Holding On to My Man - Chapter 17 part2

[WSA 2025] To confront the threat posed by monsters and demons, humanity summons a hero endowed with a mysterious system and an unrivaled capacity for evolution. He becomes the last bastion of hope for mankind. However, one of his mistakes gives rise to a calamity far worse than the Demon King.This calamity is conceived in a dungeon, abandoned as a fetus by its mother, and raised by the Demon King himself. Upon the Demon King's death, all the restraints he had placed upon the creature are shattered. Thus, the hero's nameless son begins to lay waste to everything. The greatest calamity the world has ever known is born.

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.

In her previous life, she was betrayed by her husband and sister, who not only drugged her and forced her into a relationship with a stranger but ultimately conspired to kill her. After being reborn, she found herself in the body of a disgraced heiress, a girl who had hidden her identity and attended school in another city. She didn't excel in lessons and was unpopular among classmates and teachers. Besides, her family, with the exception of her grandfather, disliked her very much. Therefore, in this life, she vowed to avenge not only herself but also the soul who once inhabited this body.With her rebirth, she possesses a purple bracelet that grants her superpowers. She has access to a purple secret space, which contains mysterious towers, rare elixirs, and other enigmatic treasures. As she gradually unravels the secrets behind these superpowers, the purple bracelet suddenly shatters, sparking a new set of events.Caught in a maelstrom of time and space, she embarks on an extraordinary journey filled with unforeseen adventures. Is this rebirth a mere coincidence, or is it all part of a grander, predetermined plan?

“In a land far to the east, there exists a strange store that has rejected a three Michelin star rating multiple times.

The prices are expensive. A combo set of soup and egg fried rice costs 288 RMB. Oh, I forgot it also includes a side dish of pickles. Even so, very many people line up to wait.

That place does not accept reservations. It only lets in people who are waiting in line there. Countless people make special trips to line up there. Of course, there’s nowhere to park planes or cars.

Their service is so terrible, the customers have to serve their own dishes and grab their own bowls and chopsticks, and they even have to wipe down their own tables! God, the boss is simply crazy.”

—《 Michelin Gourmet Magazine》

- Description from Novelupdates