Masking Grief

My family is on the brink of bankruptcy, and I beg my fiancé to help us with emergency funding. He turns me down cold, then gets engaged to Nellie White without hesitation. Just when I'm out of options, my childhood friend shows up with an investment contract and a marriage proposal. I say yes without thinking twice. But even with his help, our company can't escape ruin. My father, unable to bear the blow, suffers a heart attack and dies. At the funeral, overwhelmed by grief, I faint. In my haze, I overhear a conversation between my childhood friend and his friend. "You've already crushed Talitha’s family. When are you going to take her uterus for Nellie?" "On the wedding day," he replies casually. "I'll stage an accident, then operate on her myself. Her uterus will be Nell's. I can't give Nell happiness in this life, so I'll give her a wedding gift. I hope it makes her happy." Turns out his so-called devotion was just so he could take my womb. Even his proposal to me was just a way to remove all obstacles for the woman he loved.

For a thousand years, the city of Crescent Falls has survived beneath the shadow of an ancient savior. Each century, a man is chosen as an offering to Sariyah—the being said to have once driven demons from the world. When Bastion, the man Ember loves, is taken after daring to refuse her, Ember’s grief turns into defiance, and she vows to bring him home no matter the cost. Her search forces her into an uneasy alliance with Orion St. James, a dangerously charming immortal with a violent past and secrets tied to Sariyah herself. Bound together by a magic neither of them wants nor understands, Ember and Orion are drawn into a hidden war beneath the city—one involving cultists, monsters, and an ancient order known as the Watchers. As Crescent Falls begins to fracture, Ember experiences unsettling visions that hint her bloodline is far more entangled with Sariyah than anyone ever suspected. Strange new powers awaken within her, blurring the line between protector and destroyer, while enemies gather and old loyalties are tested. With the city on the brink of collapse and unseen forces moving in the shadows, Ember must decide how far she is willing to go to save Bastion—and whether becoming something darker is the only way to stop an evil that has ruled unchallenged for centuries. Because some thrones are not inherited. They are taken.

Selene remembers nothing, not her name, not her family, and certainly not why she wakes up with dirt under her nails and the phantom sensation of running on four legs. Hidden in the quiet village of Blackthorn, she lives a ghost of a life, until a man with winter-gray eyes and a presence like a thunderstorm walks into her tavern. Dian is an Alpha in name only. Since the tragic death of his mate and pup thirteen years ago, his inner wolf has been silent, buried under a mountain of grief and ice. He expected to live out his days in the shadows, until a single look at the "human" barmaid awakens a primal, unstoppable command: Mine. But Selene is no ordinary human. She is Moon-touched, a rare and ancient being whose blood carries the power to command the very wolves that worship her. As an ancient enemy, the Spirit Killers emerges from the dark to claim her power, Dian must choose between the safety of his cold isolation and the fire of a fated bond that could destroy his pack. From the quiet streets of Blackthorn to the savage politics of the pack lands, Moon Touched is a 250-chapter saga of healing, legacy, and a love that spans generations. It is a story of a woman finding her voice, a man finding his heart, and a family built from the ashes of a war that refused to end

He didn’t respond with words: he responded with his body. Drawing back slightly, he lined up the head of his cock and gave a small, careful thrust. She stiffened and he paused. “Babe?” He moved his hand under her curvy ass, supporting her. “You OK?” She nodded, already breathless. “You feel so damn good.” “Oh, fuck,” he groaned as she rotated her hips, taking him deeper. “Ditto, angel.” That was the end of coherent conversation between them. **** This is the final book in the 'Fighting For Love' series, and happily-ever-afters don’t come easy. Mia and Nick fight to rebuild intimacy after Nick’s devastating amputation... and to survive the vulnerability it demands. Katie and Adam face infertility and the brutal truth of how childhood trauma still echoes into adulthood. Reena and Mitch emerge from trial victorious, only to confront the responsibility – and power – of a life-changing judgment. Maggie is drowning in grief, and Joe is determined to prove that redemption isn’t just a promise, but a permanent change. Four couples. Eight battered hearts. Too many fears, scars, and second chances to count. Everything that can go wrong threatens to. But this time, love doesn’t back down. Because happily-ever-after isn’t given. It’s fought for.

CONTENT WARNING This story contains graphic sexual content and explicit scenarios intended for mature audiences 18 years and older. Reader discretion is strongly advised. Veronica Harper devoted five years of her life to a man who never loved her—because she was never more than a bet. Her devotion, vulnerability, and virginity were handed over… all for entertainment. She walked into her bedroom—and saw her best friend screaming her name from another man’s mouth. Her boyfriend’s mouth. Betrayed in her own bed, humiliated in public, and framed for a crime she didn’t commit. Then two lines on a pregnancy test changed everything. Pregnant, disowned, and hunted by lies she didn’t create, Veronica fled, carrying two secrets no one could ever touch—her unborn twins. Five years later, she returns for a funeral, keeping her children hidden and her heart locked away. She believes the past is buried. She’s wrong. Forced back into the orbit of the man she once gave herself to—and still loves—Veronica must protect the quiet life she built alone. But grief and betrayal are cruel guides, and the woman who destroyed her life now threatens everything she holds dear. The worst betrayal isn’t in the past. It’s happening now.

