chapter 10
To stamp the document with my paw, Lady Karis lifted me up.
“Kitty, make it neat and pretty.”
“Yes! Oh—should I show my claws too?”
“Oh my… that would be adorable.”
I opened and closed my little paw, letting my claws peek out. Deon held out the red ink pad, and I dabbed my soft paw onto it. Then Lady Karis gently placed me over the document.
Squish—
My soft paw print appeared clearly on the adoption paper—complete with little claw marks. Anyone could tell it was mine.
“Do you need something to wipe it, soft paws?”
“Thank you, big brother Deon.”
Deon carefully wiped my paw with a handkerchief, then wrapped it up and tucked it away—just like Theo had done earlier.
I transformed back into my human form and looked at the adoption document with satisfaction.
‘Until I become an adult… I’m really Kittia Gridwolf now.’
Relief washed over me. The biggest worries—food and shelter—were solved.
Lord Jackal signed carefully, making sure not to smudge my paw print. Then he called for someone to bring a frame.
The document was placed into an elegant frame and handed to Lady Karis. I quickly reached out and grabbed it.
“Can I keep this in my room? It’s my document!”
Deon shook his head and placed a hand on the frame.
“Mother, shouldn’t something like this be kept in my room? I’m Kitty’s older brother, after all.”
“What are you talking about? I’m stronger than you. What if a thief tries to steal a document with soft paws’ stamp? It should go in my room.”
Theo and Deon glared at each other, sparks practically flying as they argued. I slowly withdrew my hand from the frame.
“Big brothers, don’t fight!”
What if the glass broke? That would be terrible.
As I anxiously tried to stop them, the frame suddenly rose high into the air.
Lord Jackal.
“If strength determines who keeps it, then it belongs in my study.”
“But Father, you’re the strongest wolf—”
“If you’re unhappy, become stronger.”
Lady Karis looked at him like she couldn’t believe it.
Lord Jackal, however, seemed completely serious. He took out a nail, sat in his chair, and hammered it into the wall—right where he could see it best.
With his bare hands.
‘…Wait. He just pushed a nail into the wall with his hand? Is that even possible?’
Even Jerian, who ruled over the cats, needed several people to do things like that.
Wolves really are on another level.
Lady Karis clicked her tongue softly, then smiled wryly at the framed document hanging on the wall.
When she noticed me staring, she muttered,
“The real thing is cuter than the document.”
Then she hugged me.
“Kitty, now I’ll introduce you to the staff. It might feel a bit rushed, but I want to see you settling in before I leave.”
“That’s okay… but…”
I grabbed her arm tightly.
“You said you wanted to see me settle in before you go… what do you mean?”
“The grand council isn’t over yet. I have to return.”
“Huh… where?”
She lifted me higher and pointed at a spot on the map.
The center of the wolves’ territory—far from the Gridwolf estate.
“The council lasts ten days. I left in the middle because these foolish boys urgently called for me. Jackal’s duties are finished, but I must return.”
So it wasn’t just male wolves who valued family.
She must have been very worried when Theo and Deon contacted her.
“I’m happy to have gained a lovely daughter, but attending the council is my duty.”
“Mmm… then it can’t be helped. Still, I’m relieved.”
“Relieved?”
“I thought you were leaving because I was like a caught fish.”
Everyone chuckled.
Deon laughed, “Where did you learn that?”
‘…Is that not a common saying here?’
Among cats, “a caught fish gets no bait” was a popular saying.
‘I miss everyone… even if I can’t go back.’
Still, she said she’d return after the council—so that was a relief.
“You’ll come back when it’s over, right?”
“Of course. I’ll even bring you a wonderful gift. I’ll leave early tomorrow morning, so don’t be too surprised.”
“I’ll try my best.”
She gently patted my head and walked toward the door. A servant opened it for her.
As she carried me, we reached the central staircase.
Below, the lobby was filled with what seemed like all the staff in the mansion.
