Ch 86: My Wolf Husband

Lin Shuishi felt a surge of panic. Though some areas of Dongshan were humid, most of it was dry mountain forests. A wildfire was no small matter—if left unchecked, it would spread rapidly, claiming the lives of countless animals.

And then there was the terrifying thought—Dongshan’s landscape was shaped by geothermal activity, filled with hot springs and underground heat vents. Beneath it all, there were likely still pools of magma that hadn’t completely cooled.

His mind spun. Was this an active volcano or a dormant one?

Beyond the fire ignited by the lightning, was there a risk of an eruption?

He was starting to feel like he was jumping at shadows, but the land chosen as the ancestral home of the Wolf God Clan had always been stable and secure. Animals had an unparalleled sensitivity to nature’s changes, and this mysterious race even more so.

Despite all these racing thoughts, Lin Shuishi didn’t dare to act rashly. His belly was already too big. He was afraid.

That was until a few wolves returned, carrying their companions whose fur had been scorched black.

He could no longer sit still.

Fuli was definitely near the fire.

His hands trembled slightly.

The sky was still dark. The thunder had ceased, but the howling winds continued—fueling the flames, making them burn even more fiercely.

The beast hide draped over his shoulders was swept away by the wind. He bent down to retrieve it, but it slipped from his fingers and was instantly carried off, tumbling down the mountainside until it disappeared from view.

The white wolves guarding him were also anxious after seeing their injured packmates return. Yet they remained steadfast in their duty, standing protectively around him.

They watched as the human sat down, eyes dazed, staring at his belly in silence.

One of the white wolves cautiously approached, lowering its head to sniff him.

Then, suddenly, the human moved.

He opened his mouth and spoke, but the wolves couldn’t understand his words. They only saw his pale face, his trembling hand pointing toward the burning inferno below.

The wolves met his deep, determined gaze, felt the undeniable presence of their leader’s scent on him—and ultimately, they obeyed.

A wolf knelt down before him, allowing him to climb onto its back before charging toward the distant red glow.

The ride was rough. Lin Shuishi endured the jolting pain, gritting his teeth and holding on, using one hand to support his belly as they ran.

The closer they got, the more suffocating the air became. He patted the wolf’s neck, signaling to change direction. They needed to find an upwind path—otherwise, he would choke to death before even reaching Fuli.

The deeper they traveled, the more panicked the fleeing animals became. Birds with burnt wings flapped desperately along the ground, trying to escape. Small animals bolted in a frenzy. A wild deer even had a tree sloth clinging to its back, both blindly running for their lives.

But then, just as the white wolf found a way around, a river appeared before them, cutting them off.

Lin Shuishi hadn’t even seen the fire yet, and already they were blocked.

The wolf bravely stepped into the water but quickly backed out.

The river wasn’t wide, but it was deep. The wolf’s legs couldn’t touch the ground. Even if it could swim across, it wouldn’t be able to carry a human.

Without hesitation, Lin Shuishi made a decision. He and the wolf turned upstream, running along the riverbank, searching for a narrower crossing.

They were going against the current of fleeing animals. Every creature knew by instinct to run as far as possible from the fire. And yet, the only ones defying this instinct—the ones running toward the danger—were a man and a wolf.

The mountain burned behind them, and the fire burned in their eyes, fierce and unwavering.

But the river stretched on endlessly, an impassable barrier. No matter how far they ran, they couldn’t find a crossing. Lin Shuishi’s heart clenched tighter and tighter.

He already knew—Fuli wouldn’t stand by and do nothing while the fire spread. If the wolves were already injured, then Fuli had to be right in the thick of it.

He had to find him. No matter what, he had to find him.

As they ran, a powerful, rhythmic pounding suddenly echoed through the valley.

The sound of hooves.

Lin Shuishi looked up just in time to see a massive herd of wild horses galloping down from the mountains.

Their thundering strides kicked up grass and dry branches, their muscular bodies rippling with untamed power. Even the roaring wind couldn’t sway them.

