Tomioka Snaps

The clock ticked past midnight, each second echoing like a hammer in the hollow silence of the apartment. Rain lashed against the windows, the storm outside mirroring the tempest brewing in Emily’s chest. She sat rigid on the couch, her fingers digging into the upholstery, eyes fixed on the door. David’s keys jingled in the lock, his laughter—warm and carefree—seeping through the wood before he did. He stumbled in, tie askew, the sharp tang of bourbon on his breath. But it wasn’t the alcohol that made her stomach churn. It was the cloying sweetness of jasmine perfume clinging to his collar—a scent that didn’t belong to her. “Where have you been?” Emily’s voice trembled, though she’d rehearsed the question a hundred times in her head. David froze, his smile dissolving. “Work ran late. You know how it is.” “Work ends at six, David. It’s *midnight*.” She stood, her legs unsteady. “And since when do you wear lipstick to the office?” His hand flew to the smudge of crimson on his white sleeve—a shade too bold, too *alive* for the muted tones of their marriage. His face hardened. “You’re imagining things.” “Am I?” She stepped closer, the jasmine scent now suffocating. “Or is it *Jane* from accounting? The one who ‘just needs your help’ every time I call?” His laugh was a cold blade. “You’re paranoid. Always picking fights—” “Paranoid?” Her voice cracked. “You haven’t touched me in months! You come home smelling like *her*, lying to my face—” “Enough!” He slammed his fist on the table, a vase rattling. “I’m tired of your nagging! What do you even do all day? Sit here and wait to accuse me?” The words struck deeper than any slap. Emily’s breath hitched. “I gave up my career for you. For *us*—” “Us?” He sneered. “There *is* no ‘us.’ Just you, digging through my things like a desperate—” She didn’t see his hand move. The crack of his palm against her cheek split the air, her head snapping sideways. She stumbled, clutching the wall as the taste of copper bloomed on her tongue. David loomed over her, his eyes wild, foreign. “You… you pushed me to this,” he hissed, grabbing his coat. “Clean yourself up. You’re pathetic.” The door slammed. Emily slid to the floor, tears mingling with the blood on her lip. Outside, thunder roared. But beneath the pain, a spark ignited—a flicker of defiance. Her gaze landed on the shattered vase, its jagged pieces glinting in the lamplight. *Pathetic.* The word echoed, twisting into a vow. She would rise. Not for him. Not for “us.” But to make him regret the day he underestimated the woman he’d reduced to ashes. -**Chapter One: The Scent of Betrayal (Continued)** The air hung thick with venom. David’s chest heaved, his earlier bravado fraying at the edges. Emily wiped her bleeding lip with the back of her hand, her eyes blazing. “You think Jane *wants* you?” she spat, her voice a razor. “Or does she just pity the man who needs to steal confidence from a bottle and affairs to feel alive?” David’s jaw twitched. “Shut up.” “Why? Because it’s true?” She laughed, cold and sharp. “You’re a cliché, David. A middle-aged fraud in a tailored suit. Even your *precious* promotion—did you earn it, or did you cry your way into it like you did when your father called you a disappointment?” He lunged forward, but she sidestepped, her words relentless. “Jane must be desperate. Or blind. Tell me, does she know you couldn’t even—” “I said *shut up*!” he roared, his composure crumbling. “Couldn’t even *what*?” she taunted, stepping closer. “Finish a sentence? A marriage? Or is that why you’re so bad in—” The slap exploded like a gunshot. Emily’s head whipped sideways, her body crumpling to the floor. The world blurred—a kaleidoscope of shattered glass and spinning shadows. Her cheek burned, but worse was the silence that followed, broken only by her shaky breaths.

The dead don’t lie. But sometimes, they whisper things you were never meant to hear. Forensic pathologist Orion Blackwood has spent his career cutting open the dead. But there’s something he never tells anyone—when he touches a corpse, he hears its final words. A dying breath, a muttered name, a cryptic warning. The problem is, they only speak once. And if he doesn’t understand them in time, the truth rots away along with the flesh. One night, a mutilated woman is wheeled into his autopsy room—no fingerprints, no ID, as if she never existed. As Orion reaches for his scalpel, the corpse’s bloodless lips part, and in a ragged whisper, she speaks: “Don’t let him find you.” Then, her jaw snaps shut. Her body goes cold. And Orion realizes something is very, very wrong. The next day, she disappears from the morgue. No records, no evidence, no proof she was ever there. Even the security footage shows only Orion, standing alone in the room. As he searches for answers, the whispers of the dead become more insistent. A faceless figure watches from the corner of his eye. His own reflection moves a fraction of a second too slow. At 3:33 AM, his phone rings from an unknown number—on the other end, he hears his own voice, whispering something he cannot understand. The deeper he digs, the more the truth unravels. And buried at the center of it all is a terrifying secret: Orion Blackwood is not supposed to be alive.

'Not again. No more. I refuse to live through this hell once more.' Julian clenched his fists as the world mocked him, forcing him to relive the nightmare of his past—again. He’d seen his kingdom fall, his people slaughtered, and his life crumble to dust. After his soul shattered, the world owed him rest. He deserved peace. But the Gods had other plans. “I’ve had enough…” His spirit splintered into oblivion as he died at the hands of the Devils—his enemies, his tormentors. He swore he’d never fight again. He swore he’d never suffer through this hellish cycle. But fate, in its cruel irony, wasn’t finished with him. Julian’s eyes snapped open once again. Reborn. But not in the way he expected. First, he was torn from his bitter end and cast back to Earth—a disorienting pause in his endless torment. Before he could even grasp the fleeting solace of that brief reprieve, Solaria’s divine will dragged him back to where it all began: Avalon. The kingdom he once ruled now lay in ruin—its ashes whispering of a glorious past and shattered memories. “I will not repeat my past.” He vowed, heart heavy with the burden of remembering. “I will not let her die.” But the world had a different plan. [◊ Awaken, My Dear Child, your destined path has yet to end. ◊] The Goddess Solaria whispered, offering him a power beyond his imagination, but with it came a price. [◊ The Heir of Shadows. The 13th Divine. ◊] With his new power, Julian was tasked with more than just survival—he had to destroy the very Devils that shattered his world. They would test his will, and past sins would haunt him with every step. Could Julian overcome his darkest fears, reshape his fate, and protect the ones he loved? This time, he would not fail. He could not fail! —------ Please show your support. This is a novel for the WSA 2025 Competition. This is the Novel Discord: https://discord.gg/95KPzwhXrD

