Pride In The Pews

**MATURE CONTENT** Territorial Mafia Series 2: VAUGHN CROSSBAN --- He is a doctor. He is a billionaire. He is the ruthless leader of the Northern Mafia. Vaughn Christian Crossban, 27 years old, a dangerously handsome, filthy rich, and the most sought-after bachelor in the city. He can heal you, destroy you, or buy your entire existence with a single command. But beneath the perfection is a man intoxicated by control, armed with a god complex and a heart incapable of mercy. Vaughn doesn’t believe in love. He vowed never to kneel, beg, or cry for any woman. No woman could ever do that to him, not even his ex-fiancée. Mira Kim Adore, ang babaeng hindi sumipot sa mismong araw ng kasal nila. Ang babaeng walang takot na iniwan ang isang katulad niyang bilyonaryo, at ipinagpalit lamang siya sa isang lalaking wala sa kalingkingan niya. Dahil sa galit... sa pride at ego niyang niyurakan, sinira niya ang lahat kay Mira. He watched as she drowned in debt, cursed by misfortune. At natutuwa siyang paglaruan ito. Para sa kanya, she was nothing but a toy… someone to manipulate, control, and discard. Pero paano kung lahat ng katagang binitiwan niya noon... ay siya ring kakainin niya sa huli? Paano kung ang larong sinimulan niya ay nauwi sa isang pagmamahal na hindi na niya kayang pigilan? Sa isang pag-ibig na hindi inaasahan, may pag-asa pa bang makaligtas ang isang cold-hearted prince sa apoy ng sarili niyang kapahamakan?

"My boyfriend? Huh. He is the heir of HongYoonChoi organisation. HongYoonChoi is one of the richest organisation in the world. And my boyfriend is their heir." If only Celine can turn back time, she would never lie about a man who doesn't exist in her current life. Celine Kim is a jobless 25 year-old single lady. She believed that there will be a bright future ahead of her as long as her father's last will shall remain unfulfilled. "Find HongYoonChoi organization's heirs and tell them my name," her dying father told her before she left his daughter alone. She heard that HongYoonChoi has influential and rich members that passed through generations. However, Celine was afraid to meet the dangerous secret group known for being ruthless killers. One day, Celine attended her highschool friend's wedding. At the reception hall where she met her old highschool classmates who belittled her ever since then, she was so eager to regain her pride and thus she lied about her current relationship with a young rich man whom she never met - HongYoonChoi's heir. Little did she know, the supposedly fake boyfriend was also at the party! This is the start of the struggle in Celine's peaceful life: when she's going to meddle inside the dark organization and when she falls in love with the hideous monster among the three heirs, Joshua, Jeonghan and Seungcheol. "My life has no door, you can never escape," Joshua whispered on the prisoner's ear. In HongYoonChoi, there are no doors. And Celine can't escape from them anymore.

"He vowed never to love her. Now he’ll stop at nothing to reclaim her.” When ruthless billionaire Adrian Blackwood and a sharp witted journalist Elena Carter find themselves entangled in each other's arms, they had an intoxicating one night stand that leads to a scandal that threatens to tear their world down. Their solution was straightforward: a marriage of convenience. No love. No strings attached. Nothing but cold, calculated damage control. Elena is faced with emotional neglect in a marriage that seems to slowly tear her apart. When framed for betrayal, Elena was sent packing and unknowingly to her she was pregnant. A secret she had kept hidden from Adrian. Four years later, fate draws them back into each other's lives. Adrian, colder and more commanding than ever before, discovers the truth: Elena is more than just a ghost from his past. She’s a mother. His child's mother. And the child she’s fiercely protecting bears his storm-gray eyes. Now, the CEO who once said love was a weakness is tearing the world apart to reclaim what is his. But Elena is no longer the woman he abandoned. Rising from the ashes of their failed marriage, she has created a life—and a legacy—that refuses to submit to his demands. But as explosive secrets resurface and old enemies emerge, Adrian and Elena are forced to play a deadly game in which the stakes are higher than pride or passion. Someone wants Elena destroyed. Someone wants Adrian broken. And their daughter's life is on the line.

