Exhale

WARNING: MATURE CONTENT I was eight when my world burned. My family was slaughtered; my home was reduced to ash. And the ones responsible? Gone. All they left behind was a black bandana embroidered with a nightshade thorn—a symbol of death. For ten years, I trained in the shadows. I became a weapon. Now, my hunt leads me to Prestige Supernatural Academy (PSA), the most elite werewolf school in the world—a place ruled by four Alpha heirs with too much power, arrogance, and dark desires. The night I arrive, I cross paths with Dristan, Kai, and Axel—heirs to the East, North, and West Alpha Kings. Arrogant. Vicious. Gods among wolves. They see me as nothing. A weak, powerless stray. They humiliate me, taunt me, overpower me— making me want to rip them apart. So, I make a vow: I’ll destroy them before they ever get the chance to destroy me. Then, on the eve of my 18th birthday, the Blood Moon rises. My wolf awakens. My power surges. And fate? That cruel, twisted bitch shackles me to all three of them. Mates. I want to reject them. I burn for them instead. And when I meet Xade, the wicked, silver-tongued heir to the Middle Belt Alpha King, the final bond snaps into place. Four possessive, dominant, and dangerously irresistible alphas. One vengeful, unbreakable wolf. And a deadly secret tying them to my past. Loving them could destroy me. Hating them could kill me. But in the end… who will ruin whom? And, fuck—why does my traitorous body want all four of them to do it? *************** “Say it.” Dristan’s voice was smooth and controlled in a way that promised devastation underneath. I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering as he cornered me against the desk. Kai was behind me, his warmth pressing into my back, his breath teasing my neck. Axel leaned in, lips curved in a sinful smirk, his hazel green eyes dark with amusement. “Say it, sweetheart. Say you don’t want us and we’ll let you be—maybe.” I clenched my fists. I wanted to tell them to fuck off—but my traitorous body? It was already betraying me.  My skin burned. My heart raced. My thighs clenched against the insufferable ache they caused just by existing. I lifted my chin, ignoring the heat curling low in my stomach. “I don’t—” “Liar.” The single word came from Xade, who had been silent until now. He was sitting in the professor’s chair, his crystal blue eyes burning into mine. He didn’t have to touch me. His voice alone was enough to undo me. He smirked, tilting his head. “You can fight it all you want, little wolf. But we can smell it.” Axel’s fingers traced the pulse at my throat. “Your heart’s pounding.” Kai’s lips brushed my ear. “Your body’s betraying you, love.” Dristan exhaled slowly, his gaze locked onto mine like a predator savouring its prey. “Your scent doesn’t lie, mate.” Fuck. My entire body was on fire. My legs trembled. My wolf purred in my head, eager to submit. I wouldn’t. I couldn’t. So, I did the only thing I could—I shoved Axel back, spun around, and tried to escape. I didn’t make it. Kai grabbed my wrist, yanking me back into his chest. I gasped, my palms slamming against his rock-solid torso. His golden eyes burned into mine. “Where do you think you’re going?” Axel was behind me now, his fingers sliding under my jaw, forcing my head up. “We’re not done with you, sweetheart.” Dristan smirked. “Not even close, mate.” "We're just getting started," Xade drawled. I was trapped. Caged. And the worst part? I didn’t want to run. ***************** Disclaimer: Cover mine, kindly do not use or replicate. Instagram: Baevidaa Join me on Discord: https://discord.gg/68t5Pv3Gmn BaeVida#7176

Meredith Carter was once the pride of her pack—until the Lunar Curse marked her as wolfless, unwanted, and a disgrace. Humiliated, abandoned, and rejected by her fated mate, she thought the Moon Goddess had forsaken her. But her curse came with a cruel side effect—wild, uncontrollable pheromones that drove men insane with desire and disgust. A scent so intoxicating, it made her a target. The night she was cast aside when her pheromones spiralled beyond control, Alpha Draven Oatrun—the most feared and untouchable Alpha in the kingdom—claimed her instead. But Draven doesn’t want love. He doesn’t even want her. His reasons for marrying her have nothing to do with fate. Thrust into a world of ruthless politics, deadly enemies, and a mate who sees her as nothing more than a pawn, Meredith must fight to survive, reclaim her dignity, and uncover the secrets behind her curse. Because something is awakening inside her. Something powerful. Something… ancient. And when the truth is revealed, not even Alpha Draven will be able to resist what she becomes. Rejected. Cursed. Desired. Chosen. Will Meredith break free from her fate? Above all, what is this mystical force pushing her to start a war? — Excerpt: "You may have claimed me," Meredith whispered, her violet eyes burning with defiance, "but you will never own me." Draven exhaled a low, dangerous laugh. His golden eyes gleamed as he caged her in, his presence suffocating. "Own you?" His voice was velvet and steel. "Little wolf, I don’t need to own you." He brushed a strand of silver-white hair behind her ear—a touch so light, yet it sent shivers down her spine. "Because whether you like it or not…" His breath ghosted against her skin. "Your body already responds to me." Meredith clenched her jaw, ignoring the traitorous warmth pooling deep inside her. It was the pheromones. It had to be. "I hate you," she forced out. “Good,” Draven smirked. Because hate was just another form of obsession.

He exhaled the smoke from his cigarette as if releasing his soul. The ember dimmed, but the fire in his chest roared louder. “How did I become this chained to you?” he murmured, his voice hollow. “Like shackles on my heart… How does one leave when they were imprisoned in someone’s love? How did I, so cautious and aware, fall victim to you? And how does one heal from wounds carved by the one they trusted?” There was no reply. Just the silence of her gaze, fleeing from his. “Tell me,” he whispered, “how do I rip you from my chest when you’ve rooted yourself like a rose among thorns—cutting me every time I try to let go? I bleed when I forget you, I break when I hate you. What kind of curse is this? And now you ask for forgiveness… Tell me—will forgiveness teach me how to forget?” She blinked away tears, her voice trembling like a confession: “I hurt you… and I hurt myself too. Your wounds burn inside me like fire. Let me heal them. Let me give you my soul, fill your heart with a love that honors you, that redeems me. I’ll erase the pain with tenderness, heal you with my beauty, my cunning… I killed you, I know. Let me bring you back to life.” He crushed the cigarette between his fingers. Harshly, he barked: “Then bow.” She bowed, voice soft, eyes lowered. “And here I am, my love… I bow before your heart, in surrender. Will you forgive me now?” A wicked smile curled on his lips. “Stab my heart,” he said coldly. “Ask for forgiveness. Wish for death. Because my forgiveness… is fire. And in it, you shall burn.”

