Narrow Eyed

Cassia Phoenix always dreamed her mate would be her refuge—the one to give her the home she never had, the life she craved. But fate is cruel, and dreams are lies wrapped in pretty promises. When she finally finds her mate, it’s not salvation. It’s a sentence. He’s already claimed by another, and she's nothing more than a mistake he’s determined to erase. Every day, he reminds her that she is unwanted. Unworthy. Unloved. Being an omega, She spent her life on the fringes of her pack, invisible and expendable. But this? This is worse. So she runs. To Winter Lake, a place that shouldn’t exist, where the rules of the world don’t apply. There, she might find a sliver of peace—if her mate doesn’t hunt her down, and if the powerful alpha of this forbidden pack doesn’t discover the truth about who she is. About what she is. Staying is dangerous. Impossible, even. But then there’s him. The brown-eyed shifter who saves her from the storm, whose strength and promises make her question everything she thought she knew about fate, loyalty, and belonging. He makes her want to stay. To fight. To believe. But when she’s spent her entire life running, how does she stop?

AN 18+ ALPHA MAFIA SERIES BOOK 1# CAPTIVE MATE BOOK 2# RUNAWAY MATE BOOK 3# DANGEROUS MATE -+- Caspian is the heir to Moonstone Pack but when his parents die, he’s cheated out of his birthright and treated like a prisoner. He decides to leave, running off to Haines City to start a new life. His plans are instantly cut short when he's kidnapped and auctioned off, and he is bought by none other than one of the Mafia Kings running the city, Asher Knight. -+- Asher shrugged his coat off, the heavy outfit falling to the ground with an audible thud. Caspian watched this happen in apprehension, Mafia King Asher had looked huge with the coat on, and with the coat off, there wasn’t much of a difference. “Come here,” He ordered calmly, the earrings in his ears visible with his dark red hair slicked back. Caspian shook his head again, he had no intention of speaking, ever. Because that would only give away his gender. “I don’t like to repeat myself, Omega.” His voice darkened. Caspian’s heart thudded painfully in his chest in fear, he really didn’t want to get anywhere near the Alpha. He eyed the window longingly before forcing himself to take a step forward, then another, and another… +- THIS IS AN 18+ MAFIA STORY SO IT WILL INCLUDE VIOLENT AND MATURE THEMES, READ WITH CAUTION.

This novel Focuses on the story about a Lonely boy who Transmigrates into a New World to Find his source of joy and to Punish those who he thinks are responsible for committing corruption. As he live in the new world he got to know that this world was similar to a novel he had read once. [Correct! The User will have the ability to reconstruct their new body, improving physical, magical, or structural components. However, all modifications must be paid for with an equal exchange.] Ash narrowed his eyes. "Equal exchange… Meaning the more drastic the change, the more valuable the cost?" [Correct. Small modifications require lesser exchanges. Major modifications require precious, irreplaceable sacrifices.] *** His eyes narrowed. "System, explain. What the hell do you mean by ‘One of the Core that make up the system’?" [Processing query…] Ash folded his arms, already preparing for another vague, cryptic answer. [Clarification: In order to ####### #### #### ### ### ###, the System will forcibly sacrifice its own structure. This will result in the permanent loss of several functions] Ash’s expression twitched. “Wait… What functions are you even talking about?” The System remained silent for a brief moment before responding. [Processing…] [Error. User has made a valid point.] Ash’s eye twitched harder, "I KNEW IT!" He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. “System, you barely even did anything before! The only thing you ever showed me was the Status Window!” *** *The Image In the Book Cover Is Not Mine.

Orphaned and trapped with her abusive adoptive father, Sumaya endures relentless bullying at school, unaware that her entire life has been built on lies. The biggest lie of all? That she’s human. Marrok, son of the Alpha King, has never doubted his place in the world. He is the strongest of his kind and bound to his fated mate—the prophesied Moon Child. With a rare gift that allows him to hear the thoughts of others, no mind has ever been closed to him. Until hers. A chanced encounter puts Sumaya on a crossed path with a golden-eyed wolf. Something about the wolf unsettles her. The very next day, a new student arrives—Marrok. From the instant their eyes meet, she feels an inexplicable pull toward him, just like the wolf from the day before. But Marrok is even more unsettled. A simple human girl should mean nothing to him, yet her existence stirs something deep inside him, something his wolf refuses to name. As their paths collide, buried secrets begin to surface. Hidden Identities. Old vendetta. Stolen destiny. A betrayal that reshaped their world. And when the truth is finally revealed, the supernatural realm will be forced to face the consequences of their mistake. Because some fates can't be stolen without a price.

