In Bed with the Wolf King

He turned and lunged at the lead hound.

The lead hound beastman licked his lips.

Just as those foul fangs were about to pierce my skin, a golden-grey lightning bolt struck from above—Bam!

The hound leader's voice trembled.

Too bad my mind was entirely on that man, Chen Lie.

I froze in place, unable to move.

Instead, a gentle warmth enveloped my cheek.

Lorrin still likes me?

King, he's been banished. He can't come back. He reeks of our sworn enemy.

Elder Mu, he's different now. He's mine.

A delicate voice rang out. It was Aya.

I could feel the adoration in her eyes when she looked at Lorin.

Implying Lorin was bewitched only deepened the elder's bad impression of me.

He began chanting an ancient spell.

Burn him! Burn him!

They grabbed my arms and dragged me to a stone altar in the center. My limbs were tightly bound with rough vines.

I could smell my own fur burning.

Yet in this life, I finally see who is truly worth my love. How absurd, yet how shocking!

A strange feeling surged from deep within my soul, resonating with the sky and earth I once abandoned.

What a pity. I just realized my true feelings, only to drag you down with me into this inferno.

All the wolves were stunned. They looked at me, their hostility turning into deep awe and fear.

Since it is the will of heaven, let him stay.

I knew this was just exile in disguise.

I limped toward Black Ridge Mountain, where black smoke rose.

The next day, I found some berries to eat.

Something's off. This scent is too deliberate.

This lure quickly attracted a massive black bear.

I tied thick vines between two large trees, making a simple tripwire.

Then I hid in the shadows and let out a few small beast cries.

The bear struggled to its feet.

It shook its head and charged at me even more ferociously.

Forced to the cliff's edge with nowhere to run, my foot slipped. I lost my balance and plummeted into the abyss.

A golden-grey figure flashed by like lightning and grabbed me. It was Lorrin!

Lorrin was slightly smaller than the bear, but his speed and skill far surpassed it.

Looking at his bleeding wounds, I lowered my head and gently licked the blood from them.

A satisfied purr rumbled in his throat.

The next day, Lorrin made me drag the giant bear carcass back to the settlement.

Aya's face was a picture—she was mad with jealousy.

Not far away, Aya's venomous glare clung to me like a snake.

Aya's venomous gaze clung to me like a snake.

Tina, I was wrong before. I shouldn't have doubted you.

The surrounding wolves looked on approvingly.

I stared at the crimson blood. I knew if I refused now...

I raised my paw, turned to Aya, and took the bowl.

Aya's smile barely held.

She nodded hastily and fled.

That powder wasn't poison. At least, not a lethal one.

It's Heat Herb!

She doesn't want to kill me, she wants to ruin me!

By then, I'd just be a...

I could feel Lorin's gaze. He seemed to sense something was wrong.

Curled into a ball, trembling uncontrollably.

Just then, a massive silhouette blocked the entrance. Lorin had followed me.

Go! Get away from me!

I'm doomed. My heart sank completely.

He lowered his head, his hot breath hitting my face.

Watching that gaping maw, capable of easily tearing a black bear apart, slowly approach me.

Don't be afraid. I'm here.

He growled my name like an ancient spell.

He marked his property in the most primal way.

I gave up struggling, not surrendering to the drug, but to him.

Not surrendering to the drug, but to him.

Just then, chaotic footsteps and hushed voices echoed outside.

She's definitely in here. I smell something weird.

Elder, I saw Tina acting indecently and running into the forest alone. Who knows if she's seducing another male wolf?

Disgracing our noble King.

I looked up from Lorrain's arms at him. There was no panic in his eyes, only an icy killing intent. He slowly sat up.

He stated flatly.

Seeing the scene inside, every wolf froze in shock.

All the wolves froze at the sight inside the cave.

Who gave you the nerve to bring people to spy on my private business?

Or are you just disappointed that your trick in that bowl of snow last night didn't work?

It didn't work as you hoped, and you're disappointed.

I... I didn't. My King, what are you saying?

Lorraine had lost all patience.

From this day forward.

Aya slumped to the ground, her eyes hollow.

The sunlight shone down on us.

Everything seemed to be heading toward a perfect ending.

Gunpowder. And another scent that made my blood run cold hit my nose—the scent of a human male.

In this life, I'll make you pay in blood!

Luo Lin howled a warning. The resounding howl echoed across Black Ridge Mountain, putting the whole pack on high alert.

