Smug Sleep Mask

The stormy night was like a canvas, painted with hues of darkness and desire. The wind howled like a beast, threatening to consume everything in its path. And in the midst of it all, I stood at the edge of the cliff, my heart racing with anticipation. He was coming for me. I could feel it in my bones, a shiver that ran down my spine like a whispered promise . A monster, a creature of the night, a beast they called him, But I knew the truth and he was mine. As the lightning flashed, illuminating the dark sky, I saw him. A figure, tall and imposing, standing at the edge of the trees. His eyes gold eyes locked onto mine, his canines elongated and I felt the world around me melt away as I locked eyes with him . I was supposed to be scared but I wasn't. " Ophelia" he whispered, his voice deep yet so tender. He grabbed my waist pulling me closer to him And then, everything went black.

Never take off the mask.” It’s the one rule Cora Mercedes has lived by her entire life. Found abandoned on Halloween night as a child, wearing a mask she’s forbidden to remove and clutching a cryptic note, Cora’s existence has been a riddle she’s never been able to solve. When she gains admission to the prestigious Oscar Island University—a school renowned for its exclusivity and shrouded in mystery—Cora hopes to escape her past and embrace a new beginning. But nothing at Oscar is ordinary. Its halls whisper secrets, its rules are bizarre and absolute, and its students, though seemingly perfect, are unnervingly inhuman. As Cora navigates her new life, she finds herself drawn to the shadows, particularly to a pair of haunting crimson eyes that seem to follow her every move. He’s ruthless, enigmatic, and terrifyingly familiar, and despite her instincts, she can’t escape his magnetic pull. But the closer Cora gets to unraveling the truth—about her mask, her past, and the dark forces surrounding Oscar Island—the more she realizes she’s not the only one hiding secrets. In a world where humans serve as prey, breaking the rules isn’t just dangerous; it’s deadly. And someone in the shadows has been waiting centuries for her to return. Damien’s Masked Mate is a captivating tale of forbidden romance, ancient curses, and the deadly allure of the unknown

A novel about the adventures of sorcerers with cursed masks that emerged with the founding of Shadowia.

There were three rules to working for CEO Karsten Chevalier. First, bring his coffee brimming hot and black like a starless night. Second, park your attitude outside his office door—his broody demeanour has the room covered. Third, never say ‘No’ to whatever he demands. Not even when he asks you to become his fake girlfriend? (Synopsis) Arata's fiance dumped her through a text on the day of their engagement party. The reason? She is too curvy for his taste! He only entertained her because of her prestigious family name. "Do you think men want a fatso like you? You're nothing without your family's name!" A heartbroken Arata sets out on a journey to discover herself without revealing she is the daughter of a billionaire. She moves to another city, away from her beloved family. ‘How dare he insult me? I love my curves and I will show him.’ Arata is not a damsel; her parents have raised her strong, and now it is time to become independent. Her heart is ablaze with newfound goals. One: to see how people will treat her if she acts like an ordinary girl and hides her identity. Two: to bag a bigger fish than her stinking—joke of an ex-fiancé. She will prove that a man will genuinely love her irrespective of her curves and surname! Arata's new life begins as the secretary of Karsten Chevalier, the CEO of a multinational clothing brand who is renowned for his dashing personality and enigmatic persona. Not much is publicly known about this man. Doused in mystery, the man has his own goals and hidden agenda which will topple Arata's world. Unfortunately, Karsten's handsome face becomes a punching bag in Arata's mind because of his ruthlessly demanding personality and ego larger than Mount Everest. Arata eases her frustrations by going to meet Twisted Rider, the currently popular yet mysterious, masked internet sensation. Both tangle under the sheets and he becomes her safe space as she complains and opens up about her boss. "Will you act as my girlfriend?” Karsten's proposal to become a fake girlfriend for his family events surprised Arata! How will Arata juggle the piling demands of her boss, her own heartbreak and the seduction traps of the masked man she loves to watch in her spare time? Will sparks fly between Arata and her colder-than-Arctic ice boss? Or, will she continue to complain to the masked man that her boss probably has a small PP? This is my entry for WSA 2025, please support it with your power stones. The book is a sequel to my previous novel “The CEO of My Dreams Returned To Me.” But it can read as standalone. A special thanks to Author Hansora for the overwhelming support and encouraging me to publish this book and helping me with the book cover. Want to chat or have any questions regarding the book? Find me on Instagram, Facebook and Discord with the same name.

