West African Folk Tales

When Love Becomes a Prison After twenty failed IVF treatments and four years of heartbreak, Lily Collins finally has everything she's ever wanted: she's pregnant with the miracle baby she and her husband James fought so hard for. But the man she married is becoming someone she doesn't recognize—controlling, secretive, and increasingly dangerous. When James strikes her for the first time, Lily tells herself it's the stress. When he isolates her from friends and monitors her every move, she convinces herself it's concern for the baby. But when she discovers he's been lying about their fertility treatments, she realizes the father of her unborn child might be hiding something far more sinister than she ever imagined. **Meanwhile, across the city...** Alpha werewolf Ace Winters has spent years searching for his destined mate. When the bond finally calls to him, leading him to a pregnant woman living in fear, his protective instincts roar to life. But his mate is human, fragile, and already running from one dangerous man. One wrong move could send her fleeing forever. One right move could save her life. Two men. One woman. A baby caught in between. As Lily fights to uncover the truth about her husband's deceptions, she has no idea that her salvation might come from the mysterious stranger watching over her or that accepting his protection will thrust her into a world where fairy tales are real. Love can be written in the stars. But first, she has to survive long enough to discover that monsters don't always look like monsters... *And heroes don't always look entirely human.*

My wife, Alisha West, has always been obsessively frugal. After marrying her, my single guilty pleasure became blowing money on luxury watches—almost like revenge for how absurdly tightfisted she was. By the time our daughter, Elyse Day, turned 7, she had inherited every bit of her mother’s penny-pinching nature. The two of them looked completely out of place in our sprawling mansion. And I loved it. I’d slip into my latest custom-tailored suits and watch them wince at my credit card statements, their expressions twisted in quiet pain. Until one day, lines of floating text suddenly appeared before my eyes. [This spendthrift idiot is still shopping? Doesn’t he know his wife’s company is about to go bankrupt?] [She’s been drained dry supporting this parasite. Her T-shirt collar is practically worn out from washing. Good thing the financially savvy male lead is about to show up and save her.] [Can’t wait for Alisha to file for divorce and kick this useless freeloader out. Let’s see how he survives fighting stray dogs for scraps under a bridge.] I slammed the limited-edition Richard Mille watch onto the table. Alisha, who was crouched on the floor breaking down delivery boxes for recycling, and Elyse, who was helping stomp them flat, both jumped in shock. A chill ran through me. I lunged forward, snatched the battered cardboard box from Elyse’s hands, and held it tightly against my chest. "No… no more buying. I’m returning this watch. "And these boxes… don’t sell them. I think we might need them someday… to lay out under a bridge when we’re sleeping outside…"

Prince Barlion Great was about to accept the throne from his father, King Viper Great by the time he reached of age. But the lack of responsibility in the Prince had dragged out his correlation for a decade. But when the second son came of age, Prince Barlion was given a last chance to prove himself that he was worthy of the crown. The only way Kind Viper could challenge his son was to make him do the one thing the Prince was repulsed of.... Commitment. so, the King proposed that he will take Frost Sorrow as his wife or, he can pass the throne down to his brother. Prince Barlion didn't want to marry the faceless woman who has unpleasant tales told about her through all the five kingdoms. But he wasn't about to give up the throne either. Frost Sorrow- the faceless girl- had never imagined that she would be betrothed to the future king of Gold land Kingdom. Counting the seconds until the illness would finally take her had been the only thing she knew. A husband and a family were never written in the starts for her. But her parents had taken this opportunity to give her hand to the future king, where she'd be safe, while they travel beyond the five Kingdoms and searched for a healer. Frost didn't want to take a husband. She didn't want to leave the comforts of her home. But she would never defy her parents, and her parents would never defy the king. Prince Barlion doesn't want a faceless wife with enough rumors to fill a horror story. He doesn't want a wife, period. All he needed to do is stand the woman until he gets the throne. After that, all he has to do is...drive her away.

