Twelve Minutes

When my mind-link request had been ignored by my parents for the twentieth time, I went to the Werewolf Council, clutching the report on silver dust corrosion in my hand. “Hello. I’d like to renounce my pack identity—effective immediately.” Ten minutes later, my parents burst in, dragging my adoptive younger sister, Elsa, with them, panic written all over their faces. The door burst open with a bang, and my Beta father charged in like a storm. His fangs bared, claws twitching. “You’re nothing but a spoiled brat craving attention! Stop this pathetic act. You’re an embarrassment to a Beta’s name!” My mother, a forensic specialist for the pack, immediately snatched the report from my hand. After a brief glance, she let out a cold sneer. “You faked this report just to get our attention? You’ve been a liar since you were a pup.” Elsa clung to both of them, tears in her eyes as she sobbed, “I’m sorry, Jenifer. It’s my fault for holding the shifting ritual. But please... don’t lie to our parents just to make them feel guilty!” Blood was still pouring from my nose, but I wiped it away calmly and stood tall before the werewolf councilors once more. “I haven’t had a real family for a long time. Please—remove all my personal records from the pack. I just don’t want my funeral—scheduled for three days from now—to be delayed.”

He was supposed to be a stranger. A bruised, scarred, filthy-mouthed stranger who pinned me against a bathroom wall and made me forget the boy who broke my heart 20 minutes earlier. I walked away first without his name or number, and I didn't look back. Then I found out my mom was engaged. To his dad. Rhys Maddox. Number seventeen. 6'3" of tattoos, bruised knuckles, and the kind of jaw that makes good girls do stupid things. The most dangerous player to ever step on our ice. My one-night stand. My new stepbrother. He doesn't follow rules - he breaks them. On the ice. In my bed. Against every surface in our parents' house while they eat twenty feet away. He calls me "sis" just to watch me squirm. He watches me like he already owns me. And the worst part? He does. Publicly, we're fake dating - a deal to keep my ex-bestfriend away. Privately, we're a stepbrother and stepsister who can't keep our clothes on the second we're alone. It's our biggest secret. Now the boy who I once considered my best friend suddenly wants me back. And the stepbrother who wasn't supposed to mean anything won't let me go. One wants to protect me. One wants to destroy me. And I can't tell which is which anymore. --- For readers 18+ who like their men possessive, their romances FORBIDDEN, and their chapters dripping with filthy, unapologetic spice.

Today was supposed to be my marking ceremony. Instead, it became my funeral. Eliza had run me down with her car. She dragged my broken body into the storage room. "Stay here. When the ceremony is over, I'll let you out." She wanted to take my place, to be marked by Greyson, as his Luna. Greyson loved me. But his family could never allow their precious Alpha son to marry a lowborn Omega. "Millie," murmured, his voice thick with guilt. "I have to obey my family and give them an heir first -- with Eliza. You know... she's Alpha blood. "Once the pup turns one, I'll marry you." And I marked the days one by one, counting down to our forever. He claimed it was a mere duty, but but their feverish nights suggested she was his preferred addiction. A month later, Eliza was pregnant. Ten months after that, she bore the Alpha's heir. Another twelve agonizing months dragged by, and finally, it was the day he was supposed to claim me. But now, I was lying here on the floor, my body shattered. Greyson's voice cut through the phone, sharp and impatient. "Why aren't you here yet? Haven't you been desperate to marry me?" "I've let the pup's birthday incident slide -- are you still going to sulk about it?" "If you don't show up, I'll mark Eliza instead." I wasn’t coming, Greyson. I couldn’t -- I was already dead. But he believed I was simply having a tantrum.

