National Library Czech Republic

Thirty days. One month. A single, heartbeat-stopping wager. Benjamin Parker was the sun. A golden-haired scholarship recruit with flour on his hands and a heart that he wore—vulnerable and beating—on his sleeve. He spent weeks chasing the school’s "Ice Prince," offering handmade tarts and a smile that could melt the coldest winter. He thought his persistence finally paid off when Jonathan Hayes—the obsidian-eyed, terrifyingly beautiful heir to a tech empire—pinned him against the school gates and claimed him in front of everyone. But the "Golden Romance" was a lie from the very first kiss. Jonathan didn't choose Benjamin because of his heart; he chose him because he was a convenient target for a cruel poker-room bet. The stakes? A vintage motorcycle. The duration? Thirty days of manufactured affection. Now, the countdown is ticking. Between the silk sheets of Jonathan’s penthouse and the shadows of the St. Jude’s library, the line between the game and reality is blurring. Jonathan is the predator who accidentally caught himself in his own trap, growing addicted to the very light he’s destined to extinguish. Benjamin is the lamb who is slowly realizing the wolf isn't just at the door—he’s in his bed. When the moon turns red and the thirty days are up, the truth will do more than just break Benjamin's heart. It will shatter his soul. One month of sweetness. A lifetime of ruin. In the game of hearts, the house always wins... and Jonathan Hayes never plays fair.

Leah is back on the family farm in Mozambique, where she meets doctor Sergio Martinez whom she immediately feels attracted to. But Leah is certainly not happy to see that her ex-husband Ralph is also back here. Apparently to complete the dream eco-holiday destination he originally planned, when they were married to each other. What is really uncomfortable is the fact that he wants her back as his wife. He still wants to make a baby with her! Leah acquired a little bit of money after selling her grandmother's house in Pretoria. And Ralph knows about it. He is a dangerous man if he believes there is money somewhere that he can get his hands on. But for some or another reason, Ralph Jameson suddenly has money of his own as well. Did he inherit it from the much older deceased woman he briefly married, after divorcing Leah? Or did he steal it from her while she was still alive? Sergio Martinez is happy with the card life dealt him. He is a veterinarian working for an international company dealing with the relocation and breeding of wild animals for National Parks all over Africa. The lion project, wildlife sanctuary and hospital for injured animals is on a farm neighboring Hurters Retreat. He rents a flat from John Hurter, as he got himself a pet now, an African Wild cat. Gato needs to be kept away from the vet's patients and other threats in the bush. Hurters Retreat felt like a safe haven for his cat and his heart. But suddenly he is not that sure anymore. Why does it feel as if Leah was the woman he waited for all his life. And why did her ex-husband follow her there? Is this the day trouble started in his paradise?

“Hidden depths of Ambition” is a gripping tale of power, revenge, and the quest for justice, following the life of Alex, a young man driven by the tragic loss of his parents. The story begins with Alex’s childhood, where the seeds of ambition are sown as he navigates the challenges of growing up without his parents. Early on, he demonstrates leadership qualities that lead him to win a student council election, sparking his interest in politics. As he matures, Alex not only excels academically but also ventures into the business world, establishing his own successful enterprise. However, the shadow of his parents’ mysterious deaths looms over him, compelling him to investigate the truth behind their demise. This dual quest for power and revenge propels him into local politics, where he faces off against seasoned adversaries and uncovers a conspiracy that intertwines with his family’s past. As Alex’s political ambitions grow, so do the stakes. He announces his candidacy for president, employing innovative campaign strategies and facing media wars that test his character. Personal sacrifices strain his relationships, revealing the cost of his relentless pursuit of power. Allies become enemies, and betrayal lurks around every corner as he grapples with the dark side of politics. The narrative reaches a climax during the presidential race, where Alex’s leadership is put to the ultimate test amid a national crisis and the resurfacing of his parents’ case. With a coalition of unexpected allies, he confronts the forces threatening his presidency and seeks justice for his family. In the final sections of the story, Alex must navigate the aftermath of his decisions, facing the consequences of his quest for vengeance and the legacy he wishes to leave behind. What will Alex do?

