Shallow Waters

Jenny Swift appears to have it all—a wealthy, charitable, and loving family admired by all. But beneath this facade of perfection lies a sinister secret. As her step-brother Julius's obsession with her spirals into dangerous territory, Jenny is thrust into a hidden world. She uncovers the dark underbelly of her family—the ruthless realm of the mafia, where power and betrayal rule. Will she navigate these treacherous waters or become another pawn in their deadly game?

Madison Byers returns to the dazzling city of Los Angeles, determined to reclaim her family's legacy after the tragic loss of her father. Yet, standing in her way is a menacing uncle with ambitions to seize her father's empire. In a city where power and wealth rule, Madison's last hope for redemption takes an unexpected twist when she shares a passionate one-night encounter with Tyler Marshal, the charismatic billionaire playboy. Tyler Marshal, accustomed to a world of deceit and danger, suddenly finds himself captivated by Madison's wit and determination. Their lives collide, and a whirlwind of events propels them into an arranged marriage neither of them saw coming. As they navigate the treacherous waters of high society, deceit, and hidden agendas, the fate of their families hangs in the balance. Trusts are shattered, and long-buried secrets claw their way to the surface. In a city where destiny can change with a stolen kiss or a fleeting touch, Madison and Tyler must dance to the unpredictable tune of fate while facing relentless opposition at every turn. Sometimes, destiny also begins with the brush of lips or touch, but how well can both parties dance to its tune with the many oppositions?. In "Thorns of the Heart", a tale of love, intrigue and power, will they emerge victorious or be consumed by their demons?

"Kali, what have you seen?" The other warriors crowded around Kali and I. They were craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the captive. They had never seen such a being before. "Destruction looms over us all! He must be killed. The warrior must be killed." Kali rushed to get the blade but I grabbed her arm and stopped her. "No. In as much as we are a warrior tribe of women. We are not savages. We must investigate this." "Suprema Sequoia, please you must listen to me. No good can come out of this. Men can never be trusted. Their hearts are full of darkness and evil. They poison and corrupt the ways of nature. He must die!!!" I was confused. I could only grasp one strange word from all Kali had said. "Men? What do you mean by men?..." In a tribe of alpha female wolves born from the mystical waters of the Lunaria, Sequoia is born the Suprema of the pack, Mystic Shadow. All is well until they are attacked by male warriors. Sequoia is immediately curious of the new gender she and her other warriors have never seen and she is taken on an enlightening journey of love with their attackers Alpha. All soon falls to pieces with jealousy, greed and betrayal and Sequoia is now forced to make the choice between her new found love and the safety and continued existence of her pack.

⚠️ WARNING ⚠️ DARK ROMANCE AND MATURED CONTENT. "This is kidnapping," my voice cracked as I followed him. "You can't keep me here." "I think I can," he chuckled, tge sound low and dangerous. He draped his coat over the kitchen counter, then turned back to me. "And that's what I plan on doing." A violent shudder ran through me. My breath came shallow, my chest tightening with fear. He meant it. "It won't be long before someone realises I am missing," I said, hoping that logic would reach him. "And come looking for me." His smirk deepened. "Who will?" Once a predator locks onto its prey, there's no letting go! A woman craving the attention of her husband runs into the caporegime of the Kingston family, a crime family that has ruled the underground for years. She knows he is bad news. She knows she should flee, but she ruins her marriage when she gives into his temptation. And now he never plans on letting her go.

In a world where the moon's gaze reveals the hidden truth, two extraordinary women embark on a forbidden love that defies all odds. Anya, a fierce and mysterious werewolf, has concealed her true identity from everyone she holds dear, including her lover, Maya. Unbeknownst to Maya, Anya has been chosen by the alpha of her pack to be her soulmate.  As Maya uncovers the shocking secret, fear and astonishment collide within her heart. But love, relentless and unyielding, compels Maya to delve deeper into Anya's world, discovering the true essence of her soulmate and forging an unbreakable bond. Their love becomes a beacon of strength and defiance against the confines of their society. However, destiny has another surprise in store for Anya. Hidden within her lies the key to unlocking her primal powers, destined to make her the first alpha female of her pack. Yet, how can she ascend the throne when a ruling alpha stands in her way? And what of her supposed soulmate, who walks the path of humanity rather than the moonlit realm? Now, Anya must navigate the treacherous waters of power, love, and prejudice, as she strives to claim her rightful place as alpha. As two opposing factions despise her very existence, she finds herself at the centre of a war that threatens her kind and challenges everything she stands for. With courage as her armour and love as her guide, Anya must unravel the secrets of her power, unite her fractured world, and defy the odds stacked against her. In this breathtaking tale of forbidden love, mystical forces, and epic battles, the ultimate question remains: can Anya and Maya triumph over hatred and forge a future where their love and acceptance can reign supreme?

𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐊 𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐆𝐀 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐓𝐘 𝟏: 𝐇𝐔𝐆𝐎 "Desperate times call for desperate measures." *** Nala Kaydence Cabral's life took a drastic turn after her mother's passing. She thought her fate was sealed, but she soon realized that she had the power to shape her own destiny. Despite her promise to her late mother, Nala had to resort to illegal means to survive their dire circumstances. It's a harsh reality, but it's the only way out. Little did Nala know that crossing paths with a stranger would lead her down a dangerous path. Their eyes met, and she felt a strange connection, but she had no idea that her decisions would ultimately lead to her downfall. With just a simple gesture, everything changed between them, and Nala found herself in deeper trouble than before. Life can be unpredictable, but for Nala, it's a matter of survival. Will she be able to navigate the treacherous waters ahead, or will she succumb to the dangers lurking around every corner?

"Please, don't do this to me, Dominique," I sobbed. "Don't disrespect our bond." Dominique scoffed, and the look he shot me made me feel like I was nothing, like I was dirt beneath his feet. "I want nothing to do with you. I, Dominique Wolf, Alpha of the Red Creek Pack reject this bond." My heart ached, and my legs gave way. I fell to the ground, and the pain in my chest was excruciating, far worse than any breakup or heartache I'd ever endured. ______ Rejected by their mates, Megan Good Love, a werewolf bakery owner, and Gabriel Fernadez, the powerful Lycan King, are brought together by an unexpected twist of fate. As they navigate the treacherous waters of rejection, assassination attempts, and hidden agendas, their love story takes an unexpected turn. Can a mutually beneficial marriage contract turn into passionate, true love? Follow Megan and Gabriel’s journey In this tale of power, betrayal, and second chances.

In the shadowy depths of Italy's criminal underworld, Lucas Firmino is well known for being ruthless. Feared by all rival mafias, he eliminates threats without hesitation and acknowledges no authority. Successfully reclaiming his seat as the tough mafia boss, Lucas is a force to be reckoned with. On the other side, Camila is a committed carer, willing to go to any lengths to protect her baby brother, Camillo. Her sole aim is to ensure his happiness, and she remains resolute in her commitment, even if it means sacrificing her own well-being. Caught in a complex web of loyalty and betrayal, Camila's world is upended when her father, known as Papa, engages in concealed dealings that lead to her being pushed into an arranged marriage with Lucas. The unexpected union between Camila and the ruthless mafia boss sets the stage for a tumultuous journey. As Camila steers the disloyal waters of her forced union with Lucas, the promise she made to protect her brother hangs in the balance. Will she find a way to uphold her commitment amidst the chaos, or will Lucas's influence force her to break the very promise she made to protect her brother? Find out more in the story.

Step into a world where reality and fantasy collide in the thrilling continuation of an epic gaming saga. In a virtual underground game devoid of safety nets, players battle for power, wealth, and their very survival. Mike's desperate bid to escape the clutches of death leads him into this treacherous realm, but the line between life and death blurs as the game's dangers loom large. Amidst the chaos, Mike must make allies, confront enemies, and decipher whom to trust in this high-stakes digital universe. Join Mike and his eclectic party as they embark on a gripping journey, where self-discovery and growth mix with every level gained. Will he find a way to cheat death in both the game and the real world, or is his fate sealed? Prepare for an adventure like no other, where destiny hangs by a thread, and the murky waters of the Game hold the key to Mike's salvation.

Fire and plague. Certainly no strangers to London Town.But when legions of living dead rise from the Thames’ fetid waters to feast upon the living, the city teeters on the brink of antihalation. And while floaters seek blood, another army takes advantage of the chaos. Boiling out of their rookeries of crime, marauders swarm through London’s affluent neighborhoods looting and burning.©️ Crystal Lake Publishing