The Cost Of Delayed Affection

This award-winning, psychological experience is back in print, and includes the exclusive sequel The Sound of his Bones Breaking, a novella that will leave you truly shaken. Board for free. But the cost might be your life. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

Beatrice Stevens grew up among werewolves, but she isn't one of them. Longing to belong and be like everyone else, Bea is given the opportunity she wishes for at the cost of her life. What will she choose? ~~~~~~~Excerpt from The Ice Princess~~~~~ - "What you fought today was just a minion, a mere pawn. The root of the problem hides within the shadows. Here, take this." Omar takes out a white paper from the inside pocket of his jacket. "The number on that paper can give you all the answers you seek, including how to help your friend, but it comes with a great cost." -"What's the cost?" I ask him, my troubled heart picking up the pace. -"A life, for a life." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Born as the first child of an alpha in a pack where an Alpha's first child is supposed to be a male, Messiah Jordy King is bound to keep her parents' secrets, even though it will cost her rejecting her two mates.

On the verge of tears, she smiles. Her smile hides a storm. His touch brings the thunder. • "Are you planning to leave me?" He snarled, his voice dripping with fury. His entire demeanor contorted in anger, the chilling blankness replaced by a terrifying rage that made Zynah shudder. Fear flooded her voice, momentarily stealing her voice. Mustering all the courage she could, she forced out a "No." In a split second, Bilal's frown turned into a smile, a predator satisfied with his prey's submission. He reached out, gently framing her face. He leaned in, and for a fleeting moment, she thought he was going to hit her, but instead, she felt his lips on hers. She stilled. Pulling away after a second or so, he spoke; his voice a low, menacing murmur. "Good," he crooned, the possessiveness in his voice sending a fresh wave of tremor through her. "Because no matter how hard you try, you can never get away from me, you will only get yourself in trouble with me, and trust me, you're going to hate yourself for defying me." • He claims to love her, but his affection is a cage. Will this twisted affection set her free...or break her for good? Find out!!

Zoey Afar has had a long-held affection for her boss. However, she was unwilling to confess this since, first and foremost, they were different in level of life. The second reason she feels "abnormal" is that even a light touch from her stimulates her desire. She has obsessive sexual behavior, sometimes known as hypersexuality condition or sexual addiction. Things become worse when the hot CEO makes her personal BDSM partner.

I've been pregnant for six months, but my Alpha mate, William, has delayed our mating ceremony 29 times. He's waiting for his adopted sister, Rita, to find a mate so they can have a "two-couple mating ceremony." The 30th time I altered the waist of my beloved mating ceremony dress, the bridal shop assistant looked embarrassed, "Miss, this dress really can't be widened anymore. How about you choose another one?" Disappointment rose in my throat like bile. I called William, asking when the ceremony would finally happen. But William said: "I will give you an unforgettable mating ceremony, but Rita's mate hasn't been matched yet. Darling, can you wait a little longer? We shouldn't ruin her whole life over such a small thing, right? I know you'll understand. You're always so kind." My heart clenched suddenly. So, my dream mating ceremony is just a small thing. Rita's sweet, high-pitched voice chimed in: "Brother, my mating ceremony dress matches yours so perfectly!" That was the moment I realized I was never the one being chosen. I looked down at my round pregnant belly, tears slipping quietly from the corners of my eyes. Then, with a trembling hand, I dialed the number that had always been waiting for me. "I'm ready to leave." After the call ended, the clerk cautiously asked: "Would you like to choose another one?" "No. Just cancel it, please." I took one last glance at the dress that would never belong to me. If this ceremony was never for me, then I won't stay for it.

Moana Evangelista thought marrying Luke Verde would finally give her the happiness she had dreamed of. But six months into their marriage, all she finds is cold distance, no affection, no warmth, not even a touch at night. And then Luke’s father comes home. Zacharias Verde is everything her husband is not. He is attentive, intense, and dangerously tempting. One forbidden night ignites a desire neither of them can control. Was it a single mistake, or the beginning of something they can never walk away from?

Margaret vowed to be with her husband until death parted them. However, her aspirations to win his affection crumbled when he impassively dropped a bomb one summer afternoon. He wanted a divorce. This convinced her that their marriage was futureless. She was ready to move on. With her brother's mischievous behavior and determination to put her ex-husband in place, he announced that she was single and ready to mingle. The reason for divorce? "Ex-husband was a narcissist and couldn't keep his thing in his pants."

Henry Payne has everything, the looks, the money, the name, the good grades in Oxford university and always a beautiful girl wrapped up around his arms. He thinks he has it all until he sees the new girl at a party. She is unattainable, wild, and doesn’t care for his attempts to conquer her. Abbey Hardy arrived like a hurricane into Henry’s life, and she turns his head upside down. She becomes his little obsession when she turns him down. Henry makes a bet with his friends, and Abbey is the ultimate prize. Abbey could cost Henry more than just his sanity, and she can cost him his relationship with his father. Will Henry be willing to give it all up for Abbey, or will he chose money and family?

A romantic confrontation between two queers arranged in a marriage they didn’t want. Donatella and Pietro both came from families known in the fashion industry, and being queer is a tough challenge because of their parents’ expectations on them. After their successful wedding, Donatella and Pietro created an agreement, but how can they succeed when one starts to show concern and one starts to feel affection even they know to themselves that they are both not into one another. Two queer strangers that will develop confusion, but falling in love is the only solution?