werewolf

Love. Hate. Revenge. Before she was the High Alpha's daughter, Maya was an orphan named Penelope—and Marcus Keenan was the boy who gave her his locket and promised to marry her... until she was torn from him. Taken by High Alpha Vilhelm, everyone, including Marcus, was told she died. Years later, Marcus returns from the recent war a hero—now Alpha Keenan—with power, lands, and the right to choose any woman as his mate. He takes Maya—the same girl who made his life miserable before he left. He doesn't recognize her as Penelope with the locket long gone. To him, she is cruel, two-faced, and an expert at manipulation. What he doesn't know is that Maya's cruelty was forced, a mask she wore to both protect him and survive. Now trapped in a marriage born of revenge, she must decide. Stay silent and play the part, or reveal who she truly is…before it’s too late. —— Excerpt “This marriage is fake,” Maya said. She should be happy but why did it hurt so much? “Fake?” Keenan frowned and closed the gap between them. He wrapped a palm around her neck, and Maya gasped but no sound left her throat. “Is this another ploy to escape me?” “Isn’t it fake?” Maya whispered, holding his hand, trying to ease his grip. It was getting hard to breathe. Her voice betrayed her, too hopeful even to her own ears. He stared with such hatred, yet a part of her didn’t want it to be fake. Keenan threw his head back and laughed, yet his grip on her neck never wavered. “Woman, surely this must be a joke. You think I would orchestrate a fake marriage with you?” He leaned closer, eyes locked on hers. “You undermine my hatred. I want you bound to me forever. I want you to hate every moment of your life and I will be right here to make sure of it. You can never escape me.” Keenan released her neck. She dropped to the floor, rubbing her throat as she finally drew a full breath. “Fake marriage? Don’t be ridiculous. Even your father couldn’t get you away from me.”

*****A gothic Wednesday AU***** Welcome to Reichenbach Academy, where silence is a weapon, and the walls are starting to sing. Reichenbach Academy has always thrived on perfection. Pressed Cabernet uniforms. Polished cobblestone. Pristine image. All while something ancient has been buried far beneath its halls. When a student, Daniel Gonzalez, collapses mid-class with glowing, unknown sigils carved into his skin, the administration insists that the situation is contained. But the students know better than to believe them. Thorn Rosales, known for trouble and sarcasm, hears the disturbance long before anyone names it. A song threading through the academy's bones. Xavier Thorpe, haunted by his past at Nevermore, begins drawing the same symbols that have appeared across campus, as if something is guiding his hand. Whether brought together by fate or something far more deliberate, they uncover the truth Reichenbach has spent centuries trying to bury. This is a slow-burn, lore-heavy gothic mystery about power, memory, and the lengths hatred can go. So, welcome to Reichenbach Academy, where silence is a weapon, and the walls are starting to sing. I will be posting this story on RoyalRoad.com

To werewolves, humans are maggots. Aurora is a human trapped in a brutal pack, betrayed by her lover, sold into marriage with a man twice her age, and now accused of the ultimate sin: stealing the Moon Core, the relic that once chained the Wolf God Lycaon himself. The Lycans descend upon her. Four ruthless sons of Lycaon; the Scions of Sin. Greed. Pride. Lust. Wrath. Each brother is one of the Original Sins made flesh. Each will sacrifice anything to keep their father imprisoned forever. The Moon Core is their only weapon and now a fragile human has absorbed it. To them, Aurora is vermin. A thief. A disposable tool. But the Core is alive inside her, awakening powers she was never meant to wield. The brothers who swore to destroy her begin to crave her—body, soul, and every shattered piece in between. Now they face the impossible: kill the maggot who could end their race… or surrender to the woman destined to unravel their empire and them. •Morally grey MLs • Enemies to lovers • Dark reverse harem • possessive alphas • betrayal & revenge • Angst • Smut (the Moon Core isn’t the only thing pulsing inside her)

Faye and her elder brother return to town after years away. Adjusting isn’t easy, not with his personal troubles and not in a place that no longer feels like home. Everything feels strange. Different. Like she doesn’t belong. On her first day back, she clashes with a girl they meet by accident, and the encounter ends badly. The next morning, Faye walks into her new school only to discover that the same girl is not just anyone… she’s the Alpha of the pack and the school’s princess. Now they’re forced into the same space every day. They become enemies instantly, constantly getting on each other’s nerves. Pride clashes. Neither of them is willing to back down. Until one reckless night changes everything. They wake up in each other’s arms. Both agree it was a mistake. It never happened. It will never happen again. But what happens when proof is left behind? Faye discovers she’s carrying the Alpha Princess’s baby. Now two people who can’t stand each other must decide, will they keep fighting, or will they learn to stand together for the child that binds them? [Content Warning This story may contain explicit adult content, including violence, killing, bloodshed, and other mature themes. Some chapters may not include specific warnings.] Thank you for reading my book.