Most would expect the daughter of the king of one of the four strongest nations in the Realm of the Angels to enjoy great luxury and power. While her Father may enjoy those things, that isn't the case for Rosemary. The hated daughter only manages to attract disdain from others in the royal court despite her gentle and kind nature. Rosemary was born with a weak body, preventing her from living up to the ideals of her father and his court. Such environment pushes Rose to attempting to end it all. But she is unable to do so as she recalls her older brother's love for her. As she drowns, she cries out for help. But no one is around. No one but a certain handsome man with eyes as cold as her father's.

'Hell is empty and all the devils are here.' -- Williams Shakespeare --- "Should I dip my hands in holy water so I can touch you?" His breath fanned her neck as he spoke close to her ear, causing an anxious shiver to run down her spine. Her eyes widened before narrowing slightly. "You are crazy." She whispered back with a shaking voice. "Why?" He asked, awed. His eyes now staring at her. "Because you would get burned." --- Opposites attract. That’s what everyone says, but light and darkness are two very contrasting entities. Annabelle is the perfect definition of pure and innocent, while on the other hand, Kione is the opposite of that—dark and a devil with an angelic appearance. Too forbidden to be a perfect match.

"Devil's Heart," a tragic romance novel that caught my [Eian Roger] attention, after a long time. If you ask what's so great about it, the only answer I can give is—the green-eyed guy, Eron De Vilan, my villain. I loved that guy so much I could call myself crazy. Seriously, who else would pray for a fictional character to have a happy ending? But that scum author, broke my all hope and gave him the worst fate. As I wandered the streets, heartbroken, I met my end while trying to save a stray cat. Really... even now, I can't believe I did such a stupid thing. It's so frustrating... But what's even more nerve-wracking is the fact that I transmigrated into the novel I cherished—only to end up as the antagonist who tortures my favorite character. The only relief I had was the timeline. It’s still too early for the original story to unfold. That meant there was still time. This time, the extra would seize control of the narrative. I will rewrite the story for my villain. No matter what happens… Eron De Vilan will have his happy ending.

Ethen Cole travels to an era where everyone battles with pets. In a world revived by spiritual energy, danger and madness run rampant. Humanity relies on battle pet masters to establish bases and unite for survival. Before the college entrance examination, Ethen Cole is framed and expelled from school, losing his chance to study at the Battle Pet Academy. Just as he feels despair, the Battle Pet System for battle pets activates. “Ding! The Blue Riolux has evolved into a Emerald eyed Riolux!” From then on, Ethen Cole begins his legendary career as a battle pet master. 1 extra chapters for 100 power stone 2 extra chapters for 200 power stone That's all for now.

On a rainy night of July 15th, Qin Sisi brought home a shivering stray cat. Since then, her life underwent a profound change… "Come sleep with me." "No way!" "Didn't we always sleep together before?" "Back then you were just a cat." "I can still be a cat now." As the words fell, the tall figure vanished, leaving a black and sleek cat, lazily curled up at the head of the bed. Its deep, purple eyes slightly narrowed, it let out a lazy, adorable meow at her, “Meow…” Fan group: 817058766

