My father had never liked Black Dragons, but he knew how stubborn I could be. All he could do was frown and try to talk me out of it.

"The Black Dragons are having a difficult time surviving. Don't be shy to ask Lucia for help if you face any trouble."

Lucia had just come back and heard it. She rolled her eyes at me and sneered when she found out what our father was asking of her.

"You must be mad, Sadie. You know that the Black Dragons are forced to ration their food now. You are just asking for it by choosing to marry one of them. You will end up starving.

"The Wolves have no such worries. They live in grandeur and magnificence. They even have dozens of Wolf Guards protecting them when they leave the house. If you cannot stand living your days suffering, kneel and beg me. I'll consider helping you out."

She laughed with great ease and ignored the stiff expression of the servant standing next to her.

The Wolves might be rich, and Silas was known to be loyal and reliable. If she got pregnant with his child, she could become the First Lady of the Alliance.

Lucia had no idea that it would be difficult for the Humans to get pregnant with a member of another clan, even if we brought Blessings with us. Silas was a power-hungry wolf. He wanted a child born with Blessings to help him rule over the three clans.

Back in the past, Silas treated me with great warmth and tenderness. Half a year passed, and I was still not pregnant. That was when he started torturing me.

It was only when I found a shaman to help me get pregnant with Zion through an ancient ritual in exchange for all my Blessings that I was able to continue living.

I lowered my eyes. "Don't worry, Lucia. This is the companion I chose. I'll accept whatever future holds in store for me."

"What's with all this pretense? You might as well be marrying a wild dragon in dire straits.

"Just wait. I will be the first to give birth to a child of mixed heritage. My child will be the next ruler of the three clans!"

Lucia did not like how calm I was. She swept the vase next to her off the table and left angrily.

I continued preparing my wedding dress in the room.

My wedding was delayed two days because Lucia got into Silas' bed, and I had to pick another marriage alliance.

The Black Dragons were still weak and poor. I was not even sure if they could prepare a wedding gown for me.

I did not expect Liam to personally deliver ten boxes of gifts.

They included a perfect wedding gown that was of regal standard.

It was black and was embroidered with a dragon made up of shiny golden threads. There were shiny black scales on the collar, and the flowing skirt spread outward from the waist. It was layered and luxurious.

He put the box down gently.

"This is the wedding gown of the Black Dragon Queen. The decorative scales are the most solid of my scales." I turned to look and met his clear, amber eyes. He had sharp features and warm air about him. He was nothing like the malicious Black Dragon everyone talked about.

"It's the first time a Black Dragon is in a marriage alliance with the Human Clan. We are preparing this wedding with the highest honors. Let me know if you need anything else."

My fingers gently brushed against the luxurious gown. It glimmered with gold under the lights.

"I love it."

Just as I was about to put the gown away, my door was pushed open. Lucia walked in with her arms around Silas' arm.

"Did all the Black Dragon give you was a wedding gown, Sadie? Silas came with twenty dresses that came with matching jewelry. I got dizzy trying to choose which to wear."

Silas looked at her tenderly.

Lucia had no idea that a Wolf's 'loyalty' was a physiological drive. Their animalistic instincts to reproduce took precedence over all else. As the King of Silver Wolves in the north, Silas had even stronger reproduction needs.

As Lucia had no secret ritual as a last resort, Sadie wondered if Lucia could take Silas' torture after half a year, when she could not get pregnant.

Liam looked at me and made a solemn promise, "I'm willing to love and protect you for the rest of my life because you're willing to marry me, Miss Quentin."

Lucia rolled her eyes. "I can't believe the malicious Black Dragon could spout such sweet words. I wonder if you'll continue to be this sweet when you find out you can't have children."

All Lucia cared about was getting pregnant with an heir. It had become an obsession with her since she was kicked out by the Silver Dragons for being barren.

I looked at her and gave her a significant smile. "You should worry about your husband instead, Lucia. You keep staring at my fiancé. Are you having indecent thoughts?"

The look on Lucia's face changed. Silas pulled her hand and turned to leave.

When the door closed, I could still hear Lucia's shrill voice, "The next ruler…"

How dumb. She thought she could lead a carefree, luxurious life just because she had her pick before me after getting reborn.

"I know you are not marrying me willingly, Miss Quentin, but I promise you, I will share everything I have with you. You don't need to worry about your livelihood."

That was when I snapped out of my thoughts. I looked at him standing next to him. I could smell the fragrant scent on him. It was a cool scent that strangely made me feel safe.

