Manila Film Center

That night, Liam served me my usual evening tea. I trusted him completely—he was my mate, after all, and a respected healer of Thornpack. I shouldn't have. When I woke up the next morning, my head was spinning. The special safe where I kept the morphing inhibitor—the one I'd spent my entire savings to import from Europe for our daughter Isla—was empty. Racing to the healing center, I found Liam celebrating. He was handing out moon-blessed wine, beaming with pride as Natalie's daughter Anna showed off her perfect transformation. My inhibitor had been used on his first love's pup instead of our own daughter. The shock triggered something in my brain. When I collapsed, they diagnosed me with the rare tumor that plagued our kind. Without inhibitors, I couldn't stop Isla's transformation that came early, her six year old body couldn't handle the massive wolf form and the force ripped through her young body. And I, for one, don't even have enough money to keep her in a treatment center. She died in my arms three days later, her little claws drawing blood as the pain overwhelmed her. Until her last breath, she kept asking why Papa hadn't come. Now, in my cold, empty home, with the white porcelain urn containing her ashes on the table, I touch her and decide to sever our partnership.

Jendela rumahku gemetar oleh kekuatan guntur yang bergemuruh di langit. Petir menyambar di kejauhan, menerangi malam. Dalam momen kecil itu, beberapa detik cahaya yang membutakan mata menampilkan sosok pria yang berdiri di luar jendelaku. Memperhatikanku. Selalu memperhatikanku. Aku menjalani rutinitas, seperti yang selalu kulakukan. Jantungku berdegup kencang dan berdetak tidak teratur, napasku menjadi dangkal, dan tangan-tanganku menjadi lembab. Tidak peduli berapa kali aku melihatnya, dia selalu menimbulkan reaksi yang sama dariku. Ketakutan, Dan kegembiraan. Aku tidak tahu mengapa hal itu membuatku merasa gembira. Ada yang salah dengan diriku. Tidak normal bagi panas cairan untuk mengalir dalam pembuluh darahku, meninggalkan sensasi terbakar di belakangnya. Tidak biasa bagi pikiranku untuk mulai merenung tentang hal-hal yang seharusnya tidak aku pikirkan. Apakah dia bisa melihatku sekarang? Mengenakan hanya atasan tipis, puting susuku menonjol melalui kain? Atau celana pendek yang kupakai yang hampir tidak menutupi pantatku? Apakah dia suka pemandangan ini? Tentu saja dia suka. Itulah mengapa dia memperhatikanku, bukan begitu? Itulah mengapa dia kembali setiap malam, semakin berani dengan tatapannya sementara aku diam-diam menantangnya. Berharap dia mendekat, sehingga aku punya alasan untuk menempelkan pisau ke lehernya. Sejujurnya, aku takut padanya. Sungguh takut. Tapi pria yang berdiri di luar jendelaku membuatku merasa seolah-olah aku duduk di dalam ruangan gelap, satu lampu menyala dari televisi di mana film horor diputar di layar. Itu sangat menakutkan, dan yang aku inginkan hanyalah bersembunyi, tetapi ada bagian dari diriku yang membuatku tetap diam, membuka diri pada ketakutan. Menemukan sensasi kecil dari situ. Sekarang kembali gelap, dan petir menyambar di daerah yang lebih jauh.

Daaaarrr ! Lagi-lagi suara petir, biarpun aku nggak terlonjak seperti tadi tapi cukup bikin hati lumayan ngenes. Dengan kecepatan siput seperti ini jam berapa aku akan sampai Jakarta. Aku mendesah sedih, desahan yang sia-sia karena cuman aku sendiri yang tahu. Bruukkk ! Aku kaget lima kepalang. Aku menabrak sesuatu? Buru-buru aku melankah ke depan mobil, ingin melihat apa yang tadi sepertinya aku tabrak. Noooooo…..orang? Ada orang…eh laki-laki jatuh tertunduk di depan mobilku. “Tempat apa ini?” akhirnya dia berbicara. Pheeeww…aku menarik nafas lega, minimal dia bisa berbicara, coba kalau dia ternyata tidak bisa berbicara dan aku tidak tahu menahu bahasa isyarat bagaimana kita akan berkomunikasi coba? “Bandung….” Jawabku ragu-ragu, aku tidak yakin apa maksud pertanyaan dia dengan “tempat apa ini”, apa maksudnya kita di mana? Aku yakin sih aku belum meninggalkan bandung. “Bandung? Apa itu nama desa?” Hah…dia tidak tau Bandung? Mati gue, jangan-jangan tabrakan tandi membuat dia gegar otak. Sekarang dia mengalami amnesia dan tidak tahu siapa dirinya, tidak tahu apapun! Terus apa yang harus aku lakukan? Tiba-tiba aku ingat film Jason Bourne, dimana dia mengalami amnesia setelah tertembak dan jatuh ke laut. Tetapi lelaki ini bukan Jason Bourne, tapi dari postur badan dan wajahnya bisa saja lho dia menjadi the next Jason Bourne. Aarrrgghhh gue ngelantur lagi. “Mas ingat namanya siapa?” ok, pertanyaan basic untuk memastikan apakah dia amnesia atau bukan. “Gajah Mada” jawabnya singkat. Aku dengan refleks menyunggingkan senyum kecil, pasti emak bapak si emas ini adalah fans berat patih maha tersohor dari Majapahit tersebut. “Kenapa kamu tersenyum?” tanyanya membuyarkan lamunanku.