Senior Server Felix stood at the front of the church, his voice steady and solemn as he greeted the congregation. “Our help is in the name of the Lord,” he intoned. “Who made Heaven and Earth,” the people responded in unison, their voices matching his reverent tone. “Today, we initiate new members into this divine and holy Order,” Felix continued. “Today, we welcome new brethren into the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ.” At the back of the church, Louis sat on one of the few single chairs, his posture slightly slouched as his focus remained on a sheet of music in his hands. The title read, "Brightest and Best – Key of A-flat." 'Why didn’t Gramps give me an F or G? A-flat is so difficult, and I only have three days to finish it,' he grumbled silently, his brow furrowing in frustration. But he dared not voice his complaints. He could already imagine his grandfather assigning him even more difficult pieces—F-sharps and endless A-flats—as punishment. From the front of the church, a serene voice called out, “Harry! Step forward!” Louis glanced up, momentarily pulled from his inner musings. His eyes landed on a girl stepping forward from the pews. She had black hair neatly styled in a bun and striking green eyes that seemed to shine with warmth and composure. Dressed in a modest brown dress and black sandals, with a rosary resting gracefully around her neck, she exuded a calm, dignified presence. Her tanned skin and graceful demeanor only added to the aura of reverence surrounding her, befitting an Altar server. 'Sigh,' Louis thought as he brushed a hand through his white hair, his blue eyes softening with a mix of admiration and envy. 'I wonder what it’s like to be an Altar server. They all seem so pure and divine… and powerful.' Just as he returned his attention to his music, a calm, gentlemanly voice spoke beside him. “You could also be an Altar server, if you’re interested.” “Huh?” Louis blurted out, snapping his head to the side. But no one was there. “What in the name of Jesus is going on here?” he muttered, glancing nervously around. “At least you know my name,” the voice replied again, seemingly amused. “What?” Louis whispered, his heart beginning to race. "I'm certain you will be a good server," the voice said, calm yet enigmatic. Louis narrowed his eyes, still searching for its source. "Who are you?" "I have many personalities. I have many names," the voice replied with an air of mystery. "It’s your choice which one you accept." "You’re not making any sense," Louis muttered, growing more unsettled. "Blessed are those who have not seen but believed…" Before Louis could respond, his vision blurred, and the world around him seemed to melt away. He jolted awake, gasping for air. His hands clutched the crumpled sheet of music, its corners bent from his restless grip. His head teetered precariously over the edge of his bed, a faint ache in his neck reminding him of the awkward position he’d been in. "Holy Mother of Jesus!" he exclaimed as he lost his balance, tumbling off the bed in a heap of blankets and scattered papers.

Synopsis: A war-torn kingdom. A prophecy lost to time. A fate neither of them can escape. Zyra Valeris was meant to die. Marked at birth by an ancient curse, she was abandoned to the shadows, her existence erased by those who feared what she might become. But fate had other plans. The night the blood moon rises, Zyra’s dormant powers awaken, and with them, a bond she cannot sever—one that ties her to Kieran Duskbane, the ruthless Shadow King. Kieran has ruled the kingdom of Noctis with an iron will, his name whispered in fear. Cursed by the gods and bound to darkness, he swore never to take a mate—until Zyra crashes into his world, a storm of fire and defiance, awakening a primal hunger he cannot control. The prophecy speaks of a queen who will either save or destroy the world. As war brews and old enemies rise, Zyra and Kieran must decide: fight their fate or embrace the connection that could either break them… or make them unstoppable. But fate is cruel, and love has never been more dangerous. ------- Context: Zyra has just awakened her celestial fire for the first time while trying to escape Kieran. But the moment their bond activates, everything changes. ------- Excerpt: The night bled red. Zyra’s breath came in ragged gasps, her hands trembling as golden fire licked up her arms. The earth beneath her feet cracked from the force of her awakening magic. She had never felt power like this—searing, endless, alive. But she was not alone. A dark presence loomed behind her, and when she turned, her entire body locked in place. Kieran Duskbane. The Shadow King stood mere feet away, his gaze locked onto her with something between fury and hunger. Midnight tendrils of darkness coiled around him like living smoke, shifting as though eager to swallow her whole. The moment their eyes met, the world shuddered. A force—ancient and inescapable—snapped into place between them. Heat ignited beneath Zyra’s skin, foreign and all-consuming. She staggered, clutching her chest, where an invisible thread now tied her to the man before her. His expression darkened. “No.” His voice was raw, almost furious. “This isn’t possible.” Zyra’s vision blurred as pain lanced through her body, a tidal wave of emotions that were not hers. Rage. Hunger. Longing. Him. “No,” he growled again, as if denying fate itself. But it was too late. The bond had sealed. And in that moment, Zyra knew two undeniable truths: She was bound to the most dangerous man in existence. And no matter how hard she fought… she would never escape him. ---

Oww…” I winced, lifting my throbbing head before glancing around and as expected the lab was in chaos. There was glass shattered everywhere, sparks fleeing from one place to another and the acrid scent of burning chemicals filled the air. Flames licked at the countertops, but what made my stomach drop was the gas spilling from a ruptured pipe. Crap. No one needed to tell me, I already knew it was toxic. The faint greenish tinge to the air, the sharp sting in my nose. It was more than toxic….it was deadly. And spreading fast. I tried to push myself up, but pain shot through my ankle, forcing me back down. I bit back a scream. “Dammit!” That’s when I saw him. It was the same guy…I recognized him now. Or at least, his fake identity. Liam. Only, his real name was Alex, and I knew more about him than I should’ve but he didn’t need to know that. He was standing near the exit, scanning the chaos with an unnerving calmness and it was obvious he hadn’t seen me yet. “Liam!” I choked out, coughing against the gas as it seeped closer. His head snapped in my direction. His eyes locked on mine, and for a moment, I thought he’d help. Instead, his expression hardened. He turned toward the door, ready to leave. “Wait!” I shouted, my voice cracking. “Help me! Please!” He paused, barely glancing over his shoulder. “I’m sorry, do I know you?” His voice was cold, detached. I gritted my teeth. My head throbbed, and the gas was making my vision blur, but I forced the words out. “We have classes together and do you even need to know someone to help them out?” I snapped. His gaze lingered on me for another second before he turned to leave and then I knew I had no choice. “If you don’t help me, I’ll tell everyone your secret.” My words made him turn. His dark eyes narrowed as he strode closer, towering over me. “My secret?” His tone was mocking. “Your fall must’ve really messed with your head. Now you think a bluff is going to make me help you?” “It’s not a bluff,” I snapped, coughing violently. “I know who you really are, Alex.” His entire body stiffened. “Care to repeat that?” His voice was low, dangerous. I sucked in a shaky breath, the gas burning my lungs. “I know this identity of yours is just cover, Alex Bronson.” ~~~~~~ Eleanor is a 22-year old woman who was involved in a car accident on her way to her interview. Unfortunately she doesn’t make it and assumes she’s going to find herself in the afterlife but instead finds herself in the body of a college student named Theodora. And this college student happens to be a character in one of the books she read in her past life. Having found herself in this body, she decides to find out why she’s there and regrets not finishing the novel while she was still alive. She also uses her knowledge about the book to manipulate the supposed male lead of the novel into helping her get her way but little did she know that she’d end up falling for him. And now she has to pick between finding out why and how she’s been reincarnated and accepting her new life here with Alex.

