REINCARNATED TO BE THE WOLF'S SAVIOUR

SIX

POV – Linghe

The carriage ride was odd, right from when Ji Han joined us till the end. There was a line I couldn’t see. The princess looked like she had just seen a ghost, and when my gaze drifted to her, she flinched so hard you’d think I brandished a sword.

Was she afraid? Of me?

Ji Han was enjoying the show. I knew he was going to tease me about it. But there was something about him I couldn’t shake off. Not his wolf scent, a wolf could always know when his fellow was strange, but his aura. It felt different. And I couldn’t tell if it was in a good or bad way.

The carriage rumbled to a stop. ‘We’ve arrived,’ I told her.

She hesitated before taking my hand. Her palm was warm– unsteady. I dismissed Jihan to wait at the study while I escorted her to the bridal chamber. The mansion was decorated. I hope she liked it, but she looked like she'd rather be anywhere else.

‘Princess. I’ll escort you, then I will tend to a few matters.’

I opened the chamber door and stepped aside for her. She entered slowly, scanning the environment.

‘I won’t keep you up. Got to sleep,’ I told her.

‘Stop,’ she said suddenly, ‘just wait.’

She turned to me fully, eyes narrowing, voice low, ‘Who is Ken– I mean Ji Han to you?’

My brows tightened. That was unexpected and expected at the same time. Suspicious, ‘Why do you ask?’

‘Because…,’ she swallowed, ‘he seems familiar.’

To her?

Why?

I studied her. Her pupils tightened, her breath uneven, her fingers clenched behind her sleeve. She was hiding something.

I didn’t press– yet.

‘Does that trouble you?’

‘No,’ she lied instantly, ‘never mind, forget I asked,’ she brushed it off. But I could tell at one glance, this is not the woman I once knew. Something must have happened between the time of her k********g and her rescue. She must have bumped her head against a really hard rock.

‘Rest,’ I said simply and turned to go, making sure I closed the door behind me.

I hadn’t made more than a few steps when a maid rushed up to me. Behind her were two palace maids accompanying a woman, dressed in light clothing.

She bowed, ‘Your Highness. His majesty has sent a gift.’

Not this. Not tonight.

‘What gift?’ I asked flatly, as if I didn’t have the slightest clue of what was unfolding.

They stepped aside, revealing the woman. She was timid. The kind of beauty I couldn’t glance at twice in a day. I knew this was political. The emperor had spent a great deal to wipe off my kind from all corners of the world, and I, the alpha of my pack, failed to save my army. The emperor, I imagine, couldn’t stand to watch my lineage grow, and worst still, from his own daughter.

Roulan poked her head out of the bridal chamber behind me.

‘What’s happening?’ she whispered loudly.

There is no way this night could get any worse than this.

‘By imperial decree,’ one of the palace maids answered, ‘his majesty, your father, her sent a concubine. He worries about your health and has sent her as a token of your marriage.’

My fists tightened. I tried to keep myself from tearing down the palace walls – again. I couldn’t bear to face her. I married her for the plans I had to reclaim my freedom from the shackles of the emperor. But I was also aware of the love she had for me, so I planned to use her. But not like this.

She came up beside me, as if trying to read me. She stared from the maid to me, and then to the servants, ‘Is this normal?’

‘I’ll take care of this matter,’ I told her.

‘Not on my watch,’ she sounded violent, ‘take her back,’ she commanded the maids.

‘Princess, we cannot–,’

‘It is a slap on my face for my father to send a concubine to my husband on our wedding night.’

Her bluntness made me choke. I rubbed my temple; this girl was going to give me a headache for life. I could see Ji Han, observing from the corner, amused at the drama. But this wasn’t an issue I couldn’t solve; however, it concerned the princess.

I held her back, ‘This matter is a trifle. It doesn’t require any attention. The emperor simply does not want me to have any descendants because of what I am,’ I watched a sudden realization hit her. I lifted her chin, studied her, ‘so tell me, princess. Are you willing to be barren for me?’

She was flustered. It was entertaining, I can’t lie.

‘So,’ she said in a low tone, ‘the emperor sent a barren concubine here because he doesn’t wish you to bear any cubs.’

‘Correct,’ I lifted a brow as I watched her expression shift from confusion to rage.

‘Princess–,’ I began.

‘No. I am your wife. I am tired, confused, and slightly hungry, but I'm not sharing anything with anyone, let heaven come down,’ she panted, ‘she is not staying. I don’t care if she’s the emperor’s gift or a sack of gold with arms and legs.’

I put my arm around her, keying into the drama, ‘What else can I do? ' He told the palace maids. My wife isn’t one to share. I suggest you return to the palace. I shall visit his majesty tomorrow.’

I had other matters to hand, but Roulan held onto my sleeve. Her gaze said vengeance, but at whom? I followed the line of her gaze, which led straight to Ji Han – again.

‘As a matter of fact, inform my father that we shall be making a whole lot of cubs tonight,’ she smirked, but the statement was directed again to Ji Han.

She pulled me; her strength was weak, but I followed anyway. We entered the bridal chamber, and she slammed the door shut.

Now what?