Gen Alpha Be Like

Ashina's world turned upside down when she accidentally killed Ulva, her alpha. Drake, whose only dream is to be the next alpha leads the investigation to track down Ulva's killer while trying to thwart the evil plans of Rome, their sworn enemy. As their paths cross, Ashina and Drake will have to fight their overwhelming attraction to each other. However, will their feelings be enough to see them through the journey ahead and save Ashina from the consequence of killing the alpha? Or will it destroy everything about their home!

[Mature Content] "He attended her wedding as a guest and decided he wanted to be the groom instead." As the Alpha's only daughter, Roselia Fiore was obedient and pampered. Until, a single crime on her 18th birthday cost her everything. Three years into imprisonment, she's forced to marry Bruce Kerpan, a man old enough to be her father. That is, until Alpha Cruden Tiberias laid an unexpected claim on her, a woman who didn't even know his name! Cruel and heartless, Cruden yielded to no one, except—her. The second he saw her, he wanted her. And he'd stop at nothing to have her, even if she begged, "Alpha, please be gentle." - - - - - Tropes: - Sunshine x Villain - Hates everyone, but her - He fell first and fell harder - Fake dating Artwork: Sarzain

Abandoned by their father at just five years old, James Craig and his infant sister, Jessica Craig, were left in the care of their devoted mother, Serena. Despite the hardships, James grew into an intelligent and handsome teenager. When financial constraints forced him to leave Middleton, he embarked on a new journey at Braxton High. Unbeknownst to James, this change would set him on a new path to becoming humanity's unlikely savior. James's life was back on track until a fateful day, when a school expedition with his classmates uncovered a dark secret. Deep in the wilderness, James stumbled upon an ancient power that awakened a terrifying truth: his nightmares were real. The trauma he had tried to bury resurfaced, and he was forced to confront an unspeakable horror - his own hunger for human flesh. **** "You must learn to be a true leader." What will he make of the universe's bestowment? How will he overcome his weaknesses? What sacrifices must he make? Find out now! ---------------------------------------------------------- Instagram: larrycashbox

(Mature Content) "He's a monster.... a real menace of our world" In the grand Wisteria Kingdom, Prince Ryan stands as an outcast, a royal burden shrouded in the hatred of his people. He navigates a world where every gaze is laced with disgust and every word is a reminder of his unworthiness. Attempting to escape the confines of his reality, Ryan crosses paths with Jihoon, the prince of Alyssum—a radiant force who shatters his world and rebuilds it in ways he never imagined. In a world ruled by hierarchy and primal instincts, their bond is anything but simple. As their fates intertwine, Ryan is drawn into an unfamiliar whirlwind of emotions: yearning, jealousy, and the aching desire to belong. "We need to stop this. If we don't, the prophecy that has haunted our kingdom for generations..... I fear it could become reality-.....the destruction our ancestors feared most." As Ryan struggles with these strange emotions, which are blooming inside of him for Jihoon, an old evil rises-the legend of the long-feared Alphas, that which evokes hatred by the very people he's fighting. Hints of the past begin to become more defined and threaten to become reality. What will Ryan do as he learns that the true battle is not against his people, but the existence of himself: that which is destined to be the world's overthrow? . . . . . "He was destiny, my power. I wasn’t born for this world but only for him. He was my power and death. So I shall be only for him." -Smut -Omegaverse -Royal family -Kingdoms -Modern royal family Every 1st, 11th and 21st next chapter will be updated.

[ NSFW chapters: 5-6-7, 24-25, 63-64-65-66 ] . Alphas are naturally attracted to Omegas; that's a fact of life. Liam is an alpha male, one of the best in his generation, so why is he head over heels for another alpha male who lives next door? Alphas are supposed to be attracted to Omegas, so it makes no sense for Liam to swoon over his best friend Mar. Besides, Mar's already courting a female omega, so it's kinda hopeless. Hope came up again when the female omega broke up with Mar. Mar the alpha male is single again, so Liam's gonna shoot his shot. Wish him luck. Meanwhile, Mar is hiding secrets of his own. No matter how much he tries to deny it, he finds himself falling face first into Liam's comfort. It's both of them against the world, but they're not as alone as they thought. Will they survive as their families and their lives are falling apart piece by piece? ______ A/B/O, Omegaverse, World building, Family Drama, Slice of Life ! Please keep in mind that this book's A/B/O dynamic and biology is the author's interpretation, so it might be different from what readers of this genre are used to. !