5 kilometers from the Black Ridge pack's territory, at a temporary camp.

Boss, what... what is this thing?

Dina, you're still alive! God has been good to me!

And the golden one, see it?

Pass on my orders!

Chen Lie looked at Dina on the screen, shielded behind Luo Lin.

You and your new pet will both be mine.

to make a simple sling.

Lined with sharpened wooden stakes.

I even taught them to stockpile food, smoking leftover prey to preserve it for emergencies.

Everything was going well, except for one person.

She hovered at the edge of the pack like a ghost.

I could feel the hatred in her beautiful eyes.

But I had no time for her.

Alarm bells went off in my head.

What is she up to at a time like this?

I saw one of them pull a vacuum-sealed item from his pocket and hand it to Aya.

She hesitated, but took it anyway.

The two men watched her with sinister smiles.

They were actually making a deal!

Three days later at dawn, a chilling alarm howl rose from the west.

The western woods were in chaos. Several guard wolves lay twitching unnaturally, with no blood.

Their eyes were wide with terror, mouths gaping but making no sound.

Tranquilizer guns! Stay away from those darts.

Use the trees for cover!

My words caused even more chaos among the pack.

My command went against millennia of primal instinct.

I looked at the humans in camo, wearing cat-and-mouse smirks.

Enjoying the pack breaking down in fear of the unknown.

Until a familiar figure stepped out from behind them, holding binoculars, looking relaxed.

His voice echoed through the mountains via a megaphone.

He's still dreaming of immortality?

First, you shouldn't have come here.

He raised a hand and made a gesture.

Cripple that golden wolf!

Her eyes were full of fear and regret.

Aya screamed and charged forward desperately.

That old wolf called Uncle Wolf...

Bring the white wolf too. She'll make good bait.

Another dart hit Aya's hind leg.

Using the terrain and cover, we quickly shook off their pursuit.

And a deep fear of those unknown weapons.

He still suspects my identity.

My cold gaze swept over every face present.

My eyes fell on the she-wolves closest to Aya.

Haven't you noticed Aya is missing?

They just realized they hadn't seen Aya since the retreat.

Haven't you noticed a strange smell on Aya these past few days?

Aya always has a weird smell. What smell?

Synthetic jerky.

Chen Lie excels at using cheap bait to buy off foolish, greedy souls.

They couldn't believe that Aya, the noblest purebred white wolf, would betray our pack.

You... you're lying!

I stared into the pitch-black forest outside the cave.

My words chilled the cave to the freezing point. What do we do?

Just watch them get...?

I turned to Lorin. From now on, I need absolute command of the whole pack.

Lorin looked at me. In those amber eyes...

That takes immense trust and courage.

I looked around at all the wolves in the cave.

My orders were clear and swift, without a hint of emotion.

Are we... are we not going to save Uncle Wolf and the others?

Are we... are we not going to save Uncle Wolf and the others?

If you rush out now, besides dying in vain and ending up on Chen Lie's bait list, adding a few more names means nothing.

My words were like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing their last shred of hope and impulse.

After a brief commotion, urged by the elders, they reluctantly got moving.

Just before dawn, the three scout wolves returned.

We saw a packmate struggle so hard he passed out from blood loss.

The humans just dragged him away. We don't know where they took him.

What do we do then?

I need some helpers. Special helpers.

You're going to look for them?

The night was pitch black. Lorraine and I stood by a hidden ravine.

Echoing repeatedly through the valley.

Slowly approaching us... the snakes I was looking for.

Flicking their tongues, cold scales gleaming in the moonlight, they silently surrounded us.

It swam to Lorin's feet, raised its head, and stared at him with cold vertical pupils.

After a long while, the black snake coiled around me.

Finally, the black snake lowered its proud head to me, as if bowing.

The wolf pack can command the snakes?

It's an ancient pact.

And hasn't been used since.

Lorin is truly worthy of the title Wolf King.

But that's not enough. The snake swarm is just step one. It buys time, but won't solve the root problem.

Chen Lie has more powerful weapons.

I need you to destroy their vehicles.

Just as the scout wolf said, Aya, Uncle Wolf and the others were tied up in the clearing.

Ashen-faced, with vacant eyes.

Chen Lie was missing. I squinted, searching for him.

Soon, by a modified armored vehicle at the edge of the camp...

I whispered to Lorin beside me.

The first big gift I prepared for Chen Lie.

