4: The Triplets’ Scheme

Chapter 4: The Triplets’ Scheme

Samuel Kan

Dawn broke, heralding the day of my wedding. However, my heart did not beat with the usual joy of a groom. Instead, it was filled with a mix of anxiety and melancholy.

Hours before the ceremony, I found myself in my office, surrounded by a delegation of leaders from our family’s enterprises. They spoke enthusiastically about the details of the wedding while my mind wandered to Maya. Had she already arrived?

I struggled to focus on the elders' words, but my thoughts kept drifting back to her—the woman I loved, the one who had sacrificed her life to save me. This arranged marriage with another woman was merely a means to an end, a demand from the goddess of fate that I had to fulfill in order to find her again.

When she had died in my arms, the goddess of fate assured me she would be reborn. I accepted my defeat that day, but I was saved by the barest margin. Unfortunately, after my downfall, all the wolves were pulled into this strange world, and for over a hundred years, we have been building an empire of power and influence among humans in an era of ever-advancing modernity.

“A century-old wolf still has no heirs! This is outrageous!” one of the elders exclaimed indignantly.

I couldn’t understand their agitation. All I desired was to find the one thing that felt right—the only woman who could stand by my side, the only one my heart recognized as its eternal partner. Throughout my long life, I had the opportunity to marry countless women of different origins and statuses. But none of them ever stirred the same emotions that the girl I had once saved did. My soul had longed for her since that day, and I knew I had to wait for the time decreed by the goddess. They had assured me, and now I could finally rest—she had been reborn and had recognized me.

I had hidden the truth from her since our first encounter. I forced her family to conceal my identity. She was too young—I wanted her to live a peaceful life as a normal teenager before meeting a man who couldn’t even die. Even if Maya had once been my woman, today, after her rebirth, she was no older than nineteen. This made everything increasingly uncomfortable. And as it seemed… she no longer possessed even a fraction of the power she once held. I could almost compare her to a human—after all, she couldn't even fight against a mere lake.

The elders continued their speeches about the importance of heirs and the necessity of strengthening family ties. But their words felt empty to me. They had tried countless times to persuade me to produce heirs with other women. After all, a child of mine would be born with powers beyond comprehension. But they would also carry the curse that haunts me.

Because on the day my mate was killed, I was wounded by the same weapon—on my right ear. The wound never faded but remained as a shimmering blue, venomous scar that I had to endure once a year to keep it from killing me. It was a mark that reminded me I had to wait for Maya; otherwise… I could die from the poison crafted to kill gods.

The elders also criticized my choice of bride, questioning her family’s reputation and their alleged involvement with dark magic.

"Samuel Kan has finally found a woman to marry today," my father proclaimed, his voice filled with dramatic flair. "Soon, we shall witness the rebirth of what has been long forgotten."

"Yes, yes..." I responded listlessly, only to appease them.

They went on, comparing my situation to that of my triplet brothers, who had already found their mates and were soon to have children. But my case was different. I was one of the centennial wolves, destined to inherit the power of the ancestors and lead our people. And in this ever-changing world, it was necessary to balance ancestral traditions with the reality of human society.

"But let’s discuss what truly matters," one of the men present intervened. "You have chosen a questionable woman from an enemy family. What exactly are you plotting?" asked one of the ancient leaders, rising with a severe expression. "That family was involved with mages and sorcerers, and you know they were responsible for the massacre and the imbalance that led to our people being cast through the bridge that once connected our world to this one. And now… the bridge is broken, and we cannot return."

"What are you saying? The gate can be opened with the Soul Stone. You know it has happened before. Still… I have accepted their daughter. That does not mean I accept their dealings with mages and sorcerers. That is why… I will take the necessary measures. Our worlds have remained separate for a long time," I announced firmly, and they fell silent.

They didn’t have the courage to question me and knew that when I spoke, I carried my words beyond what they could imagine. Although my father was still in charge, he was an old man now and preferred that I handle the bureaucratic matters. They feared the triplets might take my place, but they were nothing more than ordinary wolves. They couldn’t oppose me, not only because they were my brothers but because they were not of the same divine wolf lineage. My mother had died in the war, and now my father was married to my stepmother, Alsea, the triplets' mother.

“Well, gentlemen, I’m tired of this meeting. At this moment, I have to talk to my brothers and deal with some problems they’ve caused.”

With a triumphant smile, I watched the elders rise and lower their heads in respect. Finally, they were free from my presence. I left the room with heavy steps.

When I arrived at the chamber where my triplet brothers awaited me, I was met with an unexpected reception. They were laughing and enjoying themselves as if they weren’t plotting against me.

“Looks like you’re already having fun, aren’t you?” I asked with irony, already accustomed to their conspiracies.

Remembering the last time I punished them, a chill ran down my spine. Locked underground, at the border of the underworld, they had certainly experienced the terror of seeing the creatures from the depths.

“We came to apologize, brother,” one of them knelt, begging for forgiveness.

“All right, today is my wedding day!” I announced, feigning happiness. They stared at me in confusion, unable to understand my sudden change in attitude.

“But we thought you would only marry when your mate reincarnated,” one of them commented, still suspicious.

A cold smile formed on my lips. It was time to put my plan into action.

“I’m not waiting any longer. My legacy is at risk,” I declared firmly.

They served me a drink, but I watched them closely, wary of their actions.

“You're giving up on your centuries-old mate? Didn't the goddess of fate say she would return?” one of them questioned, concerned about the consequences of my decision.

“She will return, yes,” I replied with conviction. “But for now, other things are more important.”

I would never reveal to them that I had already found Maya. My priority was to protect her, and this marriage was just a step toward that goal.

They sighed heavily, resigning themselves to my decision. Then, they handed me the drink, but I refused. Instead, I grabbed the bottle and downed it in one go, meeting their gazes with a challenging look. Suddenly, laughter echoed through the room.

But then, something strange happened. My head spun, and my body was seized by an invisible force.

“What… is this?” I asked, dazed, as everything around me blurred.

“A potion for wolves,” one of them answered with a sinister tone. “A special potion that makes you desire any woman.”

I lost all control over my body. They dragged me to a room, laughing at my predicament, but I wasn’t particularly worried about that.

“Well, little brother,” one of them said mockingly, “I bet you’ll finally have some fun tonight after centuries. Let’s call the leaders—this wedding won’t happen!”

“Oh… and just so you know, this potion is different,” another added. “It only wears off after you… satisfy your carnal desires.”

They locked the door from the outside, leaving me alone with three women who were already waiting. The potion was beginning to take effect, clouding my thoughts and making me vulnerable to my desires.

But I wouldn’t give in so easily. Did they think I had no self-control? That I hadn’t endured all these years only because of my promise to the one woman who truly mattered?

Today, the day I would finally have her in my hands… I would not surrender so easily.