137 Book(s) Related to hapi mari manga

In too deep

In too deep

2k Views · Ongoing · Mary Lane
Lily lived a normal life, when her mom passes away. Then she discovers that her mom had a complete life that she knew nothing about. Determined to figure out why her mom was laundering money, Lily makes use of her company resources.
In the same time, Lily's boss is in a predicament where he needs Lily to obey his commands at work. However, Lily is not prepared to break laws for him. Threats become harder and more dangerous for Lily to give in to those commands.
Because of her position in her work, there are more people after her with multiple agendas. Matteo is one of these people after her, but then they fall in love when they least expect it. But when Matteo's enemy kidnaps Lily, he needs to chose between business or love. Along the way, Lily also continues to learn about her mom, with many twists and turns.
Moonlit Legacy

Moonlit Legacy

4.2k Views · Ongoing · Mary Lane
Reverse harem story in which Enora is unaware of her legacy, but feels attraction to men she has never met before. Sebastian, Adam and Lucas get tricked into coming back to the pack to enter the leadership.
Burning Desire

Burning Desire

265 Views · Ongoing · Elaine Maria
She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Her life will change forever after encountering them in an alley at a crime scene. "If you run, the beast will catch you; if you stay, the beast will eat you." Will she have any choice?!
Their broken doll series

Their broken doll series

30.7k Views · Ongoing · Maria Warren
Erina's family sells her to a pack of wolves, she knows she's there for their pleasure to be used and then killed, at least that's their intention.
But what they don't know is that Erina isn't willing to accept that fate. She's determined to do whatever is needed to stay alive. The pack thinks they can just use her and throw her away, but when she's done with them they won't be able to survive without just another moment with her.
Because Erina doesn't want to be their broken doll, she just needs to be their perfect one.

Unfortunately for her, the pack isn't going to make life that easy for her. She's underestimated just what they could want from her and she's about to be pushed to her very limits and beyond for her mistake.
Her bid for survival is about to begin.

Their Broken Doll series is a trilogy of reverse harem dark romance story that follows Erina and her descendants and the path from a slave to a Goddess.
Passionate Spite

Passionate Spite

7.4k Views · Ongoing · Maria Velarde
"Everything here is at my command, including you." He said as he started to run his hands over my breasts.
"Tell me, are you already wet for me?"
"No."
"Then if I touch you here, won't it fill with juice? Are you ready for my cock to slide in?"
He whispered as his hand finally reached into my panties. He moved his fingers between my pussy lips. I let out a moan at the wonderful sensation...
"Shit, you're a slut, aren't you?" He whispered.

Lia
My life has never been perfect, but it used to be simple. That changed in the blink of an eye when my mother decided to move us to Riverside. It was supposed to be a new beginning for us, and it was. It just wasn't the one I expected. The simple life I knew before was no more. Rayan Riverside. The golden boy in town took one look at me and decided he hated me, turning everyone against me as he stood by and watched his minions turn my life into a living hell. I didn't know why he hated me, but little by little, as the torment progressed, I became a shadow of myself.
And things got worse when he found out that he was soon to be my stepbrother and I wasn't ready for that. But by the time he decided to change his mind, I was already too far along in my attempt at self-destruction. Because hatred like ours can only end in death.
Rayan
As soon as I learned of her existence, I hated her. Lia Stevens . Because of her, I lost the most important person in the world to me. Then, I knew what she represented. I let my hatred rule all our interactions from the beginning.
So I was surprised when I started to feel more than hate for her. As time goes on, I realize that I might need her more than I care to admit.
My XL Boss

My XL Boss

834 Views · Ongoing · Binibining Mary
Lara Night is Mr. Maximo Winston's secretary. A girl who has a dirty mind. She loves trying new things like sex toys to fulfill her sexual fantasies.

One day, Mr. Winston discovered her extreme sexual fantasy. Lara assumed it would be the end of her corporate career, but it turns out her boss loves it!

The next thing she knew, she was having an intimate affair with her Boss who has an XL size.
My Possessive Vampires

My Possessive Vampires

144.6k Views · Ongoing · Maria Warren
Sonja is a down on her luck waitress. Her bills keep climbing and she's stuck in an embarrassing job with no way to escape.
She gets a letter from one Jasper Bright. He demands she come to see him that very night. There's only one problem, Sonja has no idea who he is.
Her boss has been acting very strange lately. Ever since she received that letter he's been almost possessive,
but that couldn't possibly be true, right?
But these men are holding a secret of their own and when Sonja stumbles onto it, her normal everyday troubles are over and she's got a whole slew of much more worrisome ones to deal with.
Just what are you supposed to do when you find yourself in the center of two possessive vampires?
Any Means Necessary (a Luke Stone Thriller—Book #1)

Any Means Necessary (a Luke Stone Thriller—Book #1)

202 Views · Ongoing · Jack Mars
“Thriller writing at its best. Thriller enthusiasts who relish the precise execution of an international thriller, but who seek the psychological depth and believability of a protagonist who simultaneously fields professional and personal life challenges, will find this a gripping story that's hard to put down.”--Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Any Means Necessary)“One of the best thrillers I have read this year. The plot is intelligent and will keep you hooked from the beginning. The author did a superb job creating a set of characters who are fully developed and very much enjoyable. I can hardly wait for the sequel.”--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Any Means Necessary)When nuclear waste is stolen by jihadists in the middle of the night from an unguarded New York City hospital, the police, in a frantic race against time, call in the FBI. Luke Stone, head of an elite, secretive, department within the FBI, is the only man they can turn to. Luke realizes right away that the terrorists’ aim is to create a dirty bomb, that they seek a high-value target, and that they will hit it within 48 hours.A cat and mouse chase follows, pitting the world’s most savvy government agents versus its most sophisticated terrorists. As Agent Stone peels back layer after layer, he soon realizes he is up against a vast conspiracy, and that the target is even more high value than he could have imagined—leading all the way to the President of the United States. With Luke framed for the crime, his team threatened and his own family in danger, the stakes could not be higher. But as a former special forces commando, Luke has been in tough positions before, and he will not give up until he finds a way to stop them—using any means necessary.Twist follows twist as one man finds himself up against an army of obstacles and conspiracies, pushing even the limits of what he can handle, and culminating in a shocking climax.A political thriller with heart-pounding action, dramatic international settings, and non-stop suspense, ANY MEANS NECESSARY marks the debut of an explosive new series that will leave you turning pages late into the night.Book #2 in the Luke Stone series is also now available!
The Lone She-Wolf

The Lone She-Wolf

4.4k Views · Ongoing · Lindsey Marie
"I think...I think I am going to cum!" The words come out as a half-whispered confession, carrying an unusual blend of vulnerability and anticipation.

