29 Book(s) Related to shinji hirako

I was once a brilliant researcher, but I gave up my career for my family. Everything changed during a camping trip—my husband abandoned me in the wilderness, and my son called another woman “Mom.” My husband openly favored his mistress, neglecting both me and our daughter. Heartbroken, I decided to divorce him and take my daughter with me, determined to reclaim my career and my life.

He thought I was just being petty, convinced that I’d have nothing once I left him.

But one day, when he showed up with our son and saw me and our daughter happily by another man’s side, he finally panicked…

Drunk and reckless, Forrest once claimed her in a night of passion.
But after their marriage? He never touched her again.
For fifty years, Ella devoted herself to him—loving, waiting, sacrificing.
Yet when he died, she wasn’t even allowed to attend his funeral.
Then… she woke up.
This time, she seized her stolen future—top of her class, acceptance to Berkeley, a life he could never control.
But the more she ignored him, the more obsessed he became.
"Ella," he begged, desperation clawing at his voice, "Give me one more chance."
She didn’t even glance back.

I was squatting on the floor, wiping up the juice spilled by a customer when I ran into my ex-husband, Tan Yeming.
It was our first meeting in the three years since our divorce.
He was just as cold and arrogant as before.
“You must have suffered enough these three years. If you’ve learned your lesson, come home with me.”
I was alone at the restaurant today, and I was too busy to deal with him.
He stood in front of the counter, looking at me, wanting to say something but hesitating. “Zhengzheng, I’m talking to you…”
I cut him off. “Sir, would you like to order something?”
“If not, please step aside. You’re holding up the other customers.”
He was left speechless and only after a long pause asked, “Zhengzheng, what’s wrong with you?”
I still didn’t answer.
Nothing’s wrong. I just don’t love him anymore.

"Mi Señora, can I have this dance?" said the man to Melanie who immediately accepted him.

"Bye, Avah. Go have some fun!" Her friend giggled and then they went to dance floor. To the ocean of wild people.

Avah sighed and then fumbled with the small cellphone in her pocket. She stood up to get it but in an unexpected event something hit her causing her to throw away her cellphone.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, lady! I'm really sorry." The man said  in drunkenness.

"It's okay." She reciprocated with a good smile and then knelt down to reach for the cellphone.

Just as about to picked her phone up, a masculine hand was fast to gather it from the ground.

"Is this yours?" That's a very nice man. She just nods. "You're a collector or classic phones huh? I'm Davien. You are?"

Avah picked up her cellphone.

"A-Avah. My name is Avah."

"You're really rude! Be respectful!" Dad said angrily. I smiled bitterly because of what he said.

"Rude? You're the reason I've been rude! If only you hadn't been so selfish, I wouldn't have been that!" I answer back.

"We didn't become selfish children, we did it for you — for your future. We want your life to be peaceful when you graduate." Mom said tearfully.

"Is that your solution for my future? You must be stupid then. I can work after I graduate. What you said is that you did it for yourself-so that you can be even richer and be known by all over the world and- "

“How dare you talk back to your mother!”-Dad.

I winced at what Dad had done. Its the second time he slapped me. I was grabbed by my sore cheek and started crying again. But instead of acting, I wiped away my tears and smiled wryly.

"There you are again. Does it feel good to slap your daughter over and over again Dad? Is it comforting? Because I felt like slapping me is becoming your habit." I said to him. Dad didn't speak right away because of what I said. Mom kept crying as she hugged Dad's arm.

"I'm sorry daughter." Only Dad said. I ignored them and started walking up the stairs. Mom tried to stretch my hand to stop me but I just tapped her and left.

"Do you think you can stop this agreement? Sorry daughter but you have no other way. You need to marry him! Because I say so!" Dad chased after me but I just ignored it. You're wrong Dad, there's still a way.

