Xdinary Heroes Ages

Before my wedding to Sophie Bennett, the impoverished student I've been sponsoring for ten years posts a photo on social media. "Successfully moved into the new apartment. Soph prepared such a big, soft bed for me!" In the photo, Zachary Wells lies sprawled on the wedding bed I bought for Sophie and my new home, taking a smug selfie with his hand waving at the camera. He's even wearing my wedding ring on his ring finger. Zachary also comments on his own post, "Just thinking about how I'm the first man to lie on this bed fills me with overwhelming happiness!" I reply with a question mark under his comment. The next second, Sophie's call comes through. "I'm just letting Zach experience the warmth of home. Why are you being so passive-aggressive?" In the background, I hear Zachary softly trying to calm her down. "Soph, he's not worth getting angry over." Hearing that, Sophie laughs and banters with him, then abruptly hangs up on me. The two of us have been together for ten years, from ages 18 to 28, and we've finally made it to our wedding day. But now, I no longer intend to go through with it.

The life trial system "If You Think You Can Do Better, Prove It" burst onto the scene like a traveling circus promising wonders. The idea was plain enough: "If you reckon someone's life is a mess, and you think you can do better, go ahead and prove it. There's a reward waiting if you do." Before I knew it, my whole family had me pegged for the fool in the middle of the show. There was my mother, dreaming of turning me into some grand goose; my husband, who'd spent years dodging his rightful share of the family load; and my son, mortified by the very sight of me. They shoved me onto the "judgment seat" like I was the villain of the tale. Every last one of them swore up and down that, given my place, they'd manage my life better than I ever could. The stakes? Well, if they pulled it off, my consciousness would be erased—gone, wiped out like a mistake on a chalkboard—and turned into their personal servant. On top of that, they'd waltz off with a cool million dollars. But if they couldn't? Then I'd be the one raking in three million dollars. Now that's a gamble for the ages, isn't it?

The Frost Demon Morozko, Prince of Russia's immortal land of Buyan, has waited ages for a mate. And she is Stravinksy's fabled Firebird - incarnated as an orphaned witch! Cast out by the King of the Ice Kingdom, Morozko wanders Buyan, a Miyazaki haven for cherti, nechist, and witches - but a dark curse plagues the land - Koschei the Deathless. Can this bastard prince and the young human girl Anya that conniving Baba Yaga gave Morozko to raise with his found family of cutthroat spirits stand a chance against the immortal sorcerer King Kaschei, who has trapped Anya's soul in the Deathless realms, in gardens of dead wives? Anya is burgeoning with power, living a double life between Cold War Russia and D.C., and coming into her own as a witch to rival Baba Yaga. When her newfound love for Morozko is at stake, she will risk it all to follow the darkly tempting Kaschei to the Deathless lands, face the travails that put all Russia in peril - and save Morozko, as much as he saves her. With epic love, sorcery, adventure, treachery, a Slavic inn for spirits, and plenty of blini warm by the fire, come read this daring journey, and find out if an immortal love can withstand death Himself!

The rivalry between the vampires and the werewolves was long overdue. This all started when Hailey Lockwood, the only heir to the Moonshade clan, had an encounter with the only bloodsucker, Jace Liester. At the ages of 4 and 5, both got into a fight, leading both sides to retaliate to save their children, but this was all saved by witches. A treaty was made, and all sides went to rest on their own side. The children grew to be the most intelligent and strong supernatural beings and the war was long over. But the vampire queen had other plans. She could not forget what the Moonshade Clan’s only heir did to her son. A scar right across his cheek made his gaze weaker. Althea Liester waits till the time is right and sends her son to a boarding school for supernatural beings, where, surprisingly, Hailey Lockwood is studying, too. Taking advantage, Althea guides Jace to cause her pain and torture and finally bring her son justice. Does Jace get everything in him to do what his mother wants? Will Jace be able to suppress his feelings and break Hailey’s heart? Leaving her at her worst and making sure she doesn’t ‘feel’ what Love is? Or will he do the exact opposite of what his mother’s asking him to do?

Burdened by poverty, Keagan Thompson's life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers the Veilwalker System, a hidden realm of power and opportunity. Chosen as its host, he gains unimaginable riches. With newfound wealth, Keagan embarks on a quest to become the number one hero. But the path to greatness is riddled with challenges. He faces formidable opponents, navigates treacherous alliances, and confronts his inner demons. As Keagan delves deeper into the world of heroes, he realizes the System's generosity has a price. Fame, wealth, and morality intertwine, forcing him to make difficult choices that test his integrity. Joined by diverse allies, Keagan's journey transcends physical strength. He hones his skills, forges unbreakable bonds, and discovers the true meaning of heroism. Thrilling battles, sacrifices, and unexpected twists abound as Keagan strives to claim the title of the number one hero. Can he navigate temptations and stay true to his values? Prepare for a captivating journey where dreams collide with reality and the definition of heroism is tested. Will Keagan rise above the challenges and fulfill his destiny?

