Bargain

Sold to the highest bidder to pay off a blood feud, I never imagined I would be the pawn in my father's fatal game. Still, here I am before Enzo De Luca, the most vicious mafia leader in the city. Though appealing, he is cold, deliberate, and as lethal. Though my heart races just from his proximity, it is his touch that ignites me. My body betrays me and reacts to him in ways I am powerless over. And I melt as he softly, commandingly says my name. Enzo loves neither me nor another. In his deadly kingdom, I am only another bargain, another transaction. But every time we are alone, the conflict between us snaps—desire becomes a terrible addiction. Although I detest him for everything he stands for, I yearn for the way he consumes me, body and soul. He has made it quite evident—our marriage is more about power than love. Still, every angry gaze and every snatched moment in the shadow reveals something different. Benevolent underneath his icy façade lies something broken that appeals to the darkest sides of me. But depending on a man like Enzo may mean losing everything. Bound to him now, for better or worse, I am caught in a world where loyalty is brittle and treachery carries a bullet. Our friendship gets more perilous the more truths about his empire I find. And as the past calls for us, I have to question myself: will our passion be the thing that ruins us both or can I survive loving a guy like Enzo De Luca? Burning in his arms is me. But in his universe, I could roast alive.

"Wait!" Max shouts out grabbing her arms keeping her from running up the stairs. "Don't run from me," he says pulling her close forcing her to look him in the eyes. His strong scent triggered something deep inside. Those eyes look very similar to the wolfs' she seen that night, causing her to speculate. *It couldn't be.......could it?* She thought staring deeper into those eyes wishing to just lose herself in them. --------------------------------------- Lily Artemis Wolfman fell out of the sky with only a name that no one knew, and no home to speak of. She was taken in as a ward of the Royal Wolves of the Mystic Moon pack, but was treated worse then the prisoners they keep. While in the daytime she was an obedient "daughter" doing her duties for the family, but in the shadows she was abused by the family blamed for every mistake happening to them. With the Alpha Pairs prophecy approaching events begin to happen and Lily is about to get more then she thought to handle. Will the truth about her past come out or will she be sent off before she has a chance to find out? Or will she find more then she bargained for? Find out in the chapters to come.

Promised revenge by the Duke through a political marriage, Ivelle was betrayed. She died on her wedding day, only to be granted a second chance by the dragons she once feared. Now, with dragon blood coursing through her veins and the truth of her royal lineage revealed, Ivelle finds herself in a deadly game of power set by the king who never acknowledged her as his own. Determined to get back against the people who destroyed her life, she makes an unusual alliance with a wizard. However, a new threat arises as her opponents get closer. The previously self-centered Duke starts to develop feelings for her, and the devoted wizard becomes desperate to gain her affection. Caught between two men who would do anything for her love, she can’t afford to let emotions get in the way. Because the path to destruction may cost her more than she bargained for.

What was worse than death itself? Well it was dying knowing that no one would miss you, knowing that your death was a favour to everyone you ever knew. This was exactly how I felt the day I died. I was the love child of the Eclipse Alpha King, in a time where the mate bond was considered sacred, a child born out of wedlock was nothing short of sacrilegious... 'It was his fault, he loved someone other than his mate...' 'It was his fault, he had carnal knowledge of a human woman.' 'It was all his fault, my only crime was being born out of his lust.' But why was that Alpha King father of mine perfectly safe, while I was hated, scorned and blamed for everything instead? Why did I have to be my father's bargaining chip, used to achieve his goals? Why could I not get a rejection like everyone else but was instead murdered by my own mate? Why was I killed before I even had a chance to live? I had a thousand questions and yet there was no one to answer and this was exactly how I died... So why then did my eyes flutter open to that day, a month before my death? Was it because of my little secret? A secret I will tell no one else but you... From the title of my tale, you must think I am an omega wolf... No, you got it wrong... I am not an Omega wolf, I am an Alpha wolf and my name is Omega. ~Second Book in the Werewolf Rebirth Series. *Not a prequel or sequel to 'The Alpha King's Nemesis', both books are not related save for the world setting and Werewolf Rebirth concept. *Cover art sourced from the internet, all credits to the original artist.*

