Chapter 8: The Second Bloom

Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, Gray Wolf and Cara had been together for two months. This was perhaps the happiest time in Cara’s once-lonely life.

Each day, Gray Wolf would wake up early to hunt, while Cara stayed home, happily tinkering with her herbs. Sometimes, she brewed poisons; other times, she made tonics to strengthen the body. Occasionally, she experimented with spices to make roasted meat even more delicious. In short, their days were always busy yet filled with joy.

Of course, for newly bonded mates, mating was an essential part of their lives. But despite being with Gray Wolf for two months, Cara couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed, they still hadn’t had any pups. She wanted to give birth to many, raising a strong and thriving pack, but so far, there had been no sign of change in her body.

Cara knew that Gray Wolf’s bloodline was incredibly noble. Even as his mate, she could still feel the natural dominance he carried, the unmistakable presence of a true king among wolves. And the stronger the bloodline, the harder it was to conceive. Perhaps she and Gray Wolf would have to keep trying for a few more years. She needed to take care of her body, preparing it for the day she could finally carry the offspring of a wolf king.

Exactly two months after Gray Wolf arrived at this cave, the second glittering flower on the cliffside began to bloom.

Under the pale moonlight, the blood-red petals glowed brilliantly, filling Cara with excitement. Just as she was about to climb up and pick the flower, a strong hand quickly stopped her.

“I’ll do it,” Gray Wolf's deep voice carried an undeniable command.

Cara obediently withdrew her hand, her gray-green eyes fixed on him, brimming with anticipation.

How could Gray Wolf resist such an endearing gaze? He wished he could cross mountains and seas, brave any danger, just to pick the most beautiful flower for Cara.

Without hesitation, he leaped up, gripping the rocky surface. Sharp claws extended from his fingertips, hooking into the cracks as he climbed with effortless agility.

Cara looked up, her eyes following him. The moonlight bathed his powerful frame, highlighting the raw strength and untamed beauty that made her heart skip a beat. The night breeze carried the scent of wild grass, gently lifting her long hair. Standing at the base of the cliff, watching her mate scale the rocks without hesitation to fetch the flower for her, she felt her heart overflow with pure happiness.

Within moments, Gray Wolf had steadied himself on a rocky ledge, reaching out to pick the glittering flower, like a gem forged from blood and moonlight. With practiced ease, he gave it a gentle tug, careful not to disturb the roots or the tiny bud beside it. As the flower left the cliffside, its petals quivered slightly, releasing a sweet, mesmerizing fragrance.

With the flower secured, Gray Wolf didn’t climb down the way he had gone up. Instead, he let go, surrendering himself to the free fall. Then, with effortless agility, he flipped midair and landed smoothly on the ground.

Cara watched, utterly spellbound, her eyes wide with admiration. She couldn't stop murmuring in awe, a thrilled growl slipping from her throat.

“Mate, you’re amazing!”

Gray Wolf loved nothing more than Cara’s unwavering admiration. Seeing the excitement in her eyes, he suddenly had the urge to show off even more. So, he leaped into the air again, flipped once more, then landed gracefully right in front of her, holding out the flower.

Cara burst into laughter, happily taking it from his hands.

Gray Wolf said, “Cara, eat it.”

He knew this flower was something special. Last time, it had not only cleansed the poison from his body but also enhanced his werewolf abilities. He couldn’t remember what he had been like before, but somehow, he knew this was the strongest he had ever been.

But this time, Cara didn’t eat the flower. Instead, she took it in her hands, held Gray Wolf’s hand, and led him back into the cave.

She placed the flower into a small clay pot, poured in fresh spring water, and set it over the fire. As the water began to boil, the crimson hue from the petals slowly spread, turning the liquid into a stunning, translucent red. Then, Cara started adding other ingredients: pieces of root, a few processed nuts, a pinch of ground mineral powder, two dried frog legs, and even a pouch of king cobra venom.

Gray Wolf watched, utterly bewildered. After two months together, he had come to understand Cara’s extraordinary abilities. She trusted him completely, never hiding anything from him, so he knew every ingredient had a purpose. It wasn’t just random experimentation. But watching it unfold before his eyes, he still couldn’t quite bring himself to imagine drinking it.

Thinking she had made the concoction for herself, he didn’t dwell on it too much, though he couldn’t help but worry for her stomach.

The liquid in the pot bubbled and swirled, shifting from a translucent red to a deep, rich crimson. The fresh, herbal fragrance gradually transformed into something thick and metallic, like the scent of fresh blood.

Gray Wolf swallowed hard. For some reason, an unsettling restlessness stirred within him. The wolf inside him was howling with hunger, desperate to break free and devour the entire pot. But Gray Wolf had remarkable self-control. He knew this was meant for Cara, so he forced himself to suppress the urge.

Compared to him, Cara remained completely calm. The overpowering scent from the potion seemed to hold no allure for her at all.

She poured the liquid into a bowl, waited for it to cool slightly, then gently lifted it to Gray Wolf’s lips. Her eyes were filled with warmth, as if she were offering him something truly precious.

Gray Wolf was startled. He asked, “Why are you giving this to me? You should drink it.”

Cara shook her head and said simply, “Mate, drink.”

Even though his instincts craved it, Gray Wolf still refused. He knew this was something precious, and as a male wolf, his natural instinct was to save the best for his mate.

But Cara shook her head again. She could sense the immense potential within Gray Wolf’s body, and this potion was meant to awaken that power, to make him even stronger.

For her, however, that kind of potential barely existed. The potion wouldn’t do much for her, and drinking it would simply be a waste.

Hearing her explanation, Gray Wolf finally gave in. He took the bowl and, without waiting for it to cool, drank it all in one go, completely unfazed by the strange concoction he had once been wary of.

***

Author: Both the male and female lead only think of each other. Their love is truly beautiful!