The hum of the coffee shop was like any other a blend of clinking cups, hushed conversations, and the soft swish of the barista’s apron as they moved behind the counter. Adrian strode in, his sharp gaze barely flicking toward the order board as he walked past the line of people. His mind was preoccupied, his phone held firmly in one hand, eyes scanning through an email from his company’s legal team. He was too distracted by his thoughts to notice the petite figure standing in his path until it was too late. A gasp broke through the air, followed by the unmistakable sound of liquid splashing. Adrian's body jerked, the scalding hot coffee sloshing onto his dark gray suit just as his phone flew out of his hand. “Shit!” came the voice, soft but hurried, as the person in question scrambled to steady their own coffee cup and avoid more damage. Adrian barely had time to react as a small figure stepped back, eyes wide with panic. "I.I’m so sorry!" The voice trembled, and Adrian finally looked up to meet the wide, apologetic eyes of the person who had crashed into him. His gaze softened as he saw the clear panic on the other person’s face. The person in front of him was a young man slender, with messy dark hair and a few stray strands falling into his face. His eyes, a warm shade of brown, flicked nervously from the coffee splattered on Adrian’s suit to Adrian’s face. His lips parted in a silent apology as he clutched the coffee cup, looking for something to say, but the words seemed to fail him. Adrian’s frown deepened, his suit already ruined, but the surprise of the moment faded quickly. He tilted his head slightly, giving the man a once-over. "Are you alright?" Adrian asked, voice calm yet with an edge of amusement, despite the ruined suit. He reached for the napkins on the counter to dab at the coffee stains. The guy blinked rapidly, as if processing Adrian’s question. “Yeah, I... I mean, yeah, but oh god, your suit! I’m so sorry, I wasn’t paying attention!” His hands fluttered in the air awkwardly as he stepped forward, his movements frantic. Adrian couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. “It’s fine, really. I’ve had worse.” His voice held a quiet authority, but something in his expression softened. He took a breath and added, “Not the first time something like this has happened.” The young man Kai, as Adrian now saw on his name tag bit his lip and exhaled a shaky breath. "I'm so embarrassed. I swear, I’m usually more careful." He finally seemed to calm down a little, though his nervousness lingered. Adrian couldn’t resist. “Seems like you’re a little distracted. What’s going on in that head of yours?” Kai blinked again, almost flustered. "Huh? Oh. Just... life, you know?" He laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Work stuff... which is apparently bad luck today.” He pointed toward the stain on Adrian’s suit, his fingers twitching nervously. Adrian’s eyebrow arched. “Work stuff, huh? What do you do?” Kai hesitated for a moment. “Uh... marketing. At... uh, a company. Not nearly as cool as... whatever it is you do.” Adrian chuckled again, shaking his head. “I’ll say this, though: I’m not in the marketing game. I’m actually... not great with people, so let’s just say you got me at a good moment. A coffee spill’s the least of my problems today.” His voice was smooth, almost teasing as he finally took in Kai’s nervousness. Kai looked embarrassed but a little relieved. “Well, if it helps, I’ll pay for a new suit?” “Too much of a hassle,” Adrian replied. “But you do owe me a drink. How about we get one sometime this weekend?” Kai blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Wait, you mean... after spilling coffee all over you?” Adrian smiled, a sly glint in his eyes. “Well, if you’re willing to make it up to me, why not?” Kai’s hesitation was palpable, but there was a playful curiosity there now, his shoulders relaxing as he gave a half-hearted laugh. “I’ll be honest, I wasn't expecting that...

Genre: Billionaire Romance / Obsession / Corporate War / Emotional Drama • A sharp-tongued small-town girl falls into the dangerous love of the most powerful oil mogul in Mexico. But when she becomes the target of his enemies—and his obsession—she must decide if love is worth losing herself… or if he’s worth betraying. • Joseph León was the most feared name in oil — Mexico’s oil tycoon with empires that stretched across oceans. His name opened doors in Dubai, whispered in Geneva, and commanded boardrooms in Texas. But in the private sanctum of his glass-walled penthouse above Mexico City, the only thing that brought him to his knees… was Green. Green Ariza. The sharp-tongued, warm-eyed girl from the southeast — who didn’t care for oil, power, or the billions in his offshore accounts. And that terrified Joseph more than any corporate war. She stormed into his office, her heels clicking furiously against the Italian marble. Her worn leather bag slammed onto the chair with finality. “I want to talk to you, Joseph!” she snapped. Behind his desk, Joseph was mid-call with a venture capitalist from Qatar, trying to lock in a deal worth $1.3 billion. He held up one finger without looking up — only for a second — then paused. His eyes met hers. Sharp. Furious. Tired of something. He ended the call. “I’ll speak to you later,” he said calmly, before the voice on the other line could protest. “Yes, I know it’s urgent.” He hung up, removed his glasses, and leaned back in his chair. His gaze softened. “What does my love want that has her so upset?” he asked, like the storm in her eyes didn’t scare him. “A Maserati? Givenchy? My black card is right there—just whisper what you want, and it’s yours.” Green exhaled, shaking her head. “I’m not here for gifts, Joseph.” “I know.” “No, you don’t. You always think money can fix things.” “I absolutely don’t think that.” “You bought the company I worked for because I said I was scared of getting fired—how is that not thinking money fixes things?” “I bought it,” he said quietly, “because it was the only way I could keep seeing you. You were avoiding me. Saying you couldn’t risk your job. So I made it yours. You’re head of creative strategy now. With triple your old salary. And you only work when you want.” She turned away, rubbing her forehead. “Green,” he said, his voice a low murmur now. “Can I touch you?” She blinked at him. “Are you asking permission to touch me?” “You usually get angry when I touch you during a fight,” he said honestly, standing slowly. “You say I use it to make you forget why you’re mad.” “…Because you do.” “And you let me.” She turned to face him, and for a moment, neither said a word. He reached out, gently, his hand grazing her elbow. “So tell me, why are you really angry?” She looked away. “Is it because of the girl at the gala?” he asked. Her head snapped back toward him. “She’s like a sister. My father’s goddaughter.” “She was holding your hand.” “She’s grieving. Her brother was assassinated in Bogotá.” Green stepped back, arms folded. “You don’t even see how many women throw themselves at you. My mother tells me I’m stupid for staying. That I should leave you and marry someone safer. Someone like Don Frederick.” Joseph’s jaw tightened. “Don Frederick is a snake with a fake smile and a poisoned chalice. He’s not safe, he’s subtle. That’s worse.” “My mother doesn’t care,” Green said bitterly. “She only sees headlines. And dollar signs.” “What do you see?” he asked, stepping closer. “When you look at me. What do you see?” She didn’t answer. He touched her cheek, gently. “Do you think I’d let myself love anyone but you? I’d burn down every oil well I own before I lose you.” She blinked. “Don’t say things like that.” “Why? Because you believe me?” “No,” she whispered. “Because I do.”

