Tamed or Captured

Asha’s disheveled blonde hair lay over the white pillow, a sight so beautiful that Jackal couldn’t help but admire her in silence. 

As he remained silent, his intense glances caused Asha’s heart to race.

Jackal’s broad, muscular shoulders and well-built body stood before her, exuding strength and sexiness.

Even his tense muscles and taut veins seemed to be filled with anger.

His heart was beating fast.

His heartbeat sounded passionate and vigorous, like that of a wild horse.

Maybe he was nervous because it was his first time.

Asha was nervous on the first night as much as Jackal, but she decided to approach him first, knowing that he was feeling quite shy.

She was no longer the passive woman of the past; now she desired to boldly claim the man she had chosen.

Her body and mind both yearned for him, leaving no room for hesitation or regret.

As if driven by instinct, Asha gently placed her hand on the back of Jackal’s head, her face flushed, and spoke.

“I’m the one who made you like this, so I’ll take responsibility.”

She playfully messed up his mane-like hair and raised her head to meet his lips.

At that moment, Jackal transformed into a beast.

He kissed not only her lips but also explored other parts of her body without hesitation.

Everywhere his lips touched, fiery sensations bloomed.

Although Asha intended to take responsibility, the sudden change in the situation caused her to give up and surrendered herself to him.

The two shadows cast by the flickering lamp merged instantly into one, and the candlelight continued to flicker throughout the night, never extinguishing.

* * * * *

The next morning, Asha woke up with a groggy face after a passionate night.

Sunlight streamed through the partially opened curtains, casting a straight beam onto the bed.

Lying on his stomach right beside her, Jackal was still fast asleep.

Bathed in the sunlight, his bronzed, muscular body appeared dynamic and beautiful, resembling a sculpture.

As Asha gently stroked his hair, Jackal’s eyes slowly opened.

“…Are you awake?”

Seeing Asha by his side, Jackal’s excitement resurfaced.

Even in his eyes, Asha’s figure illuminated by the sunlight seemed enchanting, as though he were beholding a goddess.

“Are you feeling okay?”

Jackal sat up quickly and he checked Asha’s body.

“I’m a little sore, but… I’m fine.”

Asha shyly looked away.

There were traces of Jackal’s actions from the night before.

He gazed at them with widened eyes, studying those marks in silence. Then, he tenderly kissed her forehead.

“……Stay put. I’ll bring you breakfast right away.”

Jackal jumped out of bed, wore a robe, and left the room.

Asha is the noblest woman in the world.

From then on, he was determined to treat her with the utmost respect and courtesy, befitting a lady.

Asha lay on her side, gently closing her eyes.

‘It seems I underestimated the wild horse a lot…’

Jackal had truly been like an unstoppable racehorse the previous night.

Asha felt as though she had soared through the sky, trying to keep up with him.

Although she had some unpleasant memories and was as nervous as Jackal, their first night together was a feeling of ecstasy, unlike anything she had known before.

She felt that every part of her was being loved by him.

‘Sheppy is a great horse…..’

Asha thought silently to herself.

A satisfied smile lingered on her lips.

* * * * *

On the sunlit second-floor terrace, Asha and Jackal enjoyed breakfast together as a couple for the first time. The morning brought a flutter of excitement to Asha’s heart.

It was the same with Jackal.

“How is it? Does it taste good?”

Jackal, who personally cooked for Asha, looked at her with expectant eyes.

He had always promised himself that if he spent the first night with his wife, he would make breakfast for her the following morning.

Asha eagerly scooped up the vegetable soup Jackal had prepared and took a large bite of the freshly baked bread topped with bacon, beans, tomatoes, and scrambled eggs mixed with salmon.

Her eyes lit up with delight.

“Jackal! Since when did you get so good at cooking?”

“Well… maybe since I became the leader of the Lycaons?”

Jackal replied, finally relaxing and smiling at Asha’s enthusiastic response.

“Does Mr. Wede know about it?”

Asha asked with a serious expression, to which Jackal chuckled in response.

“No matter what, I can’t win against Wede.”

“No! I’m sorry to Wede, but your food tastes better to me!”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! It suits my taste perfectly.”

Jackal felt a surge of happiness, and he brought out freshly squeezed fruit juice as a dessert.

Having observed Asha closely, he had come to understand her preferences and tastes quite well.

His keen sense of smell, inherited from his wild horse nature, played a part in it too.

Asha closed her eyes, basking in the morning sunlight, and enjoyed the sumptuous meal in the company of her lover.

It was a blissful beginning to their newlywed lives.

Her radiant beauty captivated Jackal to the point where he forgot to eat, simply admiring her.

After finishing their meal, Jackal prepared himself for work. Starting that day, he would fulfill his duties as the village chief and priest.

Despite having disliked the ethnic minority in the past, now, as the village chief, Jackal felt a strong desire to preserve the unique culture of the minorities.

Witnessing Dart’s case made him realize the importance of safeguarding their history and culture from vanishing.