As the words escaped my throat, further fueling the erotic aura in the room, Shane, seemingly undeterred, pushed himself even deeper inside me. It felt like a pleasurable invasion, an intimate trespassing that sent waves of thrilling heat coursing through my veins. His swift, rhythmic movements made my heart flutter in a jumbled rhythm, a carnal tango of desire and fulfillment.

"I want us to cum together, Sierra." Shane's voice, husky and laced with pent-up lust, filled the hushed silence.


Sierra Buendia used to be part of a pack. A pack that was attacked and everyone in it died but her, or so she thought. A pack she swore to never say the name of again. She ran away when she was young and hid amongst the human world. She was found by an older women, who was also a pack runaway from many moons ago. Even though they were not related or even from the same pack. Sierra grew up knowing that Grandma Bobby Ammons loved her very much. And Sierra did everything she could to keep their true identity hidden. She worked like everyone else. And she even opened her own coffee shop. One day her wolf Via scensed that their mate was close. Sierra 24 and had no interest of finding her mate. She didn't even have a boyfriend. Via warned that her mate was the Alpha of the Lunar Sky pack. Sierra wanted no part of it. Every time she went to work she hid her scent, so she was confident that he wouldn't even know that she was a wolf. The day Sierra learned that Grandma Bobby was very sick, she forgot to use her vanishing scent spray. And like clock work he showed up to get his usual coffee and donut. He had been coming here for over a week. Today their eyes locked. Will this guy realise that she is his mate? Will Grandma Bobby make it through? One thing is for sure, Sierra isn't ready to go anywhere, and she sure isn't into being someone’s Luna.
Chains of Steel, Threads of Silver

Chains of Steel, Threads of Silver

495 Views · Ongoing · Mary Last
Amara is an Omega sold at an exclusive auction to Kael, the fearsome and reclusive Alpha. Rumors surround Kael—some say he’s cursed, others claim he’s a beast driven mad by anyone who he can't control.

Purchased to bear his heir, Amara expects to be treated like property. Instead, she finds herself in a crumbling castle, treated with unexpected dignity but forbidden from leaving the grounds.

Kael keeps his distance, cold and aloof, as if her presence is both an irritation and a temptation. Determined to uncover the truth, Amara discovers strange happenings in the castle—ghostly whispers, silent servants and a wing of the estate that Kael strictly forbids her to enter.

The more she investigates, the more she realizes: Kael is hiding a secret that could change everything.
Borrowed Love On Ice

Borrowed Love On Ice

2.3k Views · Ongoing · Ella Mart
She is his girlfriend's sister, and the rival he must defeat.
Xavier Kesh, England's hockey star, is sharp on the ice and untamed off it. With a girlfriend like Katrina by his side, everything is perfect—until he signs a "couples contract" with her sister, Melissa.
Melissa Brown, the only female star on the ice and a fresh face determined to make her mark in fashion. Pretending to be with him is just a shortcut to the top.
In front of the camera, he murmurs, "You're blushing." Behind the scenes, she warns, "Don't call me baby."
Then their "date" video explodes online, capturing the moment he gently tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. A performance meant to be fake is now burning through three real lives.
In a game that started with ambition, who will be the first to pay the price in truth?
Fresh Blood

Fresh Blood

173 Views · Ongoing · Maria Velarde
Christian Hall is a young science student who travels to Pennsylvania to visit his parents for the summer , without imagining that strange events in the city would lead him to meet a world he had only read in old and fanciful history books , in which he never believed . After being bitten by an unknown creature in the forest , he begins to feel changes he had never experienced , until he realizes that he has ceased to be human forever . Hiding his new identity will be a challenge as he struggles with an insatiable desire for fresh blood .
Queen of Kings(The Viking's Mate Hunt Book 2)

Queen of Kings(The Viking's Mate Hunt Book 2)

50 Views · Ongoing · Maria Elise
She is The Barbarian Alpha's daughter and mated to the dragon king. Only a couple of years ago, she was a weak, broken girl. Dragged into this world and forced to attend the Viking's mate hunt.

Searching for the little sister she didn't know she had, she encounters raw darkness.
Ancient Norse myths come alive, and a threat as old as the Norse Gods themselves lures forward creatures like Nidhogg, Huldra, and The Mare.

Still unmated, she avoids her mate to find her sister. After so many years, she's so near that it finally feels real. She had a sister; her mother's death whisper had been true. In her desperation to unite with her sister, she fails to protect herself from the lurking shadows, a choice that will be proven fatal.
DYAD: The Detective and the Dybbuk

DYAD: The Detective and the Dybbuk

100 Views · Ongoing · Danika Mori
Cameron Mikael Rutten is a vampire detective who makes sure to avoid cases related to magic. But when his mother is murdered, his quest to find the killer draws him deep into West Mount's homicidal cases and dark underworld.

Cameron realizes he must ignore faction policies while evading a dangerous enemy even as he gets entangled with a female coworker. However, things take a drastic turn when he has to make a balance between being a vampire that other dangerous creatures wants and his new horrible self, being a dybbuk.
One Night With Mr Billionaire

One Night With Mr Billionaire

1.1k Views · Ongoing · Mary Christopher
After spending a night with a strange man on the day before her wedding, Arianna left the country to start her life afresh.

The 22-year-old Arianna Jason lived her life pleasing those she loved the most, without knowing that she was simply a prey being nurtured for the day of her ruin.

Her life has tasted the bitter pill of betrayal. She wants to give back to the world what she's got but how can she change her good, innocent personality to fit into a cruel society and world?

Can her sweet nature be contaminated, or will she make it through, paddling on the right path?
Mated To The Alpha

Mated To The Alpha

13.2k Views · Ongoing · Mary Olajire
“Yara,” he murmured softly before his lips crashed into mine. A muffled noise escaped me but I didn’t hesitate to reciprocate the kiss and moments later, I was backed up against the counter with his body pressed against mine.

I wanted to melt in his arms while he deepened the kiss and I moaned into his mouth when his hands slid down to grab my ass. Oh my God. He squeezed, making another moan escape me, before he began to trail kisses down my neck and stopped at a spot to suck on it.