"Lucien, a strong alpha, must face his turbulent history with Corrigan, the woman he once despised, as he returns to take his proper position in the pack. However, Corrigan has secrets of her own; she is concealing a magical lineage that has the power to alter their world. As fate binds them together, Alec, a vicious renegade alpha, appears with a sinister plan that could wipe out their pack. Corrigan must negotiate the perilous terrain of pack politics and ancient magic while torn between loyalty and dishonesty. What transpires, then, when she learns Lucien's true motivations and that her true love could not be who she thought? Will she be able to save their pack and take back her destiny? or will the shadows of her past consume everything she holds?

In 18th century France, Lucius's encounter with two mysterious wolves unleashes a terrifying transformation within. As he struggles to control his newfound monstrosity, Lucius must navigate a village torn apart by beastly attacks and sinister forces. With the King's soldiers closing in, Lucius's fate becomes entwined with the village's survival. Will he succumb to darkness or find a way to tame the beast within?

Five years ago, Humanity suffers great loss. When the sudden appearance of an Unknown humanoid monster shakes human society, We call them "Number". Where did they come from? what are their goals? why are they hunting down humans? we still don't know the exact answer. As the year passes, the world put out a special Team to prevent the Assault from the Number. Known as the Number Extermination Special Team or N.E.S.T. to fight back.

[ Yeah, Sofia was my first love, but she broke my heart into pieces] [ Pikfred] I had this friend online called Pikfred Water. How we got to know each other was like a magic, ' boom!' we are friends now. Pikfred never wanted to tell me his name, and I didn't know why he was doing that, all these days I met him online. But I think we are friends now, so why don't you tell me your name or show me your personality Pikfred?. ' Hmmm' I try my possible best for him to talk to me, but he keeps refusing my request anytime I ask him. Pikfred and I were friends but nothing I know about him. ' Hmm', 'I can't wait to see Pikfred'...

The Creation... Where all Existence exist along with Non-Existence as interconnection to Existence, providing a aspects for such lead to maintain the balance of The Creation. A Existence contains everything that we had been see: A Galaxy, Universe, a theory of Multiverse, and so beyond. Thus all undiscovered truth still remain mystery, even infinite celestials bodies are just mere-aspect of it. All celestial entities even a God don't know what truth beneath the Existence. A used of system made by human to traveling the cosmos but to find the truth of it but they only found nothing, clueless, yet they gone... With a strange phenomenon making human race fall into abyss, they gave up... Not until a guy born with a curiosity about the truth of The Creation, he'd read so many books that were actually a journey of a people whose traveled the cosmos, creating a hint for human to regain their strongest era. And the guy named Jonathan, standing tall in front of a strange yet massive ancient doors, along with a unknown symbols within the curve of the doors, filled with immense power that cannot be calculated or measure it. Jonathan realize there's puzzle to open this door and reveal something within the door, and so Jonathan goes venture to find the missing symbols, in his adventures he met Mary Carter, a young woman with a obsession of books that contains a information about the Cosmos, soon enough they become a friend, a partner for their own yet same goal. Along with a hint that in one of Mary's book, now they know where they needed to go; Indonesia, specifically Candi Borobudur where there's a book filled with a information that let the user capable to transcends a dimensional. That is one of requirements to find a puzzle of the Ancient Doors, and so they goes venture to Indonesia... But is their journey gonna goes smoothly? Or they get involved into something dangerous? Who's knows, but we'll see it soon...