His magnificently beautiful eyes looked into mine with possessiveness. I exhaled out a shuddered breath, and he grabbed my jaw. “This is not who you are to me, Isabella. And I want more than what we have. Understood?” The dominance in his tone was obvious, while his words sounded like a fantasy I’ve always dreamt of. More than what we have. More than step-brother. ______________________________ I, a 19-year-old girl, had always had a secret crush on someone I shouldn’t have. That’s right—it was none other than Achilles Roman, my stepbrother, who was two years older than me. I had kept my feelings dumped in a Tupperware box for as long as I could remember. But how could I control myself when he himself started making moves on me? And what should I do when I realize that he was nowhere near the Achilles I thought I knew? Read to find out.

Lilac has lived a life of suffering. From being forced to disguise himself as a girl to survive, to being labeled cursed after failing to awaken his heavenly gifts that everyone else could, he is shunned by all. To add salt to his wound, before he turns 18, his father vanishes, and his uncle seizes the throne that should've rightfully been Lilac's as the eldest son. Before Lilac could successfully flee, he is caught and traded to the monsters beyond the kingdom—beasts so feared that no one who sees them returns. But instead of death, Lilac is claimed by Sloan. Born cursed, Sloan is a prince of the Enwulves, an extinct hybrid wolf species. Even though he is a prince, he has lived life as an outcast due to his curse that causes him to forcibly transform every full moon, thus losing his humanity. His life has been mapped out for him, but when he finds Lilac—battered, freezing, and terrified—something shifts. For the first time, his rage stills. It was just a glimpse, a scent, a tiny whimper of fright. And that was it. Humans are meant to be slaves. Enwulves are forbidden from claiming them. Keeping Lilac means war. But Sloan has never followed rules, and Lilac has never belonged—until now. ~~~ | ~~~ “Are you afraid of me, little human?” Sloan husked out, cold lips grazing my bleeding fingers before his lips parted slightly to release hot breath over them. I trembled, rooted in the spot with fright and unable to breathe. Was this a trick question? Of course I’m afraid of him! Everyone is! Who wouldn’t be? Slaves are never supposed to be in his presence, except they suddenly desire a quick demise. Am I supposed to respond honestly or lie? When cold lips closed around my finger, I gasped in shock, a rush of fright and dread engulfing me. He was gonna bite off my finger right now, wasn’t he? Just because my stupid brain couldn’t come up with a response? The rumors said he was a heartless psychopath, but I didn’t think it was actually true! However, a hot tongue swiped over my fingertips and I sucked in a sharp breath, exhaling shakily while my chest expanded and my brain tried to figure out what was happening, and why my fingers weren't bitten off yet— or why I’m still breathing in his presence. Next, cold, long fingers wrapped around my wrist and my hand was being tugged upward, then a nose was digging into my pulse point, and I almost fainted when cold lips dragged over the sensitive skin there. The sound of a deep inhale filled up my ear next. “Fuck. You smell so good.” Oh heavens. This was worse than I thought. Instead of killing me, was he planning to… eat me… literally???! What the fuck? *** R18+! Cover not mine!

They were chasing her-and no matter how fast she ran, the footsteps never stopped. Gasping through alleyways, hiding in shadows, praying to gods she didn't believe in. Just one breath, one second of peace... But even magic has teeth. And behind the last door, past the glowing gate she thought had saved her-death was waiting to exhale

The sky did not fall, it sighed. A long, low exhale, like the world itself had finally grown tired of pretending. While the world panicked at the light breaking through the clouds, Nyx stood still, unmoving, listening. Where others saw chaos, she heard silence. And in that silence, something came. The orb descended, not crashing, not burning, but gliding. Peaceful. Purposeful. She didn't run. She knew. Somewhere deep inside, she had always known, this was for her.

When the coughing urge subsided, Shu Fei exhaled shakily and opened his eyes. Glistening on his sleeve, tissue-thin and fresh, were petals. Crimson flower petals. ----- Shu Fei is an average, edgy high school student who's not like the other guys. He's learnt to keep his head down, avoid attention, and ignore the sharp sting of words...and fists. But when the (rather handsome) class president happens to step in, something inside him starts to unravel, causing him to mysteriously cough flowers. This time, he can't stay quiet.

"Block him." "He's technically still my boss." "Then block him with dignity." The call ended again. And then started again. I let out a sound somewhere between a growl and a sob, then finally answered with the enthusiasm of a snail crawling through salt. "Yes, Mr. Walton?" "Have you changed your mind yet?" I collapsed onto the towel and gazed at the sky as though it might consume me entirely if I pleaded sweetly enough. "Do you ever take a break?" I asked, shielding my eyes with one hand. "You're avoiding the question." "Because it's a dumb question." He exhaled, the sound sharp and irritated even over phone. "It's not a dumb question. It's a business offer." "It's a weird offer-one that I already said no to." There was a brief pause, and I could practically hear him clenching his jaw through the speaker. "You are acting unreasonably." " Unreasonable?" I sat up. "I'm not the one drafting fake girlfriend contracts like it's a normal Tuesday." "Isabella-" "Certainly not, Mr. Walton." I mimicked his tone perfectly. "I told you I'm not doing it. You need to find someone else to play pretend with." SYNOPSIS Isabella Miller thought saying no to her boss’s fake dating offer was the end of the story. But Adrien Walton doesn’t take no—especially not when he’s convinced she’s a gold digger. Suddenly, her student loans are piling up, her father’s vet clinic is on the brink of eviction and her brother is about to be kicked out of college. Coincidence? She thinks not. Adrien Walton is calm, calculating—and he's just pulled every string to corner Isabella into the perfect position. Now she’s stuck choosing between pride and survival. So she agrees to his offer: be his fake girlfriend. No feelings attached. No drama. Just business. Or so she thought. "Conference Room B. Fifteen minutes," he said, passing by without a glance. The folder he pushed across the table landed with a thud. I opened it. The contract. All of it. --- Enemies to lovers? Check. Slow burn? Hmmnyea. Banter so sharp it might file your nails? Yes. Delicious workplace tension? Of course. Tension that could melt steel?Absolutely. Smut?? Wanna find out? Welcome to corporate romance warfare. There’s no escaping this contract.