He inches closer, a single finger roaming her heated skin. Breath mingling with breath. A loud bang vibrates through the room, so thunderous as if god himself was furious. Slowly he looks up staring out the large glass windows to the backyard, "You have a visitor." His rasps calmly. "Who?" Rose quickly fires, feigning ignorance. She knew well enough who it was. Her nightly visitor has arrived. Surprising, He only visits when she is alone. "One who comes out at night. Lurking in the shadows, in the darkness... just like its intensions." He looks down still leaning on top her, once more pinning her with his intense gaze. "Are you afraid?" His voice dead serious, eyes going back to look outside. And Rose lied, "No." But is it a lie when her fear was never really rooting enough to make her run the other way but instead often getting mixed with exhilaration. "You should be." He leaves her staring wide eyed on the sofa and goes to stand before the glass panes. "It's not happy to see me here. I can see the raging pits of fire in it's gaze. Ready to burn me right where I stand." he chuckled, sounding most sinister, "It definitely wants to rip my innards out." "You should take off your shirt." He suggests casually. "Excuse me?" "Let's see if it riles him up even more to shatter instead of just slamming the windows like a wuss." He rouses under his breath, his excited provocative tone not escaping Rose's attention. What the hell is he up to? "This isn't funny." Rose sputters out, standing up from the couch. "I'm not trying to be." He faces her again, sporting a deadpan face. "Whatever. You think I'm one of your stupid fan girls to take my shirt off just because you want to rile someone up? Besides, there's probably no one outside and you're only making it up to see my boobs like a pervert." His eyes roams her from top to bottom, there was distaste evident in his gaze. "When he comes at night and leaves a little something for you, maybe then you take off your clothes for him... like a slut." Rome stared into her eyes with nothing behind those icy orbs to show for a lack of meaning behind his words. Because he means every single thing he says to her. "Get. Out. Now!" Rose boomed furiously. "Whatever, I was leaving anyway. This has become boring." He walks towards her front door. "Wait. How do you know he comes at night and leaves something?" her eyes narrow. "Because I've seen it before." "You saw him? It is a real guy?" Rose wanted to confirm, for some reason she thought otherwise. "I never said I saw him. I've only seen it happening to someone else." "Whom?" "You don't need to know." He closes off. "Then at least tell me what happened to her? Can I meet this person?" "You can't." Refusing calmly he was almost out the door when Rose pleads against hope. "Please." "You can't because she disappeared." Those were the words that finally did it. Brought her racing heart and buzzing head to a sudden halt. "Never to be seen again." "When he stops visiting, that's when you should be most afraid." His words rang like a siren in the silence of her mind as he left. Now she felt true fear for the first time. == In the embrace of her ancestral town, Rose seeks refuge from the echoes of her past. Little does she know, her return to her roots will awaken dormant shadows, shattering ordinary her existence. For when the darkness falls over the town, from the pitch black rises a shadowy figure that haunt her nights. In the darkness he sweeps her off the ground in terrible fear and the allure of sinister intrigue. And once the sun comes, a man with a god awful attitude, haunts her in the broad day light. Causing her to swell with pure disdain. With each passing night, it draws closer to Rose, casting a chilling spell that both terrifies and exhilarates her. Thrust into a labyrinth of mysteries can she navigate the treacherous path laid before her, or will her nightly visitor consume her whole?

Kind is tangled in the sticky web of unrequited love-he saw it coming like a train in slow motion. He's the guy watching his crush fawn over someone else, get all starry-eyed over another, and eventually hand out wedding proposals like candy-but to someone else, of course. Wale has long been aware of Kind's feelings for him, and though he is Kind's closest friend of nearly a decade, steadfastly devoted and unwaveringly straight, he nonetheless desires Kind to stand as his best man as he weds his long-time fiancée. Concealing his inner turmoil behind the guise of a smile, Wale shares his vulnerabilities with Kind alone, revealing to his dearest friend what he shields from the world. And now, with futures as clear as a foggy mirror, these two stumble through life's chaotic obstacle course, hoping not to trip on any life lessons or land face-first in heartbreak. Where will fate lead them next? Only time, and maybe a good laugh, will tell!

Beneath the rain-soaked streets of New Haven lies a place shrouded in fear and myth—a narrow passageway known only as Whispers in the Mist. For decades, people have vanished near its shadowy entrance, leaving behind only rumors of cryptic graffiti, faint whispers, and figures hidden in the fog. Elliot Grayson, a jaded journalist desperate to reclaim his career, reluctantly takes on the investigation after a distraught mother pleads for his help. Her daughter disappeared after venturing into the alley, leaving behind a notebook filled with haunting details that suggest the alley's legends may be far more real—and far more dangerous—than anyone imagined. As Elliot digs deeper, he uncovers a dark conspiracy tied to the alley’s secrets, one that stretches back decades and seems determined to keep him silent. But the deeper he ventures, the more the whispers call to him, tempting him to step into the mist and discover what lies beyond—where the line between myth and reality begins to blur. In this spine-chilling blend of suspense and urban mystery, Whispers in the Mist will keep you questioning what’s real, what’s imagined, and how far you’d go to uncover the truth.

