Essential Silkpunk

Being part of a reserved family, Suki knows her place within the community of the Moonstone pack. She has her duties and she completes them perfectly, just as her father orders. As the daughter of the Beta, the second in command, she’s set to live a life of importance within the pack, helping to aid it to greatness, and that’s only meant to become stronger once she finds her mate. Like every other werewolf, she has dreamt of what it would be like to find her mate when she comes of age, to know what the power of the mate bond truly feels like. However, on her 18th birthday, she doesn’t just experience one bond… she experiences TWO. Two separate bonds with two completely different males - bad boy Brendan and the perfect soldier Reynard. How could this be? It defies the laws of nature, all werewolves are given one mate and one mate only. As she and her two mates try to understand their anomaly of a mate bond, they also have to deal with an even greater threat that’s approaching - something that’s not only a threat to their pack, but to the entire werewolf species. Will they be able to save the pack? And who will Suki choose as her mate to seal the bond? Brendan or Reynard…? NOTE: This is a spin-off story to my other original story, "The One True Alpha", and though it is not essential to read that story before this one, there will be brief mentions and appearances of characters from that story within this right from the start, as well as some potential for minor spoilers of that story. If you enjoy this story, then you'd likely enjoy reading TOTA too! (It's already complete, so check it out!)

Athena Ramirez The job is exactly what she want. she knows she can do it well. Athena was excited about the job opportunity until the woman at the agency says there’s no point applying since, the essential but unspoken qualifications are being either married, or middle-aged, and I’m neither. Apparently, Eros Ramazzotti the CEO is a workaholic who’s sick of having his young secretaries fall in love with him and lose concentration on their job. Turns out unattractiveness is considered a bonus since he didn’t want to be distracted either. But she did not giving up that easily. The job was her only hope and escape and so Athena convinced the agency to send her for the interview. She ditched her cosmetics, invested in a cheap wedding ring, put on some dowdy clothes. For good measure, she added a pair of ugly glasses, pulled her hair into an unflattering bun, and voila. Married and unattractive. Yeah, she got the job, Oh, and guess what? She finally understoodwhy the other secretaries couldn’t concentrate on this job. Eros Ramazzotti is the hottest CEO alive, which makes it impossible to work for him but her desperate financial crisis made her swallow any desire she has for him... The life of her little nephew is in her hands and it's her responsibility to take good care of him and secure his future and this new job of hers settles all her debt and allows her to send her little nephew abroad to school. So what she needs is the job and not the attraction..

---> if you are interested in my work, please check out my novel The Starving Vulture. Available on Amazon, $3.99 for the Ebook and $14.95 for the Paperback https://www.amazon.com/Starving-Vulture-Miguel-Monta%C3%B1a/dp/1951150899<---------The Pacific Capital. A product of an altered world, the legacy of the dead Philippine nation. A congested megacity holding 50 million people all huddled in what was once Metro Manila. It is the center for Pacific Maritime Trade, the world's largest Tax Haven and one of the few places in the world free from the Draconian but necessary environmental laws that saved the world since Cometfall. Ruled by Megacorporations, Corrupt Politicians, Invested Nobility and Criminals. It is one of the world's most important agricultural and pharmaceutical centers. H-6 is an Arbiter of the Court. As Judge Jury and Executioner, they maintain the essential Power Plant Canals and Massive weather controlled Dome Districts. Two elements that even the all powerful Megacorps need maximize their profits. Making Arbiter's Court the true rulers of the city. But even an all powerful Arbiter of the Court like H-6 knows, that Ambition and Greed will always find ways to ignore the rule of Law. Solus Valentine is a Security Consultant, plying her trade to anyone in need. She is a gun for hire who has the street smarts for the city's underworld. Whether in the gilded halls or the most flooded streets, she's ready for your contract. But while completing a contract, she stumbles into a vast conspiracy that just might threaten the city's fragile power balance, if not the world. She just might need an Arbiter's help for this one. One who might be someone from her past.

It took me ten years to become the right hand to Damian Costello, the Consigliere of the Costello crime family. From a nobody to the woman wearing his engagement ring. But two weeks before the wedding, I decided to throw that ring away. Everyone in the family knew how hard I had fought all these years just to stand by Damian's side. I gave up the chance to become a top trader on Wall Street, willingly becoming Damian's assistant, his shadow. This man was infamous for his coldness and exacting nature, keeping everyone at arm's length. So I hid my sharp edges, spending a decade wearing down his icy exterior with gentleness. I cleansed the blood from every dollar he made. I became a necessity to him, as essential as the air he breathed. I thought that after ten years, I had finally made my presence indispensable. And finally earned what looked, to outsiders, like a glimmer of his affection. The family's notoriously aloof genius actually remembered my birthday. He even made an exception, letting me spend the night in his private study when I was unwell. He didn't even push me away when, emboldened by wine, I pressed a kiss to the side of his neck. If the Don's daughter, Isabella, hadn't returned from Italy, I might have kept playing my part, clinging to that false dream forever. But sadly, there are no ‘ifs’. I am going to give up everything here and leave you.

