The Diner Game

Adira had always been mistreated by her uncle’s family and park at large. She was treated like an outcast by her family who constantly stole from her and her cousin who assaulted her sexually at every given chance. When an opportunity presents itself for her to escape her misery, her family’s treacherous acts pulled her back. They disregarded her dreams of returning to school and wanted her to marry the old Lycan King. Done with living such life, Adira escaped only to fall into the hands of those who saw her as an object to be sold. How did Adira go from being in the auction house to becoming the Ruthless Alpha Flynn of the beastly shadow pack? His friends are now hers. His foes are now hers. What would happen when the wolfless Adira disguising as Alpha Flynn has to train with the other Alphas in the Crestfall all-alpha academy and most importantly, what would happen when she crosses paths with Flynn’s greatest enemy, Alpha Miguel Fangion. They are enemies yet mated.

Ridge Sterling doesn’t do messy. He’s the Alpha of the Grey Moon Pack; commanding, controlled, and carved out of stone. Until her, until he walk into that diner and found out she is his mate. Blake Carter is a walking complication. She’s got secrets thicker than her walls, a past she doesn’t talk about, and a glare sharp enough to make grown men flinch. She’s spent her life staying invisible, surviving. And she knows exactly what guys like Ridge Sterling are made of—trouble wrapped in temptation. She was never supposed to catch his eye. He was never supposed to care. But the moment fate ties them together, the rules go up in flames. And when Blake’s past comes back swinging, Ridge will have to choose; keep playing the cold, untouchable Alpha… Or fight like hell for the one woman who was never supposed to be his.

When struggling single mother Liora Sable is cornered by mafia enforcers outside her diner shift, the last person she expects to save her is Varian Kole — the ex-lover she left years ago without explanation. Now the city’s most feared crime boss, Varian insists on bringing her into his guarded penthouse “for protection,” but protection comes with a price: he demands she become his mistress. Liora agrees only to survive, hiding the existence of her six-year-old daughter, Wren. But when Wren’s worsening heart condition forces Liora to risk exposure, Varian discovers the truth — and his daughter’s life becomes the center of a violent turf war. As kidnappings, betrayals, and rival syndicates close in, Liora is forced to navigate Varian’s dangerous world, transforming from captive to strategic partner. Together, they dismantle old enemies and face new ones, ultimately remaking Varian’s empire into something that can protect their family. But in their world, peace is fragile — and every choice could be the one that shatters it.

Welcome back to Clifton Heights. Sheriff Chris Baker and Father Ward meet for a Saturday morning breakfast at The Skylark Diner to once again commiserate over the weird and terrifying secrets surrounding their town. Sheriff Baker shares with Father Ward the story of a journal discovered in the ruins of what was once an elaborate koi pond and flower garden, which regales a tale of regret, buried pain, and unfulfilled debt: “Sophan” – Jake Burns has always been a bit...off. Rude, awkward, sometimes brutish, he's tolerated by Nate Slocum and his friends because he hits a mean line drive, and because they all know but don't discuss the abuse he faces at the hands of his troubled father, a Vietnam veteran consumed by his demons. But Jake is suffering something far worse than domestic abuse, and when Nate discovers what, he faces an impossible choice: help Jake and put himself in the path of evil, or abandon him, only to damn himself in the process. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

"The gods are dead. The bloodlines remain. And she's about to bring it all down." Rowyn Vale grew up on the wrong side of the realm - poor, half-starved, and pissed off at the world. Her fae parents ran relics, sold shadows, and tried to sell her. She's used to surviving. Not exploding with ancient light and accidentally blinding a rich fae girl in the middle of high school. Now she's sentenced to death for a power she didn't ask for. But when a winged, arrogant disaster of a boy crashes through her prison ceiling and drags her into the sky, Rowyn learns the truth: she's not just some broken street fae. She's godblooded. Welcome to Eidolon Academy - a sentient university hidden in a pocket realm where every student is descended from a god, and each year ends in a deadly Trial that can kill you... or awaken something worse. Survive the Trials, and ascend. Fail, and vanish forever. And if the rumors are true? Rowyn isn't just another godblood. She might be the heir of the Godkiller - the one being powerful enough to raise the Pantheon. Let the Trials begin. Let the realm burn Eidolon Academy Book 1