Alright! here is my masterpiece summary:Ethan is an ordinary teenager 17years old reincarnated to a fantasy world with unique abilities — to channel the powers of legendary anime characters in combat. But in a world teetering on the edge of ruin, raw strength alone is not enough. The Demon King has seized the throne, plunging the kingdom into chaos, and humanity now struggles under the rule of tyrannical races that see them as nothing more than pawns or prey. The path to salvation is neither simple nor merciful. Ethan’s journey will test not just his power, but his will to endure. Along the way, he will forge alliances with those who share his vision, warriors hardened by war and betrayal. Yet even with their combined strength, victory is uncertain. The world is filled with monsters—both literal and human—each with their own ambitions, and not all battles can be won by brute force. As the war for humanity’s survival unfolds, Ethan must navigate the fine line between heroism and destruction. The strongest abilities come with a cost, and not every enemy can be felled by power alone. Some will have to be outwitted, others bargained with, and some may force him to make choices that will haunt him forever. In the end, the question is not whether he can defeat the Demon King—but whether he can do so without losing himself in the process.

Under everyone's gaze, her pregnant sister came to force a marriage, making her the butt of the joke, after being cheated on. When she was at her wit's end, she met him —— Jun Mochan, the business tycoon. He said: "Marry me, I won't betray you." In order to shut off the wagging tongues and avoid becoming a bargaining chip in a family alliance, She said: "Okay" But, wasn't it agreed that it would be a fake marriage? He loves her deeply. The whole world knows it, only she doesn't.

The contract says she can’t share his bed, but nothing stops him from getting into hers… * Rain Clayton’s life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers she’s suddenly married to a billionaire named Alexander Lancaster, a powerful and dangerously captivating man who wants their marriage over before it even begins... Raised by a family that never cared for her and desperate to avoid a twisted arranged marriage, Rain seizes this unexpected twist of fate. Her new husband might be a cold-hearted billionaire, but he's her only escape. Yet Alexander demands a swift divorce. Refusing to lose her one chance at freedom, Rain strikes a risky bargain to keep their marriage alive, even if it means playing by Alexander’s rules. She just has to convince him to want her around… FOREVER. Weeks into their unexpected arrangement, Rain begins to see through Alexander’s icy exterior. But one night, she’s taken by surprise. “What are you doing?” Rain burst out, eyes wide as Alexander casually slid into her bed. “Performing husbandly duties,” he smirked. “You can’t stay here! It’s against the contract!” “I’m not breaking it,” Alexander said with a shrug. “The contract specifies that you’ll fulfill all wifely duties, excluding sharing my bed. It doesn’t say anything about me not performing husbandly duties, including sharing your bed.” The situation had shifted, and it seemed like she was no longer the only one in control... [Warning: r18+/strong mature & sexual content]

