SpruceWolf

Liss Aguilera can see things that aren't there. The world is cruel to a girl it perceives as crazy, so she's learned to live her life in the quiet--to ignore the false voices, act normal, and believe in only what she can touch. Until the unseen monsters start to come for her.Her protector is just as strange as every other hallucination, but he's determined to convince her he is real and that he needs her help. He's the servant of a guardian spirit tasked with defending humanity from behind the veil, but the spirit he serves has disappeared, and he believes Liss is his key to finding answers.He might still be imaginary. But if what he says is true, this could be Liss's chance to finally understand her own fractured existence--and maybe even save it.𓁿Written for the Open Novella Contest 2025, using prompt 105:"Your childhood imaginary friend, who disappeared years ago, suddenly returns--only this time, they're real."Credit to @Heuristic_Hashmath for the gorgeous cover…

SpruceWolf

In Tehazihbith, imperfection is a myth. Blessed with divine power, the city's miracle rivers overflow with dust, a glittering, colourful cascade, and its people weave life-giving magic. Imperfection belongs to the beasts and the beastfolk: strange, violent beings that prowl outside the city's protection.When Rayanah Kel-Jabir stumbles upon a wounded, dying beastfolk boy, she's faced with a choice. As a young mage and wielder of dust, trained to defend Tehazihbith from the beasts' mindless attacks, saving the boy's life goes against everything she's ever known--yet for Raya, her perfect nature is a cage, and choices are rare.The more she learns of the boy and his people, the more cracks begin to show in her city's sacred harmony. The winds are shifting, and they sing of blood, spilled from beasts and mages alike. The trouble is hearing the warning notes before it's too late.--◦༄ؘ◦--◦ Beautifully illustrated cover by @ToWolfKin ◦…

SpruceWolf

The kingdom of Oscensi has a dark secret. Buried deep beneath their castle's chambers is a single prison cell. And within is a boy with destruction at his fingertips.His only company lies with the black flames he conjures, along with the mysterious girl whose visits provide a rare spark of light in his lonely darkness. Until the day the castle falls, and he is gifted his first taste of freedom.Yet this world does not welcome a boy with the talents of a monster. Fighting to both contain his malicious power and keep his life, he finds himself running, trapped by dangers from all sides.After all, how can he trust anyone when he can barely trust himself?-♛-WARNING: Mentions of self harm and suicidal thoughts[beautiful cover by @morsmortalis]~ Completed ~…

SpruceWolf

** SEQUEL TO A TOUCH OF DARKNESS **Nathaniel used to be a curse. Now, with friends by his side and a sword in his hand, he can finally do more than destroy.Yet his flame's absence is no blessing. Coping with the pain it leaves behind grows more difficult with each passing day. The enemy kingdom of Neyaibet holds the key to his power's release, and while he's determined not to fall into their game, he cannot live this way forever.In an effort to both protect the last fragments of Oscensi and unlock the binds trapping his flame, Nathan and his friends seek sanctuary in the very place where the darkness inside him was born. As long-hidden secrets surge from the depths of his past, one fact remains.Fire doesn't like to be caged. And when it breaks free, there will be no stopping its raging path.-♛-WARNING: Mentions of self harm and suicidal thoughts[beautiful cover by @morsmortalis]…

SpruceWolf

The angels of Elysia are dying, and it's all Micah's fault.Stealing the Heart of Asariel was never intended as anything more than a harmless prank. It was certainly never supposed to end in the Heart lost to the earth, and Micah caught red-handed. In an attempt to put an end to his troublemaking ways, he is tasked with recovering his fallen treasure.The crime-ridden city of Anhren is far from the sheltered life he's used to. With a multitude of greedy humans eager to make use of the Heart's magical properties on his tail, his only option is to team up with Corinne, a sharpshooter with killing thick in her blood, if he is to survive.If the Heart falls into the wrong hands, it will destroy everything Micah knows and loves. But if he's not careful, his own heart will prove just as deadly.-♡-[beautiful cover by @avadel]~ Completed~ May 2023 Editor's Pick…

SpruceWolf

Tristan Young is, by all logical conclusions, a failure. His dream career of private investigation has left him with nothing but debt and an empty office. So when a mysterious phone call makes him a grand promise of fame and success, the decision to accept is simple.There is only one price for his ambition: one night in the local manor, and one dinner with five strangers. Easy enough. Until, sometime in the dark, the price turns bloody.With one of the party's attendees now dead and no other suspects but the remaining five, they are all thrust deep into a murder case riddled with secrets. For Tristan, it should be his fantasy come true; he finally has a puzzle to solve and a chance to put his skills to use. But the games in his head never placed himself as a puzzle piece.The game becomes a race. He has to clear his name and win what he was promised before it's too late.-♧-Written for the Open Novella Contest 2023, using prompt 49.-- ONC Shortlister --[cover art by the amazing @-aceospades-]…

SpruceWolf

Thirty-Four has been awaiting his Pelt all his life. All across the wolf world of Sylvera, others wield magic of all kinds, and he longs for the ability to channel his own power.All around him, mysteries begin to unfold. With eyes watching from the shadows and secrets kept just out of reach, he feels more helpless than ever.Until, in one single night, everything changes. His Pelt arrives, but with it comes a rising darkness, one torn right from the ancient stories. And he is not as different from it as he thought.With the fate of the world thrust into his paws, Thirty-Four finds himself fighting for survival, as well as struggling to control his new power. With few allies and trust hard to come by, he can barely identify which side is the true enemy.Perhaps he would have been better off remaining Peltless.-☽༓☾-{Book One of the Wylfven Trilogy}[amazing cover by @StormRidden]- First place in fantasy category of The Dream Awards- Third place in fantasy category of The Flames Awards- Winner of the Flawed Hero category (with Thirty-Four) of the SLink Awards: Character Edition~ COMPLETED ~~ rewrite ongoing offline ~…

SpruceWolf

The war claimed many lives. Now, wolves from all over the continent struggle to come to terms with their losses.But none struggle more than Felicity.Watching her twin die before her eyes haunts her with every step. A piece of herself was lost that day.Time passes. Others move on. But, try as she might, Felicity can't forget about him.In secret, she begins to take on an alternate identity. Pynk. The pink-masked Shadewylf criminal, who prowls the streets at night, stealing from any who cross her path. It becomes her way to cope. She can channel her anger and guilt into crime.But, all the while, she only has one desire. To find the one who broke her soul. To do to him what he did to her twin.Just how far can she risk going to recover that lost piece of herself? Written for the Open Novella Contest 2020.--- ONC Ambassador Pick ------ ONC Shortlist ---A spin-off from the Wylfven Trilogy, set after the end of the last book.[completed][ongoing rewrite posted on Tapas as The Shadow Stalker]…

SpruceWolf

A collection of various short stories, be they written for contests, mini fanfics, bonus oneshots for my books, or simply to get wandering ideas out of my head and onto a page.…