Echoed Meaning

While I was nine months pregnant, the apple of my husband’s eye moved into our house. Whenever she saw me, she would make a sad face. My husband was sure that I was flaunting my pregnancy to make her angry. “Rachel is frail, and she can’t get pregnant, yet you’re walking around making her upset?! Do I seriously have to teach you a lesson?!” He ordered the bodyguards to lock me in the attic that had not been in use for a long time and told them not to give me food. I pleaded for mercy and told him that the ultrasound scan showed that the twin babies were too big. I told him that the doctor had claimed that I had to be hospitalized while I waited for my delivery. But he laughed as if he had heard the world’s greatest joke. When he spoke, his voice was as cold as ice. “You’re still three days away from your delivery date! Enough with the pitiful act! Repent while you’re in the attic! This is what you get for making Rachel upset!” The contractions hurt so much that I clenched my fists to the point that my nails broke, but no one unlocked the door to the attic. My piercing screams echoed in the attic for a long time until my whole body was soaked in blood, and one of my babies was stuck between my bloody legs. Three days later, my husband ate his breakfast that was not up to his taste and said, “Have Jane make breakfast for me, then have her apologize to Rachel with a gift. If she’s sincere enough, I’ll send her to the hospital to deliver the babies.” But no one dared go up to the attic because the blood that flowed down from it had already reached the second step of the stairs.

It was our sixth wedding anniversary. Lord Tom didn't pledge his vows to me, but instead gave me his family's crest—a dim, unstable mark, the mark of a blood slave. That very night, while solemn hymns echoed through the hall, he performed a blood oath ceremony with his pure-blood first love, Lady Mia. I refused the mark. He let out a cold, humorless laugh. "Love is a luxury only immortals can afford, Rowling," he said. "My union with Mia is a political necessity—to maintain the purity of the bloodline." His gaze turned icy. "You are a mortal. You should be content with my protection. Few receive such a blessing." I didn't speak.I left before dawn. Six years later, we met again at a banquet hosted by the Vampire High Council. Tom walked in with Mia, her silk dress shimmering silver in the moonlight. Under his rule, his family was about to gain a seat in the Senate. His gaze found me. I stood in the hotel's decorative fountain, the water up to my ankles, soaking wet, sand clinging to my dress. A familiar look of contempt flickered across his face. "Rowling," he said coldly. "You refused my protection, mocked my generosity. Now you're rummaging through a public fountain like a beggar." The corners of his mouth curled slightly. "Do you really think any vampire would take in a mortal without a protector?" I didn't look up. I was searching for my son's tourmaline that had fallen into the water. But to my son, it was a seal—an ancient restraint, suppressing a power that shouldn't awaken so early. I could already feel it weakening. If the seal cannot be repaired in time, the power erupting within him will destroy the entire building.

Time. It’s the only thing every person has – regardless of gender, age, race, and social status. We all have the time. But, time, for others, can be longer than they expect it to be, shorter than it is, and for some like Zoe, time is her ultimatum. Living a mundane life in the peaceful city of Glendale, Zoe only has two priorities in life – her mom, and her dream. Arts has brought colors and meaning to her life, and the ambition of being a successful artist someday, just like her dad she never met. Despite the lack of confidence in her works, Zoe has big dreams. But her dreams slowly fall in the spiral of her reality when she was diagnosed with a chronic disease. Now, her time is ticking. She has so many things she wants to do and now with her time being limited, she goes out from her comfort zone and starts to explore, wanting to live her life to the fullest before her time is up. Her once dull and boring life turns completely upside down when she met Lucas, a mafia leader. Despite knowing the pending danger that comes with him, she was rather thrilled because why not? She might die tomorrow, or the next day, or even the next few hours. What harm could it be if she falls for a mafia leader when she’s more scared of her condition? And the excitement she rather felt eventually birthed something really unexpected – something that gave her life a new purpose she never imagined she would have.

