Layla happily looked at the man sitting across from her, the one soon to become her life partner and step into the remaining journey of life with her.
"Layla, you are beautiful."
Leon, her destined partner, looked at her with a mesmerizing gaze, uttering the compliment from the depth of his heart. That whispered sentence made the successor queen of wolves shyly bow her head, too embarrassed to let him see her flushed face.
Today is a special day for the Western wolf tribe, the wedding day of wolf queen Layla. Below the tree platform where Layla and Leon stand are several hundred wolf tribe members from the West. They cheer and celebrate the marriage ceremony of the Western tribe leader.
The excited sounds urge the powerful couple to drink deer blood from a cup, like humanity's wine toasting ritual. Here, this marrying pair doesn't need anyone to officiate their wedding, for they are already the king and queen of this Western land. All they need is the witness of their tribe members.
Layla wears a white fox fur cloak, her ripe red lips smiling happily as she lifts the golden cup filled with deer blood. She looks towards Leon, her eyes eagerly waiting for him to pick up the other cup, showing her eagerness to complete the ritual and enter her bridal chamber soon.
She is a wolf born from the pinnacle of glory, her fighting instinct and the drive to perpetuate her lineage urging her to fulfill her duty quickly.
She needs to produce an heir before the age of twenty-five.
That is a deep secret related to Layla's bloodline, known only to her and her parents. Even Leon has never heard of it.
Layla thinks it's fine that he doesn't know. After all, she is about to accomplish it. No more bad things will happen after that.
The moment Leon picks up the other golden cup, she smiles contentedly at him.
Both drain the cups of blood in their hands.
Layla feels the warm blood coursing through her veins. She tenderly looks at her husband and then turns to face her tribe members below. She wants to thank everyone for helping her organize this ceremony. But, she can't speak.
Yes, the moment Layla opens her mouth to speak, her body suddenly heats up, her eyes turn a deep black, devoid of any white. Her whole body and thoughts go out of control.
She knows this condition well.
This is the reaction she has during her berserk episodes.
But these outbursts only happen once a year unless she mistakenly drinks human blood.
Layla feels attacked, her body aching as if she's continuously being wounded. And the last thing she sees before closing her eyes is the victorious smile of the husband who just drank from the same cup of blood with her.
She was tricked by him.
...
"Wake up!"
Following the piercing scream is a chilling sensation that jolts Layla awake. Her eyes are heavy, blurring her vision. However, the voices that follow help Layla recognize who is facing her, even though her eyes can no longer clearly see everything around her.
"Look at this, look at this! Who would have thought that the daughter of that damn Baron would kneel before me like this! Ha ha ha!"
Baron is Layla's surname, but the wolves of the Western tribe are close to her, often addressing her by her first name. Baron is a title usually reserved for her father, the former tribal chief of the West.
This booming voice she knows well, it must be Phelan Roger. A childhood friend of her father, who had once fought side by side with her father to expand the Western territories.
"Old Phelan, your drug is sure not to cause any problems, right?"
That raspy and disgusting voice she knows all too well. This is Thomas Valerie, the captain of the first squad responsible for the tribe's security. He's also a childhood friend who fought passionately alongside her father.
All these introductions are narrated by Layla's father, her memories vivid with his nostalgic and proud face about his dear friends.
However, it seems all to be her father's imagination. Because the mocking and gleeful tone directed at this friend's daughter isn't the tone that close friends should have.
Perhaps her father, the former tribal chief Baron, was too naïve in his relationships and never saw their true colors. Or maybe they hid it so well that even the sharp eyes of a skilled and strategic warrior like Baron couldn't see through them.
Layla tries to lift her heavy eyes to get a clear look at the traitors casually discussing in front of her. But the blood trickling down into her eyes makes her already unclear vision blur even more. Whether by luck or misfortune, one of them is always paying attention to her condition, for soon after, a clear voice rings out.
"Father, Uncle Thomas, Brother Leon. Don't just chat like that. Our chieftain is awake."
"My love, don't call her the chieftain anymore. I am the chieftain now."
No need to ask much. Layla could already guess the whole story. The woman drawing everyone's attention to her was none other than Anna Adela, the beloved daughter of old Phelan. And the Leon she referred to was none other than the man who had just married her.
For some reason, they knew about her berserk episodes and deliberately switched the deer blood in her golden cup with human blood, aiming to trigger her madness in front of everyone. The wolf tribe has a rule; as a chieftain, one must absolutely control one's instincts.
Because the duty of a chieftain is to protect and be the pillar for their people. Once a chieftain is controlled by their instincts, it can bring unpredictable consequences to the tribe members. Not to mention a chieftain who suffers from berserk disease, easily controlled by the bloodlust within, causing wanton slaughter.
