Standing Punching Bag

Iris “Prisoner……. Captive….. Slave…..” Those are little words when it comes down to me. My teenage was almost gone and when I saw myself standing in my adulthood, I realized I lost so many things including myself. Because I was his prisoner. I was Bratva’s captive and he left no stone unturned to teach me who is the owner of my life. “Regret?” “I regret the day when I stepped in his mansion blinded by vengeance. And he showed no mercy. I regret my impulsive decision and many more. But above all, I regret being the puppet of his hand.” Dimitrios “I don't have the word mercy in my rule book.” “But she is a kid.” “Doesn't matter. What matters is, she is an assassin's daughter and his father is not alive to pay for his deeds.” Copyright 2021-2022 by Irene Davison (Esperanza)

For seven years, I took medicine to suppress my Alpha bloodline, all to protect the fragile pride of my Beta boyfriend, Liam. On the night of our anniversary, he chose not to show up. He was with a Highborn she-wolf he had only just met. He believed I was nothing more than an ordinary Omega in the pack, someone he could discard at will and win back with gifts. He claimed my bloodline could never compare to hers. Liam never knew the truth. I carried the purest Alpha bloodline because I was a Moonborn. When he finally realized what he had lost and came begging for me to return, it was all too late. My new Alpha mate was standing by my side, shielding me from Liam. His betrayal ended our story, but my true beginning had only just unfolded.

Lena had been infatuated with Ethan for almost a year, admiring him quietly from the sidelines. They worked in the same building, but their paths rarely intersected. Ethan was the kind of man who effortlessly commanded attention-confident, striking, and possessing a grin that could leave anyone speechless. Despite her constant daydreams, Lena had never mustered the courage to speak to him. But today was different, she told herself. Today, she would finally make a move. Or at least, try not to embarrass herself like usual. As she hurried into the bustling café, determined to be bold, her nerves began to unravel. She spotted Ethan standing at the counter, casually scrolling through his phone as he waited for his order, exuding that effortless charm she found so magnetic. "Alright, Lena," she muttered under her breath. "You've got this." Unfortunately, she didn't.

"Do I seem like an idiot to you princess?" he sassed taking another agonizingly slow step towards me. "N-no." I stuttered out a blabbering mess, unable to think straight with his sudden closeness. "Do I have to show who you belong to again Bella?" "I-don't know." I whispered out too far gone within the eyes of the silver eyed God like boy standing before me. "Then why do you defy me princess, or is it that you want me to punish you?" I was trapped within his beautiful orbs unable to register the utter madness he just voiced, the word fell off my lips almost breathless begging for him to take me. "Yes" His lips curved to the side showing his God forbidden mischievous smirk of his. I had just now registered the consequences of my stupidity.

"I've always had my eyes on you. I've been curious to know how you taste." His hands came caressing my lips softly. The only thing I could hear in the dark was the rain, my beating heart, and our breathe. ***** Mirabel, who goes through bullying in college, learns her mother is getting remarried. On a wet night, her mother leaves for a date with her lover, sending her lover's son over to keep Mirabel company. When she opened the door to welcome her stepbrother, Mirabel is shocked to see her crush, Derek, a cool handsome student from her class, standing there. He reveals he's her stepbrother. She doesn't know how to react, but a naughty Derek knows what to do. *How will Mirabel bear this? *Can she stand her crush being her stepbrother?

Matapos siyang malasing, patuloy patuloy niyang isinisigaw ang pangalan ni Iris Relova. Nang magising siya kinabukasan, wala siyang maalalang kahit ano, at sinabi sa kaniya “Hanapin mo ang babae mula kagabi!” “......” Sa wakas, nawalan ng pag-asa si Solene at nagsumite ng divorce agreement. Ang dahilan ng diborsyo ay: gusto ng babae ng mga bata, ngunit ang kaniyang asawa ay baog, na nagdulot ng pagkasira ng kanilang relasyon! Si Noah na walang kaalam-alam sa sitwasyon, nakatanggap ng balita at ang kaniyang mukha ay nagdilim. Inutusan niya ang isang tao na dakipin si Solene upang mapatunayan ang kaniyang sarili. Isang gabi, si Solene ay kadarating palang sa bahay galing sa trabaho at na-corner ng isang tao sa hagdan. “Sinong nagpahintulot sa iyo na makipag-diborsyo nang wala ang aking pagsang-ayon?” Tinanong ni Solene, "Wala kang kakayahan, kaya bakit hindi mo ako pinapayagan na makahanap ng ibang makakagawa?" Nang gabing iyon nais ni Noah na malaman niya kung may kakayahan ba siya o wala. Ngunit nang ilabas ni Solene ang isang pregnancy report mula sa kaniyang bag ay nagalit muli si Noah. “Kaninong anak ‘to?” Hinanap niya sa lahat ng dako ang ama ng bata at ipinangako na papatayin ang bastardo! Sinong mag-aakala na ang imbestigasyon ay mahuhulog sa kaniya…

