Shield Of Shadows

"I, Darius Vaughan , Alpha of Blood Moon pack, reject you, Lyra Quinn, as my mate." The words cut deeper than any blade, shattering Lyra’s heart before the laughter and scorn of the pack, that followed. Rejected. Humiliated. Banished. She should have died that night. Instead, the rejection awakened something within her, something ancient, silver. Something extraordinary. Now, whispers of a “Silver Queen” carried waves through the lands, a wolf powerful enough to command shadows and bend fate itself. But power, they say, comes with enemies. The Alpha who rejected her is bound by a curse, the rival Alpha who courts her hides a deadly secret. And the prophecy that follows her name promises only two endings: unite the packs… or destroy them all

The things we want are so very rarely the things we need. Clifton Heights, a modest Adirondack town, offers many unique attractions. Arcane Delights sells both paperbacks and hard-to-find limited editions. The Skylark Diner serves the best home-cooked meals around, with friendly service and a smile. Every August, Mr. Jingo’s County Fair visits, to the delight of children and adults. In essence, Clifton Heights is the quintessential small American town. Everyone knows everyone else, and everyone is treated like family. It is quiet, simple, and peaceful. But shadows linger here. Flitting in dark corners, from the corner of the eye. If you walk down Main Street after dark, the slight scrape of shoes on asphalt whispers you're not alone, but when you look over your shoulder, no one is there. The moon shines high and bright in the night sky, but instead of throwing light, it only seems to make the shadows lengthen. Children disappear. Teens run away. Hunters get lost in the woods with frightening regularity. Husbands go mad, and wives vanish in the dead of night. And still, when the sun rises in the morning, you are greeted by townspeople with warm waves and friendly smiles, and the shivers pass as everything seems fresh and new... Until night falls once more. Handy's Pawn and Thrift sits several blocks down from Arcane Delights. Like any thrift store, its wares range from the mundane to the bizarre. By daylight, it seems just another slice of small town Americana. But in its window hangs a sign which reads: We Have Things You Need. And when a lonely traveling salesman comes looking for something he desperately wants, after normal visiting hours, after night has fallen, he will face a harsh truth among the shelves of Handy’s Pawn and Thrift: the things we want are rarely the things we need. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

"Why do you always look at me like that?" she whispered. "Because you're unlike anyone I've ever known," Damien replied, his voice low and husky, sending shivers down her spine. "Your presence is like a thorn in my side." Eira scoffed. “You're nothing but trouble, Damien. A brooding vampire with an ego the size of a castle. But you need me. Without me, you’ll be dead.” “I hate that," he admitted. She smirked. "Hate that you need me? So, what is it, Damien? A weakness you'd rather keep in the shadows?" Damien leaned in, his face dangerously close to hers, his gaze dropping to her lips. Eira's breath caught, her shock palpable. "I might need you, Eira, but I don’t want you," he said, his eyes betraying a desire he refused to acknowledge. "Remember that." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, her thoughts in turmoil and her lips tingling with the ghost of an almost-kiss. *** The Silverstone Pack is out for blood, determined to avenge their alpha's brutal murder. All eyes are on Damien, the prime suspect, who now lives in the shadows, focused on survival. His only goal is to stay one step ahead and keep himself well-fed. But everything changes when he encounters a girl who is mysteriously immune to his powers. In her, he finds a glimmer of hope he thought long lost. Eira, heartbroken from a recent breakup, unexpectedly crosses paths with Damien. Her confrontation with him quickly turns into a nightmare when she is taken captive. Damien, desperate and cornered, offers her a chilling deal: help him save himself, or face unimaginable suffering. With little choice, Eira agrees, setting off a chain of events that will forever change the course of her life.

My wife—Nancy Valente—had been "missing" for three months after some fake skiing accident. I spotted her at a bar. She was draped over Finley Bennett's shoulder, laughing like she hadn't wrecked my life. "Good thing you came up with this plan. I almost forgot what freedom felt like." Her crew kept clinking glasses, asking when she planned to pop back up. She glanced down. "Maybe in a week. I'll show up once he's lost his mind." I stayed in the shadows, watching her bask in her little escape act. Then I grabbed my phone and called a buddy at the Vital Records Office.