All this, just to drive her from her position as chieftain, and in the end, those scoundrels would seize everything the Baron lineage had built with great hardship. The Western wolf tribe, founded and established by the blood and sweat of Layla's ancestors, was now being destroyed by someone as sick as her.
Layla, you are a sinner.
Thinking this, she smirked bitterly.
All her life she was born a winner, yet her first defeat destroyed the entire Baron legacy.
Layla felt every joint in her arms and legs transmitting powerlessness and pain. Clearly, they had shattered her limbs. They wanted to kill her in the most brutal way. A tide of hatred was rising within her.
Layla hated the ungrateful, betraying crowd.
She hated the man who deceived her feelings.
She even hated herself for being foolishly naive to be deceived so simply.
This outrage of hers was like a powerful stream of air, helping her gather the last bit of strength to clearly see the scum before her, to keep her final dignity and not bow to any filthy power. She gritted out each word to the wolves in front of her.
"I… will definitely… kill you all!"
Her voice was hoarse from not eating or drinking for days, but this sound inadvertently made the wolves facing her shiver.
The majesty of a battle-ready chieftain is not simple.
Unlike the men who had been through fierce hunts, Anna was just a pampered, delicate she-wolf, who stepped back a few paces behind her beloved. Her eyes flashed with jealousy and malice, she said, "My love, break the former chieftain's fangs. Let's see how long she keeps up her act!"
Leon, awakened by his lover's words, thought Anna was right. Wolves use their claws and fangs as weapons; if he broke her fangs and pulled out her claws, even if she wanted revenge, she wouldn't have the strength.
Leon turned to look at his elders, wanting to know their opinion.
Old Phelan smirked, saying slowly, "Just don't kill her. We still need this kid to provide the location to get the Baron tribe's treasure."
Hearing about the Baron tribe's treasure, Layla bit her cracked, bloody lips. So, it wasn't just greed for the chieftain's seat; they were after her family's treasure.
The first chieftain of the Baron tribe had luck in seizing a treasure that could increase one's strength a hundred thousand times and was also used to grant a wish by the wolf king, a legendary figure no one had the chance to meet.
Not to mention the wish, just the sight of it could enhance strength, making it a treasure of the wolf tribe. After all, wolves love to fight and hunt, expanding their territories. For wolves, strength is everything.
It was thanks to this treasure that her Baron tribe had been able to maintain the chieftain's position in the West for so long, with no one daring to harbor thoughts of betrayal.
That's called absolute suppressive power.
But everything had changed now. Layla glared at the people slowly approaching, as they began to pry her mouth open. That bastard Leon smirked at her:
"Former chieftain, don't worry. It'll be over quickly."
Then came the extreme pain that surged to Layla's brain.
"Aaahhh!!!"
Layla is the only daughter of her father, and from a young age, she was raised to be a strong warrior. Therefore, her presence is felt in any battles of the Western tribe. A powerful, alluring, and determined she-wolf, that's how everyone acknowledges her. Moreover, Layla possesses a beautifully crafted face, with glossy black hair tied neatly behind her, and a set of animal-skin armor that makes her a dazzling hero admired by all.Certainly, no one would have expected such a noble wolf, like an angel from above, to end up in such a filthy state.Layla leans against the wall, her once bright blue eyes now soulless. Her beautiful hair is now crudely cut and sticky with blood. The lush red lips that once invited kisses are now dry and cracked. The charming face that attracted so many looks is now bruised and dirty.Her entire being emits a foul, putrid odor.How long have they kept her captive?She doesn't know anymore. In this dark and damp place, sunlight is a luxury.Layla stares bl
Layla suspected that she had died. She always felt her body floating weightlessly, neither in pain nor comfort. The emotion hovered ominously. She wanted to move her limbs, to open her eyes and see what the afterlife was like. But everything was in vain. Or was it because her sins were too great, and this was her punishment? To exist in this vague void. Ah, this is truly a cruel punishment. Layla chuckled at herself, thinking that if given another chance, the first thing she would do is to eliminate those wretched scum. Make them disappear from this world completely! But she knew it was just a fantasy. Ah!!! So cold?! Suddenly, a chilling sensation attacked Layla's mind, a relentless cold that made her feel extreme pain. At this moment, she couldn't understand why she was already dead and still had to endure such agony! Did she commit some heinous act that warranted such punishment from the heavens??? Layla was both resentful and angry at the injustice that the divine had impo
