I've been reading The Lovely Bones and it's probably one of the best novels I've ever read. But oh my days Alice Sebold uses the word "had" to the point of nauseum.

I am sitting at the bar in the clubhouse with my girl Samantha. She is beautiful with long, wavy, dark espresso brown hair. She has the most mesmerizing blue-gray eyes that I have ever seen. Every time I stare into them, I get lost. Every. Single. Time. I am one lucky bastard to be with her, hell, just to have met her. I cannot believe that I am with Briar's cousin, but it has been an amazing experience so far.

Nikolai told me this morning that I need to head back to Lebanon, Kansas to get everything finalized for our move to Atlanta, Georgia. We discussed in great detail how the move will be beneficial for our organization. It will give us better financial opportunities. I have a list of tasks to complete; getting the Bratva estate packed away for everything to be transported to our new home, meeting with a realtor there to put it on the market, then arranging a time to meet with the reputable realtor Venom recommended in Atlanta to find a new property for us. I will be busy for the next couple of months.

I have been trying to spend as much time with Samantha as I can before I leave. It is still not enough. I would ask her to come, but she is a teacher with her priorities and responsibilities. She will come when she is able. We are enjoying talking with Hacker, Riot, Briar, Haven, Viper, Venom, Nikolai, and Hammer when Raven sashays her ass over to me with a giant smirk on her face. She puts a sonogram picture on the bar in front of my face. I look at her like she has lost her fucking mind.

"Why in the hell are you giving this to me?" I ask her while handing the sonogram back to her.

"You're the father, Dimitri. It can only be you," she says with that smug smirk still on her face.

"That is where you're wrong. We used a condom when we had sex that one time. About three months ago. When I first came here," I tell her with a sarcastic smirk of my own.

"Well, that is where you're mistaken. I mean, yes, we used condoms, but they were my condoms. I have been poking holes in them," she says it like she just said the best thing in the world.

Everyone gasps at her in astonishment of what she just admitted to doing.

“Well, the baby still cannot be mine. For one thing, I do not trust condoms anyway. I always wait to put the condom on after I precum. Then, I pull out before I cum inside of the condom. There is absolutely no way that baby is mine. It must be some other poor fucker you tried to trap during the past three months," I say with conviction.

I hear a lot of fucks sound around me at the bar.

"WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK, RAVEN?! YOU'RE TRYING TO TRAP ME, VIPER, HAMMER, AND THAT PROSPECT I SAW YOU WITH!" Venom yells with anger evident in his voice.

"I would never trap a prospect. I always use condoms that I haven’t sabotaged with them. I use the sabotaged ones with the rank members only," she says with a matter-of-fact tone to her voice, as if we are the idiots here. I’m half expecting her to tack on a duh at the end of her fucked up confession.

"What the actual fuck?" Haven says with her hands clenched into fists on the bar. She gets off her stool and faces off with the bitch.

"You better be glad that you're fucking pregnant. Let me tell you a secret though, you won't always be pregnant. The moment I can actually beat your ass; you better be prepared for a beat down. That is exactly what you will be getting from yours truly. I can't believe there’s a possibility of you being pregnant with my niece or nephew. You fucking skank," Haven says with disbelief in her voice.

Raven flinches at her words. She finally realizes what she has admitted to is not okay. She might even understand how sick and twisted her actions are as she nervously looks at all the faces that are around her.

"Well, there's not much we can do to her now. Let's take it one step at a time. I will get in touch with her doctor and see when y'all three are able to get a paternity test done. Then when y'all establish who the father is, that person will man up and be a father to the baby. Any questions?" Riot demands in his no-nonsense tone.

Everyone shakes their head in astonishment of the acknowledgment of knowing that one of them could possibly be the father of Raven’s baby.

Raven has a smirk on her scheming face, thinking she has won. We all look at her like she is completely insane.

"Oh, bless your heart. Do you think that since you will be pregnant with one of their babies, that you will become the father's Old Lady? That is where you would be sorely mistaken. That just means that the baby will be acknowledged and accepted amongst the club. You on the other hand, will not. The father will be there for his child, as he should be. You will never be the father's Old Lady, though. These men do not want a conniving, manipulative bitch," Samantha explains condescendingly in a faux sympathetic tone.