At only 5'2", it's hard to believe that Scarlett Lobo is an Alpha. Yet she is. Scarlett is the Alpha of the Crimson Snow Pack. In fact, she is one of the only female Alphas in the country. Leading her own pack, combined with the fact that as an Alpha her fated mated can only be another Alpha, and despite her petite stature people find her intimidating (okay, some people find her intimidating. Other people still resent the idea of a female Alpha), she has yet to meet her fated mate. She's nearly given up, tempted to take a chosen mate, but every time she brings it up, her family talks her out of it. So, she waits, having the occasional fun with her warriors or with unmated Alphas from other packs. That, along with the satisfaction she gets from being a powerful Alpha, leading her own pack is nearly enough for Scarlett to accept the idea that she may just go unmated. Except for that pesky little problem of needing an heir. But, then the Congress of Werewolves and Shifters (COWS) call their first national conference in nearly a quarter of a century, ordering all Alphas to attend. Annoyed to have to leave her pack, but curious as to why this conference is being called, Scarlett attends expecting several days of rather dull meetings, debates and workshops, thinking her only enjoyment would come in the form of her occasional bed buddy, Raul Farkas the Alpha of the Dark Sun Pack. What she doesn't expect is for Ruby, her wolf, to begin driving her nuts on the plane on the way to the conference. And she really wasn't expecting the overwhelming scent of leather, tobacco and parchment to hit her as she checked into her hotel. Enter Alpha Grey Badar.

A concerned sister… Chloe Madison would do anything to find her missing brother. When she stumbles upon some information that leads her to a nearby military science facility, she doesn’t hesitate to sneak under the barbed wire fence and steal some files. Everything seems to be going to plan. That is, until a handsome soldier finds her with her hands in his filing cabinet. Instead of reporting her, he lets her go. She hurries home, his golden eyes all she can think of. A broken soldier… Captain Jackson Wolfe just returned from a hellish tour of duty in Afghanistan. Scarred and hiding terrible secrets, he is sent to a desk job. He just recently found out the hard way that he was a werewolf. Not only that, as far as he knows, he’s the only one of his kind. He knows he shouldn’t be around people and keeps to himself until he sees Chloe stealing files. He knows he should stop her, but her scent and something in her eyes stops him. A coverup worth killing for… When Wolfe follows Chloe to the library, he discovers that he’s not the only one of his kind. Someone doesn’t like that Chloe has been digging around, threatening to expose the secrets of her brother and the wolf shifters. In fact, they’re willing to kill to stop her. Wolfe knows that he must protect Chloe. After all, she may be the only thing that can save him from himself.

Zane Kessler, tough captain of the Thunder Wolves, has spent years vowing to crush Jaxon Caldwell, the fast, clever captain of the Storm Hawks. Their rivalry is brutal… hard checks, sharp words, pure hatred on the ice. But after Zane's team loses their biggest game of the season, Jaxon finds him alone in the empty locker room. An argument flares… then a simple touch turns into a soft, surprising kiss. Hate suddenly feels warm and confusing. From that moment, their rivalry begins to melt into something sweeter and deeper. But the hockey world isn't kind to feelings like this. Coming out could destroy their careers, and their teams would never forgive the captains falling for the enemy. Then the league drops the bombshell… the Thunder Wolves and Storm Hawks must merge into one team for the upcoming National Championship. To foster unity, Zane and Jaxon are forced to share a small apartment near the rink. They share the same space, the same locker room, and literally breathe the same air. At first it feels like torture… bumping into each other in the kitchen, sharing the couch after tough games, trying to act like nothing has changed. But the walls come down fast. Quiet talks turn into laughter. Simple meals become excuses to sit close. Stolen kisses in the dark hallway feel like winning the biggest game of their lives. Now they must lead their new team to the title while hiding a love that grows stronger every day. One wrong glance, one slip, and it could shatter everything… the championship, their careers, and the beautiful thing they’ve finally found. On the ice they were sworn enemies. Off it, they’re falling hard. And the closer they get, the more impossible it is to let go. Who will surrender first?

All Seraph Hampton wanted was to dream beyond the orphanage walls. That dream finally becomes reality when she’s picked as the only intern among nine full-time workers. At first, she’s unhappy,until she discovers the company belongs to none other than Luca Zhao. Tech billionaire. National hotcake. And the man she’s secretly crushed on for years. But everything changes when Seraph is accidentally sent to the 60th floor… and walks in on a freshly-showered Luca, wrapped in nothing but a towel. Her impulsive fangirl instincts take over,she hugs him. Luca’s classy, bossy, and sharp-tongued assistant, Miss Harper, walks in and nearly fires her. But Luca redeems Seraph on the spot, promoting her from intern to personal assistant,sending Miss Harper into silent flames. Working beside Luca should’ve been a dream. Instead, it becomes a twisted game of secrets. A hidden photo album reveals the unthinkable: her late mother once married Fernandez—Luca’s father. Which makes him her stepbrother. And that’s only the beginning… The storm hits when a feared and powerful figure known only as The Don of Dawn arrives Seraph’s real father, who abandoned them. Just as Seraph tries to process this, Miss Harper,Luca’s manipulative assistant— calls this same man Dad. Secret half-sisters. Forbidden attraction. A forced engagement bound by legacy and blood. Now Seraph is caught between dangerous love and truths. As she hacks phones, sneaks through private doors, and digs into elite secrets, she’s torn between revenge… and the one man who might be innocent in it all—Luca Zhao. As kisses and intimate moments turn into confessions, and loyalty is tested on every side, one thing is clear: This isn’t just an internship. It’s a battlefield. And Seraph Hampton is the unknown weapon.

