1095 Book(s) Related to run ann patchett summary

Cause to Kill (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 1)

Cause to Kill (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 1)

1.3k Views · Ongoing · Blake Pierce
“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go.” --Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone) From #1 bestselling mystery author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense.Homicide Detective Avery Black has been through hell. Once a top criminal defense attorney, she fell from grace when she managed to get a brilliant Harvard professor off—only to watch him kill again. She lost her husband and her daughter, and her life fell apart around her.Trying to redeem herself, Avery has turned to the other side of the law. Working her way up the ranks, she has reached Homicide Detective, to the scorn of her fellow officers, who still remember what she did, and who will always hate her.Yet even they cannot deny Avery’s brilliant mind, and when a disturbing serial killer strikes fear into the heart of Boston, killing girls from elite colleges, it is Avery that they turn to. It is Avery’s chance to prove herself, to finally find the redemption she craves. And yet, as she is soon to find out, Avery has come up against a killer as brilliant and daring as she.In this game of psychological cat and mouse, women are dying with mysterious clues, and the stakes could not be higher. A frantic race against time leads Avery through a series of shocking and unexpected twists—culminating in climax that even Avery could not imagine. A dark psychological thriller with heart-pounding suspense, CAUSE TO KILL marks the debut of a riveting new series—and a beloved new character—that will leave you turning pages late into the night. Book #2 in the Avery Black series will be available soon.“A masterpiece of thriller and mystery. Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side, so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. The plot is very intelligent and will keep you entertained throughout the book. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)
Cause to Dread (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 6)

Cause to Dread (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 6)

61 Views · Ongoing · Blake Pierce
“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go.” --Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone) From #1 bestselling author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense—the AVERY BLACK SERIES—which continues here with CAUSE TO DREAD (Book #6), also a standalone novel. The series begins with CAUSE TO KILL (Book #1)—a free download with over 200 five star reviews!A woman turns up dead in her own apartment, locked in her closet, her body crawling with poisonous spiders, and the Boston police are stumped. As all of their leads collapse, they are dreading the killer will strike again. Desperate, the police have no choice but to turn to Boston’s most brilliant and controversial homicide detective—Avery Black. Now retired, Avery, in a low point in her own life, reluctantly agrees to help with the case. But when other bodies start turning up, murdered in grotesque and unusual ways, Avery can’t help but wonder: is there a serial killer on the loose?With the intense media pressure and the stress of having a new, inexperienced partner, Avery is pushed to her limit as she struggles to crack the bizarre cases—and to keep herself from falling into the abyss. Avery finds herself falling deeper and deeper into the twisted mind of the killer, who holds more secrets than Avery could imagine.The most riveting and shocking book of the series, a psychological thriller with heart-pounding suspense, CAUSE TO DREAD will leave you turning pages late into the night. “A masterpiece of thriller and mystery. Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side, so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. The plot is very intelligent and will keep you entertained throughout the book. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)
Dumped on My Engagement Night, I Became an Heiress

Dumped on My Engagement Night, I Became an Heiress

1.1k Views · Ongoing · Sophia
At the engagement party, Adrian walked in with pregnant Celeste: "Sorry, the engagement is off."

"Why?" I stared at him intently.

"The baby is Adrian's," Celeste sobbed, "I can't let my child grow up without a father..."

"You're just an orphan with no money or connections," Adrian looked at me coldly, "You're not good enough for me."

Just when I was completely humiliated, butler Steven found me. "Miss Hayes, we've been searching for you for twenty-three years. You're the long-lost heiress of Hayes Corporation."

A week later at the family reunion banquet, Adrian knelt before me: "Iris, please give me another chance!"

"You can stay by my side," I looked down at him condescendingly, "but not as my boyfriend—as my servant."

But when Celeste accidentally miscarried, the truth shocked everyone...
Reborn in the Apocalypse, I Built an Underground Fortress

Reborn in the Apocalypse, I Built an Underground Fortress

549 Views · Ongoing · Noah
On the day the apocalyptic flood swallowed the city, I died on a fractured overpass.

The man who crushed my fingers under his boot was my brother-in-law, the very man I had sacrificed everything to support. And standing safely out of reach, watching coldly as the muddy torrent swallowed me whole, was my supposedly sweet and devoted fiancée. In her arms, she fiercely clutched her "son"—who was hoarding the last of my survival rations.

In the very last second of my life, she nestled into the arms of her ex-boyfriend and left me with a single, contemptuous sneer: "Let's go. Forget about this useless trash."

It turned out that working my fingers to the bone and emptying my life savings had all been a pathetic joke—a long con orchestrated by a pack of bloodsucking parasites.

But when I opened my eyes again, I had returned to exactly one year before the apocalypse began.

My fiancée was standing there, holding a cup of hot coffee and sweetly begging me to invest another million into her brother's business.

I just smiled, gently pushed her hand away, and turned around to liquidate every single asset to my name. With that money, I secretly constructed a state-of-the-art, deep-sea underground fortress.

Later, when the monstrous floodwaters inevitably tore the city apart, they stood on the balcony of their doomed mansion, desperately falling to their knees and begging my icebreaker for salvation.

Sitting inside my perfectly secure command cabin, I took a leisurely sip of hot coffee and softly gave the order:

"Open fire. Don't let this trash dirty my deck."
Meant To Be

Meant To Be

216 Views · Ongoing · Summer Gold
A young lady was found unconscious by two siblings; Fleur and Miguel in Fraser Island,the countryside of Australia.

They nursed her back to health and Fleur being a Nurse discovered that the young lady has Amnesia(Loss of memory). She couldn’t remember a thing from the past not even her own name.

They accommodated her and call her Elva,a name given by fleur. Living together,they all formed a very tight bond which made them the envy of others.

Anyway.. Miguel has a disease called “Rare syndrome” it’s a very rare disease that unfortunately has no cure. It deprived him of pursuing his hidden talent and dream.

And..In searching for a false cure, Miguel nearly risked his life.

Things actually get complicated when Miguel and Elva fell into the pit of love.

You will get to know more as the story unfolds.

