Romans & histoires Mark Manio

I was prepping the ceremonial cloak for our seventh mating anniversary. The front door suddenly banged open. My son rushed inside, tears streaming down his face. "The teacher yelled at me," he sobbed. He shoved the wrinkled drawing into my hands before burying his face in my shirt. I smoothed out the paper to see what the drama was about. It was a sketch of a faceless woman titled: The Substitute Mom. My heart stopped as I read the scribbles underneath. "Daddy said she is the backup." "She does the chores but gets no wages." "The Real Mom is responsible for being beautiful and guarding the treasury." My fingertips turned ice-cold against the paper. My mate, Ethan, had just returned from a patrol. He kissed my forehead. "What did our pup draw?" The next second, his smile froze when he saw the content. His voice tightened, and he reached out to snatch the book. "He watches too many cartoons! He's writing nonsense!" I stared at the man I had shared a den with for seven years. He looked like a stranger now. If I was the substitute. Who was this beautiful real mother? And where had my true son been all these years?

My family and I have gone on a vacation to an island on All Hallows' Eve. Alas, that's where we get trapped by a flood as well. The tour guide claims that someone among us has committed many misdeeds, resulting in the flood. That person's antics have offended some malicious spirits, it seems. As long as the sinful culprit is thrown into the water and drowned, everyone else can leave the island safe and sound. "Here's a piece of information for you—the offenders are a family of seven. As long as all seven of them are dead, the rest of you get to survive." My heart goes tense at the tour guide's words. My family consists of seven people! Are we supposed to get annihilated on this island? "That's bullshit! How is the flood related to malicious spirits?" "Floods are caused by natural disasters! How are they related to people?"

On our wedding night, my CEO wife’s assistant barged into the bridal suite with a crowd behind him. He wrapped an arm around her waist and grinned in front of all the guests. “I've gotta thank Shawn for being so generous. Over the past year, Chloe and I tried all 1,000 positions in the Karma Sutra, won a $10,000,000 bonus, and even ended up with a baby. “Don’t feel too bad, Shawn, even if all you got was one dollar. “And of course, I should thank my future in-laws and everyone here for thinking so highly of me. Tonight, I’ll definitely make sure Chloe has the time of her life on our wedding night.” The room fell silent. No one said a word. Even my father-in-law, who always claimed he treated me like his own son, lowered his head and avoided my eyes. Chloe glanced at me and said casually, “He’s young and insecure. He just wants to spend the wedding night with me. That’s all. “Jason even gave me his first time because he wanted this baby so badly. I have to take responsibility for him.” My heart instantly turned ice-cold. I finally understood why she had given me that envelope with a single dollar in it. I made my decision as I looked at the woman before me, who suddenly felt like a complete stranger. I did not want her anymore.

After the tragic death of her parents, Caitlyn Shoor is forced to return to Aurora—the town her father once called home. But Aurora isn’t just any town. Beneath its quiet streets lies a hidden world ruled by the supernatural, one where bloodlines and power decide everything. As one of the new generation of the founding families, Caitlyn’s arrival shakes the fragile balance. Whispers of ancient secrets, forbidden marks, and old rivalries soon drag her into a world she never knew existed. And when she crosses paths with an outcast desperate to escape their cursed existence, her life takes a dangerous turn—one filled with romance, betrayal, and mysteries. The truth about her parents’ death lies buried in Aurora, and uncovering it will force Caitlyn to choose between loyalty to her bloodline and the freedom of her heart. Power struggles, dark secrets, and high school romance collide in the mysterious world of Aurora Town. Read if you dare

Her father promised me life on the legal side if I saved his only daughter. I was her last hope. Something about this rich, spoiled princess captured me from the moment I laid my eyes on her. This green-eyed beauty made me want things I never had. She was untouchable. If I were decent, I’d keep my distance. But God knew I was the worst kind of sinner. She shouldn’t have wanted my touch. Now she was mine. When a Russian rival mafia came for her seeking revenge and old, forgotten secrets are revealed, her life became marked. Would she stay in my world or go back to her carefree, privileged life?

"Dump her somewhere. I don’t have all day.” One moment, I am a test subject. The next, I’m thrown into a world of secrets, lies, and a family I don’t remember. Three brothers, the nightmares and the truth clawing its way back. I’m not normal. I was never meant to be and when two rival wolves claim me as their mate, everything spirals out of control because I’m not just caught in a war. I’m the reason it’s about to start.

Ainsley, the almost-eighteen year old daughter of her pack’s Alpha and Luna, has always been different. Born Moon-Marked all she wants is to protect her pack, support her parents, and remain free to choose her own future. Across the border, Raithe— Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack—walks a razor’s edge. At twenty-three, he still hasn’t found his mate, and the longer the bond remains unfound, the more unstable he becomes. Rumors whisper that the famed Blood Moon ruthlessness is growing wild in him, threatening to tip him into madness. When Ainsley and Raithe cross paths, the world stills. The bond snaps into place—violent, undeniable, and terrifying. But neither is ready for what it demands. Ainsley fears losing her future to a mate she barely knows. Raithe fears losing himself before he earns her trust. And looming behind them are enemies who see Ainsley’s power as a weapon, Raithe’s instability as an opportunity, and their mating bond as a threat to the balance of every northern pack. With politics tightening, dangers rising, and their wolves pushing them closer, Ainsley and Raithe must decide whether their bond is a salvation… …or the spark that will ignite a war.

Preview:“Pin her to the ground. Dom, you keep those damn legs down.” Dante coughed as he stood up to regain himself. They wanted a weapon. They created a queen. Novalee Ashford had a simple life-a job she tolerated, a husband she adored, a future she believed in. Then Dante Santoro decided she was his. Ripped from everything she knew, Novalee is thrust into a world of violence, cruelty, and impossible choices. The Santoro family doesn't just want to own her body-they want to remake her soul. Under their brutal tutelage, she transforms from victim to weapon, from captive to bride. But Novalee has a secret: she remembers who she was. And she's planning something they never expected. Vengeance. With Atlas-the guard who was supposed to keep her caged-as her unlikely ally, Novalee plays the deadliest game of her life. Every smile hides a blade. Every submission masks rebellion. Every moment brings her closer to the reckoning they deserve. They wanted to create a monster. They succeeded. Marked, Broken and Carrying his Heir is a dark romance containing mature themes and graphic content. Reader discretion is strongly advised. ****WARNINGS**** Explicit sexual assault/rape Non-consensual sexual situations Explicit consensual sexual content Sexual degradation and humiliation Forced sexual performance Violence: Graphic murder Torture Domestic violence and abuse Blood and gore Beatings and physical assault Captivity & Control: Kidnapping and imprisonment Human trafficking elements Forced marriage Psychological manipulation and gaslighting Conditioning and breaking Loss of autonomy Trauma & Loss: Pregnancy loss Forced hysterectomy Suicide Grief and mourning PTSD symptoms Other: Forced drug administration Starvation/food control Sleep deprivation Isolation Death of spouse

After losing his fiancée in a car accident, millionaire Carlos vows to avenge her death and take justice on behalf of his late fiancée. What Carlos didn't expect was that in the midst of this game of revenge another feeling would arise and that his plan would become an almost perfect revenge.

“Come at me, fight me. We have to pretend we don't know each other for me to save your ass from here”, His husky voice that I haven't remembered in years sent shivers down my spine. “You want me to pretend?” I growled, stepping into the pit. Damon’s eyes burned under the mask. “Rae… if you want to survive this, you’ll fight me—and you’ll make it look real.” “No, Alpha. I’ll fight you. But I won’t pretend a damn thing and I will send you to the pit of hell.”