“Aiden.”


Aiden Hendrix has spent a long time searching for his fated mate. He has traveled all over the world and met different packs but finding her is proving impossible. Then serious problems arise within the supernatural faction and with his pack’s council pushing for him to get married to someone of their choice, he begins to think he’s never going to find her, but it doesn’t take long for her to crash into his life.

Yara’s just trying to stay alive and get her degree but having inherited her mother’s enemies, the former is quite hard to do. Still, she does a good job of keeping herself out of harm’s way but that is only until she gets attacked by a wolf after her night shift at The Hendrix Hotel. She ends up being rescued by the CEO of the hotel and when he claims she’s his mate, her entire world is thrown into disarray.
An Ice Queen for sale

An Ice Queen for sale

3m Views · Ongoing · Maria MW
“Put them on.” I took the dress and the underwear, then I wanted to go back to the bathroom, but she stopped me. It felt like my heart stopped for a second when I heard her order. “Get dressed here. Let me see you.” I didn't get what she meant at first, but when she stared at me with impatience, I knew I must do what she said. I opened my robe and put it on the white sofa next to me. Holding the dress, I wanted to put it on when I heard her again. “Stop.” My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. “Put the dress on the sofa for a second and stand straight.” I did what she said. I stood there completely naked. She examined me from head to toe with her eyes. The way she checked my naked body made me feel terrible. She moved my hair behind my shoulders, gently running her index finger over my chest, and her gaze stopped at my breasts. Then she continued the procedure. Her gaze slowly moved down between my legs, and she looked at it for a while. “Spread your legs, Alice.” She squatted down, and I closed my eyes when she moved to see me from closer. I only hoped that she wasn’t a lesbian or something, but finally she stood up with a satisfied smile. “Perfectly shaved. Men are like that. I’m sure my son will like that too. Your skin is nice and soft, and you are muscular, but not too much. You are perfect for my Gideon. Put the underwear on first, then the dress, Alice.” I had many things to say, but I swallowed them back. I just wanted to escape, and that was the place and time, when I swore to myself I will succeed one time.

Alice is an eighteen-year-old, beautiful figure skater. Her career is just about to climax when her cruel stepfather sells her to a wealthy family, the Sullivans, to become the wife of their youngest son. Alice assumes that there is a reason a handsome man wants to marry a strange girl, especially if the family is part of a well-known criminal organisation. Will she find the way to melt the ice cold hearts, to let her go? Or will she be able to escape before it’s too late?
Origins

Origins

152.5k Views · Ongoing · Maria McRill
It’s an enormous wolf, I've never seen one up close before. I stare into the wolves’ eyes, they seem to shift from green to blue to violet, and I breathe heavily. Is it going to kill me? Think of it, I really don’t care. Its almost as I hope the wolf does me the favor.
” Promise me you survive” I look at the beast again.
“You are going to make me keep my word, aren’t you?”

The wolf sits down on its hind legs, tilts its head up, and lets out a long, strong howl. The sound vibrates in the ground beneath me and goes directly to my heart, and soothes the flames. I am shocked at first, then I feel the angry energy rolling off my body. I slump down in the sand, the small grains cut into the dry skin on my knees but it doesn’t bother me, that pain is nothing to the one in my chest.

I am shaking, crying, trying to hold on to the rage that kept me going but it slipping away. The wolf circles me a few times and then takes its place beside me, whines a little before shocking me by putting its colossal head in my lap.

***When the Goddess wants to make her son happy, she has no idea that her actions will result in two new species and seal one girl's fate.
Unhinged

Unhinged

906.6k Views · Ongoing · Marii Solaria
There is more than just history and bad blood between Neron Prince, Alpha of the Zircon Moon Pack, and Kiya Guerrero, the mate he cast aside—darkness is falling. A shadow born of anger, resentment, and betrayal is clouding Kiya’s judgment and perhaps any chance Neron has left to reach her heart. Walking on his difficult path toward redemption, Neron is determined to prove to those around him that he is a changed man, even if all his efforts seem in vain.

However, as they often do, shadows often take a physical form—and in the malevolent presence of Osiris, a hybrid vampire, more than just Neron’s feelings are threatened. He has eyes for Kiya. Armed with honeyed words and seductive promises of chaos, Osiris lures Kiya into his dark web, hellbent on using her to destroy the pack who wronged him. As ravenous as she is for vengeance and retribution, will Kiya withstand the pull towards darkness? Even as she becomes unhinged, like a moth to a flame, Neron is drawn to save her: from Osiris and herself. Can they each fight back against the pressures that are driving them apart and towards the brink? Or will the call of the wild finally tear their bond for good...

This book is suited for adult readers, as the subject matter addresses sensitive topics including: mentions of sexual assault, violence, mentions of death and abuse, and trauma. Reader discretion is heavily advised.

Book 2 of the Moonlight Avatar Series
Seduced By The Alpha Wolf (BxB)

Seduced By The Alpha Wolf (BxB)

36.5k Views · Ongoing · Stephen Mary
My lips parted, ready to inquire as to what he was up to, but his nose pressed against the crease of my neck, and I heard him take a long breath. I trembled, perplexed by his actions until it dawned on me.

There was the minty citrus aroma from his orange tic tacs, as well as the masculine musky scent that all dominating males have, with a tinge of woodsmoke and leather underneath. It all screamed powerful man, which was one of my flaws as a little gay Omega.

I whimpered, my body reacting to his aroma and proximity. I was perplexed and a little disturbed that my brother's best buddy was making me feel this way. My instincts had me baring my throat to the larger man, who approved with a faint growl.

"Tomy?" I murmured, still unclear of what was going on. Not that I had any idea what was going on. I simply know he smells great, and I'm getting a little horny right now.

As he examined me, his brows wrinkled, his gaze lingering on my Batman pajama pants. I squeaked as I saw them colored a little and covered myself with my hands.

As Tomy's dark brown eyes met mine, my face heated. As he leaned back in, a slow grin pulled up one side of his mouth, and I trembled once more.

My breath was seized as his lips brushed towards my ear.

"You fucking smell so wonderful, Louis." At the sound of his rough voice, I let out a stifled whimper.

