chapter 3
“Ah—did you hear that?”
“Sorry. Go ahead and keep eating.”
Theo and Deon lowered their voices and resumed talking with just their lips. Their minds were already filled with thoughts of treating and protecting the pitiful little cat, Squishy-paws.
“First, her nails look broken—we should disinfect them. And those teeth… they don’t look like they fell out, more like they were shattered from impact.”
“She looks malnourished too.”
“If we want to keep her from being bullied in wolf territory, the only way is for Father—the leader of the wolves—to acknowledge her as family.”
“But to make Squishy-paws our little sister, we need both Mother and Father’s permission…”
“Father always says yes if Mother approves.”
Male wolves took pride in being devoted to females. That cut the number of people they needed to persuade in half.
“Don’t you think Mother would like Kittia? She has such beautiful emerald eyes.”
“She’s a bit dirty right now, but her fluffy hair and soft hands will definitely win her over. You’ve seen the things Mother’s been hiding, right?”
“Of course. That proves it—Mother wants a daughter.”
With that, Theo and Deon decided to make Kittia their little sister, smiling in satisfaction.
But as their bold discussion continued, Kittia became increasingly aware of her cat ears, which had popped out. Their eyes had drifted toward them.
“Wh-why are you looking at me like that?”
“Hm? Nothing. Just… very fine wolf ears.”
“Do wolf ears usually perk up like that when eating something tasty?”
“Don’t they all?”
“Of cooourse they do. All wolf pups are like that. It’s been so long, I must’ve forgotten.”
“I knew it!”
Kittia beamed and continued nibbling on the pudding.
Deon’s gaze lingered on her ears.
“Deon… is there something on my head?”
“Squishy-paws… can I touch your ears just once?”
Kittia suddenly remembered something—if you’re too nice all the time, people might take you lightly. She needed a job; she couldn’t seem too naïve.
“Isn’t asking to touch someone’s ears rude?”
She lifted her chin with a dignified air—only to quickly soften and smile sweetly, leaning her head toward him.
“But I’ll allow it, since you’ve both been so kind.”
She thought of it as a way to repay their kindness.
Because—
Twitch!
“Brother, are you insane? Go get Father right now. We need to put her on the family registry immediately and seal it!”
Her ears felt so nice to the touch—her mom, dad, and brother had always loved petting them.
Kittia felt a quiet sense of pride.
Everyone liked them, so the wolves must like them too!
“Th-Theo, you too?”
“Uh… sure…”
Squish—
“Deon, you’re right. If we prepare the registry before Father arrives, things will go faster.”
“Look at the soft fuzz on the tips of her ears—she’s still so young.”
“Is anyone there? When will Father arrive?”
“Send word to Mother as well—tell her to return immediately, it’s urgent.”
The two boys were completely enchanted by the cuteness of the kitten.
I can’t believe something this cute exists!
She’d be even cuter in her cat form, wouldn’t she?
After having her ears stroked for so long, Kittia’s body quickly grew drowsy. With a spoon still in her mouth, she leaned her head onto the table.
After days of trudging through mud in the rain, her sore feet finally felt warmth returning.
If she could live in a place like this—even just by getting a job—she thought she might be truly happy.
“Um… what kind of person is Lord Gridwolf?”
Mumbling through her spoon, she asked sleepily. Theo somehow understood.
“Jackal Gridwolf. The strongest among wolves. He speaks bluntly and looks scary, but like any great wolf, he cares deeply for his family. Leopards would turn pale just hearing his name—”
You’ve gone pale too, Kittia.
Theo stopped mid-sentence when he saw her trembling and dropped his teaspoon, deciding not to continue.
“W-what about Mother? Caris Gridwolf. She used to be the head of the knights—a very impressive wolf. She collects cute little items for girls in her closet.”
“Lady Caris does?”
“Yeah. We found them by accident. That’s when we realized—she must want a daughter.”
“A daughter?”
Theo and Deon spoke as if they’d been waiting for this moment.
“You have nowhere to go, and you’re still young. You need protection. So how about becoming part of our family?”
“You’re too young to be a servant, and this estate is the safest place in wolf territory. Don’t worry about our parents opposing it—if Mother agrees, Father basically already has.”
Kittia couldn’t answer. She hesitated.
If Lord Jackal adopts me, I’ll be safe… But if I forget my family, no one will remember Mom, Dad, or my brother…
Her heart wavered between wanting warmth and safety—and guilt for leaving her family behind.
Just as the guilt began to weigh heavily on her—
Awooooo—!
A gatekeeper wolf howled loudly.
