John Lloyd Cruz Lock

"Dad? Tell me it's not true! You didn't steal the painting from Mr. Miller, did you?" asked Rebecca almost in a whisper, her body trembling violently, she was not ready to hear the answer. "I'm sorry Becky, I'm so sorry..." Rebecca sat limply on the floor, unable to believe what she had just heard. "Okay, that's enough! You've heard it clearly, right, Ms. Beckett? Your father will pawn you to me until he could return the painting that he stole from me! John, take her!" interrupted James Miller, the billionaire whose painting was stolen by William Becket, Rebecca's father. From that day on, Rebecca's life was no longer the same, she had to give up her freedom by living with James Miller and serving all his needs. At first, everything was going fine until one day James Miller found out that William Beckett was collaborating with a Russian mafia in the theft of his painting and had absolutely no intention of returning the painting to him. He became very angry and began to make Rebecca's 'life' a threat. But one drunken night turned things upside down...

For eight years, I stayed by John Harlem's side, even without a title. I was there when he recovered and rose from his wheelchair, and I was there when he clawed his way out of depression. I thought that one day, if I endured long enough, he would see my sincerity and affection for him. And we might end up together. But when his first love returned to the country, all my hopes turned into delusions. He told me to put away feelings I should never have had and remain by his side as nothing more than his "sister". For her, he deceived me, humiliated me, and pushed me away. What he never knew was that in helping him heal, I had absorbed far too much of his darkness. The very day he stopped taking his medication, I was diagnosed with severe depression. In order to save myself, I chose to let him go… and married his uncle instead. But at my wedding, he set aside his pride and dignity, dropped to his knees before everyone, and begged me for nothing more than a single glance.

Luke Mason, an average teenager who just turned 18, who lived with her mother, Angela, in the suburbs of Cebu City. He acquired his scholarship to study in a prestigious school, the University of San Carlos. A school unaffordable for low-class families like him. The scholarship made it possible for Luke to study in that school for free. His father, Erik Mason, left them four years ago for matters that he did not yet understand. Before his leaving, his father promised Luke to give him a gift if he turned 18. Luke met Maria Cruz at school and fell in love in secret. Maria was mysteriously beautiful, rich, and popular. But Luke sensed something peculiar about Maria and in one incident, Luke found out that Maria is a witch. The secret stayed between them and they eventually became friends. Months after Luke's birthday, his father Erik, visits them back home. Erik explained to his ex-wife, Angela, the purpose of his visit, to give Luke the long-time promised gift. Erik handed him an attache case. In it was a Moonstone Pendant and a dagger, weapons in killing witches. Luke then knew that his father is a witch hunter that came from a long lineage of witch hunters, called the Keepers. The Founders of the Keepers held a tradition to pass down their legacy to their children when they reached 18 yrs of age. The events now twisted as Luke tried to weigh his options, to kill Maria and her family of witches or leave them be, imposing danger to society.

Isang matapang na dalagang negosyante si Ysabella Cruz na handang gawin ang lahat para mailigtas ang pamilya nila sa pagkakautang—kahit pa ang kapalit ay isang kasunduang kasal. Ang catch? Ang lalaking papakasalan niya ay si Mayor Alaric Dela Vega—bata, makapangyarihan, at misteryosong lider ng kanilang bayan. Hindi inaasahan ni Ysabella na ang lalaking minsang tumulong sa kanya noong kabataan pa sila ay siya ring magiging "asawa" niya ngayon—ngunit sa papel lamang. May sariling dahilan si Mayor Alaric kung bakit pumayag siya sa kasunduan: kailangan niyang mapanatili ang imahe niyang "settled" upang matuloy ang pagtakbo sa mas mataas na posisyon sa pulitika. Ngunit habang lumilipas ang mga buwan sa ilalim ng iisang bubong, unti-unting nabubura ang hangganan ng kasunduan. Sa pagitan ng mga scripted na halik sa harap ng kamera at mga gabing puno ng katahimikan, may damdaming unti-unting nagigising. Hanggang kailan sila magtatago sa likod ng kontrata? At kapag dumating ang oras ng pag-pirma ng annulment papers, sino ang unang aatras—ang pusong natutong magmahal o ang pusong takot masaktan muli?

After two years of marriage, I believed I was living the dream—until the day I gave birth to our long-awaited heir. The house was filled with joy as my husband's family arrived, bearing gifts and ready to bestow a name upon our child, as tradition dictated. But the happiness of the day shattered in an instant when my husband walked in, hand in hand with his childhood sweetheart. In front of everyone, he announced not only our divorce but also his engagement to her, as if I had never mattered. *** "I’m divorcing Stacy," Jason announces, his voice unwavering, "to marry Nicole Cruz, my childhood sweetheart." He points to the woman standing before him who smiles and waves at everyone in the room. My world tilts on its axis. The words echo in my mind, louder and louder until they drown out everything else. What is going on?? "But why?" I whisper, my voice barely audible, even to myself. I'm unable to believe his betrayal. Jason doesn’t even glance at the child in my arms. "Because this has been a long time coming, Stacy. I’ve only stayed this long out of obligation and not love." Important Author’s Note: This is a rewritten version of my book The Alpha’s Betrayal: Reclaiming His Rejected Luna. From Chapter 12 onward, the story takes a new turn with fresh twists and drama. Thank you for reading—I hope you enjoy this new version!

