SYNOPSIS What if the greatest danger to those you love was hidden within yourself? Liam O'Connor's life unravels when a violent attack on a student links him to a crime he didn't commit. As suspicion mounts, Liam discovers he's inherited werewolf abilities from his sorcerer grandfather powers he never knew existed and can barely control. Haunted by his transformations and hunted by his own community, Liam must navigate betrayal, unravel the truth behind the attacks, and confront a hidden enemy with ties to his family's dark past. With his parents' lives hanging by a thread, and a mysterious woman named Clara claiming to be his fated mate, Liam faces an impossible choice: embrace his monstrous side or risk losing everything. In a world where trust is a fragile illusion, Liam's fight for justice may uncover secrets that change his fate forever.
HIDDEN MOON
CHAPTER ONE
From the top-floor window of her parent's house on Charles Street, Jennifer stared deep into the thick darkness, her eyes a beacon of determination as if she hoped their intensity would tear the dark. It had been her culture every night since she was fourteen. She would often, like a child would find comfort in lullaby, find comfort in the dark. It reminded her of herself – of her life. In the dark, there was no beauty, light or hope. It bore similitude with her life.
"I hate everyone" she muttered. "Everyone hates me too so, fair!" she blurted out into space. Her thoughts drifted back to the haunting echoes of her childhood. Her father, a drunkard, had left indelible scars on her existence. The scent of alcohol lingered in her memories, an oppressive presence that suffocated the very air she breathed. She never even got to know her mother.
She silently moved away from the window and found solace by her old dressing table. Her room, adorned with faded wallpaper and curtains, felt like a cocoon of solitude. The worn-out carpet beneath her feet bore witness to the weight of her past. The chair creaked slightly as she lowered herself onto it. The dim light from a solitary lamp cast a soft glow, illuminating the framed photographs that adorned the tabletop – snapshots of a life filled with both joy and heartache. As she sat by the dressing table, her reflection in the vintage mirror revealed a blend of sorrow and strength. The scars etched into her heart served as a reminder of the tough journey she had life had taken her through.
Jennifer is a junior year college student and sometimes – a depressed 22-year-old. Despite the arduous journey through life, she was lucky to have been adopted by her foster parents, the Lesleys. Wrinkled and retired, the Lesleys adopted Jennifer as a 14-year-old. She didn't like them so much and made it known at every opportunity, but they were her ticket to a better life. She had a roof over her head and never worried about her next meal. They even ensured she went to college. Mrs. Lesley's words, "I don't want you to end up miserable like your parents. You've got to go to school, honey," echoed daily in her head. This admonition had come after she was reported to have slapped a teacher. Everyone judged her but they didn't care for her side of the story. Miss Jane had called her a monkey because she chose to jump and hop on seats while leaving the class instead of walk like every other person did. "A monkey. A monkey. That's what you are. A stupid mon..." Jennifer, fueled by frustration, cut short Miss Jane's insult with a slap, leaving the classroom in shocked silence. The once-revered teacher now stood vulnerable, and Jennifer, gripped by fear, fled home to escape potential consequences. Her escape carried not only the fear of punishment but also the weight of a society quick to judge without understanding her struggles.
The humid Towson air clung to Jennifer like a second skin, as she walked home from the bus stop. Her backpack, laden with the weight of her textbooks and the anxieties of junior year, felt heavier than usual. Today, something felt off, something felt somewhat unusual.
It started with the aroma. A pungent, metallic smell, like blood and earth, crept through the open window of her house, a deviation from the usual smell of simmering stew that usually greeted her. Her parents, ardent vegans since she knew them, would never willingly bring meat into their home. Yet, there it was, undeniable and primal, a guttural growl in the air.
"Mom? Dad?" she called out, apprehension coiling in her stomach like a cold serpent. Her father, a gentle man with eyes that held the warmth of a thousand sunrises, appeared from the kitchen, his brow furrowed.
"Jen? What's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
"I... I smell meat," she stammered, the words tasting alien on her tongue. "Deer, I think. Like... like someone brought it inside."
Her parents exchanged a surprised glance, a silent conversation flitting across their faces. "Honey," her mother said softly, "we haven't brought any meat home."
Jennifer's heart hammered against her ribs, doubt gnawing at the edges of her certainty. Could she have been mistaken? The library, usually a haven of hushed whispers and rustling pages, had felt weird earlier that day. Four girls, seated a few rows away, had spoken in hushed tones, their voices strangely amplified in the stillness.
"Did you hear about Professor Jerry?" one had whispered, her voice a conspiratorial hiss. "They say he... he killed himself after the werewolf hunt."
