Uttered Sharply

Justin Morrow was a man with no goals. Nothing around him made him think they were worth having. Only a fading memory of his dead mother kept him going. “Survive…my…son…” At the bottom of society, Justin lived off crumbs and scraps, the sparks of ambition most clung to were long gone in him, so when the world descended into utter Hell it didn’t faze him. If anything, his life was already there. Gifted an advantage over the entirety of humanity at the very start, maybe—just maybe—the end of the world could finally awaken something inside him. *** Tags: Male MC, Apocalypse, Evolution, Fantasy. Chapters are between 1,200 words to a max of 1,500 words with a guaranteeed update schedule of 1-2 chapters per day. (the chapters per day could increase with power stones, collections, and overall interaction with the story.)

A young man's life takes an unexpected turn when he meets an untimely demise, buried beneath an avalanche. As he breathes his last, he hears the echoes of mechanical voices resonating in his head, granting him a multitude of wishes in the form of Skills, Fortunes, and a new Body. Reborn as an Ice Dragon, Drake finds himself thrust into a fantastical realm reminiscent of Norse Mythology known as Yggdrasil. This world, however, holds more surprises than he could have ever imagined. It is not only a realm of fantasy but also a Cultivation World, blending two seemingly disparate concepts into one. Join him on his journey as he explores this enchanting world, navigating its treacherous landscapes and encountering deadly monsters along the way. As he fights for survival, he seeks to find his place in this new existence and discover the purpose that drives him forward. Yet, he soon realizes that he is not alone in this reincarnated state. Others have been granted wishes as well, and the collision of their desires threatens to plunge the world into utter chaos. This is a tale of rebirth and transformation—a man's evolution from a humble Dragon Pup to the indomitable Strongest Dragon King. Along his path, he will forge new alliances, face formidable foes, and gradually establish a place he can truly call home.

The woman sat still, legs crossed, a hand resting lightly on each leash. The chains led downward — left and right — disappearing beneath the black folds of her throne. The only sound in the room was the soft clink of metal against the stone floor. On her left knee, the leash was taut — held firm in her fingers, black leather wound once around her palm. The chain stretched to the man kneeling below, his head slightly bowed, thick black hair falling across sharp golden eyes. The lion insignia gleamed darkly against the collar at his neck. On her right, the second leash hung more loosely, though not by much. The man it led to sat still — silver-haired, pale-skinned, his chest rising and falling with quiet restraint. The panther emblem at his throat shimmered under the torchlight, his ice-blue eyes locked ahead, lips drawn in a silent snarl. Both were silent. Both were beautiful. And both were leashed. The woman, however, did not look at them. Her gaze was locked forward — on the man kneeling in front of her, hands tied behind his back, posture proud despite the blood at his lip. The green-haired man tilted his head back and laughed. “Shame,” he said, the sound echoing in the chamber. “The Emperor of the North and the Southern Duke… reduced to nothing more than pets. Is that what you do now, Leash Mistress? Break kings and chain them at your feet?” The woman didn’t blink. Her eyes stayed fixed on his. But the panther shifted slightly, the chain tightening an inch under her hand. The lion growled, low and deep. The green-haired man smirked wider. “Dogs. The both of them. Well-trained, I’ll give you that.” “Cats.” Her voice was soft, but the room fell silent. She leaned back in her seat slightly, her fingers curling around the leashes as if they were natural extensions of her hands. “They are cats. And tell me…” Her head tilted faintly, just enough to be unsettling. “Isn’t it wolves who become dogs? Not lions. Not panthers.” The green-haired man’s jaw clenched. '!' drip A sweat bead fell from his forehead, trickling down through his cheek as his eyes trembled. The green pupil held cunning and shrewdness to escape any unknown path as the assassin mercenary group's leader trembled, not because of the woman, but because of the man standing beside her who looked at him. The man with the black hair and golden eyes glinted sharply at the command of the collars pulled, and even the one with the silver hair, glinting with sapphire eyes, directly at the green-eyed man caused him to tremble in his whole being. He knelt with his head turning down as he realized, while his wolf insignia glowed near his ear. He would be leashed soon like them. He would become the dog under her leg... the dog he had just laughed at.

"Wait," President Mason uttered, his tone low and biting.  Anastasia turned slowly, her heart sinking.  "You looked happy back there when George was flirting with you," he accused, his eyes bored into her. Anastasia froze, her eyes widening in disbelief.  "Flirting?" she repeated, a bitter scoff escaping her lips. "He was drunk, Mason. Everyone could see that." "That's not what I saw." Mason stepped closer, his voice cold. "You were laughing, enjoying it...just like you were with Nicholas."  At the mention of Nicholas, Anastasia's stomach churn.  "Ex...excuse me?" she asked, her voice trembling with restrained anger.  "You heard me!" He yelled at her. "First it was Nicholas, now a coworker. How low can you go?"  The words cut through Anastasia, her fists clenching as she fought back the tears threatening to spill.  She stared at him, fighting the urge to pounce on him when she finally raised her fingers, pulling out her wedding ring. "Let's get a divorce!"  ★★★ Anastasia Stones never expected her life to turn into a whirlwind of power plays, and deep-seated secrets when she got into an arranged marriage with Mason Harrington, the enigmatic, cold-hearted President of a billion-dollar company because of her family's debt.  Their two years secret marriage was built on formality and indifference, with Mason's world revolving around business and control until Anastasia began working in his company, without anyone knowing she's the president's wife. And everything worsens when Nicholas, Mason's estranged half-brother and the company's COO, unexpectedly returns after five years.  His reappearance stirs old rivalries, pulling Anastasia into the center of a storm between the President and the COO of Harrington Tech Corporation. Will Anastasia find her voice and reclaim her independence, or will she remain a pawn in the game of two powerful men? And what happens after finding out she's pregnant for the President?

