Infernal Calling

Synopsis Adrian Velasco, the untouchable 32-year-old billionaire behind Velasco Innovations, built an empire of “living glass” that reshaped Manila’s skyline. Sa mata ng publiko, he is a cold genius; to the elite, a dangerous rival. But beneath the glittering towers lies betrayal and a secret that could ruin him. Enter Elena Vargas, isang fearless investigative journalist. Determined to expose corruption tied to Velasco Innovations, she risks her career—and her life. When a scandal erupts linking Adrian to illegal government contracts, his enemies close in. To protect his empire, Adrian makes a shocking move: he proposes a one-year marriage to Elena, his greatest critic. “Be my shield,” he offers. “Expose me if you can.” Their sudden engagement shakes the nation. Social media erupts with #VelascoVargasWedding, calling it either a PR stunt or a love story. Forced into a public romance, Adrian and Elena clash behind closed doors, yet sparks of attraction begin to blur the line between duty and desire. Elena sees glimpses of Adrian’s hidden heart—funding schools, rebuilding towns—while Adrian is disarmed by her stubborn morality. But the game turns deadly. Rafael Santiago, Adrian’s ruthless rival and half-brother, orchestrates the smear campaign. Backed by political dynasties, he vows to destroy Adrian and claim Elena. Betrayal cuts deep when Adrian’s most trusted ally sells him out, forcing him and Elena to fight side by side. In a glass-shattering climax at Velasco Tower, their fake marriage becomes dangerously real as they confront Santiago. Adrian sacrifices billions to save his legacy; Elena risks everything to expose the truth. When the contract ends, their act has become reality. Elena chooses to stay—not as his shield, but as his equal. Adrian, once cold as glass, finally learns to love again. “This time, no contracts. Just us”

Adrian Cain has no past. At least, not one he remembers. He woke up at eighteen with a name, a guardian, and a carefully constructed identity that led him to build one of the most powerful tech empires in the world. Now, as the CEO of CainTech, Adrian is feared, admired, and emotionally impenetrable, his past locked behind clinical amnesia, sealed files, and a steel wall he doesn't dare breach. Until the suicides start. After two employees from his most classified division die under suspicious circumstances, trauma counselor Sera Vaughn is brought in to assess the psychological impact on staff. But Sera has her own reasons for stepping into CainTech, her older brother vanished fifteen years ago, and the only lead she has left is a face in an old photograph: Adrian’s. But his name back then wasn’t Adrian. It was Daniel Ward. As Sera begins digging into Adrian’s history and as Adrian’s carefully managed psyche begins to crack, long-buried memories start surfacing: a mysterious basement, whispered codewords, and a girl calling his real name. What neither of them knows is that they were both part of a covert experiment known as Project Phoenix, designed to erase identities and rebuild human obedience from the ground up. Together, they uncover a trail of lies, altered files, and fractured lives along with a chilling truth: Adrian may have been programmed to forget what he did… and who he destroyed. Now hunted by the people who created him, stalked by a version of himself he doesn’t remember becoming, and drawn to a woman whose trust he doesn’t deserve, Adrian must face the darkest corners of his past before they both disappear into it. Because some memories don’t stay buried. Some were never meant to.

"Why are you sorry right now? what do you want to prove? I asked him grabbing his collar. After torturing me beyond the level you are calling those things love!! Listen Mr Raghabhan, you are a sadistic psycho who found pleasure in my agony. So, don't call those things love. I won't forgive you ever. Just get lost from here. I don't even want to see your disgusting face," I said all this looking directly into his eyes. He tried to say something but I cut his sentence in the middle and again snapped," Remember one thing, I will never forgive you. I will be a shame in the name of woman if I forgive my rapist." Hearing me he was silent for a few moments and kneeled in front of me. I can see regret in his both eyes. He said joining his hand," Just forgive me for once". Seeing him I didn't even feel pity for him. I said anger dripping from my voice," If you ever considered me as a human than leave me in my condition and never come back." . . . Arunima is a single mother who is leading her life with her twin children. The nightmares from her past always bother her making her condition worse. On the other hand, Anirudh is leading his life with guilt for committing sins that he has committed in the past. Join Arunima and Anirudh's journey of vengeance, love, regret and be a part of their journey. Warning- Trigger warning scene ahead. Kindly read at your own risk. Underage readers aren't allowed to read it. English isn't my first language so forgive me for grammatical errors.