After being betrayed by her fiancé and cousin on her wedding day, Zara, reborn with memories of past mistakes, vows to rewrite her destiny. Impulsively, she marries a stranger to keep her ex at bay, not realizing Snow is far from a mere call boy. Snow Zephyr, a wealthy CEO and alpha of the Ivory Crescent Pack, needs a contract wife to appease his father and secure his position. When a bold, determined woman proposes a marriage of convenience, Snow agrees, unaware of the chaos she will bring into his life. Zara's defiant choice provokes her parents' fury, leading to her being cast from the company and forcing her to find work elsewhere. She lands a job at Aurora Conglomerate Inc., only to discover that her new boss is Snow, the very man she married—and her ex's uncle. Sparks fly as their mutual attraction grows amidst the darkness of his family's secrets and looming threats. Zara’s strength and independence captivate Snow, who begins to see her as the potential Luna his pack needs. Together, they face vengeful ex-lovers, kidnapping plots, and deadly rivalries. As Zara's powers awaken, she must confront the reasons behind her family's disownment, the hidden clauses in her marriage contract, and her ultimate role in Snow’s world. When their marriage of convenience deepens into a genuine partnership, a new challenge emerges in the form of a fated mate. Will Zara fight the dangers that await or embrace her true destiny? **EXCERPT** "I... didn't want to be late for work. You seemed busy, so I thought I'd get a head start." Snow raised an eyebrow. "Really? Or is it because last night affected you so much that you couldn't stand being around me?" "Don't flatter yourself, Snow. You didn't affect me at all." He smirked, stepping closer. "Is that so?" His fingers brushed my chin, tilting my face up. My pulse quickened. "We're at work," I snapped, swatting his hand away. "This isn't professional." "You're my wife," he murmured. "You're supposed to obey me at all times." I bit back a retort, a hint of rebellion flaring within. Slowly, I stepped closer, letting my fingers graze his chest. His smirk wavered for a second when his wolf reacted and Snow bit his lips. "Careful, Boss," I purred seductively. "Don't hurt those lips. I'm sure plenty of girls would love to kiss them." Snow leaned down, his lips brushing my ear. "And you? Are you dying for a taste?" Caught off guard, I hesitated, then regained my composure as I looked him in the eyes. "Unlike other girls, I have strong resistance against—" I didn't get a chance to finish when Snow's lips crashed onto mine with a fierce kiss that left me breathless. *************** MATURE CONTENT Participating in the Viral Book Call Contest. Kindly Support Me!

Zayn was once a quiet child—until years of torture and betrayal shattered him. When he finally snapped, his genius mind orchestrated the downfall of his own family. Xane dreamed of becoming a hero—until a false accusation ruined everything. Branded a monster, he became one, rising from the ashes as a feared mafia leader. Both should have died. But instead, they woke up in a new world—a world where cursed Nythra warps reality, power means survival, and the weak are consumed. Now, two souls are trapped in one body. They aren’t the chosen ones. They aren’t even real characters in this story. They’re extras—a mistake. But what happens when a "fake extra" crosses paths with the real extra—the one with the Golden Cheat? One wants to preserve the novel. The other will tear it apart to survive. In the end, only one will remain.

When Evelyn’s loser fiance steals her company's secrets and elopes with her prostitute mother, she finds herself facing impending bankruptcy. But unexpected help comes in the form of an unusual offer from her business rival and ex-boyfriend, Alexander Langford. “Bear my children, Eve, and I’ll save this precious company of yours.” To everyone else, Alexander is the heir to a billion dollar fortune, and the acting industry’s handsome darling. But to Evelyn, he is nothing more than a cold-hearted, arrogant man she dumped for being a compulsive liar years ago - but unknown to her, he has never lied about his love. How could Alexander miss the golden chance to hit two birds with one stone? He gets his inheritance, and a family with the love of his life. Now, if only dear Evelyn would stop thinking the worst of him… [Strong female lead x doting male lead.] [EXCERPT] “You’re out of your mind,” Eve snaps. “You could have any woman in this world, and you want ME to be the mother of your children?!” “Why not? You’re smart, savvy, and fucking hot,” Alex says as he takes a step forward, trapping her body between his muscular arms. His dark blue eyes gaze deep into hers with unbridled lust. “I want our children to have the best from both of us. Our children could take over the world.” “There is no ‘our’,” Eve says coldly, pushing him away. “I will be the surrogate for your children. This is nothing but a business deal. There is NO love in this contract. But in exchange, you need to do something else.” “And what is it?” “Help me take down my ex-fiance. That bastard deserves to die after fucking my mom and ruining my life.” Alex chuckles. “It’s a deal then, sweetheart.” * It was nothing but a business deal at first. But what if the line between business, love, and hatred were getting blurry as they got entangled too far and too long? * [Power couple, slow burn, getting back together.]