Meredith, or Edith for short, woke up in chains, a slave to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. But things took a turn, and she managed to escape that burning fate. But little did she know that fate had other plans for her. Although she escaped the burning auction house, she was saved by the most unlikely person. One whom she had been warned from childhood to avoid, and if any by chance she ever crosses paths with, she should flee. King Davion Ashbourne. No one knew for certain what he was, but they all feared him. He was a man of many mysteries, and his reputation preceded him. Even other kings and creatures feared him. But Edith found herself drawn to him. Drawn to his darkness. In him, she found a home away from home. In him, she found a soul lonely and in need of saving. …… Excerpt “How about a little game?” He said, his gaze still steady on Edith. Edith ached a brow, finding his suggestion rather amusing. But that changed when he opened his mouth and uttered the following words, “If you win, you may go. But if you lose, I keep you. But no longer as a servant who gets her wages but as a pet of mine.” “May I ask what game?” Edith asked with furrowed brows. She had no I tensions of participating in his games, but she was curious to know what type of game Davion would play. His lips curled beautifully and slowly as he leaned forward, with a finger under her chin, he whispered, “Hide and Seek,” he straightened his posture and continued, “Or as I prefer to call it, The Hnter and the Prey.”

Sold by her father, Bella short for Arabella, was forced to live a life as a slave that would entertain the guests of the castle. The job of slaves were merely to be humiliated and to have as feast once they became a boring creature toward the guests. Arabella with her fierce attitude had only caused more trouble than good, although that helped her from being feasted by the vampires until her body dried up, the vampires also enjoy in harming her, toying with her, hoping to see that one day she would break. However she had caught the wrong attention by those crimson gaze, eventually being the toy of the one and only Mad Crown Prince of Versailles. Eventually this interest only cause her to be more tangled by the twisted and thorny battle for the Throne. Will eventually Bella concede and accept the Mad crown prince? Or will she finally succeed in running away from his grasp. Why her? *** excerpt*** Arabella felt her wrists stung as the shackle around her wrist jingled from the sudden pull. She then met with the icy red eyes that brood down upon her appearance, drinking into every inch of her figure as if he was studying her, even to how those breaths escaped her lips. "I thought we had bonded over the days we have spent together, Bella," he sang, his bright scarlet eyes betraying the singing tone he had used as it had grown so dark and filled with anger. "Yet you left so quickly as soon as I opened the castle gate." Bella gritted her teeth, her eyes glaring at him as she defiantly shook his hand off her face, "I can remind you if you have forgotten it, Your Majesty, I am kept here against my wish." Cassius' smile faded as he stared at her. The sudden pin-drop silence filled her nerves with tension as she found his smileless face the most terrifying sight. She had always known his fearsome side however, it felt scarier tonight. Bella tried to endure how loud her heart had raced against her chest, gathering her breaths together even though it remained shallow in his presence. "So cold," he muttered, his tone trying to tease her, but she could see the raw anger crossing his eyes. "You cannot run from me. Not after what we've done. Not after what you promised." Her heart faltered. She wasn't supposed to stay in this castle; she knew that the royal palace was filled with those vampire monsters who would kill for their desire, simply to have fun. She knew she should never give her heart to any of these monsters, and she had once believed she would never. But that was until Cassius came. She had made that promise because her heart had betrayed her, and she wished that she had never uttered that promise. Promises she had made to him on the call of love. Yet deep within her, a part of her still crave for him. "You're not the first one I have broken my promises with," she gritted her teeth and looked up at him, "I broke my promise the way you broke yours first, isn't it fair?" "Fair? Then was everything a lie, Arabella?" he murmured, his hands cupping her face, forcing her to meet his eyes. "You were mine the moment you entered my castle. And you will be mine until the very end." She gulped as his eyes shone underneath the moonlight, his gaze unforgiving over her, exposing his wild hunger. Her breath caught, her pulse quickening. "A human and a vampire should have never stayed together. They were all right." "I don't care," he spoke through his clenched jaw. "You're going to remain here by my side forever."