Seeing so many large beastmen lined up was intimidating. I clung to her tightly.
“Th-there are so many wolves!”
“…But Kitty, you’re a wolf too.”
“Oh.”
Right.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of. Look—they’re all looking at you kindly.”
I glanced around.
There weren’t just wolves—there were also dog and fox beastmen mixed in.
Though… it felt more like they were watching Lord Jackal and my brothers than me.
Following their gaze, I noticed Theo holding the framed adoption paper like a charm.
That must be why everyone looked friendly.
‘Even if it’s temporary, I’m being treated as part of Gridwolf because of the document.’
I had heard wolves were strict about hierarchy—but seeing it like this was fascinating.
“Kitty, the staff of Gridwolf will do their best to assist you. If they don’t, you can always tell us.”
Hearing that in front of everyone made me feel reassured.
Lady Karis carried me down the stairs and began introductions.
First—the maids.
“This is the maid staff. If you need anything, ask them.”
“I am Flora, head maid. It is an honor to serve you, young lady.”
Flora. What a pretty name.
She had gray hair with a bluish tint and green-gold eyes—a refreshing-looking wolf.
“Hello, Flora. Please take care of me.”
“You must not use honorifics with me. You are a Gridwolf.”
Her tone was firm—like breaking that rule would be a big mistake.
“I understand… Flora.”
She bowed slightly and introduced the other maids one by one.
Thankfully, I was good at remembering faces and names.
Next—the butlers.
“This is Paul Clinton, head butler. A fine dog beastman.”
“It is an honor to serve such a noble young wolf. I am Paul, in charge of the estate.”
“Please take care of me, Paul.”
There were several dog beastmen among them.
‘So it’s not just wolves here…’
Though I was probably the only tiny cat pretending to be one.
Next—the kitchen staff.
The head chef fussed over how thin I was and told me to come eat anytime.
Then—the gardeners.
The head gardener gave me a red rose. I felt instantly happier.
Next—the knights.
This time, Lord Jackal didn’t explain—he just gestured, and the guards stepped forward.
“I am Elliot, captain of the knights. Please call me Sir Elliot.”
“Nice to meet you, Sir Elliot.”
As introductions continued, a boy with a sulky expression appeared.
‘A fox… I’ve never seen one this close.’
My father used to tell stories about different beastfolk during his travels.
Fox beastmen were my favorite.
‘They’re sensitive to magic from birth… most become mages.’
Was it my imagination?
When I narrowed my eyes, I thought I saw a golden aura around him.
That couldn’t be magic… right?
“Kitty, are you afraid of Clid?” Lady Karis asked.
“Oh—no.”
So his name is Clid.
He looked about Theo and Deon’s age, maybe a bit younger.
Bright golden hair. Strawberry-red eyes.
Like a prince from a storybook.
…Until he spoke.
“I’m Clid Foxstein, heir to the fox family. I’m currently staying with Gridwolf. But… you’re smaller than I expected. Are you really a wolf?”
“……!”
My eyes went wide.
No one in this family had asked me that before!
‘What do I do—my cat ears popped out!’
I quickly touched them and pushed them back down.
But it was too late.
The knights had already seen.
Their gazes felt heavy on me.
‘Is this it…? Am I exposed?’
If they found out I was a cat, I’d surely be thrown out.
They only adopted me because I looked like a wolf.
‘They might throw me away for deceiving them…’
The memory of Jerian throwing me outside flashed through my mind—my broken tooth aching.
But wolves are stronger than foxes.
If I trembled here, I’d look like a scared kitten.
‘I can’t. If I get kicked out… I can’t avenge Mom.’
After a brief moment of thought, I narrowed my eyes like a fierce wolf—
and grabbed Clid’s outstretched hand.
Chomp—!
Because of my broken tooth, it didn’t make a proper crunching sound like a wolf’s bite.
But—
“……!”
Clid flinched and stepped back, clearly not expecting me to react so aggressively.
