Astral Pet Store (WN) - Chapter 84: Decisive Failure

[Mature Content:]Alaric was too close to Nicolette.Her mouth was just inches away from his.He could smell the lavender on her skin, the heat radiating from within her.But he held back, refusing to be carried away by her charm…“Mr. Allens…” she purred, and he looked down at her.Her eyes widened with desire, and he knew, in that moment, that if he wanted to kiss her, she would let him.The last thing he wanted was commitment. He knew that Nicolette didn’t want that either.But why was she this tempting?So willing?It was that willingness that confused him.She blinked, then swallowed as she pulled the jacket off her shoulders. His eyes lingered on her exposed neck.God.He just wanted to bury his mouth in that hollow spot.“Here,” Nicolette said calmly, extending the jacket to him.He took the jacket, his hand brushing hers just a second. She flinched, her face turning pink as she clutched the towel against her chest.His stomach flipped at the sight.If only that towel would give way to…Before he could stop himself, Alaric pressed his arousal against her stomach, pushing her against the wall, cornering her.She gasped at the sudden movement and for a moment, he lost his mind.“Cole…” he breathed, crushing himself against her.Her eyes gleamed with desire and a vulnerability that rocked him to his core.He would be foolish not to give in to this feeling.But he would also be a fool if he did.She had chosen to marry him.Not her boyfriend.And definitely not Lucian Crawford.Yet, he couldn't help it.She was only his for a year.But still…***************When her business and the gallery she inherited from her mother burn to the ground, Nicolette Voss is determined to rebuild—and get revenge on her father.She turned to her father’s rival, Alaric Allens, for an alliance.Alaric is willing to help, but on one condition—she must be his wife for a year.They called him Ruthless Alaric after an infamous incident 6 years ago. Alaric is back in town, and so are the crumbs of his past. But he is determined to change everything with a wife.He has his hidden agenda.She needs her revenge.But will this marriage between storm and steel survive the heat? And what will they do when deep secrets threatens to destroy them both?

Yan Ting: Life is no fun. What is the difference between life and death?

Li Zhao: Life is very happy.

The world in Yan Ting’s heart was very grey until he met Li Zhao. He thought this must be the liveliest person in the world. Otherwise, how could Li Zhao be so lively in his heart every day?

Very happy x Unhappy.

Warm text with entertainment circle elements.

- Description from Novelupdates

Jiang Ning, who was in the boudoir, was pregnant and entered the second room of Jiang’s family with a lame leg, just as he met the emperor to choose a concubine for King Yu.

The noble ladies of the noble family participated in the selection of the concubine with all their strength, but the flower fell on the head of Jiang Ning, who was watching the fun.

Jiang Ning: “???”

She didn’t dare to let King Yu be the receiver, she tried her best to tell others that she was pregnant, but the whole world didn’t believe it.

She vomited, and they laughed at her pretending to be sick.

She was sleepy, and they laughed at her for pretending to be weak.

She had a big belly, and they laughed at her for eating too much.

Jiang Ning wanted the doctor’s proof, but all the eighteen doctors he found were of the same caliber: You just ate too much!

***

King Yu, a handsome and handsome young man, raised his eyes to look at the blue sky, as bright as a jade tree in front of the wind.

This is the description of the fifth emperor of the emperor’s family by the people of Chang’an City.

But the real King Yu is ruthless and cruel, and only takes advantage of women.

He knew that the second lady of the Jiang family was Bai Yueguang of the emperor’s father, and that the daughter the Jiang family had just found looked exactly the same as the second lady of the Jiang family when she was young.

So, even though the girl was lame, he still threw the embroidery in his hand into her arms.

***

After marriage, he knew that he was a successor, but for the sake of the throne, even if he hated her extremely, he still pretended to spoil her until…

- Description from novelbuddy

They were born with magic, raised in chaos, and trained in sarcasm.Now the royal kids are all grown up—and the world isn’t ready.Between family feuds, resurrected villains, and a five-year-old firebender with an attitude, the palace is basically a magical daycare with crowns. But when revenge hits home and the kids take charge, things get wild, weird, and a little too flammable.Royal duties? Nah.Sibling wars? Always.Saving the kingdom? Accidental.Welcome to the most dysfunctional, dangerously magical, and absolutely hilarious royal family you’ll ever meet.