Settings: • The Crimson Court: A grand castle filled with secrets, where Olivia resides as the villainess fiancée of Austin, the Duke’s heir. • The Threads of Eternity: A mystical realm where the "Weaver of Fates" resides, controlling the multiverse. • The Hall of Mirrors: A hidden archive containing reflections of all the timelines Olivia has existed in, showing her repeated deaths. • The Fractured Horizon: A collapsing fragment of the multiverse Olivia's survival has affected, where reality itself starts to fray. Blurb: Transmigrated into the body of Olivia Fairmont, a despised villainess destined to die, she finds herself in a timeline unlike any other. Her fiancé, Austin, fiercely protects her; her brothers, Paul and Tom, refuse to abandon her; and her adopted sister treats her with warmth. Determined to understand why her fate has changed, Olivia uncovers evidence of her countless deaths across timelines. As the multiverse begins to unravel, Olivia learns a horrifying truth: her survival may doom existence itself. Can she rewrite her cursed destiny without sacrificing those she’s grown to love? Exposition: Olivia wakes up in a timeline where everything feels…off. Unlike the villainess life she remembers from her past transmigration experiences, she is loved and cared for by her family and fiancé. Uneasy, she begins to notice strange anomalies—fractures in reality, fleeting memories of deaths she shouldn’t remember, and dreams of threads being cut. Inciting Incident: She discovers the Hall of Mirrors in a forbidden wing of the castle and learns about her deaths across hundreds of timelines. There, she also finds evidence that her survival in this timeline is destabilizing the multiverse. A mysterious entity, the Weaver of Fates, warns her that the timeline must be corrected to restore balance, meaning her death is inevitable. Rising Action: • Olivia begins to investigate the anomaly causing her survival, suspecting Austin, who acts strangely whenever she questions their engagement. • She discovers that her brothers and even her adopted sister are working to protect her, but they seem to be hiding something. • In the Threads of Eternity, Olivia learns a shocking truth: her original soul was the first Weaver of Fates. Her essence split into countless fragments to maintain order in the multiverse, and her survival threatens that delicate balance. • She realizes Austin has been trying to save her across timelines, defying the Weaver’s rules, which explains his unusually strong attachment. Climax: In the Fractured Horizon, Olivia confronts the Weaver, demanding to know why her soul was condemned to endless suffering. The Weaver reveals that her original self chose this role to protect the multiverse. However, her survival in this timeline is creating a ripple effect that could cause irreparable damage. Olivia faces a choice: 1. Sacrifice herself to restore balance and save existence. 2. Fight against the Weaver’s control, risking multiverse collapse to forge her own destiny. Denouement: The resolution depends on Olivia’s choice: 1. Sacrifice Ending: Olivia dies, but her loved ones remember her sacrifice and the multiverse stabilizes. Her essence becomes part of the Weaver once again, but her story inspires change in the rules governing fate. 2. Rebellion Ending: Olivia manages to break free of the Weaver’s control, creating a new multiverse where free will trumps predestination. However, the cost is high—she loses Austin, or the new multiverse becomes fragile, requiring constant vigilance. 3. Bittersweet Ending: Olivia strikes a bargain with the Weaver, surviving at the cost of forgetting her loved ones. She lives on in a new timeline but with no memory of the bonds she formed.

Killed On The Roof Top On Her Wedding Day By Her Just-Wedded-husband,Jasmine Trevor begged for a second chance at life. As If The Universe Heard Her Plea,Jasmine Trevor Was Reborn To Two Days Before Her Wedding With Jack Raven. This Life,She Vowed To Change Her Fate While Face Slapping Jack And Get A Sweet Revenge. What Would Be The Perfect Face-Slapping Than Getting Married To His Rival?? Jasmine Went Ahead With The Wedding,on the aisle,she took everyone by surprise by introducing a new groom while she had security men throw Jack Out Of The Hall. A Villian Was Made. Getting Married To The Infamous Billionaire Monster Who Was Tagged As The Killer Of His Parents,Jasmine Was In For A Ride She Never Bargained For. Jasmine’s Taste For Revenge Made Her Get Entangled With The Sadistic Billionaire Who Has A Very Dark Past,One That Might Cloud Her….Thrust Into His Endless Abyss Through A Contract Marriage, Jasmine Was Stuck With Kingsley Elm—-Who Saw Her As His Possession. An Asset And His Obsession. “Be Tame,Little Vengeful Wife. You’re Mine Now.”

Meili is a once-in-a-generation beauty raised in secrecy in the inner courtyards. To keep her safe from the palace concubine selections, her family conspires to make everyone, including her, believe that she's ugly. The secret's revealed when 3 peeping Tom’s get more than they bargained for spying on the 'ugly sister' bathing. The perverts are best friends, a young commander, the second prince, and an admired poet, and the 3 young men compete fiercely for her affections. As Meili emerges from 16 years in seclusion, her deeply rooted body dysmorphia has hilarious consequences as she misreads her interactions with men and proves to be a far more complex puzzle to woo than any of them are equipped for. A cdrama romcom where a young girl is a glittering prize trying her hardest not to be won. [#teen #lovequadrangle #historicalromance #romcom #cdrama #sweetromance] EXTRACT: Meili slipped out of her robe and sat on a ledge in the warm pool. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, tiny silver bells tinkled as she moved. It felt wonderful to be free of her chest binding. It was starting to get quite painful. She didn't dare stop wearing it in case it encouraged her already disconcertingly large breasts to keep expanding. It was onto this scene that the Commander, the Prince and the poet happened, as they soundlessly raised their heads above the peaked roofline. For a full minute not one of them moved or breathed. Her long hair covered her generous curves, allowing tantalising glimpses. She reached behind her neck to push back her hair. Commander Bai, realising what was about to happen, clamped each of his hands firmly over the eyes of the Prince and Tan Bowen. A fight broke out on the ridge-line as the men clawed and scratched in a panicked attempt to see what came next. Meili looked up in fright, just as the commander forcefully pushed his two friends, sliding them down the steep rooftop. For just a split second, the eyes of Commander Bai and Meili met.