Now the questions are;
Will things ever remain the same after Elva regains her memory?
What’s gonna happen after Elva finds out she has a fiance?
The fiance who will do anything to get her back.

And lastly will Miguel survive this terrible disease?

Well.. tighten your seatbelt let’s enjoy the ride to this intriguing,romance,love, adventurous and suspense filled novel titled MEANT TO BE.
Can This Be Love

Can This Be Love

122 Views · Ongoing · Summer Gold
In Indonesia, right in the city known as Medan, a king named King Maeko rules over his people. He is known for his fearlessness and discipline.

And his family members includes: Queen Amber his wife, Niran, his first prince, Arjun the second prince and Hana the last princess.

This family is feared by everyone even down to the children of Medan. The king every year, goes to the poor cities in Indonesia to get slaves for his city.

He doing this shows he has power, and is considered as the strongest of all kinds in Indonesia. This position is a yearly competition and for more almost four years he has been the owner of that position.

Soon, the time to choose the strongest will come soon and he needs to do what he does best, which is bring slaves from the poor cities.

After checking the list of the cities he had raided, his next town is Java.

Java is a poor city but known for its peaceful citizens and their cooperation in moving the town forward.

Fortunately or Unfortunately, the king embarked on this journey and then did what he could do best.

Brought in the most beautiful of their animals, men and then ladies where Akira happened to be.

Some would be kept in the palace to serve as maids, some outside the palace. On the long run Akira finds herself in the palace.

And then met with the king’s family and then Arjun, the second prince saw how beautiful she was, and then this feeling started growing in our Prince Arjun.

TBC….

Do you think it’s a good idea for him to grow this feelings for Akira?

Will she even accept to feel for him after what his father did to their town?
Tame You

Tame You

848 Views · Ongoing · Jessica Cue-Ann
In a world where female werewolves are prizes to be hunted, one Alpha's daughter refuses to be caught.

Eighteen-year-old Lena Blackwood has always been different—preferring books to forests, independence to tradition. Now, as the annual werewolf hunting party approaches, she faces the barbaric ritual that haunts every unmated female: becoming prey for males eager to claim her with their bite.

As the daughter of a powerful Alpha, Lena is the ultimate trophy. One mark on her neck could force her into a lifetime of submission to a stranger, tearing her away from everything she's ever known. With no say in who becomes her mate, Lena must risk everything to maintain control over her own destiny.

But when the mysterious and feared Kieran Stone—the youngest Alpha in generations with a reputation for brutality—makes a surprise appearance at the hunting party, the stakes become deadlier than ever. Caught between ancient werewolf traditions and her desperate fight for freedom, Lena discovers unexpected allies and enemies lurking in the shadows.

In a society where females are expected to submit and males are entitled to claim, Lena must find the strength to rewrite the rules—or become another victim of a tradition soaked in blood.

Some traditions aren't meant to be followed. Some bonds can't be broken. And some hunts turn the prey into the predator.
The Billionaire's Bargain Bride: An Arranged Marriage Romance Series

The Billionaire's Bargain Bride: An Arranged Marriage Romance Series

111 Views · Ongoing · Gia Hunter
When Sadie Greer gets into an arranged marriage with a Crypto developer, an evil wrapped in a pretty thousand-dollar suit, she only agrees to escape the family trap with a hefty price tag.

With an ulterior motive, Cenric Wollf marries the daughter of his enemy until they fall deeper into their own trap.


Adley Kross does something beyond imaginable—proposing marriage to the stranger for her inheritance.

Mykel Creed’s only priority is making himself filthy rich with a bit of fun along the way.

It doesn’t take long enough for them to realize they married for the wrong reason.


Princess Carlott lost everything in a blink of an eye with one mistake.

She has built herself as Carly Storm and promised no more foolish mistakes until she stumbles with a grumpy but irresistible CEO, Rome Langston— her boss.

Rome is new in the business, but maybe a distraction is all he needs. What can go wrong with a bit of fun?


London Vanderford is never a rule-breaker until the god-like returns as her temporary bodyguard.

When her father threatens to shut down her clothing line, Striker volunteers to help— marrying her.

The more they spend time together, the more they realize they can’t live without each other.


Estelle Bladwyn bumps into a hot thirty-ish man on her not-so-romantic-getaway. Their growing attraction is overwhelming, but her life is already complicated. But who can deny someone like Linden?

Gabe Linden is getting old and still single and done with hookups and doing favors until it comes from someone he looks up to.

With one look at Estelle, he knows he’s already in deep trouble.
Cause to Hide (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 3)

Cause to Hide (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 3)

199 Views · Ongoing · Blake Pierce
“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go.” --Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone) From #1 bestselling mystery author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense: CAUSE TO HIDE (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 3).Bodies are being found in the outskirts of Boston, their corpses burned beyond recognition, as the police realize a new serial killer is roaming the streets. As the media converges and the pressure is upped, the Boston Police Department must turn to its most brilliant—and controversial—homicide detective: Avery Black.Avery, still trying to pick up the pieces of her own life—her budding relationship with Ramirez, her reconciliation with Rose—suddenly finds herself thrown into the most challenging case of her career. With scant evidence to follow, she must enter the mind of a psychotic killer, try to understand his obsession with fire, and what clues that offers into his personality. Her trail leads her deep into Boston’s worst neighborhoods, to confrontations with its worst psychopaths—and finally, to a twist she could never possibly imagine.In a game of psychological cat and mouse, a frantic race against time, Avery is led too deep into the maze of a killer’s mind, and to places darker than she’d ever wish to see.A psychological thriller with heart-pounding suspense, CAUSE TO HIDE is book #3 of a riveting new series—with a beloved new character—that will leave you turning pages late into the night. Book #4 in the Avery Black series will be available soon. “A masterpiece of thriller and mystery. Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side, so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. The plot is very intelligent and will keep you entertained throughout the book. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)
Cause to Save (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 5)

Cause to Save (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 5)

