Startled Meaning

[MATURE CONTENT]. His hand shot out and reached beneath the hem of River’s dress with a swiftness that startled her. A yelp escaped her lips as he yanked it upwards, exposing a bare thigh. Shame burned and took over every fiber in her. She shrank back, burying her face in her hands. This was torture. Why was he doing this to her? A sinister scoff escaped his lips. “What's wrong, little one?" he mocked, his face inches from hers. "Scared?" Scared? Yes. But of him? No. Of herself? Hell, yeah. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ River, an omega hybrid who was betrothed to an Alpha’s son since birth does nothing but dream of their future together. Her dream shatters on her 19th birthday when Gonzalo rejects her after revealing he is in a secret affair with her big sister. Heartbroken and betrayed, River attempts to flee to the human world, vowing never to return. However, she is instead snatched by a ruthless vampire who takes her back to his home as a prize. Unbeknownst to her, she carries Gonzalo's child. After years of serving the vampire who falls in love with her along the way, news of rogue attacks forces River to escape back to her pack. Though prepared for questions about her secret child, River isn't prepared for the simmering tension and passion with Gonzalo who is haunted by his past mistake and is desperate for forgiveness. She certainly doesn't expect him to forcefully claim her when she seems determined to hate him forever.

In the shadows of the city’s most notorious club, where danger and desire intertwine, he sees her. Valerio Moretti—ruthless, feared, and untouchable—is the most dangerous name in the criminal underworld. He owns the city, one blood-soaked deal at a time. Women throw themselves at his feet, yet none have ever caught his eye... until her. Sera Devlin is an enigma behind red velvet curtains. A stripper who doesn’t belong. Her stiff movements, wide eyes, and barely concealed fear as men paw at her set her apart from the others. She's innocent—too innocent for a place like this. And that's what draws Valerio in like a flame. One night, Valerio breaks the rules—his own rules—and barges into her dressing room. Half-dressed and startled, Sera throws him out without a second thought, unaware she's just challenged the devil himself. Now, Valerio is obsessed. She doesn’t know who he is. She doesn’t want him. But he always gets what he wants—and he wants her. As their worlds collide in a twisted game of dominance, secrets, and forbidden desire, Sera finds herself caught in a cage made of diamonds and danger. But behind Valerio’s control lies a man with a dark past... and behind Sera’s fear, a secret that could shatter them both. He’s her captor. She’s his temptation. And in this game, love could be their ultimate ruin.

When Nala enters her room, she is startled by a man behind her blanket. Named Raymond, whose purpose of arrival was to keep Nala who was just an ordinary human being. It was pictured with a large tattoo bearing Nala's name on his chest. Nala wants to report it to the police but undoes her intentions when she finds out there's a big secret they have to cover up about Raymond coming out of nowhere. It's added that Raymond's behavior is like that of a child under five who breaks down in tears. What surprised Nala was that he had wings. Yes. The wings are large, black, and soft, coming out of his back. Where Nala realizes that Raymond showed up is because of her, with a birthday candle. And again Raymond always fires scents that almost make Nala lose her mind. Who exactly is Raymond? What's the real purpose? Why does he keep calling himself a failed half-human elf?

This intriguing story is about a teenager who is leaving her family for the first time in her life to the other side of life and her crave for Independence and freedom, she finds out life is beyond misusing her freedom, she finds out the true meaning of being FREE...and also finds true love.

The goodness in everybody varies by how they were taught as they grow up. Taking an example, Iris was another girl who just hopes for a better and happy life with her family but fate became a determining factor to wash all her happiness in just one night, a night before her birthday and that’s where her revenge started. A revenge where she became hungry for power and changed to be a villainess to punish the people who destroyed her family and who destroyed her. She’s the most gorgeous woman in the whole empire that every guy could ever ask for marriage but too bad with her past she became different, she changed herself and name as she was adopted in the Killford Duchy. Psyche Killford, the name that will shatter everyone’s happiness when messed with and a brutal seeker for revenge. As the name implies, Psyche in the empire meant soul seeker and the deeper meaning was criminal killer, implying that she should be the judge of the villains a Queen Villainess for the criminals. “Let’s just say you’ll dream a happy one after you closed your eyes” - Psyche AN ORIGINAL STORY