(Updated on Sundays and Fridays!) Professional gamer Catlen Devicast was sucked into a mysterious game she had never even heard of before! Initially, she had obviously chosen to play as a beautiful noble daughter with sick psychic skills, but could someone tell her why she had suddenly become a boss?! That wasn’t even a playable character, it was an NPC! With no choice but to pass all the levels for a chance to return to the real world, Catlen tightened her belt and became very decisive! It was no big deal, wasn’t it just a game? What kind of games hadn’t she played before! Unexpectedly, while completing missions— Swashbuckler: “You treacherous siren! How dare you seduce me with your deadly siren song that’s like the sweet waters of a forbidden spring gushing from the silken lips of a celestial maiden! Die!” Catlen: “I am literally just standing here. We haven’t even said hello.” Becoming infamous and being hunted in the Earth Domain? Fine, she’d go to the Sky Lake above the clouds! Priest: “You wicked villain! How dare you deliberately destroy the fossil of our Heavenly Protector Beast! Everyone knows that it can’t touch water or else it will melt! Pay with your life!” Catlen: “Waaaah! I swear it was an accident, I thought it was a decorative fountain!” Being branded a heretic everyone wanted to sacrifice as a peace offering to an angry sky deity? Then she’d just flee to the Enchanted Woods! Bard: “Not-so-fair maiden, why are you so dirty, pathetic, and sad in this beautiful woodland garden?” Catlen: “People keep wanting to kill me, but I’m a good siren, I swear! Those bad things I did were all accidents!” Bard: “What?! You wouldn’t happen to be that very infamous terrorist, would you? Death to you, oh woeful harbinger of misery!” Unexpectedly, as she levelled up, her reputation began to spread from one dome to another, until everyone in the whole world shuddered at the mere utterance of her name! Her strength grew, her minions multiplied, and she became the most powerful boss in the game! Paladin: “Everyone come quickly! If our party defeats the final boss, we can get a reward chest from the game worth one hundred thousand gold coins!” Catlen: “One hundred thousand gold coins for my, the final boss’s, head? This stupid game is cheating us both!” NPC’s were terrified of her, and online players were covetous of her head! Being the final boss, she should have been able to live however she pleased, but instead, it was just an endless cycle of running for her life!

A Sword Dao expert, mastering Sword Control across thousands of miles, traverses heaven and earth. An Peak Alchemy Master with supreme power, their Medicine City can revive the dead and regenerate bones. A Talismanic Elixir can annihilate strong enemies and demons. The youngest Eternal Life Pill Master of the continent is betrayed during the refining of an Immortal Pill. Three years later, a young man named Chu Feng from the fallen Sword King Mansion joins the Ten Thousand Sword Sect. The enemies and treacherous disciples who once opposed the Eternal Life Pill Master are now in utter fear.

A frail and often ill son of a wealthy merchant unexpectedly embarked on the path of cultivating immortality while seeking a way to prolong his life! During the Tang Dynasty's Golden Age, the world was at peace, the climate was favorable, and the people lived in tranquility. One thousand years later, demonic beings devoured the sky, demonic ghosts rampaged, and sorrow-filled cries resonated everywhere. The Journey to the West reappeared, the Great Sage fought against the heavens, the Heavenly Stem descended to the mortal world, reincarnating anew. Mysterious transmigrations and reincarnations, reality and illusions intermingling, truly extraordinary! Is it just a dream predicted in the prophecy? Or a reality that has yet to occur? Can he eradicate the predestined demonic barrier, eliminate the catastrophes of the Three Realms that have yet to occur, and save the people from utter destruction?

Zhang Xiaowei met with setbacks, and in utter despair, he returned to his rural hometown. He happened to see his sister-in-law being bullied and was accidentally injured while standing up for her. Unwittingly, this misfortune became a blessing as he received a heaven-defying inheritance, and from then on, luxury cars, villas, beautiful women, and money came to him with just a wave of his hand.

A man who is still fighting might look crazy, desperate, shallow even. His unending battle with his very self a vain affair. But what is truly terrifying is a man who's given up. Insanity's incarnate, too sickeningly free in his machinations. What if one such figure ends up driving themselves to their utter limit? what if they end up so deep in the throes of despair that it becomes a part of them? And what if at the end of it all, they ask for respite, for revenge. In a sense, that could be any of us, or even, all of us. Hope is the poison we take willingly, it is the knife we turn within ourselves. It is what makes us, and it will be what remains of us Time, fate, and the very nature of life itself, it haunts us—and surely, it will ruin us. And so, the story went on. A dying world, rotting from within. A boy cursed by it, yearning for freedom.

If I asked you, what does it mean to be a hero, how would you respond? Is it fighting to avenge people you've lost? Rescuing others when no one else can lend a hand? Sacrificing your body for people who don't even know your name? Is a hero anyone who is strong, flashy, prestigious, or loves beating up bad guys? The country is in utter chaos as heroes and villains fight for survival. Everyone in between has lost someone. And everyone has their own ideals for what it means to be a hero. The story continues with Rhett, a nobody with no powers except one that lets him experience death over and over again. Can he save the ones he loves? Can he be the hero he wanted to be?

