in the garden of beasts

An awkward and unattractive girl Maria Priscilla Bantoc came across an old woman named Helia Baal who owned a mysterious garden at the crag to the north and west of the craggy hill. She also had encountered a strange black riding apparition which first appeared once fateful stormy night when Maria was born. Things had been turning out difficult for the awkward and unattractive Maria, especially after the marriage of Celeste and the betrothal of Petunia, Maria's two sisters. The old witch named Helia Baal had trapped a powerful storm spirit named Elohim Hefasto, the mysterious black riding apparition. Maria had to save Elohim from Helia's entrapment and also save the people living at the craggy hill. However, at the end, Elohim had to choose to become a mortal or return to his home, the spirit world called Mundu.

Sophia Miller has spent her life cultivating beauty in her tulip garden, a family-owned flower shop nestled in the heart of Eldenbrook. Her mother’s legacy lives on through her prized “Midnight Flame” tulip, a rare and radiant bloom that symbolizes hope and resilience. But as land developers close in on her beloved shop, Sophia faces losing everything she’s worked to preserve. When Alexander Kane, a reclusive billionaire and tech visionary, wanders into her garden, Sophia sees him as just another customer with deep pockets and shallow intentions. But Alexander isn’t there for tulips—at least, not entirely. Desperate to salvage his company’s struggling renewable energy project, he believes Sophia’s unique flowers may hold the key to revolutionizing biofuels. Drawn together by unexpected chemistry, Sophia and Alexander find their lives entwined in ways neither of them could predict. As Sophia shares the secrets of her garden, Alexander begins to question the cost of his ambition. But when she discovers the truth about his hidden motives, their budding romance is uprooted, leaving betrayal and heartbreak in its wake. In a race against time and corporate greed, Alexander must decide: protect his billion-dollar empire or fight for the woman who taught him to see beyond the numbers. Can they find common ground in the soil of their shared dreams, or will their love wither before it has a chance to bloom?

It had been five years since I started dating Ross Jenner. His family invited my mother and me to their family home in Fellaton to discuss our wedding plans and to spend Valentine's Day together. It was past 10:00 PM when my mother and I landed, but Ross wasn't there to pick us up because his college junior, Laurel Elledge, had just arrived in Fellaton. He told me to figure out a way to get a cab to the house myself. In a strange place, unfamiliar with the area, it wasn't long before we found ourselves in danger. Just over ten minutes outside the airport, we were robbed. My mother was injured while trying to protect me, and she collapsed, bleeding heavily. Desperate, I held onto her, frantically trying to call Ross. Each call was abruptly cut off, and when I finally reached him, he sounded irritated. "Jennifer, you're an adult, so stop acting like a child. You couldn't even hail a cab on the street? Laurel just got to Fellaton and isn't feeling well. I need to take care of her." Without waiting for a response, he hung up. I tried calling again, only to find that I had been blocked. In the end, my mother's injuries were too severe, and she bled out before the doctors could save her. As I stared at her lifeless body, tears flowed uncontrollably. When I finally checked my phone again, the first thing I saw was a picture Ross had posted on Twitter. In the photo, he was kissing Laurel and holding a bouquet of roses. [Spending Valentine's Day with the one I love most.] I quietly threw the gifts I had brought from home into the trash. Then, I left a comment, which said, [Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness.]

"I wasn't done talking," he said. "In return for this favor, you're going to do something for me."Jia's face paled. "What's that, sir?" she asked, simply because she could feel him ordering her to, silently, with the cold look in his eyes..."You're going to work for me," he told her, his voice dripping venom. "Until you drop dead."---------Jia Moon is riddled with debt and the head of her household after her parents' death. After a disaster, she finds herself serving at the spoiled whim of Atlas Grayson, CEO - but things aren't quite as unequal as they seem.Oh, he has a lot more to contend with than he thinks!

Despite being married for three years, Grace Lewis doesn't even get to hold hands with Benjamin Hawkins, let alone bear a child for him.After surviving a plane crash, Grace finds herself in the hospital, where she sees Benjamin accompanying another woman for a prenatal checkup. This makes Grace realize Benjamin's never had space in his heart for her.As soon as she ends the relationship, Grace changes back to the granddaughter of the world's wealthiest man. Since she can't be Benjamin's wife, she'll be his nemesis instead. She'd like to see who's the unworthy one now!

