The Painter Of The Night

ในวันครบรอบงานวิวาห์ปีที่เจ็ดของเรา ฉันกำลังนั่งตักลูเซียนสามีมาเฟียของฉัน และจูบเขาอย่างดูดดื่ม นิ้วมือควานหาผลตรวจการตั้งครรภ์ที่ซ่อนอยู่ในกระเป๋าชุดราตรีผ้าไหมแสนแพง ฉันอยากจะเก็บข่าวเรื่องการตั้งครรภ์ที่มาอย่างไม่คาดฝันนี้ไว้จนกว่าจะถึงช่วงท้ายของค่ำคืนนี้ มาร์โกลูกน้องมือขวาของลูเซียนเอ่ยถามเป็นภาษาอิตาลีพร้อมรอยยิ้มแฝงเลศนัย “นายท่าน โซเฟีย นกน้อยตัวใหม่ของท่าน เด็ดไหมครับ?” เสียงหัวเราะแกมเย้ยหยันของลูเซียนแล่นผ่านทรวงอก ทำให้ฉันรู้สึกเย็นยะเยือกถึงกระดูกดำ เขาตอบกลับเป็นภาษาอิตาลี “เหมือนลูกพีชดิบที่เพิ่งเด็ดจากต้น ทั้งสดทั้งนุ่มนวลดีนะ” มือคู่นั้นลูบไล้ไปตามเอวของฉัน แต่สายตาของลูเซียนกลับไร้ซึ่งอารมณ์ “ปิดปากเอาไว้ให้สนิท ถ้านายหญิงของฉันรู้เข้า ฉันตายแน่” บรรดาลูกน้องหัวเราะคิกคักอย่างรู้ทัน พร้อมยกแก้วขึ้นสาบานว่าจะเงียบปากเอาไว้ เลือดอุ่นในกายของฉันค่อย ๆ กลายเป็นน้ำแข็งทีละนิด สิ่งหนึ่งที่คนเหล่านี้ไม่รู้เลยคือ คุณย่าของฉันมาจากเกาะซิซิลี ดังนั้นฉันจึงเข้าใจทุกคำที่พวกเขาพูดกัน ฉันพยายามคุมสติตนเองให้สงบ พร้อมกับปั้นรอยยิ้มไร้ที่ติในฐานะนายหญิงไม่ให้คลาย แต่มือข้างที่ถือแก้วแชมเปญกลับสั่นเทาไม่หยุด แทนที่จะสร้างเรื่องราวอะไร แต่ฉันกลับกดเปิดโทรศัพท์มือถือและเลื่อนหาจดหมายเชิญเรื่องโครงการวิจัยทางการแพทย์ระหว่างประเทศแบบรายบุคคลที่ได้รับมาเมื่อสองสามวันก่อน และกด “ยอมรับ” ภายในสามวัน ฉันจะหายไปจากโลกของลูเซียนแบบไม่ให้เขาตามหาได้อีก

After three years of marriage, William Harris’s first love, the woman he broke up with six years ago, returned from abroad. And she brought back a five-year-old son with her. Charlotte handed him the divorce papers with both hands. “Let’s end this. It’s better for you, for me, and for her.” William glanced at her and said dismissively, “Divorce? Can you afford to leave me?” Charlotte threw down the divorce papers and cut him out of her life for good. She severed every tie to the past and poured all her energy into her career, quickly rising to become an internationally renowned sleep disorder specialist. Powerful figures across the globe owed her favors and respected her work. The youngest heir of a foreign financial empire said, “Charlotte, just divorce him already. I can’t wait any longer.” The CEO of a multinational corporation said, “Charlotte, I’ll go with you when you file for divorce.” A world-famous attorney told her, “Charlotte, I’ll handle your divorce case myself.” Charlotte rubbed her temples. It wasn’t that she didn’t want the divorce. He was the one who refused to divorce her no matter what. Left with no other option, she made a public announcement. “Whoever can actually get this divorce finalized gets VIP seating at my divorce party.” Not long after, William received a divorce notice from her lawyer right in the middle of a shareholders meeting. Soon after that, a multi-billion-dollar project of his fell through. That same afternoon, he was nearly hit by a car right outside his own company. Later, Charlotte arrived at the hospital carrying a bouquet of flowers. “Let’s end this,” she said softly. “It’s better for everyone.” The cold and dignified William pulled her tightly into his arms, his eyes reddening. “You want a divorce? That’ll happen over my dead body.”