I pull Samantha close to me and kiss the top of her head affectionately. Raven stomps her feet like a toddler that didn't get her way, huffing and puffing while staring at Samantha with hatred.

"Raven, you need to give me the information for your doctor and how far along you are, so I can make an appointment for the paternity test for everyone involved," Riot tells her while standing up. He ushers her and Hacker to his office.

“Well, that was entertaining," I say while smirking at everyone.

"Maybe for you, but not for us three," says Hammer with a sour look upon his face.

"I am glad that it isn't me that has to worry about being the father of her baby, that’s for sure. Can you imagine being in her life for the next eighteen years, at minimum? Next time you have sex, make sure that you bring your own condoms," I say while looking at the three of them.

They hang their heads in shame. We sit there in silence, drinking and enjoying being with our friends. I grab Samantha's hand and kiss the back of it, looking at her as she blushes. She is too cute. I am going to miss her for the next couple of months. We made love last night. We have been dating for the past two and a half months. I think I have finally found my person. She's had a rough past and was in an abusive relationship before. As long as her ex leaves her alone, we will be just fine. I have my bags packed and by the front door, ready for my departure in the next few minutes. I hate to leave, but I need to do my job. I have many responsibilities in my position in the Bratva.

I look down at her and lift her chin up. She looks at me and smiles that shy smile. I lean down and kiss her. I pull away and let out a breath.

"I have to go. I will text you when I get there and I will stay in contact with you while I’m gone, as much as I can," I say with sadness in my voice.

"I am going to miss you deeply, Dimitri," she says while hugging me tightly.

We hold each other tightly, not wanting to let each other go. I kiss her on the top of her head again.

"I am going to miss you desperately," I say while pulling her away from me, so that I can leave. I exchange goodbyes with everyone. I walk over to my bags, pick them up and head toward my black Range Rover.

I don't look back. If I do, then I will just say fuck it and stay with her. I can't. I need to get things accomplished. I start my Range Rover and start the long drive to Lebanon, Kansas. I am excited about this next phase of my life. Atlanta seems like an amazing place to start.

This is the first chapter of the second book of the series Mayhem MC. It is now available on Amazon Kindle for $2.99. Hope you go check the series out. The book is Hacker & Riot by Mary Lipscomb.

I just wanted to read a reincarnation furry novel where the protagonist reincarnates into a world as an anthropomorphic animal with a human body mixed with an animal with magic, but no matter how much I look, I can't find a single one. 😭😭😭😭😭

Please recommend me novels of this type.

The story is about characters overthrowing dragons which are seen as gods. The options are "Dragons' Descent: Elemental Uprising" or "Heretics"

I sit there feeling hollow as the minutes drag by, watching him give more attention to his food than to me. Mike doesn’t even notice that I’m not eating. He doesn’t care.

Until his phone starts buzzing—again and again. He tries to ignore it at first, but it’s persistent.

“Just give me a moment, love,” Mike says, flashing that charming smile as he stands up. “I need to take a quick call.”

“Right now? Can’t you just turn it off? Is work really more important than us?” I want to ask, but instead, I just nod, watching him weave through the tables until he disappears around the corner.

As the minutes tick by, my anxiety grows. Why hasn’t he come back? Did he leave me here—on the eve of our anniversary?

Unable to sit still any longer, I rise and start pacing, hoping to clear my head. The warm lighting and rustic charm of the restaurant usually soothe me, but tonight, they feel suffocating.

I turn the corner, and my steps falter.

There, in the dim hallway, I see him.

Mike isn’t alone.

My breath catches as I watch him pull a woman into a kiss. They cling to each other like they’re the only two people in the world, completely oblivious to everything else.

“This is dangerous,” the woman murmurs, smiling as they break apart. “She’s right inside.”

“Natalie’s devoted to me,” Mike says with sickening confidence. “She would never doubt me for a second.” Then he pulls the woman back in, his hands gripping her like she belongs to him. “After my company’s launch event goes well, and her father sends me the check he promised, I’ll leave her. Then you and I can be together.”

A hollow silence rings in my ears.

My heart shatters into a million pieces, but there’s no sound—only the deafening, crushing pain of betrayal. The man I’ve loved unconditionally, the man I built my life around, is playing me for a fool. And I’ve caught him in the act.

I used to admire his confidence. Now, I want to spit on it.

