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Falling in Love with the King of Beasts

[COMPLETE] Reth 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 the 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. ****** 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] Cover Art used by paid copyright permission. Illustrated by Aenaluck--see more gorgeous art and support them on www.patreon.com/aenaluck

AimeeLynn · Kỳ huyễn
Không đủ số lượng người đọc
699 Chs

Pants on Fire

ELIA

"H-hello!" Elia said, shocked.

"Hello, Elia. I'm glad to see you made it." The woman bowed deeply as everyone nearby looked on, which made Elia want to grab her shoulders and pull her upright.

But Reth was staring between them. "You know each other?" he asked, surprised.

"Yes, last night," Elia explained. "When I woke up at the Rite, Candace tried to help me."

Reth turned to the woman and bowed over her hand as well. "Thank you, Candace. You have the gratitude of your King," he said softly, meaningfully.

Candace fluttered a hand at her chest and blushed. "Oh, it was very little, Majesty. I assure you."

"Still," Reth insisted, "it was a kindness that was much needed. You're an example to the Kingdom. Thank you. Since you have such a kind heart I could ask you another favor?"

"Of course!" Candace's thin face brightened.

Reth smiled. "I have to meet with the security council. Perhaps you could show Elia around the city center, and explain some of our customs?"

Candace's smile froze, but she didn't hesitate to bow and assure Reth that she was happy to do it.

"Thank you," Elia said. She could feel her cheeks heating, though. It was so obvious this woman didn't want to babysit her, but was doing it to please Reth. Couldn't he see that?

"Thank you," Reth repeated and turned back to his meal. As someone placed a plate of food in front of Elia and she started shoveling into her mouth, she heard a small snort and Reth nudged her.

She turned, her mouth full of the crusty bread, and met a very serious Reth, staring down at her. Oh no, what had she done? Was there a prayer she was supposed to say before she ate, or some other odd tradition?

Reth leaned in and she swallowed hard to get rid of the mouthful. His lips brushed her ear when he whispered, "As Queen, we won't allow you to run out of food, I promise."

She slapped his shoulder as he chuckled and her belly spun. She loved that deep, warm sound.

When he was finished laughing, he held her gaze, his eyes wrinkled by his smile. "Good morning, wife," he murmured.

She blinked at the name and stared at him. "Good morning," she said breathlessly. "Did you sleep okay?"

He grunted and shrugged. Judging by the dark shadows she could now see under his eyes, the answer was no. But when she remembered, why, she winced and changed the subject. "You should have woken me. I would have come to the meal with you."

He flapped a hand and took another mouthful of food. "I wanted to let you rest." But he didn't meet her eyes as he said it.

Elia's heart sank.

They ate in silence for minutes, Elia desperately searching for something to talk to him about, but constantly stunned as she looked around at all she saw—the people who looked entirely human, but moved and sounded differently. The food, which all looked familiar and delicious, but only some of which was actually recognizable. And the clothing that was somehow refined, but also sparse—no shoes, only natural linens and leathers, feathers or flowers in the hair of the women…

Then she turned to look at Reth and for a moment she was struck again with the sense that she'd seen him before—that she knew him. Only now she wasn't overwhelmed by the events, or the smoke.

Now, the feeling of a familiar face, a known friend, wouldn't leave her—and chewed at her insides when she couldn't place him. He took a mouthful of food just as she cleared her throat.

"You said you'd been to my world—the human world. Did we ever meet when you were—?"

Reth coughed and almost spat a mouthful of food across the table. The next minute was full of him choking, one of the guards slapping him on the back, and nervous faces staring, waiting to make sure their King wasn't about to suffocate.

Eventually, he raised his glass towards those seated at the ground level and croaked through teary eyes. "All is well!"

But as the people all smiled and turned back to their meals and tasks, he continued to choke and clear his throat. It was several minutes before he turned to her and asked hoarsely, "I'm sorry for the interruption. What was it you said?"

She frowned at him. "I said, when you were in the human world did we ever—"

"Majesty! I apologize for the interruption, but we need your ear, immediately."

Elia and Reth both turned to find a young man standing behind them. Elia didn't recognize him, but Reth obviously did. "Of course, of course, son. Don't worry. I'll come. Elia, dear, my apologies to leave you alone this morning, but there's some things I have to deal with from yesterday. Candace will show you around, and I'll see you at the evening meal." He cupped her face and smiled, but before she could respond, he was gone.

Like he was glad to have gotten away.