In a world where elemental forces are more than mere legend, Ember and Eira are twins bound by destiny yet torn apart by betrayal. Ember, stolen as a baby and raised without knowledge of her heritage, discovers at the age of thirteen that she is no ordinary girl—she is a phoenix, born to wield the primal power of fire. Her awakening ignites a journey of self-discovery, where each flicker of flame unravels pieces of her lost past and reveals a breathtaking, but dangerous, legacy.
Across distant lands, Eira grows up in isolation, mastering the serenity and strength of cryokinesis. The icy calm she commands hides the storm of emotion she feels from being separated from Ember, a sister she remembers only in fragmented whispers of connection. Both girls are watched over by forces hidden in the shadows—some wishing to guide them, others seeking to exploit their powers for their own gain.
As Ember and Eira are drawn toward each other by an ancient prophecy, they must reconcile their contrasting natures—fire’s untamed energy and ice’s quiet resilience—to confront an escalating threat that endangers not only their lives but the balance of the elemental forces itself. Together, they will uncover the truth of their abduction, face the dark origins of the watchers pursuing them, and unlock the unprecedented power born from the unity of fire and ice. Blazing with passion and freezing with intrigue, Ember & Eira: The Convergence of Fire and Ice is a captivating tale of self-discovery, sibling bonds, and the triumph of balance over chaos. Fans of elemental magic and epic storytelling will be swept away in this spellbinding adventure of love, loss, and unyielding strength.

Finding a mate is a blessing that one gets when the Moon Goddess blesses them with a soulmate. It is said that finding a mate has become a myth now because only a handful of wolves have found their mate. Hence, a new custom was made where Alpha males purchased a bride for themselves and that includes the King, however, a King could only purchase an Alpha female as his bride.

Violet is the daughter of the Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack, being a part of one of the strongest pack's she has always trained to be a warrior. She lost her mother at the age of 5 and her fierce attitude does nothing to ease the worry of her father and brother. She lives her life like a free bird who doesn't want to get trapped by anyone, she wanted to live her life peacefully and find her true mate.

Vincent is a strong Alpha King who rules his people in peace, he had taken over the responsibilities of a King at the age of 13 when his father died. He was tall, strong, and handsome, his aura carries an air of dominance and strength that would make anyone bow to him. He is a fantasy every girl wants but can never get their hands on. He needs to find himself a bride. No, as per the custom he has to purchase his bride, an Alpha female to be precise because he is already 21 and hasn't found his mate.

What would happen when these two opposite souls are brought together?

Will Violet be able to find her true mate?

Will she be able to fight against the unwanted custom and find her happily ever after?

Follow their journey to find out.

“You are my mate,” he growled, his voice blending with his wolf’s. “You’re not leaving me again.”

Ella’s fury ignited. “Alpha Derek,” she spat, her voice trembling with barely contained anger. “I am not your mate anymore. Control your damn wolf.” She shoved him aside with surprising strength, her power flaring, leaving Derek momentarily stunned. She didn’t look back as she walked away, leaving him standing there, lost in disbelief.
Derek remained where he stood, his mind racing. He had lost her once. He wouldn’t lose her again.

Ella Brown’s life was supposed to change for the better when she turned 18—gaining her wolf and preparing for her engagement to Alpha Kevin Taylor. But everything shatters when she catches Kevin with her stepsister, Sandra, the night before the ceremony. Heartbroken, she flees into the night, only to stumble upon her fated mate, the powerful Alpha Derek of the Moonstone pack. Their irresistible bond leads to a night of passion, but Derek coldly rejects her the next morning.

At the engagement party, Kevin twists the truth, publicly humiliating Ella. Alone and betrayed by both alphas, she discovers she’s pregnant and flees her pack. Years later, as a renowned healer in the north, Ella is sought after by desperate packs suffering from a deadly plague. But when Derek shows up at her doorstep, demanding her help and refusing to let go of the bond he once rejected, Ella must decide—will she heal his people or make him suffer the way he made her?

Can Ella protect her heart from the mate who broke it, or will Derek reclaim what he believes is rightfully his? Or what do you think would happen when the Vampire Lord– Valen Draven, suddenly becomes interested in the Healer as she turns out to be his Soulmate? Or when his brother Sebastian Draven starts Coveting her power to make himself more powerful so he can destroy Valen and claim what he feels is rightfully supposed to be his

The twist just doesn't end.

The werewolves suffer dreadfully under the reign of their tyrant queen, Pandora who makes life a living hell for them and gets their beloved prince, Douglas imprisoned. The moon goddess sees this and decides to come into the world as a human to save her children from this evil queen. To do this, she needs the man she would choose as a mate to agree on a contract marriage with her. That man is the charming Prince Douglas. He ends up refusing her and Pandora throws great attacks on her that her chances of fulfilling her mission looks bleak. No matter what happens, she has to enforce her will and achieve her goals but Douglas is not willing to work with her.
What will happen when he stubbornly refuses to accept her as his mate?
How would she react towards this rejection?
What would she do in this case to still save the werewolves?