Characters: Rohan - Ek school student jo social media par kaafi active hai aur followers aur likes ko bahut seriously leta hai. Neha - Rohan ki classmate aur dost, jo responsible tareeke se social media use karti hai. Mr. Verma - School ke teacher, jo students ko social media ke risks ke baare mein samjhate hain. Scene 1: Rohan aur Social Media Ka Nasha Panel 1: Rohan apne phone par social media par scroll kar raha hai aur apne profile par like aur comments ka check kar raha hai. Text: "Wow! 100 likes! Lekin Neha ke 200 hain... kya karoon ki mere bhi aur followers badhein?" Panel 2: Rohan selfie lekar aur edit karke flashy captions ke sath post karte hue dikhaya jata hai. Text: "Shayad kuch aur cool post karne se mere likes badh jayenge!" Scene 2: Fake Fame Ka Pressure Panel 3: Rohan ek expensive sneakers kharid leta hai, sirf apne followers ko impress karne ke liye, lekin andar se nervous aur stressed lagta hai. Text: "In sab mein paise bhi kaafi lag rahe hain... par agar likes badh gaye toh worth it hoga!" Panel 4: Neha Rohan ko samjhati hai ki likes aur followers ke piche bhagna zaroori nahi hai, asli dosti aur self-worth in cheezon par depend nahi karti. Text (Neha): "Rohan, yeh sirf ek screen hai! Real life mein jo hum hain wahi sabse important hai." Scene 3: Galat Post Ka Nateeja Panel 5: Rohan bina soch-samajh ke ek party ki photo daal deta hai jisme kuch students ki consent ke bina unki embarrassing photos bhi dikhayi deti hain. Text: "Sabko show-off karna chahiye! Yeh toh ek mast post hai." Panel 6: Agle din, Rohan ko complaints milti hain aur kuch log usse naraz hote hain kyunki unke photos bina unki ijazat ke daale gaye the. Text: "Yaar, maine toh socha hi nahi ki isse unhe problem hogi..." Scene 4: Realization aur Apne Aap Ko Improve Karna Panel 7: Mr. Verma Rohan aur class ko social media ke responsible use ke baare mein samjhate hain aur batate hain ki likes aur comments se humari asli value nahi banti. Text (Mr. Verma): "Social media pe hamare actions ka asar dusre logon par bhi padta hai. Zaroori hai ki hum uska sahi istemal karen." Panel 8: Rohan apni posts ko delete karta hai, privacy aur responsible use ke baare mein seekhta hai, aur apni asli life par dhyan dena shuru karta hai. Text: "Mujhe ab samajh aaya ki real life mein khush rehna aur dusron ki respect karna sabse zaroori hai." Scene 5: New Beginning Panel 9: Rohan aur Neha real-life activities mein time spend karte hain, jaise sports aur reading, aur Rohan aakhir mein social media ka responsible use karne lagta hai. Text: "Ab main social media ko life ka ek hissa samajh kar use karunga, aur apne asli doston aur hobbies par focus karunga."

"I told you not to touch me," Audrey said. "In front of people," He reminded her. Audrey could feel the smirk in his voice. ~~~ Audrey's seventeen years in the Grey Blood pack were like a caged animal. She lived each day dreading the next unexpected thing the Alpha could punish her for. Audrey tried hard to understand the mysterious dream she'd been having, but nothing made sense to her, she was lost. She wished to be freed from the Grey Blood pack, but she lost all hope of survival when she found herself locked and chained in the cold dark dungeon. She hated him, she cursed him as her blood drained from her. She was happy to die and go away from that monster-alpha. Audrey awoke in a magical world where she learned everything about herself, she cultivated herself to become the strongest wolf and witch alive. One item though, led her back to the last place she wanted to be. Alpha Aloha Lake ruled the Grey Blood pack, the largest and strongest pack in the States. He was known to be brutal, even the mafia feared him. Nothing or anyone bothered him, except one; the damned bitch Audrey. He hated her, and he would make her pay for her mother's sins. But he could not kill her...yet. Alpha Lake emotionlessly stared at Audrey's bleeding body that lay on the cold dungeon floor, he ordered his beta to dispose of her without a second thought. One year later the enemies met again. Will hatred be the only emotion they share? Could they resist the fatal attraction they felt for each other?

Moon's heart is shattered when her former mate, Aiden rejects her and makes her believe she is unlovable until she comes across Liam, a powerful and mysterious Alpha Werewolf. She becomes drawn to his strength and kindness. To Moon, Liam is unlike every other werewolf she has ever met, his strength and power are matched by his piercing gaze.  Liam and Moon slowly bond over their shared experiences and she finds herself falling deeply in love. However, their happiness does not last because Aiden reappears in their little love story and Moon begins to suspect that he might be working with a rogue pack led by a ruthless Alpha who is after Liam and his pack. Moon chooses to stick with Liam and form an alliance but just as they think they have found a way to solve the problem, a shocking truth is revealed Liam is Victor's long-lost son, and his destiny is tied to this rogue pack.  Moon is left with only an alternative and that is to choose between her heart or her duty. Will Liam and Moon's love be strong enough to overcome the forces against them or will they have to bow to the darkness surrounding them?