113 Views · Ongoing · Blake Pierce
“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go.” --Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone) From #1 bestselling author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense: CAUSE TO SAVE (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 5)—the final installment in the Avery Black series.In the epic finale of the Avery Black series, serial killer Howard Randall has escaped, and the entire city of Boston is on edge. Women are turning up gruesomely murdered, and everyone suspects Howard is at it again. When Boston’s most brilliant and controversial homicide detective—Avery Black—is herself stalked—and when people close to her are brutally killed, one by one—it seems the city’s worst fears are confirmed.But Avery is not so sure. The murders remind her of something she once saw in her past. They remind her of something too close to her heart—something that had to do with a secret she thought she had buried long ago….The most riveting and shocking book of the series, a psychological thriller with heart-pounding suspense, CAUSE TO SAVE is the finale that will leave you turning pages late into the night. “A masterpiece of thriller and mystery. Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side, so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. The plot is very intelligent and will keep you entertained throughout the book. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)
After I Burned Alive, They Still Expected An Apology

After I Burned Alive, They Still Expected An Apology

1.2k Views · Ongoing · leon
A fire broke out at the fraternity party. I desperately pushed Mia, my brother's girlfriend, out of harm's way, only to get pinned down by a falling beam myself. My brother Liam chose to save Mia first, kicking away my oxygen mask as he left. Mia then locked the door, leaving me to burn alive.

Yet they thought I was throwing a tantrum and playing hide-and-seek. They called me "toxic" and "attention-seeking" on social media, even freezing my credit cards.
Meant To Be

Meant To Be

923 Views · Ongoing · Summer Gold
SUMMARY A young lady was found unconscious by two siblings; Fleur and Miguel in Fraser Island,the countryside of Australia. They nursed her back to health and Fleur being a Nurse discovered that the young lady has Amnesia(Loss of memory). She couldn't remember a thing from the past not even her own name. They accommodated her and call her Elva,a name given by fleur. Living together,they all formed a very tight bond which made them the envy of others. Anyway.. Miguel has a disease called "Rare syndrome" it's a very rare disease that unfortunately has no cure. It deprived him of pursuing his hidden talent and dream. And..In searching for a false cure, Miguel nearly risked his life. Things actually get complicated when Miguel and Elva fell into the pit of love. You will get to know more as the story unfolds. Now the questions are; Will things ever remain the same after Elva regains her memory? What's gonna happen after Elva finds out she has a fiance?,who will do anything to get her back. And lastly will Miguel survive this terrible disease? Well.. tighten your seatbelt let's enjoy the ride to this intriguing,romance,love,adventurous and suspense filled novel titled MEANT TO BE.
Royal Hill High

Royal Hill High

571 Views · Ongoing · Summer Gold
ROYAL HILL HIGH ( High School Romance ) * * In a place in Korea( Seoul ),there's a school popularly known as ROYAL HILL HIGH, A very famous school consisted with the most smart and cute students,it's filled with about 5,000 students from all over the world. Entering this school is very hard . why?? Because the school is perfect,it has one of the biggest library in Korea ,the most stunning and adorable school,and has the most beautiful and accommodating buildings. Each students have their own lockers ,uniforms, and dorms. Only the smartest of the smarts can enter, And the richest among the rich. According to history,,Mr Jung who now owns the most popular hotel in the world also studied there, You have to stay until you finish your whole college life,( Unless for Summer or Session Break ) ………. Let's stop here. Note: The School is Mine So ,,who else wanna go into this novel with me???? Oya let's go
The Boy Next Door

The Boy Next Door

1.1k Views · Ongoing · Summer Gold
Gianna Flores is a very beautiful amd intelligent girl who has a painful past which she is trying to forget. Her past makes her shield herself from the world and creating a giant wall between her and everyone around her except her family. Alexander McQueen is every girl's dream boyfriend,he has a dream of becoming a musician which is Father doesn't agree to. Alexander and his family move to a new neighborhood to start afresh meaning Alexander had to change into a new college. Discover how Alexander and Gianna path cross ways and the changes they bring into each other's life and also the unexpected feelings that come up. Watch out in this intriguing story. * * *
The Boy Next Door

The Boy Next Door

5k Views · Ongoing · Summer Gold
Gianna Flores is a very beautiful amd intelligent girl who has a painful past which she is trying to forget.
Her past makes her shield herself from the world and creating a giant wall between her and everyone around her except her family.

Alexander McQueen is every girl's dream boyfriend,he has a dream of becoming a musician which is Father doesn't agree to.
Alexander and his family move to a new neighborhood to start afresh meaning Alexander had to change into a new college.

Discover how Alexander and Gianna path cross ways and the changes they bring into each other's life and also the unexpected feelings that come up.

Watch out in this intriguing story.
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Girl, Alone (An Ella Dark FBI Suspense Thriller—Book 1)

Girl, Alone (An Ella Dark FBI Suspense Thriller—Book 1)

369 Views · Ongoing · Blake Pierce
“A MASTERPIECE OF THRILLER AND MYSTERY. Blake Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone) GIRL, ALONE (An Ella Dark FBI Suspense Thriller—Book 1) is the debut novel in a long-anticipated new series by #1 bestseller and USA Today bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose bestseller Once Gone (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star reviews. FBI Agent Ella Dark, 29, is given her big chance to achieve her life’s dream: to join the Behavorial Crimes Unit. Ella has a hidden obsession: she has studied serial killers from the time she could read, devastated by the murder of her own sister. With her photographic memory, she has obtained an encyclopedic knowledge of every serial killer, every victim and every case. Singled out for her brilliant mind, Ella is invited to join the big leagues.But when a killer strikes in the swamps of Louisiana, Ella soon comes to learn that the real thing is nothing she could expect. Face to face with a real murder, a real killer, and a real ticking clock, Ella realizes she can’t rely on her knowledge. She must learn to trust her instinct, and allow herself to enter the dark canals of a real killer’s mind. If she gets it wrong, her career is at stake.And so is the next victim’s life.Will Ella’s talent be an asset? Or the source of her downfall?A page-turning and harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured FBI agent, the ELLA DARK series is a riveting mystery, packed with suspense, twists and turns, revelations, and driven by a breakneck pace that will keep you flipping pages late into the night.Books #2 and #3 in the series—GIRL, TAKEN and GIRL, HUNTED—are also available.
Reborn Before the Zombie Outbreak, My Wife and I Chose to Be the Bad Guys

