The Illusion Of Choice

Sebuah hal gila yang Lisa lakukan demi menolong kakak kembarnya lepas dari perjodohan adalah dengan mengorbankan dirinya sendiri. "Pilih antara saya dan Alice"

Mengidap amnesia sejak usia 8 tahun, tepat saat bibi menemukanku di samping tumpukan sampah jalan Serdadu, membuatku menjadi anak yatim piatu sekaligus tuna wisma yang tidak memiliki siapa pun. Pergi ke psikeater mungkin adalah cara terbaik yang dimiliki bibi, ketika kondisi mentalku terus memburuk ketika hujan turun. Trauma itu, membuatku menutup rapat-rapat cela ingatan masa laluku. Tepat saat secuil memoriku kembali, dan aku melihat derasnya darah yang mengalir tanpa henti di tengah lebatnya hujan. Selain itu, aku mengingat wajah yang tidak asing membawaku pergi, tepat setelah dia menusuk seseorang dengan tangan kotornya.

Anerix's weekend holiday in the resort with his friends turned into the worst nightmare of his life. When he woke up from his hour-long nap in the pool, he eventually realized that his friends have left him alone. After hours of searching, his anxiety worsened after realizing that there were no humans in the entire resort but him. When he thought things couldn't get worse Anerix heard a bizarre noise enough to terrify him. He wanted to escape this ominous place. All he wishes is to escape this sinister place and reunite with his lost friends.

I had been secretly in love with my childhood friend for nine long years. When we finally got married, my family and friends thought I was the happiest person in the world. After I became pregnant, he used the excuse of "helping an old classmate" and invited the most beautiful girl from our class into our home. During the worst of my pregnancy, when nausea and exhaustion hit hardest, he took her to the hospital, made crafts with her, and watched sunsets with her. He even had the guts to accuse me of being small-minded and petty and acting like a bitter, jealous wife. Only then did I realize that it was just my foolish fantasy that I lived my dream of marrying my childhood sweetheart and had a happy life. I let go of the love I had for him and of the future I thought we would share. Now, however, he was the one who regretted it.

“Are you trying to punish me? I…I don't know how many times I can apologize even if it wasn't my fault that I almost—” “I never asked you to. You do whatever you want, Niya, and I really don't care. Neither should you bother with what I do.” “You're hurt. You're hurt, Alex, and you're acting out. Don't worry we could talk this through. This isn't you.” I try to reach him again but he shoots me a deadly glare that pierces through my skin like a dagger. “Sure it is. You've just never seen me like this. You don't know what I look like when I'm not in love with you,” his brows grow together. “Now we’ve had enough of your drama. You'll find the papers and enjoy the party or use the fucking door.” He pulls away and my eyes cloud again. My ears and heart find it hard to process what is actually going on. The looks on their faces tell me it is awfully too late—I have already lost everything. “Niya, careful now,” my grandmother slowly tugs at my arm as if that will somehow make everything better. “We have guests. Don’t cause a scene.” A scene? I have literally just seen a whole movie, ma. ************* My name is Niya Kendrick. I’m 25, an author who once believed she had the perfect life. But how quickly can everything I love be stripped away in the blink of an eye? Or worse, what if the life, the family I’ve cherished has always been a blatant lie, a mere fragment of the truth? Now, I’m awake, and reality is far harsher than any dream.

After Angel's mother falls deathly ill, she's forced to join the cast of a dating show called Luna's choice with the hopes of winning the five hundred-thousand-dollar prize money. She'll have to endure harsh judgment because of her low ranking in the werewolf world, tough competition as she fights for the audience's love over the other two females she's up against, and upper ranking wolves doing everything in their power to make sure she stays on the bottom. She has no idea, but as she fights her way to the top, she's being watched by someone very powerful, someone who begins liking the way she handles the challenges of the show. When the time comes, will Angel choose anyone at all? What will happen if she doesn't win, and can't get the money for her mother? She doesn't know the answers to any of these questions. She just knows she has to try.

After the murder of Ethan's mate he knew he would never love again. The pain he felt was worse than any physical harm his body could experience. Wracked with grief, he closed himself off from the world, putting his position as alpha in jeopardy. Jenny never wanted love, she tried that once, she was content in educating children and dedicated her life to suppressing the wolf inside her. She thought she was successful but the Moon Goddess had other plans.

Maryanne has given all she wanted for the man she loved, but he rejects her, mistreats her and abuses her. She finally moves on and is immediately engaged by a strong and cruel Alpha of the strongest pack. Maryanne finds out that her supposed mate and the man she had loved for so long were in war. Where both of them offer her the best life and are willing to take good care of her, who will she choose? Can she move on completely from her past and focus on her new love or will she reclaim the love she has lost?

My five years of marriage to Elliot Kline turned out to be a cruel joke. "For tomorrow's monthly report meeting, I'd like Yvette to present your branding plan," Elliot said, not looking up from his desk. I put down the files I was organizing, certain I had misheard. "What?" "Yvette just joined the company. She needs a chance to prove herself. Your plan is perfect for that." He lifted his head, his tone brooking no argument. "But that's my entry for the Veriania Creative Competition," I protested. "You win awards every year. What's the harm in letting her have it this time?" He shrugged, adding, "We need to nurture new talent." I stared at the man with whom I had shared a bed for five years. His face suddenly felt so unfamiliar to me. "Do you know how many sleepless nights I poured into that plan? And you're giving it to a new intern?" "Don't be so petty. It's just a plan. My decision is made." My fists clenched, anger surging through me.

"Show me what you are." Tamara gave a shocked sound when Fenrir sank a hand into her hair. His opposite arm snagged her around the waist. He pulled her right against him without any space. He was solid muscle and that made her heart pound. Now she wasn't sure she should have asked. ______ What would you do if the one you loved wasn't even human? If you had to teach them what kindness, love or trust was? Tamara is about to learn that more than just mortal humans exists. As impossible as it seems she might just be the only thing stopping the immortal Fenrir from destroying everything she holds dear. Sometimes just loving one can save so much more than you know.