The Substitute Bride and the Cripple - Chapter 27 - Remarkable Restraint

[COMPLETE] Can a royal Romeo and Juliet find their happy ending?

Ayleth, Princess of Zenithra, is secretly trained in hand-to-hand combat, and collects swear words she doesn't know how to use. During the Festival of Peace, in which every royal son on the continent will be at the castle for a month, she is instructed by her parents to find a husband. Yet, Ayleth has never even been kissed—until the very first ball, when she meets the man in the Lion mask.

Etan is a seasoned warrior, and the Prince of Summitras. He attends the Festival hoping to find a powerful wife who will help him conquer the dark sorcery of their bloodsworn enemies, the Kingdom of Zenithra. But at the very first ball, he discovers the masked woman who captures his heart is the Heir to the evil empire.

Ayleth and Etan face an impossible battle. Will their love survive? Or will their parents' dark dealings keep them apart forever?

[Mature content. No sexual violence.]

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“You…” She stepped back. Then back again, her mouth dropped open. “You… You cannot be…”

“I am,” Etan said, and his hair raked back as he pushed his mask off his handsome face. So handsome her heart raced.

His hair was ebony black, his skin a warm brown that threatened to fade in in the winter months. He stared at her with glittering green eyes, over high cheekbones and a noble nose, his jaw tight and shadowed this late in the day. His chin was high over the pillar of his neck that she’d just touched with its hard lines and steel strength, so different to her own. And his chest... She gasped and covered her eyes. She’d humiliated herself revealing her stupid, childish curiosity.

“No, Ayleth. This changes nothing.”

“How can you say that? It changes everything!” She was horrified to realize she was crying.

“Ayleth, please.” His voice cracked on the plea and she stared at him, shoving her mask up and off, despite how it would pull her hair out of the beautiful twist the maid had managed for her.

His eyes locked on hers and she couldn’t think. She couldn’t breathe.

She had met her One. And he was the son of her bloodsworn enemy.

She stared at him as he stepped forward again, offering both hands, palm up. “Touch me,” he whispered. “Hold my hands. This is real, Ayleth. I don’t know how it happened, but this is real. Please don’t deny it.”

She couldn’t resist. She raised a trembling hand to his cheek, letting her palm catch on the scruff of his jaw. He blew out a breath and put his hand over hers, and that jolt that happened whenever they touched shivered through her again.

“Please, Ayleth.”

“I cannot deny it,” she whispered.

An Alpha arrives at a packhouse party one night only to find out that his mate is the Beta's abused daughter. Knowing that she is abused, he takes her away from there immediately. Her mother died when she was young and took a lot of secrets to the grave with her. She starts finding out that she's not a typical werewolf and she needs to find her way around and navigate through these waters while trying to be a Luna and a leader, which is uncommon territory for her when she has been abused her entire life. But will her mate reject her after knowing how damaged she really is, or will he help of her find that happy ending that she's always been looking for.

After three years of struggling in the big city, Chu Zhishui finally managed to save enough money to buy a home. However, she discovered that she was the only human in her new workplace?Chu Zhishui: Are even supernatural creatures seeking stable jobs with iron rice bowls now?–In the office, Chu Zhishui gradually adapted to working at the supernatural bureau. Despite her diligence and dedication, she couldn’t escape the gossip and social niceties of a small town, facing the enthusiastic attention of the matchmaking department head.Supernatural Department Head: “Little Chu, you’re doing so well at work. Have you considered settling down and starting a family? Let me set you up with someone. Do you have any requirements?”Chu Zhishui silently recited the mantra of singlehood in her mind, but not wanting to dampen the mood, she decided to be deliberately demanding: “I don’t ask for much in a partner. Just someone good-looking, filial to my parents, capable of doing housework, and able to earn money to support the family…”The supernatural department head replied readily: “Great, I’ll find someone for you!”Chu Zhishui steeled herself and added with gritted teeth: “…and they must be able to bear children!”Just as she thought the department head would give up, the other party had a sudden realization: “The one in your office can bear children! Why don’t you just admit you like him?”Chu Zhishui: ???–Chu Zhishui: I thought I could slack off at my job in the supernatural bureau, but it turns out that was just wishful thinking.

Chen Wu, an ordinary man from Green-mount Town, never expected his life to end in tragedy—or to begin anew in a treacherous world called the Ten Thousand World. Here, humans are prey to powerful Demonic Beasts, and survival hinges on cultivating Spiritual Energy and forming bonds with formidable creatures. For ten years, Chen Wu struggled to make a mark, his dreams of discovering a “”Golden Finger”” fading into despair.But fate takes a cruel turn when Hu Wang, a ruthless Demonic Pet Master, learns of Chen Wu’s rare Contract Spiritual Talisman—a legacy from his father. Ambushed and gravely injured, Chen Wu plunges into the deadly Gold-sand River, escaping only to find himself cornered, starving, and on the brink of death.When all hope seems lost, an electronic voice suddenly rings out:“”Ding! The Super God Evolution System has been activated!””With his Golden Finger finally in hand, can Chen Wu turn his misfortune into triumph and rise to claim his destiny as a Demonic Pet Master?Or will he succumb to the perils of this unforgiving world?