Failed State

I had created a monster. I had unleashed a devil to the world and I would do anything to drag him back to hell with me. If I must burn, then he would burn with me. Six years. Six years I had been by his side as his wife, his political strategist. Helping him. Loving him. But, when I needed him the most, he betrayed me. Now, I was back. Traumatised. Hurt, but…stronger. Stronger because I wasn't alone, stronger bevause he failed and I survived. I would strip him of everything I had spent six years building for him and then smash his face to the mud and remind him it was where he had always belonged. But then again, Zayne Castellan–the man who had saved me, the man who had bought my loyalty while I laid fractured by betrayal. Merciless, cruel…calm. Loyalty in exchange for my survival. I had fallen for him but even he …was worse than the devil I wanted to burn….

I return home from my business trip that night. The pharmacy I always go to calls to say that my membership card was used that afternoon, but the payment failed, and the account needs to be topped up. I look over at my wife, Catherine Francis, who's focused on making dinner. I ask her what she bought. She smiles and pulls out a box of supplements. "I've been staying up late working these past few days. My heart's been acting up a little, so I bought some heart supplements." Seeing my expression go flat, she lets out a helpless sigh and takes a card out of her bag. "I know you're particular about money. Since I accidentally used your membership card, I'll pay you back ten times. Okay?" However, I don't take the card like I used to. I just look at her calmly and say, "Let's get a divorce."

Last year, I failed out of school in spectacular fashion. Now, I’m starting over at a new university, hoping I can get my life back on track and prove to my family that I’m not a screw up.This year, I’m focused on academics. Unfortunately, someone should have mentioned that to a certain hockey playing hottie who refuses to take a hint and leave me alone. As much as I hate to admit it, if I had a type, Cole Mathews would fit it to a T with his dark shaggy hair, golden-brown eyes, and muscular arms.To make matters worse, he’s ridiculously easy going.Not to mention, nice.We’re talking total kryptonite to the female species.Which makes him much too dangerous for the likes of me. And this year, I’m smart enough to realize it. Resisting all that charm might seem futile, but there isn’t much choice in the matter.I won’t let a hot hockey player derail my future.Now, I just need to convince him of that.Stay is created by Jennifer Sucevic, an EGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Twenty-five-year-old socialite and businesswoman, Quinn Rothschild has always done what is expected of her. The dutiful daughter that went to school to work in the family’s publishing company and tailored her life to keep up her father’s reputation has now been asked to do the unthinkable. Marry the son of the most powerful mafia don in the city to keep their family’s business afloat. A marriage that started out as just on paper to Dante Luciano, an infamous womanizer and lethal asshole. He has made it clear that he hates her and she feels the same. Quinn nearly refuses, until she finds out that her marriage to Dante is payment to the Luciano family for paying off her father’s gambling debts that threaten to take away their home, their business, and possibly her father’s life. Negotiating with the Don, Quinn agrees to marry Dante, though she knows that he is unfaithful to their vows from the very start. But when she starts being followed and threatened, who can she go to for help? The father who failed her? Or her husband who hates her?

“I want her. As my tribute this year” Alpha Dominik declared loudly, stunning me and the whole crowd. My life had taken a shitty turn at 18, when I had failed to transform. My father, the man who was supposed to protect and love me, had cast me away to live the miserable life of an omega. Hope came however, when the new Alpha of the clan had decided to give us omegas a second chance to rewrite our destinies by getting a second chance at getting their wolf awakening. Like I wanted, the ritual worked and my wolf was awakened. But why does my wolf start to pine for Alpha Dominik, the Devil Alpha that had everyone shaking in their fur just at the mention of his name? Even worse was his despise for me, a weak omega whom he didn’t deem fit to be his mate. Now I’m stuck in between the Alpha who wanted me and the Devil Alpha who could not accept the mate bond by the moon goddess. Would the Devil Alpha accept this mate bond by the moon goddess? Or leave me be.

