Could it be that I am the cruel villain? - Chapter 21 - : You, The Loss-Making Good

Elia is a poor university student until the night she’s taken to the world of the Anima—ruled by humans whose ancient hearts pulse with the blood of animals. There she’s forced into a battle to the death. But when Elia survives, and refuses to kill her final opponent, the King must either kill Elia himself, or take her as his mate.

Reth, the brutal King of the Beasts with the blood of lions, shocks everyone when he chooses the weak, human Elia to become his Queen. He promises her every comfort of his wealth and position—but he is clear: She will not warm his bed. He chose her to defeat those that were trying to corner him into blending his Leonine line with the Wolves.

Elia needs the help of the Anima to become stronger and rule them well. But the vengeful Wolves see only a weak human that brought them shame. As Elia and Reth grow closer, the wolves are determined to destroy her. Will Reth and Elia admit their feelings for each in time to fight for the Kingdom—and their lives—against the villainous wolf-tribe? Or will the wolves kill Elia and steal the throne?

[Mature content - no sexual violence]

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He stalked towards her, chin low so the shadow cast by his hard jaw cut across the thick fur collar of his vest. His hair had fallen over his eyes in the scuffle, so he peered at her through it like a lion in the grass. With each step, his graceful, rolling gait reminded her of a predator stalking its prey. Despite the forest floor littered in twigs and leaves, he didn’t make a sound.

“Wh-who are you?” Elia stammered, backing away, her hands up. He met her step for step until she came up hard against the tree behind her—and didn’t stop until he loomed over her, so broad his shoulders and chest made a wall in front of her. She could feel the heat rising off his skin in the cool, night air.

“I am the Leonine King.” His voice was a dark, husky gravel. Behind him a chorus of wheezes, howls, and chirps of agreement rose from the people watching. “And you are?”

“Elia,” she breathed.

“Elia,” he growled, leaning in closer, bringing with him the scent of pine and rain and the musk of something distinctly male. “I am Reth.” He said the name with a strange, guttural roll in his throat. “I am King of Beasts. I am Clan Leader, and I am Alpha of WildWood.” Several snarls rose from the crowds behind him then, but he ignored them.

Elia swallowed as he leaned in until the scruff on his jaw rasped her cheek. “I am the King,” he said, “And you will be my mate.”

The forest behind him erupted.

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A wedding took place, and the richest man of Shencheng married a woman notorious for her bad reputation.Ning Guiwan was known among the upper class as a calamity—tormenting her sisters, causing her mother's death, leading an unseemly private life, despised by her father, and cast abroad to fend for herself.Four years later, she returned and directly took hold of Shencheng's most esteemed man's arm to enter into marriage, leaving the whole city in shock.However, amidst the doubts, Ning Guiwan presented a post-marriage agreement to Quan Yu, with the last clause reading: beyond cooperation, there shall be no involvement with each other.Quan Yu pinched the girl's waist, his lips curving into a smile, “You start the game, but I decide how to play it.”……Everyone said that Ning Guiwan, relying on the favor of the Quan Family's old matriarch, forced Quan Yu to marry her; otherwise, how could a man with such sound principles fancy a woman not only beneath his station but also with a scandalous past?But those who knew the truth shook their heads. Sound principles? Nonexistent. To get his wife, Mr. Quan resorted to all kinds of dirty tricks, even deceiving the old matriarch, yet Mrs. Quan, with her cold exterior and hard heart, married him but refused to love him.Until one day, Mr. Quan accidentally got injured, causing Mrs. Quan to frown.Then—“It's terrible, Mrs. Quan, the master has injured his arm, please come back and see him!”“It's terrible, Mrs. Quan, the master has injured his leg, please come back and see him!”“It's terrible, Mrs. Quan, the master...”“What happened again?”“The master says he's sick, please come back and see him!”“What sickness?”“The master says it's... lovesickness...”“……”[A pampering story, sweet to the extreme]

At her wedding banquet, a man claiming to be Selina's lover stormed in, brandishing so-called intimate photos and causing chaos.Selina immediately saw through this as a scheme orchestrated by her half-sister, Natalia. However, Selina's fiancé, Ryan, not only refused to believe her but also went out of his way to defend Natalia.It turned out that Ryan and Natalia had already developed feelings for each other in secret. Everyone—Selina's father, stepmother, and Ryan's parents—knew about their affair, except for Selina, who was left in the dark.Taking advantage of the situation, Selina's father suggested swapping brides, proposing that Natalia replace Selina and complete the wedding. Ryan's family not only didn’t object but wholeheartedly supported the idea.That was the moment Selina finally realized the cruel truth: her family and Ryan's family were nothing but wolves in sheep’s clothing!“Cancel the engagement? Fine. But let it be clear—I’m the one rejecting you, you two-timing, spineless excuse for a man!” Selina declared with unshakable confidence.Her gaze then swept across the room, landing on an elegant and distinguished man. She vaguely remembered him as Ryan’s younger uncle. Walking over, she boldly asked, “Sir, how about getting married?”The man raised an eyebrow, finding her audacity intriguing. “It would be my honor, madam,” he replied....