The following is a SAMPLE. It includes the Prologue and the first three chapters. Scheduled for publication November 2nd, 2026. Amazon & KU, or Pr3order the ebook now for release on November 2nd. https://mybook.to/eQSM If she runs from fate, it will chase her. Doctor Willa Grey has been running for most of her life, from the truth of her past, from her feelings, from the feral creature that scrapes under her skin. So, when she finds herself running naked through a moonlit forest, with the wolf who just ignited her matebond nipping at her heels, it's. . . well . . . on brand. But some believe shiftless wolves are unacceptable liabilities, and this time, she might just be running for her life. When she wakes in the infirmary the following morning disoriented, concussed, very much alive, and with no mate in sight, she has lots of questions. Her Fate. Codrin Lupescu, the enigmatic, dominant Prince of Wolves, thought he'd accepted his cursed blood centuries ago, but when it makes him the most dangerous threat to the fated mate he has waited almost a millennium for, he has never hated it more. There's a beast that lurks beneath Codrin's cool facade, and it craves their mate, body, soul, and blood. Unable to claim her without risking her life, he is intent on keeping his distance, if only to keep her safe. The problem is, the willful and determined healer who possesses the other half of his soul is on the hunt for answers only he can give. They can't fight it. When the powerful pull of their bond proves impossible to resist, the complicated pair finds themselves emotionally entangled and locked in a battle of wills that neither wants to lose, because the price the fates demand for them to complete their mating might just be everything. Content Advisory: recommended 18+ due to strong language and sexual content Copyright 2024 Alara Birch, all rights reserved.

In a war over the food court, an eager barista battles the confident competitor--and her own heart. *** Young barista Cora Chun takes pride in being a Cool Bean, even after years without a promotion. So when Farron Kam, the younger assistant manager of the competing smoothie shop, flaunts her hatred for her job, Cora is determined to crush her to a pulp. What she doesn't expect is for Farron to take her up on the challenge. With that declaration of war, the two begin a battle over the food court: who can serve the most customers, who can close up the fastest, who can grab the last loaf of bread at the supermarket... But as the rivalry begins to blend with romance, Cora has to decide if she is fighting a battle over beverages, or one over her own heart. *** Cover by the great @KateNotGreat! NOW SERVING: ✓ Sapphic workplace rivals-to-lovers ✓ Genderfluid love interest (with a cool tattoo) (and a motorcycle) ✓ First love and found family ✓ Opposites attract with a height difference ✓ PUNS GALORE FEATURED: ★ The Wattys 2025 Shortlist ★ @Wattpad Community Pride Recs, Love Games ★ @FreeTheLGBT Pride Awards 2024 - Second Place ★ @Ambassadors Ambassador Reads, @ChickLit Serialized Spotlight, @ContemporaryLit, @lgbtq Word Count: +90k Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romcom, Comedy, New Adult Narrative: Third Person Limited, Past Tense ☆ This story is only available on Wattpad by @laurendoubleu

Nandini Varma owns the only bookstore in town and is content with hiding her awkward self behind bestsellers. What she doesn't know is that her favorite author has moved near her, and that perhaps she could finally have a love story of her own, even if it's an awkward one. ***** Ryan Callahan wants to move on from his writing career and just work for the police. It's hard though, when the town's book lady happens to be a huge fan of his. She's smart, funny, beautiful, and kind - a lethal combination. He wants to get to know her more, but something seems to be holding her back. Who is this mysterious woman that Ryan can't stop thinking about? Content/trigger warning: This story contains themes of sexism and verbal abuse. [[word count: 70,000 - 80,000]] Cover designed by Joe Resch