Age of Cosmic Exploration - Chapter 362: Approach With Caution

A conversation with a handsome stranger leaves Ariane chained in a cellar with a strange affliction. She soon discovers that the darkness of the nineteenth century’s Deep South hides many dangers. Mages, wolf shifters and the humans who hunt them play a risky game where to stumble is to die, all under the amused gaze of the apex predators of the supernatural world: vampires.

It is never healthy to attract the gaze of the aristocracy of the night. It takes much to survive in this merciless world, but Ariane will not let that deter her. The southern belle has a bite, and she is willing to learn and to grow in this hostile new world. She will use whatever means necessary to reclaim her freedom, be it guile, charm, or those intriguing new instincts that make blood so delectable.

This is a story of vampires as I believe they should be, with their strengths and weaknesses, with their remnants of humanity and the beast inside. Updates every Friday. Mind the tags.

Cover by Antti Hakosaari: https://www.artstation.com/haco

Special thanks to Svensonsen for getting me started, as well as Omi Nya, Hesketh, Rhaegar, Yaksher, Selkie and Raven for proofreading my stuff. Thanks to my patrons and you dear readers, for the support. I could not do it without you.

Journey is on Amazon, both in ebooks and audio. here is a link to the first one:

https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B08DK6G8Y8

The story probably exists in your local marketplace as well of I can tempt you.

Due to her family's worsening financial situation and the need to pay off her late father's debts, Isabella Quinn was forced to agree to a marriage proposal offered by Juliana Brown, to marry her son, Hunter William Brown, who had disabilities including paralysis and impotence.At that time, she had a boyfriend, Joe Fernando. However, she convinced Joe that the marriage was only temporary and that one day they would be together again.But when the marriage took place, Isabella was shocked to discover that Hunter was not as afflicted as she had thought.This fact left her feeling trapped, confused, and lacking the courage to tell either Joe or Juliana.What did she find out? Was it something that could make her fall in love with Hunter? Or the opposite? And what about Joe, who remained loyal while waiting for her?

“Why did you have to get married to me then if you knew you were going to throw me away!” She yelled.He exhaled gently and faced her, his face blank, his eyes surprisingly cool.“That's because, I had to save my crown and my throne. Now, let me live my life.”“Why did it have to be me?” She palmed her face.“You know she's my fated mate and there's nothing I can do about it.”With tears in her eyes, she slowly picked up herself and nodded.“I'll sign the divorce papers.”•••Nyx is torn with grief, when Alpha Oberon, her husband decides to divorce her after he claims to have found his fated mate.She leaves the pack out of the fear of returning back to her abusive and cruel parents and raises her child all by herself.Years race by, with the new Luna not being able to produce any heir for the kingdom. A seer tells the king that he has a heir who has the king's blood running in his veins.What happens when he realises the child is from the very woman who once offended? What will he to do convince her to come back in order to save his throne and kingdom?

“I prepared for this day. So you have to understand.” The strongest player, Lee Suhyuk, is betrayed by a trusted friend during a tower raid. As a result, he lost all his comrades and met his death. However, for some reason, he woke up 20 years later. “The same approach won’t work.” Faster. Stronger. To achieve that, he needed points. Suhyuk decides how to earn points early on. “Cosplaying as Lee Suhyuk is trending?” 20 years have passed, and Lee Suhyuk has become a legend. He didn’t know much about streaming, but if it’s imitating Lee Suhyuk, he was confident. After all, he is Lee Suhyuk. [‘Lee Suhyeok’ has started streaming.]