Tome of Troubled Times - Chapter 24: A Sword Drawn, Brothers No Longer

“Aria,” he said softly. “Today is your birthday.”It wasn't a question, but I nodded nevertheless.“The moon is full tonight,” he added, his voice quiet. “You will attend the ceremony.”“Of course, Elder,” I replied, puzzled. All eighteen-year-olds attended the ceremony. It was essential.He leaned in, smelling gently. “You already feel it, don't you? ”The change.My heartbeat skipped. “What change?”Elder Malin's eyes narrowed. Interesting. “Very interesting.” He reached inside his pocket and retrieved a little pouch. “Wear this tonight.”I accepted it hesitantly. Inside was a simple moonstone pendant with a leather cord.“But this is for—”“Wear it,” he interjected. “Hide it under your clothes if you must, but wear it.”Moonstones were precious. They aided our connection to the Moon Goddess during ceremonies. However, they were only given to wolves from influential families (Alphas and Betas). Not Omegas like me.“Why?” I questioned.Elder Malin glanced at Mira before returning his attention to me. “Because someone is harboring secrets about you, child. And tonight, those secrets may be revealed.”I never mattered in our pack. Omegas like me serve, submit, and survive. We don't dream of love. We don't dream of power.She was the future Luna. I was just the girl who watched from the shadows.But everything changed on my 18th birthday.I felt the bond. I met my mate.One of the Alpha's sons.But the Alpha has triplets, and I felt the mate bond with all three and it seems the three of them felt it too — three perfect warriors, three powerful Alphas, three secrets buried beneath the surface.One of them is my destiny.One of them is lying.And one of them might be the death of me.The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes... but this time, I think she might've given me too much to handle.

After being fired from his job due to a baseless accusation and dying while trying to save a girl from a robber, Maximilian is reincarnated into a world where caped heroes and superpowered villains clash in the streets.Disillusioned by a life of injustice and unrewarded good deeds, he vows to live for his own satisfaction. Armed with the Greatest Villain System—a golden finger that promises to make him the most feared villain in history—Maximilian sets out to embrace his dark side.First Mission: Beat up innocents.An old, retired hero thanks him for preventing a terrorist attack.Second Mission: Destroy a hero monument.Maximilian ruined an unlucky villain career.Third Mission: Beat up a famous hero.A detective hero praises him for exposing a criminal’s crimes.System: “Maximilian, are you messing with me?”Maximilian: “I’m innocent!”Several heroes who think they’re privy to the truth: “Maximilian, you are the most selfless hero we’ve ever met!”Maximilian: “I’m a villain, you idiots!”As Maximilian struggles with his new life as a villain and tries to prove his villainy, he uncovers numerous conspiracies within the new world’s government.Will Maximilian be able to prove his villainy? Or will he be remembered as the greatest hero of all time!?

In the 312th year of the Great Yu Kingdom, the Demon Sect suddenly rose, the Eastern Bureau was annihilated, and the Lin faction collapsed. This year, the situation changed dramatically, the martial arts world was filled with intrigue, and the dynasty was on the brink of danger.The starting point of everything was due to the Demon Sect Saintess dying an untimely death.“This case is now closed, and you are no longer a suspect.”After another round of investigation, Chen Yi returned home and pushed open the door.The Demon Sect Saintess, who should have been dead, was curled up trembling on his bed...“Master...”She called out to Chen Yi.The enemy of the previous life, now a concubine in this life.…………………The Empress Dowager who controls the court, the pure and flawless Demon Sect Saintess, the ninth-ranking one-armed sword master of the world, the emotionless Taichua Goddess, the chivalrous and tender-hearted Spring and Autumn Sword Master...They are all my enemies, all once wished me dead.In the end, they all resigned themselves to subordination, swallowing their shame.

Emperor Ian Veroshion, the first noble mage, was betrayed and executed. Cursed to never be reborn, he awakens a century later as the illegitimate son of a disgraced ducal line, destined to be a hostage in a barbaric land. Stripped of his magic and his throne, he must navigate a world vastly different from the one he ruled, facing political machinations and a resurgent monster threat. But the embers of his past life still burn, and Ian will not surrender his legacy. He will reclaim his name, his magic, and perhaps, even his empire.