The Gaze

The day I died, the baby in my womb was only five months old. In that final phone call, my father, John Harlow, the godfather of the Harlow family, spoke with a voice as icy as a loaded gun. "A married woman belongs to her husband's family, even in death." When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I had been placed under house arrest. He was circling my college application with a red pen. "Girls who study art are easier to marry off." In front of him, I tore the family's marriage alliance files into pieces. "I'm going to Camford University. I'm studying Computer Science." He sprang to his feet so suddenly that his finger nearly jabbed my face, his sleeve cuff revealing the family crest tattoo. "If you dare defy me, don't ever regard me as godfather." I smiled. "Exactly what I want." Meeting his stunned gaze, I spoke each word deliberately. "The name Harlow. I have long stopped wanting it."

Scarlett, a headstrong werewolf, seeks revenge against Lucas, the future alpha of their pack, for some past betrayal. The betrayal was more of a promise, which she vowed to return. But as they lock horns, their mutual hatred turns into irresistible attraction. It was never in the script, but somehow, fate pulled them together in a messy entanglement. Even when she formed allies to take Lucas down, because of how deep her resentment ran through her veins, his chiseled looks and fierce gaze disorganized her focus, making her heart beat in ways it shouldn't. Each clash from them keep drawing them together, healing old wounds while opening new ones. Scarlett's true self is threatening to be exposed just as they flirt with disaster, and Lucas's loyalty is on the line. When forces beyond them keep bringing them together, will they follow their hearts or will the regret of the past destroy everything that could have been theirs? In a world where with enemies comes lovers, Scarlett and Lucas will have to negotiate their differences and the peril that surrounds them. Will their love find a way or will it be the very thing that kills them? Will revenge overshadow their love?

It was meant to be the happiest night of Layla’s life—her eighteenth birthday, the moment she officially stepped into adulthood. Instead, she walked into a crowded nightclub and watched her boyfriend laugh, drink, and kiss another girl while the world looked on. Humiliation followed swiftly. Dragged into a cruel game of Truth or Dare, Layla became the night’s entertainment. When the bottle landed on her, the challenge sounded harmless enough: seven minutes in heaven with a man of her choice. Everyone expected her to choose him. She didn’t. Her gaze went to the man watching silently from the shadows—his uncle. The one man she was never supposed to want, yet couldn’t look away from. Seven minutes was all it took to spark something forbidden. Something dark. Something that refused to stay contained. When the night ended, nothing returned to normal. He became her obsession and most dangerous temptation. And Layla found herself willing to risk everything—family, reputation, even her own heart—for a man she was never meant to desire. This is a story of betrayal, passion, and the pull of a love that should never exist. Once caught in it, there is no turning back.

Hindi ako nagkamali sa nakita ko, alam ko siya ‘yon. Hinding-hindi ako magkakamali pagdating sa kanya. “Daddy!” it was a heart melting voice who called me. “There you are!” I said as I carry my son. I can’t do anything; it pains me seeing her walk away. I want to ask how her life is going, if she has someone new, if it’s still me. I really wanted to hear her talk, see her smile, and met her eyes once again. “Babe? Let’s go,” A soft voice called me, Solange. I turned my gaze in her direction once again, but I lost her… again. Ang pakiramdam na pilit kayong pinaglalayo ng mga alon ay sobrang sakit. Animo’y protektado siya ng malalakas at matatayog na alon kaya hindi malapitan dahil pilit kang itinataboy nito papunta sa dalampasigan. She’s an ocean wave that I can’t keep, an ocean wave that I can only see and admire from afar. ‘Till next time…

CHAN After the death of her grandmother, Chandra Chandler, known affectionately as Chan, and her two sisters move to Australia to escape their past and build a better life. When a fortune-teller reveals to Chan she will fall in love with a man who is as bright as the sun, she dismisses the very idea as hocus pocus. But when gorgeous Sam Harrington and his daughter waltz into her life, Chan’s world turns upside down. Sam draws her to him like a moth to a flame with his good looks, charismatic personality, and kindness. Most of all, his warm gaze and gentle touches tempt her with the promise of seduction—a dangerous territory she is afraid to enter, yet longs to experience. SAM After the death of his wife in a freak accident, multibillionaire Sam Harrington is sick of women throwing themselves at his feet simply because they are attracted to his enormous bank account and good looks. When he bumps into Chan, he knows instantly she is different. He’s attracted to her and wants her. When he discovers this strong, beautiful woman is broken inside and in danger of losing herself, he vows to protect and love her unconditionally.

