Imagined Community

**EXCERPT** He rasped, his teeth grazing my earlobe. "I'll make sure you're addicted to the way I fúck you until you can't breathe without wanting me inside of you." Jesus Christ. He was going to kill me at this rate with his words... ⫷◍◍◍◍◍◍◍◍◍⫸ Lilith has perfected the art of disguise. She is an ambitious college student balancing her family’s needs by day. By night, she transforms into Raven—a mesmerizing dancer in a club where secrets reign, and the most feared man in the room, Giovanni, watches her every move. Giovanni's ruthless reputation is undeniable, but beneath his icy demeanor lies a deeply complex soul. When he hires Raven to uncover his rivals' darkest secrets, Lilith seizes the opportunity. The payout could change everything for her family—if she can handle the risk. One reckless night intertwines their fates in ways neither expected. As she ventures further into his world, every lie and secret draws her closer to disaster and a desire she never saw coming. If Giovanni uncovers her true identity, he’ll claim her in ways she never imagined—or destroy her in the process. *MATURE CONTENT AS THE CHAPTER PROGRESSES*

What makes a hero? They say a hero is someone that has given his life to something bigger than himself. I say a hero is no braver than an ordinary man, he is just braver for five minutes longer. All soldiers are brave, it's what they do with their bravery that makes them heroes. Am I a hero? Clayton Jackson dedicated his life to serving his country. Enlisting in the Marine Corps at the young age of eighteen, he never imagined following any other path. However, fate had other plans for him as a life-altering accident during his last deployment left him disabled and forces him to return home. Hiding in the small town he grew up in, Clayton tries to keep his secret from his loved ones at all costs. One day while seeking refuge from his troubled mind, his path crosses with Isabella Jones. Their connection is instantaneous as if the universe conspired to bring them together. Isabella, a mysterious and enigmatic woman, is haunted by the demons from her own past. As their relationship quickly blossoms, the unspoken truths between them threaten to tear them apart. When Clayton is presented with the opportunity to rejoin the Marine Corps, Isabella is faced with a decision: whether to accompany him or remain behind. Caught in this web of secrets and lies, they try to navigate their love through the murky waters, desperately hoping to find solace in each other's arms. But will love be enough to conquer the shadows that lingered in their hearts? Or would the truth ultimately be their undoing?

"Veronica is pregnant!", Mother said loudly I stopped dead in my tracks. The realization of that hit me suddenly like I was unaware of it before. "Your younger sister, Veronica is pregnant, Adele! She is", mother said again. I sucked in a very sharp breath, trying to keep myself in control and perfect order as I turned to face mother and spat those words out. "I am not getting married. I am not getting married to someone I do not know. No, that is not going to happen", I said very clearly this time and I saw a tear drop from my mother's right eye. "Do you not get it? You have no choice in this. You have no say in this!" "And I wonder why that is", I replied with gritted teeth as I glared at mother murderously. ----------------- Adele Woods; a despaired, pessimistic and brokenhearted lady found herself agreeing to an arranged matrimony after much persuasion and convincing talk from her parents, especially her mother. She had no say in it and that made her angry. Being a rebellious person, Adele refused to even take a look at her betrothed's picture. She had a thought on her mind. Her husband would want one thing from her; to procreate. And that is one of the things she would never do. But is it possible? When her husband is Christopher Marvin; a young, handsome man who would do no other thing than to make her laugh. He was the most flirtatious, lively, cheerful, and manly person she has ever met. He was definitely not what she imagined her husband to be like. Will Adele be able to pull herself out of her 'annoying' marriage? Or will she find herself changing because of a certain hot man?

"Casey, hurry up and pack. Tonight we will move!" "Why so suddenly, Mom? Where are we moving to?" "Your new father's house. I'm getting married to David next week. Your dream of having a family will come true. In fact, you will get the bonus of three handsome brothers." I don't argue. That same night I joined my mother and moved to my stepfather's house in a different state from where we live now. After a long journey, we finally arrived. David greeted us warmly. But, the beautiful dream I previously imagined must now turn into hell. I must be brother with my enemy! He is the young man who once humiliated me and who became my first love. What destiny is this?