Guo Min turned to Zihan, her gaze sharp. "You talk about permanence, but we both know this arrangement wasn’t my choice. If you expect me to play the role of a docile fiancée, you’re mistaken." Zihan’s smirk widened. "Oh, I never expected docility from you, Guo Min. In fact, I’d be disappointed if you were anything less than the fierce woman I know you to be." Guo Min narrowed her eyes but said nothing. copyright regards: cover doesn't belong to me, all praises goes to it's owner.

She gave up her dream of shining on the ballerina stage —for him. She sacrificed her self-respect —for him. She forgot her true identity —for him. But even after all that, she couldn’t compare to the woman who held Ryan’s heart. Arwen Quinn, heiress of prestigious Quinn family, realized too late that no matter what she did, she would never win Ryan’s love. The future that awaited her was a life trapped in endless misery of a loveless marriage. So, decisively, she ends their relationship and walks away. What she didn’t expect was that in breaking free from Ryan, she had opened the door for Aiden to enter her life — a chance that he had been waiting for. Aiden Winslow, an enigmatic CEO isn’t just mysterious —he is determined, and won’t allow to take Arwen away from him again. ____ Excerpt: Aiden narrowed his eyes, “Are you sure about this?” “If I wasn’t sure, I wouldn’t have asked,” Arwen replied coolly. “Stop dawdling. If you’re unwilling, I’ll find someone else who can get the marriage certificates today.” His expression darkened as he pulled her close. “Once offered to me, it’s mine alone.” Unfazed, Arwen asked, “So, do you accept? If yes, we’ll get the certificates now.” “On one condition,” he said. “I don’t do contract marriages. The woman I marry will be the woman I share my bed with. If you agree, then we’ll—” “Not a problem. Let’s go,” Arwen said without letting him finish, pulling him into the Civil Marriage Bureau.

Madeline knew he was the alpha of the werewolves, but… __ In Alaric, soulmates are bonded by a red string. Some people chose to go against their preordained fates, some chose to embrace it. However, when Madeline discovers she’s bonded to no, not a human, but the alpha of the pack she happened to stumble upon… Does she unintentionally fall for the devilish Alpha Xavier or does she decide her own path? __ EXCERPT: "Step forward," he ordered, his steely gaze landing on her. Madeline swallowed as a chill went down her spine. "You don't belong here," he snarled, making Madeline want to run despite her intuition which told her not to. Making a face, he narrowed his eyes and spat, "You're a human." Wide-eyed, Madeline stared back at him, her eyes meeting him before she felt something tighten around her pinky. Her heart tightened and began pounding faster than it did before. It flickered, but it was clear what it was. Everyone stared between them, back and forth in confusion. Whatever it was, it could only be seen by Madeline and Xavier. 'With a stranger? Are you kidding me?' He growled. Her heart raced, she was thinking the same thing. __ This book's cover is made by @vatarison.art (check him out on IG)!

Elias is a handsome and optimistic 17 year old blessed with knowledge. He topped every exam with minimal effort since 1st Grade he scored straight A's in every exam. He was born into a wealthy family his mother, Kathryn is the owner of multi million tech company and he didn't have a father . But despite his wealth Elias wasn't spoiled in fact no one in school knew his mother was rich, Elias always dressed simply he lived in a simple well maintained two storey house all alone he had no maids or servants and his father only came once or twice a month to give just enough money for the month. Elias stayed out of trouble, he was invisible in school. One day Elias came back from school and to his surprise his mother was there but what surprised Elias even more was that there was a girl about his age standing beside his father. And his father said, Elias meet your new slave she is now your responsibility his mother then took off. And just like that Elias life took direct 360 degree turn.

Kenapa kau memperlakukanku seperti ini! Aku tidak mencurigakan, percayalah! Aku bukan orang yang berbahaya. Penjahat? Sama sekali bukan. Novel terjemahan, bukan karya asli. Alternative: 실눈이라고 흑막은 아니에요! Country(s): Korea

