Foes to Flames

Foes to Flames

David livinus · Completed · 208.7k Words

951
Hot
2.1k
Views
306
Added
Add to Shelf
Start Reading
Share:facebooktwitterpinterestwhatsappreddit

Introduction

Under a starry summer sky eight years ago, Benjamin whispered a promise, “I will love you forever, my green-eyed boy.” The kiss that followed stole my heart, sealing our bond in one unforgettable moment.

But when our secret was exposed, that love crumbled. Driven by fear, Benjamin denied me before everyone, even striking me to silence our truth.

Two fourteen-year-old boys in love? Impossible. We were expelled, my family uprooted in shame over their pastor son’s “sin.” The pain of rejection and betrayal carved scars that still haunt me.

Now, in university, I hide the wounds, the true me buried under a decade of fear and silence. Then rumors start, whispers of a new student with a dark, powerful family. A name I know too well: Benjamin Rufus.

In the years since, he’s become an heir to a ruthless mafia empire, while I’ve remained the pastor’s son. He walks past me, cold and indifferent, as if our history never mattered.

But our families’ pasts have other plans. When dark secrets emerge, linking my father’s violent history with Benjamin’s family, we were thrust back together in a dangerous game of love and vengeance.

Bound by legacies of betrayal, forced to confront old wounds, and trapped between love and duty, we’re caught in a war that tests the flame of our hidden love. Can we break free of fate, or will the sins of our families keep us enemies forever?or would our love shine brighter amidst the Flames?

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Through the Flames

AUTHOR'S POV

The hum of my car's engine vibrated beneath me, a soft undercurrent to the restless drumming of my fingers on the leather steering wheel. Outside, the streetlights sliced through the dark, their cold glow spilling across the dashboard. The clock’s hands inched toward 6:30 p.m., and my chest tightened.

I glanced at the grand auditorium ahead, its neon marquee glaring: Book Tour - Daniel Thompson: Author of Foes to Flames.

My first tour. My first crowd.

A bitter laugh escaped me. How had it come to this? Me—a pastor’s son, a boy who’d once flinched at the label “gay,” now seated in this car, preparing to face hundreds of people. Preparing to share the truth I’d spent years running from.

My phone buzzed. A message from Benjamin. Just a single heart emoji. Typical. Yet somehow, that tiny symbol was a lifeline, tethering me to the moment.

“Time to face the fire,” I murmured, straightening my jacket.

The evening air bit at my skin as I stepped out, pulling the door shut behind me. The auditorium loomed, larger than life, and I pushed through the heavy glass doors.

Inside, the noise hit me like a wave. The place was packed—every seat taken, people standing shoulder-to-shoulder along the walls. The low hum of chatter swelled, mingled with shuffling feet and the occasional burst of laughter.

I froze. My heart pounded against my ribcage, and for a second, I wanted to run. But then I saw their faces. The nervous energy. The tension hidden behind polite smiles. The quiet pain in their eyes, so much like my own once was.

This wasn’t just a crowd. These were my people.

“Daniel!” My manager waved me forward, pulling me out of my daze. She nodded toward the front row, where my name sat in neat block letters on a reserved placard.

I took the seat, gripping the arms of the chair as if it might steady me.

The next few minutes passed in a blur. My manager’s voice filled the room, introducing me with a flourish. Applause erupted, and suddenly, I was on my feet, climbing the stage.

The lights blinded me, but I forced myself to stand tall, the microphone cool and solid in my trembling hand.

“Wow,” I said, my voice breaking the heavy silence. I cleared my throat, chuckling awkwardly. “I never expected… this.”

A ripple of laughter swept through the crowd, loosening my chest.

“I’m not going to lie,” I continued, finding my rhythm. “Standing here feels… surreal. For so long, I didn’t think I’d have a voice, let alone an audience willing to listen. Fear kept me silent. Fear of judgment. Fear of rejection.”

The room stilled, their eyes locked on me. I felt the weight of their attention but also their understanding.

“And that fear… it almost destroyed me,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “But I learned something. Fear isn’t the end of the story. It’s just the beginning.”

The crowd leaned in, their collective energy buzzing like static in the air.

“That’s what Foes to Flames is about,” I said, my voice steady now. “It’s not just a book. It’s my life. A pastor’s son, confused and angry, battling shame and the world’s expectations. A boy who fought to survive, to love, to live authentically.”

I paused, the image of Benjamin flashing in my mind. “And yes, it’s also about love. About finding someone who sees you even when you can’t see yourself. Benjamin, my husband, did that for me. But it wasn’t easy. We were enemies before we were lovers.”

A murmur of intrigue rippled through the room.

“Enemies who had to fight through flames—of hatred, confusion, and doubt—to find each other.”