The night Elira was born, the sky wept with a storm so fierce it drowned the village’s crops and sent the river surging through the streets. The elders whispered that it was an omen—a cursed child had entered the world. Her mother, Lirien, barely survived the birth. She had screamed through the labor, clutching the straw bedding as if the pain itself was trying to steal her soul. When she finally held her newborn daughter, she gasped—not out of love, but fear. Elira’s eyes were too sharp, too knowing for a child who had only just entered the world. The midwife, an old woman with trembling hands, hesitated before cutting the umbilical cord. A chill passed through the room, the flickering oil lamp nearly snuffing out. The air felt… wrong. The village healer arrived soon after, summoned in desperation. She pressed her palm to the newborn’s tiny chest, feeling the thrum of something unnatural beneath her skin. “She is touched by the old magic,” the healer murmured. “A witch, from birth.” Lirien sobbed, clutching her baby to her chest. “No, please. My daughter is innocent.” The healer gave her a sorrowful look. “You must keep her hidden. If the village learns the truth, they will fear her.” And so, Elira grew up in the shadows. Her childhood was not one of warmth, but of caution. Her mother, though loving in her own way, kept her at arm’s length, afraid of what she might become. Her father, a bitter man worn down by poverty, looked at her as if she were the reason for all his misfortunes. But magic cannot be contained forever. At the age of five, Elira made a dead flower bloom in her hands. At seven, she whispered to the wind, and it answered. At ten, she healed a wound on her mother’s arm simply by touching it. Her family’s fear grew with each passing year. They did not see a daughter, a sister. They saw a curse. Then, when Elira was thirteen, something happened that changed everything. A boy from the village—one who had tormented her for years, throwing stones and calling her “witchspawn”—fell from a tree and broke his leg. The bone jutted through his skin, his screams echoing through the hills. Elira, acting on instinct, ran to him. She laid her hands on his leg, her power surging like a wave. The bone snapped back into place. The wound closed. He was healed. But instead of gratitude, there was terror. The boy’s mother shrieked. Villagers came running. They saw what she had done, what she was. “Witch,” they whispered. “Monster.” By nightfall, her family had packed their belongings and fled the village, leaving behind the only home they had ever known. They wandered from town to town, never staying in one place too long. Her parents blamed her for their misfortune, for their suffering. They cursed her magic, wished it had never been born within her. But when Elira turned eighteen, everything changed again. A wealthy businessman came to their town, looking for a wife. He was powerful, rich beyond imagination—a man who could lift them from poverty. And he wanted a woman who was pure, untouched, innocent. Elira’s parents saw an opportunity. “She is a blessing,” her mother told him, forcing a smile. “A gift from the heavens.” Elira said nothing. She had learned long ago that the world would never see her for what she truly was. And so, she was given away to a man who believed he had married a saint—when in truth, he had married a witch.

What happens when reality itself is tired of existing? The System was once a proud, omniscient force, maintaining order in the grand story of E. But after years of logical paradoxes, impossible plot twists, and one emotionally bankrupt protagonist who breaks the rules for fun, it finally snap. But when E—the embodiment of chaos and questionable decision-making—decides to mess with a world reset, everything spirals into undefined territory. Now, the laws of existence are unstable, the System is filing HR complaints against its own existence, Can the System regain control before reality collapses? Or is this just another update that nobody asked for? …Also, who even approved the Customer Support feature?

He steps closer, his golden eyes unreadable. "You're trembling." Vera scoffs. "Yeah well, near death experiences tend to do that." His fingers brushes her wrist, light and careful. "You're not dead." "Yet" He exhales sharply. "Not ever, if I can help it." ~~~~~~ "Not all shields are meant to protect." Vera's life wasn't supposed to be this complicated. One moment, she's just trying to keep her head down, and the next, ghosts are literally out to kill her. Yeah, you read that right-ghosts. The kind that don't wait for midnight to mess with you. Then there's him. He's got this otherworldly vibe, like he just walked out of a cursed fairytale. His jawline? Sharp enough to cut through glass. His expression? Colder than your ex's texts. He doesn't talk much. And let's not forget his weird habit of snapping his fingers to conjure up some invisible shield. Who even does that? When their paths cross, Vera doesn't know what to think. Is he a friend? A foe? Or just someone who's really good at staring into your soul? Whatever the case, he is impossible to ignore, no matter how hard she tries. This is not your average love story, if you can even call it that. Who can you trust when everyone has a hidden agenda? And how do you fight a war you didn't even know you were part of? One thing's for sure: life's about to get very complicated.

[ MATURED CONTENT | NO RAPE ] "You wrote this world to escape me. Now, we’re both prisoners of your own creation." A writer finds herself trapped in the fictional world she created. ----- Her body stiffened when she felt his hand settle on her thigh, grazing the sensitive skin with a barely-there touch that sent a jolt of warmth rushing to her core. She snapped her eyes shut, her breath coming in ragged, shallow gasps as her pulse hammered in her neck. What is he doing? "What... what are you doing?" Elle finally managed to choke out, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and confusion. Halcyon's voice was a deep, dark hum in her ear, sending a shiver through her as his lips brushed against the sensitive skin just below her ears. "Marking what's mine." His words dripped with possessiveness, and Elle's breath caught. A strange heat washed over her, mingling with the terror coiling in her stomach. His voice was so close, his presence so consuming, she couldn't escape it. "Your... Highness... I-I feel dizzy." She stuttered, her hands shooting up instinctively, weakly trying to stop him from leaning in further. Her fingers trembled as they brushed the solid expanse of his broad shoulder, but it only served to remind her of the power he had over her in that moment. "Shhh... you'll be alright," he murmured, his voice low and coaxing, yet laced with a dark edge. "Don't make noise. We wouldn't want anyone to hear, would we?".....

I stared across the clearing into the piercing golden eyes of the wolf that I had seen a thousand times before. However, despite seeing her over and over again, I had never once seen her face to face. While I was running, I kept repeating a word in my head. The same word over and over again. “Mate! Mate! Mate! Mate!” I thought at first that it was me saying it, but it wasn’t my voice, not exactly. It was close to my voice, but not a perfect match. “Is that you?” I asked myself as I ran deep into the forest. I wasn’t going to be able to hold out for much longer. “Is that really you?” I sobbed in relief.. Rika is nineteen and has a secret that she has been keeping from her family. She is a wolf shifter in the most famous and well-known pack in the world. She is daughter to Trinity and Reece Gray, the King and Queen of all the shifter and magic users in the world, and yet, Rika is losing touch with her wolf more and more each day. Not only that, but she can feel her slipping away from her inch by inch, and fears that she might lose her altogether. On top of feeling as if one day very soon she might never be able to shift again, Rika and her twin brother Reagan have been given a very complicated task. They must help foster the peace between the humans and non-humans of the world now that the veil of secrecy has been removed. The world knows now that the creatures that go bump in the night, vampires, werewolves, witches, Fae, werebears, and more, oh my, are all real. Not all of those people who now know the truth are all that happy about it. Foster a positive relationship with the humans, sure thing. Find the group of people responsible for supposed monster bashings, no problem. Navigate life while also trying to find their own mates. Now that might be a problem. On top of all the other things on their plate, Rika, Reagan, and all the other children of the fabled legacies must learn how to be themselves in a world that will never be the same again. Love and lust, anger and rage, happiness and confusion, emotions will be all over the place as the Chosen Legacy fight for all mankind, human and not. “Rika, you need to tell someone about this. You need to tell them what is going on.” Reagan was glaring at me as I fought that empty feeling inside of me. “I can’t, Reagan. You don’t get it. You don’t know what it’s like to lose that part of you.” “You’re right, I don’t, but it will never get better if you don’t try to do something about it.” His anger made his eyes flash bright blue in the darkness of the night. The way that they were shining, I could tell that it wasn’t just the reflection of the moon, this was his power, this was the essence that was my brother. “Leave me alone.” I snapped as I ran away from him. I was fighting against my tears, holding them back so that he wouldn’t see how much this was hurting me. Not only that, but I couldn’t let him see that it was too late, that my wolf was already gone. Chosen Legacy is a story that has a little bit of everything. It is a coming of age story, where multiple legacies, Rika included, matures emotionally and mentally while learning to navigate the ever-changing world. It is a mystery and suspense as the twins, along with their group of friends, search for the group that has been attacking innocent people around their campus. And it is a hot and steamy romance where each of the legacies will find their one true love to last a lifetime. Who and what does fate have in store for these legacies, and what adventures will they have along the way? This story will change the POV so that it will focus on multiple characters. The character name will be in the chapter title and at the top of the chapter. This is a massive story that will encompass many mating between different characters and a lot of the cast from the book 'Chosen by Fate, Rejected by the Alpha'. It is a stand-alone book. However, you do not need to have read the original to follow along.