Bridget asked with confusion, "What's the matter?"Clara, tasked with caring for his young wolf, bowed nervously to her leader and stammered, "My leader, I was dressing your pet's wounds... but for some reason, it suddenly started howling…”Bridget frowned and quickly approached the wolf pup. Sitting down gently, his typically cold, golden eyes softened upon contact with the tiny, fluffy creature. His large, calloused hand lightly touched the cringing pup, stroking it very gently. However, it seemed the young wolf was not accustomed to being touched, so it tensed up, turning its small body to warily regard him.…There was something endearing about it.Bridget smiled, smoothing the pup's furry little head that was close to his hand."Ah!" Bridget's finger throbbed, and he looked down to see that the ungrateful wolf had bitten him. Truly ungrateful indeed.He was the most ruthless leader of the North, never before had any creature dared to defy him like this. If it had been anyone else,
After the day Layla heard the news that the Western territory had changed hands, time seemed to fly by, and before she knew it, the night of the full moon had arrived.She lay on Bridget's shoulder, appearing lazy but her eyes vigilantly observing her surroundings.Groups of fierce werewolves were seriously patrolling their territory. This tense atmosphere reminded Layla of rumors about this cold land.Unlike the peaceful Western territories, during the full moon, the Western werewolves held noisy festivals. At these times, single werewolves sought partners for passionate, fiery nights.Indeed, the Western tribe was unrestrained and lacked self-control. Hence, her father, the tribe leader Baron, had repeatedly warned his subordinates. He said: "We are warriors, our duty is to stay alert, not to indulge in desires."Her father constantly trained the werewolf warriors, rotating them between guarding and hunting duties.However, in the eyes of the elders of the tribe, her father's effort
Layla looked at the dark scenery outside the window, which was actually just a small hole in the cave wall. It couldn't be compared to a normal house window like those in the Western tribe, but at least it allowed for ventilation and a view of the distant sky.From the window, she could smell the strong scent of blood wafting in from outside. It was very pungent.This confirmed her suspicion. On full moon nights, the animals of the North went berserk and attacked the tribe living here.But why? She hadn't heard of such a problem in the Eastern or Southern regions. It could be that those areas were hiding it like the Northern tribe, or it might be that only the North experienced this issue.There were two possibilities: one, something about the Northern territory made this unique situation occur; two, the Western territory had something that protected it from these full moon attacks, so she had never known about it from childhood to adulthood.If possible, she thought she might investi
Chapter 7: The Illogical MadmanBridget shook her head in exasperation. The troublesome elders called him a madman, which he initially ignored, but now, reflecting on it, he realized it was indeed abnormal!Frustrated, he turned back towards his den. He had no reason to change himself just to please a small, pampered pet!After a few steps, he stopped. No! He was really dirty! Sleeping with such a filthy body would affect his sleep! This was a serious issue for him! It had absolutely nothing to do with the little wolf!!!With that thought, Bridget gritted his teeth and turned towards the water.Oni, busy cleaning up nearby, was rendered speechless by his leader's pacing. A sun-tanned man with fiery red hair approached him, whispering, "My friend, is our leader... in heat?"Oni glanced at the second lead scout, one of the leader's closest confidants, and his disdainful look confused the red-haired man. Puzzled, the man asked, "What's happening?"Oni tersely replied, "Mind your own busi
Bridget coldly left the two elders behind, then gently embraced his small, pitiful wolf.Before leaving, he glanced at the two elderly men lying face down behind him as a warning. His gaze was filled with a bloody aura.The elders lay in silent fear, waiting for their leader to leave. Only when they no longer felt any threat did they start to vent their anger."Damn it! That half-breed kid dared to insult us!!!"The elder with long hair slowly stood up, causing his companion to feel a bit of injustice. "Paul! Aren't you angry?!"The long-haired elder didn't reply, but his dark, hate-filled face was enough to show his fury.However, he knew that some things required a clear plan, or else he, not the brash young leader, would be the one to die. He was a man of intellect, not a brute like Elder Linn who only knew violence without thought.Paul struggled towards the tribe. He wanted to return quickly, lest others see his dirty state and the opposing elders mock him relentlessly!Bridget!
The process of bathing a person and a wolf was quite challenging, but it finally came to an end.By the time Bridget took her little wolf away from the lake, a significant amount of time had passed, and the night sky was gradually brightening, signaling the start of a new day.Layla lay despondently in the arms of the man who always claimed to be her owner. She felt that she had now transformed into a wolf, with nothing left to lament!She glanced irritably at the handsome face of the man, feeling an urge to bite his neck. However, as a small wolf like her, she no longer had the strength to do so. She swore! If she had the chance to return to human form, she would definitely give him a good beating!!!Moreover, she would absolutely not let anyone know about today's events! She would lose face if discovered!Perhaps her intense gaze was too fierce, which made Bridget lower his head to look at the little wolf in his arms, noticing the pet staring intensely at him. Bridget gently smiled