Enor. A world of ceaseless rain, where steam rises from the land in a slow exhalation, as if the planet itself breathes in torment. The dark heavens weep, the ground smolders, and amid it all, a boy sells himself to chains. Merrin Ashman walks into slavery—not for survival, nor profit, but out of fear. Out of shame. His hands are stained with his brother’s blood, and the weight of that sin crushes him. He does not weep. He does not rage. He is too much a coward to take his own life, yet too hollow to live without purpose. He does not seek redemption. Not yet. But he yearns for something—some task, some meaning, some distant thing to justify the ruin he has wrought. And fate, ever cruel, answers. By chance or divine will, he snaps at the cruciform. In that shattering, something awakens. A power, terrible and vast. He becomes a caster, one who moves the symbols. And with it, revelation: a destiny sought through time. El’Shadie. The title lingers like a question. A savior or a scourge? A harbinger of ruin or the world’s last hope? He does not know. But the path is before him. A path through a world of shadowed faiths, churches and warring clans, of casters wielding forces beyond reckoning, of monstrous fallen things clawing from skies. And this time, the El’Shadie must choose what he will be.

The boardroom was a wall of glass and judgment. At exactly 8:59 AM, Arielle pushed through the doors in a sharp navy dress that clung to her like confidence had been stitched into every seam. Her heels echoed across the floor as she approached the long, polished table where half a dozen stone-faced executives sat, murmuring over papers and steaming coffee. Dominic was already seated at the head of the table. He didn't look at her. Not at first. But he felt her enter. Just like gravity feels the moon. She took her spot near the screen, placed the tablet in front of her, and exhaled slowly. "You ready?" Dominic asked quietly, his voice low, unreadable. She turned to him with a sharp smile. "Born ready." He finally met her gaze—and for a second, something flickered behind his eyes. Not approval. Not yet. But something… closer than before. "Gentlemen," Dominic said to the table. "This is Arielle Sinclair. She'll be walking you through the market projections and proposed strategy updates for Q3." One of the older men raised a brow. "Her?" Arielle didn't flinch. "Yes. Me," she said, smiling sweetly. "Try to keep up." There was a pause—half stunned, half amused—and then, silence She launched into her presentation. And she nailed it. Clear. Sharp. Confident. She wasn't just parroting facts; she owned the numbers. Her explanations were quick, her slides precise, and her delivery unapologetically fierce. For the first time, they weren't looking at her legs or her lipstick. They were looking at her mind. And Dominic? He watched every second like a man watching a match ignite in a room full of gas. At one point, their eyes locked—and she saw it. A crack in his armor. Not desire. Not annoyance. But something like… respect. And it made her stomach flip in a way no designer bag ever had. When she concluded with a succinct, "Any questions?" the room was quiet. Then, one of the board members nodded. "Well done, Miss Sinclair. Concise and well-structured." Dominic didn't say a word. But his fingers drummed once against the table. A silent approval. The meeting ended. As the board members filed out, Dominic remained seated, watching her. She turned to him slowly. "Well?" she asked. He stood, approached, and said nothing until he was directly in front of her. "You surprised them." "And you?" His gaze dropped to her lips for a split second before meeting her eyes again. "I don't surprise easily." She stepped closer. "You didn't think I could do it." "I knew you could," he said, voice dark and steady. "I just didn't know if you would." She tilted her head. "So what now?" His eyes raked over her—not with lust, but with something more dangerous. Calculating. Hungry. "Now," he said slowly, "I stop holding back." She inhaled sharply. "What does that mean?" "It means if you're staying in this game, you better be ready to lose sometimes." She licked her lips. "I never lose." He smirked—slow, wolfish. "We'll see." And he walked out first. But this time? She followed with her chin high, her stride proud, and fire crackling in her chest. She hadn't just passed the test. She'd lit the room on fire. The hallway was quiet after the boardroom storm, but Arielle's heels still echoed like a victory march. She was glowing. Not just from the adrenaline of her flawless presentation, but from something else—something hotter, deeper. The way Dominic had looked at her afterward wasn't just professional respect. It was a crack in his walls. And she intended to widen it. She pressed the button for the elevator, and just as the doors slid open, a shadow fell over her shoulder. Dominic. Of course. He stepped in beside her without a word, towering, silent, composed. The doors closed. Silence. Tension. Air that thickened with each passing floor. She stood beside him, not touching, but close enough to feel the heat rolling off his body. Close enough to catch a whiff of his cologne—clean, dark, devasta

I searched for you for many long years after you left me... Back then, i didn't know what to do without you. You were the reason for my existence and you still are. Years passed by, and my heart beat for no one but you... I stand now on the balcony of that abandoned apartment, Wiping the blood off my hands, exhaling smoke, as your laughter echoes in my ears, making my heart pound like it never did before... I won't make you wait much longer I've already found you. Don't worry, my little one... A smoker never quits smoking, And the obsessed never abandons his obsession! You'll always find me surrounding you, Just like smoke surrounds my life... --- ⚠️ This novel is protected under my name! I am the author and writer. No quotes or excerpts are permitted! All rights reserved. Miyana_mee