Mia Heather, the daughter of the pack’s only healer grew up knowing her place and staying in line. She was raised to be a quiet,obedient and invisible lady whose only purpose in life was to be a healer someday, taking over her father until she met who she thought would be her fated mate, Alpha Bladen. After hunt training one day,Mia helped him to remove a splinter that was stuck in his fur,sparking up a chemistry between them. Alpha Bladen promised to make Mia his mate when their mating season began. The promise was broken about Bladen is forced by his parents to marry Viana, and make her his mate. Luna Viana, is the perfect match for Bladen, at least in the eyes of his parents becauss she was a fmaily friend. Mia is heartbroken, devastated and her heart shattered into a million pieces but who cared how she felt? No one. Not until she met the rogue biker pack. Killers MC is the rogue biker pack that took her in when she was most vulnerable. They helped to fund her education and escape her past with Alpha Bladen. Five years later, the village needs a doctor. The blood moon had cursed the Alpha now he is faced with an ultimate sickness that only Mia can cure. This was Mia’s come back. She was no longer the quiet, obedient and invisible girl that followed her father everywhere holding his bag of medicine and lusted over an Alpha. She was now a full healer wolf. The only healer that can help Alpha Bladen to live. She comes back to the pack in love with Loren Luper, a famous sports enthusiast who has loved her since she saved his life. A twisted werewolf sports romance story.

My husband, Ryan Costa, is one of the most renowned scientists in the apocalypse. To retrieve a reagent, he goes deep into the high-risk zone with his secretary, Clara Gibson. I, Alice Ashford, lead an elite squad to protect him all the way. But when a zombie horde besieges us, he refuses to retreat. "With the reagent Clara brings back, I can develop a serum that saves all of humanity! Just ten more minutes! Ten minutes, please!" Ryan insists. I feel torn as I see the zombies closing in. I can't gamble with the lives of my squad on a vague, uncertain sliver of hope. In that split second, I knock Ryan out and drag him onto the helicopter. As a result, Clara dies being torn apart by the zombies. When Ryan wakes up, the first thing he does is slap me hard across the face. He rages, "How can you be so selfish? You've doomed all of humanity!" I am sentenced to be burned at the stake. I die in unbearable pain as the crowd curses me relentlessly. When I open my eyes again, I am back at the moment when Ryan stands in front of the helicopter, blocking our retreat. I am just about to speak when I suddenly hear his inner voice, "Clara should have grabbed her makeup bag by now. Hopefully, she brings something back with her. Otherwise, I'll have a hard time explaining myself to Alice." My mind goes blank, and I stare at him in shock. He smiles at me just like he did in my previous life and asks, "Darling, don't you think we should wait?"

Marcia was once destined for a life of happiness as a wealthy princess, but in this moment, she was ruthlessly struck by fate. She discovered that her husband, Alan, not only betrayed her but also had an affair with her best friend. While pregnant, she was persecuted, leading to a devastating miscarriage that shattered her spirit. Even more heartbreaking, her father suffered a stroke and passed away due to Alan's embezzlement of company funds. In an instant, Marcia lost her wealth, her child, and the one person who truly loved her... In her despair, Marcia made a decision: revenge! Two years later, she returned as Patricia, becoming the most trusted secretary of the powerful billionaire Elijah Sinclair. She vowed to make those who had wronged her pay, ensuring they would suffer in hell! *** (Sample) Marcia grabbed Calvin's hand tightly, her voice sharp. "I WANT REVENGE! I WANT REVENGE! Calvin, please help me! I can't let him get away with this!" Her eyes were bloodshot, her tone rising to a near scream. Calvin felt her icy grip, devoid of warmth. He gently embraced Marcia, solemnly promising, "Don't worry, I will help you!" Calvin placed a brown paper bag gently in front of her. "Open this. Get close to him; he can help you. But know this: from now on, there will be no more Marcia Roberts. Are you ready for that?" Marcia sat up in bed, carefully tying her long hair back, revealing a gaunt, colorless face. "At this point, do I have any other choice? But, Calvin, are you sure this person can help me?" "He's Elijah Sinclair. If he can't, no one can..."

Isang ubod lalim na paghinga ang ginawa ni Anya bago inilibot ang tingin sa kanyang paligid. Pagkatapos ay sinuot niya ang de- kulay na salamin sa mata. Sinukbit ang signature na shoulder bag at maingat na hinila ang katamtamang maleta. Marahan siyang naglakad palabas ng paliparan. Dalawampu’t taon ang lumipas ng lisanin niya ang bansang Pilipinas para manirahan sa Amerika. Baon ang labis na hinagpis at pagkabigo sa pag-ibig ay nakipagsapalaran sya sa ibang bansa. Kaya naman ngayon sa muling pagtapak ng kanyang mga paa sa bansang kanyang tinakasan ay may kung anong pakiramdam sa dibdib niya ang hindi niya sukat mawari. Isa lang ang sigurado si Anya naroon pa rin ang bigat sa puso niya. Tila nanariwa ang pighati na dulot ng nakaraan. May butil ng luha na gustong bumukal sa sulok ng kanyang mga mata. Agad niyang pinawi iyon at pinuno ng hangin ang nagsisikip na dibdib. Mayroon siyang mahalagang pakay sa kanyang pagbabalik. Iyon ay ang lalaking kanyang inibig ng wagas subalit nagawa niyang talikuran. Subalit lagi na’y naroon ang katanungan sa isip niya. Kaya ba niya itong harapin? Handa ba siyang anihin ang poot at galit ni Clark sa kanilang muling pagtatagpo? Pagka’t ang tingin na ng lalaki sa kanya ay isang talusira.