When Alistair Melek gave his life to the sea, a various degree of things changed. For starters, his love for bloodshed was exemplified. Bolder. He was drawn to the clash of a sword, blood spiling below to floorboards, like a moth drawn to a flame. And this love was damned to spread through his crew as some treacherous disease, claiming any and all who joined. But he knew this was the price he'd pay. The price for the sea itself. So when his crew completes another standard loot and pillage from a merchant ship, he allows his men a bit of fun. He liked to give them an audience, rounding up those who didn't fall victim to the blade during battle, and forcing them to beg for their lives. To prove how much they really wanted to live. Alistair had ruled the sea for some years now. Killed thousands, maybe tens of thousands. Destroyed hundreds, maybe thousands of vessels. And yet, each feeble human was all the same. There was not one man he threatened that didn't beg for their lives with all they had in them when faced with the wrong end of the sword. Each feeble human was always the same. Or so he thought. And yet, he also thought that this would be one standard job. A treat for his men after a night of good work. But this particular survivor, the one with long white hair and dead looking eyes... He wasn't a merchant. He couldn't have been. More important, there was no hesitancy when Alistair asked the fairly built man whether he wanted to live, and the man replied with a simple no.

[ boyxboy ] Noah Summerville is broken when his long forgotten uncle comes to his rescue and takes him to a small town of Alaska in a search of a new life. Then he sees Dylan McKenna with his man bun, thick thighs and intense stare. There is something about this man that makes him think coming to Alaska wasn't such a bad idea after all. However, Noah's demons follow him even as far as the coldest, darkest wilderness. He can't keep up, he's slipping and Dylan is right there in the middle of it all. Dylan McKenna has a motto: never commit and never fall in love. He revels in his solitude... Until a gorgeous, young man ends up as his new employee. He's trying really hard to keep things professional but the draw he feels for him goes beyond mild interest. Soon enough priorities shift, shields come down and truths get exposed. They might survive the harsh winter in Alaska. But will that be enough? Started: May 2024 Finished: December 2024

Harlan has a unique power, one that makes him see things others cant, and therefore got him thrown in an asylum when he was only a child. Now he's a reluctant hero, thrust into the profession since he lacked any other option. He's amazing at his job, and six years into his work, is the sidekick to one of the most notable heroes of his generation: Lavina. Unfortunately, he also hates being a hero, but there's one thing that makes it worth it. The numbered. A series of villains who appeared out of nowhere and have an exceptional skill at avoiding the law, heroes, and just generally winning or evading consequences. Consequences, which are the only part of Harlan's job he enjoys. Harlan wants to find the root of it all more than anything, and he's beginning to get close. He intends to find out at any cost. He intends to win at any cost. That, he's sure of. His drive is unmatched. Until something entirely foreign to him gets involved: Feelings. [WARNINGS: smut, gore, swearing, some heavy topics, morally grey characters (the usual)]

Oliver doesn't know what hit him when he sees Baby Parker singing his heart out in a bar one fateful Saturday night. Maybe it's destiny, maybe it's love at first sight, or maybe, as Oliver's friends like to say, it's just Oliver thinking with his dick again. But one thing is for certain: Baby is different than anyone Oliver has ever fallen for. As Oliver and Baby grow closer and closer, they have to learn that the stars are numbered, and love is a choice - a choice to stick with each other through anything. Because life has a funny way of kicking you in the nuts when you least expect it. [complete] [59,000 words]

[This story will become free on DECEMBER 13TH, 2024] Isaiah always had his focus set on school and baseball, but when he meets August, he suddenly begins questioning more than just his lack of a social life. ***** As the star of his high school baseball team, Isaiah Carr is looking forward to senior year. While not the most popular of guys, he's got his friends, he's a shoo-in for a baseball scholarship, and he's perfectly content sitting on the sidelines when it comes to his social life. However, when he meets August, a strange but cute boy with a prosthetic leg, there's no denying the connection between them. From friends to more, the two begin to grow a relationship that balances the troubles of their pasts with the hopefulness and acceptance of a future. [[word count: 90,000-100,000 words]] Cover designed by Eva I. WATTY'S 2020 YA WINNER

When Ari touches a cursed artifact and becomes possessed by a powerful spell, he must find a way to control it or risk losing himself and the half-vampire he loves. ***** Aristotle Lorenfield knows he's unusual. He lives in a museum of haunted objects, studies ancient magics, and is unapologetically asexual. He's used to being alone and doesn't want anything more. Then, one day, his archeologist uncle sends him a mysterious artifact in the mail, thrusting Ari into a world of real magic, necromantic cults, supernatural beings, and dangerous secrets. Torn from the comfort of his solitude, Ari must face the pain in his past, and the truth in himself, if he hopes to survive and save the man he's come to love - but the greatest dangers lie closer to home than he thinks. Cover designed by Adam Budny

In a world where soulmates exist, but not for everybody, it's a damn good market for a dating app. Dylan Ivy works for EverAfter, a dating app designed to match up people without soulmates. The CEO is ready to hand the company to Dylan, but there's just one problem. He feels that EverAfter needs a CEO that is matched up and happy. He won't let Dylan have the company until he is matched. Alex Rose is a small business owner that is struggling to stay afloat. His café is getting popular, but the financial strain isn't being eased quickly enough. When a customer called Dylan proposes a bizarre arrangement, he's tempted. All his financial problems solved, his business saved, and his future guaranteed to be comfortable. All he has to do is say 'yes'. Will Alex and Dylan be able to navigate their nosy and well-meaning friends and family? Will their relationship be complicated by further feelings? Join them as they maintain the facade of being sort-of soulmates.

When Nate agrees to babysit his aunt's esteemed matchmaking business, he doesn't expect a computer error to force him to pose as a fake match to one of her intolerable clients, Riley, creating a messy mismatch that might just turn perfect fit. Standalone in the Mismatched series On June 24, content from chapter 5 onwards will only be available to redeemers. Now's the time to catch up to the story and read it while it's free! Already purchased a chapter? No worries-you won't need to pay for it again. *** A small-town summer spent matchmaking desperate couples is Nate's worst nightmare, but he's desperate for a little cash and a chance to prove to his family that he isn't a complete failure. He assumes he's in for quiet days of cheesy love connections, but his world is flipped upside down when the matchmaking program is unable to find a match for Riley Jenkins. Terrified to tarnish his aunt's perfect matchmaking record, Nate takes matters into his own hands, posing as Riley's match. Riley is everything Nate isn't-creative, put together, into intellectual debate...oh, and completely intolerable. But with Riley holding a business-ruining review over Nate's head, winning him over becomes a nearly impossible challenge Nate can't afford to fail. What Nate doesn't expect is for his dream guy act to lead to cute dates and sparks of real attraction. Faced with the fear of falling for Riley for real, can Nate confront the consequences of his lies for a shot at love? Or will their mismatch be a costly mistake after all?

A shadowy figure stalks a nurse throughout his shift. A mysterious creature torments a college student in their new dorm room. A girl hears strange whispers whenever she's alone. Strange and unusual things happen more often than you'd think. These are just a few examples. Take a seat and turn off the lights. It's gonna be a long night.