Re: Zero Plot

I'm a nationally certified animal trainer running the Lion King, Caesar's final assessment. I've barely stepped into the enclosure corridor when the steel guillotine door slams down behind me. My wife's laughter crackles over the loudspeaker. "Everyone, we're doing the ultimate challenge today! We're locking the so-called number-one animal trainer in the Lion King's enclosure and taking bets on whether he wets himself in ten minutes!" Caesar crouches low and rumbles a warning. I reach for my tranquilizer gun but stop cold. The liquid isn't the right color. In a phony sing-song voice, the veterinarian, Hugh Archer, says, "Lucian, I forgot to mention, I swapped your tranquilizer darts for pepper spray so you won't hurt Caesar by mistake. "You two are so close. Just win him over with love!" I look at Caesar, his eyes bloodshot from the stimulant, and it clicks. Hugh still resents that I stopped him from touching a tiger with his bare hands a few days ago. I tune out the trash blaring over the loudspeaker, pull a remote from my pocket, and hit the button. It's the master switch for the electric fence gates around every predator enclosure in the zoo. If I don't make it out, no one does.

Three love stories, one world—this steamy, slow-burn sequel follows new couples finding their fate, desire, and heartbreak in a world where wolves love hard, and the stakes run deeper than ever. *** Ravenna & Darius’ story Ravenna was born a disgrace—wolf-less, exiled, and left for dead by her own pack. But death refused her. Rescued after a near-death incident, she awakens with untapped powers, far more dangerous than any wolf. Stolen away by Alpha Darius, a ruthless leader feared across all packs, their meeting sparks chaos: they’re fated mates. Bound by a prophecy drenched in blood, Ravenna discovers her lineage holds the key to either salvation or destruction. With an ancient war on the horizon and dark forces hunting her, Ravenna must decide—embrace the unstoppable force within her or let it consume them all. Mia & Dalian’s Story Once a fleeting passion, their connection reignites, but love comes with its own dangers. With the weight of what they’ve endured hanging over them, Mia and Dalian must fight for their love—or lose it forever. Lucian & Emily’s Story Lucian’s mate is human—and he’s kept it a secret. After capturing her during a war, their dangerous connection grows. But Emily doesn’t know they’re fated, and the truth could destroy everything.

I transmigrated into a dating-sim otome game where I was supposed to romance a soft, fragile male lead. I had finally pushed him onto the bed and was just about to make my move when the long-missing system finally popped back online. [Host, I sent you to the wrong game. This is a horror game.] [The man you’re bullying right now is the horror game final boss.] I lifted my head and met a pair of blood-red eyes staring straight at me. My smile froze. “Um… you look a little tired. Maybe we should… continue this another day?” He smiled back, calm and terrifying. “I’m not tired. Go on.”

Lately, buying succubi and incubi online had become all the rage. I could not afford one, so I picked one up from the side of the road instead. It turned out the quality of this incubus left a lot to be desired. Not only did he have a terrible temper, but he showed absolutely no interest in me. He would rather starve than "feed". Left with no other options, I snapped a photo of his incubus mark and sent it to the shop owner, asking how to handle this particular model. The shop owner completely lost it. "Oh my god, please tell me you're joking! That's not an incubus! That's a demon! The most dangerous kind!"

"Stop right there, Evan! You can't fool me." Grace stretched out her hands to the right and left, preventing her best friend from leaving. "I know you're hiding something." Evan crossed his arms over his chest. "Don't be so confident. And please, know your place. I have the power to replace you with anyone else." He leaned toward her and whispered to her ear. "Or, are you trying to seduce me? How much is your rate for one night?" Upon hearing it, Grace gave him a smack across the face. She was silent for a moment in disbelief. Tears started to roll down her cheeks. "You're so mean, Evan. I-hate-you," she said, heartbroken. She turned away from him without further ado. Evan teared up too, looking at his best friend leaving. "I'm sorry, Grace. I had to do it. We can't be together," he said weakly. Grace and Evan became best friends after he saved her and her mother following a traffic collision. Their friendship grew stronger for years until they became inseparably fond of each other. However, fate played jokes on them. They had to separate for years, lose contact and bury their dreams. When they finally reunited in the same workplace, everything was not the same as it used to be.