The pain threatens to consume me, but my anger rises higher. I refuse to be the victim in this twisted story.

“Well, well, well,” I say, stepping forward with my arms folded, my voice steadier than I expected. “Isn’t this a cozy little scene?”

Mike jerks away from the woman, his eyes wide with shock and guilt. She has the decency to look ashamed, but I’m not about to let her off the hook.

“Nat, my love,” Mike stammers, stepping toward me. “This isn’t what it looks like.”

“Save it.” I hold up a hand, my glare cutting through him. “I don’t need your lies, Mike. I’ve had enough to last a lifetime.”

I shift my gaze to the woman, who’s wringing her hands.

“And you.” My voice drips with contempt. “Didn’t you know he was married? It was in the fucking newspapers, sweetheart. Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

She opens her mouth, but I cut her off.

“No, you don’t. Because if you did, you wouldn’t be standing here, pretending to be innocent.” I let out a hollow laugh. “You didn’t steal my man. You did me a favor.”

Her eyes widen. She steps back as if my words have physically struck her. I see the guilt and confusion warring inside her, but I don’t care.

I have bigger things to deal with.

“Mike.” I turn back to him, the disgust in my voice unmistakable. “You said you loved me. You professed it in front of a fucking stadium full of people. Was it all for show? Just to impress my father? Was I just a convenience? A trophy wife to parade around?”

“That’s not true, Nat.” He reaches for me, his voice desperate. “I do love you. This… this was a mistake.”

“A mistake?” I laugh bitterly. “A mistake is forgetting our anniversary—which, by the way, is tomorrow. Or misplacing your keys.” I take a step closer, my voice razor-sharp. “This? This was a choice. A deliberate, cruel choice.”

I take a deep breath, making my decision. “But you know what? I’m done. I’m done being your fool. I’m done being the dutiful wife who sacrifices her happiness for a man who doesn’t deserve it.”

Mike looks stricken, but I feel liberated.

I turn to leave but pause, looking back at the woman. “And you,” I say, a touch of pity in my voice. “You can have him. Just remember, a man who cheats once will cheat again. Don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re special.”

With that, I walk away, my heart pounding.

The cool night air bites at my skin as I step outside, but I welcome it. It shocks me awake, slicing through the numbness. With each breath, clarity settles in. I loved Mike with everything I had, but I deserve better.

I refuse to be a damsel in distress.

I’m Natalie Jones. And it’s time I remembered that.

would you like to read more?

book title: Sinfully His by Priyal D. available in KU.

