Interlude Shadow

"You take me for a fool?” He yelled, gripping my arms tightly, his fingers making sure to leave marks. “I would never lie about something of utmost importance, Diego”, I tried to convince him while earnestly trying to save myself from his strong grip. “No one dares to look me in the face and lie.” He said while gripping my arms more strongly than ever. “Yet, you stand here, lying to my face. You want to use me against my father as your revenge, isn't that right Adriana?” With that, he let go of my arms, shoving me aside angrily—whilst I hit my head against a door frame. _______________ A strong-willed yet vulnerable young lady from a mafia family finds herself stuck in a marriage with a rival heir arranged by both families as a means to stop bloodshed among them. Her husband, being the mafia heir, is a stern person who is feared by members of the syndicate. He hates negotiating and solves his problems on his own. But, when he falls in love with the daughter of the rival family, will it complicate his plans? What will happen when circumstances force them to choose between love and loyalty to their families? How will it affect their lives? A tale where love and vengeance intertwine and the hearts of two individuals are tested against the ultimate betrayal.

During an ambush, I risked everything to save Matthew, but in doing so, I lost the ability to stand—my legs were permanently damaged. Matthew was devastated. Holding me close, he swore he would love me forever and never betray me. Overwhelmed with emotion, I agreed to marry him. In secret, I sought medical treatment, and after a long, gruelling journey, the day finally came when the doctor told me I could walk again. Overjoyed, I rushed home, eager to share the incredible news with him. However, the moment I pushed open the door, my world collapsed. Matthew was fooling around with his female assistant—right there in our home. On our bed. Wrapped in each other's arms, they kissed passionately, completely lost in the moment. As things heated up, the woman gazed at him and murmured, "Matt, why don't you just leave that cripple? She can't satisfy you at all." "Don't you love the thrill of sneaking around? It wouldn't be nearly as exciting if I left her." A wave of icy rage surged through me. So that was what our marriage meant to him—nothing more than a twisted game, a joke between him and his mistress. Drained and heartbroken, I turned and walked out. That night, I booked a flight back to my hometown. I was done with this city. Let Matthew live with his regret.

Beatrice is back to face her greatest threat since. . .well, the last time! In Cooper’s Cove a hapless team of archaeologists unleash the vengeful spirit of a 16th Century witch on the sleepy seaside town of Dorsal Finn. Hexes and curses fly as Beatrice and her friends must find out what links the appearance of this incredible foe and The Spirit of the Ocean, a super-yacht hosting the biggest celebrity charity event the town has ever seen. As the population of Dorsal Finn succumbs to witchcraft, so Beatrice must gate-crash the party with her motley-crew of friends and allies in the hope of stopping the witch's sinister plan, and save everyone from endless oblivion. . . Again. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

Mike Pike, the Royal Beta of the New Moon Kingdom was once looking forward to finding his mate at one time. Circumstances changed his mind when he met Jonda six months ago on his quest to find his missing king. He fell in love and fully intended to take Jonda as his chosen mate. That was until he found out the love of his life had cheated on him, and on the same night, he ran down his mate who stole Queen Tala's Crown. Now the thief needs his help to protect her son from the Shadow Witch, the same Dark witch that searches for four ancient stones to open the realms gates, unleashing the god of the underworld. Mike: It didn't matter if my mate turned up out of the blue, or that the goddess fated me to a thief and murderer. I had chosen Jonda the moment I laid eyes on her. My wolf had chosen too. One night was all it took to knock my realm off kilt and shatter my heart. A Dark Witch is on the hunt and he's hunting for two things. A set of stones and the jewel thief - Lyric Swift - My mate and her son. Lyric: For five years I have lived as a rogue, wheeling and dealing to survive. For three years I have been a mother. I would do anything to protect my son's secret. Even if that means trusting my Beta mate, a mate I can't be with, a mate I couldn't give myself to. A mate who is in love with another. A mate who makes me feel things I don't want to.

An unknown hybrid alpha and a proud, conceited Alpha...becomes a fated pair, seems like a mistake made by the goddess. She was playing way too much. He was proud, he was prideful, he was looked upon by his subjects, he was the Alpha of the Black shadow pack, Jett, never for once thinking chaos would come knocking on his door till his pack was attacked and he was conquered by a fellow Alpha, how disgraceful! Kneeling there on the muddy grounds, his hands tied behind him, Jett refused to bow to any man born of a woman. But as he gazed around, his harsh eyes landed on his pack members, surrounded, wounded, while other laid on the ground dead. Jett had no choice but to surrender or watch everything he had worked so hard for crash to the ground. Taken to the enemy pack, Jett stayed low. Would he fight to take his land back or would he remained a subject to his enemy pack? Would he destroy everything that Alpha holds dear or would he let himself fall into a pit called love especially when that Alpha turned out to be his mate. Follow Jett as he fought the mate bond and his feelings while trying to avenge his pack. FATED TO THE DEMON ALPHA!