One year. That’s all I have to survive. I went from dancing naked in the neon-soaked stage of the Velvet Eclipse club to the cold, marble halls of the Hart empire with nothing but a promise I made to a dying man. I thought Richard Hart was my savior, but his final gift turned out to be a death sentence: live in a penthouse with his four sons—the most powerful, dangerous, and devastatingly handsome men in the city—for twelve months, or lose everything. The catch? They hate me. They see me as a charity case, a gold-digger. There’s Lucien, the Ice King who wants to crush me under his corporate heel. Damon, the inked-up mafia boss, who plays with guns and my sanity. Kai, the tech genius whose stormy blue eyes track my every mistake like a virus. And Theo, the golden boy whose charming smile hides a heart of pure stone. They’ve made it clear: they don’t want a roommate. They want to break me until I beg to leave. But they don’t know where I come from. They don't know what I've survived, Jace, my ex boyfriend who is currently hunting me from the shadows, ready to drag me back to the life I barely escaped. I’m trapped between four sharks who want to devour me and a monster who wants to own me. But as the walls of the penthouse start closing in, the hatred is starting to feel a lot like hunger. The lines are blurring, and I’m beginning to realize that the only thing more dangerous than the Hart brothers hating me... is them wanting me. I was sent here to tame them. But in this den of lions, I might be the one who ends up devoured.

During the ten years since I was found and brought to my biological family, Sonia Baxter, the girl who took my place, and I have been as close as real sisters. Even Mom says that Sonia cares more about me than a real sister would. I once swore I'd give my life to protect our special family of four. When Sonia is rushed into emergency surgery with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, I am in my office, calmly practicing a basic suturing technique on a surgical simulator. On the screen, the robotic arm threads the needle with such precision that it looks like a work of art. A few minutes later, my boyfriend, Oliver Lyons, slams open the office door and shouts at me, "Amelia Baxter! Sonia's in critical condition. Only your micro-dissection skills can save her! Every expert in the hospital is waiting for you! We've got less than an hour before the window closes!" He looks at me with hopeful eyes. I'm the only person in the country capable of performing a surgery this complex. My hands are even known as the "Hands of God". However, I simply reply with a hum and continue fiddling with the model. Suddenly, my parents rush in. Mom grabs my arm and cries out, "Amelia! That's your sister in there! How could you just stand by and watch her die?" I gently pull away from her and hold my right hand out in front of them. This hand, which had once created countless medical miracles, is now trembling slightly. "Unfortunately, since yesterday, I've been showing symptoms of essential tremor. Dad, Mom… this hand is ruined."

His eyes darkened as he leaned closer, placing a finger on my mouth. “Uh-uh, what did I say you call me when we're alone?” My body tingled with heat. “Daddy?” “Urgh…” A guttural groan tore from his chest. “Yes, baby?” My mind spaced for a second and Andre took advantage of that, tucking his hands under my legs and carrying me bridal style. “Andre, what are you doing?!” I shriek, dangling my legs in the air. “Finishing what we started, baby.” he chuckled, heading straight for the front door. I shook my head in bemusement. His daughter just found out about us and his brain goes straight to sex? Men… I wasn't any better though as I just waited for him to cross that threshold and pounce on me, instead of dissuading him. He strode over to the loveseat couch, sliding me down his body before pushing me back to the couch. Propped up on my elbows, I looked up at him with hooded eyes, only for the the door knob to flip. My eyes widened and instantly, I jerked up to my feet, coming to stand behind Andre. I had no idea who it was as Claire would have just barged right in. The door opening seemed to take several minutes but in reality, it was only seconds. It swung inwards to reveal Leila, the last person I was expecting to see. She took one look at us and wasn't in the least bit surprised. “So it's true?” Those cold grey eyes moved over to me. “You're the whore that's fucking my husband?”

"Be mine to own and I'll make your Ex Husband wish he never crossed you....You have four minutes to decide what you want, Little Peach!" ☆☆☆☆☆☆ Olive Anderson's life was shattered when her husband betrayed and divorced her on her hospital bed. The same day, her mother's illness worsened, and the hospital demanded a hefty sum. Desperate, Olive turned to her uncle for help, only to be coerced into sleeping with an investor. Left with no choice but to sleep with the investor to get the money to pay for the medical expenses. There was a mix up and she ended up in the bed of a drunk CEO, that single night marked the beginning of her unending misery and as well fortune. The stranger she slept with turned out to be her cousin's arranged- soon-to-be husband. And when he met her again, he wanted her! He would possess her! He won't let her go! Logan Smith-The Ambitious Tycoon from a prestigious family whose only motive was to get an arranged wife to clear his reputation and stop the rumor of him being Gay, found Olive as a suitable bride because of his Rare Physical contact disorder. He can't be touched by a woman. Therefore, He would do anything to get Olive Anderson who was the first woman to touch him without his illness flaring up. Olive is trapped between her desires as Logan proposes a deal: financial support and revenge on Olive's ex-husband in exchange for her belonging to him. Olive is torn between her thirst for vengeance and the scheming CEO's possessive grasp. She found herself exposed to a world she never bargained for and she was thrust into a world filled with self-discovery-challenging everything she thought she knew about herself.

