the surrender of pride

Some exist with pride, others struggle with pride, some compete with pride, and there are those who fail with pride, but very few can walk away with pride. Congratulations, for as you read these lines, you have witnessed the whole lives of many great basketball players. This pronunciation was embodied when Stephen Curry, after facing defeat in 2021, claimed that no one would want to face them the following season; When Tim Duncan was convinced before the start of the 2014 Finals that they would not mess up; When Kobe Bryant promised at Old Buss's memorial to take the Lakers to the playoffs; When Nowitzki, shedding his label as a soft player, retreated to the locker room in tears at night; When Kevin Garnett let out a skyward howl after holding the championship trophy; When the 2004 Detroit Pistons won and the F4 Lakers lost… Our story begins in an era when pride still mattered.

Darkness reigned before the dawn of light... Who would have thought that his mundane life would take a chilling turn one day? Trapped in the monotony of his office existence, Simon suddenly finds himself thrust into an extraordinary realm beyond imagination. Death was merely the beginning... When Simon opened his eyes next, a fantastical landscape vastly different from his familiar office cubicle awaited him. A marvellous sight, a different world. The cruel life... Althaea, a realm of merciless brutality where the law of survival dictates: eat or be eaten, kill or be killed. Born not as a human... Simon emerges as a demon, a being shunned by humanity and embroiled in a relentless war between humans and demons. The Seraphims, protector of humanity, and the Demon lords who rule across all demonkind. Amidst all the chaos, he must navigate the treacherous hierarchy of demonkind as one of the lowest-ranking Demon Nobles. The unique power... The art of dungeon creation—a golden opportunity to ascend above the chaos and establish his dominion. With power comes adversaries... Now he must delve deeper, unveil its hidden powers and forge alliances that will dictate his fate. Fight rival demons, vengeful seraphims, and ancient evils who were up to no good. . Join Simon on his odyssey through a world teetering on the edge of destruction, where every step forward is fraught with danger and every decision could mean life or death. Will he rise to the challenge and defy the odds, or will he succumb to the unforgiving darkness that threatens to consume him? ----- Join our discord for Q&A and to chat with fellow members- https://discord.gg/bXexmSNeqn You can support me by helping me buy illustrations:- patreon.com/ViciousPepper.

Although Wisana was the son of a developer of “Pride Online”, the most popular game of this time, he had never shown any interest in the gaming world. However, when his crush mentioned she was playing the game, he immediately joined in! He began his journey as a clueless new player, so inexperienced that even a two-year-old could defeat him! His misfortune was endless from the start… First, he landed in front of a Boss-level monster! Then, he accidentally kicked the boss and had to run for his life… And when he tried to sell his items for some money, he almost got tricked by a cunning seller! Yet, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Just as he was about to fall for the seller's trick, a girl named Maysa suddenly appeared and saved him. She taught him everything about this virtual world and even invited him to join her party. Who would have known… that their lives would change forever… The system would like to announce an event from the GM, hunting the Boss “Lord Inferno” at the abandoned dungeon with a Mini Event “Get the shot if you dare!” “This is definitely our event,” Maysa said, looking up at Wisana with sparkling eyes. Wisana turned to look at the pretty face that was made up with a smile as always. But he somehow felt anxious. “I changed my mind. We’re not going to Tristan tomorrow. We’re going to the abandoned dungeon!” “Huh!!” And so, the legendary adventure of the duo began!