"Suicide?" another had scoffed. "I heard he was accused of being behind the werewolf hunt."
Jennifer had dismissed it but she on the other hand also wondered why she had heard them so clearly even though they spoke in hush tone and were a distance away.
She made to go take out the trash. Stepping out, she collided with James, her neighbor's son.
"Just taking out the trash," he said, his voice a shade too nonchalant, a smirk playing on his lips. "Had a successful hunting trip with Dad earlier today."
He untied the bag, revealing a mess of bloody fur and flesh. The stench, now undeniable, washed over Jennifer, a primal terror clawing at her throat. Her knees buckled, the world tilting on its axis.
The fear she had long suppressed, the whispers she had dismissed, the memories she had tried to bury - they all converged in that moment, a terrifying symphony of truth. The realization, sharp and cold as a butcher's knife, sliced through her: she wasn't just smelling the meat. She was feeling it, tasting it, a primal hunger gnawing at her very core.
Was she... a werewolf?
The question, which once whispered in the shadows of her mind, now roared her soul. The hunt, it seemed, had begun for the truth that now howled within her.
Esi and Kemi are two queer African women navigating love in the quiet shadows of Accra, Ghana-a city that demands silence from those who do not fit its rigid expectations. Esi, a meticulous and reserved legal translator, has spent her life mastering the art of invisibility. Kemi, a bold and restless Nigerian artist, burns with the desire to live out loud. Their love blossoms in private-secret kisses, whispered promises, coded glances-but the fear of exposure hangs heavy over them, threatening to suffocate what they've built. When Kemi is offered an art residency in Amsterdam, it becomes a turning point. She begs Esi to see the trip not as an ending but as a beginning-an invitation to a life where they can exist without apology. Esi, haunted by loyalty to her family and fear of the unknown, hesitates. Kemi leaves with a single hope: that love might eventually pull Esi across oceans. As Kemi thrives in a city that welcomes her with open arms, Esi grapples with loneliness and guilt, watching from afar as the woman she loves begins to live the life they only dared to dream of. Through a series of letters, video calls, and painful silences, the two women confront what it means to love in exile, and whether love can truly grow if it is never seen. Where the Water Meets the Sky is a tender, slow-burning story of love, migration, and self-discovery. It explores the ache of separation, the weight of cultural expectations, and the radical act of choosing oneself. At its heart, it is a story about two women learning that love should not have to hide-and that sometimes, freedom begins with leaving everything behind.
"You're pathetic!" Brenden sneered, each word cutting deep into Corinna's heart. Years of emotional wounds had drained every ounce of love she once held. "I've wasted enough time on you. If there's a next life, I hope we never meet again." Her words severed the bond between them like a blade. From that moment on, Brenden was haunted by her absence—unable to sleep, longing for the warmth he took for granted.
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
Becky endured three years of marriage to the cold-hearted Rory. In all that time, she naively reasoned that one day, he'd gradually come to like her. But the second he forced her to kneel down and humiliate herself, she knew she had been wrong about him. This man had no feelings for her at all. So why should she still love him? When Rory gave her the choice between kneeling down and divorcing, she didn't miss a beat and chose the latter. After all, why should she waste her youth on this scumbag? Wouldn't it be nicer for her to just have fun every day with her billion-dollar family fortune?
“Do I want a taste?” his voice deeper than he had ever spoken. His eyes pinned on me like I was the only thing that fascinated him. “What do I do?” I thought to myself as he moved closer to me, I wanted to run away, to resist him but I was pinned to the wall by him. “Gosh I hate this man so much” his scent, his body, his beautiful green eyes, he was driving me crazy. I know this is wrong, he has a fiancee and all but that makes me want him even more. “Get on the bed and spread your legs” his cold voice woke me up and then I remembered I was just a maid to him. “Yes master”.
"Listen, Gadreel Ødegaar," she looked at him, not hesitating this time. "It's my anniversary present for you. Let's divorce." *** Ivory Remington had sacrificed five years to look after her husband Gadreel who was in a vegetative state after an accident and a few months ago, he finally awakened like a miracle. She thought it was the start of their happy life but Gadreel still had no heart for her. On their anniversary and her birthday, she received a cheating video of her dear husband and her stepsister. Heartbroken, Ivory chose to quit this stupid game. She decided to set him free but the reason she left on the divorce agreement pierced Gadreel's noble pride. *** "Impotent? Are you serious?" He gripped her wrist and a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. "I'm a woman, Gadreel. I'm tired of being in a sexless marriage. Let's end it once and for all." "Sexless, huh?" he chuckled lowly and without warning grabbed her chin in between his hands, pulling her face closer. "Turns out my wife was so eager to get a man between her legs? "
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?