On My Own Artinya

I had just been discharged from surgery for a collapsed lung when my boyfriend took me to a childhood friend’s birthday party. At the party, he yanked off my ventilator and used it to inflate party balloons. My chest seized violently, as if my lung had been torn open. Justin Miller turned to Sophie Shaw proudly and said, “See? This is so much easier than blowing them up with your mouth.” I gripped the doorframe. I was gasping as my vision blurred. “Justin, I need that to survive! I can’t breathe!” His expression darkened. “Sophie was kind enough to invite you to her birthday party. Know your place! Besides, she put in a lot of effort for this day and spent hours preparing for it. Are you really going to ruin the celebration?” I struggled to speak through the pain. “Is her surprise more important than my life?” I extended a trembling hand toward the ventilator, but Justin waved it aside. He said impatiently, “I already checked. You won’t die from holding your breath for just a moment. Don’t be so selfish!” At that moment, pain stabbed me in the chest, and I used every ounce of my strength to press the emergency call button my brother had given me.

Aljin Dion Savadra is no ordinary substitute teacher at Saint Louis Academy. Behind his striking looks and magnetic charm, he hides a powerful secret—he’s the owner of a global corporation. Desired by many but untouchable to all, no woman has ever managed to capture his heart. Miara Christ Quito, the academy’s Student Council President, lives a double life. Brilliant, respected, and admired for her beauty, she seems to have it all. But when the school day ends, she trades her uniform for a janitor’s uniform, working in secret to support her struggling family. At twenty-one, she has never been in love, never been kissed, and never let anyone close—until her new professor steps into her life. When Miara discovers that her substitute teacher is also her boss, her world turns upside down. And worse, Aljin corners her with an ultimatum: "You need money, and I need a wife. Why don’t we help each other? Marry me, and I’ll give you everything you need. Your secret stays safe, baby." Caught between desperation and pride, Miara must decide—should she resist a man determined to have her or risk everything by accepting his dangerous offer? Could her ruthless boss and professor become something more… or will he break her heart beyond repair?

-Who are you?" Finally, he stopped the silence. His words were strong, angry, and loud. "-What?" I felt so confused still couldn’t let my eyes from his new look. And his actions of killing without any emotions made my voice trembling. "-I...TOLD...YOU...WHO... THE FUCK... ARE... YOU...?" With stiff teeth he seemed to lose his patience, slowly and frighteningly, he asked, no, ordered to me, without lifting his eyes from me, with every word he took a step closer to me until I could smell the sweat, dirt smell of his ammunition from him. His hard chest-like rock was so close that it barely touched my body. I was shivering he was so scary and I still wanted him badly. "-Are you joking with me? How to understand, who am I?" I whispered... I stopped our deep gaze, even though it wasn't easy. -"What's happening here? Where are we? Why are you...." I couldn't finish one of my hundreds of questions when my husband turned his eyes away from me to his men. -"Take that strange ‘pause from his lips, his eyes traveled from the top of my head to my legs" bitch, to the cell, that little mouth soon will be open for me. And she will talk as well too."

Five years ago, I gave up my research achievements for love. Then, out of the blue, Marcus Parker's childhood friend made her return to the country. Using the excuse of playing truth or dare, they did everything that couples did together. I reminded Marcus not to go too far, but he just gave me a helpless look. "Claire, if I really had something going on with Hannah, I wouldn't have married you." I watched as he chose to abandon saving my mother for Hannah Carter's sake. He even hung up on me when I got into a car accident. When I woke up again, I learned that my unborn child, who was not three months old, had died in my womb. I finally gave up all hope and handed him the divorce papers. "Marcus, let's get divorced." A month later, I boarded a plane bound for Andoria.

