Speaks The Nightbird

********* “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Travis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Kian. Kian’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Leslie. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Kian frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Kian.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. “Both the divorce papers and my resignation will find their way to you soon.” I add before he can get over his shock and I don’t wait for him to reply as I turn to an equally stunned Travis. “Take me home, Travis.”

I stand in the hospital after my two older brothers decline all 99 of my phone calls. They finally appear, bringing with them the biological sister they found. My gentle eldest brother, who had once rescued me from my so-called abusive parents, raises his hand and slaps me across the face. "Cynthia, you're actually pretending to have a terminal illness just to compete with Sarah for our affection? And you came to this kind of place to frighten us?" I clutch my swollen cheek and listen as my second brother, who always says he'll trust me no matter what, holds Sarah in his arms and laughs out loud. "Are you trying to fake being sick to get our attention after seeing that Sarah is in poor health? "Just cut the act. You've been living in luxury since childhood and have always been in perfect health. How could you possibly be ill?" Sarah Crawford speaks up thoughtfully, "Don't blame her, you two. I think she just feels like I've stolen away your love for her, which is why she has become so unreasonable..." I look at the two brothers who have doted on me for ten years and suddenly feel that nothing matters anymore. After all, I only have seven days left to live. In seven days, everything will return to normal after my departure. But by then, they'll be the ones unable to accept it.

"Why can’t you just leave me alone?" Valentina snarled, breath hitching as she shoved against the bark of the tree behind her. He stepped closer, eyes glowing with an untamed hunger. In one swift, possessive motion, he pinned her hands above her head, his lips grazing the pulse at her neck—dangerously close to the spot only a mate should touch. “Because, little wolf,” he whispered, his voice dark velvet against her skin, “you belong to me—and I’m done pretending otherwise.” _______ Stabbed by the man she once loved and betrayed by the friend she trusted most, Valentina was reborn in the ashes of heartbreak. No longer the obedient luna of the Shadow Crust pack, she rises from the shadows to reclaim her life—and her power. But home is no longer safe. Her pack is in ruins. Her father? Bewitched by a mysterious woman named Carmella. And fate? Cruel, as always. Because waiting for her in the heart of the storm is the man she should never desire—Andres Donovan, the cold and dangerously obsessive Lycan King… and her second-chance mate. He watches her with eyes full of secrets, speaks in riddles that echo of a past she can’t remember, and touches her like he’s been starving for centuries. But as enemies close in, alliances fracture, and war brews over the divine blood flowing in her veins, Valentina must decide: Will she fight fate again… Or surrender to the one man who could ruin her—or save her?

I've been in a relationship with my brother's best friend, Emilio Slater, for three years, but he's never been willing to make our relationship public. Still, I never doubt his love for me. After all, he's been with 99 women before, yet he stops looking at anyone else because of me. Even if I have a slight cold, he drops billion-dollar projects and rushes home to take care of me. But on my birthday, when I'm excitedly preparing to share the news of my pregnancy with Emilio, he forgets my birthday for the first time and vanishes without a trace. The housekeeper tells me he's gone to pick up someone important from the airport. I rush there and see him holding flowers, his face full of nervous anticipation, waiting for a woman—one who looks strikingly like me. Later, my brother tells me she's Emilio's first love, the one he can never forget. Emilio defied his parents for her, and he fell apart after she dumped him. He sought out 99 women who resembled her to fill the void. My brother speaks with admiration for Emilio's deep devotion, unaware that I'm one of those stand-ins. I watch Emilio and his first love for a long, long time. Then, I return to the hospital without hesitation. "Doctor, I don't want this child anymore."

Natalia Punongbayan. They call her "extraordinary," and for good reason. She's not just someone who stands out in a crowd; she's someone who can fundamentally alter the course of lives with a single, calculated step. They say she can ruin someone's life just by stepping into it. Her friends call her "troublemaker," a term that speaks volumes about her cunning. It means she's a force of nature, someone who can navigate any situation, escape any consequence, and always come out on top. She's a con artist, a master manipulator, able to weave intricate webs of deception that leave people tangled and bewildered. She can twist people's minds around her little finger, making them believe anything she wants. And when things get tough, she simply disappears, leaving behind a trail of shattered lives and unanswered questions. But even the most skilled manipulator can make a mistake. And for Natalia, that mistake was a monumental one. She was supposed to target a specific man, disrupt his life, and leave him reeling. But she got it wrong. She ended up targeting the wrong groom, the wrong wedding. She pretended to be his mistress, claiming to be pregnant, all for a scheme that was supposed to be flawless. But it wasn't. Argo Greensmith, the groom of the wedding Natalia mistakenly attended, refused to let her slip away unscathed. Fueled by a desire to ensure she faced consequences for her deceitful actions, he stood firm in his decision to hold her accountable for her misdeeds.