Woven into the fabric of society, they amble earth under the sun and the moon, among humans. They do. You won’t see them unless they allow it. They’ll fool you, the creatures of the night. They fooled the exceptionally intelligent Rosemary Reed. Cursed or… Perhaps blessed was the day the veil dropped before her eyes, and one single date with a charming stranger was all it took, thus shattering the illusion of life she beheld through her human eyes. Left with no other choice in order to protect herself and her loved ones, Rose leaps head first in the abysses of a world that stood on its own axioms. Fortunately for her, she does not have to walk that path alone. From a complete stranger to far more than she wanted him to be, ‘til the flames of their forbidden love burn too bright to smother. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Updating once a week for now. -The novel does include some dark themes, violence and blood and sexual content- You may contact me on discord here: mavisruss

When Agnes, a human girl is sold off to Alpha Cyrus, as a slave by her stepfather, she has no idea that she would be his mate, rejected as his mate or that she is the reincarnation of his long-lost love. Cyrus, a direct descendant of the first werewolves, has sealed off any form of romance since the death of his first love. However, he doesn't expect that his newly bought slave would be his mate. As war breaks out between Ghysem and a rival pack, Cyrus is forced to confront his feelings for Agnes. Will he fight for the love of the girl he rejected, or allow history to repeat itself?

A group of wolves, a gathering of witches, a trio of bears. An engaging narrative... Alpha Yona is struggling with his emotions towards Chhaya. He is hesitant to pursue a romantic connection with someone who is not his destined wolf partner. Despite his reservations, does he harbor romantic feelings for her? Cedric, Colton, and Connor are formidable bears with a significant issue involving the wolf pack. Both groups are attempting to eliminate the demons and are feeling irritated by the competition. Cedric is infatuated with Saturn, the leader of the coven, who is fixated on Alpha Yona. Can Saturn maintain focus to lead the witches effectively? Will Alpha Yona be able to navigate this complicated love triangle while maintaining order?

Duke lost his family during the werewolf war and Seraphina became his light in the darkness. Duke is adamant about protecting Seraphina and reclaiming what was his by birth, even if he needs to risk his life by awakening the powerful beast that sleeps within him. Seraphina paid a heavy price in exchange to be with the love of her life. Others made that choice for her. She is determined to get stronger so that she can regain what's lost, and she swore to secure everything that's dear to her. Will she be able to fulfill that promise when the man she loves needs to risk his life if he wants to live? Join Seraphina and Duke as they uncover their pasts and build their future while fighting against the vicious creatures who see them as a threat. --- FL and ML are both strong, smart, and they would do anything for each other. Expect drama, mystery, and romance in a modern fantasy setting. If you are under age 18 or sensitive to adult content, I suggest you skip this novel. This is the second book in the series Amara, and you can read it independently. --- Book 1 in the Amara series, "Amara - Reunion", will give you a better understanding of the hardships Seraphina and Duke went through in order to be together. --- Connect with me and other fellow readers, and see additional photos. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedSonia.Novels Discord: https://discord.gg/cFaejHB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsonia_novels/ --- I own the cover. --- Give my other novels a try!

Every night, he snuck into her miniscule bedroom and gets intimate with her. She wasn't his mate, neither was she his Luna who had just been newly crowned. She was his slave. Yet, he discloses the fact that he felt lust for her, disregarding the fact that he had a Luna. She had once asked, "Are you in love with me?" River was breathless when she puffed those words out, her heart threatening to burst through her ribcage. "Oh, River, my love. What I feel for you is more than love. It can never be put in actual words." He had responded, running his finger down her face, caressing it softly. His touch was tender, yet River was quaking in fear as she gazed up at him. "And, if I don't end up having you by the end of the day, I'd kill you," he continues, brushing a thumb against her trembling lips. "and, kill myself." However, he wasn't the man for her. They both had their mates. And worse, he was a man who had contributed to her agony. She had once been the Alpha's daughter, living a glossy life, but Alpha Ryker had waged a war against their Pack, riding them of every single thing they owned and forcing River to relocate to a new Pack as an Omega subjected to bullying. How will River accept her fate of being the obsession of ruthless Alpha Ryker, who had caused the ruin of her father's Pack and made her into an Omega?

