“Lan-ge, out enjoying the sun again? Isn’t the king with you?”
“What kind of question is that? If Lan-ge’s here, the king can’t be far away. Ha!”
“I say the king ought to tie Lan-ge to his belt and take him everywhere!”
Wen Shilan curled up in a hanging chair among the trees and gave a lazy yawn. “Go ahead, have your fun. When Qi Yan sends you climbing a cliff to pick lotus flowers for me, we’ll see if you’re still laughing.”
…
Wen watched the werewolves’ ears droop. They bowed to him at once.
“Lan-ge, my wife’s about to give birth. I need to go.”
“Mine too.”
“Goodbye, Lan-ge. My wife’s due any moment.”
All three were single. They couldn’t even invent a convincing excuse. What wives?
Once they were gone, Wen finally had some peace. His ivory linen clothes gave him an airy elegance. He kicked off his fluffy slippers, revealing his pale feet, and tucked himself into a little white bundle in the hanging chair. Then he tipped his head back and enjoyed the sunshine he’d been missing.
The Werewolf Planet was unlike Silan. If not for its werewolf inhabitants, it might have been an ordinary little world. There were no warships or endless varieties of weapons, and spring, summer, autumn, and winter all came in turn. Wen liked it more than Silan. He had settled in so quickly that even after three years, he had never felt out of place.
Of course, life would have been even more pleasant if he didn’t keep seeing green-eyed wolves racing about everywhere.
The planet was changing seasons. It had rained for days, leaving the air damp with the scent of earth. The sky had only cleared yesterday, so this was Wen’s first day outside in a while.
He closed his eyes, a faint smile touching his lips as he basked in the sun. He had no idea how much time passed—probably only a few minutes—before he felt a warm touch against his lips. He opened his eyes to Qi Yan’s beautiful silver hair, took one look, and leisurely closed them again.
Qi Yan wore gold, a color reserved for the werewolves’ king. When he returned to the Werewolf Planet three years ago, the royal family had been in turmoil. After failing to assassinate him, his cousin had grown desperate and gathered supporters to force his way to the throne. Qi Yan had no choice but to return. Later, when Wen was abducted, Qi Yan made time to bring him back to the planet, then didn’t come to see him for an entire month. He was busy dealing with the rebels and helping his father sort through the countless problems the conflict had left behind.
At least, that was Qi Yan’s explanation when he finally came to see Wen. Wen suspected he knew he’d done something wrong and was afraid Wen would be angry, so he’d stayed away for a month.
Qi Yan’s father was injured during the conflict. Once the rebellion was quelled, he took the opportunity to abdicate and pass the throne to his son.
Qi Yan was now the werewolves’ king.
“You’re not wearing socks again.”
He climbed into the hanging chair, which was large enough for three, and took Wen’s feet in his hands. As expected, they were cold. He gave Wen a displeased look.
After three years together, Qi Yan had turned into a devoted worrier. The king of the werewolves cooked for Wen every day simply because Wen couldn’t get used to the local food. During Wen’s first few days here, Qi Yan had been overwhelmed with work. Yet when someone reported that Wen could barely eat, he began finding time each day to cook for him and have the meals delivered.
Most werewolf food was simply roasted or boiled; some of it was even eaten raw. Wen could hardly look at it without feeling sick, let alone eat it. He was terribly particular.
He was sensitive to both cold and heat, yet the moment the sun came out, he went barefoot as though he had forgotten the cold.
Summer was approaching on the Werewolf Planet. Temperatures rose sharply then, and Wen always lost his appetite in the heat. Qi Yan had been thinking of taking him to another planet for a while.
“The weather on Nanque is lovely right now. How about we spend some time there?”
Wen leaned bonelessly against him and burrowed farther into his arms. “Let’s go to Silan.”
…
A long silence followed. Wen reluctantly opened his eyes and glanced at Qi Yan, tightening his arms around his waist.
“The insectoids have been active lately. Their queen has only been dormant for three years, but there are signs she may wake early. I want to return to the Federation.”
“No!”
If Wen Shilan hadn’t added that last sentence, there might have been the faintest chance Qi Yan would agree. But after hearing it, he refused without a second thought.
