Golden Fig Books Carrboro

She was supposed to heal him, not crave him. Olivia Carter, a divorced physical therapist, thought her new job with the Chicago Blizzard hockey team would be simple—treat injuries, keep her head down, and cheer for her son on the ice. But when the team’s arrogant and devastatingly handsome captain, Xander Hayes, lands in her care, everything spirals out of control. He’s engaged. He’s her son’s best friend. And he’s forbidden. What begins as teasing flirtation turns into stolen touches, midnight encounters, and a dangerous obsession neither of them can resist. But secrets never stay buried—especially in the world of fame, fortune, and ruthless tabloids. When their affair explodes into the public eye, Olivia risks not only her career and reputation, but the one bond she can’t afford to lose: her son’s trust. Will Xander choose his fiancée, his career, and his best friend… or the woman he should never want?

TAEYANG SHIN I was never meant to come here. The Alpha Court Academy is a place for heirs, leaders – not broken things like me. I keep my head down, lock my wolf away, and pretend I don’t feel the pull of fate tightening around my throat. Then I meet Ronan Blackwood. The connection is instant, undeniable… and I know what it means. But instead of claiming me, Ronan hates me. Bullies me. And yet, even when his words cut, his eyes burn. I wasn’t looking for a mate. Especially not one destined to ruin me. RONAN BLACKWOOD I’ve spent my life training to inherit a title I never asked for. Son of a dying Alpha. Heir to a bloodline soaked in expectation and control. I don’t have time for distractions – especially not a delicate, sharp-tongued outsider like Tae Yang Shin. The moment I see him, something inside me twists. A dangerous, primal instinct I refuse to name. I push him away, torment him, but the bond coils tighter with every cruel word. I can’t want him. Can’t need him. But fate is cruel — and it’s about to take away our choice. In a world where bonds mean power, desire is weakness, and fate never asks for permission… two souls on opposite sides of pain and pride are bound to collide.

“Ja…cob, what's the problem? what are you doing?” I stammered, He was standing close to me, much closer than how friends were supposed to be. “The problem is today is the last day of our stay in this hell hole, and probably the last day we will see each other,” he said, his voice dark. “I…we can call, or maybe visit…” I was saying when his lips crashed on mine, sealing my heart. ******************** Alex, after spending his long vacation in a camp, returns to his boring and quiet life as the weird kid in the neighbourhood where he was bullied and maltreated. Heartbroken for three years after parting with his only friend, he continued his lonely life as the shunned nerd until he went to college. But on his first day in college, rumors fly about the arrival of a hot, mysterious new student, the heir to the powerful Rufus Corporation. But who would have thought that the mysterious hot guy was his first kiss? The person he had sleepless nights for. But Jacob has changed, now going by the name Andrian, a ruthless, dangerous, powerful figure from the strongest family in town. Acting Indifferent, as if Alex doesn't even exist. From first love to bitter enemies, what will he do when the boy of his dreams becomes his fiercest rival and arch enemy? That was hellbent on making his life miserable. Alex's world is further thrown into chaos when conspiracies about his origin as heir to another powerful corporation, the Davidson and his father's death surfaces, pointing toward the Rufus family. This is a thrilling story of hate, love, betrayal, and discovery

"You can hate me all you want, Cameron," Brandon murmured, lips brushing his ear. "But by the end of this marriage, you'll crave me." Cameron Aston is straight. Or so he thought—until his father forces him into an engagement with Brandon Deville, the arrogant, maddeningly attractive heir to a rival empire. What should have been a cold business deal turns into a dangerous game of tension, temptation, and blurred lines. Because the more Cameron fights Brandon, the harder he falls. And in this marriage, losing might mean wanting something he swore he never would.

What do you do when the person you've always loved is the same person who keeps hurting you the most? That's something Allison McConnell would like to know. Allison has had feelings for Derris Fox for as long as she could remember. Unfortunately, she wasn't the only one. As a musician and actor known worldwide, Derris was the dream of every girl and popular as he was, he was way out of her league. Allison thought she was doomed to be just one of his many fangirls until fate caused them to cross paths. Unfortunately, what would have been a dream come true for her turned out to be a nightmare after circumstances led to Derris developing an intense dislike for her causing him to treat her badly. Still struggling with issues at home along with her complicated relationship with Derris, Allison also has to handle being the object of affection of the equally handsome Max Crest, Derris' best friend which inadvertently puts tension between the two friends. As tensions heightens and Allison battles her feelings and enemies alike, will she make the right choice or will a sinister plot by a clingy ex ruin her chances at ‘happily ever after’?

