The Invention Of Lying

I'm in the hills for a project inspection when a sudden downpour hits. I lose my footing and tumble down a steep slope. Lying in a pool of blood, I fumble for my phone and call my husband, Joel Grant, who's supposed to be nearby. "Rachel has anxiety. I only brought her back to her hometown to help her unwind. Can you stop being so paranoid and jealous for once? You're due in two weeks. I'll be there, okay? Just behave." In the background, I hear Rachel giggle softly. "The models have to be in their birthday suit for sketching, right?" Joel hangs up without another word. My sister-in-law—and best friend—Chloe Murphy finds me. She's sobbing as she cradles me, desperately trying to call her husband, Michael Grant, for help. "Are all pregnant women insane these days?" Michael snaps. "Don't start with the same manipulative crap as Anna. Joel and I are busy modeling for Rachel. We don't have time for your petty dramas." Then he blocks her. My injuries are too severe. There's no way help will arrive in time. Despite being heavily pregnant herself, Chloe hoists me onto her back and carries me down the mountain to the nearest hospital. Somehow, I survive. My baby doesn't. Chloe, devastated and physically pushed past her limits, loses her child too. "I want a divorce," I whisper with my eyes swollen from crying. "Me too. I'm done with Michael." We filed for divorce together. That's when Joel and Michael finally lose their minds.

Mature Content! When Valerie is kidnapped, in the late night by New York’s biggest drug lord and trillionaire for a crime committed by her twin sister. She isn’t prepared for the love drama, betrayal and love-hate situation that will come by being fancied, by a dangerous yet smokingly hot Donovan Castillo, a man who walks hand-in-hand with death! ~~~ Valerie Blackfield is an orphan, who dreams of living a simple life filled with love, and happy memories with the one she loves. But when trouble comes knocking at her doorstep because of her twin sister, all thoughts of living a happy life gets crushed at the interval of the big bad wolf, Donovan Castillo who drags her into his dangerous world. Donovan Castillo, is on the hunt to catch the woman who might be the reason why his step brother is lying in a vegetative state. But when he catches an innocent bunny instead of an assassin, he doesn't plan on becoming obsessed with the sister of his enemy. At first, it all started with a threat to kill her, but along the way, Donovan's cold heart was smitten by her innocent yet addicting aura, that would cause her death or the fall of his great empire. Forced into a marriage to tie her down with him, would marriage change Valerie's perspective of the man, who had taken everything and everyone she loved for his selfish interest? When the sins of his past come to play a vital role, would he set Valerie free of his dangerous entrapment to save her life, or would he do what he thinks is right and die alongside the love of his life? Let's read to find out! ~~~ A/N: Rated 18+. This book contains mature terms, read carefully!

Extract "I don't believe you. You're just trying to trap me into taking care of someone else's kid," he sneered. My heart shattered into a million pieces. How could he think that of me? How could he be so cruel? "Please, Apollo. I love you. I would never do anything to hurt you or our child." But his words were like a sharp knife, piercing through my heart. "Love? You don't know the meaning of the word. You're nothing but a lying, cheating whore." “I, Alpha Apollo Philips Giavonni reject you, Zelda Annabel MacDonald as my mate,” My wolf howled in pain as I felt the rejection. The pain was too much to bear, and I passed out on the hospital bed, unable to withstand the agony. A young omega named Zelda conceived after a steamy one-night stand with alpha Apollo. But when Apollo refuses to believe the child is his, Zelda is forced to flee for her life from his relentless pursuit. Desperate for safety and security, Zelda seeks refuge with another alpha, Ryder. As she navigates the dangerous world of werewolves, Zelda must fight for the survival of herself and her unborn child, facing abusive alphas, pack wars, and betrayal at every turn. But as her pregnancy progresses, Zelda finds herself drawn to Apollo, the heartless alpha who still believes the child isn't his. Can she keep her baby safe in a world of danger and find love with Apollo? Or will she be forced to choose between her own life and that of her child? Join Zelda on her thrilling journey as she fights for love, family, and her own survival.