Over the past three years, Qi Yan had taken Wen to visit many planets. Yet Silan, the closest planet to their own, was the one place he wouldn’t let Wen see, even when they passed by it.
Wen was his mate now, practically one of the Werewolf Planet’s own. It would be best if he forgot Silan altogether.
Wen had expected the refusal and didn’t feel like wasting words coaxing Qi Yan. He simply burrowed deeper into his arms and closed his eyes to catch up on sleep. He hadn’t slept well the night before. Qi Yan’s enthusiasm for intimacy hadn’t faded over their years together; if anything, it had grown. Wen was exhausted, and lunch followed by warm sunshine only made him sleepier.
Qi Yan watched Wen nestle against him, affection shining in his narrow eyes. Wen had become more and more attached to him, especially lately. However much Qi Yan pestered him, Wen would at most scold him a couple of times before giving in. He had become so sweet and accommodating.
Qi Yan stroked Wen’s soft, smooth hair and pressed a gentle kiss to it.
He certainly wasn’t going to let Wen go to Silan, especially with trouble stirring there. Wen rarely paid much attention to events beyond their home, and with Qi Yan occasionally keeping news from reaching him, he knew even less.
The first signs that the insectoid queen might wake had appeared half a month ago. Since yesterday, the insectoids had begun moving in large numbers. Their queen was awake.
Before long, Silan would face its first major war in three years. After three years of recovery, the Federation’s soldiers had formally begun preparing for battle.
How could Qi Yan let Wen leave his side and go back to Silan at a time like this?
Wen and the insectoid queen were old enemies. He had no mental power left. If he crossed paths with her, there was no telling what danger he would face.
Wen was safe on the Werewolf Planet, and Silan had a new general. He didn’t need to get involved. All he had to do was stay beside Qi Yan.
Qi Yan held Wen while he slept for a while. When Wen showed no sign of waking and a cool breeze began to rise, Qi Yan picked him up and carried him back to the palace.
Wen had been sleeping soundly, but he stirred as soon as Qi Yan laid him on the bed. He wasn’t fully awake; his eyes were still hazy. Looking into those beautiful eyes, Qi Yan felt himself go weak all over—except in one place.
He loved Wen Shilan so much. Every moment, every time he looked at him, he thought it was impossible to love him more. Then the next moment came, and he discovered that somehow, he did.
Qi Yan took off his shoes, lay down beside Wen, and gathered him close. “Rest a little longer. It’ll be time for dinner when you get up.”
…
Wen didn’t want to sleep again now that he was awake, but he wrapped his arms around Qi Yan and held him close. His voice was soft with sleep. “All I do every day is eat and sleep. It’s so boring.”
Sometimes Wen did feel idle and bored. Most of the time, though, he liked this life.
Qi Yan gave a quiet laugh. “Then become my consort. Preparing the wedding will take months. That should give you something to do.”
It was a remarkably humble offer. Countless werewolves longed for the position of royal consort. Werewolves chose only one mate for life; whoever took that place would have power and security for the rest of their days. Yet Qi Yan had offered the position to Wen, and Wen had refused.
Qi Yan had wanted to name him consort as soon as he inherited the throne. Wen had turned him down without hesitation.
His reason? It sounded like too much trouble.
Wen hated fuss. He spent his days enjoying himself in the palace, and nearly everyone already assumed he was the consort, though he had never been formally appointed.
At first, many had objected to a man from Silan having such free run of the werewolf royal household, and Qi Yan heard plenty of complaints. Later, he led the werewolves in reclaiming several territories, which silenced them. Over the past three years, everyone had gradually come to regard Wen as their consort. Wen, however, still hadn’t agreed to make it official.
“All right,” Wen said. “But let’s wait until winter. Summer’s too hot. I don’t like it.
It was the first time Wen Shilan hadn’t refused. Qi Yan’s teasing smile froze. Once the meaning of Wen’s words sank in, he rolled over and pinned him beneath him. His deep-blue eyes shone, and even his voice trembled. “Really? Do you mean it?”