From Friends, Louis who had a crush on his childhood friend Jason, ended up to be his brother's Thompson Mate who is Louis's elder brother best friend...such a Love triangle

BxB
The Secret Society

The Secret Society

3.5k Views · Ongoing · Mary Lane
I don't remember anything. Not my name, not my life, not even what I did yesterday. The only thing that I seem to remember is my training. A training to obey my masters in every desire they have. I don't know what will happen next, but then I remember dark brown eyes. A shiver runs down my spine when I think about those dark brown eyes, and I feel moist between my thighs. A reflex that I can't stop. I do not know what it means, and I do not know whose eyes they are, but it's the only thing that I remember.
The Delta Luna's Second Chance

The Delta Luna's Second Chance

5.8k Views · Ongoing · Jade Marie
"You were everything to yourself long before he came along," Sebastian said firmly. "You were Luna of your pack not because you were his mate, but because you had the strength and wisdom to lead. That hasn't changed."

He pulled back slightly to look at me. "What Eliza said today in the garden, none of it was true. You're not damaged goods, Eleanor. You're not something to be pitied or discarded."

"Then what am I?" I asked, my voice breaking.

"You're a woman who sacrificed everything to save people she loved," he said simply. "You're intelligent, brave, and stronger than you know."

"If you want it," Sebastian's voice was soft, "You could belong somewhere again. Not as property, but as family."


Eleanor Warden's seven-year marriage crumbles when her husband Edward finds his fated mate Claire. Forced to watch their passionate affair unfold in her own home, Eleanor endures the ultimate betrayal when Claire becomes pregnant—something Edward had denied her for years.

When Clifflands forces attack Forestvale, Eleanor volunteers herself as tribute to save Edward's life, expecting nothing but captivity and despair. Instead, she finds herself face-to-face with Alpha King Sebastian Levenston, whose piercing eyes see past her broken exterior to the fierce Luna within.

In the enemy's stronghold, Eleanor discovers unexpected allies in fellow captives Maggie and Natalie, women who share her pain of abandonment and abuse. As Sebastian's genuine care and respect awaken feelings she thought buried forever.

But when mysterious attacks threaten Sebastian's family and Eleanor becomes the prime suspect, she realizes someone wants to destroy the fragile happiness she's found. With war brewing between territories and her past refusing to stay buried, Eleanor must choose between the safety of shadows and the dangerous beauty of love reborn.
The Mafia Kings Plaything

The Mafia Kings Plaything

881 Views · Ongoing · Marie Jessette
"You think you have a choice?" Vittorio squeezed my waist tighter with his other hand, and his voice was a deadly whisper drawing me closer. “ You were never going to be anyone else's from the moment I set eyes on you”.
His words cut through me, making my chest tighten with fear
"You're ours, kitten," he murmured, his gaze locking with mine, stealing the air from my lungs. "You will be claimed, controlled, and touched in all the ways I choose. Do you understand?"
"I... I understand," I whispered, my resistance crumbling under the weight of his dark green stare.
"You’ll lay before me, Katarina," he growled, "and show me just how desperate you are for me."
Katarina’s world is broken when her brother Mateo dies trying to settle her crippling debt, a debt her father had bargained for by selling her to Mafia Don Giordano. Fleeing to escape her fate, Katarina’s brother attempts to repay the debt of her sale by collecting from Vittorio De Luca, Giordano’s ruthless rival. When that goes wrong, her brother is murdered, and Katarina is kidnapped by the very man responsible. Vittorio, a brutal mafia lord, to settle the debt, he takes her, seeing her as his prize. In the deadly rivalry between two mafia kings, Katarina is caught between vengeance, submission, and an undeniable lust for the man who now owns her, an attraction that may either destroy her or set her free.
Accidentally Fell for My Ex's Uncle: Dark Alpha

Accidentally Fell for My Ex's Uncle: Dark Alpha

1.8k Views · Ongoing · Marie Jessette
Accidentally murdered the bride?
Check.
Forced to marry the cursed Alpha who's lost six wives?
Check.
Now wearing her dress, dragged to his bed, while the pack waits outside for proof he's fucked me raw?
Double check.
Remi was just trying to catch her cheating boyfriend in the act. Instead, she tripped, ripped lace, and cracked a skull.
Now Alpha Nero Blackwater owns her. "Bride for bride," he growls. "You owe me a wedding… and a womb." The curse kills his mates before dawn. Unless he plants an heir fast. But something's wrong.
What if there was never a curse at all?
One night to survive. One claiming to break everything. One Alpha who'll fuck her senseless… even if it's the last thing she feels.


"Congratulations, Alpha Nero," she said cheerfully. "Seems the Moon Goddess has chosen your seventh bride."
I choked. "SEVENTH?!"
"The other six are dead," he said flatly.
"And I'm number seven?"
"Correct."
"IS THIS A MARRIAGE OR A SURVIVAL GAME?!"
Draco Second Chance Redemption

Draco Second Chance Redemption

912 Views · Ongoing · Marie Art
Sera Nerva is a rare female Alpha who is determined to prove her abilities and
strengthen her pack to defend against its enemies. She is determined to remain mate-
less and focus on protecting her pack and family. Her bitter experiences with her
previous mate killed her parents and brother and almost destroyed her pack.
Draco Macer is a scarred and jaded Alpha, feared and respected by all. He rose through
to power as Alpha on the blood of countless wolves. He is certain that he would remain
mate-less because of a grave mistake of his past, in which his mate lost her life.
A twist of fate brings these two together as second chance mates and they forge a strong
bond- the rare double-alpha mating. Sera is determined to run from this bond to protect
her pack and family, but Draco insists on holding on to this second chance at love.
What happens when the consequences of the mating persist? Will Sera take the leap of
fate and decide to give this second chance mating a chance? What happens when various
obstacles try to come between their love and old enemies try to destroy their bond? Find
out in this compelling story of second chances!
Requiem

Requiem

310 Views · Ongoing · Marc Stiegler
The World Economy Crashed and Burned. What's a BrainTrust To Do?

Having barely dodged an extinction level event, humanity now faces a new disaster: the world plunges into a Great Crash deeper and more cruel than the Depression of 1929. The BrainTrust has an answer. But the old, corrupt, dirtside Powers don’t need an answer.

They need a scapegoat.

Soon an unholy alliance launches three mighty fleets, each individually powerful enough to destroy all the combined navies of WWII. Relentless and unstoppable, they bear down on the effectively unarmed archipelago.