“Alpha Troy! Over here!” I yelled, raising my hand for help. I was under attack by a monster while saving my mates. The four of them heard me cry out as the creature clawed me and slammed me against the wall. “Help me!” I gasped, but their attention shifted when a soft cry came from the other side. It was Oriana, the gentle princess and a warrior, a combination most men lusted after. But not my mates. They were in my troupe, my friends, my lovers. We shared a bed, a bond. I knew they would save me. “Ohhh! I’m going to die,” she whimpered again, though she could have stood up easily. The monster’s focus was on me. “Yorick!” I screamed, reaching for another of my mates, struggling to escape, my leg tangled in silver chains. My mates looked at me and then at her—and I saw it. The shine of love in their eyes. In a heartbeat, they ran to her. My heart slowed. Tears welled up. Oriana had warned me: when it came down to it, they would choose her. She told me they only used me to pass time in the dorm room because I agreed for gangbang while other she-wolves did not. And now, right before my eyes, they were leaping into battle—for her. “We’ll come back for you, don’t worry,” Haiden shouted, as if that erased the betrayal. At that moment, the monster turned back to me. And I knew there would be no saving me. So I prayed they’d live long enough to regret their choice. --- Clementine had spent her life as the insufferable daughter of an alpha—tough, rebellious, and uninterested in love, especially in a world where male wolves were allowed multiple mates. Tired of her attitude, her stepmother forced her into an academy built to train fighters against deadly monsters. On her first day, Clementine was shocked to find her roommates were the worst people from her past: -Alpha Yorick, her bitter ex-boyfriend -Alpha Troy, her ex–best friend who believed she betrayed him -Alpha Haiden, the bully who had made her life hell -And Alpha Ian, her former cellmate who thought she manipulated him into punishment They all seemed to want revenge. But when they fought side by side on the battlefield, something strange happened–Clementine felt a mate bond with all of them. At first, things turned steamy. Hatred became desire. Tension turned into passion. But then, Clementine saw the truth: when it came down to it, they would always choose someone else over her. To them, she had only ever been a distraction, a toy to share and throw away.

Zoe Bell was the foster daughter of the Bell Family. On the night she was thrown out, her fiancé was already wrapping his arm around his new love, making headlines in the entertainment news. Afterwards, Zoe found herself caught in one scandal after another, all because she was seen with the most powerful man in Capital City. Everyone sneered, convinced she was nothing more than a fleeting plaything for Mr. Hale. But little did they know that from the very first moment when he laid eyes on her, Mr. Hale had only one thought - He was going to seize love with boldness! - People were all waiting to find something to mock Zoe about, so they intentionally asked William Hale what relationship he was holding with Zoe Bell. Mr. Hale merely laughed and said, "Maybe I haven’t tried hard enough, because after being married for so long, Mrs. Hale still refuses to announce it publicly or give me my rightful title." It was a night with thick, humid air, Zoe was left breathless as William kissed her with arms firmly wrapping around her waist. His voice was low and scorching, “Mrs. Hale, am I trying hard enough?” Zoe gritted her teeth - He was trying way too hard! 【See how the aloof CEO falls for love】 【Love After Marriage】

Five years ago, Ruby Sullivan was a 160-pound fatty, despised by her husband, slandered by her sister, her child beaten, her company taken away, and she endured endless humiliation. Five years later, she returns in grandeur, exuding confidence, with a graceful figure, and a child by her side in her role as a chief perfumer. Upon meeting again, her heart is filled only with hatred. Yet unexpectedly, that man insists on being a dad for the baby? Ruby Sullivan gives a wicked smile, saying to him: "You can, but I need to take something from you." The man brings out another little bun: "Is this what you mean?"

The first time she bumped into him, she wiped her sweat on his suit, and he took it off and said to throw it away. The second time she knocked over a bucket of water, splashing his shoes and pants, he actually threw away his shoes and socks! Gu Yan was thoroughly unsettled, a germophobic fussiness is an illness that needs treatment! What happens when a man whose cleanliness drives everyone crazy meets a carefree woman? One day, Young Master Tang cornered Miss Gu against the wall, "Let's talk about the question of taking responsibility!"

on April 19th four brothers are born. All four fated to do great things in there futures. There father a king is over joyed at there births, happy to see which one of his sons is going to be his heir for the throne. But in this kingdom there can only be one king.

