Flowing River

The crowd starts a countdown to midnight like New Year’s Eve. I close my eyes and smile, holding Liam’s hand tightly. Everyone yells “ONE!” and cheers. I open my eyes and see the iridescent liquid light of the full moon pouring out of the giant orb flowing down over us. People around us ooh and ahh at the beautiful sight.  When the first rays of moonlight cascade over my skin, I feel a heat inside me turn into a burning fire. I gasp and look up at Liam. He looks at me with wide, surprised eyes. “Mate,” he murmurs and squeezes my hand tighter. It isn’t a comforting feeling. There are no sparks like people describe when they touch their mate. Maybe it takes a few minutes to develop. I smile and try to admire Liam, but I don't want to say it back. Nothing feels different. I still love him, but he’s not the one. Liam is looking at me, but it isn’t a look of true love. It’s lustful and carnal. I feel a pit in my stomach. Liam isn’t my mate. How can this be? And how was he able to call me his mate if he’s not mine? “Zara,” a woman’s voice says in my head, “My name is Lavender. I’m your wolf and you’re in grave danger, my dear. You need to run. You need to run now. Your life depends on it.” “My… wolf?” With everything that happened the past couple of hours, I forgot she was waking up. “L-Lavender, what’s happening? What do you know?” Lavender repeats her order. “Zara, you need to run. I can explain later. I’m so sorry this is happening to you, sweet girl.”

After I became pregnant, my figure changed, and my face grew puffy. My fiancé began to treat me with a subtle, almost imperceptible sense of disdain. When the baby was five months along, it happened to be Valentine's Day. That day, he finally agreed to take our wedding photos, something I'd been hoping for. But just as we arrived at the bridal studio, his phone rang. "Mike, I just got back to the country. My friends are hosting a gathering, and everyone's bringing their boyfriends. Could you come and pretend to be mine?" It was a few short sentences, yet it completely altered the expression on his face. He turned abruptly, stepping out of the studio with a look of urgency. "Lucy's back. I have to go see her," he said. Hearing those words, a fire of rage ignited inside me, one I couldn't suppress. "For her? You're going to leave me here alone?" I demanded. "Do you even know how long I've been looking forward to today? It's Valentine's Day, and instead of staying with me, you're going to be with her?" His impatience flared visibly as I stood my ground. Without a word, his hand pushed me aside, and he strode out of the shop. "We can take wedding photos any day. I'm the only one Lucy has in this country. I have to go see her," he said. Then, gripping my wrist with alarming force, he shoved me, sending me sprawling to the floor. Without a backward glance, he got into his car and drove off. I felt a sudden, wet heat flowing from my lower abdomen. Pain surged through my stomach, sharp and unbearable, as my consciousness started to fade. A wave of despair and terror consumed me. Someone. Anyone. Please save my baby.

Isaac held her hand with the depleting energy in him, his body shaking as he felt the steady stream of crimson fluid pumping out of his heart and flowing down his skin, staining his vest. She tried to pull the scissors out again, but he held on tighter, squeezing his face at the searing pain. "Love," He mumbled, looking into her cold eyes. Natalie pulled at the scissors, but he held on with every little energy he had in him, shaking his head in plea that she'd stop. She didn't, and his tenacity made her twist the tool, and he let out a painful groan, a hot drop of tear escaping his eyes. ... As he laid there with four bleeding puncture wounds in his body, his bloodshot eyes fell on her unconscious body, and more painful tears trickled down his face. He had failed. He had failed his wife and son. *** Natalie Cabel's life changes from bitter to bittersweet after a one-night stand with Isaac Bardekk, heir apparent to the throne of Bardaen. His love was contagious and bewitching, and she found herself helplessly wanting him in her forever. But a lady without roots could never be a crown princess of such a powerful kingdom, especially not one who lived a promiscuous life. Isaac, however, was not ready to give up as he promised her a new identity, prestige, and immunity in return for her being a faithful wife. For how long, though, and to what extent can she remain immune to hate and adversity from the queen consort? The queen mother? Her father-in-law, the king? And the subjects? If so, can she really uphold her faithfulness and be free from her husband's hate? Even when Vincent, Isaac's stepbrother, targets that?

