart by scandal. Ethan’s attitude towards Lily only complicates things further. His anger is palpable, and he seems resistant to accept her as his wife. Lily is left in the dark, wondering why he’s so hostile, when all she wants is a connection. But with every passing day, the emotional gap between them widens, and Lily is left questioning her place in this fractured life. Torn between her desire for love and the turmoil surrounding her, Lily struggles with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. As expectations and societal pressures weigh heavily on her, she starts to wonder if she’ll ever find a way out of this mess. Lily finds solace in her friends Miya and Rafael. They offer her the understanding and support she desperately needs, reminding her that maybe there’s still hope in a world that seems determined to tear her apart.

My mate, Andrew Claude, is the Alpha of the Celestial Pack, the sworn rival of my father’s Venus Pack. For three years, we have hidden our bond, knowing that our union could either bring peace between the packs or ignite war. On Lunar Year's Eve, beneath the full moon’s silver glow, we stand on the castle terrace, whispering promises of our future. Tonight, we finally agree to perform our bonding ritual, sealing our fates before revealing our love to our parents. My wolf stirs in anticipation, her instincts urging me toward him. But then, Andrew leaps down into the grand fire-dance festival, his powerful wolf form shifting mid-air before landing in a flourish. The scent of burning pine and roasted venison fills the air, warriors howling in celebration. The pack’s bonfire crackles with enchanted flames, casting shadows of prowling wolves against the towering stone walls. I watch from above, heart pounding with joy—until my smile fades. In the heart of the revelry, Carol Sinclair, an Omega maid, clutches a bundle of enchanted fireworks. Andrew strides to her, a warm, easy grin on his face. With a flick of his fingers, golden flames dance from his palms, sparking the firework in her hands. "A little fire magic to help you, Carol," he chuckles. She gasps in admiration, giggling as the firework ignites—only for it to spiral out of control. It veers wildly, the enchanted embers lashing through the air. Searing pain blooms across my arm. The stench of burning flesh fills my nose. I barely react before Carol bursts into tears and flees into the crowd. Before I can speak, Andrew turns on me, his golden eyes flashing with rage. The onlookers fall silent, ears twitching to catch their Alpha’s words. “Did you bully her, Bella?” His growl rumbles deep in his chest. “Just because you’re an Alpha’s heir doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want!” The warriors glance at each other, their tails stiff with tension. I stagger back, stunned. He doesn’t even ask if I’m hurt.