Four years ago, Evan Brooks walked away from Ryan Hale, the boy who was his first love, his everything after catching him in what looked like a betrayal. Shattered and humiliated, Evan swore he’d never let Ryan close again but fate doesn’t care about promises. Now, their parents’ whirlwind marriage has made them stepbrothers. The boy Evan once loved and hated is suddenly living under the same roof, looking hotter, cockier, and more untouchable than ever. Evan tells himself he’s over it. He tells himself Ryan is his past but every stare feels like a dare. Every smirk is a reminder of the nights they once burned for each other. Ryan has his own secret, he never cheated. He’s been waiting for a second chance… even if it means breaking every rule in the book. And when the truth comes out, one question will remain— Was their love always doomed, or is the real danger finally giving in?

A year ago, my life was simple. I was just Ariel Anthony…a regular college student, cheerleader with decent grades, daughter of a struggling baker, and recently appointed step-sister to a guy I barely knew. Nothing special. Then came the storm. Not just the thunderstorm that trapped me in Professor Grayson's apartment that night, but the storm that followed. The one that's still raging around me, that I created. They don't warn you about men like Luther Grayson in freshman orientation. They don't tell you how a single glance from the right person can make you question everything you thought you knew about yourself. About what you want. About what you'd risk to get it. They also don't warn you about guys like Ethan Cross, with his perfect smile hiding something dark. The kind of guy who's used to getting what he wants and doesn't understand the meaning of the word "no." And no one, absolutely no one…prepares you for what it feels like when the person who's supposed to be your brother looks at you with something else in his eyes. Mom once said I had a gift for making complicated situations worse. If she only knew. My phone buzzed beside me, and I glanced down to see Luther's name on the screen. My heart still jumps every time, even when I'm aware of what could happen if people learned about the two of us. I should ignore it. I should block his number, focus on my classes, help Mom with the bakery, and pretend none of this ever happened. But I'm already reaching for the phone. That's the thing about crossing lines… once you step over them, it's almost impossible to step back. And I've crossed so many lines now, I can't even see where I started.

"I know,” I cried out. His back was faced towards me as I spoke. “I know how it feels like to love you.” Anger started boiling inside of me as I said, “It hurts to love someone like you.” ---- Samantha Parker is an ordinary female werewolf who wishes to have something good in her life after her parents’ death. That good thing turned out to be her worst nightmare as she found out that Ryder Jackson, her brother’s best friend, was her mate. Not only that but she finds out that there was someone, who was responsible for her parents' death, lurking in the shadows ready to take her away. She would encounter difficult situations which led her to think that her life was a lie and the truth needed to be unraveled.

Being an omega is the only crime Bethany ever committed. Her life is turned upside down by the betrayal of the man she loved and those she called family. Her wolf howls for revenge and to spite them both, she kisses her sexy as hell best friend and announces their marriage. A contract was never truly part of Bethany's option. It was only a ruse to defy her father but when presented with an ultimatum by him, things get drastic. Now, she has no choice but to marry her best friend. The plan was to not fall in love, but little did they know that love and attraction were no respecters of friendship. However, Bethany realizes a bit too late that the fire and need that ignites between them are the least of her problems. At least, not when some deep, dark secret that could either strengthen or threaten their bond is lurking around the corners.

From the very beginning, Rufus Carter was in love with Leanor Ford. At the age of seventeen, Rufus was already known for his towering height, costly lifestyle, and aloof attitude. Unfortunately, Rufus was left motherless at an early age, and this year, his father decided to remarry, making Leanor's mother his new stepmother. As if fate wanted to play a twisted game, Rufus turned eighteen and found out that Leanor was his mate - adding a new level of complexity to their already complicated situation. The fact that his stepsister was his mate left Rufus stunned.

Elsie Sander lived without a father, and she was an omega. The worst part is that her mother has constantly mistreated her. So does everyone in the pack. Until one day, a new alpha showed up with his son. Her life, which she thought was improving, got even worse. The Alpha-to-be often did things that made Elsie hate him. But how could the man who bullied her be her mate? Would Elsie accept that? Or was this the beginning of something worse?