Mantis Blades Elden Ring

Livia Cross is finally about to live the life of her dreams after landing a job but her fragile dream crashes to the ground when she finds out that her mother gambled away everything, even the roof over their heads. To keep her mother and two sisters off the streets, she must sell not just her body but her very soul and the Mafia King, Nikolai Volkov is buying. Thrust into a life of danger with no preparations, Livia must navigate the treacherous world of the Mafia that Nikolai rules, and survive. In this world, friend is foe, the shadows wield blades eager for her blood and the only person she can turn to is the soulless man who holds her life in his hands. Neither of them account for their irresistible attraction. She should be no more than a tool in Nikolai’s grand scheme but there is nobody else capable of shattering his flawless control, to his utter frustrations. Secrets are vile snakes best left unbothered but what happens when Livia uncovers the rotten core of this underworld dynasty? What if the man that bought her has the deadliest secrets of all? Exactly which secret will she pay for her with her life and when the time comes, will she tear Nikolai Volkov down to save her soul?

Alice Ashford was born a hunter. Trained to kill the monsters that haunted the night, she wore her family’s legacy like armor, silver bullets, sharpened blades, and a name feared by every werewolf in West-bridge. But one secret kiss with Liam, the golden boy of her school…and the son of the Crimson Moon Alpha, shatters everything. Because Liam isn’t just a wolf, he’s her blood and her forbidden half-brother. And then there’s Kane. Silent, watchful, dangerous in ways Liam never was. A werewolf from a rival pack who should have been her enemy, but instead becomes her shield. Torn between loyalty and desire, family and fate, Alice uncovers a truth more devastating than the lies she’s been fed: she isn’t human at all. She’s the bridge between worlds, hunter and wolf, hated by both, desired by many. When war ignites between packs and hunters, Alice must choose where she stands… and who she’s willing to bleed for. Because in the end, love can save her, or destroy her. And the monsters aren’t just in the woods.

"Cry, Mermaid!" a sharp lash sliced into my back, forcing a yelp from my lips. Screams and sobs surrounded me on all sides, but no one would save me. Strong hands caught me beneath my arms and yanked me from the water. It was time for Tail Cut. The operation lasted hours. I felt every last slice of their blades, every new tendon sewn into my muscles and nail hammered into my bones. I screamed. I begged. I begged for them to stop, for them to kill me, just ended the pain. --- I have a secret, I am a mermaid. I should live in the ocean, but my tail was cut and I only owned legs. After escaping to Asterion, I hid my identity. I thought I could finally live a peaceful life, until that day I met the famous bad boy, the future Alpha, Caspian. --- I felt a strange prickling on the back of my neck. I spun around just in time to see Caspian prowling towards me through the darkened wings, his blue eyes positively glowing. Sharp white teeth flashed as Caspian's lips unfurled into a lethal grin, "Hello Mate."

The world was glorious, shining like gold in the middle of the universe as people raised their toasts, celebrating the victory they had. However, the victory they achieved turned out to be a nightmare. The victors swung their blades as the blood of their own kin spread on the floor. The victors did everything, no matter how cruel it is, just to achieve victory. In the end, the world was like a paradise—a deceptive paradise everyone thought was glorious . . . but it isn't. It was fiendish. Maximaze was a child from the lowest level of civilization, a slave of the superiors. Maze just wanted a peaceful life with her mother, Sybil, while desiring to find her father who was separated from them since the day she was born. Until one day, an old friend of her parents entered her life and gave her an opportunity to study. However, there was a condition. Maze needed to be one of the candidates to become a Death Judge and travel the world. Her desire for peace made her continue the ruthless road of becoming the Death Judge. Her quiet yet terrific life with her mother before became more chaotic—worse than slavery. As she wandered the world, she found out the truth. Maze's dreams shattered into pieces—nightmares kept visiting her, day and night. Since that day, she received a horrific reminder.

In a world full of werewolves and vampires, a huge power struggle is threatening to take over. At the centre of it all is the Ring and Journal of Lythian, said to have the key to ultimate control. Audrey, rejected mate of the Alpha's son and a reborn Ashtarah, and Leo, leader of a vampire resistance cult called the Shadows, are both trying to get their hands on the artifacts to further their evil ambitions and cause chaos. But against all odds, Adrian and Lily, the "chosen one", have found each other and their special powers may be the key that tips the balance in the fight. As Audrey's plans become more dangerous, secrets are revealed and it's up to Lily to use the Ring and Journal to figure out how to stop her. With the help of her friends Sarah, Theo and Tyler, she goes on a dangerous mission to uncover the truth and save the realm. Will Lily be able to decide between her love for Adrian and her commitment to her pack? Or will she have to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to keep the person she loves safe? "Forbidden Mate" is a story of love, sacrifice and the ultimate fight between good and evil - where the decisions of a few can decide the fate of many.

