Mommy Wolf: Raise A Cub, Claimed By His Beast Daddy-Chapter 86: A Concubine Worry (II)

"T-that’s so mean. Don’t say that in front of Our King, Leah!"

"Of course I won’t, Miss. I don’t want to get killed."

Ruela scolded her servant girl, but truthfully, she felt a bit relieved.

Yes, the little prince had grown up without a mother. Of course he had no mother figure to guide him properly. Who was to say he wouldn’t grow crooked or unstable?

Meanwhile, her own offspring would have both her love and the Beast King’s guidance. Their future would be secure and she would be a queen eventually.

On top of that, Ruela doubted the Beast King would continue to pamper the little prince once she bore his children.

The boy had no mother. Eventually, his father would forget him and shift all his attention to her and their litter. It was just normal for a man to do that, right?

’If that boy turns crooked in the future, Kael will probably exile him and make our son the new crown prince instead,’ Ruela sighed inwardly. ’I feel bad for him, but it can’t be helped. A motherless wolf like him has no place in the kingdom. He has no one to support him.’

Thus, Ruela concluded that the little prince posed no real threat to her future.

Still, she would remain kind to the little prince, for now. At least until he lost his father’s favor.

’That poor boy must be starving for motherly affection,’ Ruela thought. ’If I show him some kindness, he’ll grow attached to me. After that, everything will go smoothly. Maybe he can be a guard or a servant for my cubs in the future. It would be an honor, right?’

She felt a twinge of guilt for manipulating a boy not even five years old, yet at the same time, she believed it was destiny.

’Oh, Moon Goddess,’ she prayed silently, ’You’ve blessed me with kindness and superior intellect. I do pity the boy, but I am the blessed one, not him. That means I matter more. My litter will be far more suited to rule the Beast Kingdom.’

As she enjoyed tea with her servant girl, Ruela’s ears twitched at a sudden hoot-hoot sound. She turned toward the door.

Before she could tell Leah to open it, the door was slammed open, revealing Vestor, the wise owl who had been running the kingdom as an advisor.

He looked rushed. "Ruela, prepare yourself. Take a warm bath, use floral essence, and dress in your finest clothes."

Ruela raised her brows. "And why would I need to do that, Sir?"

"Because the Beast King will arrive soon!" Vestor exclaimed. "He’s moving so fast that the entire palace is scrambling to prepare a proper welcome!"

"W-what?! But I only heard of his arrival two hours ago!" Ruela panicked. ’How can he come so fast? What makes him so impatient?"

"Of course, it’s you!" Vestor snapped. "You are his concubine. You must look stunning, especially when Our King is exhausted from his journey and wants to seek relief. He must be impatient to mate with you!"

With that, he turned to leave. "I’m going now. Make yourself presentable!"

"Y-yes!"

Once Vestor flew off, Ruela sprang to her feet. "Leah, p-prepare a warm bath! And the flower-nectar perfume! And my best dress! There’s so much to do and so little time!"

Leah sighed. They had grown up together, and Ruela’s habit of panicking had never changed.

"Calm down, Miss. I’ll take care of everything," Leah said as she stood. "You’re naturally beautiful. I’m sure Our King will pounce on you even if you’re at your worst."

"S-stop teasing me and get to work!" Ruela snapped, though her cheeks flushed red.

She had been waiting for the day she would finally share the Beast King’s bed. Her mother had lectured her day and night on how to please a man in bed after officially becoming a concubine.

Naturally, she couldn’t wait to ensure Kael fell deeply in love with her once they mated.

"I’m sure the Moon Goddess will be pleased to know I’ve tamed the powerful Beast King," Ruela muttered.

*

Meanwhile...

Sisi was exhausted after a whole night clinging tightly to Kael’s neck.

The black wolf’s thick fur and steady body heat were incredibly comfortable. Despite the harsh winter and the colder northern climate, she didn’t feel cold at all.

Yet she couldn’t sleep.

Kael hadn’t stopped sprinting since they began their journey. He seemed to have an infinite stamina.

He didn’t tire, didn’t slow, and didn’t seem to need rest at all.

Even the steam trains Sisi used to watch from the orphanage window needed coal to keep moving.

Jojo, meanwhile, had accepted his fate. He stopped struggling and focused on finding a position where he wouldn’t get squished.

Sisi was painfully sleepy, but she dared not close her eyes. She knew she’d fall if she did.

Then, unexpectedly, Kael slowed down.

"We’re near our kingdom," he said.

Sisi lifted her head and froze in awe as she saw a full-fledged kingdom in a distance.

She had imagined the Beast Kingdom as little more than tribes gathered around massive bonfires.

But this was... magnificent.

It wasn’t as ancient or refined as a human kingdom built over centuries, but it was impressive nonetheless.

A fortress of chiseled stone rose proudly, and atop the summit stood a palace crafted from wood and rock.

"How old is your kingdom?" Sisi asked softly.

"It was founded at the beginning of autumn when Jojo and I were separated," Kael replied. "I conquered the surrounding tribes and established the Beast Kingdom."

There was a hint of pride in his voice.

Sisi smiled. She gently stroked his back. "That’s impressive for such a young kingdom. If it lasts another decade, I’m sure it’ll grow even grander."

Kael had heard praise countless times.

But hearing a genuine compliment from someone whose life mission was to anger him to death felt... different.

It felt special when Sisi was the one who praised him.

He lifted his head higher as pride filled his heart.

"Once we’re inside, you’ll see how beastmen live in harmony under my rule."