Joanne, an 18-year-old high school graduate suddenly woke up one day in an mysterious ancient rainforest. She was saved by a handsome military cadet named Leon who accusing her for trespassing a military exclusion zone. But somehow, she found his turquiose eyes familiar..... This is the Inter-Galaxy Era. She woke up on a strange planet where all men here are stupidly powerful but somehow keep calling themselves as different spieces even though they all look alike under Joanne's eyes. It's alright, self-expression is a basic human right. Joanne couldn't care less; until one day, Leon turns himself into a giant wolf..... O..Okay, no big deal either. Joanne convinces herself. Who cares if it's a dog or a cat or a wolf that saved her? The key point is her life is indeed saved. Then, Leon reveals his true identity as the second to the Throne, Duke of the Empire who is being targeted for assassin this whole time? This is NOT okay anymore! Joanne thought this might be the wrost situation, without knowing one day she will be forced into a marriage with the Heir Apparent, First to the Throne, the top Alpha of the Empire.

I thought the worst part of my life was over when Lucas Mattfield divorced me and dissolved our bond. I thought I'd be free. I was wrong. After enduring two years of abuse at the hands of the future Alpha of Red Ridge, I’m left bruised and broken. Betrayed by my mate, my pack, my best friend, and even my own father, I’m nothing more than a discarded Omega, sold to yet another man. A rogue Alpha in a town I’ve never heard of - Haven's Crest. Alpha Johnathan Banks — tall, commanding, and impossibly handsome — offers me a new life and the chance to be his Luna. With his dark eyes and rugged charm, he’s as dangerous as he is captivating. The town is breathtaking, the people are friendly, and everything seems perfect. But something dark and dangerous lurks beneath the surface, and I don't know who I can trust anymore.

"Please!! Leave me, it's not right, you are my sister's husband!! It's wrong!! ", Anjali begged in front of Alex. Alex chuckled and grabbed her jaws tightly, " I don't care , from now you are my mistress , your only work is to serve your master. Now strip or you want me to do that honor for you ", He ordered woth cold expression. When Anjali heard that words from her mouth her blood boiled due to anger , she pushed him with her full strength and with full force she slapped him so hard, " Until now, I was silent just for the sake that you are my brother in law but today you have crossed your every limit. Now I will tell about you to everyone!! Just wait and watch ", Anjali said with disgust and spit on the floor while glaring Alex. Alex clenched his fist tight and fisted her hairs tightly, " I am not afraid of anything b, do whatever you want because in last you will be under me screaming my name, so it's better for saving your energy for bed ", he gritted out. " Ahhh.... I will tell Nina and dad about your disgusting acts ", Anjali glared him furiously. Alex smiled sarcastically and asked, " What will you tell them, that you fucked your brother in law on your eighteenth birthday by the way it's your family that gifted you as a gift on your eighteenth birthday and now they sold you to me " . Anjali slapped his hand and said, " Don't lie!! I know my family can't do anything like that . How could you stoop so low just for your lust." " Ok then ask your family, they will told you truth ", Alex said with bored expression and leave her hair. Without wasting any time Anjali ran out of his mention

From mistress to wife… La vie en rose… or at least she thought so… Two years ago, all her dreams come true. Harley Winston knew and fell head over heels in love with the sexy French billionaire Armel Mathieu de Roquefort. He gave her everything money could buy, and more pleasure in the bedroom than she'd thought possible. But when Harley announced she was pregnant, Armel threw her out. When they meet again, the passion between them is as strong as ever. Armel whisks Harkey away to Monaco and back to his , where he'll get his answers! If the baby is his, he'll make Harley his wife...

A growl escaped his throat as my robe fell and pooled at my feet. I was completely naked. I saw his eyes dilating. He wanted me. That was all that mattered. A seductive smile curled on my lips, hiding the nervousness I felt. "I'm all yours, Alpha..." "Get dressed! And get out!" His breathing hitched as his gaze swept all over my naked form. I walked towards him, biting my lower lip as I reached for his shirt, unbuttoning it while ignoring his anger. He would have pushed me away if he didn't want this, but instead, he moved swiftly and pinned me against the wall. "Is this what you want?" His said hoarsely. His breath brushed against my neck, sending pleasurable tingles between my thighs as he pressed his front against mine. I stared back at him, letting my eyes show the emotions I had kept hidden all these years. "I want you, Caspian." ***** In a world where Alpha Females are pawns for the Claiming, being an Omega Female is considered a blessing. Andrea was born and raised as an Omega. She had the freedom to choose whether to be claimed by her mate or be someone's chosen. And so she thought, until the reality of her past came hunting her.  Alpha Caspian knew from the very beginning that he wanted Andrea, whether they were fated mates or not. But by the time he was ready to make amends for sending her away when she was 15, a secret from her past had resurfaced.  Would he let her go this time? Or was she worth fighting for? ***** A spin-off novel from the Black Shadow Pack Series. While the story is stand-alone, I recommend that you read the Black Shadow Pack Series to gain a better understanding of the characters.