As I ran through the dense woods, I heard footsteps coming from behind. "Chase her!" "Don't let her escape!" A voice commanded, sending a surge of adrenaline through my veins. I ran with all my might, every fiber of my being focused on survival. Even as my knees were weak, I refused to stop. The injuries on my body throbbed with each step and tears welled up in my eyes from both physical and emotional pain. "Why's this happening to me?" I cried out in frustration. "Can't I just be a happy warewolf?" "You're quite the fast one," a man remarked, his grip on my chin rough. "Don't you look familiar?" he muttered, forcing me to meet his gaze. Unable to bear his scrutiny, I averted my eyes, consumed by fear. I wasn't ready to die. There was still so much life ahead of me! "Haha! It's the werewolf that overheard us!" the scarred man exclaimed, as he recalled where he saw me. Forcing me to my knees, he continued his tirade, "You idiot, you've brought death upon your own kind!" His words were accompanied by a brutal strike, causing fresh blood to spill from my wounds. I was tired of everything life was throwing at me. Maybe the Moon Goddess is calling me home to rest. "Kill me if you must!" I growled as I glared at him. Refusing to cower in the face of my captors. A young girl whose entire pack was cleared in front of her. Taken as a captive by another pack, Lilian was subjected to torture from the leader of a notorious group. what happens when she discovers her true identity? what if love for her comes with a sacrifice despite the war going on in the warewolf world?

My mother marries into the Patterson family with me after her divorce. She marries Thomas Patterson, the dean of a veterinary hospital. Meanwhile, I marry Walter Patterson, a firefighter captain and Thomas' son. On this day, there's a huge storm. I'm almost due for labor, but I still head to the hospital to pick my mother up after an operation. We head to the subway, but it ends up being flooded. I endure the labor contractions and call Walter with trembling hands, wanting to ask for help. He finally answers after hanging up on me 18 times. "What the hell do you want? How stupid can you be, calling me in such a huge storm? "I'm saving lives here! Tracy's foot was cut by glass while being saved, and I've just bandaged her wound. Now, I have to take her dog to Dad's hospital so he can save it. The dog is hanging by a thread; if you need help, get some other firefighter to do it! Don't pester me!" Later, the rescue team arrives. My mother and I are pushed to the back of the crowd, and people won't stop shoving us around. The floodwater rises, and I have no choice but to carry her on my back while trudging along the corridor. This continues for three hours. When we're finally rescued, my mother is already unconscious, and I end up losing my child, who's almost to term. My mother and I look at each other tearfully in the ward we share. I say, "Mom, I'm getting a divorce." She says, "It's not a big deal, sweetheart. I'll do it with you. I've done it once before—I know how this goes."

After Noah's death, what greeted him was an AI system calling itself Black, offering him a job working for the World and Soul Management Bureau.  He has to travel to many different worlds, taking over an identity of some unfortunate soon-to-be-dead dude, and live out the remainder of his new life there however he wanted. Easy-peasy! ...Right? ...Ok, sure, there are a few small kinks here and there... like terrorist attacks, murder plots, zombie apocalypses, and the like... but one should always look at the bright side! Noah: "...Blackie, is it just me, or is this good brother of mine looking at me like a hungry wolf seeing a juicy piece of meat?" (°△°|||) Black: "Don't worry, host. He is just a bit excited due to nearly losing his life back there. You know, adrenaline." (¬‿¬) Noah: "…are you sure that's what's really going on here?" (っ °Д °;)っ Black: "Absolutely!" (≖‿≖) … ~ Many worlds later ~ Noah: "This secret mission that you can't tell me about… it can't possibly be to get fucked by the least appropriate target?!" (°ㅂ°╬) Black: "Of-of course not! Ho-how could that possibly be, eh?" (; ﾟ 3ﾟ )~♪ ML: Right, right, that's just a very (not so) coincidental bonus. Ψ(╹ڡ╹ )Ψ 💠 Author Note 💠 * SSC has long arcs. Each world is a fully-fledged novel on its own. * Don't let the summary (or the cover) fool you! While SSC does have an occasional explicit smut, it is primarily a fluffy and hilarious romance! * Pairings are one-on-one and taboo-ish. (E.g. hired assassin and his target, monster tamer and his tamed beast, master and disciple, siblings, brothers-in-law, etc.) * More info in the info chapter Author website: lucypandora.com Support the author on ko-fi: ko-fi.com/lucypandora Discord: lucypandora.com/discord

I married Rafe Maretti—the man who owned the Maretti Casino empire. Sophisticated, ruthless, but sinfully charming. By year three of our marriage, I introduced my little sister to his nephew, Adam Moretti—twenty-five, all sharp smiles and sharper ambition. He ran the dirtier side of the family’s business—arms, drugs, the kind of trade that dripped blood and money in equal parts. I married the powerful, irresistible uncle. She married the young, dangerous nephew. It was supposed to be our fairytale. Then one day, I got kidnapped in Rafe’s casino. Snatched by a rival mafia family desperate to force Rafe to sign over one of his biggest, most profitable casinos. Except Rafe didn’t answer the phone or even notice I was gone. The kidnappers grew impatient. First, it was slaps. Then punches. Then they shattered my leg and buried a knife in my stomach. Still no word from my husband. Until finally, after what felt like a hundred unanswered calls, a single message came through. "I’m with Bianca. She’s having a stomach. Stop calling." Once the kidnappers realized I had no value, they dumped me in a rotting warehouse like discarded luggage. It was Isla, my sister, who found me. She got me out. And then the brakes failed. The car spun out. Isla went unconscious beside me. I tried calling Adam. Isla’s husband. But as soon the call went through, all I could hear was. “Leave me along. Isla, I am in the middle of something here.” When I clearly heard a woman’s voice in the back. If not for a passing stranger, Isla and me wouldn’t have made it to the hospital, let along have survived. So when I opened my eyes again, the first thing I thought was: I’m divorcing that sorry bastard. The Maretti can go to hell.