Willa had been pushed through fifteen foster homes and just about had enough of it. On her eighteenth birthday, her only wish is simple—survive long enough to escape the life she’s trapped in. But that night, a monster crashes into her home and mauls her to death. Except, she doesn’t die. When Willa wakes, she finds herself inside a hidden supernatural academy, surrounded by beings she never knew existed. Worse, everyone believes she is someone else—a girl who mysteriously vanished two months ago. Only Willa knows the truth. And she intend to keep it that way. Pretending to be the missing girl may be dangerous, but it’s still safer than the life she left behind. At least, that’s what Willa thought. Until she meets them. Seven powerful beings bound to her by a fated connection that should never exist. The bond is forbidden. Cursed. Dangerous. Impossible to ignore. As Willa struggles to resist the pull between them, she begins to uncover a truth far more terrifying— the academy dark secrets, who she really is, the ancient power rising inside her, and the enemies older than legends hunting her. Because the monster that attacked her that night wasn’t just meant to kill her. It was meant to erase her from existence.

– Realms of Balance by Khelly Gold In a fractured world of elemental realms teetering on the edge of collapse, a prophecy awakens. Realms of Balance is an epic fantasy tale that follows Lee Kung, a young warrior burdened by destiny and haunted by betrayal, as he sets out to restore harmony to a universe ravaged by chaos. After the death of his mentor and the corruption of his twin brother, Lee Kang, Lee Kung discovers the truth about the Nine Realms—each sustained by ancient guardians and power stones that are now threatened by the rise of Dehaska, a malevolent force spreading darkness across reality. Accompanied by Mia, a fearless seer with a mysterious past, and Sio Jun, a half-werewolf warrior torn between blood and duty, Lee Kung must navigate treacherous temples, deadly creatures, and the emotional scars of family unraveling before his eyes. As elemental forces clash and ancient prophecies resurface, the journey transforms from a quest for balance to a battle for the soul of his own brother. Rich in lore, character conflict, and powerful magic, Realms of Balance explores themes of sacrifice, identity, and redemption in a world where light and darkness are never what they seem.

I caught my mate in bed with my twin sister on my twenty-first birthday. Selene thought tonight would be perfect—the night Caleb would finally announce their mating bond to the entire Crescent Pack. Instead, she found him tangled with Lila, her own sister, and their betrayal shattered everything. But the nightmare had only begun. Accused of treason she didn't commit, shot with silver, and left for dead, Selene did the unthinkable—she crossed into forbidden Nightshade territory. The land of her pack's most feared enemy. Alpha Damon Salvatore is ruthless, cold, and haunted by his own demons. He should have executed the Crescent wolf bleeding on his land. Instead, something stopped him. Something he couldn't explain. Until the bond snapped into place. The heavens paired him with the daughter of his enemies. Now Selene is trapped between two impossible choices: trust the mate who betrayed her, or accept the bond with an Alpha who should be her enemy. But someone wants her dead, and they won't stop until they destroy everyone she cares about. Poison. Conspiracy. Forbidden love. As bodies pile up and secrets unravel, Selene must find the strength to fight back—before the bond between her and Damon becomes the deadliest weapon of all. In a world where loyalty means everything and trust means nothing, can love survive between enemies?