Born into an extremely influential family in the Far West of the United States, Janis Walter, of course had every right to throw her weight around in every way she could. She possessed characteristics most people believed was supposed to be for the male gender, and unfit for a feminine goddess like her. But you know what? They were wrong. Janis considered them all wrong and they dared not challenge her. On the opposite side was Jax Storms. Not wealthy, not poor...Just in between. Sure, like every western man, he was masculine, but what happens when he comes in contact with Janis who was overbearingly domineering? And in the most unlucky way too. They had a one night stand! ~. .~ Janis gasped in shock when she saw Jax, after haven not seen him since that night. Memories from that night immediately hit her and her cheeks flushed red immediately. He didn't look like he did the last time she had seen him; he looked very different, and more sophisticated. To her surprise, he turned out to be the CEO of the corporation that was closely in competition with hers. "Hello." Janis spoke and his eyes narrowed immediately, before giving her a fake smile that didn't even reach his eyes. "How are..." "I didn't come here for a reunion." Jax cut her off. He didn't like how she smiled at him, he believed it was fake and she was just like her younger sister, who looked down on people who had no status attached to their name. "Then what did you come here for?" She asked, unable to believe that the CEO standing in front of her had been the Uber guy who got her pregnant. "I want custody of my child." He deadpanned and the smile drained from her face.

When I opened my eyes, my sister Serena Shaw was kneeling in front of me, sobbing with a fruit knife pressed near her wrist. “Nora, I swear I didn’t mean it. I had too much to drink. I don’t even know how Lucas and I…” I almost laughed. Because I had seen this scene before. In my last life, Serena cried like a victim after sleeping with my fiancé, Lucas Arden. Everyone comforted her. Lucas married her to save her reputation. And I was pushed into a marriage with Graham West, Serena’s abandoned fiancé. Before the wedding, Lucas showed me my name tattooed on his wrist and promised he would only love me. I believed him. I wasted five years beside a husband who wanted my sister, waiting for a man who had married her. Then Serena died. I thought Lucas would finally come back to me. Instead, I found him at the funeral home, holding her photograph like he had lost the love of his life. “She was my wife,” he told me. “Let it go, Nora.” At my birthday party, Lucas and Graham fought over Serena on the rooftop. One had married her. One had never stopped wanting her. While they fought over her, I was shoved into traffic and died under the headlights. When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the beginning. This time, I thought I was the only one who remembered. I was wrong. Lucas remembered. Graham remembered. And even with a second chance, both of them still chose Serena. This time, I would not be traded, chosen, or discarded. This time, I would build something none of them could take from me.

Deprived of his father's love and cursed by a blind witch, Zebulun has had his fair share of hardship and spite in life. Despite being the only heir to his father's throne, he happened to be his father's worst nightmare and the pack’s laughingstock. For who would desire a son that can't see nor speak? Moreso a King! A total disgrace to the royal bloodline and to himself at that. He realized that he wanted to be different, a different kind of King, irrespective of his disability. Just then he met his betrothed’s slave, a girl whose eyes burn with fiery fire and has a skin like silk. Then like a moth attracted to a flame he was lured towards her, but he tried to quench his feral attraction towards her even though he could hardly keep his hands to himself. Slaved and bought by different masters until she got to the last cruel one, Lucinda has seen and heard enough to last a lifetime or two. Hearing the sweet tales of having a mate, she has always looked forward to meeting hers even though she does not have a wolf, never had and it never bothered her. What happens when she meets the blind and mute prince and realizes that he was her mate, what worse? He happened to be her cruel mistress’ betrothed? Will she fight for their bond or run away like she has been running from the origin of her nightmares or will Zebulun fight through the everlasting darkness he has been innocently plunged into and break the curse? Will they both be able to keep their bond a secret or give in to their fated needs? Read to find out…

My name is Cassie Aster. I was born Cassandra Burton. I wasn’t born rich, or with a powerful name. But I was born smart—some would say lucky. At fifteen, I entered a contest for a scholarship to the most prestigious school in the country: Aster Academy of Excellence. Out of more than four hundred applicants, only five were chosen. By sixteen, I was walking through its gates. That’s where I met him—Jacob Aster. The son of the school’s owners. The heir to one of the wealthiest families on Earth. I fell for him immediately, but I rejected him—over a hundred times. My studies, my scholarship, my future came first. To him, that meant only one thing: he had to buy my love. Over a decade later, we’re married. And to the world, I’m the luckiest girl alive—proof that fairy tales come true. From rags to riches, just like that. But I never thought of myself as having only rags. And I didn’t marry him for his riches. Still, every time he strays, he buys my forgiveness—for $100,000. For him, I gave up my career. For him, I live like a caged bird, taken out only for display. For him, I die a little every day. Every time my card doesn’t decline, my heart does. Most of his women at least have the shame to stay out of my sight. But not her. Coral Monroue is shameless. He favors her now. And I can’t help but wonder— will she be the one who finally pushes me to leave?