When I woke up that morning and happened to glance at the mirror, a scream tore from my throat before I could stop it. Because on the face I had always taken such pride in, there was now a jagged, horrifying scar. As terror gripped me, a cool, detached female voice cut through the air beside me. "What are you shrieking about so early in the morning? Scared by your own ugly face?" I looked up in shock and realized the voice belonged to my girlfriend, Alicia. Only—she wasn't the same girl from yesterday. Gone was the youthful innocence I remembered. In its place, every movement, every glance radiated the allure of a mature woman. The words slipped out before I could hold them back. "Babe… you're gorgeous…" But Alicia's brows knit together, her gaze colder than ice. "Kurt, drop the act!" Act? I was at a loss. Why would she accuse me of pretending? "Don't call me the way you used to five years ago. It's disgusting." Five years ago? But… I'm still twenty-three… am I not?

I have two rules for surviving college, Stay out of his way. Don't let him see you. But Massimo Bianchi doesn't follow rules-he makes them. The heir to the Bianchi Empire, a man with a dark past and a reputation that chills the blood, Massimo doesn't play nice. And for some reason, he's decided I'm his favourite game. He's ruthless, arrogant, and impossible to ignore, even if I try. I should stay away. I should hate him. But the more I try to escape him, the deeper he pulls me into his dangerous world. The more I hate him, the more he seduces me with his cold smile, his calculating gaze, and his twisted games. I'm not supposed to want him. I'm supposed to keep my distance, keep my secrets, keep my heart locked away. But when the devil himself comes knocking, there's no escape. Not from him. Not from the desire that burns through my every nerve. And the worst part? I think he knows it.

Five years into what she thought was a happy marriage, Eldora is betrayed and brutally murdered by her mate, his friends, and the woman he was truly destined for. Bleeding out beneath the cold gaze of the full moon, her final thoughts are filled with heartbreak and regret. But fate isn’t finished with her. Eldora wakes up in the past; before the lies, before the betrayal, before she gave her heart to the wrong man. This time, she’s not going to wait to be saved. This time, she’ll take her destiny into her own hands. Her plan? Become the Alpha herself. But to do that, she needs the elite training only offered at the prestigious and ‘all-male’ Alpha Academy. Disguised and determined, Eldora enters a dangerous game of secrets and survival. Can she earn her place without being discovered? What happens when she comes face-to-face with the very people who once betrayed her? And worst of all… What will she do if she encounters her mate there? But that is not all! What she thought was just a revenge game turns into an intricately laid web that threatens the entire werewolf race.

He is the unchallenged Alpha of the Shadow pack. He crushes my hand, lets his true love drive me to the brink, and forces me to lick wolfsbane from my wounds in the punishment chamber, turning me into the pack's laughingstock. I am the Lunar pack's pawn in a political bonding. After enduring three years of humiliation and clutching enemy intelligence, I overturn his throne during the Moon Ceremony, making him watch helplessly as his beloved betrays him and his pack descends into chaos. Later, he backs down. He abdicates as Alpha and gets down on his knees at the pack's border every day, his voice hoarse from shouting, "I was wrong." I hold a blood-stained dagger, my gaze icy as I say, "Your regret is deadlier than wolfsbane and worth even less than my life." Our bonding is a calculated trap, and revenge is the move I am determined to play. Winning him back no longer matters. This time, I am not turning back. I want nothing but his endless remorse and the chance to break my chains and begin a new life.

When I accompany my best friend, Olivia Martin, to the hotel in hopes of catching her partner in the act red-handed, I end up catching my own husband, Wilson Gunner, instead. I don't break down in tears, nor do I throw a tantrum. In fact, I even shoot a smile at the young lady who's with Wilson. "Don't worry. I'll keep this a secret." The lady shoots me a grateful look before stumbling out of the hotel room haphazardly. Not only does Wilson not feel any sense of shame, but he also looks at me approvingly. "I knew you were sensible enough to not cause a fuss. Since you're a plastic surgeon, you should know that it's rare to see young ladies who have never gone under the knife nowadays. "The woman from earlier is au naturale. Besides, she's all clean and pure, so you have nothing to worry about." I lower my gaze and nod gently in agreement. But I don't plan on telling Wilson that the so-called au naturale woman was still a young man last week.