When Ethan Eaton comes home for the Christmas holiday to find his parents have been killed by vampires, his life takes a drastic turn. Leaving behind his old life, he opens a café in a village located in the Scottish Highlands, which rumours say is frequently visited by supernatural beings. His plan is simple: learn more about magical beings and find out why his parents died. There is no room for distractions, and there is especially no room for his growing feelings towards the fiery and whimsical village girl Airlia, who happens to also be chasing magic. ----- ONC 2025 Round 2 Winner & Shortlister! ----- The Novellas of the Highlands: - Oak's Tea Room - The Oblivious Fool - The Second Draft - A Wish Come True - To be named

He was sent to learn from the king. He ended up unraveling him. Slowburn, longing, and the kind of tension that leaves scars. ✦•···················•✦•···················•✦ King Cassian rules Montverne with quiet grace and unshakable control. He speaks softly, moves precisely - a presence shaped and scarred by a tragedy. When Nikandros, crown prince of Dioneth, is sent to observe him and learn by example, it seems like nothing more than a political courtesy. But Nikandros is defiant by nature - reckless, sharp-tongued, and far too charming for his own good. He tests the rules, the patience of the court, and the composure of the king. But when Nikandros glimpses Cassian in a moment of raw vulnerability, something shifts. The distant figure the Prince imagined becomes achingly real - and far harder to resist. Between lessons, intrigue, and unspoken desire, both will come to realise that true learning goes far beyond what can be taught within the castle walls. After all, some lessons are learned through experience - and others through the heart. Date of publication: 04/03 - #1rst - Heartfelt (04/29) 🥇 ✦•···················•✦•···················•✦ 🥀This story was inspired by Laurent and Damianos (Captive Prince). Any resemblance is not a mere coincidence. 🥀 ‼️WARNING‼️: This story does not explore controversial themes as found in the book; however, it is intended for a mature audience. It features explicit sexual content, strong language, violence, manipulation, torture.

Fabio Costa has plenty of talent, a sharp tongue, and unlimited energy to burn, but his forehand could be improved. Enter Julian Foster, a retired Wimbledon Champion with a bad knee and zero patience for Fabio's antics. When the two of them team up, their unexpected bond takes them from the gruelling Challenger circuit to the glamorous world of Grand Slams. But as their connection deepens, amidst intense training sessions, press meltdowns and far too many shared hotel rooms, their feelings for each other threaten to bring down everything they have ever worked for. cover art by the amazing @aphedragonfly CW: Language, Alcohol, Injuries, Mentions of past emotional abuse. +++ All tennis players featured in the story are completely fictional. All similarities to existing players are due to there being only so many ways you can hit a ball with a racquet. +++ Featured by WackyWriters [Judges' Favorites March 2025]

Amidst the restless streets of London, journalist Caleb finds himself drawn into a personal investigation that leads him to a shadowy alley, where something unsettling awaits. What seemed like just another clue in his search for a mysterious killer quickly spirals into a terrifying encounter. With time running out and the darkness closing in, Caleb realises that some answers are far more dangerous than silence. Could a fallen angel ever be forgiven by God? ❗️❗️❗️WARNING:❗️❗️❗️ This story is aimed at lovers of the supernatural. You will find LGBTQ+ representation, ethnic diversity, and a gothic setting. Mystery, horror, and drama. This story is not recommended for those under 18+, as it contains sexual content, description of violence, drugs and alcohol! Also, It may contain subjects that could be triggering for some audience. I invite you to travel into the world of Redemptio, and I hope everyone here falls in love with each of the characters, just as I fell in love when I created them. 🦇 Enjoy the journey. 🦇

❝𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐦𝐞.❞ A hundred concubines lived in Emperor Sylvos' inner court - the heart of his thorned fortress. With a cruel ranking system, only favored concubines had the honor of meeting with His Majesty. And only the woman able to bear him a child could become empress. Raine Stjorme had climbed the ranks to the top. And after praying each night, she was finally with child. Yet all this was rewarded with the cruelest of fates. Murdered by the man she loved, Raine cursed Emperor Sylvos with her dying breath. She cursed his whole court as they snickered at her final moments. And her curse had taken root. Now, Raine awakens three years before her destined death, on the fateful day she first encounters the emperor. Armed with this second chance, she vows to make him fall - and to bring his empire down with him. But when faced with the tyrant who claimed her heart, could she still follow through? ✦✦✦ 𝙏𝙍𝙊𝙋𝙀𝙎 𝙄𝙉𝘾𝙇𝙐𝘿𝙀𝘿: -𝙀𝙣𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 -𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 -𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙭𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙮 -𝘼𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙜𝙚 -𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 -𝙑𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡 -𝘽𝙖𝙙𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙁𝙈𝘾 -𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