Xiao Zai was convinced that everything about this wedding was meant to punish him.

He had to undertake a long and arduous journey into Xin, only to escort his future husband back to Zui, which meant he would spent several days on the road.

His dam-father encouraged him to be courteous in the household of the Prince of Jing, and look out for any opportunities for alliances. After all, they were bound to be unfavored with their king too, since their alpha heir was also being embroiled in this messy treaty. They could be useful in the future, and it was best not to alienate them so early on by being rude.

Xiao Zai tried to keep his dam’s sensible words in mind as he travelled through narrow roads, sheer mountain faces, and withstood two thunderstorms, just to reach the cursed land of Xin. Where, to add insult to injury, the weather was unseasonably warm.

Finally, his honour guard informed him that they would be arriving at the Prince of Jing’s estate in a few hours. That meant Xiao Zai should find an inn, or someplace similar, to stop and change into his wedding robes, as per tradition.

He pulled back the reins of his horse, slowing it down from a fast gallop to a slow, measured trot. Xiao Zai knew he was only delaying the inevitable, but he wanted to appreciate his last few moments of singledom.

“Your Highness, at this pace it will take us several more hours to reach the Prince’s residence,” a flustered guard informed him, looking behind his shoulder at the faltering rhythm of the convoy.

Xiao Zai tried to think of an excuse. “Do you want these Xin foxes to think we rushed here all the way from Zui, just to marry one of them?” He frowned, his sharp eyebrows angled towards his temples. “Have you considered how that will make our Great Zui look? Why should we give them that much face while making ourselves look desperate?”

The guard lowered his head. “Apologising to His Highness, this one didn’t think things trough.”

Now that the words were out of his mouth Xiao Zai didn’t think his excuse was all that flimsy. It actually made plenty of sense.

He steeled his jaw and raised his chin. “Let them wait. We’ll get there when we get there.”

—

As a consequence, the wedding escort arrived at Prince of Jing’s estate under the cover of darkness.

No apologies were offered for the late arrival, which greatly upset Madam Jing. The entire household had spent the entire day on pins and needles. She had cried so much throughout the day that her makeup had to be reapplied thrice, and now these wolves just marched through the gates of her house without as much as a by your leave!

She heard all about how the wolves treated omegas, but they were in Xin, and in Xin omegas could freely speak their mind.

That’s why she walked up to Xiao Zai as soon as he dismounted from his horse, intending to give him a piece of her mind.

The young alpha wolf was taller than most other alphas she had met in Xin, including her husband who towered above even his royal brother.

But if she let herself be intimidated, naturally this brute would think he could do the same to her son!

“Welcome, your Highness, to our Great Xin, and our humble Jing estate,” she said, smiling through her displeasure.

Behind her, the Prince of Jing raised his hand as if to stop her but let it fall to his side. Thinking twice about upsetting his wife when she was already in such a foul mood.

Xiao Zai looked down at the Madam’s powdered face. It was obvious she was a very beautiful omega, even though she had almost ruined her natural beauty by hiding it under makeup. In Zui it was considered vulgar for omegas to wear makeup. Of course, Xiao Zai knew better than to bring that up.

A faint, tart, pomelo scent wafted up from her, calming instead of arousing — dulled for everyone but her mate. Xiao Zai could tell by the fragrance that she had been bonded to her husband for years, whether it was a soulbond, or a conventional bond he had no way of knowing by smell alone.

A quick glance behind the Prince revealed a row of three low-rank concubines, their heads lowered demurely.

If the Prince and his first wife were soulbonded the mere thought of lying with someone else would cause him immense pain.

Soulbonds were exceedingly rare in Zui, Xiao Zai had no reason to believe it was any different in Xin.

He was more interested in the fact that an omega had walked so brazenly up to him, not even bothering to hide the fire burning in her lovely eyes.

Here was an omega who had never suffered abuse under her husband’s hand. Here was an omega who had never been forced to lower her face to the dirt so others could step all over her.

Xiao Zai returned her frosty smile with a genuine one of his own. “It’s an honour to meet Madam Jing, I apologise for keeping Madam up so late.”

He bowed respectfully to her, keeping his distance, since he didn’t know what was the proper way to address a mated omega in Xin.

Madam Jing was clearly taken aback by his charming disposition and faltered for something to say. Her husband jumped in to rescue the situation and finish making the introductions for his family.

Just then, an overwhelmingly sweet scent of pomegranates and plums wafted up to Xiao Zai’s nose, making his heart lurch painfully inside his chest.

He turned his head towards the scent.. Under the awning of the Jing’s palace’s main building, he saw the most breathtaking creature he had ever seen in his life.