My name is Ember Haiven. I've been alone and on the run my entire life. Everything changed when I became Kieran's surrogate in exchange for his protection. I had no idea that I would fall in love with this dragon shifter and enter a world that I believed existed only in my dreams. "Is that what you want?" he asked. "Yes..." I said feeling myself go breathless in his arms. "I never thought I'd be able to touch another person like this and now, I just don't want this feeling to end." He kissed me sweetly, pulling me closer and then rested his forehead against mine. I could see the color drain from his face and his shoulders sag like I'd ripped the heart from his chest. And maybe I had. It felt like my own was trying to claw its way from my skin. He moved to take a step forward but then thought better of it. Surrogate of the Sleeping Dragon is written by Claire Wilkins, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.
*Ember*
It burned. My hands burned as though I'd stuck them in fire.
I sobbed in pain, calling out for my mother. I pulled my hands back towards me, but that didn't stop the pain. Looking down, I could see it was my hands that were the problem-they were glowing blindingly bright and burning themselves!
Screaming, I tried to find my mother, my hands the only light in the darkness. Finally, her smiling face appeared.
"Mama!" I cried. "Mama, it hurts! IT HURTS!!!"
At least I thought I was screaming it. I was trying to. But no sound was coming out.
My mother smiled. It was a sad smile, but a smile nonetheless. And her eyes had gone a milky white.
It frightened me.
"Mama!" I tried again. "Mama, HELP!!!"
No sound.
My mother kept smiling, even as she disappeared from view.
"Mama!" I sobbed soundlessly. "Mama... mama..."
***
"Mama!" I cried out into the room as I woke from the nightmare, covered in a cold sweat. My heart thundered in my chest as my ragged breathing returned to normal.
I sat up, the low light of a lava lamp beside my bed cast a faint glow around the room. A Figment blanket had fallen to my waist, and my white t-shirt was clinging to my wet body.
I took in several calming breaths. I was safe in my room above the bookstore where I worked.
Sighing, I pushed the lingering terror of my nightmare away by slowly grounding myself.
Red lava lamp with yellow lava bubbling within it. Check.
Small kitchenette sitting in all its peeling white paint glory, housing the microwave and fridge that were my two basic cooking utensils. Check.
Desk across from the bed with three large monitors and a gaming chair, all set up for what I called my social life. Check.
I looked down at my hands. Glowing hands. Check. Except, blessedly, they weren't actually glowing. Not right now, anyway.
On my bedside table I had a pair of stylish leather gloves, crimson with dragons stitched into the leather. I considered pulling them on for comfort, but I was alone here, and there was no reason to. There was no one here I had to hide from.
Though, on that note, I did roll out of bed in my t-shirt and red lace panties and padded barefoot over to the door, checking all five locks. I was firmly bolted, chained, and barricaded in.
I ran a shaking hand through my long, deep red hair. Somewhere during the thrashing of another nightmare, the band had come off my ponytail and I had the annoying long locks in my face again. I could have gone to rummage in the sheets for it, but I decided not to. I needed a distraction. Desperately.
The computer screens lit up the moment I wiggled my wireless mouse. I leaned back in my black-and-red gaming chair and brought up the five forums where I spent most of my free time. I hunched, braless, over my desk, looking at who all was online in the middle of the night.
Like me, most of my online friends lurked at any and all hours.
There was a heated debate going on in one of the forums about dragons and hoarding. Some of my fellow dragon obsessives were convinced all dragons hoarded treasure. Gold, specifically.
I snorted. Plebs...
'Dragons hoard lots of things.' I typed authoritatively. 'Heck, some might have a stamp collection. You never know.'
That stirred a flurry of debate I only half paid attention to because I was looking for him.
A few weeks ago, DracoK4u had joined the forums. All the forums. Not to say that was unusual, most of my friends were in all five forums. Dragon fanatics, all of us.
What had been different about DracoK4u is that he joined all the forums at once. Usually, a true dragon freak like me kind of organically migrated from one to the other over the course of weeks. Or at least days.
But this guy, he popped on all five in seconds. It had startled all of us super-nerd lurkers. I'm sure he received a flurry of DMs, but, another shocker, HE DM'd ME. I hadn't said a word, but five minutes into the flood of 'Hi, Hello!', and welcome's on the group chat, a private screen had popped up for me alone.
I still blushed every time I remembered his first message.
*Brains are sexy, you know.*
Me. Out of everyone, he'd said that to ME.
As the weeks went by, he flirted a bit more, but also shared his deep knowledge of dragon lore with me, and I shared mine with him.
Now where was he...
A private chat box popped up on my screen from the fourth forum.
*Hey, beautiful.*
DracoK4u was on, just as I'd hoped.
*Hey handsome,* I replied, feeling a bit bolder than I would have been with the distance and anonymity of the internet between us.