For three years, Qi Yan had asked Wen countless times to become his consort, and Wen had refused every time. This was the first time he’d said yes. Qi Yan could scarcely believe it. Perhaps he’d misheard, or perhaps Wen was still half asleep and had said the wrong thing.
But Qi Yan hadn’t misheard, and Wen hadn’t misspoken. He had even chosen a season.
Winter would be wonderful. If it was cold, Qi Yan would keep fires burning throughout the palace until even the walls were warm. He would make sure Wen was comfortable through every part of their wedding.
The weight of Qi Yan above him brought Wen a little more fully awake. He nodded, his voice gentle. “If I’m still on the Werewolf Planet by winter, we’ll get married.”
“Then we won’t go to Nanque. We’ll stay here and wait for winter.”
In previous years, Qi Yan had taken Wen to other planets when winter came. Not this year. He had a wedding to prepare on the Werewolf Planet.
Too excited to lie still, Qi Yan got up and headed for his desk. “I need to message my parents. They should stop traveling and come home. We can’t have a wedding without our family there.”
Wen got up too and walked barefoot to his side. For once, Qi Yan didn’t comment. He had long since learned that Wen liked getting out of bed barefoot, so he had covered the entire bedroom floor with thick, soft mats. Wen’s feet wouldn’t get cold.
Wen caught Qi Yan’s hand before he could send the message. “Why the rush? It’s still so early.”
Spring was only just ending. Winter was more than half a year away. Surely it was too soon to tell them.
“But—”
“No buts. We can tell them at the end of summer. A month or two is plenty of time to plan the wedding.”
Qi Yan wanted to tell everyone immediately. But after Wen said that, he reluctantly held himself back.
Wen Shilan had never liked making a spectacle of things. Qi Yan was afraid he might change his mind, so he went along with everything Wen wanted.
Qi Yan couldn’t hide his good mood. At dinner, one of the werewolf servants remarked casually, “Your Majesty seems very happy today.”
Qi Yan opened his mouth, ready to share his news. Then he caught Wen’s narrowed, warning gaze. He stopped himself and merely smiled and shook his head at the servant.
“Qi Yan, that’s enough.”
Even after they were in bed that night, Qi Yan couldn’t stop smiling. Every so often, he leaned over to kiss Wen. “I’m just so happy.”
Wen raised an eyebrow, an unreadable look in his bright eyes. He traced little circles over Qi Yan’s bare chest, then leaned close and breathed softly against his ear. “If you’re that happy, we could celebrate another way~”
He held Qi Yan’s gaze as though he meant to draw his very soul in.
Qi Yan was helpless against that look. He swallowed, his throat bobbing. “But… didn’t you say we couldn’t tonight?”
Werewolves had too much stamina. Wen usually made Qi Yan wait two days between intimate nights, and they had been together only yesterday. Ordinarily, Wen would never agree to it again tonight.
“We’re celebrating. I’ll make an exception.”
After hearing that, Qi Yan wasted no time. In moments, he had stripped them both.
Wen was unusually accommodating that night. Even when his body ached with exhaustion, he didn’t refuse anything Qi Yan asked of him. Their passionate night went on until well past midnight.
Wen was drenched in sweat and other fluids. Qi Yan carried him to the bath, helped him wash, then changed the sheets and duvet cover. Only then did Wen finally feel free of the sticky, damp sensation.
He lay limply on the bed, watching Qi Yan lower the curtains around it with his back turned. Strength began to flow back into Wen’s limbs. He reached out and struck Qi Yan sharply at the back of the neck. The next instant, Qi Yan collapsed onto the bed.
“That strength pill of yours is impressive.” Wen settled Qi Yan into a comfortable position and pulled the covers over him. His exhaustion had vanished, leaving his limbs full of energy.
“Of course it is!” Balala replied cheerfully. “Lord Shiqing, you’re finally going to finish the last ten percent of the mission! It’s strange, though. The original Wen’s glory as the God of War never faded, and he became Tang Wan’s unattainable first love. Why is the mission still ten percent short? It’s been stuck there for three years.”
Wen pressed a gentle kiss to Qi Yan’s forehead, then turned and left without hesitation. In his mind, he answered Balala: “You’ll find out soon.”
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