JACKAL AMONG SNAKES - Chapter 52: Prehistoric Fears

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.

Adam begins as an ordinary high school student whose life is shattered when his parents vanish. The police later declare their deaths a double suicide, a conclusion Adam refuses to accept.His persistent quest for a real investigation leads him into a dark conspiracy when two corrupt police officers kidnap, torture, and murder him. In his final moments, they reveal his parents were also murdered by an untouchable, powerful entity.Instead of dying permanently, Adam awakens with a new reality: he has been granted a 'System' and the supernatural ability of 'Return by Death,' forcing him to relive his final days.Confused, Adam tries to confide in his trusted teacher, only to be betrayed and killed once again. This time, he learns the staggering reason for his persecution: a $100 million bounty has been placed on his head, making everyone a potential enemy.Dying again and again is horrible. The pain changes Adam completely. The sad, normal boy he once was is gone. He becomes a cold and ruthless killer. He trusts no one. If he even suspects someone might be a threat, he will kill them without a second thought. His only goals are to survive this deadly game and get revenge for his parents.During one of his loops, while investigating, Adam crosses paths with a female classmate being tormented by bullies. He saves her in a moment of detached action and quickly forgets the incident, focused only on his own war. For the girl, however, this act of salvation ignites an intense and devoted love.This devotion becomes a tragic and recurring element in his nightmare. The girl, willing to do anything for him, repeatedly throws herself in harm's way to protect him, often dying in his place across multiple loops.Adam is now trapped not only in a fight against a vast conspiracy but also in a cycle of watching an innocent person die for him, further cementing his transformation into a hardened protagonist who has lost nearly everything, including his own humanity.

Yang Lujia, a sought-after, handsome, sports-driven, and seemingly perfect man with an outstanding family background was killed in a plane bombing orchestrated by his so-called pals. Before he even knew it, his soul traveled through space, and his supposed-to-be ending unexpectedly took turns.

Unknowingly, he set foot into a world made up of five realms where strength matters most. Then, one day, following a mission, he started accepting disciples.

[Ding! The system has discovered an S-Class Genius! System’s Fifth Ability Unlocked: Disciple Acknowledgment!]

[New Mission: Recruit and acknowledge the Holy Flood Empire's S-Class Genius. The reward will be issued upon acknowledgment from both parties.]

To everyone in the Full Moon Pack, Hailee Stones was just an omega, the quiet daughter of the pack house cook. No one ever guessed she was more than that. As an omega, she was often overlooked, belittled, and disrespected, especially by Nathan, the Alpha’s son. He always singled her out, teasing and tormenting her in ways she couldn’t understand. Why did he bother to notice someone like her at all?Everything began to change when Callum, the Alpha heir of the Nightshade Pack, transferred to Moonridge Academy to finish his final year. The school was located in Full Moon Pack territory, and Hailee was surprisingly chosen to be his guide.But they weren’t the only ones to cross paths. Nathan's cousin, Dane, the charming and mysterious Beta heir of the Snowmoon Pack, known for always getting what he wanted, also took a sudden interest in her. Dane, who had never glanced twice at an omega before, seemed drawn to the fiery girl who refused to bow her head.Things escalated quickly.Soon, all three young heirs, Nathan, Callum, and Dane, were fighting for her attention. The tension between them grew unbearable, and Hailee was caught in the middle, torn and confused by her feelings for each of them.Then, just a week before her eighteenth birthday, everything changed.Hailee slept with all three of them… on the very same day.And the very next morning, she vanished without a trace.Ten years later, Hailee returned to the Full Moon Pack. But she wasn’t alone.She came back with three boys, triplets, each bearing a startling resemblance to one of the men she had left behind.Now Nathan, Callum, and Dane each claim that at least one of the boys is their son, if not all three.As for Hailee? She has no idea who the true father or fathers are.