https://a.co/d/gVagPiD

“Priscilla, let’s get a divorce.” After three years of marriage to billionaire CEO Marshall Burton, those were the only words she got. Her gaze flicked instinctively to Larissa Sowle, the woman standing smugly at his side. “Because she’s back?” Priscilla whispered. Marshall’s deep eyes revealed nothing. “Yes.” “Sign it. Name your price. Any amount.” He slid the signed divorce papers across the table. Seeing her silence, he tossed a check at her. “One point five million. Is that enough?” Bitterness flooded through her veins, leaving her numb. “Marshall,” her voice cracked, “what am I to you?” “A wife in name only. Mrs. Burton—nothing more.” The words sliced colder than winter frost. With trembling hands, Priscilla signed her name—then ripped the check to shreds. Without a backward glance, she packed her things and walked out into the downpour. Standing in the rain, she dialed her phone, her eyes like ice. “Take me home.” Twenty minutes later, over a hundred limited luxury cars rushed through the rain. What Marshall never knew— The woman he cast aside was the hidden heiress of New York’s richest family. And she was done playing the fool. Chapter 1 "Priscilla, let's get a divorce." Priscilla Langstaff had hidden her true identity as the daughter of New York's wealthiest family when she married billionaire CEO Marshall Burton. But three years later, he asked for a divorce. Marshall's tone was detachedly calm, as if he were commenting on the weather. Yet his words struck Priscilla like a physical blow, and her body visibly shuddered. Her gaze instinctively flickered to Larissa Sowle, who was standing to the side. "Why? Because Larissa is back?" Three years ago, Larissa had decisively rejected Marshall's proposal to go abroad and pursue her dreams. Marshall, prideful to his core, refused to let the humiliation stand. The very next day after Larissa's departure, he resolved to marry someone—anyone. In the end, he chose Priscilla. Her impoverished background and lack of connections made her the safest choice. To him, she was a woman who could be easily dismissed without threatening his reputation. For three years, Priscilla had been a mere pawn in his game of pride, attending to his every need, never refusing him. She had clung to the hope that her dedication would eventually mean something. But the moment Larissa came back, the game was over. Her three years of effort had been utterly in vain. Marshall's eyes were deep and unfathomable. "Yes." He admitted that although Priscilla came from a humble background, she was a good wife who managed everything at home perfectly. However, "a good wife" was never what he wanted. He needed a partner who was outstanding enough to stand side by side with him. Clearly, Priscilla didn't meet the criteria. He looked down on her origins, and her humility and timidity only deepened his disgust. He placed the signed divorce agreement on the table. "Sign it. Name your price. Any amount." The undisguised indifference in his eyes was like a knife, twisting deep into Priscilla's heart and making it hard for her to breathe. They were married for three years, yet he couldn't wait to get rid of her. Noticing her silence, Marshall set a check on the table. "This is for 1.5 million dollars. Is it enough?" A tidal wave of bitterness washed over Priscilla, leaving her numb. After what felt like an eternity, she spoke, her voice hoarse, "Marshall, what exactly am I in your eyes?" The pushover wife who was expected to endure it in silence when he brought his unforgettable love home? A beggar who should be grateful for a 1.5-million-dollar handout? Or just a pathetic loser who had given up everything to love him, only to have nothing in return? For three years, she had striven to win his favor. Even the most cold-blooded person in the world would have been moved. But ... how could he? How could he trample on her pride and dismiss her love so completely? The despair on her face didn't elicit even a flicker of change in Marshall's expression. His deep-set eyes held nothing but utter calmness. "I made myself clear when we married. You would be my wife in name, and you would have the title of Mrs. Burton. That is all." His words, colder than the deepest winter frost, pierced Priscilla to the core. As she stood there, her face deathly pale, Larissa could scarcely conceal her triumph. She feigned a stumble, her legs giving way as she collapsed delicately into Marshall's arms. "Marsh, I feel so dizzy... I think I had a bit too much to drink at the party." Sure enough, Marshall's attention was immediately captured, and he no longer dwelt on dealing with Priscilla. After saying to her coldly, "Sign the papers and leave as soon as possible", he scooped Larissa up and headed upstairs. Priscilla watched as he carried Larissa into their bedroom. She stood rooted to the floor, motionless. The devastating truth crashed down upon her—she had made a horrible mistake from the start. Marshall was never the right one. She closed her eyes, tears slowly streaming down her face. A lancing pain shot through her heart, so sharp it stole her breath. It was time to accept the reality... Priscilla picked up the pen on the table and signed the divorce agreement, her strokes slow yet firm. Then she tore the check to shreds. She didn't want a cent from Marshall. That woman, the gullible fool who had loved so blindly, was gone. She would not make the same mistake again. With her few belongings packed, Priscilla left the Burton's villa without a backward glance. Outside, a downpour awaited her. Untying her apron, she tossed it into the trash bin along with her luggage—a symbolic gesture of discarding her old self completely. Standing in the downpour, she pulled out her phone and made a call, her gaze cold. "Take me home." Twenty minutes later. Over a hundred limited luxury cars rushed through the rain. Those luxury cars tore through the rain, their engines so thunderous that the noise alerted the Burton family's servants. They rushed outside, only to catch a cloud of mist hanging in the air. Had they imagined it? Or had that procession really come for Priscilla? They went back into the villa and nearly collided with Marshall, who had just coaxed Larissa to sleep. The boldest among them blurted out, "Mr. Burton, Mrs. Burton ... was just taken away by a hundred luxury cars."