Emily was taken at 15 when Alpha Riden killed her pack.
She fell in love with the alpha's son Ryan, but when he disappeared, her life got worse.
When ther here was no sign of the alpha and luna. Jeremy managed to save her.
But when alpha-ridden hunts Jeremy and her down. While Johnny decides to bring in an old friend.
Now she had to choose between revenge and love.

"I, Ella Brown, hereby sever my ties with the Silver Crest pack."
The words felt heavy on her heart, but she knew it had to be done. As tears streamed down her face, she knelt down, crying bitterly as she made one final, heartbreaking declaration.
"I, Ella Brown, reject you, Alpha Derek of the Moonstone Pack, as my mate."


"Ella Brown," Derek whispered, his voice full of shock.
"Mate," Lila, her wolf, whispered within her, the bond between them sparking to life once more.
"Ella, what are you doing here?" Derek asked, his grip tightening on her arms. "I've searched everywhere for you."
Ella quickly regained her composure, pulling away from him. "I'm in a hurry, Derek," she muttered, attempting to sidestep him.
"Ella, don't leave," Derek pleaded, his voice breaking slightly.
"You are my mate," he growled, his voice blending with his wolf's. "You're not leaving me again."


Ella's fury ignited. "Alpha Derek," she spat, her voice trembling with barely contained anger. "I am not your mate anymore. Control your damn wolf."
Ella Brown’s life was supposed to change for the better when she turned 18—gaining her wolf and preparing for her engagement to Alpha Kevin Taylor. But everything shatters when she catches Kevin with her stepsister, Sandra, the night before the ceremony. Heartbroken, she flees into the night, only to stumble upon her fated mate, the powerful Alpha Derek of the Moonstone pack. Their irresistible bond leads to a night of passion, but Derek coldly rejects her the next morning.At the engagement party, Kevin twists the truth, publicly humiliating Ella. Alone and betrayed by both alphas, she discovers she’s pregnant and flees her pack. Years later, as a renowned healer in the north, Ella is sought after by desperate packs suffering from a deadly plague. But when Derek shows up at her doorstep, demanding her help and refusing to let go of the bond he once rejected, Ella must decide—will she heal his people or make him suffer the way he made her?Can Ella protect her heart from the mate who broke it, or will Derek reclaim what he believes is rightfully his?

What do you do when you fall in love with the man who hurt your best friend?
Her plan was simple: seduce the scumbag who shattered her best friend's heart, make him crawl, and then ruin him. It was supposed to be a cold, calculated game.
Enter Jason: the campus heartthrob, the future Alpha heir, and—according to Lysa's intel—the target. She played the innocent girl, lured him into her trap, and waited for the perfect moment to strike. She thought she was the cat and he was the mouse.
She didn't know she was hunting a predator who had already claimed her as his Fated Mate.
Now, an Alpha knows his human Mate only approached him to destroy him. And he wants her back anyway.
"The game ends when I say it ends, Lysa. Not when you decide you're bored. When. I. Say."

Graciella's father is the Alpha of the Crescent Pack in Northern America, she lives her life around her loving family. Being the lastborn, she is treated like a pet. Her father fails to perform the annual full moon festival, as a result, the moon goddess demands to be appeased. The lot falls on Graciella, she is given out as the sacrifice, her wolf is taken away from her by the moon goddess and she becomes human.
Out of hatred for her family, feeling betrayed, she runs away from home and wanders to the outskirts of her pack where she comes across the forbidden Alpha, Romeo who is cursed.
He is very handsome but an Ultima wolf, a mere look of his eyes when angry can destroy any werewolf or human. His anger had made him eliminate his father in his previous life to take over the control of his pack. The moon goddess got angry with him and cursed him, the curse turned him into an Ultima wolf as he reincarnated.
The only remedy for him to turn back to a normal werewolf would be true love from a woman. He is hopeless to get this as all ladies run away from him and he cannot live in the pack with others due to his dangerous nature despite being extremely handsome and wealthy.
Graciella and Romeo notice a strong pull and feelings for each other as they meet.
Would Graciella stay and redeem Romeo from his curse or would she run away like other ladies?