The new book, "The Arrogant and Cute Princess: Your Highness is so Cunning" has been published -- back then, she was innocent and naive, doing everything she could, hoping that he would notice her. Later on, in her anger and embarrassment, she snapped: "Chen Yiran, take your hands off me. Do you think I’m still that ignorant young girl?" With a devilish smile, he leaned in to seal her lips with his and whispered: "Hmm... you've long since become an innocent woman."

When he failed to find his fated human mate after seven years of searching, alpha Damon decides to abduct seventy-five young women from all over the city who fit within his Luna’s age range and description, to have them trained for his selection. What starts off as a competition for the alpha’s heart quickly turns to a bloody game of survival. *** “What’s your name?” Damon asked, his voice clipped and cold. Though his eyes were narrowed, they were a bit mad around the edges. The blonde woman in front of him traced a red coated fingertip over his tattooed chest, all the way to his slightly exposed pelvis. She smacked her lips at the obvious bulge in his tight pants. “If you wanted a good time, why didn’t you just say so?” She threw a side long glance at the rest of the women cooped up in the cells, their fingers desperately grabbing the bars and yelling obscenities at the man who thought it was a good idea to abduct them for his personal reasons. “Why don’t we go somewhere private?” She added with a seductive wink. The alpha’s patience wore thin but he remained calm. “What.is.your.name?” He repeated with the slightest hint of annoyance. His eyes dipped to the card in her hand and she followed suit, smiling at the words on them; Luna 37. She rolled her eyes and tossed the paper aside. Did he seriously expect them to believe he was some alpha werewolf? Was that his play for getting laid? She scoffed at his silly roleplay antics. Werewolves were fictional but if that was what got him in the mood, she didn't mind playing along. He was definitely her type. “The name is Tyla Woodley…” He moved like a blur, snapping her neck like a twig. The other prisoners screamed at the top of their lungs as Tyla’s body thudded to the floor in a crumpled heap. Damon flexed his neck and arms before starting towards the cells. When he approached, all the women retreated, crying and screaming. He unlocked a cell and raked the women with his eyes. Shuffling forward, he yanked one out by the scruff of her neck. “NO! Cleo! Let her go!” A wide-eyed woman screamed from another cell, banging the bars violently. “Let her go, you monstrous cunt! Fuck you! You hear me? FUCK YOU, DAMON WAYNE!” He froze at the mention of his full name, and let go of the whimpering prisoner who crawled back into the open cell on all fours. Slowly, Damon advanced towards the rude woman’s cell but she didn’t back away like the others. She gripped the bars and spat in his face when he was standing in front of her. “Couldn’t find yourself a Luna, tough guy? No surprise there. The moon goddess must not have been able to bring herself to torture an innocent woman with the tragic fate of being your Luna.” Damon reined in the rage bubbling within him by gritting his teeth. This one wasn't as clueless as the dead one. “What is your name?” She knew he wanted her to mention the name on her card; Luna 91. He had just killed a prisoner who gave her actual name. However, he didn't hint at her card by looking at it. His eyes never left hers. She inhaled sharply. To hell with him. As long as her sister, Cleopatra, could remain safe long enough for them to figure out a way to escape from here, she didn't mind distracting the monster as long as she could. “Luna 91, Asshole!” He shot her a roguish grin. "Welcome to hell, Luna 91." He said before reaching beyond the bars and grabbing her neck amidst deafening screams.

[WSA 2025 ENTRY] Male Lead is more than morally grey, twisted, obsessive and possessive. Female Lead, tough, thinks on her feet, can stand up for herself, but still damsel in distress. Enemies to Lovers. Smut? Well, male lead is OBSESSIVE AND POSSESSIVE! Endeavor to read all free chapters before you label it boring! ……… In Cinder Pack, one of the powerful seven packs, abandoned children on the streets are considered less than the pets owned by many households. They live from hand-to-mouth, covered in dirt and used however those from better families deem fit all their life. As a result, many of them die from starvation at a very young age and those with good-looking appearances sell themselves off to better families as slaves in order to live. While a select few resort to stealing food and taking the crumbs that fall off the table of those of noble birth. This is the case for Aurelia Night and her childhood best friend, Lydia Hayes. But on a night she went to find them dinner, she overhears a conversation she shouldn’t have and becomes a target for a ruthless and dangerous Councilam. Left with no choice, she runs into the room of a stranger to hide. A stranger who claimed her as his mate. But being wolfless, she has no idea what this means and just goes along with him since he was a noble man. But as she returns to her friend the next morning, Aurelia finds out Lydia had sold her out to the Councilman in return for a better life. Now seven years later, with no memory of who she is, she unknowingly crosses path again with the stranger from that night. “Mate!” The Alpha suddenly stopped in the middle of his hunt as his nose caught a familiar scent. Well hidden in a spot, two boys snicker amongst themselves as they watched the Alpha look around in confusion. “Is that the Alpha? Doesn’t look like one to me.” “He keeps coming after our pack and mommy. What do we do?” “I have an idea!” Three hours later when the Alpha returned from his walk, he was greeted by the news of his twin sons coming to his abode. What? Twin sons? When he finally accepted the news, the woman they called mommy tried to leave. “Where do you think you’re going? I’m not getting married to you because I want to. I’m getting married to you because my sons need their mother.” Aurelia: “…” When she finally found her voice, she snapped at him. “What are you talking about? Who said they are your sons?” The man pretended to calculate with his fingers before nodding his head a little. “The date we slept together match their date of birth and they look a lot like me. Who can deny such paternity!” Unknown to him, her reappearance in the pack was of no other reason, than to take his life.