Twenty-year-old Francheska Dela Cruz, an aspiring writer was hired in one of the biggest publishing companies in Metro Manila and her first assignment was to interview a philanderer who had a scandalous reputation in his time. Driven by the determination to keep her job and to be noticed by her boss, Dale Trinidad made her decide to push through with the assignment. She found herself in the old capital city of Pasig City, near the Municipal Hall at the heart of Sandoval Avenue in Acacia Alley. A crowded and ragged place with people from all walks of life, Conversations with Micheal Benedicto brought her to the world of passion and lust. His overwhelming vast adventure with all kinds of love and each of his women portrayed a big role in his life. From his first encounter of a carnal affair with his supervisor in his first job to numerous women that came his way. His insatiable desire towards lonely single mothers and older women tainted his reputation and the radical conclusion of his story. All thirty-six women portrayed a big role in his life and shaped him for who he is. Francheska was not just an attendee to Michael's story. She was also about to find out her true identity and the confrontation of reality. It spanned two generations separated by fate, each had its struggle, its pain, lies, betrayal, and joy. Through this encounter, they will finally realize their connection and the real meaning of love, self-sacrifice, acceptance, and forgiveness. That in the end, love is all that matters.

Do you believe that first love can't forget by the heart? Do you still even know who you are in the past? Do you believe that you could incarnate to continue the love with your first love? Cassandra Vaughn starting to dream about the castle with a lot of people in there, she doesn't know any clue. But one thing she remember, her dream repeated always. Until she find the way to find the true meaning of it. That place, it makes her remember the things of the woman in her dream. Is she really the girl from 1952? What she found? "Please... Take me back in 1952"

"Sign this, honey!" Grace said, rubbing her husband's head, the words clipped. She couldn't wait to run for her dear life, but first, she needed to run from him as fast as her legs would take her. It didn't matter that she was scared of the outcome, but she needed to run first, and she needed it fast. Finally, after she had gotten him to sign it, she did what she had been meaning to since forever, without looking back. A few days later, she was able to do just that, without problem because her now ex-husband had traveled out of the country, but now, it was left to her to stay hidden, if she wanted to enjoy her freedom.

A night out with close friends was supposed to be fun and entertaining but Iris found herself in a tight chokehold by a crazy criminal instead. College life was supposed to be full of frat parties and craziness but Iris found herself being watched by the sharp eyes of her new hot bodyguard who wouldn't just give in to her whines nor demands. A classic party with elite businessmen like her billionaire father was supposed to be dull and boring but she found the new meaning of adventure by getting kidnapped by a man who looks too hot and too kind to be a cold blooded murderer. Falling in love was supposed to be peaceful and feeling imaginary butterflies in your stomach but she found it actually meant trying to find yourself again,learning to endure the pain it creates. Falling in love with your bodyguard? It violets the rule of business. Falling in love with your kidnapper? It violates the rule of nature.She likes to invest her time in business and utilize her time by enjoying the nature. So the question arises--- If destiny is fated,will her love get divided? While she is at it, she might also discover the truth that lies far beneath her reach and face the grim reality of life.

Juked: A slang soccer term meaning: faked out, deceived, confused your opponentSee examples Daniel Zavaro and Quincy Watson:As the rising star in Houston, Daniel has found fame as Captain of his Pro soccer team and the city’s most eligible bachelor. Daniel has everything – except someone special – and that suits him just fine. He doesn’t want, or need, complications.Quincy has baggage, and lots of it. After a tragic accident spins her world on its axis, she finds herself as a single mother, raising a newborn nephew she never knew she had. Between parenthood, her full-time job, and dealing with the suffocating grief of losing her sister, every day is a struggle. When they begin to cross paths often, an unlikely friendship starts to evolve. Feelings change. Lines get crossed. Before they know it-- they’ve been Juked.Contains explicit content and is recommended for readers ages 18+.Juked is created by M.E. Carter, an eGlobal CreativePublishing Signed Author.