Now Dash and her mentor Colin must face a last question.

It will be her Final Exam.

Can Dash even accept the only answer?

How terrible is the price she will have to pay?

Welcome to the thrilling finale of the BrainTrust saga!


Note: For this novel, in collaboration with five economists and two cryptocurrency software engineers, I developed a new currency that should work in real life to flatten the boom/bust cycle. So if you'd like to see one way an advanced civilization could deal with economics, you could read this not only as a good yarn but as a guide.
Agent Zero (An Agent Zero Spy Thriller—Book #1)

Agent Zero (An Agent Zero Spy Thriller—Book #1)

176 Views · Ongoing · Jack Mars
“You will not sleep until you are finished with AGENT ZERO. The author did a superb job creating a set of characters who are fully developed and very much enjoyable. The description of the action scenes transport us into a reality that is almost like sitting in a movie theater with surround sound and 3D (it would make an incredible Hollywood movie). I can hardly wait for the sequel.”--Roberto Mattos, Books and Movie ReviewsIn this much-anticipated debut of an epic spy thriller series by #1 bestseller Jack Mars, readers are taken on an action thriller across Europe as presumed-CIA operative Kent Steele, hunted by terrorists, by the CIA, and by his own identity, must solve the mystery of who is after him, of the terrorists’ pending target—and of the beautiful woman he keeps seeing in his mind.Kent Steele, 38, a brilliant professor of European History at Columbia University, lives a quiet life in a New York suburb with his two teenage daughters. All that changes when late one night he gets a knock on his door and is abducted by three terrorists—and finds himself flown across the ocean to be interrogated in a basement in Paris.They are convinced that Kent is the most lethal spy the CIA has ever known. He is convinced they have the wrong man.Do they?With a conspiracy around him, adversaries as smart as he is, and an assassin on his tail, the wild game of cat and mouse leads Kent on a perilous road—one that may lead back to Langley—and to a shocking discovery of his own identity.AGENT ZERO is an espionage thriller that will keep you turning pages late into the night.“One of the best thrillers I have read this year.”--Books and Movie Reviews (re Any Means Necessary )Also available is Jack Mars’ #1 bestselling LUKE STONE THRILLER series (7 books), which begins with Any Means Necessary (Book #1), a free download with over 800 five star reviews!
SIX MONTHS IN THE MOBSTERS BED

SIX MONTHS IN THE MOBSTERS BED

683 Views · Ongoing · Maria kings
All Iris ever wanted was to be free. She wasn't cut out for a life as a gang member, stealing from wealthy unsuspecting men.
Until she's caught.
Rafaelle Tommaso is a dangerous man who she made the mistake of stealing from, and she's going to pay for her crimes in his bed.
Six months in the mafia boss's bed... How bad could it be? Well, she's about to find out.
Alpha Markov

Alpha Markov

636 Views · Ongoing · Mary Swan
Running away from a forced marriage and right into the arms of a wild creature, Jade’s luck failed her yet again. Deciding at thye last minute that she’d rather die than stay married to a psychopath who had lost his mate, she made a last minute decision of fleeing which she ended up regretting.

Markov, a wild lycan creature who has been trapped in his beast form for hundreds of years. Alphas had tried over the years to eliminate him, but he had killed every single one of them. A cold blooded vicious beast who loses his mind once in his beast form. When he finds out that the woman whom he had almost killed in the woods was his mate, his sanity returned instantly.
She was the solution to his problems and also his doom. His curse would finally end, but only if she would be his.

Running from her past, Jade ends up running into her scary future. Can a man like Markov ever be tamed? Could she love a beast who has lost his sanity? Even after finding out that he had killed her parents in cold blood?
Will her love save Markov, or would her revenge end him?


“You can’t run from your fate, little rabbit. No matter how fast you run, I will catch you. You can hide, but I will find you. You might as well come with me willingly, and let us be done with this cat and mouse game. The choice is yours, my little Jade. The choice is yours...” His words sent down her spine, his deep baritone voice a promise of his deadly threats.
From deep down to high up

From deep down to high up

2.3k Views · Ongoing · Mary Last
"I never believed in soulmates, but how do you explain the feeling of déjà vu when her eyes meet mine? How do you explain the certainty that I’ve known her forever, even when we’ve only just met?"
Emma’s life is a mess. Recovering from a devastating breakup with her controlling ex-boyfriend, she’s determined to rebuild herself—piece by piece, step by step. But the summer holidays drag on, her attempts at distraction failing, and loneliness starts to creep in. Enter Alice, her mischievous best friend, who dares Emma to take a leap into the unfamiliar world of online dating.
What Emma doesn’t expect is Irene—a stunning, confident, and enigmatic girl with a mischievous sense of humor and eyes that seem to hold the weight of centuries. Their connection is instant, electric, and utterly consuming. But just as Emma starts to believe she’s found something real, Irene drops a bombshell: she’s not looking for anything serious, and her heart might already belong to someone else.
Conflicted but unable to let go, Emma agrees to stay in Irene’s orbit, even if it means risking her heart all over again. As their relationship deepens, Emma can’t shake the feeling that she’s known Irene far longer than a few short weeks. Could their connection be something more—a bond forged long before their paths crossed in this life?
Will Emma risk her heart again for a love that feels destined, or will Irene’s walls prove impossible to break? And if soulmates truly exist, what happens when one of them refuses to believe?

Dive into this heart-wrenching and passion-filled story of love, self-discovery, and the aching beauty of letting someone in, even when the future remains uncertain.
Serelina Vale: The Awakening

Serelina Vale: The Awakening

1.7k Views · Ongoing · Lindsey Marie
What if Serelina was never meant to survive that night? Serelina wakes up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. No ID. No injuries. No answers. Just a shadowy impression of a man in a dark suit. And a laugh that wont leave her mind. As strange visions flicker at the edge of her dreams, and her instincts sharpen into something almost inhuman. Changing in side of her. She begins to realize that what happening to her might be far more dangerous than amnesia. Someone tried to do something to her. Someone else didn't let it happen. But who are they? Why was all this happening? But most importantly. What exactly was happening to her?
Love and Anguish

Love and Anguish

4.4k Views · Ongoing · Maria Searfoss
As Steve’s lips brushed Jayme’s neck, he mumbled, “it’s driving me crazy being this close to you…” She could still feel the heat of his breath and every inch of the back of her neck felt like it was on fire.
After crushed by her husband's murder, Jayme suddenly found herself caught up in a killer's game. As Steve’s death brought more and more secrets to the surface, she felt like she didn’t know the man she married to at all. Two men stepped into her life after the tragedy, Steve and Rex, shinning new hope to her life. Little did she knew, these two men were not what they appear like, and they would change her life forever in a different way. The shadow of murder is chasing her nonstop, and she would try anything to survive with her unborn baby.
Crescendo Of Fire

Crescendo Of Fire

50 Views · Ongoing · Marc Stiegler
If a rocketship dies, who wins?

The world’s most advanced rocket company suffers a catastrophic explosion that becomes a publicity disaster. Within hours, the new CEO Matt Toscano learns he faces much deeper trouble than a public relations problem—

The California Governor plans to destroy him.