*Love doesn't always bring the best person into your life, sometimes, love brings the worst people into your life. ~ Caroline loves money, an ambitious woman who will do anything for money. She come from a poor family background. Envious of her twin sister's good fortune enjoying a happy and secured life with her wealthy husband, Caroline believed that she must also be granted with the same amazing fate as her twin sister. She knows that money always comes with a heavy price... she's willing to pay any price! Meet... Mr. X... aka. Alex...he's upbringing isn't something that he can be proud of. He had a hard time trusting anyone. He rose to power, fame and wealth not because he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth but because it's an inheritance bestowed to him from the wealthy man who adopted him. When these two people meet... What's gonna happen? Will there will be sparks igniting between them? How about attraction, is it possible? And how about love? Will love bring the best or worst out of them? ~~~ ( Excerpt from the novel: ) Maybe she already developed tender feelings for him, but it's not yet on the same level as her feelings for her husband. But she thinks that if she stays longer in Alex's side she will eventually fall in love with his wonderful personality and his expertise when it comes to giving her mind-blowing pleasure every time they have intimate moments together. When she was with Alex, there is no awkwardness between them as if they have known each other for a long time. Any woman who can capture Alex's love and affection...she will be a lucky woman! Honestly, if she didn't meet Mike and she met Alex first, she will fall for him hard 'coz he is easy to love, maybe because they have good chemistry together? A smile appeared on her lips. That was also the time Alex glanced at her. He was looking at her tenderly, loving her smile. Their eyes locked for a few minutes... their gaze spoke volumes. Alex stood up, he went to her side, he whispered in her ear while nuzzling it, licking it lightly, producing arousing tingles on Carolines' body. "Let's make love after we're done cleaning the kitchen," he suggested naughtily. Caroline giggled. "OMG, you're so insatiable!" Alex grinned. "When it comes to you, I'm forever your slave, willing to bring pleasure to your body, anytime and anywhere," he winked at her and began kissing the exposed skin on her neck. ~All rights to the cover belong to the owner. *** My other novel on this site are the following: * Hot Romance With The Vampire~ Completed * The Beauty And The Wolf~ Completed * The Vampire's Love: You Are My Destiny~ Demons, Vampires, Shapeshifter~ Completed. * Hidden Husband: Beloved Wife ~ Completed~ Contemporary Romance * The CEO's Painted Skin~ (Completed) Contemporary Romance~510 chapter. * The Last Embrace~ ( Completed) Fantasy Romance~ Vampires Love~ 472 chapters. * The Tale Of Three Sisters~ (Completed) Fantasy Romance~ Adventure.

Ashton is stuck between an underwater volcano, and a heart devouring dragon. Metaphorically speaking anyway. The princess of the sea has sworn on her mother's life to drag him down. Problem is, Ashton can't be killed. So after hundreds of years of pulling beasts of legend to her side, rewriting history, and backing him into a corner where he broke his heart into pieces, she thinks that with one final push... she may convince Ashton to simply end his own existence. Ashton is fully aware of her little schemes, it's not every day a dragon get's its still beating heart ripped out, then is bound to the land it ruthlessly conquered. Ashton would have even found it mildly poetic that the slain dragon was now forced to bless the land for all eternity... if, and emphasis on the IF, the blessing hadn't been twisted into a curse for the last 700 years. Now, Ashton has a few minor inconveniences to deal with. First, he's stuck in a decaying body. Second his memories aren't fully intact. Third, it would prick his pride if the descendants of "blessed" dragon died while he was in their territory. Fourth, he has two really, really, REALLY scary siblings that don't always bother with the details. Fifth, the only reason this princess and her grandmother even had the chance to scheme against him is because he was looking for a possible mate. He's the only one of his kind, thousands of years alone has him craving for a companion... for a heart to sing just for him... There are really only two outcomes now that Ashton is starting to regain his memories. Will the princess succeed in dragging him down, used as the new sacrifice to keep the "blessing" going, or will he ascend? Well, maybe three outcomes. Maybe this time a heart will sing for him as he ascends... a bird can hope.