Dying after getting bitten by a zombie, the main character finds himself in the world of fantasy. Reincarnating as the mid-rank villain, he decided to live differently and avoid the main cast. After all who would like to live as an arrogant brat only to die like a dog? However, just as he resolved to live a better life, [Ding!] [This world is not the same as the host knows. Because of the tragic ends, the God of Fortune has reversed the time and has allowed the main heroines to retain their memories.] Yeah, he is done for. ****** Additional tags: Possessive characters, no Yaoi, no Yuri, no ntr. ***** A/N:- The main character would be overpowered but not to the point where he could defeat his enemies with a snap of his fingers. This novel would be more focused on character development, slice of life, and romance.

Felon /fè-lun/ Cruel; Wicked. I continued biting my lips whilst fidgeting with my finger nails, my mind still pondering over the question he asked minutes ago. "Ojalá éstos fueran mis dientes mordiéndote los labios." I heard him mumble under his breath. [I wish those were my fucking teeth biting your lips.] I threw a morose look in his direction. "Speak an apprehensible language." I snarled getting annoyed. "You need to get inside my mind to understand that." He responded nonchalantly shrugging off his shoulders. "I don't enter dirty places." I snapped rolling my eyes. "But I would really enjoy entering your dirty places."

[Cover art is AI-generated, credits to webnovel] "You journal? That's silly" His laugh made my jaw tick, here we go again with people telling me the things I enjoy doing are 'Childish' or 'Silly'. I closed the book and stood up, my hair coming undone as the band snapped. Great, just great. My phone buzzed as I walked away, my name being yelled by the prick behind me. The screen read 'Eudora'. I hesitated before picking and placed it next to my ear waiting for her to speak. I wish I didn't...pick up the phone.

DISCLAIMER: This story is not owned by me. All rights belong to the original author and copyright holder. This copy is provided for offline reading purposes only. No copyright infringement is intended, and if the rightful owner requests removal, it will be taken down immediately. The washed-up magician Zong Jiu transmigrated into a horror, infinite flow novel about a survival show, taking the place of the cannon fodder who died tragically in the first evaluation round. This show was very interesting. Out of the tens of thousands of people, only a hundred people could survive, and the c-position (strongest contender) could even get a universal wish ticket. If it were someone else, they’d probably be scared to death. No one expected that Zong Jiu was not only unafraid, but also caused a sensational stir, shamelessly showing off his tricks the whole way. Once his tricks stopped, and his life could be considered safe and sound, he ended up in a rivalry with the novel’s big villain. Today you try to get at me, tomorrow I’ll get you back, back and forth, it’s pretty fun, heh. As a result, though it was just playing around, one time they got carried away and really did end up sleeping together. Watching the nemesis who was pressing him to the ground, Zong Jiu lazily lifted his gaze. “If you want to kill me then kill me, don’t speak nonsense.” Even when at a disadvantage, he showed no trace of fear, and actually continued to provoke him. That person used his ice-cold finger to trace his ear, and the action heading toward the aorta suddenly stopped. “What a pity. I’ve changed my mind.” — He was once very willing to personally give Zong Jiu death. Every day, he used to regret not gouging out his flesh, personally snapping his neck. But after this person fell into his hands, another, more urgent desire grew like weeds. Compared to winning or losing, he would rather see him crying and panting, with eyes red, begging for mercy.

What if the love you sacrificed everything for was doomed from the start? Born a Space Master, she can only fall in love once. The man she desires chooses another but still sacrifices his life to save hers. Unable to accept his death, the Space Master reverses time, determined to change his tragic fate. But each turn leads her to be reborn in a new place with no memories of the past. Fate keeps pulling her back to the same knight—only for the tragic ending to repeat. After hundreds of rebirths, exhaustion sets in, and she decides to give up on love, willing to live as a normal girl, incapable of feeling anything again. In her final life, she is reborn as Gwyneth, a bitter, disillusioned girl who doesn’t believe in love. She meets Clayton, a senior at the academy, a "good-for-nothing" with stunning cobalt-blue eyes, and though she falls for his beauty, his cowardice repulses her. But Gwyneth’s world shifts when she discovers that demon blood runs through her veins. And Clayton? He’s not the man he appears to be. Will she let her heart be moved once more? Or will she turn her back on love and embrace her destiny? Will she choose to become the Demon Monarch’s heir, conquering all realms, or remain the Space Master, risking everything to protect the world from the demon invasion? Blurp: “Senior Clay,” Gwen said, turning to him, “did you bring any money by chance?” Clayton gave her a deadpan look. “Do you think I had time to grab money when someone kidnapped me in broad daylight?” “For the last time,” she snapped, “I didn’t kidnap you. Why do I feel like you have a personal grudge against me?” “Well, perhaps it's because someone once used me as a betting tool? That was the first time I accepted a girl's confession, and she left before I even got her name.” Gwen flushed, caught off guard by his pointed remark. “Okay, I was wrong,” she admitted begrudgingly. “What do you want me to do to make it up to you?” “You don’t need to do anything,” he said, crossing his arms. “Because I don’t plan to forgive you.” Gwen’s eye twitched. Of all the people she’d met, none were as insufferable as this guy. Her fingers twitched, tempted to summon a fire spirit to scorch him or an ice spirit to freeze him solid. No, perhaps feeding him to a carnivorous plant spirit would be the most satisfying solution. Yet, even in her frustration, she couldn’t shake the strange feeling that she didn’t want him to hate her.