In the shadows of a world where anomalies are feared, Nicolette exists as a forbidden fusion of witch, vampire, and werewolf—a potent concoction of power concealed within a delicate frame. For 683 years, she has eluded the pursuit of a mate, content in her solitary existence, hidden from prying eyes. But fate has other plans when she crosses paths with the formidable Alpha King, Malcom, whose 728 years of existence have been defined by dominance and solitude. Their encounter is accidental, yet destiny seems to whisper secrets only they can decipher. Sparks fly amidst the tension as Nicolette's nonchalant demeanor meets Malcom's unyielding resolve. A clash of wills ensues, each refusing to yield to the other's authority. Malcom, accustomed to command, bristles at the audacity of this mysterious woman who challenges his dominance with an enigmatic laugh. Nicolette, a creature of the shadows, offers no apologies, her confidence unshaken by his intimidating presence. As they navigate the treacherous terrain of their unexpected connection, both confront their own fears and desires. Nicolette, long resigned to solitude, finds herself drawn to Malcom's strength and intensity, while Malcom, who once believed he needed no one, discovers an unexpected yearning in the depths of his heart. But in a world where monsters lurk in every shadow, can love truly conquer all? Or will their differences prove insurmountable, leading to a tragic end for two souls destined to collide? As they stand on the precipice of an uncertain future, only time will tell if their love story will defy the odds or succumb to the darkness that threatens to consume them both.

I accidentally had a one-night stand with my father's enemy. "Morning, mate." He is , holds me tenderly, My eyes widened in fear, my virginity was given to a strange male wolf instead of my fiancé. *************** Ava, the daughter of the Blue River Pack Alpha, Robert. She was doted on by her father as a child. From birth to nineteen, she never left their small village. Until a festival party, her mate found her. The leaders of the Blue River Pack and the Shadow Pack have been sworn enemies for generations. The Shadow Pack lives on the sea, and their werewolves are rumored to be vulgar, savage, and fond of force. Her father has always taught her to stay away from the ruffians of the Shadow Pack, warning her that their aggressive and unpredictable ways make them untrustworthy and dangerous. However, her life changed when the leader of the ruffians found her. "Sweetheart, don't think about running away. Even your father can't stop me."

“Listen to me, if you’re-“ “Shut up.” I was taken aback by his sudden choice of word. “Let’s get something straight miss Grey, I do not appreciate people talking to me, and I loathe it more when people talk back at me. Truthfully, you are crossing your limit and patience with me. So from now on, you’ll do exactly what I say and as I say. You understand me?” ………………………………………………….. Mystery. Romance. Deceit. Finding evidences of her dead brother’s whereabouts, Becky Grey believes that he is still alive. In pursuit to find her brother and restore her family’s remaining happiness, she encounters the infamous and Godforsakenly alluring Russian bastard Sinister Alexander Salvaltore and gets ensnared in his plan of capturing her brother. In order to attain his goal, he offers her a deal. However, the deeper she dives into the tangles of Sinister’s merciless world, she finds herself in a hauntingly farmiliar past. A past that she has been erased from- A past that she cannot escape. Unsettling secrets loom the air of her maddening relationship with Sinister. The question is, will she run from him? Or to him?

"We'll exchange your blood with your sister's. From now on, Jenna will have your scent. She'll go to the Blood Shadow Pack in your place and become Lionel's Luna." Mom said. At this moment I was tightened in a surgery bed. My face filled with disbelief. That was ridiculous! Jenna would replace me to marry my mate?! "No! Lionel is MY MATE!" I screamed. "What about me? What will happen to me?!" "Your father has made his decision. There's no room for backing out now," Mom said, "You're too ordinary, too quiet, my dear, you can't be a good Luna. Lionel will eventually get bored of you and abandon you, and it will also break the relationship between our two Packs. But Jenna is different. She's born a rightful Luna." Mod touched my face but I couldn't feel any warmth from her hand. "No!!!" Tears welled up in my eyes. "No... mom, please..." Mom sighed. She turned around and told the doctor to start the operation. No matter how much I cried or begged, she never looked back at me again. I felt the thick, cold needle piercing my veins, my blood was also draining out ... From now on, I lost my scent, my mate, and even my name...

“I now pronounce you as a husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!” The priest announced and I froze. I knew I was cursed the moment this blood oath was taken which bound me to hell, the hell of this Sinner. My eyelids raised to see the ugly creation of god. My husband! Vladimir Sokolov! His rugged face carved with uncountable ugly marks stung my slow beating heart. His hazel green eyes held a satisfied dark shadow as He pulled me close, raised my chin and whispered coldly, “From this very moment, you share the crown of Bratva’s pakhan. Prepare yourself to bear its weight, Babochka. Because I own your existence now!” He slammed his cold lips on my trembling ones, punishing me with a brutal kiss. Tears pricked my eyes with disgust but I tolerated his touch for the sake of my family. My eyes followed the part of the audience, Russians, who burst into cheers while the other party, Italians, looked at me with remorse and pitiful gazes. Oh yes, how could I forget I was the sacrificed lamb thrusted into hell to get scorched for a lifetime. But No. I still had the last hope to save myself from this cursed fate, this cursed marriage. ………….. Born in a sin will definitely be called the Sinner. Without morality and mercy, Vladimir Sokolov the Bratva’s Pakhan ruled the city with an iron fist. Due to the influence of some political parties He had to marry the Daughter from La Camorra. Rose Barbieri! Marry her, have his heir and wear the title of family man, that's what He planned to do but what He didn’t imagine was that his innocent, submissive wife was someone who would burn the flames of his hell into ashes one day.