Reborn Before the Zombie Outbreak, My Wife and I Chose to Be the Bad Guys

959 Views · Ongoing · Chau
In my past life, when the apocalypse broke out, I braved the pressure and opened the fortress gates to take in my mother-in-law and brother-in-law, who had nowhere else to go.
They shoved my wife and me straight into a horde of zombies.
My wife and I were reborn seven days before the apocalypse. I turned my head and saw the same fear and coldness surging in her eyes as mine:
"This time, don't open the door."
"Never." I smiled coldly.
Not only would I keep the door shut—I would watch with my own eyes as those bloodsucking ingrates, who had drained me dry in my past life, were slowly devoured by hunger and despair right outside the gate.
I Locked My Enemies in a Shelter and Watched Them Fall from Heaven into Hell

I Locked My Enemies in a Shelter and Watched Them Fall from Heaven into Hell

1.1k Views · Ongoing · Hades
The global freeze descended, and the apocalypse arrived right on cue. I seized all the critical supplies and evacuated first, leaving "the perfect base" behind for the two traitors who backstabbed me. They thought it was heaven, but little did they know that the entire fortress was a precision trap constructed of deception, scarcity, and despair. As the outdoor temperature plummeted to minus eighty degrees, I sat by the window, roasting venison and watching them through high-definition infrared, coldly observing as they lost their humanity in the desperate fight for a single bowl of sawdust.
Craving My Dad’s Best Friend: An Erotic Supernatural Biker Romance

Craving My Dad’s Best Friend: An Erotic Supernatural Biker Romance

4.4k Views · Ongoing · alex s
"Turn around. I want to fuck you."
I blinked. "What?"
"I said turn...around."
Before I could speak again, he had me on my stomach, face buried in the sheets. I could smell the heat of myself in the fabric. His weight hovered behind me, knees against the bed, strong thighs pressed to the outside of mine, holding me still. My skirt was hiked up around my waist. I wasn’t wearing anything underneath.


Kristen Lockwood never expected to fall for her father's best friend. She only met Leo Moretti after her father’s death, when a stranger on a motorcycle showed up with a scar across his knuckles, a gun under his jacket, and eyes that looked at her like she was already dangerous.
He says he’s here to protect her, that it’s what her father wanted. But he watches her too closely, speaks too little, and sets rules she can't help but break. He acts like touching her would ruin them both.

The worst part is, she wants him to.

Leo Moretti is the leader of the Bloodhounds, a supernatural biker gang that guards the borders between worlds. He never met Kristen until now, never even knew she existed and definitely didn’t expect her to come crashing down his walls with her presence.
Now every moment between them feels like something waiting to snap. She wants to get under his skin. She wants to see what happens when he finally loses control. She wants to see how far he can go before he slams her into his bed.

Leo is not allowed to want her.

But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t.

Warning: Contains strong language, graphic sexual content, supernatural violence, and dark themes. Recommended for mature audiences only.
Married To An Old Billionaire, In Love With His Son

Married To An Old Billionaire, In Love With His Son

402 Views · Ongoing · Wunmi Ijaola
TITLE: MARRIED TO AN OLD BILLIONAIRE, IN LOVE WITH HIS SON.

Eve has no choice but to give up her own dreams and marry the old billionaire who could even be her grandfather ...due to her father's illness and the expensive operational costs.
Despite the sex harassment she faces on a regular basis, the humiliation she receives from the old man's son, Liam is another source of pain for Eve. Then, Eve's only thought is to make as much money as she can and get away from the family.
Nevertheless, as Liam works with Eve, he gradually falls in love with the girl he used to loathe.
What will he do about his hidden feelings for his stepmother?
One Night Stand With The Enemy Alpha: An MxM Romance

One Night Stand With The Enemy Alpha: An MxM Romance

3.3k Views · Ongoing · Ebere Nwawulu
The masked stranger slammed into him with one devastating thrust, stretching Carter so perfectly he sobbed against the desk. “Fuck—yes, just like that!” he begged, hips slamming back as the masked alpha set a brutal rhythm, fisting his hair and stroking his cock in time.

“Finally mine, after all this time,” the man growled, then sank razor-sharp teeth into his neck and pleasure exploded through him like lightning.

Until the mask slipped and Dallas Cross, his childhood bully and bane of his existence, stared back with a vicious, satisfied smirk.

On the day Carter was supposed to propose to the love of his life, Carter walked in to find her in bed with his mortal enemy, Dallas Cross, wealthy heir of the Cross Group global empire.

One week later, a drunken club hookup leaves him marked, mated, and impossibly, pregnant with Dallas’s heir. The ruthless werewolf storms back into his life, demanding Carter pack his bags and move into the luxurious pack mansion to accept their unbreakable bond and carry his son… or watch his bankrupt family lose everything.

Trapped between red-hot hate, an unexpected pregnancy, and the tiny life already growing inside him, Carter faces an impossible choice.

His strict parents are pressuring him to forgive the cheating fiancée and save them from ruin. Meanwhile, Dallas’s possessive alpha instincts won’t let him go, blocking every escape, and whispering dark promises of protection, pleasure, and forever.

With every heated glare turning into uncontrollable lust and every denial crumbling under the mate bond, Carter must decide: run from the enemy who destroyed him… or surrender completely to the powerful alpha who now owns his body, his heart, and his fate.
The daily life of an otaku in a fantasy world

The daily life of an otaku in a fantasy world

338 Views · Ongoing · ALAB NG APOY OFFICIAL
For most, anime is just a hobby. For others, it is a sanctuary—the only escape from a harsh, disappointing, and often depressing reality. This is the story of a devoted fan, a "Shut-in NEET" who has turned their back on the real world to find life and meaning in the stories of 2D characters, manga, and games.
​But the lines between fiction and reality are about to vanish forever.

