Jeff Smith: Agama

Ben has just bought his first house. It's a bit of a fixer-upper. When strange things start happening, he assumes it's the quirkiness of an old house. Because ghosts don't exist, right?

The day I signed the divorce papers, I voluntarily gave up custody of my daughter. Because that day, in the courtroom, she clung to her father’s neck, sobbing with all the fury a six-year-old could muster: “You don’t even love me… do you? If you leave Daddy, I’ll stay with him… and you’ll be all alone forever!” In my past life, I had ignored her childish threats. I fought tooth and nail for her custody. I poured every ounce of myself into raising her. And yet… she spent her entire life hating me. Not once did she ever call me “Mom” until the day I died. On her wedding day, she even invited her father’s mistress to the stage to give a speech of thanks. Now, opening my eyes again, seeing that same cruel little face staring back at me, I simply nodded. “I don’t care.” After all… I never wanted a daughter like her anyway.

On the day that was supposed to be my wedding—the bride wasn’t me. The ceremony I’d waited for five years for turned into a joke when Valentina, my sister, walked down the marble aisle in a white wedding dress. Her arm was linked with Luca’s — the man who was supposed to be waiting for me at the altar. “I’m sorry, Bianca,” she said softly. “But you are no longer the bride today.” Then she touched her stomach, eyes gleaming with triumph. “I’m pregnant with Don Romano’s child.” Her words detonated inside my skull, and the whole world went silent. As if afraid I wouldn’t believe her, she lifted something glossy up towards the light. A black-and-white ultrasound image. It read clearly: Gestational age — 12 weeks. My eyes burned, tears stinging as I turned to Luca, desperately searching for anything—a denial, an explanation, regret. Instead, he only sighed, weary and resigned. “Bianca, I’m sorry.” he said helplessly. “Valentina doesn’t have much time left. This wedding… it was her last wish.” “I’ll make it up to you,” he added. “We can have another wedding later.” My father, Moretti, stood behind him, wearing the same stern expression he’d worn my entire life. I have never seen him smile at me, not even once. “Bianca,” he said sharply, “Your sister is dying. Let her have this.” My brother nodded without saying a single word, as if that was enough to be a solid answer. All my life, they had chosen her—her tears, her whims, her needs—over mine. Today was no different. Something inside me quietly cracked. Fine. If no one in this family cares about me, I’ll leave.

The werewolf kingdom was at war with itself and at the point of extinction. Two Alphas from different worlds who met under strange circumstances unknown to them were fulfilling an ancient and long forgotten prophecy that foretold about a child who is destined to save their kind from total extinction, A Pure Alpha. Isabella Leclair, a formidable warrior of her clan, whom tradition wouldn't allow to succeed her father met Tristan Wolfe, a rogue Alpha, during the Blood Moon and the union set in motion an ancient power that neither of them had any idea how to handle, and as their enemies close in and betrayal lurks around in every corner, Isabella and Tristan together must navigate the dangers of their fate and guide the True Alpha to unite the fractured packs.

— Preciso da sua ajuda para forjar a queda de um jato particular — eu disse calmamente. — É a única maneira de eu conseguir deixar Luca Moretti. As pessoas diziam que ele havia renunciado ao trono da Máfia por minha causa. Chamavam ele do homem que trocou o poder pelo amor, o herdeiro que abandonou sangue e ouro apenas para se casar com uma garçonete das favelas. Durante anos, ele fez o mundo acreditar em nós. Ele construiu impérios sob o meu nome. Ele me enviava rosas toda segunda-feira. Ele dizia à imprensa que eu era a sua salvação. Mas amor nem sempre significa lealdade. Enquanto eu estava ocupada acreditando no para sempre, ele estava construindo um segundo lar pelas minhas costas. Um lar cheio de risadas, brinquedos, e filhos gêmeos que tinham os seus olhos. Na noite em que desapareci, o império dele queimou. Ele devastou cidades, subornou governos, e enterrou homens vivos apenas para me encontrar. Mas, quando ele fez isso eu já tinha partido. E a mulher por quem ele um dia morreria não o amava mais o suficiente para permanecer viva.