*His eyes scanned my bruised face, searching for answers. A careful, gentle hand caressed my cheek, intensifying the turmoil in his gaze. "He did this to you." It wasn't a question; it was a statement. But I couldn't find my voice, trapped in frozen silence. Fear gnawed at my skin as I stood amidst cold-blooded killers, surrounded by chaos and lifeless bodies. And as he held the gun, I knew more bodies would soon drop.* *** To everyone else, she was a nobody. A vessel for their perverse desires, a desperate pawn willing to fulfill their every whim. A nearsighted girl, finding solace only within the pages of her books, a portal to escape reality. But what they failed to grasp was that behind those innocent blue eyes lurked a devil, dependent on her happiness, hiding in the shadows and watching over her. And that devil was prepared to sacrifice everything for her. The scariest part? She had no clue. *"Why do you act like you're in love with me?" "Jesus, Lily," he growled, "I TATTOOED YOUR NAME ON MY FUCKING CHEST!"*

My fated mate, Dexter, became the Alpha King when his brother died. He inherited the crown, the power… and his brother’s widowed mate, Jenica. All because I, a half-breed, had failed for years to give him a pureblood heir. He told me he had to mark Jenica, and the pain nearly shattered me. But he held me close, kissed my tears, and swore that his wolf, his fate, had chosen only me. That I would always be his one and only Luna. I believed him. And yet, he still spent every night in her bed. Then, Jenica became pregnant. While the pack celebrated, Dexter forced me from the Luna’s suite, all so her pup could be born into the pack’s purest lunar aura. As I felt our bond unravel thread by painful thread, I sent a final, coded message to a friend in the human world. “In four days, get me out.” That night, I made a choice. My time as his mate was over.

His hands held me in place as he gently lowered his head. His mouth was only a breath away from mine. I breathed in shakily. “Tell me to stop,” he whispered hoarsely as his lips slightly grazed my mouth. “Tell me to stop, Amelia.” I couldn't. My lips failed to move as I stood there, eager to taste his essence, even if it was for one night. Even if he wasn't aware of who I was. **** Amelia Fray, a small-town girl moves to the bubbling city of New York to provide for her mother and little sister. Instead, she finds herself in a precarious situation and at the mercy of Alexander Smith, the heir to one of the biggest conglomerates in New York. To protect herself, she signs a marriage contract with him. Despite her disastrous past relationship, she opens her heart to Alexander, hoping her love will be reciprocated. In their marriage, Amelia is forced to battle with Alexander’s past and present. Will she be willing to risk it all for him? Knowing that her love may never be requited? What happens when he becomes her nightmare?

⚠️ This story includes dark romance elements, explicit sexual themes, power imbalance, and morally grey characters. Reader discretion is advised. 18+ only *** From cursed and cast out… to the unbreakable obsession of three Alpha brothers.” After seven failed engagements and finding out that my Alpha fiancé was f**king with my sister, I was permanently banished from the pack. I left everything behind and started a completely new life in the city as a lawyer. I thought I had finally escaped the cruel games of fate. Turns out, life has a very twisted sense of humor. I ended up getting the most complicated case of my entire career—reconciling three Alpha brothers who hate each other so badly. Then, the mating bond hit me with all three of them! They became completely obsessed with me, protected me, and claimed me as their mate. I’m caught right in the middle of burning desire, jealousy, and intense passion between three equally dangerous Alphas. Where the hell is this RELATION-SHIT going to take me? Who’s my true mate? Or maybe… all three of them are the fate I never asked for?

After being reborn, I make up my mind to stop chasing after my childhood crush, Emil McLaren. When he puts up a sign banning my presence at his birthday party, I pack my bags and decide to go to Wanoki Island. When he says my scent makes his house feel nauseating, I quietly move out without complaint. When he says he doesn't want to breathe the same city air as me after our graduation, I leave and never look back. Then he tells me my existence might make his beloved first love uncomfortable. I nod and soon go public with someone else. In this life, I do the opposite of everything I did before. Because in my past life, I got what I wanted—I married Emil. But then his first love jumped off a cliff. He called me her murderer and tormented me. In the end, I jumped into the sea in a state of mental confusion and died. This time, all I want is to live. So, I find myself someone new. However, Emil blocks my path, his eyes bloodshot as he glares at me. "Penelope, I'll forgive this little joke of yours if you come with me right now."