​When a mysterious Angel appears with a divine decree, our protagonist is plucked from their room and thrust into a literal Fantasy World. This isn't just a dream come true; it is a Mission. Given a second chance to truly live, they must now navigate a land filled with magic, peril, and wonder—armed only with the knowledge of countless anime tropes and a will to survive.
​Can a person who spent their life hiding in stories finally become the hero of their own? In a world where the stakes are real and the magic is dangerous, the ultimate challenge isn't just completing the mission—it’s learning how to finally belong.

​The story follows the life of a dedicated Anime fan (an Otaku) who feels disconnected from the harsh realities of the real world. Seeking an escape from depression and personal problems, the protagonist finds solace in anime and dreams of experiencing magical or extraordinary events. It explores the psychological boundary between fiction and reality, reflecting on people who isolate themselves to live within their imagination
He'd let the world burn for her : An unhealthy obsession

He'd let the world burn for her : An unhealthy obsession

1.1k Views · Ongoing · iyamuwealth435
"That man will be the end of you Charlotte!

Her whole life used to revolve around her family, but she was abused, treated like a slave, given away like some sacrificial lamb.

Until she met him, Damien Davenport, a ruthless man who never showed his face in society.

And now...her life will remain the same!

Content Warning.
This book is R18+
Pure sex scenes, no fade to black.
It contains contents or themes that some might find disturbing or distressing.
You Gave My $300M Deal to an Intern? Enjoy Bankruptcy

You Gave My $300M Deal to an Intern? Enjoy Bankruptcy

1k Views · Ongoing · Piper Hayes
I'm the top account director at my firm, always on the road, running myself ragged on golf courses and client dinners. Some months I barely make it back to the office at all.

Right after I land a $300 million contract for the company, my boss decides to hand the whole thing over to a new intern.

My manager says I'm wasting company resources, that my attitude's a problem. My boss tells me to give the new hire a chance. The intern thinks she can just take over my job without breaking a sweat.

None of them get it. Without me, this project never gets off the ground.

I don't bother telling them that.

Once the handoff is done, I walk straight into our biggest rival.

And watch them beg me to come back.
Primary Target: The Forging of Luke Stone—Book #1 (an Action Thriller)

Primary Target: The Forging of Luke Stone—Book #1 (an Action Thriller)

115 Views · Ongoing · Jack Mars
“One of the best thrillers I have read this year.”--Books and Movie Reviews (re Any Means Necessary)In the much-anticipated debut of a new series by #1 bestseller Jack Mars, when elite Delta Force soldier Luke Stone, 29, joins a secretive government agency, he is dispatched on the mission of a lifetime: a whirlwind race across Europe and the Mid-East to save the President’s daughter before she is beheaded by terrorists.In PRIMARY TARGET (Book #1), we see the forging of one of the world’s toughest—and most lethal—soldiers: Luke Stone. A 29 year old veteran who has seen enough battle to last a lifetime, Luke is tapped by the Special Response Team, a secretive new FBI agency (led by his mentor Don Morris) to tackle the most high-stake terrorism operations in the world.Luke, still haunted by his wartime past and newly married to an expecting Becca, is dispatched on a mission to Iraq, with his new partner Ed Newsam, to bring in a rogue American contractor. But what begins as a routine mission mushrooms into something much, much bigger.When the President’s teenage daughter, kidnapped in Europe, is ransomed by terrorists, Luke may be the only one in the world who can save her before it is too late.PRIMARY TARGET is an un-putdownable military thriller, a wild action ride that will leave you turning pages late into the night. It marks the long-anticipated debut of a riveting new series by #1 bestseller Jack Mars, dubbed “one of the best thriller authors” out there.“Thriller writing at its best.”--Midwest Book Review (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!
You Treated the Creator Like an NPC. Why Cry Without Your Cheats?

You Treated the Creator Like an NPC. Why Cry Without Your Cheats?

420 Views · Ongoing · August
I am the lead architect of this massive virtual sandbox world.

To save my NPC wife from a fatal car crash, I enabled a cheat code for her and lied, claiming she was a "VIP player" paying to experience an immersive life-simulation game.

She bought it completely. Not only did she openly flaunt her wealth to buy off a male assistant in front of the whole company, but she also trampled all over me, treating me like a "low-level NPC."

"I am the absolute main character of this world, and the system will always bail me out. As for you, you're just a line of junk code. Get out of my sight immediately."

Watching her face become twisted and arrogant from the illusion of privilege, the last trace of warmth in my eyes completely died out.

I calmly signed my resignation, revoked all her financial shields and vitality armor with a single click, then logged off and returned to the real world.

I knew that the moment I left, stripped of my protection, she would be instantly swallowed alive by the brutal laws of survival.
She Told Me to Raise Her "Illegitimate Child," So I Took Off My Ring and Went North

She Told Me to Raise Her "Illegitimate Child," So I Took Off My Ring and Went North

337 Views · Ongoing · Hades
We’ve been married for five years. Then, she got pregnant with someone else's child.
In front of everyone, she said: "Ethan doesn't want this baby. You've always wanted one, right? Fine, take it and raise it."
In that moment, I finally understood: she wasn’t incapable of loving someone—she simply never saw me as a human being.
I took off my wedding ring, left it on the tray, and bought a one-way ticket to the North. My family said I wouldn't survive in the frozen North; she said that without her, I was nothing.
Three years later, she tracked me down using the GPS hidden inside that ring. She pushed open the door to my attic room, finding only a note I’d left: "Don't look for me. We're square."
How to Handle an Amnesiac Beta Who's Out to Kill Me

How to Handle an Amnesiac Beta Who's Out to Kill Me

991 Views · Ongoing · tuanputri
I killed my fated mate to survive.

Beta Shax Wulfric was the pack’s most ruthless hunter, sent to drag me back in chains. So I ended him. Or I thought I did.

Months later, he finds me again. Alive. Amnesiac. And utterly convinced I’m his wife… and the child in my arms is ours.

Now the monster who once rejected and humiliated me looks at me like I’m his entire world. He touches me like I’m something precious.

If he remembers, he’ll kill me.
If he doesn’t, I might fall for him all over again.
Reborn as an Omega Slave, My Revenge Receipe Tamed Three Alphas

Reborn as an Omega Slave, My Revenge Receipe Tamed Three Alphas

711 Views · Ongoing · swiss king
They say the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. They never said anything about his soul.