It was said that son was the enemy of her previous life. Her twin sons must have a big grudge against her. The proposal roses were replaced with chrysanthemums. The proposal ring was replaced with weed. They stole his father's clothes on their wedding day and made him late. "You brats, when I become your father, I will teach you a lesson!

“I, Rhys Blackford, reject you, Felza Blackford, as my chosen mate.” His words felt like sharp blades slicing through my body, and I couldn't seem to stop those knives or the words from penetrating me. “Rhy…Rhys! Don't do this,” I croaked out shamelessly, even after catching him with his destined mate. I know this all seems confusing, but yeah, I caught my mate and husband with his destined mate in our bedroom, and he chose the cowardly way of punishing me for his sins by rejecting me. “We vowed to never hurt each other, Rhys! Even if we meet our destined mates,” I reminded him, standing up straight and looking into his eyes. “It was before meeting her, but now that I know the feeling of a real mate bond, I don't want you anymore,” he threw the words carelessly with indifference. I know the Moon goddess paired mates to have a symphony in packs, but sometimes bonds and destiny didn't stand a chance in front of true love and soulmates. But now I know it's bullshit because the so-called true love and soulmate kicked me to the ground and ruined me.

“Do you take this woman to be your wife? For richer or poorer, in sickness and health, will you remain faithful to her for the rest of your life?” I looked at Bridget with deep affection and was just about to speak. “Wait!” shouted someone urgently. I turned around in confusion and looked toward the audience. There stood a man holding a baby in his arms. He said pleadingly, “Bridget, our child is hungry… could we pause the wedding for a moment?” Hearing this, everyone erupted in an uproar. It felt like a bolt of lightning had struck me. Only then did I realize that Bridget had a child with another man. Bridget hurried off the stage, then turned to me coldly and said, “I only agreed to marry you out of obligation. But the moment Vernon appeared, I knew it. There’s no one else I want to marry but him.” So, she took off the ring and dragged the man away without looking back. I stood alone at the end of the aisle and clutched the undelivered ring in my hand, as a flood of bitterness crashed through every corner of my heart.

At our tenth engagement party, my girlfriend crushed my heart again, leaving my proposal ring dangling in the air. She had been chasing the ghost of her first love, and I was done being her fallback guy. When I finally opened my heart to someone new, she realized what she'd lost. Ten years together, ten engagement parties, and still, she wouldn't take my ring. Every time we reached the moment to exchange vows, she'd stare at the door, waiting for that man to swoop in and rescue her. She swore she'd only marry me if he crashed the party, claiming it would prove she'd truly chosen me. This time, I couldn't hold back. "If he never shows, are you just gonna keep stringing me along forever?" She shot back, "He still loves me. He'll show up to stop this. Besides, we've been together a decade. Does a ring even matter at this point?"

Alpha Kai's Son. My father's shadow still dominates the BloodCrest Pack I'm trying to lead; even becoming Alpha didn't change a damn thing. So I take my anger out on any poor bastard put in the steel ring with me. It calms me, but only for a few hours; because blood-red rage follows me everywhere I go. It follows me into the cage the night I'm pitted against an opponent half my size. An opponent with a bigger chest than your average gym buff. A woman... I think I'm doing the right thing by refusing the fight because I know this woman will meet Death at my hands. That is, until my wolf growls the word I never expected to hear in the middle of a fight. MATE. With a name as sweet as her scent and a right hook to match, I know I can't accept Cherie as my mate. Not with the beast I inherited from my tainted bloodline - a Lycan with a thirst for blood… So do I reject sweet Cherie to protect her, or do I indulge in the whims of my beast and claim her? * Cherie I didn't expect to meet my mate when I decided to step into that ring that night. But the second my wolf recognized its mate, I knew it wouldn't be over. Creed Volkov is every bit as terrifying as they say, but I won't allow myself to be bullied by another man. I've come here to win; I NEED to win in order to protect those close to me. Running away from Creed seems like the logical choice, I find myself in that ring with him again. Why can't I bring myself to say the Rejection Vow? And why am I suddenly having dreams about a red-haired woman?