*Flameheart5694, what are you doing up so late? Another nightmare?*
He knew. He always knew. It was like he could read my mind sometimes.
*Yeah. Bad one. What are you doing up?*
*Does a true dragon lover ever sleep?* DracoK4u responded. *Especially when a girl as fine as yourself could come online?*
I giggled. *No, I suppose not.*
There was a short pause. *Any way I can help, Flameheart5694?*
*Just talking to you makes it better,* I admitted.
That got me a smile emoji.
*Speaking of talking...* DracoK4u began.
I groaned and quickly typed back. *No.*
*Aw, come on, could it really hurt so much for me to hear your lovely voice?*
Maybe it was the nightmare and the constant loneliness. Maybe it was the anonymity of the internet. Or maybe I lost my damned mind, but I couldn't think of a reason today not to talk to him. He'd been asking for over a week for us to speak to each other. And besides, it wasn't as though he could see me.
*Well... maybe,* I relented.
That got me a kiss emoji and I blushed.
Then the deepest, most sultry, smoothest voice I'd ever heard in my life came over my speakers.
*Hey, beautiful," DracoK4u murmured.
I swear I wet my panties just at that voice. I put on my headset. "H-Hi," I replied, knowing my own voice was less than impressive.
"You sound sexy, Flameheart5694," DracoK4u purred, and it was as though I could feel those words skimming over my body, peaking my nipples and wreaking havoc on my lower belly.
"Not as sexy as you," I blurted.
He chuckled, and I thought I might die of the sensation THAT caused. "Depends on what end of the line you're on, I suppose."
"God, you sound like sweet molasses or something," I said, leaning back and fanning myself.
"Mmm... bet you'd like that dripped all over your body," he replied.
"I feel like it is," I confessed. "And stop talking like that, I might just spontaneously combust."
He laughed, dark and low. "Okay, beautiful. Whatever you say."
"Did you see that question about hoarding?" I asked, changing the subject. "I can't believe people think dragons only hoard gold."
"I'll bet a lot of dragons do hoard gold," he drawled.
Even talking about dragons, our nerd love language, he sounded sexy as hell. Maybe even more so. "Yeah, but not all of them. I've done a lot of reading on the subject, and I mean it when I say they might hoard stamps."
"Or books," he suggested.
"Ohhh, now that would be suuuper sexy," I responded, thinking of a big red dragon as keeper of the world's biggest library.
There was another chuckle, and it had a kind of knowing tone to it I didn't understand. Like I was missing an inside joke.
"I'm glad you think that's sexy," his voice rumbled low and alluring through the speakers.
"It is. I work in a bookstore. Not sure I ever told you that," I confessed. "I love books."
"Me, too. I can't say I work in a bookstore, but I'd love to. Or a library. I'm a great lover of books myself. I suppose you'd have to be, to be digging up the amount of dragon lore that we do."
"Fair, true." I laughed.
"Maybe I could visit your bookstore sometime," he suggested.
A stab of fear flashed through me, and it must have reflected in my breathing, because he quickly continued, "I don't have to. I didn't mean to scare you, I'm sorry. I just would so like to meet you, that's all."
"Sorry," I replied, swallowing my fear. "Just... after my bad dream... I'd rather not pick up a stalker tonight."
DracoK4u burst out laughing. "I stalk you all the time. Online, that is. I spend my whole day wondering what you'll say or what we'll talk about."
"Reeeally?" I asked, drawing the word out with my hesitation.
"Yes."
DrakoK4u's voice seemed to fill the entire space of my tiny room. Wrapping around me in a velvety smoothness that made my pulse quicken. At the same time a longing built up inside of me for much more than his voice.
"I wish I could see you..." I murmured before I could think better of it.
My screen suddenly lit up as he switched from call to video. I sat back in my chair, nearly toppling over in surprise. It took me a good five breaths to remember, even though he had his video on, he still couldn't see me.
"There. Now you can see me coming," DracoK4u grinned.
He was shirtless. And ripped. And handsome as fuck.
His slightly curly dark hair was carelessly tussled over his forehead, like an actor who'd just "woken up" in a movie. No one had the right to look this yummy after just getting out of bed.
Ice-blue eyes pierced over the miles and miles of coaxial cable that must be running between us.
Over his left shoulder peeked the red head of a dragon tattoo. It was the most intricate, well-done tattoo I had ever laid eyes on. Not that I'd laid eyes on many.
His broad chest tapered down into a narrow waist that disappeared out of view of the camera. I found myself drooling and wishing I could see more.
"So, beautiful," those luscious, full lips asked, "are you going to let me see you?"
My mouth was dry. I was scared out of my mind to turn on my camera. Out of my mind.
Which was exactly what I had to be, because I was actually considering it. "I'm... um..."
"If you tell me you're not dressed, I'll tell you right now, that's not a problem for me," DracoK4u grinned.
