The Summer Solstice By Nick Joaquin

I suffered a bloodline rejection. On the day I was forcibly pushed into labor, Serena Cole happened to be giving birth as well. She was the mate of Adrian Cole’s late older brother, Marcus Cole. As the contractions rose and fell like lunar tides, crashing over my body again and again, I begged Adrian to find a midwife for me. What I received instead was his furious scolding. "Stop pretending. Your due date is in a month. Today is Serena’s due date, yet you insist on choosing this moment to compete with her for attention." Clenching his clothes and enduring the searing contractions, I pleaded through the pain, "The pup is coming now. Please, I’m in agony. I’m going to die from the pain. Just find a midwife. Anyone will do…" The pup inside me was too strong. It tore relentlessly through my mixed-blood body. Adrian, however, coldly pried my fingers away. "Stop lying to me. Your body is very strong. How could pregnancy possibly cause you this much pain? "Before Marcus died, he made me swear to take good care of Serena. The pup she is carrying is his only bloodline. Nothing can go wrong." He locked me inside the room and reassigned every single midwife away. The servants tied me to the bed and force-fed me labor-delaying agents. My lower abdomen was crushed repeatedly with wooden rods. Edgar Hawkins, the butler, looked at me without a trace of emotion and said flatly, "The Alpha has given his order. Only the first pup of the family may become the pack’s heir. You are not allowed to give birth before Serena and steal the heir’s position."

I was performing the hundredth "restoration" surgery on my mafia husband's latest mistress when I finally decided to leave him. For five years, I, Isabella Rossi, have lived a double life: the respected wife of a powerful Don, and the personal physician tasked with "purifying" the women he discards. Vincent's twisted religious conviction is his law: only a wife untouched by any other man can bear his legitimate heir. I was that pure wife, yet he treated me as his most unclean possession. My love for him died a slow death. A thousand empty nights. It was killed by the cold steel of my own operating table. By the sounds of other women boasting about his touch. The five-year prenuptial agreement that bound me to this hell was set to expire at midnight. I had already called my grandfather, the only man Vincent truly fears. My escape was hours away. By the time he realized his mistake, it was too late.

Summer was about to be crowned Luna when she was humiliated by her mate. Shockingly, her step sister was announced as the mate instead of her. Like that wasn't humiliating enough, she was accused of her parent's murder which was allegedly confirmed by her step sister too and soon, everyone in the kingdom turned against her and wanted her dead! But the fickle finger of fate had different plans that unexpectedly turned to her favour. Just when all hope seemed lost, a new player emerged from the shadows: the Lycan King. His imposing presence silenced the tumultuous cacophony of voices, bringing a tense, eerie stillness to the room. She was betrayed by the exchange, sold to the Lycan King where her life actually BEGINS! What did fate have to offer summer? How was life without her mate?

Adrasteia Meranza has always been fascinated to blood sucking vampires. Her fantasy is to be love by one of it. She found out that his long time schoolmate, Asmodeus Vointeroz, the majestic, serious, stout and masculine guy is one of them. It's her chance to finally lost in love and fulfill her fantasy, will the billionaire vampire, Asmodeus agree on what she wants?

Emily believed in the Moon Goddess’s promise—that mates are meant to protect, love, and complete one another. But when the Alpha she was destined to bond with rejected her, her world shattered, leaving her broken, humiliated, and trapped in a life of servitude. Alpha Jake has ruled his pack with strength and honor, yet one vital piece of his soul is missing: his mate. When fate brings Emily into his path, the bond is undeniable, a fiery connection that refuses to be ignored. But trust is fragile, and Emily’s heart bears scars too deep for easy healing. In a world of danger, deceit, and rival packs, can two souls destined to be together overcome betrayal, fear, and the shadows of their past? Or will the bonds meant to unite them tear them apart forever?

“My boyfriend is sweet, and he is kind. He's gentle with me and he takes care of me. He loves me correctly and he…’’ “Booo!’’ the rest of the girls exclaimed in unison, as they began to laugh. “That’s a boy, darling!’’ Riley chips in. “We are werewolves. That's not how you're meant to be loved. Have you not had the kind of rogue ripping love that makes your legs shake and you knees weak?’’ “You're talking about sex.’’ Jessica answered with a shrug. “Not really. That kind of gentle love that you talk about will wear you out. And you will get bored.’’ ~~~~ ~~~~~ "Come closer," he said, his voice like a heat that filled the space between them. Terrified, she whispered, "No," avoiding his gaze. His steps dragged on the smooth carpet. In an instant, his fingers gripped her throat, slamming her against the wall with a thud. "You will obey me, Jessica Miller. For I own you!" ******** Jessica Miller, a fierce, young, and innocent girl, sold by someone she never thought could do a thing of such to her, to the merciless Lycan King, Jordan Luther, feels betrayed and a stranger among other wolves, seeing as she had lived all her life among humans. Broken and frustrated, she can't help but feel all hope is lost. And now, will the Lycan King’s cruelty break her completely, or will she remain a high spirited, young wolf and escape the clutches of slavery at the hands of her enslaver…? Read on for this amazing piece of art, full of intrigues and captivating lines to keep you wanting more….

Rory, navigates the pain of being rejected by her mate. In their world, a 'reject,' is considered impure, evil, and cursed. As a result of a split second decision, she's able to find her freedom. Will she survive till the end?

BLURB: After losing her home and family, Joan Crawford was forced to serve as a maid to the Alpha king. On the day the Alpha king had called for a ceremony for all alphas, that was the same day Joan is to turn eighteen. Alpha Rex discovers that Joan, his maid, was his true mate. He despised her, made her do things that made her cry and despite how much he tries to reject her, he couldn't because of his dying mother who has longed to see her daughter-in-law. After the one night stand with her mate, Joan realizes she can't withstand her mate's hatred for her, she has to leave. What happens when she runs? Will Alpha Rex be able to withstand the distance between his mate?

My entire existence has led to this moment, the day I finally put an end to this misery, the day I pay tribute to the sacrifices of my loved ones, the day I grant freedom to the human race. All it requires is a simple pull of the trigger. I desired this, worked tirelessly for it, but inexplicably, I find myself unable to complete the task. "Do it," Bas urged in a soft whisper, a gentle smile playing on his lips. How could he find solace in a moment fraught with tension? His eyes locked onto mine, a silent challenge. Unable to contain the tears streaming down my face, I felt a flood of emotions. Sensing my hesitation, Bas delicately laid his hand on mine, guiding the gun closer to his chest. "I love you," he uttered to me. No, I couldn't endure this any longer. I shook my head, the pain becoming unbearable. "We do this in 1...2...3..." **** In a world where werewolves coexist with humans, Rebecca faces a daunting prophecy: she must become the mate of the infamous Alpha's son, Bas. Every century, the moon selects a human girl to fulfill this prophecy, destined to bear a child for her mate and then be sacrificed. But Rebecca refuses to accept her fate. Can she defy the prophecy and protect her loved ones, or will her rebellion lead to tragedy? And when she starts developing feelings for someone forbidden, what will the consequences be?

Amara Hale is a broken soul with an even more broken past. When she moves to Chicago, she hopes to finally forget what she left behind. Upon her arrival, she meets Lucian Moretti, a mafia boss who knows more about her than she thinks. Soon, the two struggle with constant battles of sexual frustration and indecisiveness. What will happen? Will Lucian admit his feelings? Does Amara escape her past?