I was a culinary prodigy on the verge of global fame until my fiancé and my best friend murdered me with my own carving knife to steal my recipes. My last thought wasn’t of love, but of a burning vow: If I get a second chance, I will serve them their just deserts.

I got my wish.

I woke up not in a morgue, but in the body of an omega slave, Number 74, in the brutal, wolf-ruled kingdom of the Lunar Fang Pack. I was weak, worthless, and slated to die in the kitchens. But they didn’t know who they were dealing with. The soul of a master chef still burned within me.

When I poured my rage and my grief into a simple broth for a dying slave, I discovered a truth that would shatter this world: my emotions are ingredients. My cooking is magic. A stew made with spite can poison. A cake baked with defiance can empower.

Now, my unique gift has drawn the attention of the three most dangerous Alphas in the kingdom.

Emperor Kael, the cursed and ruthless Alpha King
ho woman, not just the weapon.

Commander Cassian, his stoic, lethal protector,

Prince Raze, the visiting rival Alpha

They think I’m a pawn in their game of thrones. A tool to be used and discarded.

They have no idea.

I was betrayed for my recipes once. I’ll be damned if I let a trio of Alphas do it again. My menu is set, and this time, the main course is revenge.

The only question is: which of these powerful wolves will be the first to take a bite?
Dear Dolly, Who Do You Love?

Dear Dolly, Who Do You Love?

1.2k Views · Ongoing · Julie Ann Tag-at
Maximilian Adenhart ruled over his coven for full five hundred years without any trifle stumbling on his feet. He's the greatest among the ruling class. Anyone who tells otherwise will perish under his gentle hands. For him, he lacks nothing in life. But his sister has a different opinion of him. That's why Max found himself having a 'vacation' inside the town of Little Maddison. Where he later on came to meet his fated mate, Dolly. A sweet, lovely rabbit shifter who's unfortunately living with another man.
It was never what Max had expected from the beginning.
Claimed by My Vampire Step-Brother

Claimed by My Vampire Step-Brother

100.6k Views · Ongoing · Anna Kendra
When Chase Tanning’s mother remarries a decade after his father’s death, he is happy to see his mother happy once again. But when he moves in to his new house with his new step-father and step-brother, he’s convinced that they have made a grave mistake. Not only is the house centuries old and gives off a creepy vibe, but his new step-family is even more mysterious and cold towards him than he anticipated.
However, moving to a new school in his sophomore year is even more challenging than he anticipated, and as the bullies have a field day with him while his step-brother, Alexander Marshall, all but avoids his very existence. That is until…he is pushed down the stairs and ends up hitting his head hard enough to heal. In an instant, his life changes forever as he is surrounded by people with fangs and claws, with no hope of escape.
But right then, a shadowy figure steps in front of him, and drives the hissing creatures away.
“Welcome to hell, little brother,” says his savior. “From now on, you are mine to claim, mine to do as I please.”
The Chosen One

The Chosen One

1.8k Views · Ongoing · Anna Erishkigal
At the dawn of time, two ancient adversaries clashed over control of Earth. One man rose to stand at humanity's side. A soldier whose name we still remember today... .Angelic Special Forces Colonel Mikhail Mannuki'ili awakens, mortally wounded, in his crashed ship. The woman who saves his life has abilities which seem familiar, but with no memory of his past, he can't remember why! With his ship destroyed and a shattered wing, he has no choice but to integrate into her village. .Ninsianna's people have prophecies of a winged champion, a Sword of the Gods who will defend her people against an Evil One. Mikhail insists he is no demigod, but her dark premonitions and his uncanny ability to kill say otherwise. Even without the technology destroyed along with his ship, the sword he carries is a weapon of mass destruction to a people who still throw sticks and stones. When women start to disappear, Mikhail must organize her people to fight back . .Evil whispers to a sullen Prince. A dying species seeks to avoid extinction. Two emperors, entrenched in their ancient ideologies, cannot see the larger threat. As intrigues roil the heavens, a tiny Mesopotamian town becomes ground-zero for this fantasy fiction retelling of mankind's most epic story about the battle between good and evil … the clash of empires and ideologies … and the greatest superhero to ever walk the Earth. The Archangel Michael. .Omnibus Edition Contains:--Sword of the Gods--No Place for Fallen Angels--Forbidden Fruit.This book is NOT religious fiction.
The Mafia Billionaire's Rose

The Mafia Billionaire's Rose

850 Views · Ongoing · Anne-Marie
"If I come any closer you will die, and if I remain in this exact spot you will still die, so make your choice."

I was backed into the dark alley, the cold muzzle of a gun pressed against my temple. Marco's goons had me cornered. I thought this was the end. I thought I would die without ever knowing the truth about my mother.

Then he stepped out of the shadows. Alex Ferrini.

He didn't look worried. He looked... bored. And terrifying. "Do you not know who she belongs to?" he asked calmly, adjusting his cuffs.

Before I could blink, shots rang out. Bang! Bang! Bang! The men dropped dead around me like flies. My knees gave out, but Alex caught me, pulling me into his hard chest. He smelled of gunpowder, expensive cologne, and rage.

He gripped my hair, tilting my head back roughly. "I told you not to run," he growled, his eyes burning into mine. "You are mine, Alessia. My prisoner. My property. And tonight, I'm done playing games."
Claimed By Two Rivals

Claimed By Two Rivals

1.9k Views · Ongoing · Gory Anna
"She is mine!" Nolan growled.

"I will do anything just to not see her with anybody else!" Owen barked, turned to me, and grabbed my hand. "You have to choose one now, but remember that your choice comes with consequences. Choose this guy, and I'll do whatever it takes to separate you, even if it means dropping a head."


Enrolling in a new school wasn't really Genevieve's cup of tea. All she wanted was to lay low and complete her high school days, she was a sick werewolf after all. What she didn't expect is to catch the attention of the two most feared boys in the school who just happened to be rivals.

Trying her best to ignore them but a string keeps pulling her to them and they both weren't pleased with the idea of sharing especially when she finds out she was mated to both of them.