During the ten years since I was found and brought to my biological family, Sonia Baxter, the girl who took my place, and I have been as close as real sisters. Even Mom says that Sonia cares more about me than a real sister would. I once swore I'd give my life to protect our special family of four. When Sonia is rushed into emergency surgery with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, I am in my office, calmly practicing a basic suturing technique on a surgical simulator. On the screen, the robotic arm threads the needle with such precision that it looks like a work of art. A few minutes later, my boyfriend, Oliver Lyons, slams open the office door and shouts at me, "Amelia Baxter! Sonia's in critical condition. Only your micro-dissection skills can save her! Every expert in the hospital is waiting for you! We've got less than an hour before the window closes!" He looks at me with hopeful eyes. I'm the only person in the country capable of performing a surgery this complex. My hands are even known as the "Hands of God". However, I simply reply with a hum and continue fiddling with the model. Suddenly, my parents rush in. Mom grabs my arm and cries out, "Amelia! That's your sister in there! How could you just stand by and watch her die?" I gently pull away from her and hold my right hand out in front of them. This hand, which had once created countless medical miracles, is now trembling slightly. "Unfortunately, since yesterday, I've been showing symptoms of essential tremor. Dad, Mom… this hand is ruined."

Jason Derrick, a 27-year old man. Cold, dreadful and callous criminal feared by others. A high- ranked individual in his confraternity. One whose identity is hidden by all except for three people. He's known as "Black Moon" because of his unique dress code featuring the black colour throughout. His heart is hardened because of the hurtful events he has encountered. He hardly gets sentimental over anything and has nothing to do with girls. A handsome billionaire. Skilled and highly qualified in the professional field. He has two lives. A deadly killer at night and a Hardworking CEO on a blissful day. The day and night have their specific duties. He lives in an isolated region, never been traced. Having lost his family in the most traumatic way and his fiancée, Rose, in the hands of a deadly nefarious man- Stone, He has not been better. However, Stone manipulates him by blackmailing him into doing his criminal activities because of a secret which is to be concealed till death, but his life encounters a change when he met a lady known as Stacy. Stacy Torres is a 24 year old lady. A workaholic, dedicated to her job. She has won many rewards for being the best in her department and company. She lives alone and the daughter of the once-successful business man, Mr Richmond Torres. Despite being very rich, she stooped low to work in a company other than hers. She's a kind soul and naive about some essential parts of life . Everything hovering around her life made her a target for Stone. Her life is in total danger as many thugs and gangs are after her. With happenings around, Jason and Stacy had to live together. Will Stacy be of help to Jason or not? Will Jason be free of Stone?

Welbeck was the epitome of an eligible son-in-law. He was successful in his career, financially stable, kind-hearted, and always put his family first. He had been with his girlfriend, Keira, for three years and was ready to take the next step in their relationship. Keira's parents had high expectations for their daughter's future husband and were initially skeptical of Welbeck. However, he slowly won them over with his respectful manners, genuine interest in their family traditions, and admiration for their daughter. Welbeck also went out of his way to bond with Keira's younger brother, who had initially been hesitant about his older sister's new boyfriend. Welbeck was a successful entrepreneur who started his own business and had a great reputation in his industry. However, he never let his work consume him, always made time for Keira, and was supportive of her career aspirations. Additionally, Welbeck had a strong sense of family values, which was essential to Keira's parents. He not only took the time to get to know her family but also made an effort to connect them with his own family. Keira's parents were impressed by Welbeck's ability to balance his professional life with his commitment to his family. What set Welbeck apart from other potential son-in-laws was his genuine love and care for Keira. He was attentive to her needs, made her laugh, and always put her first. Keira's parents saw that Welbeck was more than just a good match, but the perfect partner for their daughter. In the end, Welbeck proposed to Keira in a grand gesture that embodied all of the qualities they valued. Keira's family was thrilled to have him as their future son-in-law, and they knew that Welbeck would continue to make Keira happy for years to come.

I am a firefighter. A beam crashes onto me in the middle of a burning building. At the same time, my oxygen is about to run out. I writhe and struggle as much as I can to reach for my backup oxygen canister, only to feel my fingers brushing over a bottle of water instead. When I turn around, I see my wife, Leah Sawyer, giving the last backup oxygen canister to her new mentee, Roderick Wyndham. I begin calling out to her via a walkie-talkie. "Leah, I'm being pinned down right now, and my oxygen's running out! Where is the oxygen canister?" As Leah shields Roderick behind her, she replies impatiently, "I've already given it to Roderick. It's his first time inside a burning building, so he's frightened. Having an extra canister on him gives him a sense of security. "You're already a veteran firefighter, so you can just think up a way to resolve your situation. Don't go around wasting precious resources." I can feel thick smoke infiltrating my lungs at that moment. Feelings of asphyxiation soon overwhelm me. "My leg is broken, so I can't move at all! Without oxygen, I won't be able to hold out till I get rescued!" But Leah merely chortles in response. "Stop playing the pity card! Every time we're out on a mission, you're always the cowardly one who's terrified of dying! You have zero sense of dedication at all! I shouldn't have let you join the firefighting squad, to begin with! "What's the use of you clinging to the equipment? Giving it to the newbies is the best way of maximizing its value!" I can only smile bitterly in response. Using what's left of my strength, I switch to a public channel and begin reporting to the command center. "For the record, Captain Leah Sawyer deliberately tampered with the essential rescue equipment in order to protect Roderick Wyndham, causing me, a fellow firefighter, to be trapped in a deadly situation. "I hereby request the immediate activation of the Firefighter Emergency Evacuation Act. Also, I formally charge Leah with gross negligence and attempted homicide."