[not a LitRPG / isekai / cultivation.] [Espionage / Slowburn / A very human story] SYNOPSIS: A child rotting on the streets was suddenly dragged into the black car of one of the many conglomerates that rule the world from the shadows. Through golden flames and swathes of blood, he was trained and experimented on to become the perfect weapon. In this ever-changing world of conspiracy and technological marvels, Test Subject 201, now called Felix, navigates the world as the experiment's sole survivor, standing as the foundation for humanity's next step in evolution.  Armed with his gun, newfound abilities, and a memento he holds dearly, he marches through the steep path of darkness and deceit, and faces off against mafia, mercenaries, and countless criminals and corporations, to enact the organization's mantra to "protect the peace.".

One day, suddenly, a shadow mask appeared in the city and started destruction everywhere.To stop it, three shoals came. But they couldn't do anything about the mask.Finally, the three shoals used an ancient seal to contain the shadow mask and split the seal into three parts.Then they seal each of the three parts in different places. (80 years later) Suddenly, a shadow, like a beast, appeared in the middle of the city. It started devouring people and spread across the city within a few months.The government suffered significant losses, and scientists created masks and an organization to combat the beast-like shadows.They named the organization Shadow Hunters.

Juske Hachimizu un chico de 18 años que es descendiente de Hirata Hachimizu un Oni de otro mundo. Juske después de un encuentro se vuelve el nuevo portador de la máscara carmesí y viaja a otro mundo para protegerlo y terminar con El conflicto por ella

What would you do if the person you raised, turned against you? For that person, you sacrificed your childhood but in the end, they still turned against you. It all began like a dream, a sweet dream to say, then a crack happened but she mended it, then another appeared and she mended it again until it finally broke down. Ely kept the lesson taught by life in the deepest part of her heart. She ran away because she was trying to escape from the truth but she met it again and this time, she lost her innocence, she lost the last bit of humanity she had and she lost the color of her soul and eventually, she submitted herself to the devil who used her gleefully. Silveria, a young King felt his ambitions came first before anything else. He once told a girl, that if he wanted something, he got it and it didn't matter how he got it. He was nicknamed the devil. The devil met this girl who lost the color of her soul and fed on her indifference but soon, he began to thirst for more. Is the devil going to pull her into hell with him or will both find salvation? PS:the cover is not mine so I can take it down if the owner comes by.

Angelo rycard is a boy who has seen more grief and death than the greatest soldier and more happiness than the greatest king. He carries untold burden and guilt and is on a journey to fix the mistakes of his past fight the evils of two distant universes. And stop the ambitions of men playing God all in the hope of reuniting his family once and for all. Watch this tale of a boy rekindling friendships facing past trauma's and fighting his greatest enemy himself.

In a world where one's eyes and mask are signs of identity, first impressions make an impact. For Zenobia, she's not considered all that safe to be around for her personal choices. People don't like her, and she doesn't like them right back, but still it can be lonely. With her dad gone, her mother being overly strict and her little sister innocent to the world it's hard to be honest, let alone express herself properly. When she meets a random boy getting bullied, there's a chance for change, for opportunity. It's just a matter of perspective, especially when the world one knows isn't what it seems.

Arya, a lively arts student from a middle-class family, longs to live a colorful life of art. Her flat world is turned upside down when she meets Rohan, a wunderkind in computer science, who introduces her to the enigmatic adoptive father, Mr. Veer. Always masked, Mr. Veer exudes commanding presence with his veiled sorrow, which in turn sparks within Arya a string of events that will integrate their fates for good. An unexpected scandal during Mr. Veer's grand birthday party puts Arya right in the eye of the storm. She is accused of plotting her way into a rich family, and people reject her completely, including Rohan. But Mr. Veer does not give up on her and unmasks the truth behind it, proposing a marriage of trust to save her from the judgment of society. The terrorist attack brings a twist to Arya's life. She risks her life to save her friends, and Mr. Veer sacrifices his safety to rescue her, leaving him gravely injured. Overwhelmed by guilt and love, Arya disappears for six years, dedicating herself to mastering ancient medicine. When she returns in disguise to heal Mr. Veer, her hidden identity and unwavering devotion rekindle their connection, proving that love transcends time and adversity. **Shadows Beneath the Mask** is the tale of trust, as well as the unsleeping strength in some souls, which speaks of redemption and the ultimate unveiling of life's veils.