I shouldn't be doing this. But I can't help it, ever since that night I let him take control, I craved more. He grabbed my chin raising me from the position that had me on my fours. "You're being a very. Good girl."-- Dominic Castellano is a name that commands fear. Cold, ruthless, and untouchable, he has built an empire on blood and power, crushing anyone who dares to challenge him. He doesn’t tolerate mistakes. He doesn’t entertain weakness. And above all, he doesn’t trust anyone outside his tightly controlled circle. He has spent years expanding his reach, eliminating threats, and ensuring that no one—not the law, not his rivals—can touch him. But when he finally finds her—the woman he had a one night stand with but had disappeared by morning. She changes everything Elena Monroe—A captain. She obviously didn't’t belong in his world. Her constant actions to take him down kept reminding both of them of their growing connection. Elena believes if she can lock him up for good she'll be able to let go of her past and forget all about Domnic. She doesn't like the way he makes her feel completely helpless and submissive. Despite her attempts to hide it, he's everything she fantasizes. But with her father in the way and constant enemy attacks they are forced to make a tragic decision.

I fumbled with the lock, my pulse hammering. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t want this. "Alaric," I breathed, but his name barely made it past my lips before his hands were on me—hot, demanding, unstoppable. "Tell me to stop," he murmured against my throat, his fingers sliding beneath my dress. "Tell me you don’t want this." I opened my mouth—to argue, to push him away—but all that came out was a soft, shuddering gasp as he found the one place that betrayed me. His dark chuckle sent a shiver down my spine. "That’s what I thought." __ Betrayed and humiliated at the altar. Isla never planned to ruin herself in the arms of another man. But heartbreak led her straight into the grasp of Alaric Voss—powerful, ruthless, and twice her age. One night. No names. No future. Or so she thought. Because when the sun rose, Isla came face-to-face with her new boss—the same man who had just claimed her in every sinful way possible. Now, resisting him is impossible. He’s everywhere—watching, teasing, owning her with every smirk, every touch. She swore it was a mistake. He swears it’s just the beginning. And the more she fights him, the more she realizes the truth: She was his from the moment he laid eyes on her. And Alaric Voss doesn’t let what’s his slip away.

Beatrise Mendoza, sa batang edad ay nangarap nang maging isang artista hindi lang upang makatulong sa kanyang pamilya kundi para matamasa rin ang karangyaang mayroon ang mga ito. Kaya nang dumating ang isang hindi inaasahang pagkakataon sa katauhan ng kanyang tiyahing taga-Maynila ay agad niya iyong sinunggaban. Pero ang inakala niyang abot-kamay na pangarap ay hindi pala gano'n kadaling abutin. Dahil hindi pala madaling makapasok sa industriyang iyon. At dahil sa natamong kabiguan ay hindi niya naiwasang humanap ng masasandalan at makakapitan, at natagpuan niya iyon sa katauhan ng kanyang pinsan na si John Carl, ang panganay na anak ng kanyang tiyahin. Ngunit hindi niya napaghandaan ang isang malaking dagok sa kanyang buhay. Dahil unang kita pa lang sa lalaki ay nahumaling na siya rito kaya ng maging mas malapit sila at makilala ang tunay nitong ugali ay lalong nahulog ang kanyang loob. Paano pa niya haharapin ang pag-abot sa kanyang pangarap na tila kay ilap kung maging pati ang paghihirap ng kanyang damdamin ay nakakadagdag sa kanyang dalahin?

In this post-apocalyptic world, all the supernatural species in the world belong to what is referred to as The Hidden. They have banded together to survive the humans destroying themselves and each other in hidden colonies around the world. Amara, future alpha of her pack, and her secret lover Trent, future alpha of an enemy pack, are caught in a love triangle of sorts. Amara’s parents keep trying to push her towards Tobias, alpha of an ally pack. Now the Council Collective is planning on going out to find human survivors and bring them back to integrate into their colony. Amara and Trent decide to go public and tell their families they are together. Alpha John, Trent’s father has other plans. He sends Trent on a mission to pick up survivors, making Amara think he has abandoned her. Not long after, Amara finds out she is pregnant. Amara chooses to go after Trent, and unbeknownst to him she discovers his deep dark secret. She runs away from Trent and everything she knows and ends up finding the last thing she thought she would ever find in this wreck of a world. Could she really have found her fated mate after all this time? And in a human? Will she go back to Trent? Or will she give this unexpected twist of fate a chance?

"You can't walk away," he whispered, his breath hot against my ear. "Not now." I never should've followed him. I knew it the second I saw his dark, predatory eyes lock onto mine across the bar. But I couldn't stop myself. I was drawn to him, to the danger simmering beneath his cool, controlled exterior. "One night," I told myself, "just one night." But it wasn't just a night. It was a raw, thrilling ride into darkness, where he took control in ways l'd never imagined. "Do you like it when I make you beg?" he growled, and I did. God, I did. By morning, I was tangled in his sheets, marked by his touch, my body still aching from the things he'd done to me. But when I opened my eyes and saw his face in the cold light of day, reality hit like a punch to the gut. The man l'd spent the night with, the one who made me surrender in every way possible, wasn't just a sexy stranger. He was a mafia kingpin-one of the most feared men in the city. And me? I'm the future district attorney, the one assigned to take him down. "You belong to me now," he said, his voice a deadly promise. And as much as I wanted to deny it, I knew he was right. But what happens when the lines between law and lust blur beyond recognition?