Valkyrie's Shadow - Chapter 17Before the Storm: Act 5,

A replica of Marquis Kieran Vale, the son of the Marchioness of Vale, who she deemed a failure. That was all she was. No, she was now referred to as “he.” At least until she met Claude Del Ihar.

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.

Qin Zheng transmigrated into the role of the Princess Consort, but Qin Zheng, an engineer dispatched to a foreign country, didn’t get the script for a palace drama, nor did she have the chance to experience the luxurious life of a Princess Consort. Because, the nation had perished. A eunuch held three feet of white silk and said, “Your Highness, the city has fallen. Please leave with dignity.” Qin Zheng: “…” What kind of beginning was this? In order to avoid being forced to commit su*cide, Qin Zheng had no choice but to go to the bed of her half-dead husband, the Crown Prince, and pretend to be deeply affectionate, shedding a few tears to delay time. Emperor Chu Chengji, founder of the Great Chu Dynasty, was valiant and skilled in warfare. He conquered the northern barbarians and drove out the southern savages, ushering in the prosperous era of Xuan Chu. He spent his entire life in battles, without a wife or concubines. Consequently, after his premature death, only a young scion from a collateral branch was selected to succeed him. He departed during the peak of his prosperous reign, only to open his eyes and find himself at the time of his nation’s demise! He was reincarnated as the current Crown Prince, his own nephew of many generations. Learning that the territory he had opened up in the past was directly lost, the Emperor of the founding dynasty couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation. How useless were these descendants? Back then, he could establish this long-standing empire single-handedly, and today, he could rebuild it! As for this stunningly beautiful Princess Consort, who cried so pitifully in front of him, the Emperor of the founding dynasty was extremely disdainful: “Women would only hinder his speed of restoration!” Later, the Emperor of the founding dynasty would knock on the door of the Pepper Room every night and ask, “Azhen, can I come back to sleep?”

Her family used her, her boyfriend cheated on her and had an affair with her stepsister, and in the end, she was killed by them. But fate took pity on her and gave her a second chance in life, and in this life, she promised to reclaim everything that was stolen from her by those scums.

But who would have thought that in this second life, she would also meet him? She was spoiled and pampered by him so much that nobody dares to bully her anymore.