In the shadowed depths of Kyouten, a city divided by power and secrets, Hime operates as Venus, an enigmatic broker of forbidden knowledge. Her brilliance lies in her anonymity, her strength in the impenetrable walls she’s built. But when a calculated move brings her into the orbit of Kazuki, the cold and commanding leader of the Kagezan syndicate, those walls begin to crack. Kazuki is a man who thrives on control, ruling his underworld empire with precision and ruthlessness. Yet Hime’s defiance, her sharp wit, and the dangerous allure of her secrets ignite something within him—an obsession that blurs the line between protector and predator. As shadows close in, Hime finds herself hunted by the relentless Venus Hunters and entangled in Kazuki’s growing fixation. Forced into a precarious alliance, the two must navigate a world where every move is a gamble and trust is a luxury neither can afford. But behind Hime’s shattered mask lies a truth more dangerous than any enemy, a secret that could change the balance of power in Kyouten forever. When facades crumble and desires collide, who will emerge unscathed from the chaos?

In a bustling modern city where ancient secrets and mysterious powers collide with everyday life, 22-year-old Ethan Cross seems like your average college student. Behind his unassuming demeanor lies a man shrouded in secrets—a masked vigilante known only as "Virtuoso," feared by criminals and sought after by powerful organizations. Ethan is overpowered, sarcastic, and ridiculously skilled at everything he does. But there's one thing he’s terrible at: romance. When the enigmatic and fiercely independent Mia Harper stumbles into his life, she unknowingly becomes the key to unraveling a conspiracy that ties Ethan's past to an ancient prophecy. Between laugh-out-loud moments, explosive action, and unexpected twists, Ethan navigates his double life while trying to protect Mia, keep his identity hidden, and maybe—just maybe—figure out how to confess his feelings without being a complete disaster.

Death Mask: The Crimson Specter In a world where power and survival are all that matter, Jin Xian, a legendary assassin, is marked by a cursed bloodline that binds him to a fate he cannot escape. Trained in the deadly arts of assassination, he discovers his true potential when he becomes the target of the Black Order, a mysterious organization seeking to control his powers for their own twisted agenda. After a devastating betrayal leaves him with nothing but his training and a Crimson Mask, Jin Xian embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about his origins and the dark force that haunts him. Along the way, he forms a group of unlikely allies: Kael, a fierce warrior with a haunted past; Lian, a skilled fighter whose loyalty knows no bounds; and Kyra, a mysterious and unpredictable woman with hidden talents. As Jin Xian faces countless battles against the Black Order and other formidable foes, he is forced to confront his inner demons and unlock the full power of the Crimson Mask. With each victory, he grows stronger, but so does the shadowy force that seeks to control him. In a world full of enemies, betrayal, and danger, Jin Xian must navigate a maze of alliances and enemies while uncovering the secrets of his bloodline. With the fate of his loved ones hanging in the balance, Jin Xian is forced to choose: will he become the specter of death his enemies fear, or will he rise above the chaos and claim his destiny as the true master of his power? Action, adventure, fantasy, and romance collide in this thrilling tale of survival, loyalty, and self-discovery.

In Ogun's Kingdom, gods once walked among mortals, their presence leaving echoes of power, mystery, and ambition. Now, only the masked bearers of divine blessings bridge the gap between humans and the forgotten pantheon. Thorne Ironhold, a blind boy born into the prestigious Ironhold fief, stands at a precipice. Blessed by an unknown god during the sacred mask rite, he is labeled a "Stray"—an outcast marked by powers beyond mortal comprehension. Yet beneath the shadows of his failure lies an unimaginable secret: Thorne's mask holds the power to defy the natural order. As Thorne ventures from his father's forge to the treacherous Garden of the Gods and the rigorous academy, he seeks not only to carve his own path but to uncover the truth behind his destiny. Every battle tests his limits, every limit surpassed brings him closer to the power once lost to men—and closer to the chaos lurking within. In a world where dances summon divine might and masks conceal more than they reveal, Thorne's journey becomes a quest to challenge the gods themselves. But as he walks the path they once tread, he must ask: Will he rise among the embers of forgotten legends, or be consumed by them?

