Shoe Dog

I wasn't supposed to stay out in the dark, was supposed to be indoors like the others. But being so stubborn, I left into the woods to play with my best friend Micky, my little puppy. But the night wasn't a safe one for me. My hour was darkness, and every single night creatures trembled at the authority of rawl. I found her while she patted her little dog by the back. She was little and innocent, but that has nothing to do with me. She disobeyed the rules, therefore, she must serve the consequences.

'God, I'm late again!' Jane thought as she hurried through the streets. 'Mr. Smith is going to be so mad!' She decided to take a shortcut through some back alleys that she would normally rather avoid. Suddenly, she heard a series of whimpers, thumps, and yelps coming from another alley nearby. It sounded like a dog in pain, being beaten by something heavy 'Maybe if I make a noise, whatever is attacking that dog will get scared and run.' She stopped. She had just peaked her head around the corner and saw not one but two . . . men? . . . standing at the other end of a dead-end alley and overlooking a very large, furry pile of animals that seemed to be twitching. Normally, Jane would have been filled with terror at that moment, but terror was normally reserved for those with something to lose. There was a part of Jane, however, that still clung to the charade that was her life. Her hands began to tremble and her lungs released a scarcely audible gasp. Then the two standing figures turned and faced the end of the alley where Jane was hiding. "I'm going to call the police!" she shouted, lacking anything better to say. One of the figures shook his head and smiled. All his teeth seemed to be far too pointy. "That would be a very . . . terrible . . . mistake," he hissed, his words escaping his mouth like dead air from a pharaoh's tomb. And then both of them headed towards her at an inhuman pace. "No," one of them rasped. "Finish it. I'll get the girl." The other one stopped and snarled some kind of response.

I balled my hands into fists and chunked my shoe at him. A little drastic, but called for in the heat of the moment. Madden chuckled and lunged for me, tossing me over his shoulder. My body blazed like an inferno from the feeling of his fingers against my bare thighs. Every innocent touch he'd given me over the years meant nothing, because the rough skin of his palm soared me over into oblivion. I felt so undone I didn't realize he'd walked us all the way into my room until he tossed me face first onto my bed. Before I could defend myself, I felt his palm come down sharply on my butt cheek. A gasp broke from me, and my fingers tightened into the covers. Heat swarmed my cheeks and nerves skated down to the throbbing juncture between my thighs.

Building an empire comes first. Or it did until I met her. My family’s billion-dollar hotel chain has been my life for as long as I can remember. Travel. Women. Wealth. That’s all I know, until fate grabs me by the throat and decides to not let up. She’s a beach body, a beautiful, curvy California girl who hasn't found the right person to give into yet. I would have felt the same, but something about her has me pacing the floor at night. And my father sent me out to her hotel specifically. The sly dog knowing that she’s exactly the woman I need in my future. But it’s not that easy. It never is. Not until our love produces a little one. Then everything changes. Especially me. Now I want more than just one night. I want forever.

Loyalty. Pride. Family. These are the only values that matter. Jozef is both nephew and enforcer to the Koba crime family. He is ruthless, brutal and completely loyal to his family. Shaun is a doctor working in the Ukraine with Doctors Without Borders. She’s logical, kind and honest. Shaun has been trained on how to deal with hostage situations, but nothing prepares her for Jozef or the life he’s forcing her into. From the operating room to an opulent glittering ballroom and a forced engagement, Shaun is wildly out of her depth. Every step she takes is monitored and the man who kidnapped her watches her like a feral dog preparing to strike. Caught in a deadly plight, Shaun has no choice but to give her heart to a killer or become another victim of organized crime.NOTE: Sinner’s Empire contains scenes of sexual content, violent situations, and panic attacks.Sinner’s Empire is created by Nikita Slater, an eGlobal Creative Publishing Signed Author.

I'm playing hide-and-seek with my son when he locks me on the balcony. It's freezing outside, and my face turns blue from the cold. However, all he does is laugh at me while I call for help. He makes ugly faces at me through the glass. "You look like the stray dog downstairs, Mom! You're so ugly!" I die a frosty and terrible death. Before breathing my last breath, I see my son excitedly give my husband a video call. "Mom has frozen to death, Dad. Can you take Ms. Cole home to be my new mom now?" When I open my eyes again, I'm taken back to the moment my son wants me to play hide-and-seek with him.