Could this be a mistake made by the moon goddess? What happens when she shows she isn't interested in any of them but then the so-called queen bee of the school just so happens to be friends with both of them and is hell bent on making her life in the school hell?

Will she ever give one of them or both of them a chance especially when she finds out her whole life might have been a deceptive illusion?
Claiming his Untamable Rogue

Claiming his Untamable Rogue

1.3k Views · Ongoing · Anna Kendra
Alexander Cabot, the future beta of the Ocean Runners pack and Cameron’s best friend…is no longer the boy everyone knew. Now, his wolf is close to destabilizing and he’s in danger of turning feral forever…until a fateful encounter with a rogue. Untamable and wild, a creature so in-tune with her wolf that she has almost lost her humanity…Mirage Valecha. She challenges him like no one had ever before and intrigues him to the point of frustration.
Who is she? Where did she come from? How did she end up a rogue? Nobody knows the real reason, however, there is no point denying that this wild rogue is none other than Alex’s mate. As new enemies rise and with secrets hiding at every corner, will Alex be able to get through to her in time? Or will he give in to his own monsters, tearing his friends and family apart like they meant nothing?
HIS ONLY

HIS ONLY

131.3k Views · Ongoing · Anny-M
"Our marriage hasn't even begun yet but you want to end it"

"That's not what I meant"

"When we take our vows it's till death do us apart"

Lia Anderson's father was met with a heart disease, but she didn't have enough money. A handsome stranger agreed to help her, But under one condition.

" Marry him"

Lia has no other choice but to marry him. But why does he seem to talk about her like he knows her?
Sold To The Rebellious  Billionaire

Sold To The Rebellious Billionaire

305 Views · Ongoing · Tom Anna
Anna, a nineteen-year-old dropout, was brought up by her single mom and is known for always causing trouble. Due to her nasty behaviour, her mother had no choice but to sell her to Carlos Jaxon.

Carlos Jaxon is known by his stage name CJ, he is a singer and the heir to P&K company, one of the most popular companies in the state. Carlos Jaxon was rumoured to be gay leaving his fans devastated, the rumour affected him and the music industry.

His father gave him 30 days to prove to people that he is not gay or he is going to set him up in an arranged marriage, so many things went from good to bad and he has to prove to them that he is not gay but how ??
Lilith

Lilith

1.3k Views · Ongoing · S.J. ANNE
Lilith is a young woman trapped in the cell's underneath her childhood home. She has spent years enduring the rough treatment of her jealous sister when she is greeted by a strange man, he isn't like the others. His deep voice that terrifies her at first speaks to her gently and always asks if she is okay. If she has learned anything though. Nobody can be trusted no matter what.

Everything about Cain screams for her to focus on surviving in her cage until she can finally die at her sister's hand. He could easily kill her with the twist of the wind, so what happens when her fate is linked to his? Will the mask of kindness disappear and reveal his brutal nature? Can a vampire ever truly love a werewolf?

What will she do when she learns her true mate is her saviors brother?
My Billionaire Husband Gifted me a Surrogate for Christmas

My Billionaire Husband Gifted me a Surrogate for Christmas

605 Views · Ongoing · Anna Kendra
Catherina Hanshaw Dalton has spent six years believing she lived a fairytale, married to billionaire Xavier Dalton, cherished by him, and building a life rooted in devotion, even amid one heartbreak she cannot control: their inability to have a child. Though Xavier assures her she is enough, Catherine senses his quiet disappointment, a wound deepened by the venomous hostility of his mother, Lydia Dalton. Lydia never misses a chance to insult Catherine’s infertility, idolize Xavier’s sister Mia and her children, or imply Xavier married beneath his status. Catherine endures it all, clinging to the one constant comfort, Xavier always defends her. Or so she believes.
This Christmas, however, Catherine’s dread of another humiliating Dalton family gathering turns into confusion. Lydia is gracious….kind, even. The manor is full of relatives, business partners, and esteemed guests, including Hunter Powell, Xavier’s ruthless business rival. The brief moment when Cathy’s eyes meet Hunter unsettles her, but nothing prepares her for Lydia’s “special Christmas gift.”
During the toast, Lydia presents Caroline Turner…a beautiful young woman who is allegedly four months pregnant through surrogacy…with Xavier’s child.
If I fall

If I fall

55 Views · Ongoing · Anne Thorogood
Hannah is young and beautiful, but the part about being beautiful, she doesn't quite believe. And she's stuck in Denmark. The plan had been to move to England and study. Instead, she has moved back in with her parents to take care of her sick father who has had a stroke. Hannah works in the family business, which is run by her uncle, Filip. Hannah has no time for friends or love, until she literally throws herself at the handsome and charming William Black. But the encounter with William is complicated. Hannah has no room in her life for complications, but she's having a hard time containing herself when it comes to the annoying and controlling Mr. Black.
DARKLY YOURS

DARKLY YOURS

23.1k Views · Ongoing · Anamika_ Ana
**** SNEAK PEAK ****

" Ah! " I moaned into his mouth as I felt him entering through me.

He chuckled in my ears,
" Did you feel that, baby girl?"

I whimpered again as he entered into me with intense force. I knew that he was ruining me but I wanted him as mine.

I moaned in ecasty as I felt him pounding inside me,
" I am forever yours, wholly yours and last of all Darkly Yours always."


Veronica Knight, an young adult and promising star of modeling industry whose eyes were full of dreams to become the supermodel like her elder sister, Victoria Knight. Surrounded by passion and compassion,idolizing her big sister as her mentor,her path was bound to smooth but one accident brought misfortune in her joyous life. Accused to become the murderer of her elder sister,she was blamed and screwed by everyone including her stone hearted,wife-shipping billionaire brother-in-law, Blake Davidson,the biggest tycoon of the country. He was a firm believer on the fact that Veronica had caused to loose his dear wife. A journey started from revenge was going to make her life completely hell until lust, irresistible attraction crawled between them. Will Veronica ever be able to prove herself innocent? How will she deny the attraction that she felt for Blake but isn't it a sin to fall in love with her brother-in-law? Will she put a boundary between their feelings?