Yuno is an unlucky part-timer working in a convenience store for Espers and Guides. That means they sell stuff that makes their store look like an adult shop. During his shift, the highest-grade aphrodisiac they have was stolen. He chased the thief, determined to retrieve the stolen Item from their store. But, much to Yuno's annoyance, he found himself in a dangerous situation with Ki Gayoon— the infamous Esper on the verge of a Rampage. How does the saying go again? 'The way to an Esper's heart is through his d*ck.' Is Yuno supposed to, uhm, do "it" to calm Ki Gayoon before he snaps and kills them both? #guide #esper #guideverse

Full Title, AZI: The History Shattering Burial of a Selfish Lunatic, Who Walked through Reincarnation for Two-Trillion Years Volumes 1-3 Synopsis: “Who?” Holding a lone gourd in hand the young man raises it to the Heavens with a single question. “Who wishes to accompany me? To stay by my side for an eternity, and to walk through the mountains, and seas?” May container spoilers below Volume 4 Synopsis: Weapon spirits, such is the nature of every single Sinner within the Leng Bing Realm. In other words, all of them are but tools, and a tool… “A tool has no right to choose their owner, and what a tool does is decided by their owner.” “…Cruel, how very cruel the laws of this world are. Even upon death, a soul may not rest.” Volume 5 Synopsis: “Surnamed Ye, if you had a choice between being a hero or a demon lord, which would you choose? Naturally, you can also choose to be a villager A or B if you wanted to.” “What kind of question is that? Hmm.” Contemplating for a bit, Ye Chen answers— “I guess, the hero? Since he always wins in the end?” “Hero, is it?” “And you, surnamed Long?” “I think, the role of the hero—is a role that should only be played by a masochist.” “The hell? Is this entire question supposed to be a way to diss me?” “The fate of a hero is to suffer. They’re constantly being pushed left and right. …While everyone else drowns in a sea of despair, a hero must stand their ground, and step forward—to guide the deadbeats along. They must become the shining beacon of hope that others may follow—towards a future, where they may survive. Tell me then, if a hero isn’t a masochist, then what are they?” The world is a game board, those who control the game board, and the game itself… What are they? Volume 6 Synopsis: “A lunatic near death has three options. One, they can choose to pass away peacefully. Two, they can choose to spend the rest of their remaining life to find a solution that will let them live. Three, they can drag an entire world down as a part of their burial.” ……… “The longer you live for, and the more you experience, the less you care about the things around you. Maybe, I’m just someone who has reached that point?” ……… “You’re right in saying that even if this world goes up into flames, I’d still be drinking away at my leisure. Why bother to care for a world that is completely foreign to me? The people who I had cared for, they aren’t here; hence, I see very little purpose in getting myself invested into this environment.” ……… The 46th prince of the Hong Xiao Empire was born between the emperor and the 114th concubine. He was born on a moonlit night, and yet, since his eyes were blind, his majesty—the emperor decided to name him Bujian Yue. “Did you know—that the more fearful a prey is, the tastier it is? At least to me, since I enjoy chewing on my food to savor the flavor.” “…?” Enlarging its stature, the black serpent abruptly snaps its head forward, and swallows the palace maid whole. Leaving a bite mark on the ground, the black serpent begins to chew, as the sound of meat and bones being pulverized comes from its maw. And eventually, the black serpent swallows.

The night was thick with mist, the full moon casting an eerie glow over the dense forest. Shadows stretched and twisted between the towering trees, whispering secrets carried by the wind. Somewhere in the distance, a wolf howled—a deep, mournful sound that sent a shiver down Lena’s spine. She shouldn’t have been here. The warnings were clear. No humans were to step beyond the boundary of the village after dark. Yet here she was, standing at the edge of the unknown, her pulse hammering in her ears. A snap of a twig behind her made her whirl around, heart pounding. But before she could react, a figure emerged from the darkness—a man, tall and imposing, his silver eyes gleaming like molten steel in the moonlight. “You shouldn’t be here,” he murmured, his voice a dangerous mix of warning and curiosity. Lena took a step back, her breath catching. There was something unnatural about him, something untamed. She could feel it in the way the air around him crackled with energy, in the way his gaze pinned her like a predator studying its prey. “I—” she started, but the words died on her lips when he took a step closer. His presence was overwhelming, his scent a mix of earth and something wilder, something that made her stomach twist in ways she didn’t understand. Then, as if the universe itself had decided to intervene, the clouds shifted, allowing the full moon’s light to fully illuminate him. And in that moment, Lena saw the truth. He wasn’t just a man. He was something else entirely. Something that shouldn’t exist.

"Stuck..." by Lapis L. Lazuli --Timeframe: 3218 --Stage: Andromeda Galaxy, Planet Alpha Four astronauts—Graham Young, Celeste Wong, Jennifer Cross, and Michael Forrest—blast off to Planet Alpha, a last-ditch shot at saving a bloated, broken Earth choking on 32 billion souls. Tech’s slick, hope’s thin, and Michael’s the odd man out: a quiet, brooding pessimist/realist who’d rather sleep than play hero. They’re hunting a new home, but when their ship vanishes, leaving nothing but a hole in the ground behind, and buzzsaw traps start snapping, Alpha turns into a spatial meat grinder. Graham’s charisma can’t save him, Celeste’s grit hits a wall, and Jennifer’s just trying to keep herself together while Michael’s calm cracks into something... else. "Stuck..." kicks off a sprawling lore asking “What is Humanity?”—not with grand answers, but with a cold, hard look at the wreckage. Is it the evil that festers, the good that fades, or the mess in between? This ain’t a fairy tale; it’s a bloody warning.