I looked up and smiled at him.

"Liam Thorn, there's nothing unwilling about my choice. Choosing you is the best decision I have ever made. Please call me Sadie."

There was a flash of emotion in his eyes. He nodded in reply.

On the day of the wedding.

The Wolves' wedding ceremony was much grander than in my past life.

Silas decorated their wedding hall with red, in accordance with Lucia's liking. The palace was covered with lights and colorful streamers, and they even invited the Elf Clan, who hid themselves from the world, the Dwarf Clan, the Centaurs, and the powerful witch. Almost every Human of noble blood was also in attendance.

Only the main families of the Black Dragons attended the wedding.

Before Lucia got into the wedding car, she showed off the love marks on her body, which were visible from the thin material of her wedding gown.

"I had no idea that a Wolf King could have so much stamina, Sadie. Looks like I'll be able to give birth to an heir soon."

As she looked at me in delight, I smiled as I looked back.

"I hope your wish will come true."

She must be dreaming.

The genes of Humans, Wolves, and Dragons do not match at all. Even if we had Blessings, it would require at least three years to get pregnant naturally. I had to use all sorts of tricks and everything I had in my past life just to have a baby.

Lucia knew that I got pregnant after half a year. She had already announced to the Wolves that she would have a child within half a year. Silas believed her, and so did other wolves.

I ignored her.

She sneered. "There's no need to be stubborn with me when you're marrying into such poor territory. I heard that the Black Dragons don't even have hot water during winter."

Lucia turned to get into the car, but I grabbed her.

"Apologize, Lucia."

She pushed me away and shouted angrily, "Are you crazy?!"

All the guests watched us argue.

My father rushed over to us, and when he found out what had happened, he got Lucia to apologize in public.

It did not matter how dire the Black Dragons' situation was; they should not be insulted in public.

Before Lucia left, she clenched her teeth and whispered into my ear.

"Sadie Quentin, the Queen of the three clans, will be me."

The night of the wedding.

I was mesmerized the moment Liam took off his clothes.

He had wide shoulders and a narrow waist. He was rippled with well-defined muscles. His upper half was covered with dark golden Dragon marks. There were scales on his waist.

The thigh muscles on his lower body were well-toned and tight, but… It was magnificent.

I stood where I was with slight hesitation. Liam looked at a loss. He put on his clothes to leave.

That was when I grabbed his sleeve. "Where are you going?"

He pulled on his clothes. "I won't force you if… You're unwilling."

The look in his eyes dimmed.

I pulled off the clothes he had put on and dragged him under the covers.

The wild air about him enveloped me.

"You'll make sure I enjoy the night, right?"

I closed my eyes.

He paused. The next thing I knew, his kiss came down on me passionately. He kissed every surface of my body.

It was a long night. He finally let me off when it was dawn.

Three months later, I received news of the Wolves. Lucia was pregnant.

I was stunned for a full minute.

The three clans had been in an alliance for two thousand years, and no Human and Beast couple had been able to conceive within three months.

However, I saw her pregnant belly with my own eyes.

The Wolves had organized a big party. Every known power player attended to congratulate them.

Silas looked extremely happy while in the main seat.

As the guests arrived, they flattered him extensively while attempting to find any opportunity for a piece of the pie in the future.

Everyone seemed to think that Silas was the future ruler of the three clans.

Liam and I were supposed to sit in a corner, but Lucia had made a special request for me to be seated next to her.

She smiled at me while prominently pushing up her belly.

"It doesn't matter that you're the legitimate daughter, Sadie. You can't get pregnant even if you have Blessings."

I glanced at her calmly and raised my glass.

"The fastest mixed heritage pregnancy in history took forty months, but you only took three. You know very well where you got the baby from."

Lucia's expression changed. She snapped around to look at me. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

I was not bothered to look at her. I got up and left. "Here's hoping that you have a smooth delivery."

Mixed heritage pregnancy took only four months. The baby would get bigger, and bigger. Lucia had just gotten pregnant, and she had already gained a lot of weight. She would suffer during childbirth.

Three months later, news of the Wolves came once more. Lucia had suffered difficulties at birth. It took her five days and five nights to have her baby.

However, half a month had passed, and the Northern Wolves did not make plans for a celebration. They did not even allow anyone to see Lucia and her baby.

Something was wrong with the baby.

Another half a month passed, and my father suddenly called me home.

Liam returned with me. We heard Lucia's heartbreaking cry the moment we stepped into the living room.