Anim na taon ang nakalipas, muling nakaluwas sa Manila si Apple Gallardo upang makatulong sa kanilang business. Nang gabing din iyon ay niyaya siya ng matalik niyang kaibigan na pumunta sa bar para sa kanyang welcome back party. Kasagsagan na ng init at kasiyahan bumaba si Apple, may nakabagga si Apple, isang lalaking matipuno na siyang natipuhan niya agad. Zamuel Zimmerman, isang konsehal sa Kyusi. Ang pamilya niya rin ang may hawak na Internet provider sa buong Pilipinas. Ang lalaking nabunggo ni Apple ng gabing iyon. Nang dahil sa alak ay uminit ang katawan ni Apple nang makita ang binata, hinalikan niya ito na siyang may nangyari sa kanila ng gabing iyon. Nang magising si Apple kinabukasan, nauna siyang umalis at hindi pinagsabi ang tungkol sa nangyaring one night stand sa kanya at ng lalaki. Sa hindi inaasahan, nakita muli ni Apple ang lalaking naka—one night stand niya. Nagpakilala ito at nalaman niyang barkada ito ng kanyang kuya at isa rin siyang konsehal, lalo naʼt Ninong pala niya ang lalaki. Sa pagkagulat niya ay gusto na sana niyang umalis pero nakita na lamang niya ang kanyang sariling umuungol muli habang sinasamba siya. Kaya inalok niya itong itago ang kanilang relasyon, kahit naguguluhan si Zamuel ay pumayag siya sa gusto ni Apple. Lumipas ang buwan, naging masaya ang tagong relasyon nilang dalawa. Balak na sana sabihin ni Apple ang tungkol sa kanila ni Zamuel, pero biglang dumating ang problema sa pagitan nila. Si Tanya — ang babaeng nakalaan na ipakasal kay Zamuel. Sa pagdating ng babae ay magbabago ang pakikitungo ni Zamuel sa kanya, lalo naʼt nalaman niyang ikakasal na sila. Ilalaban kaya ni Apple ang pagmamahal niya sa binata kung mismo ng lalaki na ang pumutol sa pagitan nila? Lalaban pa ba si Apple para sa salitang pag-ibig?

One maiden, one Luna, one drop-dead gorgeous Alpha from hell. It is all Elizabeth Milkhart can think about when she is summoned to the dreaded Blackwood Castle to be a surrogate mate for the infertile Luna, Cassandra Blackwood. Elizabeth believes it had to have been a misunderstanding, humans in the dreaded castle were unheard of, and yet, there she was, bending over and being probed and dressed by the royal consorts for the mysterious Alpha’s viewing. Her presence in the pack causes tension and it is all Elizabeth can do not to run to the hills screaming as she is thrust deeper and deeper into the web of lies and deceit that shrouded the castle, at the center of which was Ezra Blackwood. She knew he wasn't good for her, and yet, Elizabeth finds that try as she might, she just couldn't get the brooding werewolf King with searing gray eyes out of her head. Wild, Quiet, and blonde. That was how Alpha Ezra Blackwood liked his women. It was what had made him settle for the love-torn marriage with Princess Cassandra. He is content to drink his mornings and sulk his nights away until the ravishing redhead falls right into his lap. Literally. Elizabeth Milkhart is the only human the powerful Alpha can't seem to get out of his mind, even when he knows he is bad for her. In and Out like the other surrogates, that was all she had to do right? Wrong. Ezra finds himself falling for the human before long, a fate he wouldn't admit even to himself, vowing to destroy her utterly before it happens and she him.

"The Love Game" is an enthralling tale of love, betrayal, and unexpected alliances that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Casper Sullivan, a billionaire who built his pharmaceutical empire from scratch, finds himself at the center of a twisted game orchestrated by his ex-fiancée, Kendall White. When Kendall leaves him for his twin brother, Ryan, who recently inherited their family's company, Casper is shocked. Anika Hart is a PR professional working for Stoll Communications. Anika has been tasked with securing Casper as a client, but she quickly becomes entangled in his complicated life. Drawn to each other, Casper and Anika forge a connection. As Casper navigates the aftermath of Kendall's betrayal, he realizes that there is more to her betrayal. Twisted by her own greed and desire for power, Kendall becomes the true villain of the story, orchestrating a series of manipulations to destroy Casper's company and reputation. The plot thickens when Casper discovers shocking evidence that points to his own twin brother, Ryan, as a co-conspirator in Kendall's malicious plan. The revelation sets in motion a thrilling sequence of events as the truth uncovers, exposing the real culprits behind the elaborate scheme. In a mind-blowing climax, Casper confronts Ryan in a battle of wits and emotions, culminating in a shocking twist that shatters their bond as brothers. "The Love Game" takes readers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, exploring themes of love, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to protect their own interests. As Casper and Anika navigate the treacherous game of love, they discover that true strength lies in their ability to forge an unbreakable connection and rise above the darkest of betrayals.