When Emma's parents first told her about the arranged marriage, she had hoped the Alpha would like her. It wasn't until their wedding night that the Omega knew the truth. "Don't get too comfortable," Lucus said coldly. "Once everyone leaves the hall, you are going to sleep in guest room." "W-What? Bu-" "What?" The Alpha says, turning to look at her, Emma flinched at the look in Lucus eyes."You thought we'd have some bullshit magical night? Well news flash Omega, I will NEVER want you. I already had someone." "What about me, then?" The Omega asks, with teary eyes. "I don't care. I am going to see my girlfriend." With that the Alpha leave. The night was the beginning of the end. Emma knows the vows they took on their wedding day mean nothing to Lucus. ****** "Give me grandchildren or forget about my wealth." Lucus knows it's not a good idea, but he still did it. He spends Emma heat with her and make her pregnant. He even starts acting like he loves her. But things don't go according to his plan and Emma lost their pup, she keeps calling Alpha for help but Lucus busy with his lover. "You waste my plan and my time." Thats what the Alpha told her. Emma then realizes it's all Alpha plan. Her omega was in pain, and she couldn't take it anymore. Emma packed her things and left. But it's like God is playing with her, she finds out that her one pup is survive and still alive inside her. Emma tries to reach Lucus last time. "Meet me, I want to tell you something." But the Alpha didn't come. Lucus didn't even realise what he lost that day. When he realised, he is already late. 5 years late.

On the day of my bonding ceremony with Vincent Sawyer, the future Alpha, the moonstone ring meant for me, the future Luna, has mysteriously disappeared from the ringbox. In its place sits a can tab that has already gone black from oxidation. The guests' cheers die down immediately. They all turn to look at me after that. Amid the silence, Vincent's childhood sweetheart, Sharon Anderson, walks out from the crowd. She raises her left hand and waves, the moonstone ring perched on her ring finger. Then, she pulls out a matching ring before sliding it onto Vincent's finger. "You must be scared out of your wits, huh, Angelica? I'm actually wearing the ring right now. This can tab is no ordinary item, you know. Vincent had given it to me when we were still pups. It resembles everlasting love that will never fade away. Now, I'm giving it to you." Sharon's words strike me right in my heart. I tremble violently, feeling as if my heart is being cut into a million pieces. However, Vincent just chuckles. "Sharon always comes up with silly ideas. She's just joking around, Angelica. Don't take her actions to heart." "Oh, I won't." I toss the can tab into the bonfire, a dry chuckle escaping from my lips. "This bonding ceremony is canceled." Vincent grabs my hand before pulling me into his arms. "Stop messing around, Angelica! We found the ring, didn't we? This bonding alliance will affect the future of our packs! You're not the one calling the shots here!" I squirm out of Vincent's grasp, catching a trace of sickly sweet scent lingering around him—one that isn’t mine at all. "While it's true that the Moonlake pack is going to form a bonding alliance with the Brownstone pack, my future mate isn't necessarily you."

"Take me back to my family, you monster." I seethed in anger at the person in front of me now. I am not bothered at the sight of him naked before my eyes. Anger and fear had over-powered me since the moment he kidnapped me and brought me in this damn place. He chuckled and as he move closer to me cupping my face with his warm hand. "I am your family... my mate." "Stop calling me that. I am not your mate and I will never be." "Oh I can't do that. You belong here and not with those weak humans." amusement not leaving his eyes. "Humans? Of course I belong there. If there's a place I don't belong to, it's in this godamn place. Just let me go." "Oh really now? How come you don't belong here when you are... " he paused a moment. "What's that term you used again?... ah, a monster....yourself?" I was taken aback at what he said. "Me? A monster? You are making a mistake. I am not like you." Just as I about to speak again, the man changed his form. With the cracking of bones and the appearance of thick black hair in his entire body, he is once again the monster I saw earlier. I am beyond scared now but I can't do anything because both my arms are chained to the wall. His eyes were a mix of amber and black that watched me intently. Then very slowly he came forward. He looked me in the eye and with that came a voice from my head. "Really? Then explain to me why you can hear me talking now? It's one thing we werewolf can do. It's called mind-link." With that he changed into human form again with a smirk in his face. "See you later." Then he walked outside the room leaving me here petrified.