Chapter 07
Heeyeon could hardly bring herself to believe that she hadn’t died. No—it was something that should never have happened.
It couldn’t be. If there was no body, maybe the monster—or whatever it was—had devoured her completely. Minseo silently listened as the Grand Matriarch spoke to Samsik, hoping someone would say that aloud.
“Are you certain you searched thoroughly?”
“Y-yes, Madam. I would not dare lie about such matters. I released people to search the area meticulously, but nothing was found.”
“I see. Very well. Make sure no rumors spread, and wait until I summon you again.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Relieved that no scolding came, Samsik hurriedly withdrew. Even after he left, the Grand Matriarch’s expression remained grim. Seeing her deep in thought, Minseo carefully spoke up.
“What could have possibly happened? Everyone praises Miss Heeyeon for volunteering as a sacrifice. If this fact were to become known, wouldn’t it be problematic?”
The subtle suggestion of a potential problem darkened the old woman’s expression even more. And then she remembered what the monk had said—removing evil meant Heeyeon had to die. If she lived, future plans might be disrupted.
“That may be so. Still, nothing will really change. Whether the body is found or not, she is still gone. You need not concern yourself.”
Hearing this, Minseo’s lips curved slightly in a small, satisfied smile—she now knew the Grand Matriarch did not wish for Heeyeon’s survival either.
“Yes, of course. I wouldn’t presume to interfere. Still, since problems may arise, perhaps it would be wise to discreetly keep an eye on her until her fate is clear?”
Minseo’s words, gently scratching where it itched, narrowed the old woman’s eyes.
“…….”
Though she gave no reply, Minseo could sense the woman had accepted her suggestion.
“Madam, then I shall take my leave.”
“Do so.”
Minseo bowed politely and left. As she exited the main residence, her lips curved into a soft, rounded smile.
News of Heeyeon’s sudden disappearance also reached the Jackal Clan’s hideout. Unlike the Jeong family, they already knew her whereabouts.
“I thought her face was too fair to waste, but if I had known she’d fall into the Wolf Clan’s hands, I would have driven a knife through her heart myself.”
Leaning back in his seat, Cheongang’s eyes gleamed coldly. The dagger he toyed with like a plaything matched the dangerous aura in his gaze.
The Wolves could not be trusted with anything, even something seemingly useless. And yet now, something far more valuable—Heeyeon—had fallen into their hands. That stung.
“Thus, we’ve lost eight of the mutated centipedes.”
Cheongang’s subordinate reported this with a frown. Cheongang clicked his tongue in irritation. Historically, the Jackals excelled at exploiting others, creating strife, and sowing discord. Yet the Wolves had repeatedly foiled their schemes.
The Jackals had finally mutated mindless centipedes to attack the Wolves. Fed human flesh and blood, the creatures grew monstrously strong. The Wolves had panicked when the monsters first appeared, but by now, they could eliminate them without much trouble.
The effort required to raise such creatures was staggering. Damn Wolves, Cheongang muttered under his breath.
“Regretting the loss won’t help. Were the preparations made as I instructed?”
A subordinate quickly placed a small vial of dark red liquid on the table.
“Yes, all is ready. Only the execution remains. However, as I mentioned, we have never used this potion on a human before, so its side effects are uncertain.”
“That’s not my concern. We’ll see what happens when the time comes.”
Cheongang smirked as he spun the glass vial. Soon, the Jeong family matriarch would take this potion and recover, unaware of what it truly was. Watching foolish humans march toward destruction was a delight to Cheongang.
A week had already passed since arriving here. Heeyeon had explored many areas thanks to Aseon, who guided her everywhere to convince her this truly was the Wolf Clan’s hideout. Now, she could not deny their existence.
Sitting at the edge of the wooden floor, she watched the setting sun. Untouched by human hands, the scenery seemed almost unbearably beautiful.
A stream, flowing through the Wolf Clan territory past the Sacred Tree to the western lands, glimmered like a jewel in the sunset. She could have sat there for hours and never grown bored.
“This place is really beautiful.”
Hearing Heeyeon’s awe, Aseon chuckled softly. Her round, shining eyes looked irresistibly cute.
“I guess I’m just not used to seeing it every day,” Aseon replied with a shrug.
Heeyeon hesitated before asking, “Would it be possible to visit the Sacred Tree?”
“The Sacred Tree? It’s just big, not much to see, so I wouldn’t usually recommend it. But I suppose it’s fine.”
Heeyeon had seen a huge tree in her dream last night and felt it must be the Sacred Tree. She’d foolishly felt the tree was calling to her, but to avoid sounding silly, she simply said she wanted to see it.
Aseon, unaware of the dream, agreed, and they set off westward. Soon, the enormous tree came into view.
“The Wolves believe this tree completes their barrier, protecting them from outside forces. It also signals when a king is about to meet his mate.”
As Aseon explained, they approached the Sacred Tree.
“Hmm? This isn’t so unimpressive after all.”
Aseon stared upward at the towering tree, dumbfounded, a stream of saliva slipping from his mouth. Even he, born and raised here, was awestruck by the enormous Sacred Tree, now bursting with red flowers.
“Huh… this place wasn’t always so beautiful?”
The Flowers of the Mate had bloomed twenty-five years ago, meaning Aseon was witnessing this scene for the first time as well.
Once a desolate tree, stripped of leaves, its branches had rustled eerily in the wind. After sunset, only the bravest Wolves dared approach. And yet now, it exuded vibrant life.
Heeyeon marveled as the red petals danced like snow under the rising moonlight wind.
Suddenly, Aseon tilted his head, puzzled, “Uh… what is this energy?”
At the same time, a familiar voice called out.
“Finally noticing my presence? Perhaps it’s time to increase your training intensity.”
The sharp, crooked tone belonged to the Wolf Clan’s king—Doheon.
Unintentionally, Heeyeon’s gaze flicked to him. Her heart raced rapidly as she drew a shaky breath.
His eyes were golden once more.
It wasn’t a mistake.
The man who had appeared to save her from the centipede’s poison, just before she became a sacrifice, had eyes more beautiful than the moonlight. It hadn’t been a trick of the light.
“Uh… um, do you really wish to speak such terrible words after seeing a view like this?”
Aseon attempted to excuse herself from training, using the scenery as an alibi, causing Doheon to frown slightly.
“Step back before I work you hard. Taeun too.”
After addressing Aseon, he gestured to Taeun, who had been standing silently behind him.
“Yes, my lord. I will step back.”
Taeun bent smartly and withdrew. Aseon, relieved to escape rigorous training, quickly turned away.
“Seems you have something to discuss.”
Doheon indicated the space beside him with a mere gesture. Heeyeon noted how naturally commanding his minimal movements were. It was hard to believe she was interacting with someone so used to reigning from the highest position.
His arrogant posture and piercing gaze heightened the tension. Heeyeon walked slowly to his side, feeling the weight of his eyes with every step.
After steadying her breathing and masking her expression, she lifted her eyes to him, as if asking what he wanted to discuss.
Yet when their eyes met, her own flickered slightly.
Those golden eyes, impossible to read, felt like they were binding her.
“Did the Sacred Tree appear in your dream last night?”
And when he asked, as though he too had seen her dream, she found herself holding her breath.
