Straight Jacket

Three years after I died, my mother sent me twenty dollars for living expenses. Three years before that—the first time I ever asked my family for money—she said to me, offhand, "Sometimes I think you're just putting on an act. What's so unsanitary about a thirty-cent boxed meal? And why can't you wear a five-dollar down jacket? Face it, you're just more high-maintenance than your little brother." Later, when I needed twenty dollars to buy some cheap medicine for my stomachache, she blocked me immediately and cut off all contact—along with every relative we had. "Don't contact me anymore. I'm clearly not a good mother. I can't afford to give my son a life of luxury." But for my younger brother, who had just started high school, she spared no expense—renting him a three-bedroom apartment. Even the family dog got its own room. In the end, on the day my brother became the top scorer in the state, she finally remembered me. She took me off her block list and transferred twenty dollars. "It's only twenty dollars. Was it really worth giving your family the silent treatment for three whole years?" What she never knew was this— On the night my stomach ruptured, three years ago, I had already died. I couldn't afford to go to the hospital. I froze to death in the snow.

"Notorious Bachelor Lucas Hart, 29, proposes to his first love and childhood sweetheart, Natalia Rossi!" My heart broke as I saw the picture of Lucas proposing to Natalia on one knee, the same ring I found in his jacket pocket, in the photo being slid onto her finger. The camera zoomed in on Natalia’s face and a gasp escaped my lips. It was like staring at myself, but a thinner, sicklier version of me. I picked up my phone and dialed a number I hadn’t called in three years.  "Bianca," My father’s voice answered, "To what do I owe this sudden call?" "Dad," I said, "I accept. I will come back home for the arranged marriage and take back my inheritance." *** Bianca Salvatore, heiress of the Salvatore empire ran away from home, trying to escape the marriage arranged by her father. She met Lucas who she dated for three years, until his first love returned. He never knew about her true identity, and always shamed her for being poor. He heartlessly announced that he would get married to his first love, then make Bianca his side piece. Bianca didn’t want that life for herself, so she agreed to her father’s arranged marriage and took her inheritance. From being known as a poor pauper, to a famous billionaire heiress. Now her ex is on his knees, begging for a second chance. Will Bianca risk her heart again for the man who shattered it, or will she choose the powerful husband who sees her true worth?

Six years ago, Elara Wynters lost everything in a single night— her husband, her home, and her dignity as a wife. Before another woman and a baby that wasn’t hers, her husband, Liam Ashford, looked her straight in the eyes and said coldly: “I don’t know her.” That single sentence erased the entire life they had built together. Broken and bleeding inside, Elara walked away without looking back. But in her departure, she carried with her three small reasons to keep living.

COMPLETED Series 5 of 8 Read At Your Own Risk! Silvanus "Silas" Alvarez is fantasizing over a girl who is unfortunately his niece—Athena Aine Alvarez—to his horror. For him, Athena is like an enchantress straight out of his grandmother's tales. A princess he wishes to protect. A damsel in distress that needs a knight in shining armor to save her from a beast. And yet, Silas is both a knight and a beast. Because the mere thought of her makes him a beast—a sinner who deserves hell for having a forbidden desire.

"Mm… Slow down, honey... You'll wake Julie..." Chasing a thrill, my best friend, Natalie Turner, and her husband, Scott Turner, were actually making love right in front of me. Their hushed, breathy sounds filled the room, intimate and unmistakable. My face burned the entire time, heat rushing straight to my ears. I barely dared to breathe as I froze in place, waiting until Natalie finally drifted into unconscious sleep. And then, the very next second, Scott climbed onto me.

I'm the top salesperson at a tutoring center. Payday comes, and my commission is 50 cents. I'm so furious that I march straight to my boss to demand answers, but his secretary, Sasha Watson, steps in front of me. She digs through her pocket, pulls out 50 cents, and flicks it straight at my face in front of everyone. "Here's your 50 cents!" My ears ring. Heat crawls up my neck and into my skull. "Ms. Watson, this has to be a mistake. I closed 1.5 million dollars on my own last month. My team pulls in over three million dollars. My commission should be at least 200 grand." Sasha rolls her eyes. She reaches into her wallet, pulls out a dollar bill, and slaps it against my cheek. "Stop barking! Fine, I'll throw you a dollar. Keep the change!" I'm about to lose it. "My mom is still waiting on that 200 grand for her surgery. Without it, she could die." The coworkers around us start whispering. "50 cents? For the top salesperson? That's insane!" "Lower your voice. She's the boss's niece! What she says goes. Unless you want to get fired, pretend you didn't hear anything." I turn away, pull out my phone, and dial our biggest competitor. "I'm in. Five million dollars a year."