Lily adalah putri seorang Beta. Dan pasangannya? Dia adalah putra tertua Alpha. Ketika mereka menemukan apa yang mereka satu sama lain, itu sudah terlambat. Karena kekasihnya pulang dengan aib yang ia bawa. Seorang serigala betina yang ia hamili saat berlatih di utara selama musim panas. Dia telah menghancurkan bulan mereka. Tapi serigala betina itu memiliki rahasia. Dan Lily tidak akan membiarkannya pergi begitu saja dengan mencuri apa yang adalah miliknya. ** Cerita ini penuh dengan liku-liku yang akan membuat kamu menangis, tertawa, marah, melempar ponsel, dan lainnya. Ini adalah perjalanan yang akan kamu cintai, tak bisa melepaskan Lily, Eve, dan Zain. Saya harap kamu juga akan mencintai cerita ini dan menerima undangan untuk memulai perjalanan yang akan membuatmu puas dan meninggalkan senyum di wajahmu.

"You know I am not spewing nonsense Karen. Yes, your wolf might not be there to witness within you that I am yours but you can't deny the fact that you are drawn towards me, somehow, somewhere within, you know!" Karen was breathing hard, she could not believe what she just heard. What Ralph said was the truth and that was why she had been trying to push him far from her. My mate??? "But there is no way to prove it" Karen said with her chest heaving up and down. "There is" Ralph said and his eyes were fixed on hers intently. "How?" Karen asked and her voice came out as a whisper. She was paralyzed by the scorching blazes of Ralph's eyes and the sincerity she could feel from his words. Ralph leaned into her without his body touching hers and took her lips in his. She wanted to push him off but the strength of his hands held her in place and he deepened the kiss. She surrendered and her lips soon followed the pace that his, had set. It was gentle, promising and sent fiery messages all over her skin. Ralph soon let go of her hands and placed his body by hers on the bed as the kiss continued and grew into something ferocious. Their tongues began to play tag and their lips sought dominance over the other. Her hands held unto his shirt and his hand lifted the hospital shirt she had on and began to caress the side of her belly. Karen pulled away from the kiss as she sought air. "Now, do you know how?" Ralph asked

A "Breaking Into Your Heart" Story. Since she's been a little girl, she has known the true nature of men: cunning, shameless, and selfish. The not so trustworthy opposite sex has left a deep mark withing her, something she has been fighting with as boys started to become more and more appealing to her eyes. Cassidy loves her best friend, the reason she's been freaking out lately, as Isabelle has just hooked up with the hottest guy in school. It is all fine now, her best friend was happy, and she was starting to relax about her new brother-in-law seemed like a good person. That, until his hot best friend showed in scene. It was unexpected, like those electric shocks you get when you touch someone out of the blue. They scare the shit out of you, but when you pay close attention, it was only to find that electric balance withing yourself. Will this clash between opposites actually work out?