Sofia Everhart was barely holding her life together. Crushed beneath a mountain of unpaid bills and the suffocating debt left behind by her late parents. She clung to the only thing she still had control over, and it was her vow to save herself for the man she would one day marry. But that fragile hope shattered the night she showed up at her boyfriend's house—only to find him in bed with her officemate, both naked, both shamelessly entangled in betrayal. In a single moment, Sofia's heart was broken and with it, the last of her faith in love slipped away. Humiliated, heartbroken, and utterly broke, she needed an escape. That escape came in the form of LUXE CLUB, the city's most exclusive club, an upscale haven for the wealthy and powerful. One dare became a bet. Sofia gave herself to a devastatingly handsome man. For one night, she let go of the pain, the pressure, the fear and surrendered her virginity to a stranger. Adam Ravenstrong, the billionaire CEO of Ravenstrong Holdings, was not the kind of man who made mistakes. He was calculated,, cold, and completely unattached, he kept women at a comfortable, manageable distance. To finalize the multi-billion-dollar merger, his future business partner imposed one absurd condition: Adam had to be married. He didn't want a wife. But he wanted to close the deal. As if the pressure weren’t enough, his business partner had taken it upon himself to not only arrange but choose the woman Adam was expected to marry—stripping away even the illusion of choice. He never expected Sofia Everhart, his soon-to-be wife, to be the same woman he had a one-night stand with. The one who vanished without a trace. The same woman he hadn't been able to forget. And suddenly, his face darkened, his eyes turning cold. Excerpt: "You can't be my wife," Adam said sharply, his voice like ice. Sofia lifted her chin, meeting his gaze even as her knees threatened to give out. "You just need an accessory wife, right? So what's the problem?" His expression hardened. "Because you're not a virgin. That was one of the conditions." The words cut like glass. The courtroom fell into stunned silence. The judge, his business partner, and her best friends frozen in disbelief, while Adam’s best friend shifted uneasily in the corner, unsure where to look. Sofia slapped him hard, furious at the fact that Adam knew he had been her first. And now, he looked at her with smug disdain, as if she were someone unworthy to become his bride. Then she turned around and walked out, refusing to let him see the tears stinging her eyes. She needed the money to save her parents' house. In three days, the bank would take it, and with it, the last memory of the family she had lost. She might have lost everything, but she would never beg. Not from the billionaire who took her virginity and looked at her like she was nothing. Adam stood frozen, yet an amused smile crept across his lips as he realized Sofia wasn't like the women who chased his name, his money, or his empire. She didn't cling. She didn't flatter. She walked away, and now, even though she needed him, she wasn't pretending to want him. Sofia needed his money. He needed a wife. And if she was bold enough to slap him and walk away, then she was bold enough to stand beside him in a world built on power, image, and illusion. Whether it broke her or not, Adam would make sure she played the role of his perfect wife. He vowed never to love, hiding his heart beneath the ice. She promised never to surrender, guarding her pride like armor. But when their hearts collided, neither shield could withstand the force of love. ————————————————— Disclaimer: This novel contains mature themes in later chapters. Reader discretion is advised. All names, places, and settings are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real people, locations, or events is purely coincidental.

An Existence That Shouldn't Have Existed! Born into a wealthy family, Azrael believed he would have a smooth and privileged life. However, unknown to him, the fates of both himself and his younger brother had already been sealed at the moment of their birth. Thrown into a living hell at a young age, he did everything he could to survive. After years of unimaginable struggle, he and a few others finally managed to escape from the hell they had been thrown into. But by the time he emerged from that hell, he could no longer be considered a human being. Transforming from prey to a deadly predator, he mercilessly hunted down and killed everyone responsible for his suffering. Yet, even after completing his revenge, he felt no joy or satisfaction as his emotions had long since died in that place of despair. Attempting to live a normal life after enduring such brutality, he failed miserably. On his 20th birthday, just as he had resolved to soon end his miserable and arduous life—everything changed! The world he knew began to collapse before his very eyes, engulfing him in utter darkness... And when he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a place that felt both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. People who once seemed known now appeared as strangers, and the line between memory and reality blurred...

A long dead species, a budding power, a mysterious lineage. Millions of years after a prophecy was uttered of a destructive hybrid with power to rival its god level ancestors we meet Marcus an arrogant and lazy teenager who has always been skating through life and has always struggled to find his place, but after falling into a mysterious cave he unlocks the power of his ancestors the mysterious "Powers That Were". Armed with this he will explore the world to end the crisis becoming known as "the rising" and save humanity from the unknown threat behind this catastrophe. Can he unlock the secret to his destiny or will he fall back into the sidenotes of history? DON'T BOTHER READING, I'VE DROPPED THIS ONE SO I CAN REWRITE IT AS I WASN'T HAPPY WITH ANYTHING AFTER THE 3RD CHAPTER. I'VE GOT NO TIMELINE FOR WHEN I WILL RELEASE MY REWRITE AS I WANT TO PLAN IT PROPERLY. I'LL BE TREATING WHAT I'VE ALREADY WRITTEN AS A CRAPPY FIRST DRAFT. THE BASIS WILL BE THE SAME BUT HEAVY EDITING WILL TAKE PLACE. THANKS Jordan.