Crown Prince Rain Vale an heir only by title—never by heart. In the kingdom of Silverreach, omegas are meant to serve, not rule. Yet I was born the son of the consort and declared heir at birth, shattering centuries of tradition and igniting hatred in the hearts of my seven alpha brothers. To them, I am not a prince… but the moon's greatest mistake waiting to be corrected. My coming-of-age Howling Ceremony was meant to fix that mistake. A political spectacle designed to bind me to a powerful alpha and quietly strip me of power, ensuring Silverreach returns to its “proper” order. But the Moon has always loved cruel jokes. Instead of a conquering warlord, noble king, or domineering alpha, the bond binds to Caelan Moonfang—the fallen alpha of the Moonfang pack, a crippled Enigma. To my father, the match is an insult. To Caelan’s brother, it is humiliation. To the world, it is proof the Moon has lost its mind. But I knelt anyway and claimed him. Because I, Rain Vale, have never been obedient. And if the kingdoms see a mistake… I will become their worst.

When Orion, the leader of the Nightshade Pack, finds an injured woman near his territory, he makes an impulsive decision to bring her into his pack for treatment. Doubts linger, as she may be a spy sent by the Enclave, led by the ruthless Luna, Victoria. What was supposed to be a straightforward case of recovery quickly becomes complicated. When Sophia awakens, she is plagued by amnesia, remembering only her name. Orion faces a dilemma: should he send her away or allow her to stay? Ultimately, he decides to keep her until her memories return. As Sophia adjusts to life in the Nightshade Pack, a deep connection forms between her and Orion. They begin to realize they belong together, but what will happen when Sophia’s memories start returning in fragments? Will those memories destroy not only their bond but also the safety of the entire pack? NB: Luna in this novel is a different concept, it doesn't just mean the wife of the Alpha. And also this book is rated 18.

Set 5 years after she has graduated Nevermore Wednesday Addams now works as a PI with the help of her friends Agnes and Enid to solve cases involving the supernatural and paranormal. This is her passion project alongside her career of obtaining rare and valuable books of occult, historical and philosophical value as a collector, reseller and agent for hire for high paying clients seeking out certain texts. Located in NYC Wednesday's PI agency finds itself subjected to all sorts of cases from possessions to poltergeists, curses, monsters, demons, vampires and all creepy and nightmarish things that go bump in the night. In this debut adventure a quiet day at the office is interrupted by the arrival of a man desperate to get Wednesday's help to exorcise a demon that has possessed his young daughter. Enid and Wednesday are in a race against time to discover the nature of the demon, work out how to banish it from the girl and save her life before time runs out........and the clock is ticking.

Odesse had always made sure she never got too close to the wolves. A human servant living beneath the rule of the Silverclaw Pack, Odesse survives quietly in a world where humans are weak, disposable, and forgotten. But everything changes the night she accidentally intrudes on a sacred mating ceremony and receives the impossible — the Alpha’s mark. Valex, the feared and cursed Alpha King of the Moonlight Pack, has spent years carrying the rumors of death and destruction. Every woman who ever mated with him died, and the curse surrounding him cost him his throne, his reputation, and nearly his humanity. So when a human girl appears bearing his mark, the wolf world is thrown into chaos. Taken into Moonlight Palace as Valex’s personal servant, Odesse soon finds herself trapped between fear and attraction as an uncontrollable bond pulls them closer together. But while desire grows, so do the secrets surrounding her existence. Nightmares haunt her sleep. Black blood stains her tears. Visions blur the line between reality and illusion. And hidden truths about her parents, her bloodline, and the Moon Spirit begin to surface. As rival packs scheme, enemies watch from the shadows, and an ancient curse tightens around Valex, Odesse discovers she may not only be tied to his fate… but to the fate of the entire wolf kingdom. In a world ruled by power, betrayal, and dangerous love, Odesse must decide whether her bond with Valex will become her salvation… or the very thing that destroys them both. From servant to Alpha Queen, her destiny was never ordinary.