Lucian Crowe leads a perfectly ordinary life. A 24-year-old with a stable job, a degree, and a well-kept home on the outskirts of the city. To the world, he’s nothing more than an unremarkable office worker, blending into the background with his composed demeanor and carefully curated appearance. He’s polite, punctual, and just another face in the crowd. But underneath the mask of normalcy lies something far darker.

Long Sleep is a sci-fi, teen love story set in a world where nothing is as it seems. Akari awakens from a long, mysterious slumber, only to find herself in an unfamiliar reality. With no memory of how she arrived, she embarks on an adventure with Andy, a soldier with secrets of his own. Together, they uncover shocking truths and explore a connection that defies time and reason. Prepare for an exhilarating journey filled with twists, danger, and romance as they uncover the truth behind her lost years.

For the sake of his family, Richard married a woman he had never met before. However, his newly wed wife was not only hideous but also viscous, which he only discovered on his wedding day. He thought he would be disgusted by her, but unexpectedly could not help but be attracted to this mysterious woman. What made Richard scratch his head even more, was that her face under the mask seems to be hiding some secret.

A brother who destroyed his destiny all because of power.

Finally my time has come, it's time to sleep... ???????? What's with all this noise? Is there some crazy person out there? Wait, what? Are they moving in there? ... Please I can't take it anymore, I just want to get some sleep... Anyone...? Help... Just get me out of here... ... ... ... [DING! - Is that all you want?] “Yes.” [DING! - Teleporting host to the Demon's Lair... 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...] “Wait... WHAAAAAAT?”

This is a story of a guy who loses everything, and then gets it back. Same old new world story, just a different kind of story teller. *** They took away our hunter tags. They had us grow our hair. They gave us a new brand, when we were over there. They staged us out of Dragur, East of the Olim Horn. I guess they call us Slaves, but no one calls us much anymore. There is no fun in killing. I don't want to do it anymore. Karn brought Sorrow. Pookie brought Fear. Milk brought the fly boys. They did work in Undia. I worked mostly clandestine. Some Legends I should not say. We played with better wands. I could use the extra pay. Did Mara give the order? Did venom pay the way? They said we were slaying demons, but it was kind of hard to tell. There is no fun in killing. I don't want to do it anymore. This was before HALO, and Codex was king. Hej atop the rider, he never felt a thing. When our rider caught a spell, and both the mages killed. It pitched us over sideways on some cold Sylph hill. My back felt like it was broken, my legs I could not feel. I kept on slaying demons, but it was kind of hard to tell. There is no fun in killing. I don't want to do it anymore. I never did heal up right from injuries sustained Officially in Torin, unofficially we train. I remember all their faces. They dream about me still. I guess I'm slaying demons, but it's kind of hard to tell. There no fun in killing. I don't want to do it anymore. I speak the cold logistic, that old boys speak so well. Veni, Vedi, Vici. I'll see you in Hel. Maybe it's bravado, or an unspeakable guilt. That village, they were demons, but it was kind of hard to tell. There is no fun in killing. I don't wanna to do it anymore. I've done plenty. What is one more? -Corb Lund *** Come guess me this riddle. What beats shire leaves and fiddle? What is hotter than pleasures touch, and whiter than cream? What best wets his whistle? What is clearer than crystal? What is sweeter than honey and stronger than steam? What will make the lame walk? What will make the dumb talk? What is the elixir of life and philosopher's stone? And what helped Pookie-Baba dig up a tunnel, that runs from Shalamanda to West-Torin? When you are digging a crater, It is the best thing in nature, for sinking your sorrows and raising your joys. Sometimes I wonder, if lightning and thunder, is made out of the plunder, of the reddest hiski and oils. *** If you can keep your head when all about you, are losing theirs and blaming it on you. If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too. If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, or being hated, don’t give way to hating, And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise. If you can dream, and not make dreams your master. If you can think, and not make thoughts your aim. If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster, and treat those two impostors just the same. If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken, twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, and stoop and build them up with worn-out tools. If you can make one heap of all your winnings, and risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss and lose, and start again at your beginnings, and never breathe a word about your loss. If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew, to serve your turn long after they are gone, and so hold on when there is nothing in you; Except the Will which says to them ‘Hold on!’ If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, nor walk with Kings, nor lose the common touch. If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you. If all men count with you, but none too much. If you can fill the unforgiving minute, with sixty seconds worth of distance, run. Yours is the World and everything that’s in it, and which is more you’ll be a Man, my son. - Rudyard Kipling