He was the feral Alpha King buried beneath the mountain. She was the cursed girl they offered to him as sacrifice to end the famine plaguing their lands. ...but what sleeps beneath the mountain is no myth. Ruvan, the first Alpha. Imprisoned, driven to utter madness, and starved of power. Solenne, the packless she-wolf known as the Harbinger of Misfortune. With the power of cursed speech, she is able to kill and bend the world to her will with only one word. To avoid hurting others, she hasn't spoken a single syllable since she was a child. Feared and rejected by her own people, she is given to the mountain in a forbidden ritual-sacrifice... and her scent stirs the beast that slumbers beneath it. His mate. Ruvan will stop at nothing to claim what's his, even if that means storming the heavens and finding the cure to her curse just to hear her speak his name. ---- She saw stars behind her eyes and felt constellations carved into her skin with every lingering touch and each press of his mouth. He painted the night sky onto her body, not with a brush, but with his lips, hands, and his insatiable hunger—until her lungs were empty and her heart soared so high it must’ve kissed the moon. “Solenne,” Ruvan murmured, voice low and reverent, like a prayer. She shivered; the sound of her name on his lips felt like heaven. Ruvan pressed his palm to her stomach, anchoring her as he leaned in, mouth brushing the hollow of her throat. His hand rose, slow and shaking, tracing the shape of her jaw like it was a sight made only for him. His thumb brushed the corner of her mouth and his eyes burned as he studied her. “You feel like the stars,” he whispered, “Mesmerizing and bright... something that I want to capture and keep to myself." And then he kissed her; it was a deep, aching vow he couldn’t speak aloud. A promise made only in breath, heat, and need. When they parted, he gently pressed his forehead against hers. His voice dipped lower… uncertain, maybe even afraid: “Say my name?” -- R18, werewolves, fated love, weak to strong... I hope you enjoy my second entry for 2025 WSA. :) give it a shot~

**MATURE Themes, Language, & Content** “Wait, this has to be a joke... I’m expected to share a dorm room with a man? I was supposed to room with other women!” She screeched while holding the sides of her head. “A man?” The male eyed her up and down, “Did you think I was human?” “Of course, you’re human. Things like vampires, werewolves, demons, fairies, and such don’t exist. So, what else could you be other than a human being?! Don’t be preposterous!” “Last I checked, demons exist,” he coldly replied, looking offended. She snorted as she crossed her arms in disbelief, “What? You expect me to believe that? Yeah, right... Are you trying to tell me that you’re like a demon or something?”. “LIKE a demon? No, no... I AM a demon, and my name is Xinith,” he lowered his voice as he crossed the room toward her. She stepped back until her back was against the door, “That is utter bullshit. Now back up, you creep!” “No,” he said in a much lower tone, “not until you believe me. Do you want proof? Then say that magic word you humans like to use so much to find us.” One of her hands was reaching into her back pocket, where she kept a small pepper spray bottle. He noticed her hand and gripped her wrist tightly, enough that he overpowered her and pinned not just one, but both of her wrists overtop her head. “You shouldn’t have done that, little one,” he growled, his face nearing hers. The room suddenly felt like it was closing in on her. Her heart was racing, and it felt like it was in a pinball machine, causing physical pain in her chest. Her lungs felt like they were drowning, and her eyesight kept fading in and out. She immediately tried thrashing herself around but to no avail. She was having a panic attack, and he was the cause of it. --- Alex was ready to start the next chapter of her life: College! Little did she know that the administration would mistake her for being a male student and place her in the men’s dorm because of her name. She gets stuck with the single suite that has only one bedroom but two beds! Even worse, she finds out that her dormmate is a demon?! What would happen if the two had a budding romance? Is her demon dormmate just using his powers to lure her in, or is she feeling something real? Only time will tell...

[Game loading] [System loading] *Files missing* [Main character missing] "I'm right here," Stephen muttered. Stephen Garnt, a college dropout, played a game for an entire week without rest. After successfully achieving all the accomplishments in the visual novel, he woke up to the realization that he had been reincarnated as the main character of that very world. This situation seemed manageable. He knew the game inside out. "Get out of my sight, pervert!" The fiery red-haired tsundere, who never previously uttered this line, delivered a sharp slap across his face. It was a new game plus, which meant he needed to complete the entire game anew, rather than simply reenacting his past actions. Though it was a challenge he believed he could conquer. "If you fail to complete a route for a heroine within a hundred days... you die," the system's voice oozed sarcasm. "Of course I do!" Stephen exclaimed. Join Stephen Garnt on his quest to navigate the routes of all fifteen heroines presented in the game, all the while tackling the intricate task of overseeing the kingdom's political state. Though, shall we say, he takes a rather unconventional approach... Additional tags. Smart MC Kingdom building Real Estate/Property development sim Action. R18