Ava Bartholomew, NYC socialite and heiress, has decided to get away from it all to visit her sister in Seattle – but fate had other ideas. Within seconds, Ava turns into a girl with no home, no family, or memories of her past. She has to fend for herself in the community and culture of Montana. Ava had cut a few lucky breaks after her accident, meeting people who were willing to help her get on her feet – including Raymond Steele. He is way older than her but she doesn’t care. Ava decides that she wants him despite his standoffish personality and rudeness. Ray wasn’t overly willing to hire the amnesia-stricken Ava but sympathy tugged at his heart during a weak moment. Now the brunette beauty is waltzing around his house everyday taking care of his kids and his home. Ray wasn’t always an aloof man. A deep betrayal had turned him into an absentee father and a jerk. Ava is determined to mend Ray’s broken heart and family. However, a what if looms over them. Ava’s amnesia. Her past could come rushing back, destroying the Steele family once again and break Ava’s heart in the process.

Marrying the love of her life is the cherished dream of any woman, but for Olivia, it was a complete nightmare, because Harrison treated her as if it was the worst thing that happened in his life, until the day she couldn't take it anymore and asked for a divorce, despite the pleas, the woman could not get him to give her a second chance, subdued and humiliated she had to return to her parents' house, what Harrison family, not even he imagined, was that Isabella would return, but she would no longer be that humble woman who pretended to have nothing, now she had everything, she returned with the intention of taking revenge, but in a convenient way Harrison was awakened in love, Will he be able to get his heart back without getting hurt in the attempt? Will Olivia be able to forgive so much pain?

"What if I can't give you an heir?" I asked, my voice trembling. Maximus's eyes darkened even further. "Then you will be of no use to me," he said, his tone dismissive. I could feel the tears starting to prick at the corners of my eyes. I had always known that my life would be hard, but never had i imagined myself in this position. *** Sold into a forced marriage, Felicity believes her fate is sealed. But when she realizes the cruel and dominating alpha king is her mate, everything changes. She gives him a son, hoping for her freedom, but instead learns she's nothing but a breeder to him. Heartbroken, she flees with her unborn child. Now a single mommy pursued by many alphas, will the alpha king recognize his true feelings and chase her back? Or will her be forever haunted by a love that was never meant to be?

Bullied by the werewolf guards due to her appearance, Charlotte Williams was on the brink of death when an angel saved her. Her world turned upside down when she found out that her savior was none other than Alpha Eric Dietor, a cold, ruthless Alpha whose name was a sign of terror for the vampire race. Despite all the differences, this uncanny encounter entangled their hearts, forbidden love blossomed to challenge the laws of Heaven. Will this love have a chance in the fated mates' community? Read to join the epic love tale of Alpha and his little Vampire 💞💞

Jocelyn 'Jo' Turner is the leader of a street gang called the Sky Hawks. She has one secret; she uses her gang to actually help the community.She is filled with nothing but disdain for other gangs who terrorize the community of Odton.That is, all except for Asher 'Ash' Mason, a hot, charismatic gang leader who is too hot for his own good. Not that she'll let him know, she has sworn never to get involved with the likes of him.Asher is a the leader of the Sopranos, a street gang with the aim of stopping all illicit activities in Odton.There's nothing he hates more than the other gangsters, so why is he attracted to the fiery and brave Jocelyn?Things go sideways when Jo and Asher are framed for murdering a cop, and they have to team up in order to clear their names and save their lives.Will they be able to do that before they run out of time?

Dahlia Bernard gave Desmond Sterlings everything, love, loyalty, and a crown he never earned. She picked him from the slums, built him into a CEO, and handed him the keys to her empire. Love blinded her. Desmond repaid her by betraying her, stealing her company, sleeping with multiple women, and getting her own sister pregnant. A community dick, that's all he ever was. Now, Dahlia isn’t just broken. She’s angry. With Ronan Knight, Drawlwood's ruthless billionaire by her side, Dahlia is ready to reclaim everything that was once hers. And this time… mercy is off the table. ********** I was flung aside, my grip on Roselle slipping as I crashed into someone's arms, Ronan Knight. "Hold in your rage, Dahlia," Ronan's voice was calm. "There are better ways to make them pay. Don’t destroy yourself trying to hurt them. That's not how revenge works." I glanced down at my reddened knuckles. Tears blurring my vision. "Then tell me, Ronan… how do I hurt them?" I choked on my tears. "By becoming untouchable," he said softly. "Become more powerful, more successful. A version of Dahlia they could never break. And then… you make them kneel." He leaned in, a wicked promise in his eyes. "I'll help you rise again, Dahlia. And when you do… they'll beg at your feet."