Tone Indicators

It was New Year's Eve. We were streaming live when my brother called. I spoke first, "I wish you peace and a happy, long life." He gave a cold laugh. "Yeah, well, I don't want you to have any of that. I hope you spend the rest of your life in misery." I'd cut him off the year he was flat broke. Now that he was successful, this was the first thing he did—get back at me. I kept my tone calm. "I wish you peace and a happy, long life." He sounded annoyed. "Cut it out. There's no way I'm wishing you well. If I have to say something, then I hope you stay miserable forever." The host hesitated, then chimed in, "Ben, that was just a recording of Hailey's message. And yes, when she left… she was in a lot of pain and quite miserable, just like you hoped for."

Ethan Donovan's world was shattered when his ex-lover Liam abruptly walked out, leaving him to pick up the pieces. Just when he thought he was finally moving on, an unwelcome invitation to Liam's wedding arrives, shattering the fragile peace Ethan had so painstakingly rebuilt. Determined to reclaim his dignity, Ethan hatches a plan - he will attend the wedding with a fake boyfriend in tow, a charming distraction to make his ex jealous and prove he's thriving. Enter Riley Bennett, Ethan's mysterious and alluring new neighbor, who agrees to play the part. As their pretend romance blossoms, an undeniable spark ignites between the two men. But Riley is harboring a dangerous secret - he is a werewolf, and his past is quickly catching up to him. When Ethan discovers Riley's true nature, his world is turned upside down. "You're a werewolf? And you didn't think I deserved to know?" Ethan's voice trembles, his emotions a storm of betrayal and confusion. Riley steps closer, his tone laced with regret. "I was trying to protect you, Ethan. I didn't want this life to touch you, but now...I can't lose you either." As the threat of Riley's past looms, Ethan must decide whether he can trust this enigmatic man and embrace this new, extraordinary reality, or if he should walk away for good, even if it means shattering his own heart.

On my wedding day, my arranged fiancé abandoned me and chose my sister instead. As I became the laughingstock of every elite guest in attendance, my business partner James Crawford shocked everyone by publicly proposing to me with a passionate declaration of love. After we married, he was incredibly attentive, especially during my pregnancy when he catered to my every need. I thought my suffering had finally ended. Until I overheard his confession to my sister: "I've only ever loved you." James's voice carried a passion I'd never heard him use with me. "Marry her? I was only after her resources, connections, and her talent for making money. She's nothing but a useful cash cow." "Now that she's pregnant, even better." His tone was coldly calculating. "With the baby, she'll be even more dependent on me, more devoted. She'll never leave." Everything I had treasured—our love, our marriage—was all a lie. Learning the truth, I turned and walked away without a word. I was done with this charade. Everything that belonged to me, I would reclaim with my own hands.

I don't inform Hunter Nabb when I'm bitten by a rabid dog in the late stages of my pregnancy. Instead, I call the police. Why? Because he got into an accident when he hurried to me in my past life. It killed his junior. He was depressed for a day but quickly bounced back. He cared for me until I recovered. I thought the rumors of amorosity between him and his junior was just a figment of my imagination. However, the day I gave birth, he locked me in a cage, allowing a rabid dog to attack me and the baby. He looked down at me imperiously, his tone cold and ruthless. "You can trick everyone, but not me. Would a dog have bitten you if you hadn't provoked it? Do you know you killed Willow with your dirty tricks? She was pregnant with my child when she died!" When I open my eyes again, I'm taken back to when the rabid dog bites me.

Ferngrove must pay for their crimes of stealing an ancient jewel from a Fae High Lord, Valen, and harnessing the power within it. So every century, a daughter of the chief must be taken to Lyria, the realm of the High lord and there she will spend her remaining life paying for her ancestors crimes. After another century, Valen descends on the village once more, taking the beautiful daughter of the chief of Ferngrove, Maerwynn. And he imprisons her in his Court subjecting her to a cruel fate. As the days pass, Valen finds himself inexplicably drawn to Maerwynn, her unwavering strength and beauty stirring something long dormant within his dark heart and when Maerwynn, finds out she's more than a mere human and her destiny is tied to Valen, she gathers enemies like bees to honey. Determined to protect her from the dangers lurking within his own realm and beyond, Valen finds himself making sacrifices he never thought possible, defying the very nature of his being but nothing can stop the war coming. But nothing can stop the war coming, for it will consume completely. ************************* He fixes me with a steely gaze, his voice taking on a darker edge. "You have no business with my Court or any other Court in Lyria, to be precise. You're here to atone for the sins of your ancestors, and you will do so while knowing your place," he declares, his words cutting through the air like a knife. I swallow hard, feeling a heavy weight settle in my chest at his harsh tone and the gravity of his words. "And what is my place?" I inquire, my voice barely above a whisper. His gaze hardens, and his words send a chill down my spine. "My prisoner."