At the Orphanage "I like you." Her eyes widened. "But I don’t—" He cut her off, his grin widening. "I LIKE YOU! I LIKE YOU AND..." He paused dramatically, locking eyes with her before leaning in once more. "And I like to irritate you." Yadhana’s glare could have burned through walls. Yuvaa chuckled. "And you look cute when you're angry." Before she could explode, he playfully pinched her cheeks. "Ugh! You're such a buffalo!" she snapped, turning away. Yuvaa, ever the troublemaker, called after her. "Well, if I’m a buffalo, then you’re the buffalo’s best friend!" She froze in her tracks, fists clenching. "I am NOT your friend!" "You are," he teased. "I AM NOT!!" "YOU ARE MY BESTEST FRIEND!" That was the final straw. Fueled by rage, Yadhana stormed toward him, eyes blazing. "I AM NOT! I AM NOT AND—" Before she could finish, Yuvaa suddenly leaned in and pressed a quick kiss on her cheek. "You are. Until our last breath, you’re mine." And with that, he bolted, knowing full well that if he stayed, he'd be dead meat. Fourteen Years Later A scream shattered the silence. "Please leave me alone! Please don’t do this to me… I beg you… please!!!" Yuvaa’s eyes shot open. That voice—he knew it instantly. "Yadhana." Heart pounding, he rushed toward her. She was curled up in the corner, trembling, tears streaming down her face. When he placed a hand on her shoulder, she recoiled violently. "Yadhana, what’s wrong?" he asked gently. "Please… don’t touch me… I beg you," she sobbed, her voice raw with terror. A lump formed in his throat. What happened to you, Yaad? "It’s me, Yuvaa," he whispered, tilting her chin to meet his gaze. But as soon as he said her name, her expression twisted in anguish. "Don’t call me that name!" she snapped. "Yaad—" "DON’T!!! CALL!!! ME!!! BY!!! THAT!!! NAME!!!" she screamed, her body shaking violently. Yuvaa flinched but nodded. "Alright… I won’t." She clung to him suddenly, sobbing into his chest. "Please don’t leave me with him, Pa… I’m scared… I don’t want to be with him… please don’t leave me…" Pain stabbed through his heart. He held her tighter. "I won’t leave you, Yadhana. I promise." But just as quickly, she shoved him away. "No… no… you’re lying! You’re going to leave me with him!" she cried, eyes darting around in panic. "Yaad, what are you—" "DON’T CALL ME BY THAT NAME!" she shrieked again, her voice hollow, broken. Yuvaa inhaled sharply. "Okay… okay… just breathe, Yadhana." She turned to him then, her gaze sharp and piercing. "Don’t come near me, Pa. I’m not the Yadhana you once knew. I’ve become a monster… I’m no longer the girl you remember." Without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms again. "None of that matters to me. You are not a monster, Yadhana. You’re an angel. No matter what you’ve been through, you’re still you." Tears glistened in her eyes. "You’re lying…" she whispered. He answered with a kiss. For the first time in years, she stilled. As sleep finally took over, Yuvaa gently laid her on the bed, brushing a few stray strands of hair from her face. He pulled a chair beside her, his fingers lightly running through her hair as he watched over her. His jaw tightened. Who hurt you, Yadhana? Why are you carrying this pain alone? Memories of the past flashed in his mind—the day her own sister slapped her, the silent suffering in her eyes, the wounds she never spoke of. He clenched his fists. If you won’t tell me… I swear, I’ll find out myself. And when I do, I won’t let them get away with it. Yuvaa exhaled sharply, his resolve hardening. "I don’t care who they are—family or not. No one will ever hurt you again. Not while I’m here." Leaning closer, he whispered softly, "I swear, my angel… I will protect you. Always."

Three rejections. Three shattered dreams. That was Layla’s reality, all because she was different—a half-shifter in a world obsessed with purity. Ostracized, shunned, and finally sold off like a pawn to the most feared ruler alive—the Lycan King. He was ruthless, a king with a graveyard of brides, each one a ghostly reminder of a fate worse than death. Layla loathed him. Hated the way his gaze cold and fathomless, held no warmth for her. Hated how his touch, both thrilling and terrifying, sent an uninvited chill down her spine. --- “I hate you!” I screamed, hands clenched so tight my knuckles ached. He sighed, a smirk curling at the edge of his lips, his tone mocking as he closed his book with a deliberate snap. “Stressed, are we?” he asked, strolling toward me, each step reminding me exactly who held the power here. “Lucky for you,” he drawled, rolling up his sleeves as he stopped just inches away, “I know exactly 70 ways to ease those nerves.” His fingers brushed my cheek, a touch that seemed to burn into my skin. “The first… a hug.” His voice dropped to a rough whisper as he leaned in, breath hot against my ear. “And the rest... well, that's 69? what do you say about that?" I swallowed hard, my heart thudding wildly as he tilted his head, waiting for me to react, that insufferable smirk still in place. “What’s the matter, darling?” he murmured, a taunt lingering in his gaze. --- A Dangerous Obsession Can she resist the pull, or will she dance into the flames of her own destruction? A dark dive into obsession, raw need, and the razor’s edge between desire and devastation. --- LYCAN KING CASSIAN I will tear her apart piece by piece, feeding the wildfire that grips her with each shuddered breath. Like air to flame, I’ll claim every inch, drawing heat from her skin until it sinks into her bones. Her pulse will race under my hands, her breaths shallow, pleading. Her eyes may scream, but her lips will still murmur my name. That first taste of fear will only feed something deeper—a need that burns through her veins, molten and fierce. And just when she’s too far gone to turn back, I’ll twist the knife, giving her the pain she’s learned to crave. She’ll be the moth to my flame, helpless against the very thing that will consume her.

Five Doors... Five Grands... Five Tides to Overcome! The Boy Admired his father, adored him, worshipped him as infallible. But even such a man was forced to kneel in the face of death. SNAP! The young boy looked at the slumped figure of his father as he was forcefully carried away. The chaotic situation caused him to be unable to process much more than the figure of his falling father. He didn't know why but the word 'SNAP' perfectly described his state of mind. He lost it. He thought it strange. The value of life. It seemed so unsurmountable in one and so pointless in another. Was this all his father amounted to? His eyes dulled. His tears dried up. He couldn't help but let out a chuckle. It truly was amusing. A small chuckle turned into incoherent laughter, a deep seethed despise being born in his Heart! His world... His Diagram... It was no longer. ... For Updates On Me: https://www.instagram.com/lol_i.create/ [Note: Artwork does not belong to me]

Rejected. Shattered. Desired by two. Torn between fate and freedom. I was supposed to be his. From the moment I was born, the bond between us had been written in the stars. Alpha Prince Cedric—my fated mate, my destiny, the one who was meant to cherish and protect me. But under the glow of the full moon, surrounded by the expectant eyes of the entire kingdom, he looked at me with nothing but disgust. "I, Cedric Nightbane, reject you as my mate." The words felt like a blade to my soul, severing something deep inside me. My body trembled, my Omega instincts screamed for me to submit, to plead for his love. But I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t beg for someone who never wanted me. So I ran. I ran from the whispers, the shame, the pain tearing me apart from the inside. I ran until my legs gave out, until I had nothing left—only to stumble into the hands of Dante Nightbane, the Tyrant King of the Shadowfang Empire. Where Cedric’s touch had been cold, Dante’s was searing. Where Cedric’s rejection had left me empty, Dante’s possessive gaze made something deep inside me burn. And when he inhaled my scent, something dark and unbreakable snapped into place. “Your mate was a fool to let you go, little Omega. But I am not.” Now, I am trapped in the arms of a monster—a ruthless, merciless Alpha who refuses to let me escape. He is nothing like the mate I once longed for. He is sharper, crueller… and yet, when I am near him, my body betrays me, drawn to the fire that burns in his touch. But there are secrets hidden in my blood, whispers of a lost royal lineage and a power that could change the world. Power that two Alphas are willing to go to war over. The mate who threw me away now fights to take me back. The tyrant who claimed me would destroy the world to keep me. But I am done being a prize for men to fight over. If fate dares to decide my path, then I will carve my own. And when I do—not even the strongest Alpha alive will be able to contain me.