open season c. j. box

It was finally that time of the year. One that sent shivers down the spine of every young woman above the age of twenty-one. The breeding season was upon them, and with it came the mandatory ritual that would determine their fate. Blindfolded and vulnerable, they stood in the town square, waiting to be chosen by the Alpha. Only one who bore the mark of the moon goddess would be selected to be his breeder. For years, Alpha Azriel and other Alphas went for the ceremony. Year after year, they had been disappointed, their hopes dwindling with each passing season. But then he saw her, standing there trembling with fear, and something shifted inside him. He knew from that moment on that he would stop at nothing to claim her as his. Amidst the conflicts and differences they would face, will they give into their undeniable feelings towards each other? Their love is put to a test when a mysterious stranger from Delilah's past threatens the life of their unborn baby.

It's been two years since he went to study abroad. I still remember the day I first came to live in this house after my parent's death. I still remember the day she suddenly came into my room. My eyes were wide looking at his sudden action. He looked at the doir of my room and started to walk in my direction. In a flash of seconds, he was standing in front of me. I knew I was in danger. I tried to move. Bloody hell my body was held by his deep-sea color eyes. Standing in front of me he took a hold of my hair making me look into his eyes. My eyes were closed shut afraid of meeting his mad one. But the next words out of his mouth made me short open my eyes. "Who was the man with whom you were laughing and talking with answer me jane who was he," he asked me angrily. I took his appearance his jaw was clench and his eyes were burning in anger. H--he saw me with him. Warm tears filled in my eyes ready to flow from the corner of my eyes. Remembering that day still pass shiver to my body. Suddenly I was pulled out of the car and now I was standing in front of the airport I receive the devil of my life. Yes, you heard it right.

Jane walked towards the forbidden building with a clenched fist. She looked scared at first but that didn't stop her curiosity about looking into the building she had been forbidden to reach. She looked back to see if any of the men were around to know of her sudden disappearance but nobody seemed to know since the alarm bells hadn't rung. She breathe out heavily and touched the door knob but before she could twist it open, her hand was yanked off it and she was pushed backward. She looked up only to meet the face of one person she had been trying to avoid. Allen stared coldly at the woman in front of him and stepped forward like a lion trying to stalk its prey. Jane looked terrified and gulped down with uneasiness. " What are you doing here? " Allen asked with his usual cold tone. " I was...uhm...just... " " Haven't I warned you not to step closer to this building huh? But it seems you are the stubborn pet. " Allen interrupted while continuing his walk towards her. " No...no, I was just being curious, that's all. " Jane replied as her back hits the wall. Allen trapped her in between. " Have you ever heard that curiosity kills the cat? " Allen smirked dangerously and Jane knew that she was in a long torture for the night. ______________ Don't miss out on this book. You will love it.

Wealthy art dealer Damien Kennedy has successfully avoided two things: returning to the hometown that haunts him and taking a wife. Now thanks to his controlling grandfather’s machinations, he’s reluctantly ended up doing both. But Regina Duquesne quickly proves she’s no mere platonic bride of convenience. The only way she can make this marriage outlive their one-year agreement is if she can make her sexy husband open his heart and forget the demons of the past... before it’s too late. Because there’s an enemy on the horizon, threatening to take away all they hold dear, including their newfound passion.

"My husband walks about freely, lavishing my fortune, with his mistress by his side, while I am condemned to spend the rest of my life in an island prison for his death. If this is my fate, I will fight it until my last breath."~~~ MARIANNE Betrayed by the ones she trusted most, Marianne finds herself convicted for a crime she did not commit. In a desperate attempt to change her new reality, she ends up at the brink of death but gets a second chance in Troy; An unusually sexy billionaire willing to place the world at her feet. Marianne swears she is done with men and love, and her life's goal is revenge against those who wronged her. But why does her heart race uncontrollably at the sound of his voice? ***His hands reached out, framing my face, his fingers tracing the outline of my lips as if committing them to memory. His touch moved lower, his thumbs grazing the sensitive peaks of my nipples. The sensation sent a wave of pleasure rippling through me, making it impossible to think. I closed my eyes as his lips found the crook of my neck, kissing and biting lightly, leaving me breathless and trembling. "Troy," I panted, my eyes flying open as I took a step back, trying to create distance between us. But he followed me, closing the gap I had made. His voice was low, a whisper that seemed to reach into my soul. "Do I scare you?" I nodded, my eyes unable to meet his, looking anywhere but at him. His brows furrowed as he gently lifted my chin, forcing me to face him. "Why, Anne?" I swallowed hard, trying to find the words. "Because... you make me feel things I've never felt before."***