When I opened my eyes, I found myself supposedly transmigrated to some ancient era. Every morning, before light touched the sky, someone would yank me out of bed to haul trash, chop wood, and do whatever filthiest job needed doing. Somehow, I'd become the lowest-ranked servant in the entire estate. The estate lord's son would climb onto my back and ride me around the courtyard like some pet he was proud to show off. Anyone in the household could hit me, kick me, or shove me aside, and not a single soul would speak up. Five years passed like that, so awful that I almost lost my mind, as if I were living in hell. Then one day, a group of servants cornered me. They didn't bother hiding their intention. The moment I saw their faces, I knew I was in trouble. Fists flew, boots landed, and everything blurred. Just before I passed out, I heard them whispering, "We're going to kill him if we keep this up." "Come on. This place only looks like some old noble estate. It's not an actual one. If he dies here, we're the ones who'll get dragged to court!" "Relax. Ms. Shaw will handle it. The idiot pissed off her childhood sweetheart. Getting tricked into this place is exactly what he deserves." Fear swallowed everything, and the world went dark. When I woke again, the lady of the house had conveniently "returned from visiting her family." The lord threw a grand celebration with tables full of food, wine flowing, and musicians playing like nothing had happened. I carried dishes into the banquet hall and lifted my head. Her face was the same as my wife's, Melissa Shaw. I set the final dish down, stepped closer, and in a voice only she could hear, asked, "Ma'am… are you enjoying your little game?"

"You may be mine, but I am not yours." Kalmin’s emerald eyes blazed with fury as he turned away, slamming the door and locking Nuri inside. "I didn’t ask to be your mate, Alpha,” Nuri hissed at the door. “And if I had a choice, I wouldn’t choose you either.” But choices mean nothing when fate decides for you. __________ Nuri is a half-wolf, half-human hybrid—unclaimed by any world, unwanted by her mate, and trapped in a bond forged by fate. Kalmin is the ruthless Alpha of the Blue River Pack, feared for his brutality and worshipped for his power. The only thing he despises more than weakness… is her. She didn’t ask to be his. He refuses to be hers. But there’s no severing the mating bond. No escape from the pull that drags her closer every time he pushes her away. And no hiding the way her body betrays her when he gets too close. What begins as a battle for survival becomes something far more dangerous—an unraveling. Of secrets. Of control. Of hearts. Because hating someone is easy. Wanting them is not. In a world where strength is survival and love is a luxury neither of them can afford, Nuri must decide if she’ll run—or rise. __________ Dark. Addictive. Fated. This gritty werewolf romance is for 18+ readers only. Contains graphic sexual content, violence, and themes some may find triggering. Proceed with caution—and maybe a safe word.

The Falcon Ridge Series Book 2 Six months after the battle with Torrents army, Caledons Security Unit decided to open a training camp for young adults from all the Alliance packs. Sarah Reynolds: I live in Black Lake. A tiny town that sits on the southern border of Falcon Ridge. After the Dragons attacked, my parents became worried they would attack again so they signed us up for the Caledon Boot Camp. I'm what you consider a problem child. I tend to get into trouble a lot. I don't want to go to this stupid camp and I'll make them wish they never laid eyes on me. Jayson Duke: I joined the Unit four years ago. I worked hard to get to where I am. Operations Leader was my dream job. That is until they gave it to River Blake. Now I'm told I have to go to Caledon to train their recruits. These aren't soldiers, they're kids. I don't train kids. I'm already angry that I have to be here, but it's made worse when I find out the Terror of Black Lake is here. Here to make my job hell. She's been all kinds of trouble for my pack in Black Lake and I'll be damned if she thinks she can make trouble for me here.

His face turned to stone, and he grabbed my arm, dragging me into the janitor's closet. "I, Derek Thayne, reject Roxanne Meyers as my mate," he spat, and I snarled. "I accept your rejection." *** Alphas always have to be careful when it comes to their children; they are the perfect targets to the pack's enemies. No one was prepared though when the rogues attacked the Black River Pack and kidnapped the Alpha and his family. For months they were tortured, focusing mostly on the youngest child: Roxanne Meyers. Roxanne endured the abuse for months, constantly reminding herself that she was the daughter of an Alpha, that they would not break her. But one day she had no choice but to succumb to their demands. She returned to a pack that hated her; she killed their Alpha and Luna. Even her older brother turned on her. She became the lowest ranking wolf in the pack: the omega. Every attempt to escape the pack's abuse failed and her only hope was to find her mate. But her mate was none other than Derek Thayne, the son of the Alpha who took over following her parents' deaths. After accepting his rejection, she escaped to a nearby pack with the help of her new Alpha. She was thriving and rising up the ranks in her new pack. But unfortunately for Roxanne, Derek was far from finished with his rejected mate. And he wasn't going to let the threat of war stand in his way.