Suddenly mankind’s best hope of better space travel lies on the water, with the BrainTrust.

Fortunately Dash Ambarawati, the BrainTrust’s most brilliant researcher, has studied rocket science since childhood. With her help, Matt stands a chance.

But Dash brings trouble with her. Matt and Dash find themselves with a host of enemies on their heels, including the Russian Union Premier and the American President for Life. The race is on.

One way or the other, this race will end in a Crescendo of Fire.

Meanwhile,

An itty bitty ninja gets her fondest wish. An ex-commando squares off with a Red Princess. And a retired project director toils quietly behind the scenes.

Kidnappers, oligarchs, politicians, dictators, princelings—outwitting them is not just a job, it’s an adventure. 

And all in a day’s work…on the BrainTrust.

Scroll back to the top, and click “Read for Free” or “Buy Now” and kick back for a thought-provoking, action-packed adventure that will have you staying up all night reading to discover the truth!
FATED TO BE FORSAKEN

FATED TO BE FORSAKEN

949 Views · Ongoing · Maria Okpon
In the werewolf world, the mate bond is sacred and irreversible—or so everyone believes.
When Alpha King Darius Blackthorn finds his fated mate in Elowen Nightvale, an unclaimed, quiet she-wolf with hidden power, destiny seems fulfilled.
But fate makes a cruel mistake.
Because the woman Darius truly loved—Seraphine Mooncrest, his first love who vanished years ago and was presumed dead—returns.
And Darius chooses her.
Elowen is not rejected immediately. She is ignored, sidelined, emotionally abandoned, slowly crushed beneath the weight of being a mate who is no longer wanted.
Until she realizes something far more terrifying:
The Moon Goddess did not choose her by accident
My First Crush

My First Crush

1.1k Views · Ongoing · MARY OTEJE
I was just a young girl who fell in love at the age of thirteen. My name is Sharon Jules. Everything happened so soon but isn't it normal to have a crush on someone? It was the first time I realized that I couldn't concentrate. I always thought about him. Is this how it really is?  I really liked him. His name is Eric. We were really close. My older sister, Carly, knew I liked him. I have a younger sister. Her name is Tori. My elder brother Matt lives in London.
Substitute Bride of my Heartless Billionaire Boss

Substitute Bride of my Heartless Billionaire Boss

795 Views · Ongoing · Binibining Mary
Merri Khate Manalo works as the secretary for Evan Alexander Virkin, a heartless, arrogant, demanding, nonchalant, and perfectionist boss. Unfortunately, she is stuck with a boss like him. To make matters worse, her parents died in a car accident, leaving her with ten million pesos in debt.
With her savings gone, she was evicted by her landlady and pursued by loan sharks. As if that wasn’t enough, her boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend. Merri was on the verge of losing her mind! She had lost her parents, her home, and her money. On top of that, she was betrayed by the people she trusted the most.
Just when she was about to lose faith in life and faced a near-fatal accident with a truck, her boss surprisingly came to her rescue. Even more shockingly, he proposed marriage to her!
“You need help. So do l. My bride ran away with a random man. So, l need a substitute bride, marry me, and you will get everything you need,” he said.
“Not only that, you will have a place to stay. If you live with me, they can’t harm you. So, will you marry me, Merri?”
Is marrying her boss a blessing or another disaster? They are fundamentally different from each other, and she cannot imagine being with him. However, given her circumstances, she knows she cannot be picky. If she is, she might end up either homeless or a companion to an old and ugly loan shark leader. Plus, she can’t stand facing insults from her traitorous ex and former friend. Becoming the substitute bride of her heartless boss might just be the best choice for her!
The Turned: A Dark Vampire Romance

The Turned: A Dark Vampire Romance

343 Views · Ongoing · Mary Taylor
He feeds me his blood.
He locks the doors.
And he tells me I belong to him now.

I wake up in a vampire’s mansion with no memory of how I got here—only the hunger, the burning sunlight, and the man who refuses to let me leave. Thad Samford is cold, commanding, and absolute. He says my transformation isn’t finished. Until it is, my life—and my body—are under his control.

When I try to escape, the sun nearly kills me.
When he saves me, he binds me to him in blood.

The bond changes everything. His voice settles the hunger. His presence pulls at something deep inside me. I should fear him—but my body craves his blood more than freedom.


As Thelma learns how to exists in this new world, she starts piecing together the truth he's been hiding. Her turning wasn't random. She was chosen, and Thad knows why. Even if he won't tell her.

The more Thelma uncovers, the less she knows what to believe. Thad claims he's protecting her, but from what? Why does his protection feel like a prison? As rival clans close in and dark secrets come to light, Thelma has to decide if she can trust the man who helped steal her humanity or if she should walk away before he destroys her completely.
Disarranged Marriage

Disarranged Marriage

1.6k Views · Ongoing · Marie Johnson
Kadian Hayes was the only grandchild in the Hayes family. She was never welcomed or recognized as such until the death of her mother when she was nine years old. Her grandfather was a billionaire who ruled his family with an iron fist. He was a tyrant who always got what he wanted without exception. When Kadian was twenty one she came home for summer break from college and found out that her grandfather had arranged a marriage for her to his business partner's grandson Justin. Kadian refused to participate in such a barbaric custom and all hell broke loose in the Hayes family. Justin was a spoiled, arrogant, disrespectful rich kid who thought he was doing her a favor by agreeing to marry her. They instantly butted heads. He planned to move his current girlfriend into their marital home after the wedding. He planned to share the master bedroom with his girlfriend and his then-wife Kadian would have to live in one of the guest rooms.
Forbidden Intimacy: I'm in love with the Alpha's