I spotted a few teenagers in the back and smirked. “Fair warning, though: if you’re under 18, you might want to skip a few chapters. Some scenes are… let’s just say, not safe for church.”

The crowd erupted in laughter, and the tension broke like a dam.

“But seriously,” I said, my tone softening. “This isn’t just a love story. It’s a story about finding yourself. About standing tall, even when the world tries to crush you. And if my words can help even one person here tonight, then every painful moment was worth it.”

The room fell silent again, the air heavy with shared emotion.

I glanced at the book in my hands, its weight grounding me. “So, if you’ll allow me, I’d like to take you on a journey. Through my life. Through the flames. And I hope, by the end, you’ll see what I see now: the flames didn’t destroy me. They forged me.”

Applause thundered through the auditorium, shaking the walls.

I opened the first page, my voice steady as I began to read. This was more than a book tour. This was my story. My truth. And tonight, I wasn’t afraid of the flames.

Last Chapters

You Might Like 😍

Where I End and She Begins

Where I End and She Begins

1k Views · Completed · Briana Wilson
Amelia is starting high school with her best friend Lola — confident, magnetic, fearless Lola — the girl who makes the world feel manageable. While Amelia juggles grief, an absent father, and the heavy responsibility of raising her younger brothers, Lola is her escape. Her courage. Her voice. The version of herself she wishes she could be.
But when a body lies at Amelia’s feet, and her hands are covered in blood that isn’t hers, one question echoes louder than the rest:
How did it come to this?
As the school year unfolds, cracks begin to show — in friendships, in family, and in Amelia’s own mind. The lines between loyalty and control blur. Between truth and perception. Between who she is… and who she thinks she needs to be.
Because some friendships don’t just shape you.
They consume you.
And when the illusion shatters, there’s always something left behind.
The Ice Between Us.

The Ice Between Us.

1.7k Views · Completed · Nora Obeche
In the world of elite hockey, discipline is the only currency that matters. For Julian Thorne, the perfectionist Captain of the Northwood Olympic Center, every stride is calculated, and every emotion is frozen solid. He is one season away from the pros, but the team is drowning under public scrutiny and a board of directors looking for any reason to cut the cord.

​Then comes Jax Miller.

​Jax is a hotheaded rookie with a lightning-fast puck and a reputation for burning bridges. He doesn't follow playbooks, he doesn't respect authority, and he’s determined to melt Julian’s icy composure. When a viral video of their on-ice collision threatens to bankrupt the program, Coach Clain delivers an ultimatum that feels like a death sentence: they must live together in a cramped, two-bed dorm for the duration of the season.

​Forced to navigate the high-stakes world of sports fame, "forbidden" locker-room tension, and the mysterious blackmailer who caught their first mistake on camera, Julian and Jax must decide what’s more dangerous: losing their careers, or losing themselves to the person they were supposed to hate.
Human Capture (Up North #2)

Human Capture (Up North #2)

1.7k Views · Ongoing · eenboterham
She was a ghost in the trees. Now, she is a prisoner of the pack.

Raised in a starving settlement choked by a vast, unforgiving forest, Lara learned early that survival has a price. To keep her family alive, she became a master hunter—agile, silent, and deadly with an array of mismatched blades. But the forest has eyes, and one evening, the shadows dragged her away.

Nine months later, Lara breaks free from a concrete dungeon, only to find herself stranded in the lawless, rogue-infested wilds of Avers Land alongside four captured werewolf girls. Seeking refuge in the neighboring territory of Illyen, she expects to find a way back to her human life. Instead, she is brought face-to-face with Alpha Rowan, the terrifying, ruthless ruler of the frozen North.

One look into Lara’s eyes, and the Alpha’s world shatters. His eyes turn an absolute shade of black. The bond is undeniable. She is his fated mate.

But a human cannot survive the brutal political landscape of the North, and Rowan openly rejects the bond, dragging her onto a warship bound for a kingdom that views her as a fragile liability. Trapped between a mate who refuses to love her and a court of monsters waiting for her to break, Lara must use every hunter's instinct she possesses. Because in the realm of wolves, a human must either grow claws of her own—or perish in the snow.
The Princess's Revenge

The Princess's Revenge

64.7k Views · Completed · Xena Kessler
Two nations are at war. Valencia's pack is massacred by Alpha Marcus, and she is enslaved by him. When he dies, she is to be buried alive with him as a sacrifice.

Alpha Logan is an illegitimate son whose mother disappeared when he was 10 years old. He grew up suffering from humiliation and lacking maternal love.

Alpha Logan saves Valencia at Marcus's funeral, which seems to be destined by fate—part of the Moon Goddess's grand plan.