When divine blood flows through your veins, monsters hunts you down until you’re dead. That’s the harsh reality each demigod has to live everyday. Marina is one of them and, because of this, she had to leave her home when she was still a child. Now she has grown up and lives in the Lilies Park, a place in the Otherworld where she meets Shirei, a mysterious demigod who has no memory. Shirei will have to deal with his hidden past to understand why the gods seem to treat him like an enemy, but Marina fears that the journey will only lead to his death. Thus begins the last act of the plan of the forgotten goddess: the queen of masks. I will be posting this story on RoyalRoad.com

Lisa Davis, a brave and smart girl, blessed with stunning beauty. Tragedy struck her life when she lost her mother in a heart-wrenching accident at the age of 5. Lisa's father, John Davis, later got married to Lisa's stepmother, a kind-hearted woman who would take good care of Lisa. However, as time went on, things didn't unfold as expected. Claire, Lisa's stepmother, proved to be far from the loving, kind mother she hoped for. Instead, she treated Lisa very badly and her daughter affectionately. To make matters more complex, the Davis and Miller families were childhood friends, so they arranged a marriage between their children to further their friendship. Mera Davis, Lisa's stepsister, adamantly refused to marry Lugard Miller, considering the rumors that surrounded him. Whispers echoed through the city, painting Lugard Miller as an ugly beast. It was said that anyone foolish enough to incur his wrath would meet a swift and deadly end. These rumors further flourished, claiming that his face was disfigured so badly that he looked like a monster and he no longer felt the desire to touch a woman because of the catastrophic accident. He never showed his face to the public. Clare's daughter pleaded not to be wed to the "ugly beast," and her mother confronted her husband, saying "My daughter will never marry that ugly, useless man from the Miller family, You have another daughter; marry her off to the Miller family. They are a perfect match." If you're curious to know what happened between Lisa Davis and Lugard Miller, continue reading till you find out.

Dive into a hilariously quirky comedy novel of online trends, gaming antics, and social media chaos! Lillian dreams of achieving eBunnee fame—the ultimate goal on the hottest social media app. But her life takes a bizarre turn when a stroll through the enchanting Heart-Ling Forest leads her to an unexpected encounter with a dramatic, over-the-top ghost. At Estresey Academy, success isn't about grades—it's about gaining followers. Students and even non-humans obsess over their eBunnee stats because, in this world, follower counts aren't just a status symbol—they’re a lifeline. Join Lillian as she navigates a world where fame is fleeting, friendships are tested, and the line between reality and the virtual realm blurs in unexpected ways.

Just when Manuchehr is thinking about Khojaste and how lovely their future could be, something will happens that will change his mind completely about her... This book is an English translation of "The masks" a romance novel by "Sadegh Hedayat" which was written in persian. I may have changed a little bit of it but, context is still the same.

The world once fell, The Apocrypha War, a war so long and devastating it left nothing but a broken world, now run by organised crime, corporate conglomerates, highly corrupt and authoritative governments and superhuman weapons, everyone must survive in a world dominated by the strong and the wealthy.

The story of a creature without memories whose mission is to awaken a woman who neither ages nor rots, but who never wakes up

Her family deals in stealing and fencing art. His family deals in killings, drugs, and everything else. Her family has nothing but it's name which is still feared even though it's not as powerful as before. His family has the fear of everybody because they put fear in everyone who crosses them. So what happens when they're put in an arranged marriage a day after they had a one night stand. Follow the rollercoaster of emotions and see whether they make it through. And just for kicks we get a bad guy with plans that no one can predict.