Hold Back The River Book Novels & Stories

"Uhm sometimes, the Alpha overworks us." "I don't think i like our Alpha very much," Ro huffed. "No, i mean i overwork myself too much. Appreciate the alpha, he's a great person," he said quickly, making Ro look at him skeptically. "So you found the river at the library?" he continued speaking. "I read about it there. The river is the only place that comes from the Artemis waterfalls. I heard that place is beautiful," Ro sighed. "It is," he replied absentmindedly. "Hmm how do you know?"

Please goddess, let him hold on! Through the buzzing in my ears, I heard River's deranged cackle of delight at my anguish. "One down, one to go! Don't fret, pet - you'll be joining him soon." Blinding rage momentarily overtook my grief and I scrambled recklessly for Aiden, desperate to defend his helpless body from further harm. But faster than my eyes could follow, River's massive hand closed around my throat again, cutting off my air. I weakly clawed at his iron grip even as darkness crept into my vision.

The river stretched wide and endless, its waters black as obsidian, reflecting no light, swallowing everything into its depths. It was silent... too silent. No birds, no wind, only the slow, steady pulse of water moving against stone. Jackson shivered. "This doesn't feel right." Elowen's voice was a whisper. "It feels… waiting." Donato stepped forward, his boots sinking into the wet earth at the river's edge. His father's words echoed in his mind: "When the black book escapes unworthy hands, it seeks refuge here". His hand trembled as he knelt, dipping his fingers into the icy water.

“You work too much. You need to rest. Or at least smile once in a while.” I almost laughed at that. There was no possible way for me to rest when River was still in coma. Fucking coma. He almost laughed. Rest? Smile? Nightfall came like relief. I waited until everyone was out. Then, like clockwork, I slipped out the back exit, wrapped in my clock. Zach had long stopped trying to stop me. River was still here, so I was always going to come back to him. I took my place on the same stool by the bed, pulling one of the old books from the shelf... stories of wolves and gods and wars long past.

This book holds three stories, they are series that is needed to be together. 1. The Slave Mafia. To save my Mother. "You're just my Slave, Olivia." I gasped at his words, those words subsisted enough to shatter me to pieces. But what should I do with it? I am nothing. "But... you tell me those words! You tell me you love me!" "I don't love you. I will never love you." River said with cold eyes. My jaw dropped and my eyes went wide, I came back to the reality, where I was fooling myself.

Drowned in betrayal. Suffocated by despair.

“But don’t wait too long, or someone else might come along and steal your moment.” I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. Just then, I heard footsteps approaching, and I turned just in time to see River walking into the living room. She was fully dressed now—simple jeans and a flowy blouse that framed her bump beautifully. Her hair was down, loose waves tumbling over her shoulders. She looked effortlessly pretty. My heart did that annoying skip again. “One word to her about this and I will skin you alive,” I muttered under my breath to Hailey. “Your secret is safe with me, big bro,” she whispered back with a smirk.

Aurora risked a glance from the corner of her eye. River was back in his corner. The tray was empty. The chicken and fries were gone. But he hadn't eaten them all. He was shoving the last nugget into the yellow bag. Stashing it. Hoarding it. For later. For when the food stopped coming. Aurora felt a tear slide down her cheek. She wiped it away before he could see. "Good job," she said to the book. River didn't answer. He tied the bag shut. Night fell.

I stopped turning on my phone because every time I did, it was flooded with hateful messages and nonstop calls. They called me a thief, an ugly duckling, a waste of space. Someone who didn't deserve to exist. My family, tucked away in a tiny rural village, had no clue what I was going through. And I couldn't bring myself to tell them. I was barely holding it together back then. If I hadn't drowned in that river, maybe I'd have ended up in a place like this hospital. But life had given me something I never thought I'd get—a second chance.

They love their power too much to let that seat go unfilled. Our march forward is slow, but steady, and as soon as we enter the treeline, the branches and trunks provide our weary ears with some relief. Finally able to clear my head, I look around, allowing my eyes to adjust to the darkness. Up ahead, shining like a gem, is the Crystal River. The Merriweather is the only ship in dock, welcoming us, promising smooth sailing downriver until we reach the River Nexus and the Bone Palace. Once we’ve passed the village of the River Keepers, we’ll be safely out to sea, where, hopefully, Ona waits with reinforcements.