On the night that Charlotte Slate was betrayed by her husband Andy, she has a one-night stand with a mysterious stranger. Little did she know, her one-night stand was none other than billionaire CEO Micah McKaine, also known as Kingpin Kane, the most dangerous man on the West Coast. When Charlotte becomes an exotic dancer to make ends meet, a twist of fate brings these two back together as their paths cross unexpectedly under the stage lights. When Micah sees her perform for the first time, his passion is rekindled and he is even more determined than ever to make her his--especially when he learns that she is the wife of double-crossing protege Andy, Micah devises a plan involving her to take down a common enemy. Can Micah convince this “good girl” to be his avenging angel? _____ "Charlotte," he whispers into my hair as he holds me close. "Please just let me hold you. Just this once. I know you aren't free to love me, but I want something more to remember before we need to play it safe. Please, cher." "Oh Micah," I melt into him, needing his touch just as much as he needs mine. "We can't do this." What starts as a gentle embrace starts to become something else as he pulls my head back to stare directly into my eyes. Bringing his head down slowly, his lips hover above mine, not quite touching. "Is that so?" He licks my lips and I feel my core release, wet and ready for so much more. This man that just a moment ago induced so much fear in me, is igniting my passion beyond reason. "Give me one good reason why I should kiss you right now and have my way with you in the back of this car."

The narrative unfolds around Rachel West, the eldest daughter in a family with strong moral principles. Despite her high moral standing, she harbors unrequited feelings for James Smith, a man she desires but knows she cannot win. A one-night stand with James leads to an unexpected pregnancy, altering the course of Rachel's life. Rachel, aware of her condition, is compelled to become James Smith's wife. However, James, while respecting her grandmother's wishes, is far from pleased with the arrangement. Settling into the villa as the lady of the house, Rachel becomes a subject of envy and ridicule, particularly from her younger sister. As Rachel adjusts to her new life, her world is further complicated by the presence of James's concubine, Melody. Tragedy strikes with the death of Rachel's grandmother and Melody's sudden disappearance. The events take a darker turn when James accuses Rachel of murder and kidnapping, leading to her imprisonment. In prison, Rachel gives birth to twins but is denied access to them by James. She believes her children did not survive, adding to her emotional turmoil. A twist was introduced when a fire incident at the prison nearly claims Rachel's life. A Good Samaritan rescues her, offering a chance for redemption. She secures a job as a personal assistant, providing a glimmer of hope in her otherwise turbulent life. Simultaneously, James believes Rachel perished in the fire, unaware of her continued existence. The story leaves readers pondering Rachel's resilience and the potential twists that might shape her destiny. What fate awaits Rachel? Rachel's journey is marked by tragedy, betrayal, and an ongoing quest for redemption. As the narrative progresses, readers are drawn into the complexities of Rachel's relationships, her struggles against societal expectations, and the unforeseen events that shape her path.

"How could you conspire with them. I trusted you Layla!" He was really mad. "I didn't give them the code Damon, okay? I don't know how they got it?" She said. She strangely felt no nervousness or fear. Only the guilty felt fear. "Why didn't you tell me the truth about him? God! We've been dating for almost a year and you never told me he was a ex-convict", he said a shade quieter. He watched Layla look down for a minute and stare back up at him, tears gathering in her deep blue eyes. "If I did tell you, would you still have fallen for me...?" Working in a coffee shop wasn't Layla's dream. She has a degree in Business Administration but getting a got job in America was difficult for minority groups like her. But her boss, William Grey was wonderful, plus, she did get some pretty awesome customers like Damon Prince, the billionaire businessman and New York's most eligible bachelor and some pretty awful ones as well like Logan West, Damon's annoying and stuck-up assistant. After a brief argument with Logan, Damon comes to the coffee shop to make an apology to Layla on behalf of Logan and offers her a check. She turns both down and demands that Logan apologizes or they can forget about their coffee orders. She wasn't going to be pushed around by some rich folks. This intrigues Damon and he gradually falls in love with her. They begin a beautiful relationship but it's not all roses. They soon meet Damon's ex, Yasmin Kyle and Layla's criminal and terrible father, Dario Hernandez. Their trust and love for each other is tested as well as family ties but will they pull through or are something's just not meant to be?