All Bella ever desired was love, but her eyes only saw bone-chilling coldness until the day she was dragged into the depths of hell. Why? Because she wasn't the heroine of that so-called 'fairy tale'. Her fate was even crueler than she could imagine, described in a few lines written in an old book. A book that was written by some higher beings for their own entertainment, but they tossed it aside after just one cycle, not caring about the crumbling world within. After repeatedly reading the lines that depicted her death, Bella finally realized her bitter reality. Perhaps, if she went back death was the only ending... but instead of sorrow, a crazy glint shone in her emotionless eyes. After all, she had already died many times in the hellish place she entered a long, long time ago. "It's not a big deal to die once more, right?" In the midst of the pitch-black darkness seeping through the cracks in the sky, a beautiful silhouette swimming in a pool of water looked at her with knitted brows, showing dissatisfaction at her comment. He extended his hand and pinched her nose with a sigh. "Why do you always think of the worst?" A faint blush appeared on his cheeks when her previously emotionless eyes turned into crescents, peering at him playfully. "You-!" Alas, before he could finish his sentence, a warm hand grabbed his wrist and yanked him out of the water into a tight embrace. A deep exhale brushed against his pale skin as Bella nuzzled her nose against the crook of his neck with a satisfied expression. "If you give me a kiss, I won't say it anymore." A giggle escaped her lips when the man in her arms froze, his exposed neck turning a brilliant shade of crimson. 'How cute.' ------------- ------------- This story revolves around lots of characters as they discover their cruel reality. There are many supernatural beings and magical realms. The MC character will have a little twisted personality... Ahem, I mean she starts off as a villainess and remains one. *Whistles... Anyway, thanks to the MC's interference, the old abandoned story will regain popularity among the higher existences, kekeke. Together with the ML, Bella will search for a new path that leads them to find their beautiful reality. As for the other characters... Well, it's up to them to crawl their way out-! Thank you. ------------- ------------- Alternative Title: Love Through the Depths of Hell Tags; #transmigration #regression #villainess #Iskei #merman #King/Queen world #Hell's journey #Hell's Queen #Not so lovely demons #Cute ml #handsome ml #Innocent ml (hehe, fl will taint him anyway) #Non-Human ml # #superpowers #Cruel fl #playful fl #magic #OP fl #Crazy fl #Dragon's descendent #romance #revenge #bored fl #The hell's spire #Death zone #The Authorities #System #Strength #Adventure... etc. ------------- ------------- (Even though the chances of me getting popular in this genre are very thin. Still, no one can stop me from daydreaming, hehe.) ------------- ------------- Note: The cover is not mine as I am too poor. All credits go to the owner. If he/she wants me to remove it, just ring me up in the comment section.

Ciro and Kenan have hated each other since childhood-a petty rivalry that's followed them into university. With one year left before graduation, Ciro is determined to become valedictorian. But his plans take a sharp turn when he's suddenly paired with Kenan for a project that's worth 50% of his grade. What he thought would be an easy course now seems impossible. The tension between them is palpable, their personalities clashing, but the stakes are higher than ever. As they're forced to work together, Ciro realizes that this rivalry might be harder to overcome than he ever imagined... and the zero point one compatibility between them could become more than just a number. The machine whirred softly. The room went quiet. Then- BEEP. A red light. Professor Daniel frowned at the screen, looking almost... confused. "Well," he said, double-checking, "your compatibility is 0.1%." A few people chuckled under their breath. "As expected," someone whispered. The professor exhaled. "That's the lowest I've ever recorded." I blinked. 0.1%? Now, forced to spend more time together than ever just to pass, Ciro and Kenan find themselves toeing a fine line between loathing and something far more complicated. Every clash ignites sparks neither of them knows how to extinguish and raising that score might mean confronting feelings they’ve spent years burying. **UPDATES 2-4 CHAPTERS A WEEK**

"Don't mention, you don't look like a local; where are you from?" He asked. "You don't have to tell me," he said hurriedly, noting my enquiring eyes. "Not really; I am just passing through," I said warily. "To the vampires land?" He asked. I was taken aback by his bluntness and looked around to make sure no one was listening in. He observed my motions and burst out laughing, as if I had done something hilarious. "You're definitely not a local," he added, still giggling. "Why did you say so?" I am completely bewildered at this point. "Locals already know that this is the meeting place for different races, and judging by your reaction towards my question, you don't know this." I was astounded by this because how could everything alter so dramatically after three years? I took a deep breath again. 'I'm taking more breath than usual today,' I thought as I exhaled. "Yeah, I'm passing through to the vampire land," I responded, still wary of this individual. "Your room is ready," the middle-aged man announced. The man grinned as he saw my bewildered expression and wondered when he'd tell me my room number and give me the keys. "Follow that young man by the stairs; he will take you to your room," he said, pointing to the plainly clothed man near the stairs. "How can I repay you for the gold coins?" I turned to ask after taking a few steps towards the stairs. "Your name would be nice," he remarked, smiling. "Aurora, my name is Aurora," I said, smiling slightly. "Aurora… it doesn't suit you; I'll call you Emerald. That suits you better," he replied, walking away. I was left stunned as I saw him withdraw back. He was joking, right?

Lin all tired and weak, from the torture she had gone through for the past days, now tied to a pole right at the edge of the cliff, looked up to her killer who was standing some meters away, and asked faintly "Why do I have to be put through all this?" "Am just carrying out an assignment." the killer responded, with no sign of sympathy whatsoever. Lin stared at her killer, obviously the masked figure wasn't going to show her any form of mercy. Already tired of life and had given up, she asked her killer one last time. "You really think, my dad is going to let y'all go after am dead?". The killer gave an evil grin. "Seems you have so much confidence in your dad..." He said clicking his teeth, and after exhaling. "Your dad wants you dead sweetheart." He said bluntly, dropping the bombshell, leaving Lin in utter shock and confusion. "That can't be true." She whispered although she could hear the doubt in her own voice, as the tears flowed from her already weary eyes down to her cheeks. She really didn't want to believe this but something was starting to make sense to her..She had gone through a lot already "Just end this please." She said exhaling deeply, as she closed her eyes. She could hear the echo of the gunshot as she waited patiently the bullet to pierce for through her... Yet nothing came through, she couldn't feel any form of pain or sting... "Isn't it meant to hurt a little?.. Or is she dead already.." She thought, as she slowly opened her eyes... What she saw was overwhelming... Her killer was on the floor instead... She scanned around, and that's when she saw a young man coming towards her... As the person came closer, she started to notice, that the person was also having feminine characteristics.... Wait that was a lady, looking really masculine.... Clad in all black, high boots, and a neat cut... She was lost in the eyes of this stranger and hadn't noticed that the lady had started to untie her. "What's going on?" A very confused Lin whispered, "Just follow me." The lady replied as she loosened the last knots that held Lin to the pole. Already freed Lin tried to take a step but stumbled. The lady turned and gave a smirk. "You were quite strong at first." And before Lin could fathom what she said, she swept her off her feet. And whispered, "Am not letting you go this time."

