The Summer Solstice Nick Joaquin

Luca's expression turned serious. "What's going on, Isabella? You can tell me anything." Isabella took a deep breath before blurting out the truth. "I'm pregnant, Luca." The room fell silent. Luca's eyes widened in shock. Isabella continued, her voice shaking. "And the father... is Vincent Moreno." Luca's face turned grim. "The mafia king?" Isabella nodded, feeling a wave of fear wash over her. She knew what this meant. She knew that she couldn't keep her pregnancy a secret from Vincent. He would stop at nothing to claim his child. Luca's voice brought her back to reality. "You know what this means, don't you? You can't keep this a secret from him. He'll find out, and when he does... " Isabella's eyes flashed with determination. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect my child, Luca. I'll go to the ends of the earth to keep them safe from him." Luca's expression turned somber. "How long can you keep running, Isabella? You can't hide forever." Isabella's jaw set in determination. "As long as I'm alive, Luca. I'll never let him near my child." *** "WHERE IS MY CHILD, ISABELLA?" He thundered, his eyes blazing with fury. Isabella's cup fell from her hands, shattering on the floor. She felt like she was frozen in time, unable to move or speak. The man took a step closer, his eyes fixed on hers. "You've been hiding my child from me for seven years. It's time I took what's mine."

Horror stories originate from somewhere. Whether from eyewitness accounts or from survivors' tales, they come from somewhere. And while all of us grow up with the folklore, how many of us genuinely believe that werewolves and vampires prowl through the night, taking what they want. I will admit I didn't believe the tales. I thought werewolves and vampires were nothing more than make-believe. Scary stories meant to keep kids in line. That is until a monster ripped me from my warm and sold me to the highest bidder. Where nightmares and horror stories become true is where my story begins. Can I ever be free again, or will the beasts rule my body and soul forever. TRIGGER WARNING!!!!!

In a world you never feel you belong, yet you have a duty to fulfill. Would you accept marrying someone you didn't know you or running away? My choice led me to him, my savior, the one who stole my soul with a single smile. He is Kade, the alpha of the Greystone pack, and I am just Sabine, the gipsy. Discover a different werewolf romance, one full of love, passion, and betrayal.

She told him she loved him in high school; he laughed in her face. And, ever since then, Lucia Brielle Renaud had vowed never to fall in love again. Ten years and a successful career later, Lucia's first love... or is it her mortal enemy, Dylan Thomas is back in her life with one sole task; to claim the one position Lucia has ever dreamed of taking on: Vice president of Retro Corp! Oh, another cool fact... he doesn't remember her. At all. Lucia is determined to do everything... even go the extra mile to ensure that she gets that position, and possibly her lost pound of flesh while she's at it, but how far will she go? Dylan Thomas returns to his father's company after so many years also vying for the position of vice president. Little does anyone know that he comes with his own ulterior motives and personal agendas. He meets Lucia, otherwise known to him as Brielle, and the level of attraction he has for her is maddening and almost instantaneous. With lust, feelings and physical attractions getting in the way, who will emerge victorious in this battle for power?

Keadaan kota yang diselubungi oleh wilayah-wilayah kumuh menjadi tidak aman, apalagi dengan adanya internet yang membuat berita-berita tak masuk akal mudah merebak. Makhluk aneh muncul, lalu anak-anak hilang di hutan, juga keadaan kota yang mendadak sepi. Apakah entitas yang baru saja datang itu lebih dari sekadar sihir?

As Jimmy investigates an abandoned car, he finds a journal that sheds light on a mystery from twenty years before. As he explores his memories he discovers the truth behind the city and the supernaturals who run it. ~~~ Inside of each of us is the darkness wanting out. But what if that darkness is the ending and the beginning of us all? The full moon hung like a ghost in the night sky as Yada overlooked the lights of the city below from her tenth-floor apartment. She studied the diamond twilight for over an hour before turning away--No longer able to stomach the sight. It had been nearly a month since she had been home, having stayed in the coven’s inner chambers since the city fell under siege to a rival house a little over three weeks ago. Over the years, the city had seen many battles for control of the streets. To date, the two bloodiest battles took place within the last fifteen years. The Badens orchestrated both attacks. Led by Darius, the Badens seemed hell-bent on ruling the city with little regard for the Michelsons. The Michelsons governed the streets for nearly two hundred years and were a formidable force. Led by Gabriel, the Michelsons protected the city, and it survived unscathed. The streets were free from the blood deals, which went unnoticed by the public eye, normally. However, this last battle proved more difficult to keep quiet. It had been an all-out war for control, drawing innocent people into the blood feud as the Badens raided the streets for warriors to fortify their numbers. The Michelsons retaliated through unusual ventures to keep the war silent.