"You don't belong here." The people I believed I could trust threw those comments at me, and they rang in my ears for years. My foes, my packmates, and my tormentors are Cassian and Kade. They turned every action I took into something improper and out of character, making my life a living misery. And perhaps I did believe them for a while. But when I turn 19, everything is different. My abilities come to life, more potent and terrifying than I could have ever dreamed. All of a sudden, they are pulled to me as my destined partners rather than as adversaries. The icy Alpha-in-waiting Cassian is troubled by the thought of his future. The vicious Beta Kade is constantly engaged in a game of control and domination. Then there is Alaric, the enigmatic outsider with a secret that has the potential to ruin us all. Destiny created our unshakable bond, but I never wanted to be a pawn in someone else's game. I'm becoming more and more aware that nothing is as it seems. I am at the center of several mysteries that are deeply ingrained in the history of our pack. It's this bond that I wish to resist. I want to despise everyone. However, there is no denying the draw between us. I feel like my heart and soul are breaking apart piece by piece with every touch and look. As the full moon rises, I find myself standing on the edge of all my fears. Then I hear it—the one fact for which I could have been unprepared. "Tonight, one of you will pass away." Who will it be? Is it possible for me to halt it before it is too late?

After working abroad for several years, I returned home, only to have my parents arrange a blind date for me. He was tall and strikingly handsome, honest in character, steady in demeanor, and came from an excellent family background. In short, the perfect candidate for a husband. I told myself that sooner or later, marriage was inevitable, so I settled on him. The day before the wedding, I went to the church—only to be stunned by the sight before me. The entire place had been transformed into something sinister and grotesque. The walls were plastered with terrifying photos of corpses, the floor littered with wax figures of severed arms and legs, and even the flowers had been dyed black, dripping with blood-red stains. But the most infuriating part was the image hanging right at the center of the church—an AI-generated picture of me, pinned beneath my fiancé, as he whipped me. My whole body trembled with fury. I stormed at the staff still working on the decorations, ordering them to stop immediately. Just then, his best friend, Nina Cullen, walked in. "Don't stop. Yves prefers this wedding style." I froze, staring at her in disbelief. "How is that possible? Who in their right mind would decorate something as joyous as a wedding with gore? This is insane!" Nina only gave a cold, arrogant laugh. "That's the theme. If you want to marry him, you'll have to accept it." Speechless, I immediately called Yves. "Yves, I'm not interested in getting married in a haunted house. You'd better restore the church to normal; otherwise, this wedding is off."

Five years after I rejected my mate, Shawn, he had become the Lycan King — and most importantly, he now had a beautiful mate. During the Werewolf Alumni Reunion, someone suddenly brought me up. “What’s Kendra been busy with? She hasn’t shown up at a single reunion in years.” Someone sneered. “She’s too busy seducing alphas from other packs — on airplanes.” “On airplanes?” “Yeah. She’s a werewolf flight attendant with FullMoon Airways. They cater to alphas and lunas from all kinds of packs. I’ve seen her on board before. You wouldn’t believe how flattering she acts around those prestigious wolves.” “Really? Kendra’s a werewolf attendant? No surprise — she’s always dreamed of being claimed by some single alpha.” Hearing that, Shawn, sitting at the center of the table, flinched slightly. His fists tightened. “A werewolf attendant?” he murmured. “Yeah, Shawn... but haven’t you gotten over her by now? It’s been years.” He froze for a second, then quickly composed himself and held his mate’s hand beside him. Everyone’s attention turned to the flickering moonstone ring on her finger. “I’ve long forgotten her,” he said flatly. “Come to my bonding ceremony next month. There will be a sacred ritual at the temple.” “Wow...” Applause filled the hall. But only I, whose soul had been drifting in the air all along, slowly lowered my head upon hearing the news.

PEUT AIMER SURVIVRE DANS UN MONDE DE ZOMBIES ET D'ÉTRANGERS ! Dans un monde dystopique qui lutte pour se remettre d'une guerre nucléaire et qui est dominé et gouverné par des extraterrestres, Kendra parvient à trouver l'amour, la paix et l'harmonie. Malheureusement, son bonheur domestique est brisé lorsqu'elle et son mari sont capturés par le régime extraterrestre et placés dans le programme d'élevage. Avec l'aide et le sacrifice de son doux gardien, ils parviennent à s'échapper. Leurs corps sont libres, mais qu'en est-il de leurs esprits ? Est-ce qu'il s'est passé trop de choses pour qu'ils reviennent l'un à l'autre ? Pour ajouter à l'histoire, leur fils est emmené à Center Land dans la terre intérieure et placé dans le programme pour enfants. Maintenant, ils doivent trouver un moyen de le récupérer ! "The Regime" est le deuxième tome du voyage de Kendra dans un monde qui offre une romance torride, des dangers de se ronger les ongles, des sensations fortes, un peu d'horreur et un sanctuaire paradisiaque en son sein. Il ne lui reste plus qu'à s'y rendre.