{WARNING: MATURE CONTENT} Cold air brushed my face. Where am I? I couldn't tell, as everything was dark. Am I dead? Is this death? Everything submerged in darkness, where I couldn’t see anything or know where I was—not to mention having no idea if I still had a body. “She’s still alive…” I heard an indistinct voice, sounding so detached, bringing forth a terrible headache. Wait a minute. I’m still alive? Then I heard heavy footsteps moving closer to where I was, step after step. As cold as I lay, as broken as I was, I felt my skin crawling with fear, even with my eyes still tightly shut; the aura was overwhelming. The footsteps eventually stopped right before me. My brain and my body were sending me danger signals. This feeling was different from anything I’d ever felt. After a while of silence, I slowly parted my eyes to catch a glimpse of the figure standing before me, but I could see nothing except a blurry pair of emerald green eyes. And just like that, the footsteps retreated. Were they leaving? I asked inwardly as my eyes fluttered closed again, submitting myself to the darkness. But before I could go any further, I heard the deepest, coldest voice I’d ever encountered in my life. “Take her. She’s coming with me.” --- **Excerpt** “Why are you here?” He didn't respond this time. Instead, a familiar—oh, so familiar—chill crawled up my skin, settling on my heart, numbing it altogether. He'd been behind me all along. I remembered this feeling, and I remembered more when I felt him stop by my side. His large palm touched my jaw, bringing my face to look at him—at his emerald green eyes. “It’s you, isn’t it? You saved me from the cliff. I should be dead, forgotten. Why did you bring me back to this heart-wrenching place?” His fingers slipped through my silvery locks, and his gentle, hot breath fanned against my neck, leaving a tingling trail. “Because it’s not time for your death, Kaila, my sweet lady.” His lips paused by the tip of my ear. “And… I recognized fire when I saw one. Although I’m not often drawn to every fire, yours roared differently.” “You know nothing,” I whispered. He chuckled softly. “Yes. I didn't, but your eyes betray a deep, much deeper hunger, Kaila… Is it revenge? Or something more?” “What if I want to burn them all?” “Then allow me to be your fire.” --- Kaila Wynter endured being a slave for her mate, James Wellesley, for years in the pack, thinking he loved her. But when he returned, he not only paid her no mind and rejected her, he took everything, including her legs, and turned a blind eye while the whole pack chanted to kill her for something she knew nothing about. However, everything changed the night he came—the rumored king of hell. Rumors whispered that his touch brought destruction. But what if he didn’t destroy her, but claimed her, even as broken and damaged as she was? They thought they had tossed her to her death; little did they know it would be their fall and her rise.

Claudia Mike's life seemed all perfect until her father decided to give her and her twin sister Clara out in marriage, to seal up a deal with an old friend he owed. Admist the hurdles, Vivian, her mother was brutally killed and her sister was led astray making Claudia vow to return in folds what they had done to her. She got caught in between and either had to fight for love or revenge. Will Claudia be able to navigate this rough path of her life and get the revenge she'd so much wanted? or will she get pulled into the ocean of love?

Unleash your wildest fantasies in a world where love intertwines with magic. #MysticalRomance #WerewolvesAndWitches Prepare to be enthralled by a love that defies tradition and challenges destiny. In the captivating city of Wolfsville, where ancient myths echo through the streets, an extraordinary tale unfolds between an alpha CEO from a powerful werewolf lineage and Lina, an ordinary woman who works in his company. Will their love overcome the odds, and what mysterious secret lies at the heart of their mating conundrum?

"Can you shift?" His voice was notably softer. I was grateful for it. As best as I could, I shook my head. The lingering dizziness rang through my head again. With another step forward, I let out my millionth whimper of the day. Goddess, I was like a boring yet concerning recording. From my personal experience, anytime someone with more power than you steps towards you, you should run. You should run far, far away as fast as you can. Chances were, they're going to hurt you. They're going to beat the shit out of you and that's honestly the best you should hope for. He stopped his movements, seeming to give me the time I so desperately need. He sighs. I'm probably annoying him. There was less than five feet between us now. He took another cautious step. I bit my cheek as best I could. "It's okay, little one." He took the final step towards me before crouching down. Even crouched down, I still felt so tiny in his presence; especially while I was in my wolf form. He reached his hand out towards me agonizingly slowly. I begged my fears to go away, putting my head down. Maybe if I can't see him, I won't be too scared. I could feel his hand hovering over me, a static-like feeling I'd never felt before letting me know. Finally, his hand touched my back. The static exploded into tingles. I jumped a little at first, the unknown worrying me. But. . . It feels so good. I'd never experienced this before but I never want it to stop. I relax under his touch. He picked up my small form and held me close, the tingles expanding. There was pain as he picked me up but the tingles were distracting me a good amount. "What's happened to you, little one?"

Adea isn’t interested in dating or finding her Goddess-chosen mate. She’s determined to ignore the nightmares that plague her sleep, keep her job at Half Moon pack, and live a peaceful life. When her best friend, Mavy begs her to go with her to Desert Moon to find her mate, she can’t say no. What does Adea do when she’s the one to find her mate at the Crescent Moon Ball? Will she be able to figure out what her nightmares are trying to warn her about? When she pieces it all together can she change her fate?

Women are being taken every full moon and it's up to Minerva to bring an end to this catastrophe until she ends up being taken herself by another village that transforms into werewolves and steals women away from villages. Why are they only stealing women? It's up to Minerva to fight her way out of this predicament and save her village from extinction.