The Elevator By William Sleator

The kingdom of Valdris has survived a thousand years through blood and fear, ruled by kings who never flinched and never forgave. Corvin, the current ruler, is no different. He is beautiful in a dangerous way, undefeated in battle, and feared by every soul who speaks his name. He has never wanted anything he could not take. Until the spy. On the eve of his coronation anniversary, a fox is discovered inside the inner palace. It shifts into a young man named Elowen, a shifter from the eastern wildlands who carries ancient magic and a smile sharp enough to cut. By every law, he should be executed. Instead, Corvin makes a shocking decision and claims the spy as his personal “pet,” a living trophy meant to remind the world of his power. Elowen, however, did not end up in the palace by accident. He was sent to infiltrate Corvin’s court, earn the king’s trust, and destroy him from within. What he did not anticipate was the man beneath the crown. Corvin is the one person who sees through his lies, challenges him in unexpected ways, and becomes difficult to resist. As influence shifts and their loyalties blur, desire turns into a weapon neither man can fully control. Corvin’s Crown Sight cannot read Elowen’s heart, and Elowen cannot decide whether the king is his target or greatest weakness. War brews at the borders, treachery spreads within the palace walls, and their growing connection becomes the most dangerous secret in Valdris. If Corvin’s court uncovers the truth, he could lose his throne. If Elowen’s people discover his feelings for the man he was sent to kill, he may never escape alive. Their bond threatens the kingdom, and the decision they face could set Valdris on fire.

Rafael Achilles Cordova is the notoriously cold CEO of Cordova Industries, unrivaled in the business world. Raised as the successor of his father's company, he poured his life into preparing to inherit the company and grew up with no other interests. No care for women, money, or life in general. For all 29 years of his life, he lived purely for the sake of carrying out his duty without divulging into a single frivolity. And yet, why couldn't he get his mind off of the bright violet eyes of a particular little lady who randomly entered his life one day? Why was there a fuzzy feeling in his chest at a mere glimpse of her? Why did it feel like his entire world was collapsing with only a single tear running down her cheek? Where were all these feelings coming from? Unfamiliar feelings that he had not once ever felt before in his entire life. Little did he know that those were the feelings of a king who finally found his queen, one who he would lay his entire empire down to stay by her side.

I gasp, surprised and he leans towards me. I catch the scent of his cologne and the faint scent of the cigarette smoke, lingering around him. But underneath it, there’s the scent of earth and rain. I see his muscles flexing under the thin linen of the shirt. I also notice the outlines of a scar, running down his forearm. I imagine his hands on me, his lips on mine. What is happening… Why am I thinking this? “Oh, don’t worry, Lily. “ his smile is canine, the words that come out of his mouth are a snarl, “I won’t touch you. I don’t want to. “ When her mother got sick, Lily had no choice but to marry a man she never met. At that time she didn’t know Arthur Stark was not only beautiful but as cruel as the rumours said. Her husband is a cold billionaire involved with the mafia. He never touches anyone. Not even his own mate.

Year 2013... In 1675, our ancestors made peace with some group of people called the hunters.. They were a small group we call the Hunter's clan. Sometimes we just called them... The Demon Hunters. They believed we were hiding demons into our village but the truth is, we don't. We believe Demons to be the devited workers and servants of the devil himself. Yet, this hunters didn't stop believing... Until one day... One faithful Night the hunters came. Smokes everywhere, houses burnt to the ground, homes shattered and lives taken. They killed them all... When I say 'them' , I meant my people, my families. They took all of them, one.. by.. one.

Walang ibang hinangad si Amanda Lopez kung hindi mabuo ulit ang pamilya nila pero dahil may sari-sarili nang pamilya ang kanyang magulang, sa kanyang Auntie na siya lumaki. Pero niya maiwasang mangulila sa pagmamahal ng isang ama at ina. Kaya nang makilala niya si Enrico Saldivar at mag-offer ito na tulungan siyang mapalapit sa kanyang ama kapalit na maging secretary siya nito ay tinanggap agad niya. May mabubuo kayang pag-ibig sa kanilang dalawa? O isang matinding pasakit lang ulit ang mararamdaman ni Amanda?

“You were born mine, little omega. No curse, no fear, no fate will keep me from you.” Astria has one rule: stay invisible. As a rejected omega in a pack that never wanted her, all she dreams of is survival not love, not power, and definitely not a mate. But the Red Moon changes everything. When Astria joins the ceremonial run, her wolf awakens for the first time… and so does her fate. Because the Alpha King finds her. Zeyric is feared across 33 packs. Ruthless. Cursed. Unmated. Until her. She runs. He chases. And when he catches her…? The real danger begins. One is marked by destiny. The other is bound by blood. Together, they’ll either break the curse or burn the world down.

[Matured content, no rape.] "Mama, Custard," Adrian said as he rushed towards me. Adrian Woods, my four years old son whom I was left to raise alone. "Darian," I called out, staring intently at him, "who gave you the right to touch him, and even call him your son?" He was back! The man I tried my best to run from, the man whom I did everything possible to stay away from, the one person who was happy seeing me in so much pain. Darian Woods was back, my divorced husband, the father of my child.

Dolores Ferreira travels to the countryside to reclaim the land that once belonged to her family. But what she didn’t expect was to face Zacky Carter — a rough, proud, and irresistibly sexy cowboy. Over time, her greatest challenge becomes resisting the man who swears he’ll never give in. But fate doesn’t seem to be on her side.

“Show me euphoria tonight or let your boyfriend die!” Jacob Kyler whispers near Rosalia's ear making her disgusted and shocked. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rosalia is caught between the two biggest mafias after they both fall for her. Henry Anderson and Rosalia love each other, but a problem arises when Jacob Kyler, an underworld mafia leader, claims her as his girl. The rivalry between Henry and Jacob is long-standing, and their competition becomes more intense over her. Rosalia goes on a date with Henry, where he proposes marriage, which she gladly accepts. To ensure that Jacob cannot interfere, they arrange their marriage in a different city, beyond his reach. Everything is going smoothly until one midnight Jacob Kyler shows up in her room and proposes her a condition. To maintain everything she has to come to a term with him and accept his poisonous condition. Henry and Rosalia happily plan everything for their wedding, and finally, the big day arrives. With a sigh of relief, they proceed with the ceremony. Finally, the most anticipated day for Rosalia and Henry has arrived. Wearing her beautiful white wedding gown, she arrives at the hall, bringing joy to Henry’s heart. His heart races as he sees the love of his life standing in front of him. They finally embrace each other. With slow steps, she makes her way to him, and they stand face to face. A shy smile forms in the corner of her lips upon seeing him smile while looking at her. After reciting the vows, the pastor asks him, “Henry Anderson, do you take Rosalia Moore as your lawful wife?” “No, he doesn’t!” The guests in the hall are agitated as they hear a girl’s voice that has floated from the dead end of the hall. *******Not for Sensitive People*******

Ashley's life takes an unexpected turn when Mr. Grayson offers her an extraordinary deal that seems too good to be true and potentially dangerous. "Marry one of my triplets?" Ashley gasped, her hands trembling. "But I have nothing to offer them, not even a penny to my name." Despite how dangerous this offer seemed, she's left with no option: either choose to marry a triplet she has never met or return to her life of suffering after just being thrown out by her landlord. Will she take this potentially deadliest decision to change her life, or continue wandering, desperately seeking other options to save her miserable existence?