Startled, Kittia jumped.
That’s a real wolf’s howl!
The sound echoed throughout the grand estate like a cavern.
Theo and Deon quickly wrapped her in the blanket and lifted her.
“Let’s go, Kittia. You wanted to greet Lord Gridwolf, right?”
“Squishy-paws, you’re not scared of a wolf’s howl, are you?”
“Of course not! I’m a wolf too!”
She shouted—but her legs trembled uncontrollably.
Fortunately—or unfortunately—Theo carried her.
As they entered a long corridor, Kittia gasped.
A man stood in the distance, his golden eyes locking onto her.
That must be Jackal Gridwolf… His hair and eyes are exactly like a wolf’s.
His ash-gray hair was even darker than the others’, almost black in the shadows. His towering height—nearly two meters—and massive build made him overwhelming.
He’s looking at me…
Her heart pounded so hard she thought she might faint.
Unaware, Theo dismissed the servants, and Deon greeted calmly.
“Welcome back, Father.”
Even as Deon wagged his wolf tail, Jackal’s expression didn’t soften.
His sharp gaze fell on the blanket in Theo’s arms.
“Theo, Deon. What is that bundle?”
B-bundle?! I’m human right now!
Kittia felt her pride sting but said nothing.
“Squishy-paws wanted to greet you.”
Deon peeled back the blanket like a banana.
Kittia peeked out, swallowed nervously, and forced out a greeting.
“H-hello…”
Jackal’s brow furrowed slightly. He looked intimidating, but Kittia gathered her courage and extended her trembling hand.
“I’m Kittia, a young but brave wolf. I heard Lord Gridwolf provides work for poor wolves without families…”
Jackal stared at her shaking hand for a long moment—then gently took it.
Soft—
As she lightly shook his hand, something flickered in his cold eyes.
Why isn’t he letting go…?
Kittia looked up at him cautiously.
He held her hand silently, his expression stiff—this didn’t feel like a warm welcome.
“Um… Lord Gridwolf…?”
“Father. I know you like her, but please let go of Kittia’s hand.”
Deon interrupted.
Kittia couldn’t believe it.
He likes me? With that scary face?
But Jackal released her hand carefully, as if afraid of breaking it.
“She’s too young and frail for work. If you wish, I can arrange a comfortable home for you in the small animals’ territory. You’re too small and weak to remain in wolf territory, little ca—”
“But Squishy-paws is a wolf, so she can’t go to the small animals’ territory.”
“Exactly. She’s just a baby wolf now, soft and cute—but when she grows up, she’ll be terrifying. She’d be a danger there.”
Deon and Theo spoke quickly.
Jackal looked at them as if they were talking nonsense. His cold golden eyes turned to Kittia.
Panicking, she forced her ears upright.
Twitch—
“…A wolf, indeed. Now that I look closely.”
At his words, all three sighed in relief.
Theo pulled the blanket tighter around her.
“Father, if we add this poor, fragile baby wolf to our family registry, we can protect her. And you know Mother wants a daughter.”
Jackal looked utterly confused.
“My wife does not particularly favor young girls.”
The blunt rejection stung Kittia’s chest, but she held it in.
Deon hurried over, stroking the blanket.
“Don’t lie, Father. You’ve seen the things Mother’s been hiding, haven’t you?”
“I have no idea what gave you the impression my wife wants a daughter.”
“There’s a whole closet full of girls’ things! Rattles, a stroller, dresses, shoes—we can go get them right now!”
As Theo spoke desperately, Jackal’s expression turned cold.
Kittia shrank back under the blanket.
Lady Gridwolf must really hate girls…
The thought that her very existence might upset someone made her chest ache.
What if she throws me out just for being here? Wolves follow women’s wishes…
Lost in her worries, she didn’t even hear the announcement of Caris Gridwolf’s return.
Just as she let out a small sigh—
Whoosh—
The blanket was suddenly pulled away.
“Eek!”
Kittia froze at the sight of the woman before her.
Golden eyes tinged with red examined her through long lashes. Her long gray hair shimmered like moonlight.
She was beautiful—so much so that Kittia wanted to hide her own messy hair.
But her red lips and nails gave her a sharp, dangerous aura.
Her cold gaze—and the slight crease in her brow—made Kittia certain.
She hates me…
“…What do I do?”
Stiff with fear, Kittia asked to be set down. Standing on her own feet, Caris looked even more intimidating.
Her red lips parted, and a smooth voice flowed out.
“…Why is there a girl in my estate?”
A flat, emotionless question.
The air turned icy.
Kittia froze.
