The Elevator By William Sleator

Olivia’s POV The moment Armando left, the dam broke. I sobbed into the silence, my chest heaving with the weight of everything I’d pushed down for so long. I wanted to hold him tight. To kiss him and to tell him how much I loved him and how much I wanted his protection but I just couldn’t because I didn’t trust anyone else and because I never wanted anything to do with love after James. I hated myself for pushing him away. But more than that, I hated that I felt anything for him at all. I sat there, drowning in the storm of my own heart, knowing that love was a battlefield I might never cross again, and yet, for the first time, I wished I had the courage to try. Armando’s POV Back in my study, I poured myself a glass of whiskey, my hand trembling as I lit a cigarette. The tears came slowly at first, hot and unfamiliar against my skin. I hadn’t cried since I was ten years old. But tonight, I wept. For her. For me. For everything we could never be.

Sophie thought her freedom began with her divorce. Instead, it spiraled into a nightmare when her ex-husband was found dead a week later, and all fingers pointed to her. With no one willing to defend her, she turns to her friend, Lucas Carter who gets Drake to fight her case.Drake Hazelwood. Known for taking only one case a year, Drake has his own reasons for stepping into the courtroom, reasons tied to a hidden illness and a mysterious promise to his best friend As Sophie fights to prove her innocence, an unexpected twist binds her to Drake in a way neither of them anticipated. When the lines between professional duty and personal feelings blur, will Sophie and Drake uncover the truth behind the murder and the secrets in their hearts?

We stood across from each other, with a bed in the middle. The bed was surrounded with golden pots of burning incense, the fragrance intoxicating. On one side of the bed stood a warrior wolf from my pack, and on the other side was a vampire from Diego's pride, both present to guard us. Chairs were set in both sides of the large room, with the werewolves occupying the right side and the vampires on the other side. Everyone stood when the head witches of the three covens arrived and took their seats adjacent to the two parties. " Creatures of the underworld, we have all gathered here to witness something spectacular, something unheard of, the mating of a vampire and a werewolf. These two from both sides have claimed to be mated to each other even though they are not of the same kind, so tonight, underneath the full moon, we shall witness them in bed to attest if the Moon Goddess truly destined them for each other. Let the drums roll!", one of the witches addressed everyone. The incense had aroused us . My were hard and erect, and I could clearly see the bulge in Diego's pants as he stood across. The drums signalled us to begin the mating process, and we got onto the bed. We gently , suppressing the urge to tear each other's clothes off. I felt a bit insecure and ashamed. I could literally feel my alpha's eyes on me and could only imagine the disdain that will be written on his face. Diego's father too was watching, together with their maester. Everyone we knew was there to watch us have and I just couldn't bring myself to feel comfortable. Most importantly, I couldn't help but wonder, what if we die mating?

A sharp pull by my wrist bought me back to the wall. I hold my breath for a moment. "what the hell" I cussed. "Shh, baby girl" he exclaimed. I cringed with the endearment he used. He brought his face near to my face. His breath is fanning all over my lips. It raised my heartbeat to a different level. It must be heard by him also. His smirk face saying it all. His eyes are gazing my lips and he started closing the small gap we have between our lips to be mingled into one. Sensing his intentions I closed my eyes & moved my face to the left. He stopped right away & increase the gap between us which I really appreciate but the hold of his hand on my wrist is very tight. It started paining me slowly. "Now listen to me very carefully, we might be lawfully wedded husband & wife. But you are nothing to me. I have only married you because of my doll" he said rudely to me. I forcefully release my hand from his hulk like grip which resulted into breaking my bangles & a piece of glass cut into my hand. It hurt me like hell. There must be a big cut in my hand. Ignoring the pain in my hand. I showed my other hand finger towards him and said "even I was not interested in this marriage. I am kind of forced into this" Which I am not, my subconscious mocked me. But I won’t give him that satisfaction. Although I was not forced but I had no other option than to accept this marriage. _______________________ This is the story of Payal Mehra and Kabir Khurana who are bound by vows in the sacred bond of marriage which was not in their to do list. But yet they are.

Five years ago, Emeline Maxwell fled her fated mate and his pack in the middle of the night, saved at the border by her brother, who took her home to safety. Five years of healing, five years of pain... and she then found her second chance mate, a feat that many didn't even believe possible, in the last place she expected. In the middle of a summit to better support werewolf and Lycan unity. The Lycan King was her second chance mate. Not everyone was happy with this arrangement; traditionalists called it traitorous, and her first mate had his own 'concerns'. Can Emeline and Theodore make it? That's the question.

After three years of living with my wife’s family, everyone thought they could treat me like a pushover. Me? I’m just waiting for her to hold my hand before I can give her the world.

“I, Lyra Darko of the Frostbite pack, accept King Logan as my chosen mate.” "You tried to trick me, Your King!" He exclaimed, his voice loud and angry. *************** Logan Blackwood, powerful and arrogant Lycan King. He reached out to form an allegiance with Lyra’s father by marrying his daughter in the hope of also getting a strong Luna by his side. Lyra is constantly mistreated and reminded that she caused her mother's death by her father, stepmom and stepsister. She hoped to escape the hell hole one day when she finds her mate. She never told anyone her wolf hasn't emerged, but it was revealed when her wolf was meant to mark Lycan Logan during the arranged wedding ceremony. Threatened with death by her furious father for ruining his plans, she runs away for fear of what he might do to her only to fall into the hands of her fated mate, Alpha Cormac Shadow, an ambitious and greedy man. What choice would Lyra make? How will she defend herself in the power struggle between two Alphas?

Maya Davis, a 25-year-old returning from studying abroad, meets the captivating Zane Moretti, a 36-year-old CEO, at a high-society event. Their instant chemistry sparks a passionate one-night romance, which results in Maya's unexpected pregnancy. Maya, forced into an arranged marriage, battles with Zane's mystery past, family betrayal, and rising threats. As Maya struggles with her affections for Zane and the danger that surrounds them, she discovers family secrets, including Zane's hidden twin sister. With foes closing in, will Maya and Zane's turbulent relationship withstand the continual threats, or will evil powers destroy their love?

On their first anniversary, Demi finds her boyfriend fucking her best friend after standing her up on their dinner date. Feeling betrayed, she decides to drink her sorrows where she meets a stranger who will change her life for good. Gavin Morgan, a public figure, and one of the youngest billionaires in New York, is caught by her beauty at first sight. He sees her in a vulnerable state but doesn't take advantage, despite his attraction towards her. When he learns that she's set for an interview with his company, Demi is guaranteed the job. Working together, they grow fond of each other and fall deeply in love. Gavin gives Demi a luxurious life more than she has ever dreamed of. Demi experiences a love she has never seen before from Gavin who treasures her more than anything. However, there are outside forces trying to break them apart. So many girls are obsessed with Gavin and jealous of what Demi has, including her former best friend. Seeing her glowing, her ex also wants her back. To add on that Gavin's family doesn't accept Demi since she doesn't come from a rich family. But Gavin is determined to protect his woman no matter what. Will the opposing forces win or will love conquer all?

Celestine Smith thought there was no hope for a better future after losing everything in marriage until the Alpha divorced her. Celestine took advantage of the opportunity to rise when everyone anticipated her crumbling into dust. Without the marriage binding her rights, she reclaims everything that is hers. But she must pay the price. "Let's make a deal," he adds, a deadly look on his face. "I'll get you out of this place. "What's in it for you?" Celestine asks as the man in front of her laughs. "I need to know what you want in exchange for helping me." "You." His brief response shoots lightning bolts through her body. "I want you," he says again. Celestine exhales deeply. "We have a deal."