In the fractured realm of **Everburn Labyrinth**, where ash falls like snow and forgotten gods whisper through cursed bloodlines, **Seryn Octavius**—the last heir of the soul-devouring **Emberdirge Dynasty**—barters memories for power. His family’s ancestral curse binds him to a grim truth: every drop of alchemical elixir he brews erases a fragment of his past. But when his exiled mentor, **Lady Eluinora**, is exposed as a traitor who sold his clan to the God of Oblivion, Seryn’s quest for vengeance unravels a millennia-old conspiracy: the very curses that cripple the ancient dynasties are shards of a slain primordial deity, and *he* is the crucible to resurrect it. To survive, Seryn must master the forbidden **Ashborne Alchemy**, turning his family’s funeral rites into weapons—distilling grief into corrosive mists, forging vows into chainblades, and weaponizing his own decaying soul. Allies become liabilities: a mechanized orc warrior whose heart ticks toward self-destruction, a moon-cursed assassin hunting her reflection, and Eluinora herself, whose lies may hold the only key to salvation. As the **Clockwork Throne** awakronsume cities into slag and the **Thousand-Eyed Abyss** hungers for his lineage, Seryn faces an impossible choice: embrace the erosion of his humanity to become the realm’s destroyer, or shatter the alchemical laws of the universe—and with them, every soul he vowed to protect

death, it permeated not only their first life, but this second one as well. there was no escape, there was no freedom, there was only, death. at least, that was the case all the way until something happened to turn this emotionless tool, this mindless machine of mass destruction, into nothing more than what she truly was this go round. a naive, lovestruck, teenage girl. that is, if you ignore her overwhelming, near God like power, and her slight issue with obsession. then, yeah, normal, average, puppy dog eyed, head over heels teenage girl, that has the ability to transcend all of humanity, no big deal, right? RIGHT?!

At ALO Company, power, ambition and underground secrets work hand in hand. Roxanna Davis, the sharp and relentless Chief Sustainability Officer, has one goal unmask the person who sabotaged her project. With the company’s future hanging in the balance, she can’t afford any distractions. But Carlton Nakamura is a distraction she never saw coming. The newly elected President, young, powerful, and frustratingly charming, is already bolted by his father’s expectations and an engagement he never wanted. Carlton and Roxanna have always clashed, with their differences making cooperation a constant battle. Yet, as they battle crisis after crisis together, their differences start to blur, and something unexpected forms between them. While Terra, Roxanna’s sharp-eyed best friend and co-worker, sees the tension simmering beneath their arguments, Roxanna remains ignorant, too caught up in the storm threatening her team. But the deeper she digs, the more dangerous her mission becomes. Someone in the shadows wants her investigation buried and they’ll stop at nothing to make sure it is. Can Roxanna uncover the truth before it’s too late? And when the dust settles, will she finally see what’s been right in front of her all along? Or will Carlton’s love go unnoticed… until it’s too late?

January, having lived on the streets for eight years after losing her parents, is falsely accused of a crime and sentenced to prison. Shocked and scared, she enters a harsh and overwhelming environment filled with inmates and guards. Determined to survive, she realizes she must stand up for herself in this dangerous place. However, she soon notices something deeply unsettling: a mysterious man with a hidden face, whose presence in an all-women’s prison seems inexplicable and wrong. Despite warnings to never go near him, January feels compelled to uncover the truth about who he is, why he’s there, and how he survives among the inmates. Defying the rules, she decides to get closer to him, believing he may hold the key to exposing the prison’s dark secrets and possibly finding a way to escape its oppressive grip. *** "What are you doing, sneaking into my room in the middle of the night?" the unknown guy asked, his voice firm but controlled. January's head spun as she whispered, her voice quivering. "I...I..." She stuttered, unable to form any words. The guy's eyes narrowed. "So, you choose to defy the rules?" he asked, his voice low and dark. January stuttered again, still unable to speak. The guy took a step closer, his eyes glinting in the dim light. "Since you have chosen to defy the rules," he whispered, his breath hot against her skin, "you'll see where it leads you." "I am not afraid of you," January said, the words escaping her lips before she could even take them back. ________ Support your favorite twins! Cover image: Not mine, all credit goes to the owner.

They weren't scared of ten thousands, they were just scared of one person, Mutaz. In a world where the strongest rule, sitting on the throne of mafia king was Mutaz's father however, the path of mafias and the strong is very deadly thus soon, Titan empire fell into total destruction upon the mafia king's fall. As though that was not enough, the only heir to the throne was declared dead a day after the father was laid to rest. From then on, Titan empire ceased to exist. But who said the dead can not return for retaliation? Orcel Salami undertook the task of finding a bodyguard for her daughter, after a narrow escape from abduction. Yet who could have thought, in the future she would be the one saying "Stay away from my daughter Mutaz Titan"