"Mira!" She hears her name being called sweetly, and feels the presence of someone whose voice bring more warmth than her husband's. "Mira!!" A voice who warns her and loves her more than she could ever imagine, and a being whose unrequited love would never be. Memories of lingering attachment to a woman and a family she is unfamiliar with, and a new family with many dark secrets to hide. A repetition of history and a forbidden love that can never be. Still someone hiding in the shadows devotes himself to bringing her happiness. He who is a being with the greatest sins amongst them all. 'A devil' as they call him. Dedicates his life to her. Was history wrong, or is there more to the tale of these two.

Luna Jackson lived a quiet, simple life until one night dragged her into a world she was never meant to enter. Now, surrounded by danger and whispers of betrayal, she finds herself standing at the edge of a darkness she doesn’t understand. Ryan Santoro was born into the mafia, but he never truly belonged. Ruthless when necessary, calculated by nature, he has spent years trying to keep his distance from the bloodshed that built his family’s empire. But when Luna stumbles into his world, she threatens to unravel everything he thought he knew about loyalty, power, and himself. Two souls from different worlds, drawn together by fate. As the shadows close in, they must decide to fight against the darkness or become part of it.

Abigail is trying to survive in a world full of dangers — a world where men would do anything to possess a woman, and where demonic creatures constantly lurk in the shadows, ready to seize whatever they desire. After a year of relentless hiding, secret shelters, and disguises, she has finally been found — and this is where her story truly begins: a story in which every choice, every heartbeat, tests the limits of survival, freedom, and the deepest desires of the heart. Abigail’s body and heart are at stake as she faces dangers that threaten not only her life but also her soul. The question remains: who will claim her body, who will win her heart, and who will control her fate in this world where power, desire, and betrayal always walk hand in hand.

Desperate to expose Damian core, the elusive tech tycoon who built his empire on cyber security and global defense contracts who was accused of his company being involved in money laundering network by my senior colleague Charlotte. When a Data breach scandal forces Damon into a reputation saving marriage. I sneaked through the opportunity, posing as a PR consultant to get closer enough to him. We got married and I got enough evidence. It was a wrong evidence which leaks to the press, Damian world crumbled I realized it was too late because he wasn't the criminal. Now Damian is gone. Five years later, he returned from the shadows alive, changed and determined. Now, will Damian forgive me and grant me a second chance?

WARNING: Contains Hardcore BDSM, forced proximity, gruesome sex scenes, forbidden romance and uncensored vocabulary. “To the public, you are my Luna, but while in this Packhouse, you will be reminded that this union was just one of convenience. You shall abide by my rules with obedience and respect, for our bond is one of necessity, not passion. I want you to keep this in mind till you die. I will never love you, Jennita.” *** Finding solace and unexpected love in Jamal, the Alpha of the Rogue wolves, after a heartbreaking betrayal, Jennita must confront her past when her Ex-husband and Alpha returns, reigniting a dangerous game of desire, loyalty, and the haunting shadows of the moonlit night. *** Update Schedule: 1-2 Chapter(s) daily *** Book 1 Of The Hybrid Legacy Series

The romance between Avril and Sean starts with youth and innocence. They navigate the ups and downs of their relationship, sharing dreams and building a future together. However, when unforeseen family problems cast a stormy shadow over their lives, the young couple is forced to part ways. As years pass, Avril and Sean lead separate lives, each haunted by the memories of a lost love. But fate has an enigmatic way of doing its magic. They cross paths once more, but this time they are altered individuals who have been scarred by life's hardships. Avril and Sean need to face the demons of their past and work through the challenges of their current existence in order to make everything right. Can they rekindle the flames of their once-indestructible love, or will the shadows of the past prove too formidable to overcome?