Forbidden Intimacy: I'm in love with the Alpha's

1.1k Views · Ongoing · Mary Ene
"I love you,"
"You do realize that you are married to my best friend, the Beta of the pack right?"
"We aren't married yet. Just engaged,"
"What's the difference?"
"I can choose not to marry him."
"Sorry, not on my watch. We should probably stop seeing each other,"
Morticia, after being engaged to the Beta of the pack, finds herself falling in love with the Alpha of the pack. She tries hard so as not to embarrass her parents by sticking with Jacob.
Jake tries his best to hide his feelings for Morticia while trying to protect his friendship with Jacob but things take a drastic turn when he finds out Morticia is his mate.
Fated Bond

Fated Bond

380 Views · Ongoing · Naomi Mark
In the Moonlit Realm, where ancient magic runs deep and pack law rules supreme, Kael Stormcrest, a threehundredyearold Alpha, has spent centuries building walls around his heart. But when he encounters Elias Nightshade, an Omega with extraordinary powers, those walls begin to crumble.
Elias has always been different—an Omega whose magic rivals that of the most powerful Alphas. When fate brings him face to face with Kael, their bond threatens to unravel centuries of tradition and unlock a curse that could destroy everything they hold dear.
As rival packs circle and ancient prophecies unfold, Kael and Elias must choose between duty and love, between tradition and destiny. But in the Moonlit Realm, not everything is as it seems, and some bonds are stronger than blood itself.
The Viking's Mate Hunt

The Viking's Mate Hunt

179.7k Views · Ongoing · Maria Elise
"Little bunny, little bunny. Wolf is HUNGRY!" The voice taunted me, followed by an evil cackle.
"Run, rabbit. RUN!" A monstrous bellow boomed through the night sky and crashed into my soul like a sledgehammer. I could feel a chill sweeping across my body and my heart pounding in my chest. The echoes of howls and laughter followed me from behind as I ran for my life.
Elisabeth's life had been harder than most since she was a child - a distant and often cruel mother and her never-ending cycle of addiction that had taken over her life. But on this fateful night, something far more sinister was lurking in the darkness, ready to take her away from it all.
Massive figures appeared out of nowhere, growling and taunting her. She tried to scream, but nothing would come out; before she knew it, she was waking up in a world where Viking werewolves ruled with mysterious faeries at their side.
Every five years, they traveled to the human realm, collecting ten girls for their mate run - and tonight, Elisabeth was one of them. With only a white dress and her bare feet, Elisabeth stood beside the other nine girls as the beasts prowled around them menacingly. A silver dagger pierced each of their wrists, signaling the start of the hunt!
"We honor the moon goddess; let your blood lead your mate to you!"
The Professor

The Professor

275.7k Views · Ongoing · Mary Olajire
“On your hands and knees,” he commanded.
His voice was filled with weight and urgency
and I immediately complied before he steered my hips.
Our bodies slapped together with a punishing, angry rhythm.
I grew wetter and hotter as I listened to the sound of us fucking.
“Fuck, your pussy is insane.”

After a hot, one-night stand with a stranger she meets at a club, Dalia Campbell doesn't expect to see Noah Anderson again. Then Monday morning comes around, and the person that walks into the lecture hall as a professor is the same stranger from the club. Tensions run high and Dalia tries her best to stay away from him because she doesn't want to get distracted by anyone or anything - there's also the fact that he's strictly off-limits - but when she becomes his TA, the lines of their professor/student relationship get blurred.
Unbreakable

Unbreakable

255.3k Views · Ongoing · Marii Solaria
Three years ago, Osiris was defeated triumphantly and his dark reign came to an abrupt end.

Compelled to heal and find hope again, Neron and Kiya forge different paths for the time being. When his treasured loved ones return, Neron’s heart is nursed back to health, and he finds a different purpose: becoming the Alpha of his newly-formed pack, Onyx Moon.

Little does he know that this is not the last he has seen of Kiya. Following her recovery from this dark, sinister influence, Kiya discovers her true self as the avatar of Selene, reaching goddesshood. What she does not know is that the world is about to be turned upside down once more.

When an ancient enemy makes another appearance, the very fate of the moon’s avatar is threatened. Apophis won’t stop until he gets revenge and annihilates the woman he blames for his misfortune, heaven, and earth be damned.

This unexpected calamity brings Neron and Kiya together again, and their emotions remain as strong and undeniable as ever. As imminent danger looms over their lives, they can’t help but wonder: Could giving in to their bond and letting it blossom be the last thing they’ll get to do? Or will they die before its fruition?

This book is suitable for adult readers, as the subject matter includes sexual content and addresses sensitive topics, such as violence and trauma. Reader discretion is advised.

Book 3 of the Moonlight Avatar Series
OPEN MARRIAGE : Scorned But Never Defeated

OPEN MARRIAGE : Scorned But Never Defeated

4.5k Views · Ongoing · Mary Pen
Ten million dollars. Her price tag. An open marriage contract deal.
"The credit limit increase is generous," the lawyer said. "From one million to ten million annually."
"What if I change my mind?"
"Then you lose the children," the lawyer said, matter-of-factly. "Without family money or independent income, custody battles become very difficult."
After eighteen years as the devoted wife of billionaire Daniel Harrison, Emma faces a heart-wrenching ultimatum: sign a $10 million open marriage contract or lose custody of her three children.
Shattered by Daniel’s cold betrayal and his affair with his calculating personal assistant, Natalie, Emma’s perfect world unravels. Seeking solace, she finds an unexpected ally in Robert Langley—Natalie’s betrayed husband in her open marriage, a powerful businessman and devoted father whose quiet strength ignites a forbidden passion neither of them can resist.
As their connection deepens, Emma must choose—cling to the wealth and stability her children depend on or risk everything for a love that could redeem her heart.
When betrayal collides with desire, will Emma choose safety or a second chance at a life she never dared to dream of?
My Sweetest

My Sweetest

12.9k Views · Ongoing · Maria MW
Fell in Love with My Stepbrother

Spencer

I recall the nights when she sneaked into our bedroom. She climbed into my bed, and I embraced her. She pushes her butt to my lower abdomen. After she fell asleep, she often moved a little, like she wanted to use her butt to rub my member, causing my blood to boil.
As my hands slip under her underwear, find the right spot, and start rubbing it, her tiny whimpers echo in the room as she gets more aroused.