Whalis, the land of rebirth, a city, a floating mass of land in the sky, a place that didn't originally exist. Yet it was not the only thing to start appearing, fantastical beast and humans with extraordinary abilities, Exhalers, users of Exteria, an energy that suddenly enveloped the world in its power, forming with it the land of Whalis. Neto a white-haired, pale-skinned boy who resided in the western countryside plagued by a weak body most of his life, has his already annoying life flipped upside down as new revelations are revealed to him. Meet heroes, fight wars, witness death, choose paths... Additional tags - military, slice-of-life, late-romance, lazy MC There will be cliches but they also won't be cliches. If you know what that vague sentence means comment in the comments - I'll reward you within my abilities (if that's what you want;) There might also be lewd interactions, like... handholding, Aaah, I'm sorry, you've been warned.

# WIFESPOILING # SNAKEHUSBAND [On my wedding night, my husband is a snake!] Ning Qing got lost when she was young, and a black python saved her and said, “I saved you. You will have to be my wife in the future.” The young Ning Qing didn’t know what a “wife” was, only that she needed to give birth to snake babies. Later, Ning Qing was saved and grew up successfully, entered higher education and was about to get an internship. The black python had taken a human form and created its own business empire. When the two met after many years, the man recognized Ning Qing and was very satisfied with the wife that had been sent to him. However, he still acted business-like and said, “Be my assistant. Not only will you handle documents and travel with me, but you’ll also take care of my pet!” She didn’t recognize him, so Ning Qing nodded. “Good!” After officially starting work, the man secretly observed his wife and saw on her phone a random picture of a black python. He asked unhappily, “What are you doing?” “A big snake saved me when I was younger. He said I had to be his wife and give birth to snake babies.” A certain man silently exhaled at that. “But… the biology I learned back in junior high school said there’s a difference between human reproductive systems and animals, so I can’t give birth to snake babies. To fulfill the promise, I found a female snake as a new wife for him. The man’s face darkened. “How would you know it likes female snakes?” Ning Qing was stunned. “Then… I’ll look for a…male one?” The man: “...”

The monsoon season of Nanyang carried a humid sensuality as Liao Qiao pushed open the hotel’s carved wooden doors, only to overhear Shang Lu’s mocking sneer: “Are you following me? Still not over me?” A sharp reprimand cut through the drama. “Show some respect to your sister-in-law!” The shadow of a black shirt swept over Liao Qiao’s shoulder. Shang Yu exhaled a plume of smoke, his gaze dropping to the crumpled figure on the floor. “Take him to the Dark Hall,” he ordered, his voice like glacial steel. Liao Qiao studied the man’s chiseled profile. This was Shang Yu, the ruthless tycoon of Nanyang. He stood at the rain-soaked veranda, cigarette smoke curling around him, the faint scent of snow pine lingering in the air—a blade sheathed in elegance. Their next meeting unfolded in the underground lounge of a nightclub. Liao Qiao sipped a Mojito, watching Shang Yu stub out his cigar with a snap. “Mr. Yan requests your presence.” Before the bodyguard could finish, she sauntered into the private room. Under crystal chandeliers, Shang Lu retched into a toilet bowl while Shang Yu tapped his fingers on the marble table. “Explain the annulment yourself.” Before the words echoed, Liao Qiao leaned against the doorframe, spinning a car key between her fingers. “I heard Mr. Shang owns a Maybach. Care to lend it for a spin?” On the manicured lawns of Nan Yang Manor, Shang Yu knelt to tend to a cut on her ankle. Liao Qiao traced the mole near his eye, laughter bubbling. “So anxious, Mr. Shang? Could it be…” His hands yanked her into an embrace, his palm pressing against her wounded back. “If it hurts, bite me.” The night Shang Lu’s yacht exploded, Liao Qiao stood by the manor’s floor-to-ceiling windows, watching Shang Yu’s silhouette rigid against the lightning-flashed horizon. Thunder cracked. For the first time, she understood why her father called her “Nanyang’s curse”—she had a knack for shattering and reshaping the trajectories of those around her without rhyme or reason. When Shang Yu returned from Palma, he pressed a platinum card into her palm. “Want to see where you were born?” Liao Qiao traced the intricate engravings, finally deciphering the truth in her father’s indulgent eyes—she was never just a heiress. She was the wildfire he’d always kept burning in his palm.

Young Adult Fiction (Humor, Coming-of-Age, Emotional Realism) Target Audience: Teens, parents, and everyone who’s ever felt “in-between” ⸻ Jayden’s story starts, as many do, with a minor disaster: falling face-first in the school hallway on the first day of junior year, a tray of pudding cups exploding across the linoleum like some kind of cafeteria warzone. It’s a painfully awkward start to a year he’d promised himself would be different. He had a plan—confidence playlist, new shoes, three therapy sessions under his belt—but none of that mattered in the face of public humiliation. That’s the first lesson of the year: expectations hurt. Jayden expected a glow-up and got a bruised ego. He’s a 16-year-old kid trying to survive high school, heartbreak, identity crises, and the ache of growing up when everything feels unstable. His voice is funny, honest, and often anxious. He doesn’t pretend to have it together, and that’s what makes him real. ⸻ Life Isn’t a Teen Movie (Unfortunately) Jayden narrates his life like it’s supposed to be a coming-of-age film, but so far, he’s more background character than protagonist. His best friend, Luca, who was once his person—the one who laughed at his dumb memes, who knew his favorite fruit snacks, who sat with him through the worst family dinner of his life—just stopped texting. Slowly. Then all at once. Jayden doesn’t know what happened, and it messes with him. He replays the last conversations over and over, wondering what he said or didn’t say. He watches Luca’s stories, sees him with a new crew, and tries not to compare himself. But the truth is, he’s lonely. And confused. And mad at himself for still caring. Friendship breakups, as Jayden learns, can be more painful than romantic ones—because there’s no closure, no dramatic final scene. Just silence. ⸻ Therapy and Other Soft Places Jayden’s mom signs him up for therapy after noticing he hasn’t been eating much and cries during toothpaste commercials. He resists at first, but eventually, he meets Dr. Wren—a soft-voiced woman who doesn’t push him to talk, but somehow gets him to anyway. He tells her about how he overthinks everything, how sometimes he feels like his skin is too thin for this world. How he hates his body one day and forgets it exists the next. How he wants people to like him so badly it physically hurts. He talks about Riley, the almost-girlfriend who never quite labeled things. They had a situationship—a blurry, playlist-sharing, hand-holding, nothing-but-something kind of thing. Until she drifted, posting photos with someone else. When he asked what they were, she said, “I don’t know.” That crushed him more than an actual breakup would’ve. Therapy doesn’t fix everything. But it gives Jayden room to exhale. To feel seen. “Therapy is where I learned that I wasn’t broken. Just overwhelmed.” ⸻ School Is a Stage and I Keep Forgetting My Lines School is chaos. Teachers expect too much. Classmates ask too little. Jayden feels invisible some days, like a ghost floating between lockers. Then there’s Mr. Chen, the one teacher who calls out, “You good?” in a way that actually sounds like he means it. And Ms. D, the art teacher who lets him sit in the back and draw when everything else feels too loud. And Daryl, the security guard who fist-bumps him every morning and tells him, “Hang in there, man.” They don’t solve anything. But they remind him he’s not alone. He finds a quiet friend in Cam—a kid who always eats alone in the library. They bond over awkward silences, shared introvert energy, and mutual hatred of gym class. They don’t need big conversations. Sometimes just sitting next to someone is enough. ⸻ Being Soft in a World That Wants You Tough Jayden cries easily. He cares too much. He rewatches Pixar movies and sobs every time. He used to think this made him weak. But the more he leans into it—the softness, the empathy, the vulnerability—the more he realizes it’s a kind of strength. The world is ful