RACHEL:I was supposed to be a bride. Instead, I became a tragedy in a white dress. When your mother dies the same night your groom disappears, you stop believing in happy endings. Then came him. A man with no warmth, no promises and eyes that watched me like I was a puzzle he didn’t want to solve. He saved me once. Now I live under his roof, cooking meals for a stranger whose silence speaks louder than comfort. Then there is Chris, the charming CEO who drowns me in the kind of affection I always dreamt of. And there is Liam, my ex fiance who came crawling back, begging for another chance. But the heart is a stupid thing. Even when it’s broken, it still learns to give second chances. Even for the wrong man. DAMIAN: She was a disaster I didn’t ask for. One I couldn’t ignore. I don’t do emotions, and I sure as hell don’t do strays. But I let her in, just for a while. Rachel Hart is not my responsibility. But she keeps showing up in places I can’t ignore, my company, my home, my thoughts. Now her presence lingers. Her scent. Her voice. Her past. She doesn’t belong in my world. But I find myself rearranging it anyway. And when someone else tries to claim her, They’ll learn the hard way I don’t let go of what’s mine.

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.”

In the heart of New York City, the NYPD never sleeps—and neither do its secrets. Detective Jocelynn Sanchez is all sharp edges and silence. Closed off, cold, and constantly on guard, she’s built walls few have dared to climb. Her time at the academy left her scarred, thanks to a group of recruits who made it their mission to break her spirit. Now, years later, she’s forced to join a new unit—led by none other than Andrei Smirnov, friends with the men who put her through hell. Andrei has always wanted to work with Jocelynn, though she has no idea. Unlike his friends, he saw her strength back then—and admired it. Her arrival on his team feels like fate. But earning her trust proves harder than expected. She barely speaks, avoids everyone except her one friend, and seems to carry a past she’ll never share. Still, Andrei is patient. An open book with a big family and an even bigger heart, he slowly begins to break through Jocelynn's defenses. And in doing so, he discovers the truth: she’s not cold—she’s protecting herself. Jocelynn sees that Andrei isn’t like the men who hurt her. He’s kind, steady, and genuinely wants to understand her. But there are secrets she won’t risk exposing—not even to him. Like the fact that her godfather is their precinct captain, or the real reason she cut ties with her family. As cases grow more dangerous and their bond deepens, Jocelynn must decide if she can finally let someone in. Shadows in Blue is a slow-burn detective romance about trauma and trust, told from both perspectives.

The kingdom of Valdris has survived a thousand years through blood and fear, ruled by kings who never flinched and never forgave. Corvin, the current ruler, is no different. He is beautiful in a dangerous way, undefeated in battle, and feared by every soul who speaks his name. He has never wanted anything he could not take. Until the spy. On the eve of his coronation anniversary, a fox is discovered inside the inner palace. It shifts into a young man named Elowen, a shifter from the eastern wildlands who carries ancient magic and a smile sharp enough to cut. By every law, he should be executed. Instead, Corvin makes a shocking decision and claims the spy as his personal “pet,” a living trophy meant to remind the world of his power. Elowen, however, did not end up in the palace by accident. He was sent to infiltrate Corvin’s court, earn the king’s trust, and destroy him from within. What he did not anticipate was the man beneath the crown. Corvin is the one person who sees through his lies, challenges him in unexpected ways, and becomes difficult to resist. As influence shifts and their loyalties blur, desire turns into a weapon neither man can fully control. Corvin’s Crown Sight cannot read Elowen’s heart, and Elowen cannot decide whether the king is his target or greatest weakness. War brews at the borders, treachery spreads within the palace walls, and their growing connection becomes the most dangerous secret in Valdris. If Corvin’s court uncovers the truth, he could lose his throne. If Elowen’s people discover his feelings for the man he was sent to kill, he may never escape alive. Their bond threatens the kingdom, and the decision they face could set Valdris on fire.

My Alpha Series Book 2 (Standalone) Adrian: This girl is everything I did not want in a mate. She’s vulgar, acts and speaks like a savage, refuses to comply to me as her alpha, challenges me at every turn, and worst of all…she comes from the most evil rogue pack in the whole states. That fact alone should have made me kill her on the spot, if only my wolf and heart would agree with me. Lennox: Come on Adrian! Just because she’s a little… different, doesn’t mean you get to throw the gift that the goddess sent our way after all that time waiting for her! Besides, do you smell that? My goddess, her smell is so mouthwatering! Rhea: I want nothing to do with this arrogant prick! His royal highness thinks I’m not good enough for him, well I say he’s not good enough for me! Walking around with that stick up his ass, reminding me every second that I should consider myself lucky that I turned out to be his mate! I may be a rogue, but that doesn’t mean words don’t hurt me. After all, I wasn’t exactly like the rest of my rogue pack. Hazel: It wouldn’t hurt if you would just give the man a chance to see the real you Rhea! We never belonged with those animals! He’s just trying to show us a better way of living, the right way. Besides, his attitude aside, I know you’re dying for a taste of him despite everything, because I’m dying for one myself from his wolf. Come on! If you two don’t want a taste of each other, at least set us free to do our own tasting!