I’m not gay...sir...I'm not attracted to men...I don't find men attractive.,” Jace said quickly. “Okay...that was way too straight forward.” Elias stood, two hands on his hips, frustrated at what Elias just said. "Sorry sir" "Stop Calling Me SIR!"   Jace kept quiet and didn't respond.  "The other day, you said I was attractive." Elias pointed out, trying not to look more frustrated. "Sir, that was....it was...I just admired and appreciated your appearance...cause we hardly find anyone with your looks...nothing more sir." Jace adjusted himself on the bed, still covered and protecting himself for his own dear sexual orientation. Elias, a powerful and blind Alpha, has waited a lifetime for his mate but he never expected it to be a Null. Nulls are servant-class werewolves, ranked even lower than Omegas, and they don’t go into heat. Especially not someone like Jace a sharp-tongued Null who insists he’s straight and not the least bit interested in men. In their world, Alphas don’t mate below Omega. Servants are expected to bond only with their own kind. But everything changes when Jace starts going into heat, something Nulls aren’t supposed to experience. Is Jace really what he thinks he is? Or is something awakening inside him? Will Jace give in to the pull to Elias? Will Jace and Elias pull off this forbidden relationship?

At the pack's anniversary dinner party, the Alpha, Matt White, told us to write down the gifts we wanted. He would make sure every request was fulfilled. When it was my turn, the newly arrived intern suddenly snatched the paper and pen out of my hands. "Mr. White works so hard managing the pack. We can't let him spend money on us! You shouldn't write down your dream gift," she said. I ignored her, grabbed the list back, and calmly wrote down one item: a washing machine. Peyton immediately flew into a rage and splashed the champagne on the table straight onto me. "I told you not to write anything down! As a Beta, how can you be so inconsiderate of Mr. White?" My coat was completely soaked, and I looked utterly disheveled. I couldn't hold back my anger anymore. I flung the list straight at her face without mercy. She instantly covered her face and screamed, "How dare you hit me! Do you know who my father is? He's the Alpha King! Even Mr. White has to be polite to him. I'll have you kicked out of the pack for laying a hand on me!" I froze. I was the Alpha King's biological niece. My uncle didn't even have a partner, so how would he have a grown daughter?

Helena Whitmore was never meant to be Adrian Cavendish’s wife. But when her world crumbles, he’s there—with an offer she can’t refuse. A marriage built on necessity. A deal written in ink. But Adrian doesn’t do anything without a reason. And from the moment she steps into his world, she realizes—this was never just business. Because Adrian has secrets. Secrets that make her pulse race and her stomach twist. And the most dangerous part? She’s not sure if she wants to run from him… or straight into his arms.

"Mine", he growled. Caleb pushed me to the locker and made me trip and fall and land straight on my bum. “Ouch!", I yelled out of pain. My angry eyes looked straight into his dark brown orbs. I could hear people snicker and laugh. All this embarrassment for what? For him to growl like a dog! “What is wrong with you?”, I whisper yelled as he inched closer to me. I could still see people laughing, especially my best friends who would pass out any moment now because of laughing too hard. I was about to snap at this idiot again, but then his actions took everyone by surprise, including my reflex system. I swear it was a reflex! His face seemed a little too close suddenly. People were watching us with great anticipation now. He closed his eyes and started to bring his face closer to mine. But before our lips could meet my legs moved on their own accord and met his abs with quite a boom! In a second the anticipation in the crowd's eyes was changed to shock as they saw their student body president lying on the ground, groaning in pain. Well! I swear it was a reflex and at least I didn't hit where it hurts more! This is a love story of a luna who keeps falling and an alpha who happens to be there to catch his luna every single time. Hop on to this dramatic ride and unravel the secrets of the Adolf family!