The Ugly Duckling Short Story Summary

Twelve years ago, Detective Myra Black lost her brother to a murder the police never solved. Now, she wears the badge — not for justice, but for vengeance. When a high-profile case lands her face-to-face with Raffaele Moretti, a cold, calculating Mafia boss with secrets buried deeper than graves, everything she's built starts to unravel. He’s dangerous, untouchable, and frustratingly calm... and worst of all, he might be the key to her brother’s death. But the more Myra digs, the more the truth turns to smoke. And the more Raffaele protects her — with his dark past and darker loyalty — the more she questions whether she’s hunting a killer… or falling for one. In a city where truth is currency and lies are survival, can a woman sworn to the law trust the heart of a man who lives in the shadows?

She's the editor-in-chief of a new magazine that's supposed to publish exclusive behind-the-scenes photos and news from a reality TV show. He is a bachelor who got tired of waiting for life to give him a love and decided to participate in a TV show to find a bride. Their lives intersect, therefore, but this is not the first time. And the past has left its mark!

I lifted my gaze to meet his unwavering one; his eyes were enigmatic, just like his dominant posture. He had an enviable and captivating physique, with well-defined muscles that accentuated the perfect cut of his suit. His greenish eyes, tan skin, and slightly curly hair, styled professionally, completed his look. He was truly a stunning man. “Finished admiring me, miss?” With a teasing tone, a charming smile appeared on his lips. The CEO was undoubtedly tempting. “Sir...” I cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure and searching for words to escape that uncomfortable situation. “The content is not appropriate to be read aloud; please understand!” “That, I will decide!” He leaned back in his executive chair, watching me calmly as he savored a sip of his favorite whiskey. “I'm waiting.” “I apologize, sir, but I can't do it. You can fire me!” I turned away, ready to leave the office hastily, when his strong hands gripped my wrist, about to pull the door handle. He carefully watched my reaction and then smiled. “Apprentice…” The CEO approached me seductively, causing me to step back a few paces until I was cornered against the wall. He surrounded me with his arms and brought his lips close to my ear, whispering, “There is so much potential in you; I will mold you!” Biting lightly on the tip of my ear, I felt a shiver run through my body. With the tips of his fingers, he traced the outline of my face with his nails before pressing his lips with his thumb, gently parting them. Moving even closer, he pressed his body against mine, making my heart race and my breathing erratic.

A SAGA OF KINGS AND WOLVES Great darkness is in the earth and supernatural forces are gathering around to take action and take over the world. The creatures of the night plague the lands and desire to rule all civilization. Julius of Romania is a noble knight like no other. Yet one day, Fate decided to play its part and make him succumb to the dark embrace. He is a man who sought nothing more than ambition and power to defeat his enemies and save his family. He makes a deal with the Demon Wolf and becomes victorious over many obstacles, battles, and onslaughts. He is now feared as Mephiles, the mightiest king of demons. Lagertha of Stockholm is a demon slayer. She wishes only to fight the creatures of the night and not end up like her father. Her journey would force not only herself but also her descendants to join her in venturing to a great kingdom. Three of them would join forces with her to accompany her on a journey that would take all of their strengths and skills. They are called the Three Hunters: Delphine of Moria, the Cursed Knight; Ragnar of Midland, the Ranger; and Iris of Kattegat, the Huntress. They are all bound by the blood of the wolf, and they were all found by the magic of the Wolf Queen. Together, they will do what is necessary to fight back against the demons and find the kingdom that would lead the people of the world into a new era. The kingdom of Apocrypha. The Devil And The Huntsman is a medieval dark fantasy series about a royal family, a legion of hunters, and a kingdom that never ends.

"I don't care if you don't love me back....just don't disrespect my feelings for you."~ Sara didn't know that there was a specific things that human are supposed not to do. She didn't understand that trying to do what you can to survive can be considered bad until she met Daniel Marvin. The 35 years old billionaire detest her to the core, but what happens when the arrogant rich billionaire got entangled with the stripper. Will it spark into love? Or not? Join me a find out!

Samantha Montgomery has never had luck on her side. Down on her luck she is shocked to discover that she was the sole inherit of her Great Aunt's will. With her world falling down around her Samantha jumps at the opportunity to start afresh in a new town where no one would know her. What she hadn't expected was the isolated home in the middle of the woods. The feeling that someone or something is watching her. Even the howls at night seem as if they are coming from right below her window. Can she trust Lucien, the mysterious stranger who claims to have known her aunt. Or will he lead her even further into danger.

I've been married for eight years, but my husband won't let our daughter call him "Dad" because his childhood sweetheart's son struggles with severe depression. After he missed our daughter's parent-teacher meeting again because he was with Susan Lawson and her son, I decided to leave. I prepare the divorce papers and decide to leave with my daughter. I go to her school and find her homeroom teacher, Laura Anderson. "Ms. Anderson, I'd like to apply for a school transfer." She looks surprised. "Why the sudden decision to transfer?" I reply calmly, "Her dad has been working out of town, but he's finally settled down and wants us to move there." Laura sighs. "Well, that's not bad. I always thought you were a single mom." I smile. I'm not, for now. But I'll be one very soon.

He entered the pack to bring it down. He never expected to fall for the Alpha sworn to destroy him. Silas Hati was raised on war stories. Trained to lie. Sent to the Red Moon to spy from the inside. But the moment he laid eyes on Alpha Ethan Lupa, dangerous, magnetic, cold, something shifted. The mission was simple: gather intel. Expose weakness. Bring Ethan to his knees. What Silas didn’t plan for was the tremor in his chest every time Ethan looked at him like he already belonged. As rivalries ignite and secrets unravel, Silas must choose to either: Destroy the man he’s starting to love, or destroy everything he was sent to protect.

Katie finds herself about to go to jail for something she didn't do. When gorgeous Samantha saves her and makes her an incredible offer. Katie has no idea of the dangerous game they are playing

Armand was appointed king, his small hellish kingdom was nothing compared to his nemesis. But he was not claiming for more, he was done after his lover's demise as King Ranulf accidentally kill her and made both of them cast to hell. He's a fallen angel who wanted nothing but to spend the rest of his eternal life grieving in his way. That was until the day he met Rain, the human werewolf he thought can heal his wound. But he was rejected, he thought Rain liked him until he chose King Ranulf. The day he was going to kidnap Rain was the day he got badly wounded. And Rain once again rejected him and told his lover not to hurt him. And that's how for days he ended up in the care of a very chatty Succubus named Basilea. ***** No one knows how valuable Basilea was, not even the last king she served her life for. Basilea was the last princess of the demon succubus, both parents were killed in the great war less than a hundred years ago. Her kingdom falls and she had no desire to fill her royal throne. She was living the harem life with King Ranulf, her life was easy under his protection. Basilea was brought by King Eustace, the ruler before King Arkael and King Ranulf. She was taken in just before her she reach adulthood, no one knew her, and no one gets close enough to peel layers of her deep darkest secret until Armand. The one being she couldn't resist, the one male who can fulfill her desire. She was a demon after all, and she knows that demons don't get her happy ever after. Or do they? ***** Warning! R-Rated for 18+ due to strong, explicit language and sexual content*