In a world full of chaos and lies, Everest Sparkspar is just trying to get by. With no big plans for his future, he spends his days taking on missions for a secretive company alongside his bold and fearless partner, J. But when they start digging into the company’s secrets, they find more than they bargained for. As the stakes rise, Everest and J have to decide if they’ll stick to the rules or take a chance on something bigger. Packed with action, humor, and tough choices, their story is about finding your own way in a messy world.

In a world where violence and power dictate survival, a hardened man bound by a dark legacy crosses paths with a woman whose kindness cracks the armor around his soul. As their forbidden connection deepens, he glimpses a life beyond bloodshed—until shadows from his past threaten to destroy everything. Haunted by guilt and driven by love, he faces an impossible choice: confront the demons he created or make a perilous bargain with forces beyond his control. A tale of redemption, sacrifice, and the echoes of fate that blur the line between second chances and cosmic reckoning.

In a world where honor, loyalty, and power define destiny, Adler a loyal member of the Silver Dragon Six Swords, Adler’s duty has always been to guide the party to victory. But when tragedy strikes his wife, Fiona, Adler makes a decision that fractures the unity of the hero party. Torn between his family and his comrades, Adler move to save the one person who matters most to him. Betrayed and ambushed by his comrades during his journey home to save his wife, Adler, once a trusted member of the legendary hero party known as the Silver Dragon Six Swords, loses everything: his family, his honor, and his power. Shattered in both body and soul, he descends into the Abyss—a forbidden realm of darkness—driven by an unyielding desire for vengeance against those who betrayed him. At the brink of death, he encounters the remnant soul of the Nether Devil Undead Flame Emperor, a former supreme devil brought low by time and war. With nothing left to lose, Adler strikes a dangerous bargain: his soul and eternal servitude in exchange for the strength to destroy his enemies. Together, they perform a forbidden ritual using a heavenly artifact of unfathomable power, the Reverse Taiji Jade. This ancient relic binds their fates, merging Adler's broken body and the Devil's essence. The stone reincarnates Adler into a new body—one that bears a different name yet retains subtle echoes of his former self. This new form, however, comes with the burden of memories from its previous life. . Now, Adler is haunted by the dual existence within him. He retains his own fragments memories of betrayal, loss, and Fiona’s death, but he also inherits fragments of the new body’s past—a life filled with rage, desires, ambition, and unfulfilled oaths. These conflicting memories leave Adler torn between two identities, unsure of where one ends and the other begins. As he embarks on a path of vengeance, he discovers that his enemies are not merely the heroes who betrayed him but also a world driven by corruption, ambition, and the echoes of an ancient war. With the Devil emperor knowledge guiding him and his own will tempered by loss. He must navigate the treacherous path of power, loyalty, and the price of his humanity. __________________ The image does not belong to me; I simply found it on an online platform.

I just want to be useful... It all begins in a society very similar to ours, if one were to view it through a broken mirror of course. This society is fractured with several isolated countries scattered throughout the world, seeking only war or solitude. Among them, only one country reigns supreme. This country is known as the Commonwealth . A country littered with superhumans and strange devices being an everyday occurrence. This world isn't just home to humans, but also beings of great power destined to save the world . They are known as supers. Some of these beings inherited strange abilities from the floating particles of a mysterious meteorite that crashed on earth a millenia ago while others used the elements of this meteorite to craft powerful new weapons. However this story isn't about these supers. Not yet. This is the story of Jake Scott. A convenience store clerk who had just come to a horrifying realization. He had wasted his life. Well there was nothing he could do about it now since he was stuck in a dead end job making minimum wage and living in a cruddy and cramped apartment with an annoyingly nerdy roommate. Or was there? Scott is given the chance to become a super after performing a heroic deed for an old friend. However he's about to get way more than he bargained for ... And a new evil emerges to reclaim what was rightfully hers.