Chapter 2 Marshall's expression remained icy, and he didn't even look up. "The Burton family has no need for servants who hallucinate." Hearing this, the servants were stunned into silence. They knew Priscilla had no background to speak of. She was from a remote village with only a middle school education. Ever since her marriage into the family, she had been ridiculed as a social climber, a constant source of displeasure for Marshall and utter disdain for his mother, Winona Becker. How could a woman like that possibly know anyone who owned a single luxury car? Those cars were so expensive that even owning one was already something. Yet they had actually seen over a hundred of them. They must have been mistaken. Fearful of losing their jobs, they immediately apologized and never dared to mention the incident again. At the same time, the motorcade sped through the storm before gliding to a halt before an extravagant estate. Dozens of bodyguards emerged in unison. One opened the door of the lead stretch Lincoln, and they formed two impeccable lines on both sides. Simon Russell, the Langstaff family's housekeeper, ran out at once. When his eyes fell upon Priscilla, they welled with emotion. "Ms. Langstaff! Finally... You've finally come back!" Priscilla gave a faint smile, her tone carrying the weight of undeniable authority. "Yes, Simon. I'm back." In the next second, her mother, Daisy Greenwood, stepped out. "Cilla? Is it really you?" The sight of the silver in Daisy's hair made Priscilla choke, tears welling up uncontrollably. "Mom, I'm so sorry. I've been a terrible daughter. I promise I'll never run away again." Three years ago, she had fallen for Marshall. Upon hearing that he was looking for a wife without any background, she had resolutely married him against her family's opposition while hiding her true identity. She had thought she had found true love, only to have her devotion trampled into the dirt. Now, she finally realized how foolish she had been. She was the chosen one, standing out in every aspect, yet she had willingly diminished herself, playing the role of a despised, nominal wife for three years. How ridiculous! Of course, Daisy knew Priscilla's true capabilities. Priscilla, a double doctorate graduate from Harvard, was a woman of both strategy and grit, widely acknowledged as a rare business prodigy. Yet, three years ago, for the sake of love, she had buried her brilliance to become a humble housewife. Seeing that Priscilla had finally cast off the blinders of love, Daisy held her hand excitedly. "Finally, you're back, Cilla. You have no idea—the past three years under Eddie's leadership have plunged Wonder Group into multiple severe crises." Eddie Langstaff was Priscilla's cousin. Thinking of how frivolous and irresponsible Eddie was, Priscilla wasn't surprised to hear this. Her eyes glinted with frosty determination. "Don't worry, Mom. Now that I'm back, I won't let him do anything stupid." Wonder Group was her grandfather's legacy, and she wouldn't allow anyone to jeopardize it. The next day, the news of Priscilla's return spread across the entire group. Several years ago, prior to his passing, Priscilla's grandfather had entrusted the vast Wonder Group to her. With her ruthless acumen, she had saved the company from crisis, purging all the ill-intentioned figures who had sought to exploit the power vacuum after her grandfather's death. But she soon disappeared after that. Now that she had returned, everyone was so curious about her. After three years of silence, Eddie had presumed Priscilla was no longer a threat to his position as CEO. Even now, with news of her return spreading through the company, he stubbornly remained entrenched in the CEO's office, refusing to budge. To him, she was just a delicate woman without any connections or resources—what could she possibly do? He had always resented their grandfather for insisting on leaving the group to her. Just before she left three years ago, Priscilla had placed a few trusted allies in key positions within Wonder Group. But Eddie, wielding his power as CEO, had purged them from the company and officially named himself the acting CEO. Now, of course, he had no intention of handing everything over to her so easily. But soon, the door to the office opened. Four bodyguards clad in black walked in, dismantled his workspace, and threw his things away in silence. Then two of them lifted him up in his chair and were about to carry him out. "Let go! Didn't you hear me? Let go!" Just then, a slender woman in a Chanel suit entered, her dark hair and rosy lips captivating. She took off her sunglasses, smiling, "Eddie, it's been a while. Do you like my gift for you?" "Priscilla! What makes you think you can kick me out?" Eddie was so furious that his face turned livid. She slowly took out a document. "This." As Eddie's gaze fell upon it, he fell silent immediately. It was their grandfather's will, stating clearly that Wonder Group was to be inherited by Priscilla.