*** Join the journey of two sisters whose fates are entangled with one single man, the posseive devil, Blake Davison ***
Deadly Grace

Deadly Grace

633 Views · Ongoing · Olabode Anu
Detective Grace Marlowe has built her career on precision and grit, carving her place in the department without owing anyone favors. But when she’s called to the scene of a murdered tech heiress in a penthouse suite, the case feels wrong from the start every detail too deliberate, too staged.

The body is laid out like an art installation: silk gown, perfectly applied lipstick, a single drop of blood at the corner of her mouth. No sign of forced entry. No defensive wounds. And tucked under the bed, hidden in a place only a meticulous search would find—an envelope.

It isn’t addressed to the victim. It’s addressed to Grace.

Inside: a photo of her sister, taken the year she disappeared
Moonbound To My Professors

Moonbound To My Professors

1k Views · Ongoing · Gory Anna
She was just trying to live a normal life.
A quiet university student with a secret no one could ever know, she’s a werewolf hiding among humans.

But everything changes when two new professors arrive on campus.

Lucien and Damian Vale.

Twins. Dangerous. Beautiful.

And both claiming to be her mates.

The problem?

Aria is already engaged, to a man who loves her deeply… but secretly hunts her kind.

Now she’s caught between love and destiny, lies and blood, light and darkness.

As the full moon rises and war brews in the shadows, Aria must decide who she truly is.
The woman she pretends to be, or the wolf fate never meant to hide.

Two mates.

One heart.

And a choice that could save, or destroy, their world.
A sister's revenge

A sister's revenge

7.3k Views · Ongoing · Anne Fansou
"Paula, what have I done to you to deserve so much animosity?"

"Nothing my dear sister. Just blame God who made you come in my family. You weren't meant to be born to ruin my life."

"It's mean..."

"Yes, I'm mean and it's nothing new. You know it well, and everyone knows it, I don't hide that I hate you with all my insides. I curse the day you were born, because that's when my troubles started!"

"And that restaurant outing? You told me you love me. I thought..."

"That's your problem, you believe everything."

"Paula... I'm your sister, you're supposed to protect me!"

"You're nothing for me Martina! Never try to walk my road again, 'cause next time, you won't be just raped, but I'll kill you!"


Martina didn't know why Paula, her older sister, had a visceral hatred for her. She thought she could succeed in removing this hatred until the day when Paula will push the cork very far by having her raped by a gang. As if that weren't enough, she let her mother die out of sheer wickedness. It was the straw that broke the camel's back. Since then, Martina aspires to only one thing, revenge on her sister. A merciless war will follow which will rub off on the families of the two sisters. How far are they willing to go to satisfy their thirst for revenge?
Cursed Rose

Cursed Rose

26.5k Views · Ongoing · S.J. ANNE
“AURORA!” My mom screamed, and I knew that I was in for it again.

It didn’t matter that it was my eighteenth birthday so soon, it didn’t matter that they had beat me until I couldn’t breathe.

Werewolf or not my parents were cruel at their nicest and monsters at their worst.

I'm praying to my good graces that I can at least have my mate find me so I can take my little sister with me to their home, but nothing is guaranteed when your parents are your abusers.

I should have been safe. My brother is the Beta to the Alpha’s but I’m still not safe.

Bleeding out on the floor. I never thought that’s how I would die but it’s better than the alternative where my sister dies for spilling juice. I smiled, staring at my big brother tearing apart our parents. How could she beg for mercy when she never gave us that same treatment?

I heard the door slam open and our three Alpha’s came into the room and I felt everything slow down. Sparks shifted in the air while they surrounded me, their eyes enticing my wolf.

“Mate.” They whispered in unison and then everything went black.
Teacher's Pet

Teacher's Pet

1.2k Views · Ongoing · Anna Kendra
Akira Sanders is an author...an erotic romance author. Pen named Miss. OG, her writings are famous among the high school kids, but little do her fans know that she herself is a high school student and...a virgin. Her biggest inspirations are porn videos and washroom gossips.
Ethan Whitmore is the high school 'it' boy with God like looks and an ego as huge as Mt. Olympus. An arrogant jerk but the biggest fan of Miss. OG's erotic novellas. Oh! And did I mention that he's the chemistry teacher?
So what happens when Ethan comes to know that his favourite author is actually a high school girl, moreover, his student? Join them in their journey through senior year as Ethan tries to teach our Erotic Superstar, a thing or two about chemical reactions...of a very different kind.
Luna For Sale

Luna For Sale

541 Views · Ongoing · Ana Winter
A Luna or a Slave?
Edwina Quinley had nothing to offer in her life after her father being the sole enemy of Alpha King, Hades Lysander. Hades, renowned for being a beast in nature goes mad in rage after losing his beloved Luna. Hades wants nothing but revenge for the love of his life even if destroying a whole pack.Hades wanted to destroy her pack including her. As a loyal Luna to her pack, Edwina had nothing to offer except herself as his slave. Even though the Moon Goddess has blessed her with a mate, she had to leave her dignity to satisfy the king's hatred and ego. From being a Female Alpha, she becomes the no-class slave overnight.Edwina wants nothing but to save her pack and her father.Between revenge and hatred, will Hades and Edwina find their way back or are they meant to destroy each other?
Curse For Alpha: Betrayed Luna

Curse For Alpha: Betrayed Luna

51 Views · Ongoing · Ainin ain
The fated eternal couple, did not make happiness in Audrey Varese's heart because Aldrick Wolfson did not love her at all and instead loved one of the Beta aka Emily, a female werewolf in the Wolfson clan. Heartbroken and lazy to survive, it made her decide to keep her pregnancy a secret and engineer her death while the war between the clans was still going on.

However, the unexpected happened. Aldrick Wolfson finally found out that Emily betrayed him, making him regret betraying the Luna. Moreover, he also received a warning from the Moon Goddess until his strength was slightly paralyzed and only Luna could heal him. In her search, she found a wolf boy in the human world whose face was very similar to hers. At the same time, he also met Luna aka Audrey who was the child's mother.