<Episode 2>
"Ah."
Kiti-a suddenly remembered something and hurriedly extended her hands to the wolves. It seemed they'd learned somewhere that handshakes were a form of greeting.
Who shakes hands with both hands at once? Though bewildered, Theo and Deon amiably shook hands with their future attendant.
But then—
"......!"
"Brother, her hands are......!"
Squish—
The two wolves' eyes sparkled with momentary delight upon touching Kiti-a's soft, jelly-like palms.
'What? She's skin and bones, but why are her palms so squishy?'
'Are all catfolk like this?'
Theo and Deon found themselves unable to release the marshmallow-soft hands. Born as heirs to a wolf clan, this was their first encounter with a cat.
Perhaps due to species differences, the cat was significantly smaller than wolves of similar age. Yet her gleaming eyes created an impression both adorable and pitiable.
Unaware of their thoughts, Kiti-a couldn't suppress her proud smile.
'I must look exactly like a wolf to them!'
Internally, Kiti-a simultaneously cheered her success and sighed in relief at maintaining her disguise.
Her matted, ashen-gray fur - stiffened by days of rain and starvation - proved key to her deception. Her emaciated frame, where only ribs and skin remained visible, likely helped too.
'That ice-cold stream wash was worth it.'
Kiti-a also concluded the Gridwolf mansion's residents were remarkably kind. After all, two wolves with stylish ash-gray hair and golden-sparkling eyes were personally guiding her while holding both her hands.
Unconsciously, Kiti-a began fidgeting with Theo and Deon's hands while observing them. Though only a couple heads taller, their wolf heritage granted them imposing physiques - every inch of their bodies seemed sculpted from muscle.
'Ten? Twelve?'
Kiti-a estimated their ages. Fourteen at most - even wealthy cats needed to reach that age before wearing such fine black suits and shoes.
"Your name's Kiti-a, correct?"
"Yes!"
"Kiti-a, this is the Gridwolf mansion's main building."
"Whoa......"
Still clutching both wolves' hands, Kiti-a gaped at the impossibly tall spire. The structure soared so high she nearly toppled backward from craning her neck.
Upon entering, her jaw dropped and eyes widened to saucers.
The interior surpassed Jerian's food storage - what she'd considered the height of luxury - by ten, no, a hundredfold.
An antique leather sofa gleamed with polish, while impeccably dressed servants moved with unhurried efficiency. From chandeliers to servants' shoes, everything glimmered.
Kiti-a glanced down at her worn-out shoes - blackened from days trudging through mud, soles so threadbare her big toe threatened to peek through. Realizing she might be the shabbiest presence here, her ears drooped.
'Everyone's so grand and impressive here... They all match this magnificent mansion perfectly.'
Anxious about her drooping tail or ears betraying her, Kiti-a redoubled her vigilance. Worse yet, her feline instincts confirmed she was likely the mansion's only small creature.
Every resident boasted muscular builds, prominent fangs, and made no effort to mute their footsteps.
'Cat shoes have soft soles to muffle steps...'
It seemed she alone needed to tread carefully in Gridwolf Castle.
"Kiti-a. Are you uncomfortable?"
"No!"
Kiti-a's reflexive answer to Deon made her straighten posture further. Fleeing now would mean interrogation, bullying, and lost employment.
'No. Mom said I'm as tough as any wolf. This might work - they're still holding my hands!'
She squeezed their hands tighter. As her pillowy palms sank deeper into theirs, both boys nearly moaned in delight, jaws clenching to suppress the sound.
Grrroowl—
The wolves glanced downward. Kiti-a blushed crimson.
"I... haven't eaten in days..."
"You've been starving?"
"But I'm fine! I normally eat just once daily anyway!"
Her brave declaration - meant to suggest she wouldn't strain their pantry - only flustered the wolves.
'Even for a cat, she's just a child. She should be eating properly.'
Pity began blooming in their hearts.
"Why only one meal?"
"Like I said... no family. Mom, Dad, Big Brother... all gone."
"Huh?"
"So I need work... If I don't find employment soon, tonight's dinner will be springwater again."
Please...
Kiti-a squeezed their hands desperately, teardrops glistening in huge eyes. The distressed wolves had to ask:
"Kiti-a. How did you end up at a wolf mansion?"