CQ 2024 entry. When Lithe Hildebrand hires Zen Starke to retrieve stolen property belonging to the Maximillian Tribe nothing goes according to plan. Lithe, a workaholic and perfectionist, convinces Zen to let him go on the dangerous mission with him for fear that if mishandled it could ruin his reputation and career. Intrigued, Zen is determined to keep his potential mate by his side at all costs. For he’s never met anyone as captivating and sensuous as Lithe. When Lithe’s life is threatened, Zen makes a bargain to protect Lithe if he pretends to be his fiancé. Pressed for time, Lithe agrees since Zen is nothing like the media portrays him to be. As a recessive omega he finds the dominant alpha irresistibly charismatic and fiercely loyal. The problem is the feelings are mutual. Despite their differences, the lovers embark on a dangerous quest that gets them more than they bargain for when they encounter murder, deception and the gift of everlasting love.

Lyra, the daughter of a powerful Alpha, has always been seen as a failure. Unable to connect with her wolf, she’s treated as an outcast in her own pack—even by her husband, the Beta, whose scorn cuts the deepest. Desperate to protect her father when he’s captured by a rival pack, Lyra agrees to an unthinkable bargain: to save her father, she will be given to the enemy Alpha. Thrown into the arms of a man feared for his strength and ruthlessness, Lyra expects cruelty. But Alpha Kieran surprises her. Beneath his stern exterior lies a complexity she never imagined—compassion, understanding, and an unyielding belief that she’s more than the broken woman her pack made her out to be. As Lyra adjusts to life in her new pack, she begins to uncover a side of herself she never knew existed. Kieran's steady presence awakens her courage, her heart, and even the long-silent bond with her wolf. But as forbidden feelings grow between them, Lyra must decide where her true loyalties lie: with the pack that rejected her or the man who believes in her. In a world of pack politics, dangerous secrets, and a fragile truce, can Lyra risk her heart on the Alpha who might just teach her what it means to love—and to truly belong

Frostfire: Mr. Grumpy and His Little Flower Isabelle When I took the job working for Sebastian Kingston, I thought it was my chance to secure a better future for my daughter. But nothing could have prepared me for the cold, dangerous allure of my new boss. Sebastian is everything I don't want, everything I can’t have, yet I’m drawn to him in ways I can’t explain. When he offers me a weird deal—to be his fake girlfriend for a month—the money is too good to refuse, but can my heart survive the bargain? What begins as a simple arrangement quickly turns into a tangled mess of desire and fear. As I get closer to Sebastian, the line between reality and the charade blurs, leaving me terrified of losing everything that matters most. But then I quickly realize that falling for this man could mean losing the only things I hold dear. Sebastian Hiring Isabelle Summers was supposed to be a straightforward arrangement—a job, nothing personal. But from the moment she stepped into my world, everything shifted. She’s warm and full of life, the opposite of the cold control I’ve perfected. She doesn’t belong in my world, yet I can’t seem to resist her. So I make her a deal—be my fake girlfriend for a month to get my family off my back. Simple, right? Except nothing about Isabelle is simple. The more time I spend with her, the harder it is to keep my distance. What started as a calculated move is quickly spiraling into something I never expected, the walls I’ve built are beginning to crumble. And when she suddenly runs from me at a crucial moment of my life, I am left to wonder if I really know the woman I am hopelessly falling for.

A young girl named, Keomi Hollow, is a transfer student from Ginto Japan. She comes to her new school during autumn in search of New friends and adventures, however she gets more than what she bargains for when some of the schoolboys go missing and she is summoned by a friendly spirit of autumn to help and catch the culprit.