This was the migration of the herds, fleeing the fire.

Leading the charge was the mighty stallion, the same one Lin Shuishi had once seen. It still carried its imposing presence, guiding the herd with experience and wisdom, choosing the right path while countless other animals followed in its wake.

But among them, just behind the stallion, a towering black horse abruptly turned its head.

Its gaze locked onto Lin Shuishi and the white wolf running against the tide.

For a moment, the black horse froze.

Then, ignoring the rest of the herd, it came to a complete stop.

The stallion leading the herd let out a sharp cry, urging the younger horse forward, but the black horse didn’t move.

Instead, it made its choice.

As the herd thundered past, the black horse broke away.

Without hesitation, it surged forward, galloping through the river toward Lin Shuishi.

The river that had stopped the white wolf was no obstacle for the horse. With its powerful, long legs, it plowed through the water effortlessly, sending up a spray with each stride.

Lin Shuishi and the white wolf were still running upstream when the black horse intercepted them, crossing from the opposite bank.

The sheer size of the beast made Lin Shuishi hesitate.

Was it really…?

The black horse didn’t fear the white wolf. Instead, it lowered its massive head and pressed its face against Lin Shuishi’s cheek before rearing up slightly, tossing its head in a familiar gesture.

Lin Shuishi’s eyes widened.

“Little Black Horse?!”

It felt like just yesterday it had been that small, young foal trailing behind him and Fuli.

And now, it had grown into something magnificent.

There was no time for reunions. The black horse matched the white wolf’s pace, lowering its head and nudging Lin Shuishi, signaling for him to climb on.

It had grown strong enough. It was fast enough. It was steady enough.

Finally, it could carry him.

Finally, it could be useful.

Lin Shuishi didn’t hesitate. He grit his teeth and pressed a hand against the wolf’s back for support. The black horse knelt slightly, allowing him to carefully maneuver onto its back, supporting his belly as he settled in.

The moment he was secure, the horse rose and charged forward.

It leapt into the river, crossing in powerful, measured strides. Not a single drop of water touched Lin Shuishi’s feet.

Once they reached solid ground, the black horse began to accelerate, running faster and faster. The white wolf followed, but even at full speed, it struggled to keep up.

Lin Shuishi’s face was pale, his heart pounding as he leaned forward, whispering into the horse’s ear.

“Little Horse, take me to Fuli.”

---

Fuli was struggling.

He had expected the thunder, but he hadn’t anticipated the fire would spread so rapidly.

By the time he and the wolves arrived, the western forests of Dongshan were already ablaze. Fueled by relentless winds, the flames devoured the trees in an instant, turning the mountainside into a sea of red.

The western forest was dry. If left unchecked, the fire would consume everything.

The choking smoke was unbearable. Deep in the forest, the deer herd was trapped, blinded by the thick air. If they didn’t get out soon, they would suffocate.

Fuli and the wolves had planned to guide them out, but the flames were too intense. Some of the white wolves had already suffered burns.

With a growl, Fuli abandoned all hesitation.

Under the flickering red sky, he let go of his human form.

A massive white beast howled in fury, tearing through the inferno.

He surged toward the mountainside river, his claws gouging into rock, his thick tail snapping ancient trees in half.

With brute force, he diverted the river.

Water pooled behind the sudden blockade of stone and wood, and when it could no longer be contained—

The river flooded forward, surging into the burning forest.

Through the steam and flames, Fuli found the deer king.

Gripping its enormous antlers, he yanked it forward.

The wolves howled. The deer followed. And together, they charged through the fire.

The Wolf King took over the next step, working with the pack to drive the deer in the right direction. Finally, the herd found an escape route and, with desperate cries, galloped away from the fire.

Fuli stood on the scorched blackened grass, his hair in disarray, the tips singed from the heat. Even with his incredible endurance, the intensity of the battle against the fire had left him panting.

But just as he exhaled a breath of relief, his ears twitched. His expression changed in an instant, eyes widening in shock, every hair on his body standing on end.