Kang Jin-woo thought the hardest part of being a single father was dealing with his five-year-old daughter Sora's tantrums. He was wrong. When a mysterious night job in a deserted office building starts to cover their expenses, he discovers that ghosts aren't just bedtime stories, and some shadows follow you home... especially when your sweet daughter is the one .attracting them

In a world transformed overnight by the appearance of mysterious "Gates" and the monsters that emerge from them, society has been divided into new classes: the elite who are able to use "Evolutionary Essence" to strengthen themselves, and the outcasts who cannot.

SYNOPSIS : They say power runs in blood, but so does pain. Elizabeth Ashford was born with everything—wealth, beauty, legacy. But the moment she came into the world, her mother left it. Then her grandparents were taken by a car crash, and the only person she had left—her father—slowly vanished behind boardroom doors and corporate burdens. Night after night, she waited at the dinner table with a tiny plate and wide eyes. But "next time" never came. Now at 21, she’s the future of the Ashford Conglomerate and a top student at the prestigious Valcrest University. Cold, graceful, untouchable. Her heart, once soft and full of hope, has turned to ice. Because she learned the hard way—depending on someone only leaves you alone in the end. But ice can crack. Especially when fire walks in with a smirk. Niklaus Devilson isn’t just another elite. He's the heir to the Ebon Court, the secret organization that controls the underworld—politics, mercenaries, medicine, hacking, science. A living ghost. Feared by nations. Worshipped in shadows. Known only by his alias: Mr. X. With snow-white hair, electric blue eyes, and a wicked grin, Nik is chaos in silk. A genius hacker. A master fighter. A playful storm wrapped in charm. Mischievous, unpredictable, and fiercely protective of those he loves. He lives to break rules—until he meets the one girl he can’t crack. She's ice. He's wildfire. And when their worlds collide, the game begins. EXCERPT : The grand gates of Valcrest University swung open with their usual drama, letting in the rich, the brilliant, and the obnoxiously fashionable. Elizabeth Ashford walked through like she owned the place—because, well, she kinda did. Long silver-blonde hair flowing, grey eyes sharp enough to slice egos in half. Her heels clacked like warning bells, and students parted like the Red Sea. Until someone didn’t. WHAM. A coffee cup went flying. She froze. A soft "Ow" followed. “I’m alive,” a voice groaned dramatically from the floor. “But my coffee’s dead. Rest in peace, Mocha Supreme.” Elizabeth looked down at the sprawled body in front of her—a tall guy with ridiculous white hair, sunglasses pushed up to his forehead, and the most annoyingly amused smile she’d ever seen. Niklaus Devilson. He blinked up at her from the marble floor. “Wow. Are you always this… aggressive on first dates, or am I just special?” She narrowed her eyes. “You walked into me.” He gasped, placing a hand on his heart like she’d insulted his ancestors. “You walked into me, Ice Queen. With malicious elegance.” A soft snort escaped her. Unfortunately. Nik sat up like he’d been struck by lightning. “Oh my god. You laughed. Was that a laugh? Should I call a doctor? Or my lawyer?” Elizabeth crossed her arms. “It was a nose exhale. Don’t get excited.” He stood up, leaned in, and whispered dramatically, “Too late. I’m emotionally invested.” She blinked once. “Seek therapy.” He grinned. “I would, but apparently you’re not taking new patients.” As he strolled away with a wink and no dignity, Elizabeth stood still for a second longer than necessary. Her lips twitched. Just a twitch. Maybe today wouldn't be so boring after all.

“The Still Star dimmed. And the Hollowing followed.” The ash that looked like snow came in summer. Silent. Beautiful. Lethal. In seconds, billions exhaled and dropped where they stood — frozen, untouched, never to rise. Or so the world thought. But death was only the beginning. Perun Ren survives the first wave — a young man trapped in a crumbling village with his sister Lyra and their aging grandmother. As the ash continues to fall, the dead begin to stir. Not as monsters, but as something worse: hollow echoes of humanity, driven by an ancient command. Creatures formed not by hunger… but by something far more terrifying. Lyra is the first to change. Something buried within her is awakening. She is one of the Resonant — those who awaken, not die. But with power comes the whispering Voice, and the growing temptation to surrender to it. Others are changing, too. Twisted survivors who welcomed the Hollowing — and embraced what they became. One of them is hunting. The world is being rewritten. Can Perun save his sister from what's coming — or from what she's becoming?

Where Memory Bleeds Quietly In a summer that burned too brightly, something shattered — not with noise, but with a silence so deep it echoed through the soul. This is not a story told in straight lines. It is a fragment, a perfume, the fading warmth left on a bench after someone has gone. Amid the crimson blaze of a flamboyant tree and the restless pulse of Saigon, two hearts touched briefly — only to be pulled apart by time, by fate, by that quiet cruelty life wears when it smiles too gently. There is joy here, yes — the laughter of a girl beneath sun-dappled leaves, the sparkle of flan on a silver spoon, the click of a shutter trying to trap eternity. But beneath it all, something trembles. A love too tender to last. A presence that lingers like a shadow just beyond reach. By the river where the city exhales, a soul once cast its past into the current — hoping the water could carry grief where memory could not. But sorrow, like love, does not drown so easily. It clings. It haunts. It sings in every place you once were whole. This is for those who carry the weight of absence. For those whose hearts remember what the world has already let go.