*Sequel of My personal Lycan king (Book-1)* Reading Part-1 is necessary to understand this book. In the love of Victoria and the sorrow of her loss, everyone thought that Alexander died. But he was saved. Everyone thought that Victoria died in the sacrifice spell, to protect her mate Alexander, her witch powers, and her wolf Carla. But if it was true, then who was this girl Jasmine, who was having images of a man with amber eyes and a girl with long black hair? Why was she having dreams of a girl who is called Victoria, and why does she keep hearing strange voices in her head? The main question was, if she was Victoria, then why anyone didn't recognize her for so long? Amidst this, what will happen when the long-lost love of Jasmine, Daniel Neptune, comes into the scene? And then a third mate of her vampire essence called Ashton comes to claim her. Things will take an interesting turn when the king of the Witch clan, Christopher, comes into the picture with Marla and Nelson wanting to meet their child. And what was the meaning behind the infamous prophecy, that Azrael was so scared about? "One more soul to sacrifice, three more souls to die, one more soul to live, and six more souls to dignify." Will Victoria be able to handle, not one, two but three mates when she will come to know she is the essence of Madeline, the world's destroyer hybrid, who was born 1500 years ago and was killed brutally? Will she be able to surpass all the negativities and find an eternity of happy life with her love Alexander? Or will she be doomed as a single mate of three powerful kings?

In 1989 an 8.2 earthquake almost flattened America, killing over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. In the midst of utter devastation and chaos, a father left his wife safely at home and rushed to the school where his son was supposed to be, only to discover that the building was as flat as a pancake. After the unforgettably initial shock, he remembered the promise he had made to his son: "No matter what, I’ll always be there for you!" And tears began to fill his eyes. As he looked at the pile of ruins that once was the school, it looked hopeless, but he kept remembering his commitment to his son. He began to direct his attention towards where he walked his son to class at school each morning. Remembering his son s classroom would be in the back right corner of the building; he rushed there and started digging through the ruins. As he was digging, other helpless parents arrived, clutching their hearts, saying: "My son!" "My daughter!" Other well meaning parents tried to pull him off what was left of the school, saying: "It s too late! They’re all dead! You can’t help! Go home! Come on, face reality, there s nothing you can do!" To each parent he responded with one line: "Are you going to help me now?" And then he continued to dig for his son, stone by stone. The fire chief showed up and tried to pull him off the school s ruins saying, "Fires are breaking out, explosions are happening everywhere. You’re in danger. We’ll take care of it. Go home."

What do you want from me? ’ she finally managed to ask, her voice trembling. Logan’s lips curled into a dark smirk. ‘Since you were the one who took those photos that damaged my reputation,’ he said, his voice dripping with disdain, ‘it’s only fair that you face the consequences.’ Alessia’s heart beat wildly as she tried to comprehend the meaning behind Logan’s words. Before she could gather her thoughts and ask what kind of punishment he had in mind, Logan’s hand clamped down on her jaw, holding her firmly in place. Her eyes widened in shock, her breath caught in her throat. In an instant, Logan lowered his head, capturing her lips with his own in a possessive and demanding kiss. *************** After a fateful night, Alessia awakens to the realisation that she has given her virginity to a stranger. With only a note and a bundle of money as clues, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and motherhood. Years later, Alessia finds herself navigating the cutthroat world of paparazzi reporting while raising her genius son, Milo. Her quest for a scandalous scoop leads her to the enigmatic billionaire CEO, Logan Wilde, whose face bears an uncanny resemblance to her son. As she dives deeper into Logan’s world, she can’t deny the magnetic attraction between them. Logan, suffering from a haunting secret, feels the same way. Determined to know her, he makes an unexpected proposition...

In her past life, Aria Vale loved the wrong people. Her stepsister framed her. Her fiancé betrayed her. And on the cold metal of an operating table, Aria died— watching the man who truly loved her take his last breath trying to save her. But fate gives her a second chance. Reborn seven years earlier, Aria returns sharper, colder, and armed with the one thing she never had before— clarity. This time, she refuses to be the Vale family’s sacrificial pawn. To escape their control, she boldly replaces another girl and marries the man everyone in Meridian City mocks: Damian Cross—the “disabled,” unwanted heir. Rumour says he’s powerless. Rumour says he’s cold and useless. Rumour says his own family discarded him. Rumour is wrong. Behind the wheelchair is a man whose power shakes cities— a man hiding his true identity, calculating his rise, and waiting for the right moment to strike. And to everyone’s shock, he chooses to protect Aria. To cherish her. To claim her. As Aria unleashes her hidden brilliance— her beauty, her medical genius, her cold confidence— the people who once mocked her find themselves kneeling at her feet. The scum who destroyed her? This time, she destroys them first. But as her enemies fall one by one, Aria discovers the most dangerous truth of all: Her “disabled” husband isn’t disabled at all… and the gentle man who pampers her by day turns into a possessive wolf by night. This lifetime, Aria rises from ashes to glory. This lifetime, Damian stands by her side as king. And anyone who tries to tear them apart— will learn the meaning of regret.

