*Short Story* It is difficult to stay with the people who look down at you like you are some kind of disease. It hurts when they don't want to acknowledge you for the good things you have done. It hurts when your family rejects you only because you are quiet and weak saying you are good for nothing. Annie Ryan was nothing but a quiet, innocent teenager waiting for her mate to save her from the dark hell she was living in. She had only one dream, she wanted to feel loved, she wanted someone to tell her that they care and would love her no matter what happens. But little did she know that she was just another unfortunate soul whose mate had different plans. Caden was an young alpha. He had everything but where everyone was eager to meet their mate, he wasn't. He had already given his position of alpha female to his girlfriend. But after she left him, he turned cold and ruthless. But when he met Annie, his mate, one thing was clear. He wanted nothing to do with her. He asked her to leave but when she declined, he paid her no attention like she never existed. Annie was broken. Her dream was just a dream. Every night she closed her eyes, she realized she was going to die alone with no one to care. She wanted to end her life but not before setting everything right, not before her destined alpha mate finds his happiness. Caden didn't know what he was missing until he lost it. Maybe that's how life works. Maybe that's why it is called cruel.

*The sequel to Across the Pond* Brooks Caldwell is the bane of my existence. Has been ever since I've known him. And, of course, luck would have it that I'm forced to spend my entire summer in his presence when I'm offered a job at the posh country club that his family belongs to. He's egotistical and arrogant; not to mention annoying. And yet, as time goes on, I find myself gravitating towards him in ways I never thought possible. In fact...I think I could fall for him if he let me. If I let myself.