Natasha has been through more grief than a person experiences, in their entire life. She carries baggage that no kid should entail. She lives a pain filled life but hides it all beneath a fake smile. Behind that smile, she is truly hurting. When you look into her closely, then you can see the Pain within. She has Hidden Scars that she prefers to stay hidden in her closed heart and nobody had ever been let in not even once. But of course, she must be loved and love comes when two of them can depend on each other, cherish each other and have no secrets. Her Hidden Scars are soon to be explored by mysterious and popular bad boy, Reece Worth. . . . Reece Worth is the school's scandalous bad boy who acts on impulse and blinded rage who is known for breaking every single rule. He only has his best friend and his cousin by his side. . . . Driven by a whirlwind of secrets, Natasha and Reece are thrown together despite their differences. . Can Natasha open her heart to be loved despite the pains buried within her? Will that be possible when her abusive stepbrother lurks around.

Alec and his best friend Keith are the elite fighters in their village. Swordsmanship has been part of their life since they were children, and now that they've grown up they want to be soldiers. Their dream will be shattered once Alec mistakes the Mad King for his friend because of their incredible resemblance. The consequence of their unfortunate encounter will lead Alec to be forced to work in the palace, doing anything requested from him in order to escape from execution. But being near the Mad King will open his eyes to a world he's never seen before. Keith will break the rules trying to save his friend, but stepping inside the palace will bring untold tales, uncovered secrets and bloodbath.

Sold like a circus animal. Collared, forced into misery and self-hatred. With a single blow, she hopes to change her life, only to find herself trapped again. Ocean has no idea what freedom means, but she desires nothing more than a taste of it. The secrets hidden from her will unfold before her eyes, no one can escape the truth. ~~~ The book excerpt: "Here, I have a key to your heart," I left the key in my palm, metal, and skin together. I stumbled upon the ancient artwork in the locker rooms. It caught my attention because it resembles a dagger, so I took it and waited for the perfect opportunity. "Silly girl, that is not the key to my heart. Pathetic attempt." Vladimir growls in disgust. If I'm lucky, I'll be free by the end of the night. Taking the first step toward my destruction, I grin and move my hips in time with the slow music in the background. Vladimir swallows, his Adam's apple bobbles in his throat. The vampire's eyes focus on the crook of my neck as I stop directly in front of him. I place my palm on his chest, guide my fingertips down to his abdominal muscles, a corner of my lip twitches in disgust. When he closes his eyes, I take the opportunity to plunge the key directly into his heart, smiling as his eyes shoot open and he looks down at me in horror. "Are you still convinced I don't have the key to your heart?" I ask, grab him by the collar, and pull him closer. My lips nearly touch his ear as I whisper, "It fits."

" Put your clothes on and get out. "He said coldly making tears formed in her eyes." Cable, are you serious? "Cable stop and face her with his poker face." Since when did I said that I was not serious? Are you an idiot? Put your clothes on and get out. "He said coldly making her mouth hang open in shock. She was trying to process everything when she heard his angry voice again." Are you a deaf? I said put your clothes on and get out. I have a lot of things to do today. "Emma stood up and face him." Why are you still like this, Cable?? I-I thought after what we had done last night. W-We'll be-- "" You thought we will be okay after what he had shared last night? "He laugh sarcastically." Oh, Anna... I thought you were just shameless. But it turns out... you are a delusional too. "Harry said sarcastically and smirk evilly while walking closer to her." Don't expect too much, sweetheart. What we did last night was nothing to me. It was just a plain . Do not take it too seriously. "Cable scoffed before he continues making her tears flow down in her eyes." Don't feel special just because I had with you . I had to fulfil my needs as a man. Since there was no other woman last night who would pleasure me. I had no choice but to f*caked you instead. And besides, you are not the only woman who I laid with. "Her tears continue to flow down as her heart shattered into pieces

Maisie Stone has known Ethan Ford for 15 years. She's gone from being a young woman to a married one. She's also gone from being Ethan's true love to an old flame. He cheats on her repeatedly, and she forgives him every time. After a suicide attempt, Maisie finally sees the light. This rotten world is just a competition to see who can be more shameless than others. In an open relationship, both parties live their own lives. Since he's messing around with her sister, she can mess around with his friends and brothers.