Asha stood in the doorway, her face brimming with excitement, as she watched Jackal change into the village chief’s attire.

Jackal donned a black robe, with a blue cloth draped over his shoulders like a muffler.

He raised the cumbersome, long sleeves and muttered disapprovingly.

 “I don’t understand why the village chiefs wear these clothes.”

“It suits you well, though.”

At her words, Jackal’s face flushed slightly as he turned to look at her.

“…Really?”

“Yes. You look like a very dependable and charismatic village chief.”

Asha’s smile in response made Jackal feel embarrassed, causing him to rub the back of his head.

“Calling me a village chief makes me feel old…”

“It’s okay. In my eyes, you look like a prince.”

Jackal’s expression changed upon hearing Asha’s words.

He had never been addressed as a ‘prince’ before in his entire life.

Jackal moved closer to her and looked into her face.

“This prince is still inexperienced.”

He finished speaking before leaning in to kiss Asha.

Despite his intention to slack off from the very first day, Asha happily laughed and embraced his shoulders.

Honey dripped from their eyes as they looked at each other.

The two held each other tightly, swaying in place as if they were dancing.

* * * * *

Jackal, accompanied by the chiefs of each clan, dedicated their efforts to rebuilding the village.

The representatives of each clan exchanged meaningful glances, nodding in agreement as Jackal carefully planned and provided instructions.

Jackal possessed the qualities of an exceptional leader.

Despite being young, he was quick and efficient at his job. Instead of rigidly adhering to strict principles, he handled tasks flexibly.

Asha also went around the village identifying areas that needed repairs and organizing them. In her spare time, she beautifully decorated the house.

While the two were establishing order in the village, an invitation flew to her house.

It had been sent by Duran from the palace.

Asha used a knife to open the golden invitation and immediately exclaimed, her eyes widening.

“Jackal!”

Startled, Jackal paused his work in the workshop, his hands still clutching the tools as he hurried over upon hearing her urgent call.

“…..What’s the matter?”

Jackal approached Asha from behind and enveloped her in a gentle back hug, finding her standing there in a daze, holding the letter.

As his broad and sturdy chest pressed against her back, Asha’s face turned slightly red. Jackal, too, had wide eyes like Asha and fell into sudden silence.

The letter revealed the news of Karaf’s awakening.

“That flower guy… Has he finally awakened?”

The two of them hastily prepared to make their way to the palace.

As always, Sonya quickly arranged everything to help Asha.

The Imperial Palace personally sent a carriage for them. 

When a luxurious golden carriage, adorned with intricate designs, appeared at the entrance of the village, the eyes of the people grew wide and they gathered around it, filled with curiosity.

Asha turned to Gabe and spoke.

“Gabe, would you like to come along as well?”

“Me?”

Gabe blinked.

“Yes. Karaf may regain more energy if there is another spirit contractor present.”

“I don’t want to suck up to that guy…”

Gabe grumbled, yet he still climbed aboard the carriage.

In truth, it was his first time riding in such a carriage, so he felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness, displaying signs of anticipation.

Jackal stared at him intently and muttered.

“This guy sometimes says one thing and does another.”

Asha covered her mouth and secretly chuckled. 

Jackal took the lead and stepped onto the carriage, extending his hand towards Asha.

Seeing him hanging from the carriage, he looked cool once again, so Asha stood still and looked at him while her face turned red.

Even though she could easily board the carriage on her own, as she was accustomed to doing so, the fact that Jackal was escorting her filled her with excitement. She gently placed her hand in his and boarded the carriage.

The onlookers gazed in awe as they departed for the palace as if the couple were making their way to their own home.

Then, Sonya cautiously inquired.

“By the way, Lady Vanessa, will the person who assists the village chief not be joining us?”

“Hmm? Are you referring to Sosa?”

Asha asked, noticing the slight blush on Sonya’s cheeks.

“Yes…..”

Asha, Jackal, and Gabe exchanged glances, sharing the same thought.

Jackal cleared his throat and spoke up.

“Now that I think about it, we should bring Sosa along. If we leave him behind, he’ll surely complain…”

Upon hearing Jackal’s words, Asha swiftly nudged his foot, signaling him to stop.

Jackal let out an “ah” and corrected himself.

“…Well, I mean, he’s my right-hand man, so it’s only natural that we bring him..”

“That’s right. Sosa is a reliable aide, isn’t he?”

When Asha replied with a smile, Sonya’s face lit up.

As Sosa stepped onto the carriage and discovered Sonya inside, his body stiffened involuntarily.

At that moment, Jackal, Asha, and Gabe exchanged glances without saying anything.

Sosa’s face flushed, and he placed a hand on his chest, speaking with solemnity.

“Did you call me, Chief?”

Gabe and Asha fought hard to suppress their laughter, struggling to contain their amusement at Sosa’s uncharacteristically serious and polite demeanor.

The two of them looked like they were about to explode.