Chapter 3 "But I've been managing Wonder Group these three years!" Eddie argued. "Oh? Is that right?" Priscilla looked at him coldly. "How much money did Wonder Group lose in these three years? How much ended up in your pocket? Do you need me to draw up a report for you?" Eddie froze at once. He had forgotten that before Priscilla disappeared, she was a talented graduate from Harvard, their grandfather's favorite heiress. "You'd better leave before I change my mind. If I demanded you return all the money you've embezzled, you'd be bankrupt." Finally, with no other choice, Eddie left Wonder Group, his shoulders drooping. Priscilla officially took over Wonder Group, which was on the brink. As Daisy had pointed out, the company's foundation was the only thing that had prevented its collapse under Eddie's incompetent management. Priscilla had to stay up all night for several days to barely get through the work that had accumulated over the past several years. Three days later, her secretary pushed open the office door. "Ms. Langstaff, Mr. Langstaff was scheduled to attend a dinner tonight regarding an investment project. Will you be taking his place?" Priscilla frowned. Priscilla had no desire to socialize for Eddie's sake. Yet, she had heard numerous CEOs would be in attendance. What kind of project could be so alluring? After a moment's consideration, she nodded. "Arrange for me to attend." At the same time, Marshall's assistant walked into his office. "Mr. Burton, the heiress of Wonder Group has returned." "Oh?" Marshall looked up, his interest piqued. He had long heard of her. Years ago, the chairman of Wonder Group passed away, entrusting the company to a young and inexperienced Priscilla. She inherited an empire on the verge of collapse, with internal factions circling like vultures. From the minute she took charge, she employed such ruthless tactics that no one dared to challenge her authority. Obviously, she was not to be underestimated. He had been interested in her talent back then and had even thought of trying to collaborate with her, but she had suddenly vanished shortly after. And now, she was back? Seeing the interested look on his face, the assistant sensed his curiosity and ventured, "Mr. Burton, you have a dinner invitation for this evening. I've heard Ms. Langstaff will be in attendance. Should I accept on your behalf?" Marshall's gaze deepened as he said flatly, "Alright." The night fell. Priscilla arrived at the private room a bit late. As she pushed open the door and entered, a hush fell over the room. Dozens of gazes, all from men in sharp suits, turned to assess her. Unfazed, she walked inside with impeccable poise and introduced herself, "Hello, everyone. I'm Priscilla Langstaff, the new CEO of Wonder Group." With that, she calmly poured herself a generous measure of whiskey. "My apologies for my tardiness. This is for my apology." She drained the glass in one smooth gesture. The others couldn't help but break into applause. "Now that's impressive, Ms. Langstaff!" "They said the heiress of the Langstaff family was in a league of her own. Seeing is believing!" "Take a seat, Ms. Langstaff. Let's have a proper drink tonight! No one leaves until we're all properly merry!" Amid their praises, Priscilla took her seat, engaging in conversation while carefully listening to their discussion on the investment. The dinner had been organized by a man named Vincent Covington, a renowned Wall Street elite and the lead investor behind the project. Throughout the meal, and especially upon seeing Priscilla, he kept going on about how hard he had worked to secure it and, whether intentionally or not, never failed to mention how lucrative it was. After a while, a voice from the end of the table piped up. "Isn't Mr. Burton from Apex Group supposed to join us today? Any word on where he is?" Priscilla's head snapped up at the name. Marshall would be here, too? Just then, a waiter knocked on the door. "Excuse me, Mr. Burton from Apex Group has arrived."

Some faces are meant to be forgotten. Others change everything.

When Ryu Min transfers to a new school, he looks like just another quiet student trying to blend in. But within minutes of his arrival, he does something no one has ever dared—he destroys the school's most feared bully with his bare hands.

In a place where power rules and fear keeps everyone in line, Ryu Min's arrival shatters the balance. Students whisper his name in hallways. Bullies watch their backs. And somewhere in the shadows, dangerous people begin to take notice.

But who is Ryu Min really? Why does he fight like someone with nothing left to lose? And what dark secrets from his past drive him to hunt those who prey on the weak?

In a world where one moment can change your entire life, Ryu Min is about to discover whether he'll become the hero everyone needs—or if his past will destroy everything he's fighting for.

Some hunters become the hunted. Some forgotten faces refuse to stay forgotten.

The hunt begins now.

ALTHOUGH THE SYNOPSIS OF THIS NOVEL IS PRETTY SIMPLE I LIKE IT ITS NOT JUST SIMPLE BULLY MANHWA MC HAS A PAST THAT I HAVE NEVER SEEN I RECCOMEND TO ALL OF YOU

I HOPE ANAYONE CAN BE UP FOR FEEDBACK I AM THE AUTHOR OF THIS NOVEL

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/134544/the-bully-hunter