"Oh, Moon Goddess," I whispered. "Can my day get any worse?"
I had no wolf. No strength. No weapons. This was how I was going to die.
But it never came. Instead, there was a sickening crunch.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice deep and gentle.


Rejected and abandoned from birth, Kira has spent her life in the shadows—mocked, cast aside, and branded as the daughter of a lowly omega. What no one knows is that she harbors a dangerous secret—two wolves reside within her, a power unheard of in all of history. To survive, she's learned to keep her head down and her true nature hidden.
But fate has other plans.
When Kira crosses paths with the ruthless Alpha Asher during mating season, their undeniable bond should seal their destiny. Instead, he rejects her, unwilling to be tied to someone of her bloodline. Shattered and alone, banished from her pack—she falls into the hands of Lycan Prince Dante, a man who claims her as his true mate.
As Kira is thrust into a world of power, ancient prophecy, dark blood-ties and deception, shocking truths unravel. A stolen identity. A lost legacy. And a revelation that ties her fate not only to Alpha Asher and Prince Dante but to the future of every pack.
With two powerful men vying for her heart and an ancient prophecy threatening to consume her, Kira must decide—will she embrace the destiny she never chose, or carve her own path before it's too late?

“Alpha! Alpha please! Don't hurt me. Please, let me go.” I begged him, but he didn't stop twisting my arm.

“Let you go! So you want me to let you go so easily. You make a mistake, you get punished.” He whispered in my ear, yet his words were so wicked, it sent shivers to my spine.

“Please, alpha. I will behave from now on. I will not try to run. Please, don't do this. You are hurting me.” I begged him again. But he had no mercy.

I watched his smirk turn into something twisted and mischievous. I screamed in pain when he broke my forearm. He broke the bone right in the middle, splitting it in half. “You betray me, and I will make your life a fucking living hell.” He growled in my ear before he pushed me on the ground and walked away.
…………

Althea was hated by the pack. She was the daughter of the traitors. Traitor's blood, that's what she was called after her parents tried to abduct the alpha's daughter. The only reason she was in the pack was because of her first love. But he betrayed her as well. Althea only wanted someone to love her. But all she faced was resentment and hatred. Hatred, in exchange for her beauty. She endured everything with a smile, until she finds out that her true mate is her cousin. A forbidden relationship she never wanted, the man who hated her the most.

(Note! For those who want to lecture me over this novel being disgusting, don't judge the book without reading it.)

"Benjamin! I swear, I never cheated on you. I am a pure woman. I never let anyone touch me. Please, believe me." Charlotte was on her knees, begging her husband to believe her Innocence. But he only looked at her with anger and disgust in his eyes for her.

"Do you think I am a fool? If you didn't cheat? If you are that innocent? How come you are pregnant? Is that the reason why you didn't let me touch you in four months of our marriage?" Benjamin yelled at her, hatred dipped from his eyes for Charlotte.

"I don't know anything! But please, believe me. I never cheated on you." Charlotte cried, trembling with fear.

"That's it! I can't live with an unfaithful woman. I am divorcing you. Get your ugly face out of my sight and never show me your face again, you slut." Without listening to her pleas, Benjamin slapped the divorce papers.


Charlotte was full of life. With so many dreams in her eyes, she was looking forward to having a bright future. Until an arrogant man laid his eyes on her. And everything changed in her life. She was forced to marry the man she hated the most. When she thought nothing worse could happen to her, she found out that she was pregnant. But how? She was still a virgin and she never let any man touch her?

Cassandra Wolf is a very smart, intelligent and very beautiful lady who works for one of the best technological companies in New York City. She became friends with her boss' daughter Iris and She never knew that Iris only brother, Christopher Hunt, actually loved her deep in his heart. She was happy with her life. Until one day, her life became hell when she got kidnapped by a hot and handsome billionaire Hendrick Black. Hendrick Black is a monster who wants to cage Cassandra forever for himself. Will Cassandra ever be able to live in peace? Will she ever find someone who will love her unconditionally?

Hendrick Black: As I've heard. You're a pure beauty.

Hendrick said as he stroked my cheek with his fingers.