In the war-scarred Arcanen Realm, peace is nothing more than a fragile illusion. For centuries, the Human Kingdom of Wirhan and the Demon Kingdom of Vragxyl have waged endless wars, their hatred written in blood and passed down through generations. Meanwhile, the witches of Solarik remain neutral, guarding secrets older than history itself. When a devastating conflict threatens to drive both races to extinction, a desperate treaty is forged, and the heirs of the three kingdoms are sent to the Academy of the Triad—a neutral ground where titles hold no power and ancient magic is sealed. Sierra Ashbourne, the human crown princess, has been raised to despise demons. Agor, the infamous Shadow Prince, is feared across the realm as a monster born of darkness. Forced to stand beneath the same roof, they become unwilling participants in a fragile peace neither truly trusts. But the Academy hides more than political games. Whispers of forgotten prophecies begin to surface. Secrets buried for centuries awaken within the shadows. And beyond the walls, something ancient stirs—a force capable of reducing the three kingdoms to ashes. With rivalries deepening, loyalties tested, and enemies lurking behind smiling faces, Sierra and Agor must decide whether to cling to the hatred that shaped them… Or risk everything for a truth powerful enough to change the fate of the world. Because some bonds are stronger than war. And some prophecies were never meant to remain. EXCERPTS She had been so lost in the prose, so consumed by the fictional fire and ice of the hero's touch, that she never heard him approach. "Well, well…" a deep voice drawled from the shadows. "I didn't take you for the type to enjoy such literature, Little Flame." Sierra nearly jumped out of her skin. Standing a few feet away, arms crossed and eyes gleaming with wicked amusement, was Agor. "I-it's just a book," she stammered, clutching it to her chest. "Oh, I'm sure it is." Before she could react, the Shadow Prince plucked the novel from her grasp and flipped through its pages. "Agor!" His smirk deepened. Then, in a low, husky voice that sent heat racing to her cheeks, he read aloud. "'His lips traced down her throat, marking her as his own—'" "Agor! Stop it!" A chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Didn't think you had such interests, Little Flame." Sierra glared at him. "You're insufferable." "And yet," he murmured, stepping closer, dark eyes fixed on her flushed face, "you're still standing here." His gaze dropped briefly to her lips before returning to her eyes. "Tell me, Princess…" He leaned close enough for his breath to brush her ear. "Do the books make you feel something?"

​Liam grabbed my chin, forcing me to look into his piercing green eyes. ​"Why do you smell like my brother, Scarlett?" he demanded. ​My heart pounded against my ribs, but I stayed silent. My refusal to speak only fueled his anger. ​"I am your mate," he growled, his grip tightening. ​What he didn’t know was that he wasn’t the only one. I was mated to all three brothers—and none of them knew they were sharing me. ​Suddenly, a loud knock echoed through the room. ​"Liam? Are you in there?" ​It was Leo. ​Panic flashed across Liam’s face. He looked at the door, then back at me. He couldn't let his brother see me like this—half-naked and pressed against the wall. He grabbed my arm and shoved me into the bathroom. Before I could say a word, he turned the shower on full blast to drown out any sound I might make. BLURB I am fated to three men who want me dead. ​To the pack, I am the Rogue’s daughter. To Liam, Leon, and Leo, I am a mistake that should never have existed. The day I discovered I was the fated mate of all three brothers, I realized it wasn’t a blessing. It was a death sentence. ​They hate me. They believe my parents betrayed the pack and killed their mother, our Luna, and the shame of being tied to me burns their pride. None of them know the others share the same bond, and each one secretly plans to reject me and erase the connection forever. ​So I begged for time. Three months to strengthen my wolf so I can survive the pain of a triple rejection without dying. They agreed. ​But as the days pass, the hatred begins to warp into something darker—and far more possessive. ​"I was the first to kiss her," Liam brags. "I took her virginity," Leo yells out loudly. "She will love me first," Leon responds angrily. ​I roll her eyes and stomps my foot, my heart breaking even as my blood thrums with their possession. "I hate you! All of you!!" ​The secret is finally out. All three brothers know I belong to them. But instead of rejecting me and ending my misery... they refuse to share me. ​How do I survive three Alphas who would rather tear the pack apart than let another brother touch what is theirs? Especially when a dark prophecy is prophesied against the bond. ​Note: This is Book Two of Fated to Not Just One but Three. It can be read as a standalone, as it follows the story of their sons. ​PS: Three chapters are updated daily.

