I added the unopened chrysanthemum bud Deon had brought to the vase, which already held three large chrysanthemums.
Next, I worried about setting up the small candles, but Theo thankfully handed me a piece of sponge. I stuck three cake candles into it and glanced back.
The two exhausted young lords sat resting on the carpet, while Lady Caris leaned against her husband’s shoulder, watching me with a contented smile.
“It’s all done,” I said.
At my words, Lord Jackal pulled out a match and struck it. The flame caught all six candles one by one with a soft hiss.
Six candles and six chrysanthemums now flanked the painting I’d drawn.
Lady Gridwolf said gently, “Kitty, would you like to close the display cabinet yourself? It’s designed to let air through, so the candles won’t go out.”
“Yes, I’ll do it.”
I shut the cabinet door, whispering a silent farewell in my heart: Be happy in heaven. I’ll do my best to be happy too. And I love you so much—always.
When I turned, Lord Jackal was moving the heavy four-seater sofa in front of the display cabinet effortlessly, not even blinking. A small gasp escaped me.
Theo and Deon patted the space between them on the sofa. I hopped over and settled in the middle, flanked by the brothers, with Lady Caris and Lord Jackal at either end.
The cabinet’s glass reflected our temporary family of five sitting together—though I looked comically small compared to the rest.
But the sight melted my lingering gloom. My chest warmed, as if filled with sunlight. Having a new family really is wonderful.
“Thank you so much, Gridwolf family, for helping with the funeral,” I said clearly.
The wolves beside me smiled, while Lord Jackal remained stoic yet less stern than before. Theo draped a soft blanket over me.
“We’ll stay until the candles burn out, Kitty.”
“But it’ll take ages! You’ll get sleepy!”
“Being family means waiting together,” Deon added. Lady Caris smiled proudly, as if applauding her sons’ words.
“Thank you… big brothers.”
“...!”
“W-What did you just say?”
I giggled shyly while they stiffened.
“Ugh, you’re ruthless, Softie,” Deon muttered.
I clasped their fidgeting hands and watched the flickering candles. The chrysanthemums drank deeply, petals slowly unfurling.
Time blurred until Theo tapped my shoulder. Dawn’s faint light had replaced the sunset. I’d dozed off without realizing.
“Look, Softie,” Deon said, stroking my head as he pointed at the display cabinet.
I leapt off the sofa. The candle stubs sat beside the vase where three chrysanthemum buds—now blooms as big as my fist—had opened overnight.
“The little ones were born safely in heaven!”
“Seems so,” Theo said softly.
“What a relief, Kitty,” Lady Caris murmured.
The Gridwolves embraced me one by one. We cleared the wax before sunrise, burying it in a jar in the mansion’s backyard. Lord Jackal placed a magical pendulum in the cabinet to preserve the flowers and painting forever. Aloof, but kind underneath.
As the funeral concluded, Lady Caris stroked my head. “Call us whatever feels right. There’s no rush.”
I nodded, wondering if I’d ever call her Mom. Her warmth tingled in my chest.
Lord Jackal’s office was austerely elegant, all black marble and polished wood. Weapons filled the display cabinet, and three doors led to unknown rooms.
Theo lifted me onto a cushioned chair at the desk—embarrassingly childlike but irresistibly soft. “Father’s office handles military matters. That door leads to the library, the Hall of Fame, and the conference room.”
“It’s amazing! Even the cushions are perfect!”
“Mother handles politics. Her office is across the mansion,” Deon added, promising a grand tour later.
A family portrait dominated the desk. Theo puffed his chest. “Male wolves pride themselves on loving their family. Father’s the greatest, even if he seems gruff.”
“You’re both wonderful big brothers too, right?”
They froze.
“R-Really?” Deon stammered.
“You mean it?” Theo pressed.
I nodded, cheeks warm. Their faces softened like melted candy.
The Gridwolves returned with a golden-silk scroll—the family registry. “Only the head can add names with magic,” Lady Caris explained. My name sat beside Theo and Deon’s, next to a mysterious blank space.
“Now, the adoption papers.” She slid documents toward me.
I grabbed the pen eagerly, but she stopped me. “Always read carefully first, dear.”
I tried, but aside from Kittya and Jackal Gridwolf, the words were gibberish.
“Apologies,” Lady Caris said. “We’ll find you a teacher. For now, it simply means you’ll legally be Kittya Gridwolf until adulthood. Any concerns?”
“The wolf doorknob in my room has scary teeth. Can you make them smaller?”
She hid a smile, ears flushing peach. Lord Jackal nodded. “We’ll round them.”
Theo produced red ink. “Pen or paw print?”
“Paw print! I’ll make a fancy signature when I’m grown.”
Transforming into a cat, I pressed my inked paw onto Theo’s handkerchief.
Squish.
“Perfect!” I said.
“Adorably perfect,” Theo agreed, tucking the cloth away despite Deon’s protests.