She gave up, she gave in. She forgot that she was on an airplane that was now accelerating for take-off. She was far more interested in her own personal take-off – one that Hunter was controlling with hard, deep thrusts inside her as his thumb gently stroked her clit. She opened her mouth against his throat, her breath coming out in pants now. As she approached climax, Sully gripped her chin between his fingers, forced her face up to his. Her release was muffled against his mouth and he swallowed her gasps and tiny whimpers; when she relaxed and sighed, he held her close, absorbing the aftershocks into his own body. Cordelia floated next to him, dizzy and breathless. **** Twelve years ago, Hunter Sullivan lost everything that mattered. Since then, his life has been built on distance, discipline, and emotional lockdown. Love was a luxury he failed to protect, and one he doesn’t deserve again. Or so he believes. Until Cordelia Patton walks into his life and dismantles his defenses with a single smile. Cordelia is already carrying too much: a sick child, a demanding job, and a future balanced on a knife’s edge. Her toughest assignment comes when she and Hunter are sent undercover as a married couple to take down a child-kidnapping ring. Pretending to be close to a man who refuses to want her may be the hardest role she’s ever played. Cut off from backup and relying only on each other, lines blur and emotions ignite. But when the case explodes and a criminal escapes, the danger turns personal... and Hunter is forced to face his greatest fear: losing the woman he never meant to love.

I made my way directly to the library with the present I had for Asher all nicely wrapped up, ready to be torn open. I was so excited and nervous at the same time. When I arrived at the library, no one was there. I sat there for a whole 20 minutes waiting for Mr. no show. I felt stupid for thinking he would actually come. I got dolled up for no reason at all. Maybe I’ll still meet my mate today. Then it won’t be for no reason. I got up from the table seat and went into the hall, hearing a lot of whispers regarding my new appearance. Some asking if I’m a new girl, others saying I’m trying too hard and others saying I look drop dead gorgeous. I didn’t know how to feel about myself. As I was wandering around the halls waiting for school to start, a smell hit me like a truck. It filled my lungs and took over my mind. It was the smell of after the rain had fallen. Petrichor. "Mate", I growled. I let the scent lead my feet to where my mate was. I was so excited and my palms are sweaty. It led me to the janitor’s closet and before I opened it I heard a moan. I put my ear to the door and heard shuffling. “Hurry Saige, I smell my mate, I can’t let her meet me like this.” I know that voice my heart skips a beat, fear and anger covers my heart like a blanket. It can’t be. It can’t be. There’s no way.

"How dare you to run away from me?” he said in his cold dark tone, his voice seemed very angry, his hand kept tightening around Jasmine neck that she could hardly breath.She struggled and begged "Plee.. Please let me go… yo.. you are mistaken wit.. With me, I.. I.. am not who you think” "Is that so, huh? Are you trying to tell me that you don’t know me?” he said in dangerous tone"Nooo.. Noooo.. I don’t know you, please leave me” Jasmine lied and her dragon wing rune on her wrist started burning."Then let me remind you who I am…” He said and in smashed his lips on her and before jasmine could struggle or push him away he released her neck and pulled her both hands above her head.His kiss was full on anger and dominance, he bit hard on Jasmine lower lip which made her open her mouth a little, taking that as opportunity he slid his warm tongue inside and started exploiting her mouth in every way possible.Couple of minutes later when he felt jasmine fainting because of lack of oxygen he pulled back "Now do you remember me?” He questioned her breathing hot air on her swollen lips. "Wh..o.. who are you?” Jasmine questioned him in her low voice trembling voice.He kept fanning hot breaths on her lips until “Draco” he said in his deep magnetic voice.-CONTAINS MATURE CONTENT (18+), STRONG ABUSE AND WHOLE LOT OF TORTURE ACTS. KINDLY READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.