It is the year 2147, decades after the void rifts devastated the planet, Earth is a shadow of its former self. Humanity clings to survival within fortified cities, while the rift wastes is a no man's land of chaos. The rifts, unstable tears in reality continue to spawn deadly wraiths and corrupt the lands, threatening the remainder of humanity. Lunaris, the werewolf realm is not left untouched, a pandemic has wiped out 80% of the population of she-wolves, The majority of the wolf shifters have been rendered mateless, with no chance of propagating their bloodlines, driving the species closer to extinction. In this disturbing situation, there is just one solution...human mates. To survive, a fragile alliance between humans and the wolf shifter clans is formed, and thus the exchange is birthed. Word of the exchange has spread all across the city, and the government bargain with Lunaris. The werewolves, immune to void corruption and void mania protect the cities, in exchange, they demand human women to secure their dwindling bloodlines...a controversial program known as 'Project Mate'. These women would be volunteers or come from families that have no other means of survival. Vanya Hale, a rogue void-seeker has no place in this grim exchange, her life revolves around navigating rifts, stealing artifacts, smuggling black market goods, rescuing survivors and defying UHF authority...yet a twist of fate had Vanya's blood sample mixed into the match test. When her results reveal she is the only human with Alpha compatibility and a perfect match with not one but two sovereign alphas, Rorik and Karius, feared leaders of rival wolf clans, Vanya's life spirals out of control as she is thrust into a deadly world where loyalty is dangerous, passion is damning, secrets can kill and there exists an explosive mate bond they claim cannot be broken. Lunaris is a world unlike any other, with its own troubles, and with reality itself on the brink, Vanya faces a decision, submit to the bond or risk everything to escape. But the Alphas are watching, their eyes already set on her and they do not intend to let their mate slip away.

Alice Lewis aka Death was banished from her world of dead. She was forced to give her powers to the Devil, the king of Mosvil, in form of a locket as a compensation and was sent on earth to replace the woman who died due to Death's interference with destiny. After 19 years of her punishment, Death finds about her locket and plans to retrieve it only to find out it was fake. In her plan to find about the locket, Death comes to know about the chaos set to erupt in the magic world as the kind hearts turn of stone for mystical power of death. But the most dangerous of all the chasers of power is Raven Callan, the current queen of Mosvil, who is at constant war with Eidolon. For the coming war between will and greed Death must be prepared with her locket. But Death does not know one thing " One never gets what one bargained for. Either more or less."

In a world where the skies are ruled by dragons and the mountains hide ancient secrets, a spirited young woman finds herself thrust into the heart of the dragon lands, taken captive by the fierce leader of the dragons. Her father, a renowned dragon hunter, has long been at war with these majestic creatures, and now his daughter is the bargaining chip in a dangerous game of power. Trained from childhood to despise the dragons, she arrives with a heart full of fear and resentment. Yet, as she navigates the realm of her captor, an unexpected bond begins to form between them. In the midst of conflict and betrayal, they discover a love that defies their families' legacies, challenging everything they thought they knew about loyalty, fear, and the true nature of their worlds.

"A Veiled Bargain: Bound to the Emperor's Heart" In this tale, a girl desperate to see her dying mother boldly pleas to a guard, unknowingly offering herself in marriage without even knowing it was the dragon emperor in disguise.

At 79 years old, Nero is a frail mage burdened by a lifetime of illness and regret. As the world succumbs to flames and hope crumbles to ashes, his final moments are interrupted by a strange figure emerging from the shadows, posing a single question: "If given another chance, would you take it?" With nothing left to lose, Nero accepts. A handshake seals the bargain, and he awakens in a familiar place: the grounds of his old academy, sixty-five years in the past. The slate is clean, his memories intact, and his youth restored. This time, Nero vows to seize everything he once longed for: savoring delicacies he'd only dreamed of, exploring a world still brimming with wonders, and living a life without restraint. Yet, there’s one critical challenge—he must stop the world's destruction before it begins. As Nero embarks on this second journey, he quickly learns that altering the past may require sacrifices far more devastating than watching it all fall apart.

Year 1540 Nicole is a lowly human from the mainland trying to make ends meet as she would often paint for middle and high-class people sometimes even Purebloods which was rare in her case. She receives little money which doesn’t financially support her living. Until one day she received an invitation from the Snow Kingdom to paint the great Lord Jasper Gervassius. She reaches the kingdom and Meets Lord Jasper in the hopes of making a big income she receives more than what she bargains for. ---------------------------------- Teaser: Jasper placed both of his hands on either side of Nicole's head trapping her with his body. He stared down at her looking at his sweet innocent lamb, he couldn't help but smile at her widely. Her doe-like eyes staring back at him only made him want to devour her "Why do you play these games with me darling you know I don't like it. I think you forgot who you're dealing with." He leaned down against her lips slightly flicking his tongue in her mouth making her crave for more."My Quahneah Woman" Nicole gasped in shock as she wondered how he knew her tribe's name. Before she could say another Jasper had cupped her cheek softly placing his lips on hers and kissing her softly as he slowly removed his hands against the wall. He was wrapping his arms around her waist bringing her body closer to his as there was no space between them. As they continued Nicole started to become breathless pulling herself back to breathe, she couldn't help but look up to see Jasper looking at her with a smile that was Duchenne. His purple orbs looked into her seeing the love and adorn affection he was showing her.  "Jasper I have a question to ask you" Jasper hummed waiting for her question" What are we going to do about the tirade ." Jasper's smile suddenly became sinister as he narrowed his eyes "Why don't you leave that to me, darling."