On the day of her wedding to her childhood sweetheart, Natalie Ford received an unexpected gift: a marriage certificate. It stated that she was already married to a complete stranger—Aiden Handrix. While the wedding guests continued to mock and insult her, her lover Ivan decided to dump her, choosing to marry her half-sister Briena instead. To add insult to injury, she was thrown out of her home. To prove her innocence, Natalie Ford could only take one course of action - she had to find this mysterious Aiden Handrix and get to the bottom of this! The next day, there was news trending on the TV. Justin Harper, the heir of the richest family in the Bayford was returning home. Natalie’s eyes narrowed at the TV screen. ‘Why does this man look exactly like the man in the picture of my wedding certificate?’ In the quest of uncovering the mystery behind her said marriage, she decided to follow him and ask personally. “Are you married?” “No.” “Do you have a twin brother?” “No?” “By chance you heard the name Aiden Handrix?” “No.” “Then, who the hell are you?’ “Your brother.” “Wait, what?” “Yes. Now pack your bags and come home with me.” First got a husband out of the blue and now a brother with the same face? Was god creating clones and offering them to her with different relationships?

'Ha?!' The golden-eyed baby was confused but oddly ang-- ....wait angry!? Since when could babies make such distinct angry sounds? 'I'm naked, don't look at me like that, pervert!' Okay, I've gone completely crazy, or baby just said that I'm a pervert.

“What the fuck? What is going on? Have I completely lost it?” As I stare panicky at the dot unable to decide what to do, the white dot disappears and a line of text appears in its place. [Installing files. 1% done…] As I watch the text in shock, the percentage gradually increases. […2%...3%...4%...] I move to the living room in a zombie-like manner, too shocked to think clearly and lie down on the couch. “Something is wrong with me; I think I finally lost my sanity…” […12%...13%...14%...] Unable to affect the situation in the least, I stare dejectedly at the percentage increase, while my mind starts exploring the possible explanations. In the end, as the percentage hits 90%, I narrow it down to three possibilities. The first possibility is that I am in fact still unconscious and this is all a product of my mind. I pinch myself and whimper at the pain, as in my nervousness I used almost all my strength. Nope, the first is out. The second possibility is that I have completely lost my mind and am suffering from delusions. Hmm, I cannot exclude this, but while possible, I don’t think that this is it. The only thing out of the ordinary is that fucking line of text. The third possibility … [Installation successful!] The text disappears and a new message appears in my eyes… The third possibility … is that I gained a system. I read the message with my mouth agape at the implications. [Welcome user, to the Perverted Daddy System!] Fuck… TAGS: Mind control, manipulation, corruption, sleep sex, rape, blackmail, oyakodon

She was the government's deadliest secret weapon - a spy who lived by her wits and lethal skills. But when her little brother was kidnapped, even Bai Yunshu's training couldn't stop the shocking betrayal that cost her everything...including her life. Reborn into the body of bullied debutante Feng Ruoxi, Yunshu finds herself greeted by a cruel father, a venomous stepmother, and the last thing she ever expected - an elite fiancé from one of the nation's most powerful families! Jiang Yukang, her so-called husband-to-be, is as arrogant as he is gorgeous. But little does this prime catch realize his delicate doe-eyed bride is actually a fiery former spy with lethal skills and a whole new lease on life. What begins as a risky masquerade will soon become an unstoppable whirlwind of sizzling seduction, unraveling mysteries, and dark secrets best left untouched. Can Yunshu claim her rightful status as Master Jiang's hot spy wife while surviving the treacherous world of Kyoto's privileged elite? With her pulse-pounding survival skills and Jiang Yukang's mesmerizing talents in the bedchambers, this transmigrated soul is taking names and leaving a scorching trail of desire in her wake! No enemy can stop this reincarnated vixen from becoming the supreme don't-mess-with-me empress!

WARNING: MATURE CONTENT!Ahmet's laughter was like a slap in the face. "You think you're in a position to negotiate with me?" he sneered. "I don't think so, Asli. You'll do what I say, or suffer the consequences. Do you want more time to outsmart me? No.” She could play his game. She certainly could do that before she finally killed him. A mischievous grin formed on her lips. "What would you gain from sleeping with me?" she asked, trying to keep her tone neutral. "You're not exactly known for your romantic conquests. And we're rivals, not to mention the fact that our families would kill us if they found out." She paused, her eyes narrowing. "So, what's the real motive here? What could you possibly gain from this?" There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, Asli wondered if she had caught him off guard. But then, Ahmet's smooth voice came back, dripping with confidence. "I’m glad to know you are well-informed about my romantic conquests. Let's just say, Asli, that I have my reasons. And as for what I'd gain… well, that's for me to know and you to find out." His tone sent a shiver down her spine, and she knew she had to tread carefully. She wasn’t going to win this against him. “Show me what proof you have and I will give in to your demands.” With that, she hung up the call, feeling a small sense of satisfaction at being the one to end the conversation this time. She was the only woman in the male-dominated Mafia world. Did he think he could subdue her so easily?