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

Pablo Castillo was the worst, the evilest, the biggest criminal in the whole world. He was the ominous figure known as Criminal X. It’s a name that sends shivers down the spines of those who utter it. His past, a mysterious enigma, shrouded in darkness, only adds to the legend of the world’s most notorious criminal. However, Pablo’s reign of heinous crimes comes to an abrupt end when a specially trained military force, an elite group made especially to capture Pablo, finally apprehended him. The capture of Criminal X sent shockwaves around nations, for this man had defied all laws and moral boundaries. The world watched as he was brought to the highest court to face the consequences of a lifetime of malevolence. The International Court of Justice, in a bid to administer justice that matches the magnitude of his crimes, bestowed upon him the most excruciating execution ever conceived. The world erupted in celebration as news of his demise spread like wildfire. An international holiday was declared, a day of liberation from the tyranny of Pablo Castillo. The day was named with triumphant fervor. They all called it—World Independence Day. Pablo Castillo was a man so evil that even the kindest of Gods couldn’t find pity for him. But… Some Gods needed that man. That too, Desperately. ——— ——— ——— Support Me - ko-fi.com/khyaal Join My Discord For Reference Arts and much more - https://discord.gg/zmUcswM2N5

I scoffed. “It doesn’t matter anymore.” Cade squeezed his face into displeasure as he stepped closer to me, “What doesn’t matter anymore?” His blue eyes turned a shade darker than they should. “You are our mate, Isn’t that what you wanted all along?” Kael spoke and I snapped my gaze at him. It was too late! Nothing could ever make me want them. I loathed them so much that it hurt. Perhaps that’s what happens to a broken soul who was given a second chance. “Iris…” Zane called. He was the calmest of the three, his eyes were soft, trying to reach out to me and I stepped back avoiding him like a plague. They were monsters. All three of them. I find it hard to breathe but this was my decision to make. Gone was the fragile old me. “I, Iris Orlene…” I stared at the triplets dead in the eyes, inhaling sharply. Not a single drop of emotion was left in me. “Reject you all three Alphas; Cade, Kael, and Zane Verek to be my mate.” *** Iris Oren, once the cherished daughter of Alpha Oren Roland and Luna Selene of the Blackbane Pack, I faced a dire accusation of treason for allegedly poisoning the former beta who’s now the current alpha, Alpha Darius Verek, the current ruthless leader who betrayed and murdered my parents when I was just a kid, accused me of their murder and took over the alpha throne. Now, I am a despised maid in my own pack. I am publicly condemned in the council room, surrounded by hostile pack members, including Alpha Darius, his sons who are triplets, Cade, Kael, and Zane, my childhood sweet hearts, and my former best friend Liora. Despite my weak protests of innocence, no one believed me, and Darius sentenced me to death by being buried alive but the council pleaded as he shifted the punishment to 200 strokes of whips with sulfur powder but unknown to me, it was changed to a silver powder, very dangerous to werewolves. During this brutal public punishment, I couldn’t make it, I died. Waking up again, I realised I'd been brought back to my past life, on my 18th birthday, days before my death. In my past life, I am a weak and wolfless omega who can’t even defend herself and has loved the triplets so dearly that I could do anything for them without considering my dignity. Now I am reborn, I am determined to change my fate.

im SO sorry for writing this guys, I hope solace embraces you after the cacophony of anguished wails you will utter. Heavily reliant on dark humor, this story is not to be taken seriously.

“What did I ever do to make you all hate me so much?" I suppressed the tears that threatened to trickle down my face as my hands trembled by my side. "Please forgive us, Emma. We are sorry." Xerxes said quietly while Xavier regarded me with brooding eyes, not uttering a single word. "We’re sorry. We didn’t know the truth back then. "But we do now. And we—we love you." Xander added. “Love?” I spat. “You think loving me is enough to make me forget the trauma and years of hating? What about the undeserved punishments and how you picked Vera over me time and time again?”They flinched, but I didn't stop speaking. "Love doesn’t erase scars. Love doesn't undo pain, you self-righteous jerks! And sometimes—" With a stony expression, I met each of their gazes, one by one. “Love just isn’t enough." I stepped back holding my head high. "You want my heart? Earn it. I won’t just hand it over, not after what you all did to me." Then I turned and walked away, leaving them in the silence, and shame I had swallowed for years. It was time for them to earn my love and I wouldn't give it to them on a platter of gold. ** ** ** ** The Beta's Bastard. A lowly omega. Her mother's mistake. That was what she was known as. All her entire life, Emma Hunter was sentenced to live as a Pack slave—unseen, unloved, and unwanted. But on her 18th birthday, everything changed. A twisted stroke of fate mated her to the cruel Alpha Triplets—Xavier, Xander, and Xerxes, who hated her with every fibre of their being. The good news? They were Emma’s first love before everything came tumbling down. The bad news? Emma was mated to the Alphas, who were betrothed to her half sister—Vera—the golden girl of the Pack. And Vera? She wasn’t about to let a bastard ruin her perfect Luna fantasy. Discarded, humiliated, rejected and treated like trash, Emma was forced to watch in pain while they treated her sister better than her. But fate has a twisted sense ofhumourr because when lie, and dangerous secrets come to light, Emma becomes the woman the triplets want not just as their Luna but as their love. Now they all want her. Need her. But Emma is no longer the weak little omega they thought she was. One used her. One wants to own her. One will betray her. And in a world built on scandals and dangerous revelations, who will Emma choose as her mate among the triplets? What will be the fate of the other two? Who will betray her? Find out in this tale of romance, betrayal and twisted secrets that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