Extract "I don't believe you. You're just trying to trap me into taking care of someone else's kid," he sneered. My heart shattered into a million pieces. How could he think that of me? How could he be so cruel? "Please, Apollo. I love you. I would never do anything to hurt you or our child." But his words were like a sharp knife, piercing through my heart. "Love? You don't know the meaning of the word. You're nothing but a lying, cheating whore." “I, Alpha Apollo Philips Giavonni reject you, Zelda Annabel MacDonald as my mate,” My wolf howled in pain as I felt the rejection. The pain was too much to bear, and I passed out on the hospital bed, unable to withstand the agony. A young omega named Zelda conceived after a steamy one-night stand with alpha Apollo. But when Apollo refuses to believe the child is his, Zelda is forced to flee for her life from his relentless pursuit. Desperate for safety and security, Zelda seeks refuge with another alpha, Ryder. As she navigates the dangerous world of werewolves, Zelda must fight for the survival of herself and her unborn child, facing abusive alphas, pack wars, and betrayal at every turn. But as her pregnancy progresses, Zelda finds herself drawn to Apollo, the heartless alpha who still believes the child isn't his. Can she keep her baby safe in a world of danger and find love with Apollo? Or will she be forced to choose between her own life and that of her child? Join Zelda on her thrilling journey as she fights for love, family, and her own survival.

Betrayal--- I thought it was the worst pain I could feel, until I found out my husband wasn't just cheating on me with my sister... He had poisoned me to kill our unborn child so he could finally get married to my sister. 'Sign the divorce papers if you want to save your child , Rose' Wallowing in pain, I watched the man who had once sworn with his life that he loved me with everything in him. The man whom I've sacrificed everything for. My career, my dreams, my identity, and my heart. Was it in exchange for this betrayal all along? My heart twisted in my chest resentfully as tears blurred my vision. His betrayal cut deeper than a dagger, but my only thought at that moment was my unborn child. He was innocent. He didn't deserve to die. He deserved to live no matter the monster his father was. My hand trembled as I signed the divorce paper, my blood soaking every page that I turned. "I have signed the divorce papers, Mathew... Please take me to the hospital. I need to save our baby." I pleaded, my hand clutching my stomach tightly as pain shot through it. I was scared that I might lose my baby if I spent any more minute bleeding. He looked at me, without remorse, his arm wrapping around my sister's waist as a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Why should I? Just pack your things and leave." And with that, he turned his back on me, walking away without sparing me another glance as if I didn't exist. As darkness came looming over, my strength slowly draining off, only one question echoed in my mind. Is this really the end?

BOOK ON HIATUS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE! Dear readers, I'm really sorry for not being able to start updates like I promised. I spent the entire month of September trying to write this book, but it has been a real struggle. I have been battling a lot of personal and health issues (physical and mental), and it has been hard. Hence, I have decided to start fresh and let things progress naturally. I promise I'll start updating this book as soon as I can. Until then, please read my new book. -------- "Why did you save me then?" I sobbed. "You should have let me die instead." I screamed in a strained voice. I couldn't believe I was going through this again. Why is everyone so hell bent on hurting me? Did I offend the Moon Goddess that she is punishing me this way? "I wouldn't have bothered wasting my time if it wasn't for the safety of my pack." He replied. His voice was crisp, void of any emotions. "T—- To save your pack?" I stuttered, not able to comprehend what he meant. "I lost my mate before. Losing another would have made me weak. I can’t afford to put my pack in danger." He replied as his cold eyes continued staring at me. "Don't expect anything. You could be nothing to me. I will never love you." His words echoed in my head as he walked away from me. —------------ Miracle was ranked the weakest werewolf in her pack. She was blessed with powers, but it turned out to be a curse. The only hope she had was her mate. Can Miracle fight against all odds and win the love of her mate? Or will she forever remain unloved? All rights reserved! © Midnight Shines Books, 2021.