Eirik Boris was never the type to accept a deal nor offer quickly, but with the girl in front of him, the riot that’s currently going on in the kingdom, and the rumor of the old king's bloodline, there are just too many things at stake. He looked at her with his eyes full of doubts, knowing very well that not only his life was at stake, but his region, too. But at the same time, if the girl in front of him is who she claimed to be, then a new beginning shall begin in the kingdom. It will be a new dawn of glory, a new turn—around, especially for the commoners. With a sharp blade in her hand, unlike anything Eirick had ever seen, which had a crystal that had a glinting red onyx at its end, the girl stepped into the long, narrow bridge, ready to prove that she was from the bloodline of the old king. “If you fail, I’ll surely deliver you to the king myself.” Eirik made it sound like a warning, and like he was not interested in her at the same time. But deep down, Eirick cared. If this girl turns out to be carrying the blood of the old king, then things will turn around for great. And if not, then he’d gladly deliver her to the king. At least, by doing that, he’d still have to keep his head, his family, and his region. And maybe, just maybe, the king will give him a limited punishment, but not a death sentence. “I won't fail,” Eirick heard her replying without turning, her voice full of uncertainty, though. Eirik held his daughter's hand, leading her back slowly, his armor bearer following, and then the nobles, a hundred of them who had come to watch the so-called girl who claimed to be carrying the blood of the old king venturing to the narrow bridge where she would recover what was left behind by the Old king himself. Before the old king vanished, he had said that only his true bloodline could cross the narrow bridge and retrieve what he had hidden there. Many people had come to attempt it, all of them claiming to be the son or daughter of the old king, and all of them had failed. This girl won't be an exception, at least, that's what they thought, not until the unexpected happened. As usual, the ghost guardian of the bridge, a being forged from magic with extraordinary abilities, emerged from the chasm of the bridge, standing tall and proud in front of the girl with a rapier in his hand. He didn't give the girl a chance to blink; he charged, the sound of metal against metal filling the air, sparkles flying out, and groaning of the two filled the atmosphere, too. And then, when everyone thought the girl would fail like the rest, they noticed her body shimmering, a great aura coming out of her body like a mist, her hair flaring in flame like a ghost rider, but she was not. And then, the blade radiated extra light, before the girl took full transformation herself. She easily bypassed the ghost as he presented his attack, moving with the grace of a leaf dancing in the wind, but in a blur that everyone hardly saw her moving. Before the ghost could wheel to face her, the girl struck him hard at the temple with the hilt of her blade, followed by a kick in the chest, which sent the ghost tumbling down the bridge. Normally, a ghost shouldn't feel attacked or get hit since he's partially invincible, but the girl was not ordinary either. She’s from the lineage of King Saul, making her the rightful heir to the kingdom of Agapanthus, and she just proved that to everyone by defeating an undefeatable foe.

Born into a dying world, Kael’thir—the last of the True Dragons—awakens in weakness and hunger, his body frail, his wings useless, and his power little more than a dying ember. But a dragon does not remain weak. A dragon does not remain grounded. From the moment he hatches, he is driven by one purpose: to devour, to evolve, to ascend. Each hunt sharpens his instincts. Each kill strengthens his core. With every beast he consumes, every battle he survives, his power grows. But Kael’thir is not alone. A silent, golden-eyed fox follows him, her presence constant yet unreadable, her existence an enigma wrapped in patience. She watches him hunt. Watches him kill. Watches him change. And yet, she does nothing—waiting for something only she seems to understand. As Kael’thir rises through the realms, he will face ancient warriors, forgotten bloodlines, and enemies who rule with power stolen from the heavens themselves. He will break through the limits of the Mortal Realm. He will claim the skies as his own. And when the gods themselves stand in his way— He will devour them, too. The path to the apex has begun. And nothing will stop the dragon’s ascent. ------------------------------------------------------------------- This is my first work so please be nice