On the eve of the National Robotics Championship, I smashed my carefully designed bot to pieces and announced my withdrawal. Everyone said I was a fraud who was quitting out of fear of being exposed. Online, the netizens mocked me relentlessly. Only one person, Adrian Cross, the so-called genius of the century, spoke up in my defense, his voice dripping with false sincerity, "I believe in River Lowell’s skills. Only he deserves to be my opponent. No matter what setbacks he’s facing, I hope he comes back to the arena and proves himself." In my previous life, the robot I built was identical to his. No matter how I tried to prove he had copied me, Adrian stood before the cameras, wearing his benevolent mask, and said, "It’s fine. This robot can go to River. I can always build something even better." His fans swarmed me, tearing me apart online, and no one believed in my talent. I swallowed the humiliation and vowed to rebuild my robot from scratch. However, when I was assembling it, the Power Core in my kit exploded, shattering my skull. That same night, I was rushed into the ICU. Netizens clapped and cheered, saying I got exactly what I deserved. That night, my girlfriend, Lila Hart, signed the hospital’s DNR consent form without hesitation. Until the day I died, I never understood how Adrian had gotten my robot’s data or why Lila had joined forces with him. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the very day of the competition.

During the audition of the animal show that will be held on the National Day Gala, Yvonne Quinlan, the self-proclaimed genius animal trainer, instructs the pigeons to go into formation and soar around the skies. But the next thing everyone knows, bird poop begins raining down on everyone's heads. Awkward can't even begin to describe the situation. Having lost her composure, Yvonne blames me for copying her as a fake animal trainer. She claims that I was the one who pulled a prank on her. In my previous life, the python, which I've painstakingly nurtured with my family heirloom and my blood essence, suddenly went berserk. Just when it was about to strangle me to death and devour me whole, Yvonne, who was a low-income student I'd been sponsoring, let out a shrill whistle. The ferocious python immediately coiled around her waist, looking very docile and sweet. My boyfriend, Brandon Jenner, accused me of stealing Yvonne's python just because I had money and power on my side. He also jeered at me for shooting myself in the foot after everything I had done. Almost immediately, I became the thief everyone hated. My python went berserk once again and attempted to devour me. This time, no one tried to save me. Just like that, Yvonne gained popularity after putting on a performance with my python. Brandon even proposed to her on the spot. They became a famous couple on the Internet after that. When I open my eyes again, I've returned to the timeframe of three days before my school announces the audition of the upcoming animal show.

Welcome to Blackwood University, where the tuition costs a fortune, but the secrets cost your life. I thought a scholarship to the country’s most elite university was my ticket out of the shadows. I was wrong. I didn’t just walk into a school; I walked into a lion’s den. And sitting on the throne is Niccolò De Luca. Nico is beautiful, brilliant, and brutal. He is the heir to the most powerful crime syndicate on the East Coast, and he runs this campus like his personal kingdom. He breaks hearts, he breaks bones, and now, he’s decided to break me. Not because I’m the scholarship case. But because he knows who I really am. I am the daughter of the man who stole millions from the De Luca family and vanished. Nico intends to use me to lure my father out of hiding. His plan is simple: torment me until I break, make my life a living hell, and keep me under his thumb until the debt is paid in blood. But the line between hate and obsession is razor-thin. When his torment turns into possessiveness, and his taunts turn into touches I can’t refuse, the game changes. I was supposed to be his pawn, but I’m becoming his weakness. Now, with a rival family closing in on campus and my father’s enemies circling, Nico has to make a choice: Hand me over to settle the score... or burn the world down to keep me. "You think you can hide from me in the library, little mouse?" Nico whispered, his breath hot against the shell of my ear as he pinned me against the stacks. "You are living on borrowed time. And unfortunately for you, I’m the one collecting the interest."