The Fallen Wolf

Dear Husband

On the wedding night, it was traditionally the woman's responsibility to ensure that the marriage was consummated. I scoffed. Who was going to do what? I’d rather kill Kai than let him touch me. As I puffed in frustration, my hand brushed against something silky.

There it was: the white handkerchief, taunting me. Was I expected to prove my innocence? Didn’t I lose it last night to my so-called husband, according to these people? What was their game with this handkerchief on my bedside? The audacity of these people ordering me to submit it tomorrow made my blood boil.

Damn this feudal society. Wolves or humans, they were all the same. As I sat there, waiting for my new husband to defile me in his dreams, I scratched my nails. I was not Eva Grey. No matter what body I was in, I would not lose myself.

I was not going to have s*x with someone I barely knew. I was, after all, a modern woman. What could Kai do? Force me? Well, lucky for me, he was a cripple. I would just run away. A diabolical smile crept across my lips. I wished I could keep this veil on all the time. At least then, I wouldn’t have to pretend so much.

I waited and waited, but my prince charming never showed up. I felt a wave of relief and changed into something simpler. I missed my pajamas and my music system. How was I supposed to sleep without my favorite tunes? And what about my night care routine? This world was outdated, and I had nothing to do. The candles bothered me; I was used to sleeping in the dark, which wasn’t possible here.

After tossing and turning for almost an hour, just as I was about to fall asleep, the damned prince entered my room. His timing couldn’t have been worse. There was no peace in this world, I was convinced. Why didn’t these people have a mechanism to lock doors from the inside? In times when poisoning and assassination were as common as breathing, they should be more careful. I planned to address this issue first thing in the morning.

"You’re quite early, my lord?" I sighed, faking a yawn and stretching my arms. He looked baffled by my normal behavior. Or was it unusual? There was no freedom here. I quickly clasped my hands and forced a smile.

Kai looked at me with such intense concentration that it felt like he was on the verge of discovering my secret. What was he trying to figure out? I wasn’t an open book. It was the biggest secret in history. I let out a mental laugh. His expression grew more frantic as he scrutinized every movement I made, making me increasingly uncomfortable. Was he a hawk eyeing his prey? I became more alert.

Then it struck me. Perhaps he was displeased with how I addressed him. This man seemed to be waiting for me to correct myself due to his ego. Did people not use "my lord" here? Let me try something else.

"Your Highness?" I attempted a more formal tone, but it came out as a question. Oh, Eva White, I thought! When he still didn’t react, I sighed. I needed to rectify myself. I cursed under my breath but forced a pretentious smile. "My prince? No? Your second prince? Still no?" I browsed my options, frustrated with each failed attempt. "Dear husband?" I asked, glaring at Kai. I had run out of options.

Kai burst into laughter, easing my tension. "Dear husband will do," he said, amused. I tried to shift into detective mode but couldn’t find anything suspicious. I smiled. "Dear husband it is!"

"You should go back to sleep. I have some work to attend to," Kai replied, still smiling but regaining his composure. I realized then that he had a beautiful smile. If not for the scar, he could have left Adam trailing behind because of his looks.

"Is something on my face, Eva?" he asked, intrigued by my odd behavior.

I was definitely acting out of character—out of Eva Grey’s character.

"Why come here if you’re just going to leave?" I asked, not understanding why I posed such a silly question. Wasn’t it a good thing he was leaving? Why would I want him here? To consummate? Huh!

"Do you want me to stay?" Kai asked, surprised. He couldn’t understand why Eva was acting so strangely. To him, she had always been lively and interactive in their past encounters. She had never noticed him before, except for his wheelchair. She had always been submissive and soft-spoken, which made it easier for them to frame her. Shouldn’t she be unhappy or angry? Why did she seem so relaxed?

Kai looked at this new Eva in puzzlement. She was different from the girl he knew.

Why was he looking at me like that? Had he noticed something? I tried to recall any incidents between Eva Grey and Kai to understand their relationship better. There was nothing except the incident where they were framed together. I was sure Eva Grey knew him, but beyond that, there was nothing. This person was truly a variable in my new life. Thankfully, I had many survival skills for this world.

"I mean, don’t you have to sleep?" I asked, genuinely uninterested in his answer.

"Sleep here?" he seemed surprised. Didn’t ancient couples share a bedroom? Was it a harem culture? I wasn’t sure.

"Do whatever!" I replied, to avoid any suspicion.

"Are you angry? Should I stay?" Kai asked, visibly surprised. He hadn’t expected Eva to be welcoming. He had been drinking alone in his chamber and thought she might be worried or ill when the maid informed him she was still waiting for him. He was surprised to find her actually waiting for him and even getting upset when he wanted to leave. And she wanted to address him as a dear husband. His happiness clouded his judgment, but he was suspicious at the same time. Maybe she had decided to forget her past and start a new life with him.

"What about the handkerchief?" I blurted out.

The conversation was heading in the wrong direction. I didn’t realize I was sending the wrong signals to this man. But why was he so happy? Did he like this woman? I wondered. Did he really marry Eva Grey to save her? I was even more intrigued by him.

"So that was it," Kai replied, disappointed. He smirked. How wild had his thoughts run? Of course, she was worried about the white handkerchief, he thought.

"Then?" I asked, pretending not to understand.

"Didn’t you stain your sheets last time? Just send it back as it is. If you need anything, I’ll be in my chamber," he replied, slightly upset. He didn’t wait for my answer and hurriedly left.

I didn’t stop him. Why would I need him? I twitched my lips, preparing to sleep, when I heard him shriek in pain. I thought I saw him twitch his feet, but I might have been mistaken. The direction wasn’t clear. I rushed to help him as he clutched his chest, crying in unbearable pain. He had been fine just a moment ago. Why was he in so much pain now? Was he poisoned again? Were they planning to kill him so they could frame me as a murderer? I had to save him!

"Stay away from me," he groaned in pain.

His eyes were turning red with tears, and he was losing his senses. His lips were dry, and he was turning pale. As a doctor, how could I ignore someone suffering like this? I had to help him. Ignoring his warning, I checked his pulse. Thankfully, I had mastered traditional medicine for research purposes. I was skilled in pulse diagnosis, acupuncture, and preparing herbal remedies. My hard work and extensive knowledge have made me a professor quickly.

"Didn’t you hear me?" His voice was weakening. He was probably going to pass out soon. Plus, he didn’t scare me.

"Just don’t hinder me!" I warned him, my eyes fixed on him.

I was no longer Eva Grey, the timid, wolfless girl. I was Eva White, the doctor. Still wolfless!

I was going to save him, no matter what. He had no choice but to comply.