Focusing

Not everyone is lucky with a great love story, especially for Riley. Love did nothing but only scar her heart. It began when her family tore apart; she was just two, so all she could remember was her father leaving.  The first man she ever loved abandoned her, and she never saw him again.  Then a few years later, her mother abandoned her, leaving her older sister in charge. It didn’t stop there, though. Riley got hurt once again when her fiance cheated on her. She decided that love wasn’t meant for her and she should stay single forever, focusing on her life and career. One day she was surfing the internet and found a very great deal. It was a one-week vacation on an island, with a suite over-viewing the ocean, and the price was affordable. It was a sketchy offer, but who cares, she just wanted a week off. So, she took her chance with no hesitation, not realizing the surprise waiting for her on the island. Everything went just fine for her till she found out that she had to share the suite with a stranger, a very hot stranger. Not only will they share a room, but he will also make a deal with her. He made a bargain with her. He would mend her broken heart, showing her what real love is supposed to be in that one week. She agreed, knowing he will lose anyway. The funny part, her clueless self doesn’t even know that stranger was Zack Harrison, the CEO of Harrison’s real estate brokering, one of the top bachelors.

Brielle, a young woman in her late twenty's who was preparing for a new phase in her life was tangled up in an affair that ended in one night. She had been on a one night stand with a different man and they both couldn't deny the fact that they enjoyed that phase of the night. Later on, she got to realize the man she had a one night stand with was her new boss at work and she was his secretary. She now stand in between focusing on her new job as his secretary or leave her work just to save her face. Xavier who was her boss at work didn't treat her any different because they had a night affair some months ago but, he wouldn't let her go have fun with some other man depriving her with more work loads to keep her busy and stay with him. At times, he would be a different man she wanted to stay away from at all cost and sometimes, he had his sweet coat on which every other woman would fall for. Slowly, he began to fall in love with her and she tried to set boundaries not wanting to end up with the same man she had a one night stand with. She never thought he would convey any feelings for her because whatever they had shared that night was supposed to end that night as well. Brielle was thrown in a conflicting state of choices when she found out she was pregnant for him. Would she choose to love her boss whom she had made out with?

Mate. I froze mid-step, Venom has never said that word before. I've suddenly forgotten the Rogues I was chasing, my whole attention now on the emotions I was feeling. My vision sharpened, focusing on the faint sound of labored breathing just ahead. My heart hammered in my chest as I walked closer, the bond pulling me forward with an urgency I hadn’t felt in decades. The first thing I saw was her hair, a messy dark bun with strands of white, unusual yet unique. She sat curled up against the base of an old tree, arms wrapped tightly around her knees, shoulders trembling. Her thin, tattered sweater barely shielding her from the cold air. She looked... fragile, a word I never thought I’d associate with my mate. Ariel’s life has been anything but easy. Orphaned as a child and left in the care of a cruel stepfather and stepbrother, she’s endured years of emotional and physical abuse. Despite her circumstances, she’s always felt something stirring beneath the surface—an unexplained restlessness, vivid dreams of running under the moonlight, and a deep connection to the forest around her. Zayn, the alpha of the Shadowcrest pack, has spent years searching for his fated mate, the one who would complete him and stand by his side to no avail…he had finally given up on ever finding her. His pack thrives under his leadership, but his heart has grown weary, doubting the Moon Goddess’s promise of a mate. When a chance encounter leads him to Ariel, he’s stunned to discover that the fragile, broken girl is his destined partner—and more than that, she’s a wolf completely unaware of her true nature.

I jolt awake to splash of ice cold water making contact with my warm skin and ripping me from my dreams. Looking up I see my perpetrator and best friend Bailey giggling, and holding a now half-emptied bucket. “Wake up loser! Last day on the beach and you choose to sleep?” I roll my eyes in annoyance at her bubbly enthusiasm. “Alright I’ll get in for a bit but I’m not going to stay long,” I state with a huff. We each grab a floatie and make our way waist deep before hopping on and linking arms to keep from drifting apart. “Are you excited to be heading back tomorrow? I know I am!” Bailey quipped. Honestly I’d been avoiding that thought the whole trip. Returning to our pack was the last thing I wanted to think about. This week at the beach had been the calm environment I desperately needed after senior year. Returning would mean I would have to finally confront the drama that has become my life the last three months. All through high school I kept my head down, focusing on my team and training. Despite keeping to myself there was always one person stirring sh*t up, my ex, Austin. His father, the Alpha to our pack, gave his life in one of the pack battles last year. Leaving his Luna to raise Austin and his sister on her own. Austin would now be eligible for the Alpha title which worried me. Up until we left he had shown blatant disrespect to my father, Beta to our pack. Not to mention he still had his eyes and ears on me. Returning was the last thing I had on my mind, knowing sh*t is about to hit the fan.