As Valencia accidentally discovers prophecies in Logan's mother's diary that seem to be related to her, the truth gradually surfaces. Valencia appears to be merely a tool in a princess's revenge plot. How will Logan and Valencia navigate their path amid the national war and pack politics?
Diaries Of A Hybrid And Her Mate

Diaries Of A Hybrid And Her Mate

2.3k Views · Ongoing · Sherryann Martinez
R18 MATURE CONTENT

Beautiful Aubrianne Ivanov, raised by her single mom, had a tough childhood. With low self-esteem, she became an outcast and was alone one too many times for her liking. Time spent at her part time job, she eventually grew into a brave, confident, and determined young woman who walked right into an opportunity that would change her life forever.

Will Aubrianne truly feel whole? Will she find what has been missing in her life? Will she allow herself happiness and joy? Will she find love, and most importantly, will she survive what's to come?

Join Aubrianne on her journey as she discovers who/what she is and navigates all the heartbreak, betrayal, drama, and exciting and thrilling events that come her way...

Excerpt:

She lay before him in all her magnificent beauty draped across his king-size bed in the most compelling and provocative way known to man or beast. And for Alpha Zayne, it was the most captivating view he had ever had the pleasure of seeing with his own eyes.

She stared at his every movement, lips slightly parted, her stunning brown eyes scanning every inch of his gorgeously toned and glorious body while heat radiated off of hers. He was HERS.

Her body trembled in delight and anticipation; she was ready and wanted to be with him in every way.

As innocent as she was, she wanted him to...no need him to take her in the worse ways, bringing her to heights of pleasures she had never experienced before.

Fuck she is beautiful, one fine specimen, and she is all MINE, MY MATE. A wave of pure unbridled possessiveness vibrated through Alpha Zayne. He thanked the Divine Moon Goddess, for she has truly blessed him.

He drank her in, eyes trailing up her toned sexy legs spread wide for him, and she gave him that come-and-get-it look.
From Substitute To Queen

From Substitute To Queen

1.8m Views · Completed · Hannah Moore
For three years, Sable loved Alpha Darrell with everything she had, spending her salary to support their household while being called an orphan and gold-digger. But just as Darrell was about to mark her as his Luna, his ex-girlfriend returned, texting: "I'm not wearing underwear. My plane lands soon—pick me up and fuck me immediately."

Heartbroken, Sable discovered Darrell having sex with his ex in their bed, while secretly transferring hundreds of thousands to support that woman.

Even worse was overhearing Darrell laugh to his friends: "She's useful—obedient, doesn't cause trouble, handles housework, and I can fuck her whenever I need relief. She's basically a live-in maid with benefits." He made crude thrusting gestures, sending his friends into laughter.

In despair, Sable left, reclaimed her true identity, and married her childhood neighbor—Lycan King Caelan, nine years her senior and her fated mate. Now Darrell desperately tries to win her back. How will her revenge unfold?

From substitute to queen—her revenge has just begun!
BROKEN TRUST

BROKEN TRUST

8k Views · Completed · O.J Thewriter
She broke their marriage. He walked away.

Neither of them knew she was carrying his child.

Emily’s affair didn’t just end her marriage—it erased the life she thought was guaranteed. Ryan left without looking back, carrying his anger like armor and leaving Emily alone with regret she would never outrun. Three years later, fate drags them back into each other’s world, along with a little girl who has Ryan’s eyes and a truth that shatters everything he thought he knew.

Old wounds reopen, grief masquerades as rage, and love refuses to stay buried. As parenthood binds them together and the past demands accountability, Emily and Ryan must face the question neither of them is ready to answer: is broken trust the end of their story… or the beginning of a love forged through loss, forgiveness, and brutal honesty?
The Family Books 1-3 (A Mafia romance)

The Family Books 1-3 (A Mafia romance)

2.5k Views · Completed · Emma Mountford
Saints and Sinners- She was the light to my dark.
The saint to my sinner. with her innocent eyes and devilish curves.
A Madonna that was meant to be admired but never touched.
Until someone took that innocence from her.
She left.
The darkness in my heart was finally complete.
I avenged her, I killed for her, but she never came back.
Until I saw her again. An angel dancing around a pole for money.
She didn’t know I owned that club. She didn’t know I was watching.
This time I won’t let her escape.
I will make her back into the girl I knew.
Whether she likes it or not.
2/ Judge and Jury- I can’t stop watching her.

I’m not even sure I want to.

Taylor Lawson, blonde, beautiful, and totally oblivious to how much dangers she’s in.

She’s also the one juror in my upcoming murder trial that hasn’t been bought.

The one who can put me behind bars for a very long time.

I know I should execute her.
After all that’s what I do.