“My brother would kill you, Roman. Hell, I shouldn’t even be here!” He moves closer, blocking the exit. “He’s not here, and you’re not telling me to stop, Nikki. So, why don’t we stop lying to each other and admit the truth?" I glare at him. My heart’s slamming against my chest. “Which is what exactly?” A wicked smirk curves his lips. “That we want each other. Always have. No matter how badly we shouldn’t.” *** Ten years ago, I almost kissed the one guy I should’ve stayed away from, my brother’s best friend, Roman Hayes. But then he vanished from our lives and has somehow become the person my brother hates the most. I haven’t seen him in years. The last place I expect to find him is at a high-end gala where I’m meeting potential sponsors for my charity, dressed in a ridiculously expensive suit and reeking of sin—and somehow, he might be the answer to all my prayers. But there’s a catch: I’m not supposed to be anywhere near him, and the moment our eyes lock, I know I’ve made the biggest mistake of my entire life. He’s my brother’s ex-best friend, after all, and there’s a spark between us that’s never been extinguished, and a truth neither of us wants to admit. But some truths are darker than I could have possibly imagined, and some games are too wicked and wild to be entertained. This man might just destroy my life in ways I never saw coming… And the worst part? I’ll enjoy every second of it.

I would say all I wanted was to find my mate and live a peaceful life, but I would be lying; all I wanted was to go to the palace, give up my life, and have them send me to the other side of the world. If it were up to me, I would have done that the very first day everything turned upside down, but that’s far from what Alpha Zander wanted; he wanted me to experience hell on earth; he said death was more than I deserved; accidentally killing not one but two of his mates would cost more than my life; he kept me alive as a slave, tortured, humiliated, and if possible, took my soul, so when I turned out to be his mate as well, it didn’t come as a surprise for him to reject me and bound my powers and send my wolf into a deep slumber; it was no surprise his parents chose him a chosen mate; those people adored their perfect luna, Jocelyn, my dead sister—his first mate. And just when I thought my life couldn’t get any worse, I found myself on the auction stage, men bidding for me like I was some kind of property, and next the ruthless Alpha, who, by the mention of his name, people trembled bought me, “bride, not slave,” his three words. I learned that even though he was ruthless, he was soft on me, and not only that, we had a common enemy (Alpha Zander), and he was willing to help me get my revenge. Oh, Alpha Zander, get ready to be on your knees because my mate and I are coming for you!

By the time I return home from a business trip, it is past midnight. However, my wife, Celeste Beaumont, isn't home. A man's shirt that isn't mine is lying on the couch. When I call her, she tells me that she's working late at the office. "Whose shirt is it on the couch?" I ask, cutting straight to the point. She playfully scolds, "Who else would it be? It's a gift for you, so hurry up and try it on." I skeptically put it on and immediately feel how tight and uncomfortable it is across my shoulders. "This is an L, babe. I've always worn XL." Celeste runs a clothing company. She's the one who handles all my clothes and even uses my body measurements for her menswear line. There's no way she doesn't know my size. The line goes quiet for half a second before she thoughtfully says, "It's from my new menswear collection. "I had pieces custom-made for you and Felix, so I must've grabbed the wrong piece. I'll swap it tomorrow." A beat later, her voice carries a little sob as she continues, "Babe, I've been so exhausted without you these past few days. I've missed you so much…" It's past midnight. As I listen to the undeniable weariness beneath her affectionate, playful words, my heart aches in distress. I can't help chiding myself for overthinking. However, after hanging up, realization hits me. Her brother, Felix Beaumont, and I are about the same build. He's always worn XL.

Four days after my death, my four-year-old daughter finally sensed that something was terribly wrong. The fridge door slammed into her forehead when she tried to get a snack. Normally, I would've been there in a heartbeat—arms open, kisses ready, whispering, "You're okay, sweetheart, Mommy's here." But this time, I just lay on the bed, cold and still.​ She didn't understand. She thought the sweet treat would make me respond. So she held the final piece of chocolate up to my mouth. "Here, Mommy. Have some chocolate..." But I didn't even blink. She climbed into my arms, clutching my clothes tightly. "Mommy... Mommy, wake up..." She waited for me to stroke her hair, to tell her that everything was going to be fine. There was only silence.​ Completely lost and scared, she found my phone. "Daddy, why is Mommy still sleeping?" she asked, her voice filled with desperation.​ In response, Oliver sent a photo of himself having Christmas Eve dinner with his childhood sweetheart. His voice was icy cold when he replied, "She's just sleeping, not dead. It's Christmas Eve, and I'm busy. Tell her to stop playing games and come apologize when she's done sulking." Then he hung up.​ But when the truth finally hit Oliver—when the coroner's report came, when the police knocked on his door right in the middle of his laughter, when he realized I'd been lying dead for four days while he toasted—he broke.