After grueling years, Queen Feria Avelia Nightreign finally finishes setting up advanced foundational systems for her kingdom that would make their kingdom function more smoothly, and yet rather than being grateful and joyful, she feels extremely annoyed that her trusted advisors are endlessly trying to convince her to marry already. “I finally have some time to spare for fun, and yet you *guys* want me to waste it on marriage interviews?” Queen Feria glares at her advisors, “nope, not gonna happen.” “Your Majesty you aren’t young anymore, actually you’re about to be in your thirties in just a couple of years. And thirty is quite old to be single your highness.” Finneas tells Queen Feria bluntly. “So? What if I’m old? I still look young and beautiful,” Queen Feria proudly declares, “and of course I’ll still be fit and lithe even after two years and even years after that (all hail my royal pedigree!) so you shouldn’t worry about me getting married, Finneas. It’s more likely you guys just want me to marry so I can finally sympathize with you all and your troubles of not meeting their significant other because of noble duties.” Queen smirks as she sharply looks at her advisors one by one. *coughs* “That’s not true at all your highness!" Hugh, another trusted advisor, blurts out. “Right, Feel our pain, your Highness!” George nods as he agrees. While Finneas just silently meets Queen Feria’s glare. Queen Feria continues to glare at her advisors while they stay quiet yet firmly meets her gaze. The silence then is broken by a knock on the door. “Sister, can I come in?” Albert Fennia Nightreign asks. Upon hearing her brother’s voice, Queen Feria is struck by an idea. With a sly smile, she says, “Come in Al, you’re just in time, thanks to you I just came up with another brilliant plan of mine~” Hugh, George, and Finneas, baffled by the queen’s sudden change of mood, look at each other as Albert comes in. “You have another plan to do, Sister? But I thought you are free right now?” Albert looks at his sister with his eyes shining with curiosity. “Yes, my dear Brother. Just now I came up with a brilliant plan that would ease those fools over there while still having some fun, heh heh, Hah Hah!~” Finneas adjusts his glasses, which is a habit whenever he feels uneasy, while both Hugh and George shiver from a sudden cold feeling. Albert with a confused face looks back and forth between his laughing sister and her advisors. It turns out that Queen Feria’s plan was to enroll in the prestigious Academy of Escarton, to find a suitable marriage partner while crossdressing and impersonating her brother. Queen Feria was even able to recruit her brother to play the part of her personal servant. It was already too late when her advisors found out this true plan of hers. So, they regrettably lament for all the poor innocent souls that their queen will corrupt.

In a normal ongoing world (earth), people going on there daily tasks and working place as normal. Life continues as usual!!! Suddenly!! sky blue view slowly taken a drastic turn and slowly turns into red color like evening sky. 'Hah?? (Someone notice) Is it already 5:00 PM or what??' (While looking sharply at the sky) 'Hey! Mom look at the sky. Its kind of weird.' (A little girl noticed and calls her mother to look at the scenery.) 'Oh! Yeah it's a bit weird.' (Her mother responses) Hmm!?? Is it a hole or what?? (She looks something with wide eyes) Suddenly!! *Crack! Split!! (like a broken mirror) red sky got break like a hole in space-time fabric and...... *Whoooosh gradually taken a shape of a big blue WORMHOLE in flat horizontal way on sky and like from a complete void, some thing -- appeared.... from other side of that portal and obviously not a humanly figure but... something which we can only assume in our old fantasy stories. (Want to know?? Then go read the *PROLOGUE of this story) However in short... this sudden extraordinary and otherworldly phenomena led to a disruption in the sky, causing by some unknown huge force a pathway in space-time fabric of various distant spots to be connected with each other, leading to the interlink between foreign worlds we never even get to know through our various space operations that led to the emergence of, what we can only say is by its whole structure and function, 'A DUNGEON' throughout the whole world in different countries, places and landscape which is still hidden from human eyes. And most biggest danger these unknown and illogical things brought upon whole world is, that it filled with various malicious and deadly unknown and some unseen but heard at least once in our childhood stories, beasts or say monsters. That by there way of actions, can only be waiting to cause havoc and bloodshed over the whole of humanity, like the once done by the very 1st "Magical Beast" appeared and land his foots on this world, through the very 1st of these magical wormhole. (The one I mentioned earlier) But as there's the equal and opposite reaction of every action, there's also the emergence of a powerful enhanced group of humankind, came to be known as 'HUNTERS' that effectively have enough potential and ability required to kill the ones that are any threat to whole mankind. Though they all are itself different from other humans too. Well, How? 'Mana/Qi/Chi/Prana/Aura' as many names as clouds in sky, you can think of this kind of energy that only can be understandable in spiritual field, leaks out in open environment of earth like thin air through these gaps in space, that somehow later acts as the main source of defend line against these insane bloody creatures, along with such other extraordinary things in play too, which those who play stimulated games of offering quests and rewards upon success of that, kind of applications knows very well. And so, with this the world enter into a new phase of revolution, as with a whole new source of clean, effortless, less cost-effective and nearly in infinite amount of energy (Mana) that can also acts as a long-running fuel in many fields of mechanics and development, many new technologies and research development goals able to be achieved and developed, in just few years of that very 1st dungeon incident in the world. The overall human society! prevailing hierarchy, class, demands, requirements and goals in life, also changed and flipped in the whole different way, which fits more of a 'brute power, strength and courage to do so', rather than just how much money one have in there pocket to do so. This is a story of a one such normal human (our MC), who in human terms at now with a new prevailing way of society, is at weakest of the food chain but still solely continued his struggle to reach at the top, for achieving his own personal goals in his life. So, let's enjoy his journey in textual form.