Cassie: Keep your hands to yourself Hendrick. I used to respect you for all the things you've achieved. But now I only think that you're nothing but a cheap bastard, who uses his power to do wrong. Tell me, is it about the award or the program I've newly invented.

He grabbed a fistful of my hair.

Hendrick Black: You know nothing about me. Don't worry baby. I'll tell you what kind of demon I really am. JO

Jo: Yes.

Hendrick Black: I'm staying. She needs lessons from her demon.

Jo: Nelson...

Nelson:Yes boss.

Jo: Get a room ready for Mr Black.

Nelson:Yes boss.
...........
Cassandra Wolf is a very smart, intelligent and very beautiful lady who works for one of the best technological companies in New York City. She became friends with her boss' daughter Iris and She never knew that Iris' only brother, Christopher Hunt, actually loved her deep in his heart. She was happy with her life. Until one day, her life became hell when she got kidnapped by a hot and handsome billionaire Hendrick Black. Hendrick Black is a monster who wants to cage Cassandra forever for himself. Will Cassandra ever be able to live in peace? Will she ever find someone who will love her unconditionally?

Ocean is a normal human girl. She went to live with her uncle in New Orleans after her parents death. But there she fell in love with a bad boy who wasn't a normal human being. Moon is a supernatural hybrid creature. But he never knew that he's a hybrid. He was adopted by a werewolf family. Will he ever be able to find out about his true being?Will Moon and Ocean ever be together?What mystery the forest they both are attracted to, holds?

Creatures of night. We were born to be wild and animalistic to almost everyone. But at the same time, loving and caring towards our mates. Our mates. Each creature was destined to find their perfect mate. And perfect, I mean the best. We were all destined to find the one who was better than the millions. Just like I found my princess.
My dear little Dabria. She was in her mother's womb when I first heard her heart beating. That very moment, I fell in love with her. I was too young to understand that back then. But as I grew up, I knew it was love that I felt for her. And my wolf, Zaric! He was crazy about her. I thought it was his way to love Dabby But I never thought when his craziness and his obsession would one day cost me this much. It cost me everything. I had to give up everything. I am Alpha Zeus. And this is the story of my Princess and her Beast.

I was standing in the corner of the room. His eyes were on me, stripping me naked. “Strip!” One word echoed in the room and my heart sank in the pit of my stomach.

“Uncle, please! It's wrong!” I whimpered while trembling with fear. Men like him were known to hurt.

“If I come over, it will not be good for you.” His piercing gaze was back on my face as his voice boomed in the room.

With trembling hands, I tried to unzip my wedding gown. Tears welled up in my eyes, I could no longer control them. I let my gown fall on the ground. “Your underwear as well!” He growled again at me. Humiliated in front of the man I thought would never hurt me, I had no other options but to obey him.

………….

On Ariana's 18th birthday, she wanted to tell her father about her future plans. She was a brilliant student, getting ready to join college on full scholarship. But her life turned upside down when her father's step brother, a ruthless mafia Lord, Enzo De Luca, forcefully married her in order to spare the life of her father. Will Ariana ever get out of Enzo's golden cage and live a life she had dreamt of? Or will she perish in that Golden cage?

" Beware the darkness that soon will rise." Calla heard his voice again. The strange man.

" Daddy…. " Baby Calla called Xavier.

"The time will tell you and teach you everything about your future soon." She heard the strange man again.

"Daddy where are you?" Baby Calla again called Xavier.

...............
Calla was living a peaceful and happy live with her seven year old niece Sophie. Everything was perfect until one day Sophie vanished from the school yard and no one, not even the cops, could tell Calla what happened or even who took her.

Desperate for answers Calla gets a hint in a form of looking up someone from her past, a man that can tell the future. Together they will team up and save Sophie before it's too late.

What happens when fate plays dirty games? When you know you love someone but then you find out they are not yours? Anika Hurler craved for only one thing in her life. And it was love. When she thought she found her mate, fate played her again. But she doesn't know,there is someone who can die a hundred deaths to be with her. Will she be able to reach Alpha Caleb, who loves her unconditionally? And will she ever trust him after all the betrayals? _______________________________ Skylar Hurler, Anika's twin sister. She has everything in her life. Everything, except for the very person she had always craved for, Adam Hurler. She knew Adam was her mate, but he never wanted her. She cried and fought to have him. Because she decided to never give up. But Adam is stubborn. Will Adam ever open his arms for Skylar?