“ One scratch, one head. “ His words terrified the whole civilization of the Cabrine city. As his sharp eyes flickered with darkness, everyone held their breaths. The figure in front of them was no other than Diamond Fletcher – the sin of pride from the seven deadly sins. Having the vampires lineage with the alpha's blood, he was one of the ruler in the biggest city of the realm. Nevertheless, he was also a five-star general in the human world. “ The young madam is in your room young master. She was in her deep slumber when the potion took effect. “ One of his allies said, trembling and trying himself not to stutter. Without a word, the sin of pride walked away with his head high. The eagerness to see her after three years of disappearance made him crave for her scent. His desire to own her and her blood filled his sorrow and anger. When he reached his room and locked the door, the coldness in his eyes vanished in the mist. He stepped closer to the and saw her lying unconscious. Her hair was messy as well as her dress. It was slightly ripped that made his eyes pinned to her slender legs under the thin fabric. When he brushed his knuckles over her cheeks, he closed his eyes for five seconds to feel how soft her skin was. It was delicate. It was seductive, yet, it was also delicious. “ Finally, our hide and seek just ended. “ He bended his body as he whispered near her flushed ears. Biting it slightly before her neck, he only wanted to ‘do' her. To punish her! ‘ You’re mine. Every inch of you is mine. Just mine. Mine alone! ‘ **** WARNING: There will be an obsession and possessiveness at the middle.

Summer Molina doesn't know how many times her mother told them the story about the island who abandoned them, many years ago. Even she doesn't know the entire story behind that, that story opened her mind that the world was made very cruel. At her young age, she chose to leave their city to find a job somewhere, where she can earn higher salary, until it brings her to the island of El Salvador. An island far from civilization that hides a very beautiful town. All she thought that she will find there a job-but she is wrong. The white sand shore, clear blue water, the sunset, everything in the island make her realize one thing—she was on the island that she thought that only exists in her mother's story. Works as a secretary of Lucius Salvador the ceo of the El Salvador's chain of hotels and restaurants. A great business man and leader in the age of twenty-two. But behind of his greatness, he is undeniably cold to anyone. No girlfriend, no flings, his life is for nothing but for business. He seems like a snowman in the middle of fiery summer. After several months of work with Lucius, summer discovered some secrets lying behind them, and one of those is the reason of their bitter fate. Driven by anger, summer wants to revenge against the Salvador. She believes that every man's weakness is a woman's beauty. So, she decided to use hers. She will play him like a puppet under her strings of beauty, while taking them down little by little. But she is wrong. Igniting her cold target is not a great idea. Once he burns, his flames will claim and destroy her… inch by inch.  

Aaliyah: I used to have a perfect life. The kind of life girls my age dream of having. I was the only child of Alpha Ethan, Of Wild Crest Pack. I had the sweetest best friend, Shelly. And I was admired by our pack. But on the carnival night, I lost my father to the invasion of the Night Walker Pack's army, and weeks later, my best friend forgot I existed. I got almost raped and then sold to Night Walker Pack. There, I met the three Alpha Triplets, and I knew my life would never go back to what it used to be like… Hector: She was the only girl who ever talked back to me. The only girl who wasn't scared of calling me out on my shit. The only girl who broke through my walls and warmed my cold heart. I guess that's why I fell hard for her… Hudson: I never believed in equality. I was a fucking misogynist and a sadist. It was fun, not until I got smacked hard on the face. And then, the pain seeped into my body and stirred up emotions I never knew I could feel… Hunter: Nah, she's feisty, alright? And it was the most charming thing I've ever seen. Taunting her was fun until I found myself craving to do more to her. Then I realized she just might be my only kryptonite. ************************************** Three Alpha brothers. One female Slave. Not the greatest match, especially with the rivalry lying between the brothers. But what would Aaliyah's ultimate decision be? Stay with them, love them, fix them, be their surrogate, or take revenge for her pack?