My suitcase, filled with precious and expensive birthday gifts, was mistakenly claimed by another person at the airport. When I opened the one left behind, I found it packed with men’s clothes instead of my belongings. Determined to retrieve what was rightfully mine, I went on a frantic search for the man who had taken my suitcase. When I finally confronted him and politely asked for an exchange, he responded with the gentlest of tones: “Oh, I opened it and realized I’d made a mistake—it’s all women’s items.” I breathed a sigh of relief, ready to thank him and express my gratitude. Then he added casually, “I couldn’t use any of those things, so I sorted them out and gave them to my girlfriend. You’re welcome.” My jaw dropped. I could barely muster a response as I muttered under my breath, “What the hell?”

Jack's first love, Alice, came in for her prenatal checkup. Tested positive for Corrosion Sickness. I told him right away. But Jack insisted I was spouting nonsense and went around the pack slandering me—claiming I had no medical ethics, that my surgical skills were a joke, and that I’d killed a fellow werewolf through malpractice. Because of him, the Werewolf Medical Association revoked my healer title, and I was nearly torn apart by the patient’s furious family! On our third mating anniversary, Jack sank silver into my veins. I begged him to save me, but he locked me in a cellar and left me there to die. "Just die already," he said. "I need your estate to have marking ceremony with Alice." The next second, I opened my eyes—I wasn’t dead. I was reborn! I was reborn on the day Alice came in for her prenatal checkup! This time, I won’t tell him the truth. I’m leaving that scumbag behind! Let him and Alice enjoy their filthy love!

The Secret Wives of The CEO and The Billionaire is a series of two books, CEO's Secret Wife and Billionaire's Secret Wife. CEO'S Secret Wife This is the story of Adhyansh and Adwitiya and how she fell into the deep well of his fake love and trapped in the web of his revenge, She expected love, and he gave her hate. She expected her warm embrace and he gave her cold eyes. She expected peace, he ruined her peace. But this is not what it looks like, and neither was innocent nor he innocent, he made mistakes and she did the same. Both are at fault, they aren't perfect neither they want to be. Join me in the story full of betrayal, revenge, pain, and tears of the CEO and His Secret Wife. ___ Billionaire's Secret Wife She was forced to marry him.. she just did this to save her mother She thought he hated her but what happened when everything around her just lay and she was trapped in it? She was his Obsession and He could go to any extent to get her. He wants her all for himself. She was His Secret Wife The Billionaire's Secret Wife and She was trapped in The Web of Lies Stuck in the Dirty Game Of The Billionaire. "YOU ARE MINE SHARANYA ONLY MINE AND I HATE SHARING" Mr.A Join me on this journey of Billionaire and HIS SECRET WIFE full of suspense, heartbreak, betrayal, and Love. _________

Two decades have passed since the people of Anglonia were forcibly microchipped so the King could watch their every move. Tabs were kept on every citizen. The Anglonian's lives were lived in fear until ten teens decided they had had enough. Together they formulate a plan to free themselves and their people from the King's tyrannical watch. Venera, one of the ten, now of age, has been chosen as a potential bride for the prince of Anglonia. Positioning herself within the kingdom would open new doors for the freedom seekers if Venera is willing to pay the price. Ready to do what she must, Venera Vorobyova sets off for the palace, intent on gifting her people with liberty and protecting her friends. What she doesn't anticipate is the instant attraction she feels for Prince Felix. Will Venera recognize the danger to Prince Felix's life and save her love before it is too late? Everything will come to a head at the grand ball scheduled to announce their betrothal. Can Venera, the Prince and the ten take back Anglonia's freedom? Will love prevail even with the gruesome tasks ahead? Will bravery be enough? Find out what happens in The Rebel Falls For The Prince (The 10: Venera), a dystopian tale of betrayal, romance, bravery and friendship.