**

A car crash stole her childhood, but delivered her into the arms of Los Angeles' most powerful family. Now Cora harbors a devastating secret—she's desperately in love with her adoptive brother, Spencer.

When Cora returns from England, she's transformed into a breathtaking woman who captivates both twin brothers, Spencer and Ethan. Her carefully orchestrated seduction succeeds beyond her wildest dreams. After one passionate night, Spencer finally admits the desire burning within him.

But when the family's dark forces intervene, when threats and betrayal tear them apart, Cora is forced to vanish from Spencer's life. She takes with her not only his shattered heart, but a secret that could destroy them all...

A story of forbidden desire.
Ode To Defiance

Ode To Defiance

152 Views · Ongoing · Marc Stiegler
If the First Apocalypse Doesn't Kill Them All, Try Another.

The most brilliant mind in a thousand years has been tortured and twisted by human cruelty. His solution:

Burn the world down and start from scratch.

Almost no one can stop him. A single obstacle stands in his way.

He must destroy the BrainTrust and its medical researcher extraordinaire, Dr. Dash.

With millions dying, nuclear war in the offing, and the BrainTrust under siege, the fight for the very soul of humanity hinges on a last desperate question:

Who remains to Defy the Darkness?

——————————

This is a long book—450 pages!

If you like Michael Crichton, or Robert Heinlein, or even the TV show “The Last Ship”, welcome to the BrainTrust.

NOTE: While this saga takes place in the BrainTrust universe with some returning characters, it picks up over a year after the other books and does stand alone. No prior experience necessary.
The Rogue Alpha and his rejected mate

The Rogue Alpha and his rejected mate

2.6k Views · Ongoing · Maria McRill
Get to know Jesse and Cathy's story. Even if you haven't read the first book, Origins, you can read this one. Of course, both stories and characters from Origins will appear and hopefully, like many others, you will be captivated by them.

“Cathy! Please leave!”
“I will..I just came up with one thing..when I was in my room. I thought of if I did something to you to make you angry..then I realized that maybe it’s not you, maybe it’s Argus.. James, what if you’re my mate and Argus knows about it and doesn’t like it. I thought about it for a while and I don’t want you as a mate, I want Mike..so if I reject you before I get my wolf, maybe the Moon Goddess will give me him instead..”
“Cathy stop!” I feel the panic rising inside me, what is she doing?
“No James, it’s perfect! Argus will be calm and kind again and I have a chance with Mike! She stands smiling with a straight back.”
“Cathy don’t..please stop!”
“I Cathy Wright, Daughter of Alpha Wright of the Great Falls pack reject you James Barrett,son of the late Alpha Barrett of the Sunset pack, heir to the same, as my destined mate chosen by the Moon Goddess. As I do so, I expect acceptance from you as soon as my wolf has matured.” She stands still with a satisfied smile and a shiny film on her eyes. I clench my jaws not to show how strongly I feel the pain in my chest or how Argus’ howls cut into my brain.
“See! All better!”
“Cathy..”
“Yes?”
“GET THE FUCK OUT!!!”
The Cursed One

The Cursed One

7.2k Views · Ongoing · Maria Khatri
With a gasp, I struggled for breath, my eyes springing open. My memory was a blur, the lingering sensation of suffocation haunting my thoughts. But now, as I surveyed my surroundings, all I could see were towering trees of a dense jungle and the mesmerizing twinkle of stars above.

The night sky held a breathtaking beauty, yet an underlying melancholy sent shivers down my spine. It was a sight unlike anything I had ever witnessed.

Trying to make sense of it all, I noticed something peculiar about my attire. I was clad in an exquisite gown, crafted from shimmering fabric. Its heart-shaped neckline accentuated my features, while a constricting belt embraced my waist. The billowing silk skirt trailed behind me with an ethereal grace. But what captured my attention were the radiant sparks emanating from the dress itself, or perhaps even from within me.

"Where am I?"


Crystal gasped in disbelief when she learned she was a fae. And worse yet, now that she had turned eighteen, she was required to attend Archaios Hellas Academy, a school for supernatural beings.

While she embraced her newfound identity, Crystal discovered she had not one, but two mates, the other being her twin flames who would do anything to protect her, to kill or die for her.

Just as she thought she had it all figured out, she found that her entire childhood memories were wiped out. Determined to find out what happened, Crystal embarks on a perilous journey. Will She be able to handle the dark forces that threaten her very existence?
The Heir Who Hides Her Vengeance

The Heir Who Hides Her Vengeance

1.1k Views · Ongoing · Aristeia Maria
"Say it again," His hand travelled down to my belly, deliberate and sinful, threatening to touch places he shouldn't. "Tell me you still hate me."

"I hate you," my voice turned out weak, drowning by the desire that only him can give. "After tonight, I'll drag you to hell with me."

A sexy chuckle escaped from him as his tongue ran through my jaw. "Hell will be heaven as long as I'm with you."

Maeve Bloodmoon’s life was perfect—until a brutal purge under the Alpha King’s order turned her life upside down. With her family and whole pack dead by the hands of the man she trusted the most-—the King’s son—Maeve’s heart was crushed into pieces until it was nothing but speck of dust.

Years later, she returned. With a heart as hard as steel and a mind filled with revenge, Maeve infiltrated the palace. Hidden under a false name and an armor of a knight, she swore that every sword she yields will bring her to her goal: to avenge her pack, destroy everyone who ruined her bloodline, and usurp the throne.

But fate is never merciful. With her old lover and traitor being the high commander she needs to bow to, Maeve needs to make sure her mask won’t crack. Not when the strong bond that connects him to her refuses to die and threatens to shatter everything she has built.
Bound By The Wicked Wolves

Bound By The Wicked Wolves

2.6k Views · Ongoing · Maria Warren
Erina's family sells her to a pack of wolves, she knows she's there for their pleasure to be used and then killed, at least that's their intention. But what they don't know is that Erina isn't willing to accept that fate. She's determined to do whatever is needed to stay alive. The pack thinks they can just use her and throw her away, but when she's done with them they won't be able to survive without just another moment with her. Because Erina doesn't want to be their broken doll, she just needs to be their perfect one. Unfortunately for her, the pack isn't going to make life that easy for her. She's underestimated just what they could want from her and she's about to be pushed to her very limits and beyond for her mistake. Her bid for survival is about to begin.