“I was reborn to prevent my death. Another purpose of my reborn is to destroy the enemy. I will surely devastate those all who threaten my kingdom.” Queenie’s body had just been thrown over the abyss. Her body was facing upwards. She can see her future husband’s face. The man smiled happily at seeing Queenie picking up death! Queenie closed her eyes. She gave up. Her life was over! But destiny is always the winner instead of a human plan…. When Queenie opened her eyes, she was still in her own body. She woke up in her second life. That was two years ago. When her father, king Darian of the Bright River kingdom, betrothed her to Prince Fabian of the Nicundhra Kingdom. The matchmaking was the beginning of the disaster. Queenie’s stepmother fell in love with Prince Fabian. They conspire to kill King Darian and his only daughter, Queenie. Prince Fabian was obsessed with ascending the throne. But a miracle happened. Queenie got a second life. It was a chance for her to prevent the death of her father and herself. The great war of various kingdoms exploded. Queenie would fight against multiple monsters for the sake of her father, empire, and people. The spoiled princess had returned. She was reborn as Queenie the Princess Warrior. Can Queenie take her second chance to change the future? The Second Life Of The Princess Knight!

How dare you!!" His stare and cold voice made me step back with fear ,scared of what he will do. "You clumsy woman!! Keep those disgusting hands of yours steady or go die somewhere!! How dare you hurt her!! Do you even know who she is!!" "Alessandro..stop..it's alright.." Andrea pleaded from behind but he continued. "Lowlives like you don't even deserve to step into a place like this, but we were generous to offer you this job..Hell! you can't even walk properly !how come you were hired for this job?" Tears were flowing down my cheeks but he continued . "Alex...please...stop" "No Andrea I will not stop..can't you see what she did.....You are too innocent and generous... you don't know girls like her.....they envy you and when they can't compete against you ,they engage in these dirty tactics .....bloody disgusting people...." I looked up into his . I was never this low. How could he even think I did this deliberately! "Oh my god...your hand..." Andrea said looking at my hand I looked down to see my entire hand turned red with blisters everywhere. I saw my wound and I started feeling the suppressed pain I was controlling. My tears betrayed me because of his words and the pain of my burn. Andrea rushed towards me with a worry. "Maria..bring ..the coolant hurry..we need to call the doctor.." She was something else So pure and caring. My eyes lifted to see Ando His eyes were fixed on my burn but I couldn't tell if he was worried or not. But soon that expression was gone as he turned around and left. I looked at his retreating back wondering ,since when did he become so heartless. Everything is fair in love and war, And this my friends is a war of broken hearts.

Lily at age fifteen wanted to be so many things, but a werewolf was never part of it. Actually, she never thought of it either, because this story isn't about Lily at fifteen, nor is it about any damn werewolves. This story is about 23-year-old Lily Hills, waking up to the dead body of her one-night stand in a motel. The same man, Damien Kalashnikov, was to tie the knot the next morning, and Lily was slated to handle the magazine publishing the glamorous wedding events. Lily who just wanted an adventurous night for once in her life, was now accused of murdering a ruthless Russian Mafia boss. Just as all hope seems lost, Dimitri, Damien's identical twin brother and infamous "Beekeeper," saves her, he proposes a shocking solution: a contract marriage, with conditions for both parties to meet. The wedding, initially intended for Damien and his bride, will proceed as planned – with Lily as the new bride. As Lily and Dimitri navigate their complicated relationship, he commissions her to write his biography. With each passing day, secrets unfold, and shocking truths surface. Their bond deepens, but danger lurks. With a surprise pregnancy raising stakes, it seemed Damien left a souvenir. A Russian Roulette began. Albeit, a typical Russian will say to you: Когда река молчит, шепчет ли она секреты рыбам? (When the river's voice is silent, does it whisper secrets to the fish?) Even in silence, hidden truths may be shared, and secrets can be revealed in unexpected ways. Will Lily, wife to the Omertà Mafia Don ‘The Beekeeper’ eventually find out what happened that night?