Kiti-a found herself seated before an expansive dining table. Though too short for the chair, Theo and Deon provided cushions. They even draped a soft blanket over her lap.
"Ah... You're so young to endure such hardships."
Sniffle!
The wolves blew their noses loudly into handkerchiefs after hearing her story, eyes red-rimmed from weeping.
"Rest today after your journey. Food's coming soon."
"You're both so kind."
As Kiti-a answered stoutly, Theo and Deon swallowed rising emotions. Initially amused by a cat imitating wolves, they now admired this orphan bravely seeking work far from home.
"First, proper introductions. Kiti-a's full name?"
"Umm......"
She averted her eyes. Cats didn't use surnames - even Jerian, their self-proclaimed leader, lacked one.
When Kiti-a tilted her head cutely, the wolves hastily clarified:
"What do others call you?"
Oh, this she could answer!
"Soft-Paw Kiti! My palms are super squishy!"
"......Pffft!"
"Deon! Don't laugh - that's rude."
Though Theo's own lips quivered.
"So... Soft-Paw's your nickname?"
"Yes! But I work hard! Been working since I was tiny."
"Ah......"
Their eyes softened imagining what "work" a kitten could do.
"I'm Theo Gridwolf. My joke-loving brother Deon Gridwolf. You'll have to tolerate him."
"Gridwolf...?"
"Yes. The Lord Gridwolf you seek is our father. He's out but will return soon."
"Gasp!"
Kiti-a's shock went unmasked. She'd been clinging to Lord Gridwolf's sons this whole time!
Now she noticed - among all the wolves, only these two possessed those magnificent golden eyes. While others had coarse fur, their hair shone with grooming.
'Are those gold trimmings on their clothes?'
Tension returned despite fragrant food aromas. Kiti-a adjusted her cushion posture.
"Th-that explains your kindness!"
"Kiti-a. Are you startled?"
"We're all wolves here. Nothing surprising, right?"
"Y-yes! Not startled!"
"Then this......"
Golden gazes dropped to her hands.
'Oh no! My claws popped out!'
Had they noticed?
As Kiti-a trembled, the brothers suddenly stared intently at the kitchen, muttering conspicuously:
"Can't see the food. Starving blind here."
"Same. Hunger's making me hallucinate."
"......"
Kiti-a discreetly tapped claws against the table, retracting them. Food arrived immediately.
"Wow......"
Unfamiliar dishes wafted delicious scents. Kiti-a's eyes sparkled like a starved kitten's.
"Soft-Paw. Wolf tradition - we feast guests for lasting bonds. What'll you try first?"
"Um... that..."
She timidly pointed at a massive salmon steak. The brothers exchanged satisfied looks.
"Told you, Deon. Kiti— I mean, wolf pups always pick fish first."
"Tch."
"Chew thoroughly, Kiti-a."
She nodded vigorously, fork trembling as the salmon neared her mouth. When it finally touched her tongue—
"Mmm!"
"Good enough to eat forever, Soft-Paw?"
"Want more?"
The melting texture melted her tension too. Kiti-a chewed carefully, determined not to waste a crumb.
Pure bliss made her ears perk and tail sway freely.
'Disaster! I ate too happily!'
Only then did Kiti-a realize her ears and tail had emerged. The wolves' golden eyes smiled knowingly.
'Caught?'
But their unchanged expressions sparked realization:
'Wolffolk's ears/tails emerge when flustered too! Mom said my ears were wolf-like.'
Swish—
She coiled her tail under her skirt. The brothers' faces twitched.
Kiti-a hated her tail - mangled when a leopard chomped its tip during her clan's flight from predators. Though painful, she'd been lucky - facial injuries would've ruined her wolf disguise.
As Kiti-a brooded, the wolves conversed silently:
"Everyone knows she's a cat."
"Obviously. They only behave because we're present."
"How protect her? We're fully staffed..."
The brothers' eyes suddenly gleamed.
"The servant roster's full, but the family register..."
"Right! Let's adopt her properly."
Their excited voices rose.
'Family register?'
Kiti-a tilted her head.
'Registering me? Not like a cooking grill...?’
