The Invitation Explained

Ayla, my wife had just returned home from a business trip when I received a call from the hotel she had booked there. The hotel receptionist sounded a little embarrassed as she explained, “Hello, is this Ms. Jewell’s husband? I’m calling from the front desk. I see that we forgot to bill you for some incidentals. It looks like your room used all eighteen condoms from the amenity kit. I apologize for the oversight. The total comes to 35 dollars. Can I get a card number over the phone to close that out for you?” My mind went completely blank. Hadn’t my wife gone on that business trip on her own? Why would she have used condoms? Suppressing my inner turmoil, I gave Ayla a call. “Honey, the hotel just called. They said there was a little issue with your room. They asked me if you had someone staying over with you?” She sounded clearly exhausted as she replied with a weak voice, “Oh, right. A lady couldn’t find a hotel room, so she crashed with me for the night.” I chuckled and asked her to rest. After hanging up, I drove directly to the hotel. “35 dollars, right? I’ll pay it in person.”

My mate, Luther Evans, had spent 20 thousand dollars on two first-class tickets for the Moonlight Express to Vespera Coast. Just as we were about to board, he pulled me aside and gave my seat to my foster sister, Zoey Turner. He explained, "There's only one empty seat left on the train, and Zoey's son has never seen the ocean before. This is the perfect chance. Kids can't be separated from their mothers, so I'll take them first and get them settled, then come back for you." I nodded and stepped off the train, watching it disappear into the distance. Once they reached the beach, a friend asked Luther why I hadn't come along. He was busy inflating a pool float for Zoey, answering casually without looking up. "The Moonlight Express runs every three days. Avery Smith can just buy her own ticket and come later. I'll pick up some gifts to make it up to her. She's really understanding and won't stay mad at me." A bitter smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. The whole family had always favored Zoey, and now even my own mate was no different. Since nobody wanted to see me anyway, I decided I would leave in three days.

Everyone in our social circle knew that my fiancée, Hazel Mullins, had a skin hunger condition toward me. Only touching me brought her excitement and satisfaction. But the self-proclaimed heartthrob and heir to the Newman family refused to believe it. He boldly declared that he would win her over within a month. After bombarding her with seductive photos for an entire month, Hazel finally reached her breaking point and auctioned them off. With his reputation ruined, Rory Newman was disowned by his family. In a fit of rage, he jumped off a bridge in an apparent suicide attempt. Hazel lost her mind and leaped after him. I became the biggest laughingstock in the circle. That was until I went skiing in the Alps and accidentally bumped into Hazel helping Rory select ski gear. She explained with a composed expression, "Rory's dealing with some serious emotional trauma. The doctor suggested more outdoor activities. Just please, don't throw another tantrum." I felt bewildered. I wasn't even involved with them anymore. Why would I get upset? Then it hit me that she was unaware of one fact. I had already married someone else on the same day she jumped into the water after Rory in that dramatic display of devotion. I was simply there for my honeymoon, with a bit of skiing on the side.

My boyfriend's childhood sweetheart bound herself to a transfer system: everything she ate would be redirected straight into my stomach. She opened a streaming account and broadcast herself eating for twelve hours straight. She earned a fortune. Meanwhile, I collapsed with acute pancreatitis and was rushed to the hospital. When I explained the situation to my boyfriend, he only stared at me like I was insane. "How could something that absurd exist? If food could really be transferred, no one in the world would ever starve. You're just jealous that she's making money from streaming." After that, every time his childhood sweetheart went live, I ended up hospitalized again. I kept hovering between life and death. I sought medical help, but the doctors couldn't explain my condition. Some even wanted to commit me to a psychiatric ward. Then, one day, in order to outdo her rivals in a PK match, she devoured ten pounds of rice in a single sitting. At that very moment, my spleen and stomach ruptured, and I bled to death on the spot. When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day of her very first livestream. This time, I was prepared. I rushed out and bought twenty takeout meals. "This time," I said, "I'll eat first."

“I fix things that need fixing. And you, Raven, are broken.” When his best friends Vice and Victor ask Raven, a PI, to investigate Gregory Holmsworth, the estranged grandfather of Vice and Victor’s girlfriend, Mirage, Raven is drawn into the underworld of the music industry. Although on the surface Gregory Holmsworth’s business seems legit, his path has not always been on the right side of the law. When Raven’s investigation is noticed, Gregory sets Vixen to distract him. Vixen is Gregory’s Fixer, a role which is wide and varied in activity, but for Vixen, mainly involves the music side of his business, as Vixen is the lead singer of a punk band just breaking into the industry. Whilst Raven has been looking into Gregory, Vixen has been looking into Raven, and she sends him an invitation to meet with her, luring him with the promise of a way into Gregory’s business and secrets. But Vixen has other plans for Raven. She likes pretty boys, and broken things, and she has decided that Raven fits both descriptions to a tee.