In a world ruled by the Four Werewolf Orders beneath the Moon Goddess, humanity has nearly vanished. Hidden behind towering walls, only a single human kingdom is believed to remain, while the rest of the world belongs to wolves. Riven Thorn is an ordinary seventeen-year-old human from the forgotten settlement of Threxa. Poor and unnoticed, he dreams of nothing more than surviving another day until his village is massacred by werewolves led by Aurelion Kharos, the legendary Alpha of the First Order. During the attack, Riven is forced to witness the brutal death of his mother, Tyrella. Consumed by grief, he throws himself against the monsters, only to be mortally wounded and left to die. Instead of letting him perish, Aurelion commits a forbidden act believed impossible: he bites a human. Riven survives. His impossible transformation sends shockwaves across the Four Orders as an ancient prophecy resurfaces a human-turned-werewolf will one day rise, overthrow the Alpha Lords, and become the Supreme Alpha. To werewolf society, Riven is neither human nor wolf, but an abomination that threatens the balance of the world. Before he can fulfill the prophecy, every Order resolves to eliminate him. Beginning as the weakest of wolves, Riven is forced into a brutal world of ruthless training, deadly battles, political intrigue, and endless war. Every victory pushes him higher through the werewolf hierarchy while pulling him further away from the humanity he once knew. Alongside loyal companions and powerful allies, he survives betrayals, devastating losses, and wars that reshape the continent. As ancient secrets unfold, Riven discovers his existence is connected to forgotten legends surrounding the first werewolves, the Moon Goddess, the legendary Wolf King Varokh Rexar, the hidden human kingdom of Alexandria, and the terrifying Void beings sealed beyond reality. His hybrid core evolves beyond anything recorded in history, while the mysterious Dark Shadow sleeping within him begins to awaken. As the seals imprisoning the Void weaken and ancient enemies prepare to return, Riven must decide whether he will remain the boy who lost everything in Threxa... or become the king destined to reshape the fate of both humans and werewolves forever.

Synopsis. Two Brothers. Two Lycan Princes. One dragon Princess. One brother holds her like she's breakable. The other fucks her like she is not. They have the same face. And She has no idea which one she's falling for. ** Tilly Ann Winchester was supposed to hate Chase Dubois at first sight. He was the "Whore of Troita." A rake. A demon spawn who made her ladies' maids lick his boots when they were ten. She's hated him for eight years. She's good at hating him. Then the engagement is announced. And Chase arrives at her castle. But he's not what she remembers. Some days he's in a wheelchair—quiet, hollow, exhausted. He holds her during panic attacks. He calls her Love. He makes her believe in tenderness. Other days he's on his feet—cocky, hungry, devastating. He pins her against walls, finger-fucks her in storerooms, makes her scream his name where anyone could hear. She tells herself she hates both versions of him. But her body doesn't care. Her heart doesn't care. And when she discovers she's pregnant—with twins—the truth finally shatters everything. There are two of them. Identical twins. One broken, one cruel. One who loves her quietly, one who burns for her loudly. And both have been lying to her face since the day they met. Now Tilly must decide: Which brother stole her heart? And which one will she choose to keep? Because the man she's falling for isn't her fiancé. He's the one who was never supposed to touch her at all. --- This is a steamy, twist-filled romantasy for readers who love enemies to lovers, mistaken identity, and falling for the wrong twin.

Upcoming Alpha, Kael has spent years chasing what may well only be a memory. A moonlit figure who saved his life but vanished before he could learn more. Remembering little more than her piercing violet eyes and her stunning blond hair, Kael is willing to turn the world upside down to find the girl again; certain she is meant to be his, His hunt for the moonlit figure brings a new tactic. A bridal screening. And, through that screening brings into his life Grace. A beautiful daughter. With eyes of a stunning shade of violet and hair of blond. Beautiful. Polished. Confident. Everything a future Luna should be. Had his search paid off in more ways than one? Had he found his childhood savior as well as the perfect bride? Only there is a complication. Along with Grace came her maid, Wren. Resentment bubbling between the two women is clear to see. A power-hungry omega? Or more than meets the eye? Either way Kael is torn because the one thing the women share is the stunning violet eyes. A rare thing within their world, and something he had been searching for for so long. Yet here he was, faced with two women, so different to one another both with the one thing he recalled from his moonlit memory. Was either woman the one he had been searching for? Or was it nothing but a haunted past he needed to let go?