I am the Judge.
I eliminate threats to The Family.
And Taylor is a threat.
But I don’t want to kill her.
Possessing her, making her love me seems like a much better plan for this particular Juror.

3/ Rags and Ritches-
A pack of their own

A pack of their own

2.1m Views · Completed · dragonsbain22
Being the middle Child ignored and neglected, rejected by family and injured, She receives her wolf early and realizes she is a new type of hybrid but doesn't know how to control her power, she leaves her pack with her best friend and grandmother to go to her grandfather's clan to learn what she is and how to handle her power and then with her fated mate, her best friend and her fated mate little brother and grandmother start their own pack.
The New Girl and the Broken Basketball Star

The New Girl and the Broken Basketball Star

1.6k Views · Completed · xinna
At sixteen, Clara Bennett lost the last place she could call home.

After years of feeling unwanted by the father who should have protected her, Clara is finally forced to leave the only home she has ever known. Her stepmother’s pregnancy only makes it easier for her family to let her go.

With nothing but her mother’s old violin, she arrives in a small Pennsylvania town carrying the fear that she will never truly belong anywhere.

The last thing she expects is Adrian Cole.

Once the town’s basketball star, Adrian gave up his dreams after his father disappeared and left him with debts he never should have carried. Now he spends his days repairing cars, avoiding the court, and pretending he doesn’t want anything more from life.

Clara thinks she is too broken to be loved.

Adrian thinks his future is already over.

But somewhere between physics lessons, late nights at the repair shop, and a forgotten small-town high school, two lonely people begin to find something they both thought they had lost forever:

A reason to stay.

✦ ✦ ✦

A tough exterior with a soft heart x A soft exterior with a strong heart

✦ ✦ ✦

The first half is set in high school, and the second half is set during their college years. Hope you enjoy the journey!

This is a slow-paced story, focused more on emotions, healing, and the small moments in life rather than intense action or dramatic twists.

If you find any mistakes while reading, please feel free to leave a comment. I’ll be happy to correct them.

I hope ordinary Clara, ordinary Adrian, and all of us ordinary people can find the happiness we deserve.
Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother

Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother

2.9m Views · Ongoing · Harper Rivers
Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother.

"What is wrong with me?

Why does being near him make my skin feel too tight, like I’m wearing a sweater two sizes too small?

It’s just newness, I tell myself firmly.

He’s my boyfirend’s brother.

This is Tyler’s family.

I’m not going to let one cold stare undo that.

**

As a ballet dancer, My life looks perfect—scholarship, starring role, sweet boyfriend Tyler. Until Tyler shows his true colors and his older brother, Asher, comes home.

Asher is a Navy veteran with battle scars and zero patience. He calls me "princess" like it's an insult. I can't stand him.

When My ankle injury forces her to recover at the family lake house, I‘m stuck with both brothers. What starts as mutual hatred slowly turns into something forbidden.

I'm falling for my boyfriend's brother.

**

I hate girls like her.

Entitled.

Delicate.

And still—

Still.

The image of her standing in the doorway, clutching her cardigan tighter around her narrow shoulders, trying to smile through the awkwardness, won’t leave me.

Neither does the memory of Tyler. Leaving her here without a second thought.

I shouldn’t care.

I don’t care.

It’s not my problem if Tyler’s an idiot.

It’s not my business if some spoiled little princess has to walk home in the dark.

I’m not here to rescue anyone.

Especially not her.

Especially not someone like her.

She’s not my problem.

And I’ll make damn sure she never becomes one.

But when my eyes fell on her lips, I wanted her to be mine.
Iron And Glamour Just Don't Mix

Iron And Glamour Just Don't Mix

3.8k Views · Ongoing · Kit Bryan
Have you ever seen a screaming toddler and thought, wow, they just can’t be the same good-natured kid who was eating cereal ten minutes ago?
Well… Sometimes you just might turn out to be right.
It turns out, the fae stole my little brother. In his place? A pixie with boundary issues and a talent for home repairs.
I’ve spent my life taking care of everyone else. So when my baby brother is taken, I don’t hesitate. I walk straight into a faerie mansion and make a bargain with its infuriatingly charming master.
Kie is everything you’d expect from a dangerous fae, beautiful, political, and entirely too amused by me. Power wrapped in a smirk. Sensual, mischievous, and far too aware of the effect he has on people. He agrees to help me find my brother.
For a price.
Now I’m bound by a faerie bargain and navigating a world of glamour, manipulation, and ancient rules I definitely should have learned sooner, enchanted forests, political games, magical contracts, and a fae lord who treats seduction like a perfectly reasonable negotiation tactic.
Iron is how I keep people out.
Glamour is how he draws them in.
And apparently, they just don’t mix.