His muscles trembled violently, and before anyone could react, he moved faster than ever before—practically flying—rushing straight into the burning forest that still had not been extinguished.

His heart clenched into a tight knot, his beast markings surged across his skin, and his slit pupils shrank to thin lines.

From within the flames, a black stallion suddenly let out a piercing cry, leaping out of the burning trees.

It had escaped the fire in one bound, its thick mane already singed by the heat.

And on its back—was a small figure.

The rider lay slightly to the side, body wrapped tightly in a scorched banana leaf, covering most of his body, but especially shielding his belly.

Sensing the change in temperature, the figure stirred slightly.

Before he could even straighten up, a pair of strong, soot-covered arms had already seized him, pulling him down from the horse and pressing him into a broad chest.

Despite the scent of smoke and charred earth, the embrace was familiar.

Lin Shuishi exhaled shakily, only to be overtaken by violent coughing.

The hands holding him frantically searched him, feeling over every inch of his body, only stopping once they were sure he was unharmed.

He had finally found Fuli.

Seeing him, wild but still standing, his suspended heart finally settled. It was like he had been brought back to life.

Yes, this man—this giant, powerful beast of the mountains—he was strong. He would be fine.

The black horse, relieved of its burden, rushed to the dampened mud near the river, rolling furiously to cool its burns with the soothing earth.

Fuli, however, saw nothing else—only Lin Shuishi.

“You—why did you come here?! I told you to stay put and rest!”

His voice was rough, his body trembling with adrenaline and lingering fear. Even his shout carried the undertones of a beast’s growl.

Lin Shuishi coughed so hard his eyes watered, but he didn’t stop. Gasping for breath, he clutched at Fuli and spoke between coughs.

“I saw on the way here—the western forest, the downwind side—cough, cough—it’s full of pine and cypress trees.”

He struggled through the fits of coughing, his voice hoarse.

“They’re too flammable. All that pine resin—cough, cough—once it catches fire, it’ll burn half the mountain! You need to—cough—dig a firebreak! Clear all the burnable vegetation!”

Fuli had no interest in digging anything.

Looking at Lin Shuishi’s smoke-reddened eyes and weakened body, he only wanted to carry him back to the safety of the wolf den.

But Lin Shuishi grew anxious. Now that he had seen Fuli safe, his mind could focus again—on the fire, on the disaster that would follow if it wasn’t stopped.

That vast forest—it absolutely could not burn.

Forget the immediate casualties. If the pine groves burned, the mountain would lose most of its winter food supply. Without the nuts and seeds from those trees, half of Dongshan’s wildlife would starve to death come winter.

The only solution was to dig a firebreak. As wide as possible.

Seeing Fuli hesitate, Lin Shuishi understood his concern.

He didn’t want to leave his side.

So, he turned abruptly, breaking free from Fuli’s arms. Holding onto the now mud-covered black horse, he steadied himself to leave.

“You’re fine. I’m going back. You go.”

The wind roared. The fire spread fast. There was no time to waste.

Lin Shuishi took a few steps, then turned back one last time.

Fuli’s beast-like pupils were still tightly contracted, his expression unreadable.

Lin Shuishi, his smoke-blackened face full of resolve, looked at him seriously and gave his final instruction.

“Do your best. If you can’t stop it… then just let it go.”

He paused for a second, voice soft but firm.

“I’ll be waiting for you—with our child.”

Fuli’s chest heaved violently, his claws extending.

But he didn’t stop him.

Lin Shuishi, as stubborn as ever, mounted the black horse and rode away.

Fuli let out a deep, guttural roar.

The wolves immediately formed a protective circle around Lin Shuishi and the black horse, escorting them back to the mountain ridge.

And Fuli—gritted his teeth, turned back toward the raging inferno, and used every last bit of his strength to rally the creatures of Dongshan.

They would dig a firebreak.

In the firelit night, the two of them moved in opposite directions, separated by a burning sea of flames.