the origins of totalitarianism

I'm the ultimate predator, a bear shifter. I live by a code. Hunt or be hunted. Kill or be killed. Then I meet her. The second I catch her scent, I know she was meant for me. She was born to wear my mark and I was born to protect her. She belonged to my enemy until I took her. He wants her back. He'll wage war to get her, but no one's taking her from me. She's mine, and I'm not letting her go.

Madison Byers returns to the dazzling city of Los Angeles, determined to reclaim her family's legacy after the tragic loss of her father. Yet, standing in her way is a menacing uncle with ambitions to seize her father's empire. In a city where power and wealth rule, Madison's last hope for redemption takes an unexpected twist when she shares a passionate one-night encounter with Tyler Marshal, the charismatic billionaire playboy. Tyler Marshal, accustomed to a world of deceit and danger, suddenly finds himself captivated by Madison's wit and determination. Their lives collide, and a whirlwind of events propels them into an arranged marriage neither of them saw coming. As they navigate the treacherous waters of high society, deceit, and hidden agendas, the fate of their families hangs in the balance. Trusts are shattered, and long-buried secrets claw their way to the surface. In a city where destiny can change with a stolen kiss or a fleeting touch, Madison and Tyler must dance to the unpredictable tune of fate while facing relentless opposition at every turn. Sometimes, destiny also begins with the brush of lips or touch, but how well can both parties dance to its tune with the many oppositions?. In "Thorns of the Heart", a tale of love, intrigue and power, will they emerge victorious or be consumed by their demons?

He paused and kissed her neck, turning the pale skin to red before retracting his move to fix his eyes on her, and leisurely replied. "Unfortunately, you cant wear the dress over there." He chuckled and passed a box over to her hand. "And the fortunate news is I prepared a dress for you." Ariana was a cursed little girl who could see ghosts. Her family hated her and threw her from one adoptive family to another. However, misfortune didn't act alone. When she was brought up by her aunt, she was sold as a slave. When she had thought she would become nothing but a sacrifice to the sorcerer, she was saved by a man whose identity was far different than a normal mythical being, but never knew that the man who saved her will indeed be her worst nightmare.

Zyra had always been an outcast, despised by everyone in her pack for her parents' sacrifice. Her dear ones had died while saving a stranger who was wolfless and mateless, leaving Zyra alone and isolated. Despite her kindness and helpful nature, she was constantly bullied and enslaved by her packmates, living in a constant state of fear and isolation. One day, the moon goddess finally gave her a mate. But he despised her and rejected her, despite coveting her beauty. Anguished and heartbroken, Zyra kicked the hell out of him and had a one-night stand with a stranger, resulting in an unexpected pregnancy. But even with her pregnancy, her mate still had his eyes on her, causing Zyra to fear for her life and the safety of her unborn children. When the Lycan King came to claim her as his mate, she saw it as a chance to escape her current situation. Bullied, enslaved, and alone, Zyra fled in the middle of the night and raised her babies in secrecy. But the truth behind her parents' death was far from what she had been told. As Zyra delved deeper into the mystery, she discovered a shocking conspiracy that involved the very people she trusted the most. As she began to uncover the truth, she realized that the Lycan King may be the only one she could trust, despite fearing him at first. But with her mate and her pack still on the hunt for her, Zyra knew that she needed to keep her true identity a secret, even from the man she could come to love and trust the most.

Axel’s hand shot to her throat without warning, clamping her down with brutal force, her naked breast_ hard red nipples; bared free to his hungry feral eyes. Eyes that blazed with uncontrollable hunger for her suffering. “You are my slave, my property… mine to keep. Mine to break, I protect my property from rogues and thieves even if I intend to destroy myself.” Axel growled. From that instant Ava knew there was no escape for her. — After surviving the massacre of his family and pack, Alpha Axel of Blood Claw Pack waged war against the mad king, seizing the throne and claiming the royal House of the Lycans. He captured Princess Ava, the mad king's daughter, and though she wasn't enough to atone for her father's sins, she would do just fine. Discovering she was his mate whom he hated with every fiber of his being, Axel rejected her, making her his sex slave. Framed for murder, Ava fled with Axel's unborn child, giving birth to sextuplet Lycans the first in two centuries; After Lycans extinction. Six years later, Axel learns of his heirs and captures Ava once more. Will she prove that she's not a monster like her father, or will Axel's hatred consume them both?

Book Three of The Luminary Quartet The bears were currently considered enemy number one, right alongside the elders of my species. The problem was, I didn't know them as that. To me, they were simply friends, family even. My mother's mate had been a bear shifter, and I had ultimately found my own other half within the Ursidae family, as well. Everything had been perfect for a single moment in time, and then I was fleeing my home, right after rejecting the bastard who thought he could put his hands on me. I vowed two things then: to never return and to never give a male that much power over me again. Yet, Luna apparently had some twisted plan laid out for my life because circumstances seemed to keep arising, bringing me ever closer to Reese in spite of my best intentions. The wolves' rapidly declining numbers sent us careening across the county in a race to prevent the destruction of our species by the bears, though I struggled with picking sides. New and old faces appear along the way as rogues and other heretofore unknown foes emerge to stop us, making it difficult to know who to trust during these tumultuous times. Will Scarlett hold fast to her deep-rooted beliefs during the journey, or will her perceptions shift as much as the reality she returns home to? *Note: While the main characters in each book will receive their HEA, I wouldn't recommend reading them out of order due to the overarching storyline that continues throughout them all. ***Warning*** This book is intended for adults 18+. It contains mature themes and adult language. Please read at your own discretion.

Revenge Of The Ex Billionaire Wife follows Rachael, an orphan whose search for love leads her into the ruthless world of the Blackwood family. Betrayed by her husband and tormented by her adoptive sister, Rachael’s life spirals into chaos when she’s cast out and left to survive on the streets, pregnant and alone. Just when all hope seems lost, a mysterious savior from her past rescues her, giving her the chance to heal and rebuild. Years later, she returns stronger, armed with a fierce desire for revenge. With her son by her side, Rachael will stop at nothing to destroy those who shattered her trust—even if it means risking everything to reclaim her life and her power.

“I, reject you as my mate!” The words rang through my ears as I saw him from across the field. Did he see me? Did he recognize the mate he rejected with so much hatred?! Did it even matter? I looked at my father who gave the order. I was filled with rage as I stormed into the fight. “Alison …” His voice echoed and I looked up seeing the pain in his eyes. He did recognize me! He also very quickly figured out I was no longer a damn omega!

Have you ever had everything you wanted, only to have it all stolen from you? Ella finds herself in this exact situation when she is finally ready to make a fresh start in life. Her bad luck sends her to the arms of a cold rescuer who gets her everything she wants except her freedom. But when she finally gets her freedom back, will the price be too high to pay? Ella discovers that the price of her freedom is much higher than she could have imagined. He independence is riddled with sadness and guilt as long as a strong sense of pride that she wears as a shield. will she ever put her shield down and let love find its way into her cold heart?

Born from one of the richest and most powerful family in the world, Heina Grace Montrele knows how much family reputation matters. And a one-night stand with Flynn Thorn Hawkson is the definition a total destruction to that reputation. With great fear, Heina desperately hides the truth from her family with Thorn. And unexpectedly, the mistake they both committed grew into something more; love that will be their joy and suffering. And just when they thought things are going the way they planned, one night completely turn their lives toward something unexpected. Will they be ready for the consequences of the future they seek? Will they bear enough courage to face the secrets? Will their love stay and last until the end? What if...