Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king - Chapter 17: The ears of the emperor

Meredith Carter was once the pride of her pack—until the Lunar Curse marked her as wolfless, unwanted, and a disgrace. Humiliated, abandoned, and rejected by her fated mate, she thought the Moon Goddess had forsaken her.But her curse came with a cruel side effect—wild, uncontrollable pheromones that drove men insane with desire and disgust. A scent so intoxicating, it made her a target.The night she was cast aside when her pheromones spiralled beyond control, Alpha Draven Oatrun—the most feared and untouchable Alpha in the kingdom—claimed her instead.But Draven doesn’t want love. He doesn’t even want her. His reasons for marrying her have nothing to do with fate.Thrust into a world of ruthless politics, deadly enemies, and a mate who sees her as nothing more than a pawn, Meredith must fight to survive, reclaim her dignity, and uncover the secrets behind her curse.Because something is awakening inside her. Something powerful. Something… ancient.And when the truth is revealed, not even Alpha Draven will be able to resist what she becomes.Rejected. Cursed. Desired. Chosen.Will Meredith break free from her fate?Above all, what is this mystical force pushing her to start a war?—Excerpt:“You may have claimed me,” Meredith whispered, her violet eyes burning with defiance, “but you will never own me.”Draven exhaled a low, dangerous laugh. His golden eyes gleamed as he caged her in, his presence suffocating.“Own you?” His voice was velvet and steel. “Little wolf, I don’t need to own you.”He brushed a strand of silver-white hair behind her ear—a touch so light, yet it sent shivers down her spine.“Because whether you like it or not…” His breath ghosted against her skin. “Your body already responds to me.”Meredith clenched her jaw, ignoring the traitorous warmth pooling deep inside her. It was the pheromones. It had to be.“I hate you,” she forced out.“Good,” Draven smirked. Because hate was just another form of obsession.

This novel is also known as Phoenix Cry Firmament

The previous owner of Mu Ru Yue’s body had been poisoned. Because of this, her meridians were blocked, hindering her cultivation, which eventually led to her being known as trash. After being beaten to death, Mu Ru Yue, who had originally been a successor to a medicinal aristocratic family in Hua Xia, reincarnated into her new body.

They want to seal my path?

I will train to reach the peak of the realms!

They give me a foolish prince as my husband?

I can make do with him.

It would be easier for me to deal with him, rather than with other candidates who would be thrown at me in the future. I shall strive to become powerful enough that nobody will be able to mock or kill me!

- Description from novelupdates

Rumor has it that the empire’s first general, Shen Chengfeng, has a quirk that does not allow anyone to touch his body!

But on a certain day, not only did he touch people, but also slept with a certain person!

…

For countless generations, it is rumored that the empire’s well-known Xiao family only had sons who became generals. But the fact is, they actually have a daughter named Xiao Jing!

However, she must dress as a man to become a young soldier.

…

Anybody who will have a contact with Shen Chengfeng’s skin will die. This is the secret of the Shen family that cannot be disclosed.

Xiao Jing, however, was careless and touched the general’s body everywhere!

…

The Shen family is well aware of the fact that Shen Chengfeng’s both hands are like strong sulfuric acid. Once touched, even the bones will not be saved.

Xiao Jing, however, was not paying attention and touched him all over!

…

The Shen family understood that the body of the imperial general is special and cannot have a wife and children in this life.

However, one day, the general suddenly announced that he is going to marry a certain soldier!

In other words…

Xiao Jing didn’t have a choice but to disguise herself as a man to become a soldier. Unexpected events led her to have physical encounters with the empire’s most distinguished general, Shen Chengfeng. However, unknown to the public, this military master has a mysterious secret – anything that he touches would all turn to ash! Surprisingly, Xiao Jing was an exception!

How will our hardworking Xiao Jing keep her little secret hidden when Shen Chengfeng is constantly keeping an eye on her? And how will our formidable general react when a certain soldier is not affected by his supernatural ability?

- Description from Novelupdates

“I, Evelyn Felice will abdicate as the Empress.”

“You’re giving up your fortune without my permission, and you’re happy at will.”

But a year later, like a coincidence, Fabian appeared again.

“Our relationship is done…Please stop.”

“I seemed to be the one who would do that. Everything…I decide.”

The relationship, which was thought to have been neatly arranged, began to get entangled again. Fabian’s indifferent eyes were burning hot toward Evelyn.