He was so stubborn, adamant not to marry the girl he had never encountered with. She was left alone standing at the altar, humiliated. Her betrothed left her alone on their wedding day. Eight years later, they finally locked eyes. In the most stupid place and even more stupid condition. The worst part? He fell in love with her. Hard. He had to start from below zero, making up his mistakes for a girl from the past. Wouldn't stop until she accepts him anymore. But we know trouble always gets in the way. A big one. This may sound like a fight he could never win.

I grabbed an extra work meal to entertain a client. My boyfriend's sister saw it and went ballistic, docking my entire $500K commission. She pointed at my nose and screamed, "Are you taking me for a fool? You're just hiding behind 'client entertainment' to rip off the company! It's shameful, damaging the company's image! All of your commission for this month will be deducted as a warning to others." The client looked at me, wide-eyed in shock. I shrugged. "Do what makes you happy. Just don't regret it later." From then on, I started slacking off, and she freaked out.

Sarah, a beautiful and charming young woman, is trapped in a toxic marriage with Alex, a controlling and abusive husband. One day, she witnesses a terrible thing. In despair she runs but her escape is cut short when she gets into a car accident. Luckily, she's rescued by a handsome billionaire, Ethan, who's immediately smitten with her. Ethan offers Sarah a contractual relationship: he'll keep her safe from Alex and provide for her in exchange for her help. His grandfather's company is in need of a new CEO, and Ethan needs Sarah to pretend to be his fiancée to impress the board of directors. Sarah agrees, and as they spend more time together, she falls deeply in love with Ethan. But just as things are going smoothly, a plot twist emerges: Ethan's grandfather's company is actually the same company that Alex works for, and Alex will stop at nothing to sabotage Ethan's chances of becoming CEO. As Sarah and Ethan navigate this treacherous landscape, they must confront their own feelings for each other and work together to outsmart Alex. In the end, they succeed in defeating Alex and securing Ethan's position as CEO. But the biggest surprise comes when Sarah discovers that she's actually the long-lost heiress to Ethan's grandfather's company, and she's the true rightful owner of the CEO position. With this revelation, Sarah and Ethan's relationship is put to the test. Will they be able to overcome the power dynamics and make their love work, or will their differences tear them apart?

Jade was found in the aftermath of a rogue attack and taken in by a nearby pack as a servant. She is told that her parents were likely some of the rogues, and as such she is treated as worse than worthless her whole life. One day, she snaps and has enough of her treatment, earning herself a death sentence. When a mysterious stranger rescues her and claims to be her mate, Jade realizes that her past may not be as simple and vague as she was led to believe. Elliott is the alpha of Silver Moon, one of the most successful and wealthy packs in the country. He's tough, smart, and lethal if someone he loves is in danger. When he sees a girl in danger during a visit to River Bed pack, he steps in and saves her. When he finds out the girl is his mate, and that she is sentenced to die in a few days, he takes drastic action to get her away from her evil pack and to the safety of his lands. But when he gets his mate home, he finds that they have more history than he thought: Jade is none other than the fallen alpha of Mystic Moon's daughter. But when both Elliott and Jade have no memory of the specifics of the attack, they realize a greater plot may be at foot here, and Elliott is--for the first time in his life-- left wondering if he alone is strong enough to face it.

Liam Pearce is supposed to be celebrating our daughter's birthday when she dies after ingesting wolfsbane. Instead, he's with a human woman as she goes for a prenatal checkup at the hospital. My daughter's dying wish is to celebrate her birthday with both her parents. However, she ultimately dies with regrets. My heart dies with her. I take her ashes to the place she most looked forward to going to in life. That's when I see Liam kissing another woman. She leans into his arms and asks daintily, "Isn't your daughter sick, Liam? Why do you have time to be with me?" "Don't even mention her. Sofia, that scheming woman, must be using that as an excuse to keep me there. You're the one I love the most, sweetheart," he says dotingly. "What about your daughter, then? Who do you love more, me or her?" "You, of course. You're my darling Mia." His words stun me like a bolt of lightning. After crying my heart out, I pack my daughter's belongings. I decide to leave Liam forever. However, he and the rest of the royal family get on their knees before me. They beg me not to leave.