ESSENCE I was ready to give my life for them, but they didn't even bat their eyelids when I was dying. In my eyes they were precious gold, but in their eyes I was no better than a piece of trash. I gave my all to my husband and my son but they trampled on my love, time and again. "Will you be my mommy?" With puppy dog eyes, my son begged my husband's mistress right in front of me. "Don't be so selfish, Essence. It's your fault for being as fat as a pig." My husband said to me. "You are lucky I even married you. Who else would want you?" I lost myself loving the wrong people. But not anymore. Leaving the ingrates behind, I decided to focus on one thing only; Building myself and my career. What I did not see coming though, was the drop dead gorgeous, most sought after bachelor, City's notorious playboy, Lucian Knight, kneeling before me and begging, "Please marry me, Essence. I have waited for you my whole life." I certainly had no idea that I was in for one sexy ride.

Amira Altaha has lived her entire 18 years alongside the natural - and supernatural. In her hometown city of Morrowfalls, it isn't unknown to be working side by side with a furry friend, or scaly, or one that floats. She can't imagine life without this diverse culture, especially not her longtime boyfriend, Isaac Lund. Despite their differences of her being a human and him being a werewolf, it takes one meeting during junior year of high school for them to fall head over heels for each other. Amira understands that one day Isaac might find his mate in someone who isn't her, but he makes his own vow to be with her until the very end. This promise is upheld for five blissful years - until the day Isaac turns 18, and meets Eris Morin, daughter to the Alpha of the Silverhowl Pack - and his new mate. ~ “Is this another attempt at avoiding me?” he asks. Goosebumps rise on her skin as his lower lip subtly brushes against hers while he speaks, his breath warm and sweet on her tongue. “What if it is?” She is surprised at how strong her voice sounds despite how much her chest is trembling. His fingers tighten their grip on her chin and waist, his already dark eyes darkening further. “I’ll say this only once so listen close, sweetheart – there isn’t anywhere in this world you can go where I won’t find you, and as cute as this game of dog and squirrel has been, I am only willing to play for so long. It’s best for you to give up now; I always win.”

When a war between political gangs and mafia groups breaks up in fort canon city, Blake Walker an upcoming business man is forced to relocate to his in-laws to take shelter and recover from losing everything he has worked hard for. Muddled in this misfortune, his loving wife Tessa Wallace and her family would however turn on him and treat him worse than a street dog in the Wallace manor. None of their offence changes the love he has for Tessa until she decides to divorce him, beaten to a pulp and shot to the brink of death, Blake finally signs the divorce papers and gets thrown out of the manor. But the gods of luck would smile on him when it turns out he is a long lost Heir to one of the richest and most dangerous Mafia groups in the city. After taking his rightful place at the high table, revenge is inevitable and tables turn. He serves it hot with his guardian angel by his side. Anita Baker former employee at the manor and the only person who stood by him when he needed help the most.

Born as the younger twin, his destiny in life is to live in his brother's shadow. His beast is strong, the bringer of chaos, and he follows nobody's lead. Ryder leaves home and disappears for almost two years after realizing that his first love had a dark ulterior motive. He starts working as a hunter, killing the supernatural. A near death incident that leads to personal tragedy brings him home where he becomes the Sire of his own lair and sets him on his path for revenge and ultimately finding his own Drakaina. I went back upstairs just as Megan came out of the bathroom sporting a pair of my sweatpants and t-shirt that was way too big for her. “I was going to recommend the sweat pants, it might be big around your waist but your ass will fill it out,” I said as she turned to glare at me. “Meaning what exactly?” she asked me. “It’s just that your ass… never mind,” I said. “Are you saying I have a fat ass?” she asked me. “No!” I said quickly. “Then what?” she asked me as she stood with her hands on her hips. “Just forget I said anything,” I said to her trying to hide my embarrassment. “No! Tell me,” she said adamantly. “Fine! Your ass is perfect for… no I can't, I'm going to sound like a pervert,” I said as the pillow flew across my face. “Ryder!” she yelled her face a bright red. “You asked,” I said and ducked at the shoe heading for my face. “You're such an idiot,” she said as she looked at me, “stop looking at my ass.” “Are you wearing my underwear?” I asked her as I saw the edge of my boxers above the sweat pants.