In remembrance! In remembrance! Lord Nox, the God of War, succumbed to the siege by the Ten Nations and perished in the treacherous Ocean of Death. The battleground witnessed not only the staining of azure waters but also a sea adorned with lifeless forms, as Lord Nox, with unmatched prowess, faced and conquered the formidable lions of the Ten Nations.Contrary to popular belief attributing Lord Nox's demise to the collective might of the Ten Nations, the truth unfolds that the one responsible for extinguishing his life was none other than the woman who held the deepest place in his heart.In the passage of time, Nox Greenshade stood atop the towering peaks, gazing upon the vast expanse below filled with ivory remains. With determination etched on his face, he proclaimed, "The debt owed shall be repaid in blood!"

Alpha Raul… That is his name, The Alpha of the Night. His name was dreaded among his neighboring packs, and nobody dared to cross his path. Alpha Raul has been known for his conquests, he is a cold-hearted, possessive, dominant, power-hungry leader who fought battles and conquered territories, which earned him the title “The Alpha of The Night.” What happens when he was mated to one of the most beautiful, yet innocent young lady of a pack, Hayley, whose Alpha he had betrayed because of his hunger for power? What happens when he found out she was not only a werewolf but also a seer? Little did he know that Luna Hayley also had her secret agender in his life. What could this agender be? Let’s find out in this heart-racing piece containing love, romance, and betrayal.

Eurus is a teenage boy who has a perfect life, but everything fall from its places when he discovered something in his life. A new story to be told, a bloodline who are connected to his. What will happened next after he discovered the mysterious within himself. An on going book that is written by Amortia, a bloodline series about family, friends and special someone.

In the secluded mountain town of Silver Creek, where ancient legends whisper of a primal curse, young artist Maya discovers her own hidden werewolf nature after a mysterious bite from a stray dog. As the full moon rises, she is torn between her human life and the untamed wolf within, struggling to control her burgeoning powers while navigating a complex web of secrets within the town, including a secretive pack of werewolves who may not be as benevolent as they seem.

Sometimes there are times when your own salvation is not at all happy. For example, you managed to break away from assassins, but at the same time crossed the border of the cursed forest. Or killed the werewolf that bit you, and the first full moon, when you have to turn into a monster, is expected in only seven days. Or… when the one who agreed to help you seems more and more not a person. But maybe the latter is just not so bad after all?

Vampires, Shifters, and Demons oh my!Dive into the wicked world of paranormal pleasure, and all the sinful desires these amazing men create. From steamy stolen kisses to mind blowing moments behind closed doors this collection has a little bit of everything in store for you.Creatures of the Night Paranormal Collection is the beginning of a continuous series of different stories that will take you to worlds you never could have imagined. Choose to take a ride with the headless horsemen, or sell your soul to the devil— the choice is yours to make.But just be careful, because within the shadowy corners of this domain lay the vampires and shifters waiting to sink their teeth into their next prey. Even though it’s in the most erotic of ways.Creatures of the Night is created by Claire Wilkins, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Growing up, Alassandra Khairi always had a passion for law. Following the death of her parents, she decides to study law to honor her father's memory. While attending one of the most exclusive colleges in the Ivy League, she meets Ikaris, whose fate is intertwined with hers. As Alassandra and Ikaris begin to uncover the school's secrets, something dark and ominous begins to emerge. They soon realize that the only way to save themselves and their love is to uncover the truth and face the darkness. What secrets are hidden in the night? Will Ikaris be able to choose between his mate or his destiny? Will Alassandra choose to bring the truth to light, or will she remain silent and keep her secrets in the shadows?

Beneath the opera house...indeed, someone is there. Watching and musing as he watches the theatre he loved and hated. Noelle is a talented dancer but is pushed aside in favour of the ballerinas. Until one night, he hears music and encounters the origin of many ghost stories; Julian is an enigmatic loner whose only companions are the rats. In Noelle, he sees the spark of talent and knows he can kindle it. And the story begins. Genius and passion are a painful mix...