Mommy Wolf: Raise A Cub, Claimed By His Beast Daddy-Chapter 85: A Concubine Worry (I)

Ruela’s life as the Beast King’s concubine had been quite an event.

Everyone in her family rejoiced. They had once been disgraced after their patriarch, Jor—the former Alpha of the Silvertooth Pack—lost a death battle against Kael.

After that defeat, the family had been openly mocked by their pack members. Some even went so far as to distance themselves, fearing that the Beast King would not want anyone associated with his fallen enemy.

But now, with Ruela becoming the first concubine, and currently serving as the temporary figurehead in the palace until the king’s return, everything had changed.

People began currying favor with her family. The men hoped Ruela would mention them before Kael so they could be promoted, enter the palace court, or receive favorable positions within the Beast Kingdom.

The women, on the other hand, wished Ruela would bring them before Kael so he might notice their beauty and take them as concubines as well.

Ruela didn’t mind recommending some of the men in her family. She wanted them to live well after enduring so many hardships.

But the women...

Ruela sighed.

She turned her gaze to her maid—no, her servant girl—Leah, who had followed her ever since she was a cub.

Leah was the same age as Ruela, an orphan whose parents had died in a battle against another wolf pack. With no home to return to, Jor had taken her in and raised her as Ruela’s servant.

But honestly, Ruela had never seen Leah as a servant. As the only daughter in her family, Leah felt more like a sister from another mother.

"What do you think, Leah?" Ruela asked hesitantly. "Should I bring them to meet our Beast King once he returns?"

They were currently residing in Ruela’s new residence within the palace grounds—a beautifully adorned wooden house crafted by beaver beastmen, the master carpenters of the newly formed Beast Kingdom.

Wolf beastmen traditionally lived in caves or dens, but after the Beast King rose to power, every beastman race had been forced to share their craftsmanship and skills.

At first, there had been resistance. But life in the Beast Kingdom gradually became more comfortable, and the beastmen began to genuinely enjoy cooperating with one another.

It was safe to say that as long as Kael remained in power, the Beast Kingdom would continue to flourish.

"And why do you think you must do that, Miss?" Leah asked calmly.

She poured Ruela a cup of tea and sat across from her.

Although Leah still maintained servant–master etiquette in public, Ruela always insisted that she sit with her during morning tea. It made them feel more like friends than mistress and servant.

To outsiders unaware of Leah’s status, they might have mistaken the two for sisters—or at least very close companions.

"I don’t know..." Ruela murmured, staring into her teacup. "I just feel that those women might see me as greedy if I refuse to introduce them to our King."

She hesitated before adding, "I know my position as first concubine is secure, since the King’s fated mate has long been dead. But I worry those poisonous women might try to steal his favor."

"You don’t have to do anything, Miss," Leah said reassuringly as she sipped her tea. "None of them are prettier than you. Besides, our King chose you not only for your beauty, but also for your kindness and gentleness. You’ve been blessed by the Moon Goddess and the faeries, after all."

Ruela felt a bit embarrassed.

Truthfully, she wasn’t certain she had truly been blessed by the Moon Goddess or the faeries. She had only said so once to Leah, believing it must be true since the Beast King had chosen her as his first concubine.

Leah, however, had immediately agreed. Like a devoted sister, she insisted Ruela’s feelings were correct, that Ruela was the only woman who had moved the powerful and cold-hearted Beast King.

After hearing it so many times, Ruela gradually grew confident. She even began to believe that the Moon Goddess and the faeries had indeed granted her beauty and kindness. And perhaps, one day, she would be granted a divine power as well.

"As for those women..." Leah scoffed. "All they have are subpar faces. They think stripping naked will tempt the Beast King. Little do they know they just look vulgar and unsophisticated, unlike you, Miss."

"Don’t be so mean," Ruela giggled, feeling much lighter. She nodded. "You’re right. I was chosen because I’m special. I shouldn’t recommend them. If they’re worthy, the King will naturally choose them himself."

"And that will never happen," Leah laughed. "No one is as good as you, Miss. By the way, it’s been almost a week since our King left. Has there been any news from the wise owl?"

"He’s doing well," Ruela replied. "Vestor said the eagle corps has already been sent back to prepare for his arrival. He’s finally found the little prince."

"Oh..." Leah didn’t share Ruela’s excitement.

"What’s wrong, Leah? Why don’t you seem happy?"

"I am happy, Miss. I’m just worried about you," Leah sighed. "Once you mate with the Beast King and bear his children... what then? The little prince will surely become the next king. What will happen to your cubs when he ascends?"

Ruela froze.

She had never thought about that. She had always assumed she would be the only concubine—and that her powerful offspring would naturally inherit the throne.

But now that the little prince had returned...

Ruela pondered for a long moment before shaking her head. "The future is uncertain, Leah. There’s no need to worry so much. We don’t know who will truly ascend in the end."

"...Perhaps you’re right, Miss," Leah said thoughtfully. "We beastmen worship strength. I believe your offspring will be stronger than the little prince. They’ll have our King’s blood, and yours which has been blessed by the Goddess."

She lowered her voice. "Besides, that little prince grew up without a mother. Who knows how crooked he might become? No one wants a mad king ruling them, right?"