Mona Benson of the South Hartvale Pack is a simple young lady living her life happily with the love of her life and Enforcer of her pack, Marcus Rollins. She has her diner; ‘Big Bite,’ to run and that keeps her busy and it was enough. Yes, her pack was being bullied by the larger, more powerful North Hatvale pack, but they had an agreement which kept things between the packs MOSTLY non-violent, then her pack alpha gets defeated and by a newcomer. The new alpha is none other than Mona’s fated mate and former love of her life, Dominic Blaise. Dom suddenly vanished from the town 8 years ago, but he’s back now and the mate connection between him and Mona is as strong as ever. Mona has to fight against her feelings for Dom, but the man doesn’t make it easy for her. When she learns the moon spirits have chosen her to be the new Luna, a bad situation becomes even worse. Now she’s a to-be-Luna mated to her alpha but fighting her feelings so she can remain with her Enforcer.

Xavier Blackwood is the man every girl at my college dreams about at night, myself included, but I'd never let anyone know that. Standing at 6'8 with steel grey eyes, he's a walking dream, but he's also a world-renowned jerk. Who would have thought that one night, after dragging myself home after doing double shifts at the diner, I'd be jumped by three men...only to have Xavier come to my rescue. Oh yes, Xavier bloody Blackwood saved my life...but the thing I saw, the CREATURE that ripped those men to shreds wasn't the Xavier everyone knows. He wasn't human... He was a wolf, a demon, a creature from myths, and it was the most amazing thing I've ever seen until he attacked me too and knocked me out. Humans that learn about the existence of werewolves have to die. ...There are NO exceptions. The Werewolf Xavier saved me, but now I am condemned to death To make things worse, both Xavier and Axel claim I am their mate ...this can't be good.

Just another day at the office, or so Reyna believed until she logged into the game she was assigned to. Reyna worked as a game tester at Wolf Tech, one of the largest game developers in the country. The company just released a brand new full-dive Virtual Reality game, the day before the CEO of the company went missing. When she came across the CEO in the game, she learns that he is trapped inside. Not only that but if he dies in the game, he will die in real life. Since the game is a fantasy RPG, there are many dangers for Luka to face. To get out of the game, he must beat it. Because he can't do it alone, he must rely on Reyna to help him. He will also need her help outside of the game. As Reyna goes between the game and reality, she learns that her heart is left inside the game with Luka. It doesn't take long to also realize that not only is Luka a werewolf in the game, but he is also one in real life. To save him, she will need to face two worlds. One as an in-game fairy and the other as a human against the supernatural. Will Luka manage to beat the game, with her help, so he can escape in time to protect her?

"The game of chess is not just any old board game but it is also the game of life. You can be represented as the king, all the others are the people around you. Check mate means game over in the game but check mate in real life means your life has come to an end..." BORING! Chess is the worst board game on earth, if you're gonna play chess, I'll consider you as one of those who exist and don't live. Chess is the game plan. I play in the tournament my father forces me to participate in using the plan I'll be using during my next heist. If I win, I use it, if I lose, I change it. Chess is a boring old board game which is the key to my fortune. I am the Black Falcon, this is my life on the board and against the law...

Moving to another state seemed to be the most logical answer for my problems. My dad got a job as a wildlife tracker and in less than a week we were gone. I'm leaving some things behind, or rather two people. I was conflicted about the relocation, yet I knew that it's what I needed to do. I'll be with my dad until my sister and mom join us later. The past year has been difficult for my sister health wise, so we are hoping for a fresh start. Entering the diner outside Bluehills, I could taste the atmosphere of the place; my senses heightened as I felt on edge. An imposing man approached me right away. He appeared to be the father of five men arguing fiercely over something on someone? One of the guys is screaming: “Mine” and seem to be going insane. Something strange was happening and my dad wasn't telling me anything about it. One quick glance at one of them made my heart race; I felt connected to him, to this town and alive for the first time ever. The nature here was greener and more vibrant, while its inhabitants were large, intense and secretive.