"Don't you dare come near me, you monster," Natasha yelled at Bryan while stepping away from him. He grabbed her by her neck and slammed her against the wall.

"Now what are you gonna do?" Bryan challenged her.

"What have I ever done to you? Why are you doing this to me?" Natasha cried in pain. With hatred in his eyes, Bryan started tightening his hold around her neck, choking her.

"It's because I hate you so much. My hatred for you is bigger than the sun and darker than the night." Bryan replied to her in a hatred-dripping tone.
"Then fucking kill me! Why are you torturing me like this?" Natasha cried out loud as she could no longer bear her hatred in the eyes of her husband.
"Nah! That will be easy. I want to see you in pain. I want to see you suffer. I own you now. You belong to me." Bryan replied to Natasha angrily. He slapped her hard on her cheek, bruising her face.

Natasha Malik is a Billionaire's daughter who worked so hard to prove her place in this world. But no one ever cared about her existence. She worked hard to reach her dreams. But that didn't make her family love her. Her life was already a living hell. Then a massive storm crossed paths with her. His name was Bryan Rutherford. The young politician, is known for his ways of twisting reality as he always wanted. And he hated to hear someone refuse his demand.
What would happen when two opposite people would clash together? Would they destroy everything around them? Or would they both learn to love each other?

"What am I to you? Your rejected mate who serves you as your sex toy? Masturbate if you must !” Ersa growled at Alpha Renard, grinding her teeth and cursing her helplessness.
A sharp slap on her cheek sent her flying to the ground.
"A sex toy? Yes! That's what you are to me. You exist to serve me. I will use your body until I get tired of you. You are not even allowed to die because your soul and your body belong to me. Now be a good whore and spread those legs for me." Alpha Renard hissed angrily, making her whimper in pain.

Ersa Laurent was a human female, born in the kingdom of shifters. All her siblings got their wolves by the age of thirteen. But Ersa was cursed by the Moon Goddess, and her wolf could not be awaken until the day her son was born.On the day of his alliance with the most powerful werewolf pack, the Divine Tree Pack, Ersa's father, Alpha Canis, sold his youngest daughter, to Alpha Renard. He was the most feared Alpha, known to be ruthless, born with the blood to rule the Hecate Kingdom.

How would Ersa fight her fate and break the curse the Moon Goddess cast on her? Would she choose to become the She-Alpha of her pack or Alpha Renard's chosen mate?

"What are you? You are not a werewolf. What the hell are you?" Phoebe cried in terror as she looked at the man in front of him, shifting into a hideous monster. He smirked, pinning her against the wall, his grip tightened around her throat. "I am the devil.
The devil that's about to ruin your life." His words made Phoebe shiver in terror. "Strip! Now I own your body." He growled at her, pushing her on the bed. Phoebe watched him strip on terror. She regretted listening to her sister. Phoebe was a kind she-wolf.
Her pack praised her for her kindness and her bravery. And even in looks, she was more stunning than her older sister. Jealous Nina was threatened by her sister as Phoebe grew up.
To get rid of her sister, Nina decided to sell her sister to the king of the werewolf kingdom. What Nina didn't know, that it was devil himself, ready to ruin Phoebe.

What happens when fate plays dirty games? When you know you love someone but then you find out they are not yours?
Anika Hurler craved only one thing in her life. And it was love. When she thought she found her mate, fate played her again. But she doesn't know, there is someone who can die a hundred deaths to be with her. Will she be able to reach Alpha Caleb, who loves her unconditionally? And will she ever trust him after all the betrayals?
Skylar Hurler, Anika's twin sister, has everything in her life. Everything, except for the very person she had always craved for, Adam Hurler. She knew Adam was her mate, but he never wanted her. She cried and fought to have him because she decided to not give up. But Adam is stubborn. Will Adam ever open his arms for Skylar?

Ocean is a normal human girl. She went to live with her uncle in New Orleans after her parents death. But there she fell in love with a bad boy who wasn't normal human being.

Moon is a supernatural hybrid creature. But he never knew that he's a hybrid. He was adopted by a werewolf family.

Will he ever be able to find out about his true being?
Will Moon and Ocean ever be together?
What mystery the forest they both are attracted to, holds for them?