The Jock: Paris Holmes, also known as Hermes. The most popular boy in all of Wystwood High who everyone hates to love. Pros: is an exceptional basketball player, but one of the top ranking students with excellent grades and a pretty face to top it. His Con? He's a narcissist with homophobic tendencies and seems to think everyone is beneath him. The Nerd: Alex Parker, also known as A. She once was the most popular girl in school when she was a freshman but suddenly stayed away from them, focusing only on her studies and herself. Pros: She knows everything about everyone. Is the go-to girl when you need some help with your assignments. She could also pretend to be your girlfriend if you ask and pay well. Cons: Most of the people who claim to have spoken to her once, seem terrified of talking about her again. The Geek: Marcos Gomez, also known as Eros. The most beautiful femboy in Wystwood and every boy and girls dream, even though he doesn't think he's as pretty as they seem to think. Pros: He's soft as a teddy bear, smells like cookies and is the most obedient puppy you'd ever meet. Is good with computers and you can help find out anything you need. Is the perfect person when you want a makeover. Cons: Too good. ~ One day, Paris Holmes walked in on a session between Marcos and Alex and found himself hooked to the girl, even though she already has a boyfriend. But is affection really genuine? Would Alex, who is proceeding with caution fall for him? Or would Marcos fight for what belongs to him? The three most important figures in Wystwood now playing a game with each other. What could possibly go wrong?

CONTENT WARNING! This book may contain depictions of sexual assault, suicide, explicit intimacy, and dark content! 'You smell so good, divine. ' He drawled out the words, dipping his nose on the side of my neck. The warmth of his breath fanned the skin, raising goosebumps along the area. My back ached when he latched his warm mouth on my skin, sucking hungrily. I lifted my hips up, attempting to add more friction between us. The rest of the people faded, mind body and soul focusing on our man. 'Please don't stop. ' I pitifully begged when he kneeled down, putting a distance between us. 'Ssssshhh love, soon baby. ' He purred,  guiding two fingers in my eagerly waiting mouth. *************** Scarlet Baranov has lived all her life without a wolf as an outcast and a slave under the leadership of one cruel Alpha, until one night, his abuse goes beyond the bounds. Determined to preserve the tiny bit of her dignity left, Scarlett flees, only to wander into the territory of the most notorious alpha in the were community, whose hatred for rogues runs deep in his tainted veins, Alpha Jaxon. Having turned rogue after her escape, scarlet faces a torturous death in the arms of Jaxon, who is scared by his painful past. She suddenly finds out that she is mated to the very man who swore to kill her. Rejected and accused of conspiring with her former alpha to finish Jax off, Scarlett finds out that the events that led to her escape had borne a bitter fruit of unexpected and unwanted pregnancy. Everything is different from what it seems, submerged in twisted turns, secrets and past sins that Jax and Scarlett must uncover. Will Jax be able to look past his hunger for blood and the pregnancy?

[WARNING STRONG MATURED CONTENTS] Beside me, I sensed his movement as he turned towards me, his eyes searching for mine. I purposely avoided meeting his gaze, instead focusing on calming my racing breath. But try as I might, my breath still trembled, betraying my inner turmoil. Despite my rapid blinking, a single tear escaped, making its way down my cheek. I heard the covers rustle as he shifted closer to me. His finger gently brushed against my face, capturing the tear. "I'm sorry, Hailey," his voice resonated in the dimly lit room, both deep and gentle. His touch was followed by a soft stroke through my brunette hair and a tender kiss on the crook of my neck. "I know this isn't what you wanted," he murmured, regret evident in his voice. "It doesn't matter," I replied quietly, my gaze still fixed on the ceiling. His apology felt like a stab to the heart, but I couldn't hold him responsible. Our circumstances were far beyond our control.Swallowing hard, I tried to push down the ache in my chest. "It was unavoidable, it isn't your fault," I muttered, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. He sighed heavily, running a hand through his dark, tousled hair. His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I allowed my cheek to rest against his strong chest, finding some solace in his comforting presence. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat brought a sliver of comfort to my shattered emotions. "I wish I could have given you more time to get to know me before all of this," he confessed, a touch of bitterness seeping into his words. "But those old Elders insisted on sealing our union immediately."