“The contract was only for a year, Mr Gray. I marry you for one year and you stay the fuck away from my properties,” her tone was high-pitched annoyance and anger. “You got it all wrong, sugar. The contract was to quench my thirst for you but all you did was fuel that desire. Now, I want to own you. Your body, heart and fucking soul,” that honeylike baritone was void of its usual teasing now. He meant every word of it. There was no escape for her. ********** As she lay on the operating table, bleeding to death from an abortion her husband, Regal had arranged, Claire saw her life flash before her eyes. Even in her dying state, he refused her a transfusion because donating blood would ‘hurt’ his unborn child. The words pierced through her heart. The man she'd given her world to chose her sister over her without blinking. But then life smiled at her and she was given a second chance to correct her mistakes. What happens when she gambles this chance by stealing from the famous trillionaire, Asher Gray? What will be her fate when he barges into her life and overturns her world with his wicked seduction? When life throws Regal at her feet, begging for a second chance, when old flames ignite, will she let go of the past and forgive or pursue the prospect of a beautiful new love?

" Do i scare you, Micaela." "Your majesty." I whimper, avoiding his gaze. I couldn't muster the courage to meet him in the eyes, not when his intimidating demeanour blocked every sense of reasoning. " mea bella mate ," the way he uttered those strange words, so soft, so delicate, like a sweet caress. Yet I couldn't bring myself to be swayed by his tactics. He wasn't just the king but a man betrothed to another, and I was merely a maid assigned to serve him. "What would Anastasia think if she walks in on our compromising position?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. " I couldn’t give two sh*t what she thinks or feels." His tone was so calm yet frightening. " She means absolutely nothing to me." ♧♧♧ Micaela Whitlock was born and raised inside the Palace, having little experience with life beyond its gates. Despite the benefit of working at the palace, her life was anything but enjoyable. It has been 100 years since the beast overran the human world, eradicating the vast majority of people and enslaving the remainder. Unfortunately, her parents had been among the people who had been taken prisoner. She followed instructions to the letter, doing everything in her power to blend in and go unnoticed until an awful event occurred and irrevocably altered her life.

"You do know I am a whore and wherever I go in this city, I will be recognized, be it under a disguise or not?" Penelope arched a brow at Quinlan, capturing his attention with her voice immediately. "Well…" Quinlan paused and let his mind waver for a second, "you could impersonate a male." "Heavens! Dressing up as a man to get myself pleasured?" "Yes, I see nothing wrong with that. It's only an hour or two, thing." "How about we invite a man into our home?" "I'm afraid that's impossible." Quinlan's tone was as sharp as his jaw. "Right." Penelope placed the papers on the desk, "where do I sign?" *** A deal between a heartbroken nobel man and the town's biggest whore. Quinlan wanted to keep his position as the Alpha's beta because he was close to being relieved of his duties since the Alpha recently wedded his lover. Penelope was after the money and wanted to go on a hiatus from the pleasure house. So the two married through a contact, unbeknownst of what lies ahead.

Marcia was once destined for a life of happiness as a wealthy princess, but in this moment, she was ruthlessly struck by fate. She discovered that her husband, Alan, not only betrayed her but also had an affair with her best friend. While pregnant, she was persecuted, leading to a devastating miscarriage that shattered her spirit. Even more heartbreaking, her father suffered a stroke and passed away due to Alan's embezzlement of company funds. In an instant, Marcia lost her wealth, her child, and the one person who truly loved her... In her despair, Marcia made a decision: revenge! Two years later, she returned as Patricia, becoming the most trusted secretary of the powerful billionaire Elijah Sinclair. She vowed to make those who had wronged her pay, ensuring they would suffer in hell! *** (Sample) Marcia grabbed Calvin's hand tightly, her voice sharp. "I WANT REVENGE! I WANT REVENGE! Calvin, please help me! I can't let him get away with this!" Her eyes were bloodshot, her tone rising to a near scream. Calvin felt her icy grip, devoid of warmth. He gently embraced Marcia, solemnly promising, "Don't worry, I will help you!" Calvin placed a brown paper bag gently in front of her. "Open this. Get close to him; he can help you. But know this: from now on, there will be no more Marcia Roberts. Are you ready for that?" Marcia sat up in bed, carefully tying her long hair back, revealing a gaunt, colorless face. "At this point, do I have any other choice? But, Calvin, are you sure this person can help me?" "He's Elijah Sinclair. If he can't, no one can..."

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.