I snorted. "Feeling's mutual."
"I thought so. That's why I'm not wearing a shirt," he said, gesturing to his naked torso.
"That's so mean. Showing me all that yumminess and then..." I trailed off, cheeks flaming. I was happy he couldn't see that.
"Not being able to touch?" he drawled.
"I completely took you for a dragon nerd," I muttered. "That's just not fair."
He leaned forward. "You expected, perhaps, a Star Wars t-shirt-wearing, pizza-stained, pock-marked teenager?"
"No," I protested. Then I mumbled, "Not a Star Wars t-shirt. More like a Hobbit t-shirt."
"Are you wearing a Hobbit t-shirt?" he wondered in a sultry tone.
I took a deep breath, then turned on my camera. "See? Nothing special."
I wasn't expecting it, but his sharp intake of breath was surprisingly gratifying. "Mmm, sexy. I also like the t-shirt."
I looked down at my t-shirt, noting it was white, stuck to me, and had the store's logo on it.
"'The Dragon's Lair'" he read.
I felt my face heat up and put my hands on my cheeks. "Yes... well... I thought it was funny, and Rowena let me change the name."
"I think it's hilarious," he grinned. "I'll have to get one myself."
"They're available on our website," I informed him. "Though... I don't know if we have size Yummy Mega Ripped."
He threw his head back and let out a hearty guffaw. "Well, back at you, babe. I think you're very sexy."
I snorted and pointed at my hair. "I look like a scarecrow."
"Nah." his eyes heated up. "You look... delightfully tumbled. Wish it was me who made you look that way."
I was pretty sure I was going to spontaneously combust. "Dragons. We were talking about dragons."
"Not your high-beams?" he asked innocently.
I looked down again and realized I probably was giving him a very nice view. I started folding my arms across my chest, then shrugged and decided to let him look his fill. "Dragons," I said sternly.
"Dragons," he agreed.
And we did talk about dragons for hours that seemed to go by in moments. I completely forgot about the world outside and my only thoughts were of him. I wondered if I ever would see this beautiful man in person and what it might be like if he were really right next to me.
Aria was born to be great. Her father was in the running to become the next Alpha King who will rule the southern werewolf kingdom and her mother was the best warrior in the kingdom. But Aria had a devastating secret that could ruin everythingā¦ On her 18th birthday, she failed to get her wolf. Now, she is a student at the prestigious Academy of the Supernatural and she is trying to keep out of trouble but it all comes to a head when she meets Professor Atlas, the new Alpha King of the rival kingdom in the north, and she discovers that he is her true mate. From the moment they meet, the game of the hearts begins and the first one to fall in love loses. Will true love prevail or will centuries of rivalry and tradition keep Aria and Atlas apart? The Heart Of Ice Alpha is created by Claire Wilkins, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.
My name is Ada. I never expected that saving an injured stranger would thrust me into a world of danger, heartache, and the discovery of my fated mate. When I stumble upon a wounded man in my family's herb garden and bring him home to heal, I have no idea he is on a quest to uncover the truth behind his mother's murder, which he believes is tied to secrets harbored by my pack. Despite my parents' warnings against getting involved with the mysterious stranger, I find myself inexplicably drawn to him, even as our bond is tested by pack politics, jealous rivals, and his initial rejection of our fated connection. Plagued by vivid dreams that seem to foreshadow an ominous fate, I am compelled to follow my mate and aid his investigation, praying to the moon goddess that the truth can be uncovered before it's too late. As we delve deeper into the shadows of the past, my mate and I must confront dark secrets, untangle a web of lies, and fight for our love against those who would seek to keep the truth buried. With danger lurking at every turn, we find ourselves in a race against time to expose the shocking truth behind his mother's demise before we too fall victim to the sinister forces at play. Whisper of the Alpha is created by Claire Wilkins, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.
Morgan lives a quiet life as her town's herbalist, but the truth is that she has a secret. Sheās a witch. One day, a shifter named Shane claims that Morgan is his destined mate and insists that she comes with him. She refuses, but Shane accidentally exposes her as a supernatural creature to her town, and now she must start her life over in his pack. When the line between hate and love starts to blur, a monster hunter tracks them, and an elder from Shaneās pack starts pushing for Morgan to be exiled. Soon, their love isnāt the only thing that may not survive for longā¦ *** āIs this alright, Morgan?ā Her skin feels like velvet under my rough hand. āYes.ā I lean down and press my lips softly to her throat. As soon as my sharp teeth pierce her skin, she throws back her head and moans in euphoria. Hearing her moans makes my pants tight with need. I want to do so many different things to her. The Alphaās Lost Witch is created by Claire Wilkins, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!
On her wedding day, Khloeās sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didnāt commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrikās cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion.Ā Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
Natalie used to think she could melt Connorās icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scaleāall in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.