That night, Liam served me my usual evening tea. I trusted him completely—he was my mate, after all, and a respected healer of Thornpack. I shouldn't have. When I woke up the next morning, my head was spinning. The special safe where I kept the morphing inhibitor—the one I'd spent my entire savings to import from Europe for our daughter Isla—was empty. Racing to the healing center, I found Liam celebrating. He was handing out moon-blessed wine, beaming with pride as Natalie's daughter Anna showed off her perfect transformation. My inhibitor had been used on his first love's pup instead of our own daughter. The shock triggered something in my brain. When I collapsed, they diagnosed me with the rare tumor that plagued our kind. Without inhibitors, I couldn't stop Isla's transformation that came early, her six year old body couldn't handle the massive wolf form and the force ripped through her young body. And I, for one, don't even have enough money to keep her in a treatment center. She died in my arms three days later, her little claws drawing blood as the pain overwhelmed her. Until her last breath, she kept asking why Papa hadn't come. Now, in my cold, empty home, with the white porcelain urn containing her ashes on the table, I touch her and decide to sever our partnership.

A brat woman met her first love again for almost 10 years just because they are getting married for unknown reason. Hillary hated him always and she will always do. Hillary's ego strample because of his father's decision. Parang isinaalang-alang niya ang pride niya at nawalan siya ng respeto ng gumawa ng desisyon ang ama niya na ipakasal siya sa isang kilalang lalaki. And, as expected. She really knows that man. She very well known that man. That man is giving her a creeps in her whole body. Hindi niya alam kung nandidiri ba siya o ginagawa niya lang itong dahilan para hindi mapansin na iba talaga ang ipinapahiwatig ng nararamdaman niya. Samantalang ang lalaking pinakasalan niya naman ay sobrang nakakairita. Walang araw na hindi niya nararamdaman ang pagkulo ng dugo niya. Walang araw na hindi nagbabangayan at nagbabardagulan ang dalawang 'yan. Halos araw araw silang nagsisigawan na parang mga sirang plaka dahil sa paulit-ulit na mga sinasabi nila. Minsan napapaisip ako, hindi ba sila napapagod? Nakakapagod kaya makipagsigawan sa isang taong makitid ang utak. Well, hindi pa naman bukas ang puso at isipan nilang dalawa para magmahalan, kaya hangga't hindi pa dumadating ang araw na 'yon. They were just enjoying being a mortal enemies.

"You really should run away from me, Aunty," he kissed her cheek- so soft, he melted. "But I'll find you. No matter where you go, even death can't hide you from me," he mumbled one of his most sacred vows into her cheek. His words resonated deep in her consciousness. If he said that to her ears everyday, she would wake up one day feeling like she belonged to him. Squeezing her hands, she cursed the obvious blush on her face and cursed herself too for being sick in the head. How could something so scary make her heart beat so fast? *** Anastasia Robie has been accused of killing her Alpha. Put behind bars by her Pack, she faces trial at the hands of the new Alpha who turns out to be her mate. One rejection later after nights of passionate sex and his wife is asking for her head. She manages to escape only to be chased by the top assassins in the world. As fate would have it, Leroy Adams has found his mate and no hands must touch her. He must have her to himself but first, give her the revenge she seeks. Her immunity is assured when he's the Boss of the same association sent to kill her. A dangerous game of hide and seek, a broken beta scarred to love again and a sweet Lycan who would stop the world for his mate. What could possibly go wrong? or who... would dare touch his pride and Joy?

Afam hunter kung tawagin, sugar baby para sa iilan. Nilulon niya ang pride at kumapit sa patalim para sa pera, para mabuhay sila. All for her dreams and her family. Pakiramdam ni Xylca Romero ay siya na ang pinakamalas na nilalang sa buong mundo. Ang ama niya ay lasenggero at ang ina ay dakilang sugarol sa kanilang lugar. Nakapisan naman sa kanila ang dalawang may-asawa ng mga kapatid karay-karay ang mga anak at mga ka-live in nilang palamunin din sa kanilang bahay. Sa murang edad niya ay naatang na sa kaniyang balikat ang responsibilidad sa mga nakababatang kapatid at ang pagbabayad sa mga pinagkakautangan ng kaniyang mga magulang. Gustuhin man niyang makawala sa lahat ng ito pero hindi siya binigyan ng mapagpipilian ng tadhana. And so she entered the world of dating foreigners online for her dreams. Sapat na ang lahat ng pasanin niya sa buhay to last her a lifetime. The burden is too heavy for her alone. Kaya mas nainis siya nang umentra sa buhay niya ang guwapong adik na tricycle driver na may dinosaur na tattoo sa katauhan ni Pierce. He stalked her, swoon over her, and made her fall in love with him. Is love enough for the two hungry souls? Or will reality only slap them hard in the face? In the end, their choices will define if they will choose love or goodbye.

