The Summer Solstice By Nick Joaquin

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?

"Call me Alpha, little wolf" Damien snarled looking at the girl who just walked into his office. "One thing that you need to understand, me being your wife does not and will NEVER mean that you're my Alpha" Natalia snapped. *************** Being born a rogue, Natalia has always wished to be part of a pack, somewhere to belong and call home. But when both Damien and Natalia’s worlds collide, in what humans call marriage; both the mafia and wolf worlds are shaken.

A mate is forever. Until they reject you… Luna is sick of being an outcast. As the illegitimate daughter of a high-ranking official and her mother gone, she’s never felt wanted. Finding her fated mate was supposed to change everything. She’s known for six years that she and Marnet are mates, and tonight at the Moon Mate ceremony, it’s time for him to stop acting like a playboy alpha and claim her as his. Only he does the exact opposite and humiliates her publicly with his brutal rejection. Then Luna is taken by Pavel, another alpha whose clan launches a surprise attack during the ceremony. He’s captured all the other alphas except one—Marnet. Now Luna has a choice. Lead the enemy to Marnet or protect her mate. Pavel treats her better than Marnet ever did, but Luna is convinced Pavel is only using her to get what he wants. Marnet is still her mate. Although it wouldn’t be the first time she’s been wrong about love…

“Come on baby, be obedient to Daddy and spread it widely,” Being her sister’s identical twins has always landed Lena Morgan into big trouble but never did she imagine being entrapped by the mafia because of a crime her sister commited. Things took another turn when the mafia got obsessed with her, forcing her to feel the same for him while breaking all her safety barriers but all she wants is revenge, how could she love a man who ruined her life?

Thiago DiLaurentiis always has his eyes for Adriana Litmann, the only daughter and heiress of the Litmann's— Thiago DiLaurentiis' number one foe in business. Thiago firmly believes that Adriana is his, and he has to have her. But, being in love with the daughter of his enemy isn't easy as he needs to be contented by admiring her from afar. Knowing the Litmann's, they wouldn't let Thiago lay a hand even on Adriana's hair. And so, the moment Thiago knew about Adriana moving to another country to study in a prestigious business school, he followed her. Thiago did everything to be closed to Adriana, even if it meant pretending to be her professor.

“Akin ka lang, Anastasia, kaya babakuran kita.” Engr. Anastasia Veda Sullivan was set-up by her best friend and twin sister who was having an affair with her fiance. She was forced inside a stranger’s room in the cruise and things got hot! After that one steamy night, she was fenced by the billionaire and CEO, Xeonne Sage Monteverde.

"Sex slave? Is that what you thought?" "What else would you have dragged me here for?" I said, my voice trembling. He took a deep breath and looked me over, from head to toe, with an assessing expression that made me shrink back. "Don’t flatter yourself, female. You don’t meet the requirements to be one of my sex slaves." "Oh yeah? And what would those be?" He gave me that same smug, evaluating look again, but this time I puffed out my chest—and he seemed to notice, even if just for a second. "The first is being attractive." "What? Did you just call me ugly?" "Does it matter?" "Of course it matters! First of all, you're wrong! I’m not ugly, and I do meet all the requirements to be a sex slave!" — By the goddess, what was I saying? Marius looked at me, visibly confused, until he asked: "Why does it sound like you’re applying for the position?" Jane is an orphaned, rejected she-wolf who dreams of receiving her wolf and leaving the orphanage behind. One night, when she goes to a party with her friend, she finds herself in danger after realizing there is no party only three wolves with the worst intentions. Everything changes when the feared and cruel Marius, a wolf accused of massacring his own pack in the past, saves her. Or rather kidnaps her. Marius makes it clear: Jane will be his prisoner for one year, until she receives her wolf and can give him what he wants. But how can Jane trust a killer? And what is she supposed to do with the wild attraction they both feel, trapped together in an isolated cabin?

I have nothing to lose but to gain everything if I can't do this. I'm just three days away from losing everything. I'm so grateful that my parents aren't around to see me like this. I'm about to auction off the last thing of value I have to gain everything back. He's completely a stranger. I am not allowed to have a glimpse of him, not even on the first night of our. I am not a normal bride, but purchased by him in an auction. He's the highest bidder and the king of the dark world.

He was there during her healing phase, he helped her to heal the pain inside her, pain caused by her own family. But now, she's more broken than she was before, knowing that the one who healed here, also hurts her. The feeling if emptiness and drained. Mind's full untold thoughts while unfamiliar voices keep shouting inside her head. Shouting about not being worthy enough to receive someone's care and love. That she achieve nothing make someone proud of her and her efforts. Thinking that no one can love her the way she wanted to be love. Now that she doesn't want that love and attention anymore. All she want now is to live with peace. She want to live her life without dealing anything but peace, where all she wanted to feel within the day is peace, and where can she peacefully sleep at night without facing the ceiling for an hour. But behind her walking unto peace, there's something from her past pulling her back. Past where she's running away before until then. But how can she run away from the past when the past already got her back?

Elara’s life has never been easy. After the deaths of her father and stepmother, she’s treated as a servant by her cruel stepbrother, Darius. She dreams of escaping and claiming her rightful inheritance. But her plans are shattered when Darius sells her off to settle his debts—her buyer? The feared Alpha, Lucian Blackwood, leader of the ruthless Silverfang pack.