When there was nothing more to burn, the Lockhearts continued to slaughter werewolves, leaving behind a trail of bodies across pack borders. On her eighteenth birthday, Olivia Sav hunted for the guy she'd lose her virginity to, but he had his sights on her first. When the morning sun lit up the Inn, she realized that she had gotten into bed with Nathaniel Lockheart— the son nobody had met, but the rumors traveled far: a bloodthirst stronger than that of his father. Olivia swore vengeance for her people and promised his death before he disappeared. Not to be seen for four years, at the Ruby Ball, where a few chosen girls participated in a once-in-a-decade event to change their fates. Only this choice wasn't Olivia's to make. When she received the invitation, she had a feeling she knew who'd sent it. They bear the same darkness within. Two fates are woven together in a cruel game of power and lust, but only one can survive. A paranormal dark romance🖤

Silas Grant and I are renowned in our social circle for being a loving couple. However, a month before our wedding, he calls everything off. He wants to marry the poor student that my parents have been sponsoring. I demand an explanation. He says to me, "Vivian will have to marry that cripple if I don't marry her. You're the kindest person I know, Serena. I'm sure you can understand why I'm doing this." "Fine, then," I say. Silas leans down to kiss my cheek. He holds me happily and says, "I knew you'd agree to this. Don't worry, okay? I'll divorce her once this matter is settled." I push him away lightly and wipe his saliva from my cheek. Then, I pull out an invitation from my pocket. He takes it. His smile freezes when he sees the names on the invitation.

Five years after moving abroad, I return to the country for the first time at the invitation of a business partner. My partner sends a reliable assistant to meet me at the company entrance. I never expect to see my ex, Roy Henderson, who disappeared without a trace five years ago. Back then, a car accident lands me in the hospital. I need his signature, but he is nowhere to be found. Later, I find out he has gone to celebrate his lover's birthday. Everyone assumes I will forgive him like I always do. After all, I have forgiven him countless times before. As soon as I get out of the hospital, I leave the country and disappear from his life completely. Roy frowns as I walk into the company. "You actually tracked me down?" He lets out a sigh. "Forget it. Since you've found me anyway, Ava just had a baby and is still in postpartum recovery. Go take care of her."

"Mommy!" Xander and Bella squealed in unison, running towards her with David trailing behind. "Look, we found Daddy!""I was here to pick up a client when I bumped into the children," David explained, still attempting to comprehend the striking similarity. "They mistook me for their father."The kids eyed David curiously, their innocent gazes measuring him up and down.Xander tilted his head, a hint of determination in his eyes. "Are you really sure you're not our daddy?" he asked sweetly.David couldn't help but smile at the children's persistence. "I'm quite sure, little one," he replied gently.Bella chimed in, her big eyes filled with curiosity. "But are you sure you didn't meet our mommy years ago? Maybe you just forgot?"~~~~~~~~~~~~~In the wake of betrayal and divorce, Kate Hendricks discovers she's pregnant and learns of her true identity as Sienna. Reunited with her long-lost family, she rebuilds her life and becomes a powerful CEO.Returning to her home country under a veil of secrecy, Sienna is confronted by her past and driven by a desire for revenge.Alongside her mischievous genius twins, Sienna must navigate love, deception, and forgiveness. Can she find a way to heal her broken heart and embrace a future filled with hope and love?

Aerian – I was left on the doorstep of a woman as a newborn. My parents clearly did not want me. I am an angel, more precisely I am a dark angel. Instead of the normal white wings and feathers mine are black. The woman who raised me until I was 16 explained that I was special that I needed to be protected. She was also killed the next day. They were looking for me. I have been on my own since. I have been hiding in Maine for the last few months. I have kept to myself but apparently that was not enough to keep me from finding my mate. I will not give in to this bond. My life depends on keeping under the radar! Ruairi – I found her! I came across my mate working in one of my restaurants. She also happens to be the head chef. She has been avoiding me since I first came across her. I caught her cardamon and coffee scent called to me. There was another scent letting me know that she was a fellow supernatural, but I had never smelt that scent before. When I find her being held captive I know then and there that she needs my protection. She somehow escapes. She is determined to hide from me, but she underestimates me. What she does not know is that alpha’s love the hunt!