His eyes locked with mine and I could feel the strength of the mate bond gnawing at me, but I forced it down. Devin eyed me with annoyance and prominent in his gorgeous grey eyes.“Alpha Devin, this is my daughter.” Papa Jamie said with pride in his voice. Devin gave him a weird look, but turned to me instead. Before he could speak I cut him off with a surveying look from head to toe. He was still as hot as hell if not more; his body was more built and his face more chiseled than before. He looked all man and sue me for finding it sexy. mate bond. My eyes were void of emotion as I looked at the pack that flanked him and back into his stormy grey eyes. I stuck out my hand with a smirk on my face, “Welcome to the Blue Moon Pack.” He grasped my hand and shocks ran up my arm and through my body as it did his causing his eyes to widen, but before he could react I continued. “I am Alpha Allison Trust Wells.” My tone oozed confidence and mirth. I heard a few gasps, but the biggest reaction I got was from Devin whose eyes widened in shock.~~~A story of hurt, betrayal and second chances in a world of mystical creatures. Allison is a young Shewolf with a gift from the Goddess Selene. Join her as she navigates the web of secrets and lies weaved by the people she once thought of as family and learns forgiveness.Not all second chances are started on a clean slate...

Cynthia Hart was used to living life on her own terms private, calm, and far from the spotlight that came with her family’s fortune. But one business deal changed everything. To save her father’s company from collapse, she was forced into an arranged marriage with none other than Xavier Sanchese, the most popular boy in her school, rich, confident, and annoyingly perfect. Xavier was the definition of privilege, heir to a multi-billion-dollar empire, loved by everyone, feared by some. To him, the marriage was just another transaction between powerful families. But when his quiet, stubborn “wife” turned out to be the one girl who didn’t worship him, his ego took a hit… and his heart began to stir. In public, they act like strangers keeping their secret marriage hidden from their classmates. But behind closed doors, sparks fly. Fights turn into late-night conversations, jealousy turns into tension, and soon neither of them can tell if what they feel is real or just part of their act. Cynthia wants her freedom. Xavier wants control. Yet somewhere between their pride and passion, they start to realise that love isn’t something you plan, it’s something that happens when you least expect it. But in a world where power, image, and secrets rule, falling in love with Mr. Popular might cost Cynthia everything she’s trying to protect including her heart. “Married to Mr. Popular” is a thrilling high school romance full of emotions, secrets, and slow-burning chemistry that proves sometimes, the heart disobeys even the richest plans.

In the third year of her marriage, Natalie Spencer uncovers a devastating truth. Her blindness wasn't caused by a car accident. No, it was because her beloved husband, Jason Pereira, plotted to have her corneas removed and transplanted them into his first love. The only reason he married her in the first place was to save that other woman. The marriage Natalie once took pride in turns out to be nothing but a calculated lie. Crushed, she quietly begins planning her escape. Half a month later, she vanishes without warning. She leaves behind nothing but a signed divorce agreement and a jar of formaldehyde containing an undeveloped embryo. Those are her final gifts to Jason. He loses his mind searching for her, scouring the world in desperation. But when he finally finds her, she's no longer alone. There's another man by her side. Jason stands in front of her, eyes red with guilt and regret. "Natalie, I was wrong. Please don't leave me. Not like this." But the Natalie standing before him now is radiant and powerful—she's an internationally acclaimed artist and a woman reborn. She looks at the man she once loved and feels nothing. "Jason, I'm not that blind bat who used to live and breathe for you anymore." She turns and wraps her arms around the regal man beside her with a smile. "Someone's bothering your wife. Aren't you going to deal with him?" The man smiles back, leans in, and kisses her in front of everyone. "Of course. Whatever my wife says, goes."