Michael Conner is a haunted teenager who basically feels that the world weighs upon him, and every step he makes is drawing him deeper into its cruel clutches. After five years of escaping, fate drags him back for the funeral of his ex-best friend's grandfather-a moment he had dreadfully awaited. What begins as a reluctant return turns out to be a nightmarish journey. In the attic, full of dust, he finds a concealed journal, and the dark secrets it holds unfold a terrifying truth: the grandfather had made a malevolent bargain, trading in his family's souls to some ancient, evil being. Having realized that the town he once knew is steeped in darkness, Michael must swallow his pride and team up with Jake, his former best friend turned bitter enemy. As they grapple with old wounds and simmering resentment, their shared mission forces them to confront both their haunting past and the chilling present that threatens everything they hold dear. Together, they step into the darkness that has consumed their hometown, where every new turn reveals more secrets-secrets that threaten their view of reality and promise to tear asunder the very fibers of their life. With danger looming large over them, tensions rising, Michael and Jake must race against time to try and break the chain of their families that is cursed, binding them into this malevolent force. Will they find a way to redeem themselves and save those they love, or will the darkness claim them forever? Prepare for a gripping tale of friendship, betrayal, and the fight for redemption in the face of unimaginable evil.

Joanna had always dreamed of soaring through the skies as a stewardess, but her family's poverty seemed to ground her ambitions. In a shocking turn of events, her father made a Faustian bargain with a young billionaire, trading his daughter's hand in marriage for control of one of his lucrative companies. Joanna was horrified to discover she had been sold to the highest bidder, her future hijacked by her father's desperation. But the young billionaire, known for his ruthless business tactics, was driven by a different motive. He couldn't resist the opportunity to possess Joanna, captivated by her stunning beauty and determination. He would stop at nothing to make her his, and his alone."

A mage on death's door, drowning in a sea of regret - that was Darian, a man who chased power only to find it a cruel mistress. He traded his health for fleeting strength, a bargain that led him to a lonely end in a dingy apartment. But as the darkness claimed him, something shifted. He awakens to a scent that shouldn't exist - his mother's baking - and a sight even more impossible: her, alive and young. Is this a twisted afterlife, mocking him with what he lost? Or could this be a second chance, a rewind on a life gone wrong? But why him? And if it is real... what will he change, and at what cost?

In a world where magic and mortal realms intertwine, Alara, a talented but reclusive young witch, finds herself trapped in a dangerous bargain. To prevent a war between her people (Humans) and the powerful Fae kingdom of the Night Court, she is promised as a bride to Lord Kael, the enigmatic and feared ruler of the court. But the almighty king has a curse, whoever he touches will succumb to death. Will Alara be able to break the curse with her enchanted magic and survive a death sentence?

Vilaria is a land where fae dwell. Shouldn't they live in peace, happiness, and so on? Turns out that the fae are much more bloodthirsty and complex than what the stories had made us believe. When Nyx, a changeling, abandoned by her parents, becomes a new guard at the Court of Spring and Blossoms, she doesn't even know what perils await her. There is a revolution brewing in the realm of Kobolds, the Undine pirates have been ransacking the shores, the Sylph army is preparing to introduce the martial law and close the borders, and the Salamanders refuse to even attend the annual council. Yet the Seelies, creators of the world, do not care - they dance and drink in the shadowy realm beyond the reach of common fae, their mouths full of nectar as Vilaria crumbles. The only connection they have with the world is through Lunarie, fae of stars and moons who keep the portal to their realm hidden. But the faith in them is dwindling. Do they even exist? Are they the actual creators? Did they abandon their creation, or have they never had anything to do with it? Is it all a Lunarian ploy? If they don't care for the chaos... do they enjoy it? There are so many questions and so few answers. --- I will also be posting this story on RoyalRoad.com.