“Part those legs for me, doll.” His deep voice sent shivers rolling down her spine and Rue shuddered as her skin grew hotter, while her stomach clenched ever more. Her mouth was dry, and when she attempted to speak, all that came out was a breathless gasp as his grip around her throat tightened. She wanted to remind him that they were in public and this was beyond scandalous, because people— their classmates, were present right now. “Who’s my good girl?” His lips were hot against her ear while his hand around her throat moved up to tangle in her hair, wrenching her head back and knocking a choked sound from deep within her. At once, his scorching lips began to litter marks over her pale throat. “I am.” “Go ahead and do as told.” He drawled, lips curling darkly and she exhaled shakily, shifting awkwardly on the teacher’s desk she was perched on by Knox, minutes ago. She was so aroused, she felt like she might go up in flames. “But there are people present with us…” Knot rose to his full height and glanced behind him for a moment, then he firmly snagged her chin and waved around the crowd. “Are any of them looking?” Truly, no one was looking- they all had their heads over their desks after Knox ordered them to, and none was peeking. “N- no… but–” He tilted her chin upward and kissed her hard, and she whined, her eyelids fluttering weakly when he pulled away. “Quit fretting, Princess. No one would dare peek, not with me present. Except they want to die, that is. Because, anyone aside from me, that gets to see you this way— with your eyes hazy with pleasure, with your cheeks flushed beautifully and your sinfully lips swollen, wet and bruised from being thoroughly kissed… don’t deserve to see another day.” ••|••|•• Slaving away from birth and being picked on by everyone for being different, Rue knew better than to ever expect anything good from life. Her fate worsened when at sixteen, she suddenly got a heat that affected every man in the pack, and since then, she was locked away for everyone’s sanity. Her horrible pack sells her off to a popular pack to be their breeder, but she discovers she was bought for a different intent— there’s something inside her, something strong and very powerful, and for that power to be harnessed, she’s to be killed. However, she is surprisingly rescued, had her heat suppressed, then in order to protect her and keep her hidden, she is disguised as a boy and enrolled into Syrulix, a popular school for supernaturals, known for their good reputation and their love for peace. Rue is certain she’d effortlessly blend in and won’t face any hitch. However, over the years, Syrulix has changed from what everyone believes it is. Now, Syrulix is a supernatural school that houses rebels, delinquents and psychopaths. The students were not only dangerous, they were violent monsters whose only goals were rising to the top and claiming ultimate control and strength. The weak couldn’t survive in a school like that, and someone like Rue—- small, weak and broken, who is too doll-like for a ‘boy’ and attracts attention without trying? She instantly knew her life was fucked. But that was before she was claimed by Knox, the most powerful Alpha prince of the school, whose name sends people falling to their knees from fright. He is as dangerous and as mad as the disturbing rumors claim. To be owned by a psychopath like this— who never takes his skull mask off, is to be doomed. How is Rue going to survive? And how is she going to successfully keep her disguise up in a school like this? Who is after her and what’s trapped inside of her? Find out!

His royal highness, Prince Abbott Raven is a mighty lord commander who despite the obstacle in his way is the greatest warrior the hemisphere has ever seen. He is oblivious of the fact that he is a werewolf. All he knows is that on every full moon he turns into a beast he can’t control and it was a secret he has to keep till death and he has managed to keep it until a red-haired girl with a pendant for mischief shows up unannounced in his life. They have a history. She saved his life thirteen years ago and now, he has a debt to repay. Even if it is the last thing he ever did, he has to get Abby Spencer as far away from the grasps of the ruthless king but Abby isn’t the typical damsel in distress. She seems to be hell bent on becoming a Raven. Abbott tries everything in his arsenal to get her away which includes kidnapping and stabbing obviously But Abby may just turn out to be the one thing the prince of darkness can’t crack. Abby is supposed to be betrothed to the king’s grandson, Prince Markle but when an attack on the royal family leaves Abbott in coma, he wakes up to find same red hair with a pendant for finding mischief and an insatiable urge for knowledge looking down at him with those green eyes that was filled with an emotion he wasn’t familiar with – worry, love and affection and for a man who is never afraid, Abbott is thrown off balance. And so, he sets off to keep this blasted creature as far away from him as humanly possible. Abbott is cold as ice and with a secret of his own. He is a werewolf without a pack and a million enemies. The last thing he needs is a little frightened girl as a wife and a ten years age difference *** Excerpt I opened my eyes and at first, it was like looking through a wet glass but then everything became clear. “Drink this, it will help” I took a sip. It felt so good. With my thirst quenched I decided to focus on the more prominent problem in front of me - the fact that I was bound with bronze cuffs! “What is going on?” “Hold still Miss Spencer, the nausea will pass, it's just a symptom of the horse tranquilizer you were dosed with” “I am not a horse, why would someone doze me…Abbott!” My eyes flew open and my last memory came flooding back. Abbott did this. I looked around but I couldn't see much. Then fear crept in like a thief. Where were they taking me? I tried to jump out of the open carriage door. Better broken bones than a still lifeless heart. I almost succeeded but he was faster, he grabbed me and he latched on. “Let me go!” I screamed at the top of my lungs but he didn't. “Are you hurt, Milady?” he asked me I am sorry, what? Why was he concerned about my welfare if he was going to slaughter me? “No” I answered slowly “Jumping out of a moving carriage is dangerous and…” he followed my eyes and it rested on the part of my forearm his hands were currently holding. He tilted his head to the left and exhaled. “I need your word that if I let go of you, you won’t try to jump out…” I blinked. “Are you going to kill me?” “Kill you?” he looked confused. Was my punishment something more awful than death? “Yes, kill me…slaughter me…chop off my head!” I asked loudly. “No. calm your heel, Miss Spencer…this is just a kidnapping not an execution” Book cover is not mine. if owner wants me to take it down, please contact me.

"You like this, don't you?" His voice was dark velvet, wrapping around me, sinking under my skin. I swallowed hard, refusing to answer, but my body betrayed me-the sharp inhale, the way my lips parted, the way my thighs pressed together. He noticed. Of course, he did. He stepped closer, eliminating the space between us, his heat overwhelming. "Say it." I shook my head, a weak attempt at resistance. His fingers traced up my arm, slow, teasing, until they reached my throat. He didn't squeeze, didn't apply pressure-just let his touch linger there, making me hyperaware of my own racing pulse. "Liar," he murmured. I exhaled sharply. "You're too close." His lips brushed my ear, not quite a kiss, just a whisper of warmth. "And you're not stopping me."