Opposite Of Envy

This award-winning, psychological experience is back in print, and includes the exclusive sequel The Sound of his Bones Breaking, a novella that will leave you truly shaken. Board for free. But the cost might be your life. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

"You could have chosen anyone. Women throw themselves at you, I'm certain of it. Women who would die to be your chosen… your mate. Why take me, someone unwilling?" "I did not choose you," he said, with a shrug. "Alexandros and Nikolaos did." "Then what's stopping you from setting me free? From choosing another?" I challenged. "I don't want another." ***** Becoming the bride of the most desired and dangerous Alpha is no fairytale, but a bloody nightmare. Lyla Gray, a young human woman, is taken from a life of poverty and dumped into a world of wealth and Lycans... sold into an arranged union with a man she neither trusts nor desires. Her marriage to Zephyrus Wrath, the fearsome and filthy-rich Alpha of a dominant Lycan pack, is not born out of love, but forced by his pack’s traditions. He never wanted a mate. But when duty calls, he bends to take a bride. What he doesn’t expect is to want her. Uncontrollably. Madly. Yet even as the desire is evident between them, he refuses to force the bond. He wants Lyla to choose him willingly. But Lyla is no calm, submissive woman. She challenges him at every turn, determined to frustrate him enough to make him back down and send her away. Yet in doing so, she draws dangerous attention to herself. Eyes that see her as ungrateful, as someone who should feel honored to be Zephyr’s 'Chosen'.

When a young girl named **Emilia** moves to an isolated, fog-drenched city in search of a fresh start, she quickly discovers that something is terribly wrong. The streets echo with silence, residents vanish without a trace, and time itself begins to twist and collapse. As doors appear in places they shouldn’t, and her own reflection begins acting on its own, Emilia realizes she’s trapped in a place that is not just haunted — it’s alive. Each chapter peels back a new layer of horror: shadowy watchers, eerie apparitions, underground tunnels, and ghostly echoes of past inhabitants. But the real terror lies within — the city seems to feed on fear, loneliness, and the feeling of failure. It reflects Emilia’s own anxieties back at her, warping her reality into a trial of the soul. As she searches for meaning, and later for escape, Emilia uncovers the city’s sinister purpose: it traps those most vulnerable and forces them to confront their darkest selves. With the help of other survivors — some real, some echoes — she must navigate psychological mazes and make impossible choices to survive. But survival isn't enough. Emilia must transform — not by escaping her fear, but by embracing it. In doing so, she becomes something more than a victim of the city. She becomes a guide, a witness, and eventually, a keeper of the door. *Trapped in the Hollow City* is a suspenseful, haunting exploration of inner demons, resilience, and the eerie beauty of choosing to become — even when the world seems built to break you.

"I need 100 million in cash," Hera Rinne said. "Alright, I can help you with that," Sean Villegas replied. Hera looked at Sean with a confused expression, "Are you sure? But, I'm not sure I can pay back the money you'll lend me." "You don't need to pay back all the money. I only need your body to satisfy me. Besides that, you're free to do whatever you want," Sean said with a meaningful look. Hera widened her eyes upon hearing that. She certainly couldn't do that. But, on the other hand, Hera really needed that 100 million. As soon as possible.

Daphne has fought her whole life to survive. After escaping an abusive marriage, she made sure to protect her child, even if it means taking risks. So, when an opportunity comes her way, she doesn’t hesitate, ready to do whatever it takes.Arthur,proud and used to getting everything his way, has always been in control of his life. But when his father, on his deathbed, refuses to hand over his shares unless Arthur is married, his world starts to fall apart. Marrying a woman he barely knows seems like the solution. A simple arrangement, nothing attached. But one wild night changes everything.Suddenly, their marriage is under threat from secrets and Arthur is forced to face a future he never wanted. Daphne faces a choice that could change everything, either keep the baby, and risk everything she’s worked so hard for, or walk away . As if things weren’t complicated enough, Arthur falls seriously ill. For the first time, the proud man who’s always relied on himself is forced to lean on someone else. Despite her past, Daphne’s emotional self step’s up to care for him and shows a side of herself Arthur never saw coming. What started as a pen in paper marriage begins to look like something deeper.As they push through their connection, they struggle to admit their feelings. Arthur’s fear of being seen as vulnerable. The contract that brought them together no longer feels simple but complicated.With Daphne’s past threatening to tear them apart and Arthur’s health hanging by a thread, their marriage is put to the test. Will they survive the effect of the secrets ? Or will their differences destroy what little connection they’ve found? In the end, can they find something real?

“You got commitment issues?” Teyana whispered, her hands were electrifying his body, struggling with his inner self he spoke up. “Well, I'm tryna fix that for you.” Teyana smiled, licking his earlobe as her hands moved upwards to his chest. “If you’re waiting for the day that I’ll say I love you, I just can’t.” Neil scoffed as he stopped her hands from going further. “And yet my touch makes your body shake like I make you nervous.” Continue reading to enjoy this forbidden love romance between Teyana and Neil…

Growing up as a beautiful, smart, and obedient daughter, Auva Fermentera is like the perfect child that all parents desire to have. With all the money that her family has, it seems like there is nothing they can’t afford to have. But soon later, Auva realizes that it is not true when her family opposes her dream to pursue painting. Obeying them at first, Auva learns to stand up for herself when she was blamed of her engagement being cancelled as her fiancé runs away. A very cliche move. Only to find out that he is hiding in the same place she decided to start her new life. A place which will be like their canvas while they paint each other’s life. With every stroke of their paint, a bunch of colorful memories come together. But it only takes one event that made their paint brush break which stains their built memories. Will they try to fix it? Or will they let it be as it is?

Love? I don't know about that. That is the line you would always hear from a person who simply just wants to kill a topic about the word 'love'. Playing as it seems but it is indeed just the truth. You hear every stories you can get from people who are inlove. Starting from sharing stories down to sharing cupcakes. But what if you're the one who get to tell your own word of love? And it don't end well. Would it still be a masterpiece? Two chairs. Two students. Two books. Two lives. Would they still be two? What if the other one leaves?

WARNING !!: This collection is not for the faint of heart. These stories involve choking, spanking and raw sinful desires. Enter only if you’re ready to be tied by the chains of ecstasy. This compilation brings you a variety of spicy short stories, each having a different journey into the raw, intoxicating world of BDSM. Whether it’s a professor making his student kneel, an alpha punishing his maid, or a best friend daring you to give in, these stories will keep your pulse racing and your imagination tied down to the very last page. In this collection, submission isn’t weakness, it’s the ultimate temptation. Once you step in, you’ll be drowned in a pool of desires.

At three in the morning, I stare at the unknown transaction record on my phone screen, my fingertips turning cold. The record is for a payment of 2980 dollars, made for an executive suite at the Wisteria. The time of payment was 8:00 pm last night. My husband, Tristan Griffin, is a detective. He was on the night shift last night. I clutch my phone, my knuckles turning white as I text Tristan, "I just saw your credit card bill for a hotel stay last night. What's up with that?" His reply is instant. "Our team had to work overtime at the last minute, so they put us up at the hotel. I forgot to tell you about it." I scan the text and sputter. The Wisteria is located in the western region of the city, which is on the other end from where his squad is stationed. I don't press him for more details and click on the bank app on my phone. Having found the vendor's address through the payment record, I sent it to my best friend, Rowena Sheffield, who works as a private detective. She replies instantly with an "OK" emoji and follows up with, "Give me a second. I'll find out everything you want in a jiffy!"