The Brief Bedford Reader 15th Edition

"You're my sister. I don't care if I'm drugged—this ain't it. You ain't my cure." Carlo Quaranta's eyes were shot red, chest heaving, but that rage? Way hotter than any craving. "Even if you make me marry you, I'll never love you." Vera Este didn't doubt it. Not for a second. He meant every damn word. Last time, she was the so-called "cure"... and it dragged her straight into marriage. She stared at his face—still young. Felt like it belonged to someone from a whole other life.

In a world where werewolves rule from the shadows, Rhett Blackwood is king. To hold his empire, he must forge a blood bond with a ruthless assassin who would rather kill him than kneel. But when one act of violence awakens a bond written in fate — and blood — they are thrown into a brutal war where love may be their only weapon… and their greatest curse.

In my previous life, my best friend gave me a lock-shaped good-luck pendant. I never expected that once I put it on, it would never come off. Soon after, I came down with a fever that lasted seven days straight. When I finally woke up, everything in my life began to fall apart. Misfortune followed me everywhere. That was when I discovered the truth—I had swapped fates with her husband. He would get my wealth while I would get a short, ill-fated life. From then on, the two of them lived a life of effortless wealth, making money without even lifting a finger. Meanwhile, I sank into poverty, plagued by constant bad luck. I struggled through life and did not even make it to 30 before I was killed in a car accident. As I died, my mentally disabled younger brother cried out and rushed in front of me to shield me. However, he could not stop the incoming vehicle, and we died there together. When I opened my eyes again, I had been reborn back to the moment she was about to put the pendant on me. I let out a cold smile and pondered. Since she was so desperate to steal my wealthy fate, then she could have a XYY husband instead.

When Rowena Silverveil faints during her nuptial rite, Lord Darius Varian deems her weak and sells her to pay her father's debts. Shattered by betrayal and severed mate bond, she finds herself in the rugged fortress of the Western Clan, under the icy command of Thane Darkmoor. But as Rowena's touch begins to heal the wounded, and her dreams become evermore vivid, she soon discovers that she is the lost heir of an ancient clan in Eldoria. But certain powers do not want this truth to get out. With each step toward her true power, Rowena must decide either to hide in the shadows forever, or reclaim her birthright and mete vengeance upon those who wronged her, even if it costs her life and the lives of those she loves. The Red Luna rises. Her reckoning begins.

Three men. One heart. Maya’s bl‌ueprint for lo⁠v‌e. May​a Al​v⁠are‍z thought‍ she was on the safest and fulfilled path, a loyal boyfriend, a promis‌ing career, an​d a life free of drama. Till a s‍tormy‌ night and a s⁠tole‍n kiss und‌er the gallery lights shat‍tered everything. Humiliated‌ but unbro⁠ken, Maya threw herself into wor​k mindlessly, only to clash wi⁠th Zane Cro‌ss: a ruthless b‍illionaire client, whose smirk is as dangerous as his secr‍ets. Th⁠ei​r s‍parks igni‌te b‍o⁠ardrooms and headl⁠ines, and soo‍n the city is whisperin⁠g abo‌ut the fire between th‌em. When a scanda‍l threatens t⁠o wr‍e‌ck her care​er and all she’d worked for, M‍ay⁠a makes​ a desperate move.She begins to notice Lucas, the⁠ charming​ Doctor, willing to fake-date her, to cal​m the rumor and get her mat⁠c​h‍making f‌amily’s pressure off her. B​ut fak⁠e dates soon b‍ecom‍e real gl​ances, and r‌eal glances stir old fee⁠lings Maya wasn't prepared for. As corpo​rate sabot‍age, family meddling, and city gossip swirl, Maya begins⁠ to wonder if love is w​orth the risk at all and questions where​ h​e‍r salvatio‌n truly lies, to be fully ready to recieve the love she wants and deserves.

“You should hate me,” He said softly, his cold gaze searching her warm eyes. She just looked up at him, a tired smile on her face. “I'm done. I don't have the strength to hate anyone anymore.” “Then you'll learn,” He murmured. “I'm not the kind of man you survive loving.” ****** Yara is born without a wolfㅡ an outcast to her own pack. Betrayed by her own family, she is banished and falls into the arms of the one man she's never supposed to meet. The lycan king. The one who everyone fears. She's his second chance. He's her last. But fate has a cruel way of playing and the stakes begin to get higher. Will they prevail? Or will the truth tear them apart before they can?

On the day of my birthday, I'm burning with a fever that almost hits 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of that, I've called Tristan Graham more than a dozen times. He never picks up any of them. In the end, my dad has to take me to the hospital. When we walk past a corridor, he suddenly stops in his tracks. "Mr. Graham? What are you doing here?" I raise my head to see Tristan and Madison Franklin walking from the OBGYN department. Their fingers are tightly laced together. Tristan is even carrying a bag of medication. Birth control pills as well as ointment meant to be used on private parts can be seen in that bag. My mind goes blank at that moment. All I can do is stare at Tristan. As soon as our eyes meet, Tristan frowns slightly at me, though his gaze only lingers on me for a second before he turns to look at my dad. "I'll be hosting a banquet in the garden tomorrow night. Remember to decorate the garden nicely." Dad quickly accepts the order. "Don't worry, Mr. Graham. When Luna's fever breaks out, I'll deal with this task right away." Tristan is momentarily stunned by Dad's words. When he notices my unnaturally flushed cheeks, he instinctively takes a step toward me. But that's when Madison tugs his sleeve. "Stop wasting precious time on a gardener's daughter, Tristan. Let's go. I'm still in pain, you know." Tristan stops in his tracks instantly. Then, he leaves with Madison. Later on, he pays for my hospital bills. Our seven-year underground relationship that's considered a taboo is also paid off as well.

Alexander witnessed with his own eyes how Felix, the Alpha of the Blackclaw Pack, killed his parents. Swearing vengeance, he never forgot the little girl from the pack who had once saved him. When he finally overthrew the tyrant and seized power, he unleashed all his hatred on Melodie, Felix’s illegitimate daughter. Yet, only as she lay dying in despair did he realize—she was the very girl who had rescued him long ago.

The supernatural world in the UK in 2023 is dramatic, filled with hostile takeovers, new developments and, unfortunately, murder. The werewolves want to establish themselves as the top of the food chain, pushing everyone else into hiding. At nearly 298 years old, Ophelia is used to things going her way. She has immaculate control, she's happy, and her life just works. She is in perfect harmony with her succubus and wolf, and is more than content with where she is. That's until Nathaniel, the heir to the local werewolf pack shoves his way back into her life, disrupting the burgeoning relationship she was already in with her head of security, Luke. With Nathaniel comes complications, both with the wolf pack and personally. The three of them need to learn to work and live together, for the safety of those around them. But can they? An alpha female, an alpha male and a beta male in a relationship is a recipe for disaster, but somehow, they need to make it work.

This is the story of how Kyliena struggles to get over her messy breakup with ex-player Blake, which left her heart shattered and fearful of love. Or maybe it's the story of how Kyliena and a strange wolf-like dog come together through a midnight bike accident, forgotten truths, dirty small-town secrets, pumpkin pie, and when mythical beings turn out to not be all so mythical after all. And did I mention pie? Go grab a slice and sink your eyes into this story, it's going to be a long ride.