In a world ravaged by the Outer Gods, humanity clings to existence. Among the dwindling guilds of Transcendent Awakened, Kael stands as a Rank 1, only an Awakened, his every attempt to climb up the ranks met with frustrating stagnation. He is a burden, a gear-carrier, an object of constant scorn and casual cruelty from his more powerful guild-mates, a bitter irony for one who simply seeks to survive. As the current, catastrophic conflict against an Outer God’s avatar pushes humanity to the brink of utter annihilation, they face an impossible choice—to send someone back in time to retrieve it. No one among the powerful volunteers for this suicide mission, thus, Kael, seen as the most expendable, is chosen. Bewildered and overcome with rage and bitterness, Kael takes advantage of the chance to change his destiny. He makes a commitment to break free from the bonds of his past, create a new identity, and overcome his limitations. Amid the chaos of the early apocalypse, Kael finds a secret power that changes everything.

Dark Romance FF story Grumpy x Sunshine Professor Lilith Blackthorne's cold demeanor keeps everyone at bay in her new role at Mountainridge University of West Holmfirth. Student Hazel Ashford's warm, open nature draws her into Lilith's orbit, but both women harbor secrets that could unravel their lives. An extract Lilith's heart skipped a beat when Hazel looked at her. Her brown eyes with amber flecks captivated Lilith's attention. Lilith couldn't look away from her can't utter a word.

[Intelligence 1: In the trash can outside the wholesale market, there is an iced black tea bottle cap that can be scanned into an iPhone worth 4,399 yuan! ] [Intelligence 2: In the trash can at the entrance of the village in the city, there is a Longines Mini Dolce Vita series ladies watch worth 13,300 yuan in the interlayer of a light green women's down jacket! ] [Intelligence 3: The enamel basin you eat in will usher in a wave of traffic in the next week, and the price will skyrocket! It is recommended to stock up! ] [Intelligence 4: The coconut snail in the water tank of the Pangge Seafood Barbecue Stall in the village in the city contains a Melo Pearl worth 120,000 yuan! ] [Intelligence 5: A certain payment software can enjoy a 20% cash reduction for any transaction between 14:35 and 14:40 in the afternoon! ] [Intelligence 6: The beef rolls sold in the live broadcast room of a fitness anchor are synthetic beef, and you can get a compensation of 10 times the price of fake ones. ] [Intelligence: 7: A cold wave will appear in a week and last for a whole month. The price of fox and raccoon fur will rise sharply. It is recommended to stock up! ] [Intelligence 8: This year, Jiangjiazhuang has good weather and good harvests. Sweet potatoes will have a super bumper harvest, and the price will rise steadily! ] [Intelligence 9: A beef cattle sold in the livestock market has a natural bezoar weighing 1,000 grams! ] [Intelligence 10: Xiaoshahe Urban Village will be demolished in half a year! ] Relying on various money-making intelligence provided by the daily intelligence system. Jiang Tao has gradually achieved financial freedom from debt!

Humanity teetered on the precipice of oblivion, a mere whisper in the winds of a world consumed by an unlikely alliance. Dragons, goblins, demons, angels, jinn, and every manner of creature imaginable had conspired, their diverse hatreds uniting in a singular, terrifying goal: the utter annihilation of humankind. From a once-thriving civilization, only two remained – a brother and his sister, the last embers of a dying flame. Their bodies were weak, their numbers few, yet within their hearts burned an unyielding desire for vengeance, a desperate hope to reclaim what was lost. This is the story of their fight, a tale of two against a world.

Although born of parents of which both are demons,he was a half breed,his eerie existence cloaking a prophecy of doomsday for his kind but he was born with purity. His birth was prevented yet was he begotten,with a fate of which he fought to escape from. His name is Ramses He's the origin,the end an agent of both destruction and peace. ******************** ***************** Ariane turned abruptly to leave but Ramses blocked her way. Before she could utter another word she found herself in his arms,his hand tightly wrapped around her waist She was so close that she could hear his heartbeat And with those grey eyes peering deeply into hers he whispered, "Despite you being human,not even destiny nor Fate can take you away from me".... Note: This book is in three parts. Part one:In a Demon continent bathed in lies the events occurring when Ramses was a child,an unusual being who is neither demon or human,including the Demon emperor's investigations in the murder of his wife as he fights to protect his son at all cost. Part two:Something different...years had passed with changing times,read to discover... Part three: The present day (modern times).