Caution: This book contains mature content and is intended for matured readers. ***** I knew if he left this room, he'd keep fighting alone until his heart simply gave up. I hated him for it. I hated him for being so difficult, but the thought of him being gone made my stomach turn into a block of ice. My brain went numb. My instincts took over. I stepped in front of the door. My hands were shaking so hard I could barely feel them. I grabbed the hem of my dress. I can't believe I'm doing this for a man I wanted to kill an hour ago, I thought. But whatever was pulling me, didn't care about my anger. In one fast, desperate motion, I pulled the dress over my head and let it drop. The cold air hit my bare skin, making my nipples turn into hard, sensitive pebbles instantly. I stood there, completely naked, my heart hammering so loud it echoed in my ears. Oh! Moon Goddess, just end me already. **** She was too weak to stand beside him. And his heart already belonged to another. Azura Moryn knows the rules of the Crescent Moon Pack:power is everything, and without it, you are nothing. Rankless and orphaned, she has survived on the edges by being invisible. But invisibility is not weakness, it’s a choice. Behind her quiet exterior is a resilient spirit, a surprising bravery, and a clumsy, lovable heart that refuses to be crushed, even when the odds are impossible. Rhydor Drakemire has everything. Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack, feared and respected. Groomed for greatness. And deeply in love with the woman he plans to make his Luna. So when fate makes Azura his mate, the choice is simple. He rejects her. A weakling has no place beside an Alpha. And he refuses to give up the woman he loves. The bond should have shattered. Instead, something ancient awakens. Forbidden magic stirs beneath the pack lands. Golden light erupts. Pain tears through them both. And when they wake, the world is wrong. Azura opens her eyes inside the Alpha’s body, strong, powerful, untouchable. Rhydor wakes in hers, powerless, scorned, and unseen. Now their souls switch without warning, trapping them in each other’s skin while enemies circle closer and the pack begins to fracture. Every secret they uncover changes what they thought they knew, about strength, about weakness, about each other. And beyond the pack borders, a brutal Alpha King rises, draining Lunas and hunting power in his obsession with immortality. Old prophecies resurface. Whispers spread of a truth long buried: Only a female Alpha can bring him down. As forbidden magic stirs and betrayal creeps closer than loyalty, an ancient legacy refuses to stay buried any longer. Azura is about to learn the truth of her own blood. And the mate Rhydor rejected may be the one fate chose to change everything. Some bonds are broken by pride. Some curses are written in blood. And some destinies can only be uncovered…

✓ MASSIVE RELEASE ON THE LAST DAY OF EACH MONTH.✓ BLURB: “We are sorry Maria, we never meant to hurt you. Come back to us!" They all thundered. But it was too late, I was determined to make them Pay. *** I am Maria Moon, casted out of my Pack at the age of eighteen. All because of a tradition— one that states, that which ever family the Alpha's mate comes from, any other female wolf of same status is cast out. But it all felt wrong, It wasn't supposed to be me but her— my step sister— Patricia Moon. “I, Darren Copper, Alpha of the Frost moon pack, hereby declare that Maria Moon is no longer a member of this pack!” I pleaded for them to see the truth but no one cared, they were all blinded by their love for her. I became a rogue, wandered about for days and was unfortunate to attacked by the older rogues. And even more unfortunate to be saved by the quadruplet Alpha's, my Pack rival Alpha's. *** “Isn't she the Beta's daughter of Frost moon pack?" Damien growled as he turned to his brothers. “Definitely, she looks the same even after five years!" Adrien replied as he squatted, cupping my chin harshly on his palm. “She is definitely a spy, let's kill her!" Davian roared, stretching his claws, his stance ready to slaughter. “Don't Davian!" Aidan the oldest amongst the quadruplet echoed, “That’s all the more reason we should keep her close, letting her die is to easy.” He turned to the guards beside him, “Take her to the Pack, she is our Personal maid." Adrien chuckled lightly, a sly smirk appearing across his lips. “Nice idea Aidan. We would make her suffer!" CONTENT WARNING. This book contains explicit scenes, abuses, graphic violence and dark obsessive romance. Readers discretion advised.

Betrayed by her own blood, Nina Storm is forced to take her sister’s place—married off to a cursed Alpha whose brides never survive past the eleventh day. Everyone is waiting for her funeral. But when the twelfth dawn comes… Nina walks out alive. Worse—she awakens as the very witch who cursed them all. There’s just one problem: her power is gone. To reclaim it, she has only one choice—betray the man she’s bound to. Seduce the Alpha. Take what she needs. Leave him to his fate. That was the plan. Until him. Rodrigo doesn’t fall in love—he obsesses. Completely. Dangerously. Irrevocably. And Nina, who came to destroy him, finds herself wanting to save him instead. But loving the Alpha comes at a price. And this time…the price might be too heavy to pay.