She was carrying a gray Wolf cub in her arms.

"This is Silas' child."

Lucia stood up to say loudly, "Wolves do have fur colors that skip a generation. Why must they blame me?"

She had no idea that Northern Wolf Royalty would never marry another Wolf race in order to keep their bloodline pure. Silver Wolves had kept their fur color pure throughout generations. There was no way for a gray Wolf to skip a generation and be born into the royal family.

Silas stood up slowly. The veins on his forehead throbbed. He looked savage.

"Tell me the truth." He stared at her. "Whose child is that? If you don't tell me the truth, I'll smash that baby to the ground today."

He reached out to grab the cub.

My father stopped him immediately. He spoke quickly, "Silas, Lucia would never cheat with anyone else… She could never…"

Lucia made a desperate attempt by pushing the cub into his arms.

"Look at him! He has your nose and mouth!"

Silas held the little gray Wolf in his arms.

The little gray Wolf had been curled up quietly, but he immediately howled and struggled the moment he saw Silas' face.

I closed my eyes. When Lucia stabbed me and my child in my past life, my child howled in my ear the same way.

It was difficult to breathe. I pressed my hands on my chest. Liam pulled me into his arms and covered my ears with his palms.

He thought I did not like the noise.

Silas cursed and raised the cub in the air. He was about to throw the cub to the ground.

Liam and I rushed forward at almost the same time.

He moved with great speed as he knelt with one knee on the ground and caught the little Wolf.

There was dead silence. Lucia turned pale.

"Are you crazy?! That is your baby!"

Silas sneered. "Wolves are loyal to their companions, but that doesn't mean you can take advantage of that and lie to me. How dare you use another Wolf's child to trick me? How brazen of you."

I watched everything silently.

Silas' tenderness was reserved for the spouse who could give him a child of pure blood. When I got pregnant in my past life, he did not take other women, but continued to torture me. I was in so much pain every day that I could hardly walk.

I wonder how long Lucia would last.

They continued arguing. My father was caught between them and looked upset. In the end, he pushed all responsibility to me.

"What do you think we should do, Sadie?"

I glanced at him with a smile.

"That's not my child. I have no opinion on this matter."

Liam suddenly spoke, "The Elf Clan has a secret method of tracing one's bloodline. You can ask for their help to get to the truth."

"I don't agree," Lucia objected almost immediately. "This child is mine and Silas'. We don't need any secret method to track any bloodlines."

"All right. I will reach out to them," Silas decided immediately.

Three days later, the tracing ceremony was held in the Wolves' territory.

Everyone watched as five white glows spread out from the little Wolf's forehead. One of the glows touched Silas between the eyes while the other four glows floated toward different corners of the territory.

"You're one of the child's fathers."

The Elf Clan messenger looked at him sympathetically. "Five wolves have contributed to this child's genes."

This caused a commotion in the hall.

"Silas can't have been this child's father when the child has so much of the Gray Wolf's bloodline."

"Has the Silver Wolf Queen been seduced by an incubus? She has embarrassed the Wolves."

Liam shielded me from the indecent view as I stood next to the crowd. I lowered my head and chuckled.

I knew there must be something wrong with getting pregnant within three months.

The mystery had been solved.

Lucia's gamble paid off, but she failed to grasp the ratio of the probability.

To enhance her chances of getting pregnant, Lucia slept with several Wolves. However, she did not anticipate that the Gray Wolf's genes would stand out and was exposed right away.

How stupid. None of this would have happened if she had only found herself a Silver Wolf.

Silas ordered loudly, "Go and get the other four with the mark."

It was not long before four Wolves were led into the hall. There were three White Wolves and one Gray Wolf.

Lucia's expression changed.

The Gray Wolf's features were exquisite and perfect. He had golden hair, silver eyes, and looked like he was a mixed heritage from the Elf Clan. Lucia had always had a soft spot for good looks. No wonder she fell for him.

Silas clenched his teeth and stared at her. "The evidence is right in front of you. What have you got to say for yourself?"

She bit her lip and suddenly looked up. "Would I do something like this if you didn't make a fuss about having a child every single day?

"Besides, your genes were too weak. The baby would not have gray fur if not for your weak genes.

"Also, all you need is a child of mixed heritage who can inherit our powers. You are one of his fathers. You still have a chance at ruling the three clans. Isn't that enough?"

Before she could continue further, someone from the group of representatives of each clan suddenly stood up.