Aria was always treated like the maid at home, even unable to celebrate her eighteenth birthday like any other normal girl. She was bossed around and tormented by her stepsister, Sophie, while her mother always favored Sophie and harbored a deep hatred for Aria. After enduring abuse from her family and betrayal from her boyfriend, Aria completely broke down, only to be shocked when she discovered her hands transformed into wolf claws. It was not until Ethan, a man who claimed to be the executer of Aria’s father's estate, stormed into her life that Aria learned she was Alpha daughter of Nightclaw. Aria didn't want a wolf or a mate. But Aria didn't expect that she would be claimed by four mates...

"You understand what it means for you to be mine, right? "He questions, and I swallow. Never breaking eye contact with him. "No... "I admit with my voice trembling. "If you become mine, "He begins, his tone dropping into a seductive growl that sends shivers down my spine. "You won't just be working for me. Your body will belong to me. I'll do whatever I want with you, whenever I want, and however I want. "He says, and as my back hits the wall my stomach drops. "You're not... planning to sell my organs, are you?" I ask, the words spilling out before I can stop them. "No, David, " "I mean, I'll fuck you whenever, wherever, and however I want. You'll be mine. My personal... plaything. Of course, you'll be taken care of. Shelter, food, Vanessa's bills... Everything. However, your main job will be warming my bed. "He says, and my eyes widen in horror. ***** His job was… ‘simple’. To rob him, and run as far as his resources could take him. He didn't plan to get caught. And even if that was a probability, he never expected to be spared. He never expected Salvatore to spare his life and keep him alive as a boy toy. He also didn't expect his straight self to fall for a man. Especially not one as rough, dangerous, and deadly as Salvatore. Are the feelings reciprocated? Or is David just a toy to Salvatore? This is the question that plagues David as he falls deeper and faster for this dangerous, Italian hot cake. Realizing he would do anything for the unpredictable man he had grown to love. When their dangerous world closes in, David must decide. Will he run, or will he risk everything for the man who could break his heart?

On the verge of total downfall, marriage was the only option that could save her and her family. Marrying a man that was born bathing on a golden tub might be a great luck in the eyes of the public but little did they know the consequence that lies within.

Nyma, the Privileged Luna, never imagined her life would be dictated by an unbreakable mate bond. Raised in a werewolf pack where loyalty to a single mate was sacred, she struggled to accept her fate with Prince Adrain—the future Lycan King. Six months into their marriage, Nyma has balanced the weight of leading her pack and navigating the treacherous politics of the Lycan royal family. She sacrificed her claim to the throne, choosing freedom over power, earning the scorn of her mate’s family—especially Second Prince Lucian, the brother who still dares to claim her as his second mate. On the night of her baby shower, everything shatters. Secrets unravel, betrayals surface, and Nyma walks in on the ultimate heartbreak—her mate entwined with the one woman from his past he swore meant nothing. Now, with her heart in pieces and her child’s future at stake, Nyma must decide: fight for a bond that has only brought her pain or break free from fate and forge her own destiny? Love may be fated—but trust is earned. And Adrain has just lost hers. She survives. And then she takes everything. Left for dead, Nyma rises from the ashes with a single purpose—to reclaim the legacy that was stolen from her and make the ones who wronged her choke on their own betrayal. The young Luna was never meant to be a pawn in Lycan politics, and she sure as hell won’t be a forgotten footnote in Adrian’s story. She builds her own pack, her own empire. And when the so-called King and his family come crawling, desperate for the very heir they discarded? Oops. Her bastard just took their legacy.

Thirteen years of my life were given to Ethan Cross. I believed in his music before anyone else did, stayed through the long nights when success was only a dream, and held on to every promise that I would be the woman by his side when it all finally came true. After eight years as his girlfriend and four more wearing his ring, he walked away. Seven months later, an invitation arrived. Ethan is getting married. And not to me. He is marrying my cousin sister. The wedding is set on a two week getaway meant for couples only. Ethan may think I will stay behind, broken and forgotten, but he is wrong. I will not be showing up alone. My date is Adrian Cole, Ethan’s powerful boss in the music industry, the man who holds his career in his hands and the one rival he never wanted near me. Ethan thought he left me behind. But this time I am not the girl he abandoned. I am stronger, I have found my own rhythm, and I am walking back into his world with the one man who can break him the way he broke me.