Animals were driven with only a few instincts to live their lives by: to find food, shelter, and to mate. Humankind was driven by multiple things: lust, anger, hate, grief, jealousy, joy, and a host of other instincts and emotions. When lycans were created the goddess of such things thought it would be enthralling, exhilarating to see how such savage wolves and desensitized humans would meld together as one... The result was disastrous. The select few humans she chose to go forward with her experiment with the strength of her sacred animal, the lupine, destroyed one another. He was a mosaic, composed of broken pieces. She was an unfinished art project The moon godddess ends the lives of Lycans she sees as a threat to the Lycan community. Instead of being ripped apart by her hounds, she gives a warrior the chance to redeem himself and his friends through gifting him a mate who is bound to change his life. An accident links a potential future servant to the moon goddess to the warrior. How will Pomelia Grace, a holy novice react to being mated to such a man, Warren of Bane pack? All of the humans she chose went mad with the power, abilities, and strength that came with the wolf gene. The goddess had succeeded in creating a unique race but had a hard time managing her creations without killing them out of anger.

Dylan kincziller is a Cruel, Gracious Charismatic Vampire Crown prince, From the most, dominant and formidable"Akeldama" Clan, Lailah Reyes is a cute ordinary college girl who likes to play around. In an incident, she was saved by the vampire lord the next moment she said - Rule#1| Extra love affairs aren't allowed" Rule#2 "You'll only be there for me" Rule#3 "We go on a date twice a month Lailah is fascinated by the fantasy books that she always reads and watches way too many supernatural shows, that evening when she was in grave danger a handsome vampire who had just entered the human realm saved her. She was neither afraid nor she ran away from there, she couldn't believe what she saw Lailah had always wished her life to be like the Female lead in those fantasy novels. In excitement, she quickly set 3 ground rules for him she decided to pursue him no matter what it takes. Let's tag along with them to witness her sweet proposals and his harsh rejections Let's tag along with them to witness her sweet proposals and his harsh rejections follow them in their happiness and grief to express your love and support. The cover picture is not made by me credits go to its owner

Twenty-two stories. Twenty-two chances to lose yourself. From storm-stranded islands to tattoo parlors after dark, this collection takes you places you’ve never been with people you’ll never forget. A marine cartographer discovers that the most thrilling territory to explore isn’t on any map. A pastry chef learns that the sweetest pleasure comes with a sting. A mafia fixer breaks his one unbreakable rule. A firefighter finds heat that has nothing to do with flames. These aren’t your typical romance stories. Here, a museum archivist rediscovers her wild side. An insomniac musician becomes a sleep researcher’s favorite subject. Twin vocal coaches teach an opera singer to find her voice again. A tattoo artist and a widow bond over grief and ink. Each tale is different: different bodies, different desires, different ways of coming undone. Some encounters are tender. Others are raw. A few will make you blush in public. All of them will leave you breathless. Whether it’s the tension of waiting, the trust required to surrender, or the electricity of a first touch, each story explores what happens when two people finally give in to what they’ve been craving. Diverse. Bold. Unapologetically sensual. Your next obsession starts here.

Zella died betrayed. Her love was stolen. Her wedding ripped from her hands. Her family watched her fall—and did nothing. When death came, it should have been the end. Instead, she met a god who ruled crossroads and cruel choices. Arakon offered her three paths. She rejected them all… or so she thought. By a single misunderstood gesture, Zella was reborn as Lacy Jules—into a poor, struggling life with no power, no status, and no memory of the woman she once was. But fate is never finished with the unjustly broken. As Lacy grows, she begins to dream of torn wedding dresses, familiar faces, and a woman’s grief that does not belong to her. Zella is awakening. When the truth finally surfaces, Lacy learns she is living the life of a woman who chose wrong—and a god who refuses to fix his mistake. This time, the choice must be spoken. This time, there will be no confusion. Given one final chance, Lacy chooses to return. Fifteen years into the past. Back into Zella’s body. Back to the day everything began to rot. But she does not return as the naïve girl who once begged to be loved. She returns with two lifetimes of pain, clarity, and resolve. This time, she will not fight with claws or magic—but with foresight, strategy, and consequences so devastating that even fate will hesitate. They broke her once. Now, they will kneel— or burn.

**Synopsis of *"Between Us and the Stars"***: Keisha Joli, a driven and independent woman, is determined to build a life of her own without relying on anyone. But her world collides with that of Jarren, a powerful and wealthy CEO, whose arrogance represents everything she despises. Initially sworn enemies, their fierce rivalry gradually evolves into an undeniable attraction neither of them can ignore. Despite their differences, Keisha and Jarren find themselves drawn to each other, each challenging the other in ways they never expected. As they navigate the ups and downs of their passionate yet tumultuous relationship, Keisha and Jarren are surrounded by their close-knit group of friends, who are all on their own journeys of love and self-discovery. But just as Keisha and Jarren start to believe they can make it work, a tragic turn of events shatters their world: Keisha's plane crashes during a business trip, leaving Jarren devastated and heartbroken. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Jarren spirals into grief, regretting every moment he took Keisha for granted. As he struggles to come to terms with her loss, a mysterious new figure, Sofia, enters his life, bringing a flicker of hope. But is Keisha truly gone, or is there more to the story than meets the eye? With unresolved love, heartbreak, and the shadow of a second chance, *"Between Us and the Stars"* explores the fine line between fate and choice, with the promise of a new beginning lurking just beyond the horizon.