A small snake was clamped tightly onto his ankle.

They slithered from the grass, the campfire shadows, and even the sleeping bags, attacking everyone in sight.

The camp erupted in chaos. They fired blindly, but bullets only kicked up dust, missing the slippery snakes entirely.

The chaos drew everyone's attention, including Chen Lie.

No one noticed a massive golden-gray figure.

Unnoticed, a massive golden-grey figure used the chaos as cover, ghosting toward the armored vehicle at the camp's edge.

That's my target. That vehicle is Chen Lie's greatest asset. Destroying it is like severing his arm.

Lorin shifted from beastman to wolf form, fast as lightning.

Stripping the hard outer skin, I took only the toughest core tendons, stitching them into a bulletproof vest.

Without hesitation, it aimed its sharp claws at the roof.

Watch out, wolf ambush!

Fire! Kill that beast!

My heart leaped into my throat. Lorin moved like lightning, leaving only afterimages in the air.

His golden-gray fur gleamed with a dark metallic luster in the firelight.

Ordinary rifle bullets only struck dazzling sparks off him, leaving shallow white marks.

Lorin let out a painful roar that shook the forest. He didn't dodge.

The massive metal roof was violently torn open, leaving a terrifying gap.

Snorting hot breath, he leapt from the car roof. He landed like a meteor, shaking the ground.

Wh-what kind of monster is this?!

Chen Lie looked grim. Staring at Lorrin's bleeding wounds, there was no joy in his eyes.

I knew it. I knew it!

No normal creature has this defense. It's a genetic miracle. This is what I've been looking for.

I used the shadows to approach him silently.

I lunged from the shadows at his flank, driving my wooden spear hard into his back.

But Chen Lie's reaction was beyond my expectations.

He grunted in pain and spun around.

Our eyes met, and time seemed to stand still.

Should I be afraid of you?

My words made his smile freeze for a second.

Still talking tough.

A broken stick?

Too bad. No matter how strong, he's just a beast. Do you know a beast's greatest weakness?

What's the biggest weakness?

Before he finished, a soldier clinging to life under Lorin's claws pulled out a grenade.

Lorin, watch out!

With a deafening boom, the grenade exploded in the open distance. My back was drenched in cold sweat.

See that?

He spread his hands, revealing a smug, victorious smile.

He flashed a smug, triumphant smile.

Shut up!

The Lorrin who would clumsily lick my wounds, expose his softest belly to me, and shield me from the whole world.

He knows nothing of betrayal or exploitation. His world is black and white. To him, love means giving everything.

You'll never understand.

A pathetic creature incapable of true emotion, wallowing only in the mire of vanity and greed.

Chen Lian, your world is too small. So small it only has room for yourself.

He cursed under his breath.

He licked his lips, his eyes growing frenzied again.

I stumbled, letting myself fall to the ground.

Beg me, Tina. Just like before, and maybe I'll show some mercy.

I got up and dashed toward our planned finish line without looking back.

Aside from Luo Lin and me, no one could see the deadly danger hidden beneath.

This is the death trap we set up overnight.

Luo Lin told me this swamp has a name.

Only death awaits.

Why aren't you running?

The game is over.

To turn this swamp into a death trap, I started crying. As my tears fell...

In moments, this will become an inescapable purgatory. Chen Lie won't be able to struggle, let alone escape.

Don't... don't come any closer!

Come closer? Of course. I came just for you.

See how destined we are?

He finally took that step, the decisive one.

Time seemed to slow down. I saw his foot, along with his expensive combat boots.

It sank instantly. The smile on his face froze, a hint of shock crossing his brows.

Damn it, what the hell is this place?

But his second step sank into the mire as well.

Pull me up! Find a branch!

You, Chen Lie... did you forget?

You killed me with your own hands!

You... you set me up.

Don't you like watching prey struggle?

The swamp was like a greedy maw, patiently swallowing him bit by bit.

Just then, a massive golden figure appeared silently behind me.

Chen Lie's breathing stopped.

You're human too! You're not a bloodthirsty monster!

You're human too. You're not a savage monster.

I repeated the word softly, as if tasting a bitter fruit.

His screaming stopped abruptly, replaced by a dying rasp.

He finally gave up struggling, letting the cold, sticky swamp swallow him inch by inch.

We... we're going home.

Lorin leaned down and gently nudged me with his massive head.

His back was broad and steady, like a moving bed.

And his steady, powerful heartbeat.