Maya hates werewolves. Why wouldn’t she? They killed her parents in the Blood War and they killed her adoptive parents only son. They were welcomed in the town but left only pain, grief and ruin in their wake. The town life is simple after the Blood War, live your life and hate werewolves. Her life becomes a bit complicated when a mysterious boy moves into town and joins their elite private school. Their attraction is magnetic and intense and this new emotion gives Maya a different sense of things, she falls for him, fast and hard. But what happens when he tells her what he truly is? And even worse, when she finds out what she is? Will their messed up relationship stand the test of the truth coming to light or will it break just like the trust she had in him?

“Any conversation we're going to be having is going to be in the four corners of my wall and after that, I'd love and appreciate it if you forgot my name, home address and social security number— if you have that, of course.” “Cute,” he laughs and then winces when I open the drink can with a pop. I raise a brow at him, urging him to continue and then take a sip of my drink as I wait patiently. “ Contrary to what you may think, I'm not here to hurt you or whatever it is you're thinking —” “No shit.” “I'm here to offer you a deal. One I know you wouldn't be able to refuse.” “Sure, Professor Xavier.” This is getting fun and it's the most fun I've had in a few days. “Marry me.” ********** I had a one night stand with a handsome, enigmatic stranger. It was drunk decision; one I promised myself never to indulge in. Putting aside my regret, I continue with life and the trials it keeps throwing my way. As a girl used to surprises, what I don't expect is seeing this stranger from months ago at my doorstep and offering me a deal I can't seem to refuse: a marriage contract in exchange for my biggest wishes to be fulfilled.

Nothing can be compared to the feeling of being hated and despised by the very person you love. Ayla would do anything to make CEO Jaxon love her and change his opinion about her but nothing seemed to change him. Forced to perform her wifely duties even though he didn't love her, Ayla was getting fed up of lying to herself that she could change him and that he would love her if she kept trying. “ I can't do this anymore,” she cried silently as she rubbed the bump on her stomach. She knew she had reached her limits when she became pregnant with his children, that only meant their divorce was around the corner. Choosing not to be dumped and separated from her children, she flees to give them a better life while doing the thing she loves most. She was no longer going to sacrifice her life to please anyone else, only then does the stern CEO realize the value of what he had lost. Now, he has to win her back.

I joined the Order of Valhalla Bridge because it was simple; they get the jobs; they send you your assignment, and once completed you get paid. That's exactly how this assignment was supposed to go. Just somewhere along the way, the web became so tangled. One slip messed up everything, now my target has turned into the hunter, intent on making me his prey. Determined to take what he thinks is his. Why would he think I was his Bride? They ordered my team to track him down, recover what was stolen, and kill him. Yet I reacted to his touch. If The Order found out, I would be dishonored. Now I am stuck between a possessive Alpha obsessed with a new toy, a vampire who thinks me his bride and a Berserker intent on winning me. What could possibly go wrong?

Lyra Vayne, daughter of Alpha Thorne of the Stormfall Pack, was raised on one truth, the Bloodline Pack is the enemy. Their wolves are killers, their Alpha ruthless, and any wolf who crosses their path is expected to be killed without hesitation. Lyra has never questioned this; hatred is easier than doubt, and loyalty is survival. But everything Lyra believes begins to unravel the day she encounters Talia Blackthorn, the Bloodpine Alpha’s daughter. Instead of violence, Lyra finds a girl as restless and lonely as she is. Against every law and instinct, the two form a secret friendship… one that would be catastrophic if discovered. Their fragile bond is shattered when the Rogue Dominion ambushes them. Forced to fight for their lives, Lyra is stunned when Alpha Kaelan Blackthorn, Talia’s father and Stormfall’s sworn enemy, arrives to save them. His presence is cold, commanding, and impossible to ignore. And when Lyra meets his eyes, something inside her shifts in a way she cannot explain. She tries to avoid him, but fate has other plans. Again and again, Lyra and Kaelan cross paths, during border patrols, rogue attacks, and moments neither can justify. Their connection deepens into something dangerous, something forbidden. To be seen together would mean treason. To act on their bond could ignite a catastrophic war. It could destroy everything they love. But as the Rogue Dominion grows stronger, threatening to destroy both packs, Lyra and Kaelan may be the only ones capable of stopping the coming darkness… if they can survive the fire between them and the risks it holds.