When we were only kids, Sam Harris and I made a promise we'd marry each other if we were still single when we turned thirty. Well, my thirtieth birthday has come and gone and I'm still as single as ever. And as far as I know, so is Sam. But it's been ages since we've seen each other, and after what he did to me our senior year of college, I wouldn't put his ring on my finger even if he begged me to marry him. Never mind his devilish good looks. Or the fact that the playboy partier is a doctor now. Nope, I'm sticking to my guns with this, and when I go back to my hometown of Silver Ridge for the first time in years, I won't pay him the slightest bit of attention. Well...until he convinces me to go out for drinks to catch up. I knew it was a bad idea the moment I agreed to it. And then he brings up our childhood promise. It might be fun and games to him, but it's not to me. Because as much a I don't want to admit it, Sam has always been my first choice. And I don't want to be nothing more than his backup plan.

Content Warning: This is a collection of dark, steamy age-gap romances centered on marriage, possession, and angst. These are stories where vows are a transaction, love is a battlefield, and the only happy ending is the one they fight for. He is always the other father—the guardian, the protector, the older man forced into a role he never asked for. She is the complication, the temptation, the younger woman who disrupts his carefully controlled world. Their unions are never simple. A marriage contract for protection. A vow sworn in desperation. A wedding to secure a future for a child. But behind every practical arrangement lies a dangerous, simmering tension that vows alone can't contain. This collection delivers standalone stories where passion is a privilege earned only after "I do." Expect charged glances across crowded rooms, kisses that feel like claims, and the slow, angsty burn of a man who believes he doesn't deserve her, fighting the overwhelming need to make her his in every way. For readers who like their romance dark, their heroes possessive, and their happy endings hard-won.

Across time and continents, a mysterious violet Door appears to those in their darkest hour. It is not just an escape; it is a summons. In modern-day Tanzania, Resipicius ("Ressi") is a young man crushed by poverty and aimlessness. When the glowing portal tears through the wall of his crumbling hut, he steps into the void, leaving his world behind. But the mystery of the Door began long ago. In 1921, twins Mwanamalundi and Mwajuma were born with the power to command the storm and the earth. Destined to protect their people, they built a sanctuary against colonial oppression. However, their rise provoked Baraka, a jealous rival who betrayed them to German forces. In the ensuing battle, Baraka found redemption in a sacrificial death, but tragedy struck the twins. Mwajuma fell into the Chozi la Ardhi—a mystical pond that defied gravity to become the very first Door—and vanished into the stars. Now, the Door has opened again for Ressi and others across the globe. The prophecy foretold that help would come from other worlds. The scattered heroes are being gathered, and the true war is about to begin.

Libby did everything right. She testified. She ran. She rebuilt a quiet life for herself and her little sister, Emma—one where monsters stayed buried and love felt possible again. Then Matteo Moretti walked into her world. Protective. Sharp-tongued. Dangerous in all the ways that make a woman feel safe. With him, Libby starts to believe in something fragile and terrifying: a future. Until the man who destroyed her childhood escapes prison. When Emma vanishes from school in the middle of the day, Libby’s worst fear becomes reality. The danger wasn’t gone—it was watching. Waiting. Planning. Now Matteo must use every ruthless skill he’s ever learned to hunt down a man who believes blood is ownership and love is control. Because this time, the cost isn’t just Libby’s heart. It’s a child’s life. A gripping romantic suspense about obsession, survival, and the kind of love that doesn’t just promise forever, it fights for it. Perfect for readers who love high-stakes danger, found family, protective heroes, and edge-of-your-seat emotional payoffs.

"I, Torey Black, Alpha of the Black Moon reject you." His rejection hit me instantly. I couldn't breathe, unable to catch my breath as my chest heaved up and down, my stomach churning, unable to hold myself together as I watched his car speed down the driveway and away from me. I couldn't even comfort my wolf, she immediately retreated to the back of my mind, prohibiting me from speaking to her. I felt my lips wobble, my face scrunching up as I attempted to hold myself together but failing miserably. Weeks had passed since I last saw Torey my heart seeming to break a little bit more as the days went by. But lately, I found that I was pregnant. Werewolves pregnancies were much shorter than a human's. With Torey being an Alpha, it cut the time down to four months, whereas a Beta would be five, Third in Command would be six and a regular wolf would be between seven and eight. As suggested, I headed to bed, my mind full of questions and wonders. Tomorrow was going to be intense, there were a lot of decisions to be made. *Only for ages 18 and older.*---Two teenagers, a party and the unmistakable mate.