<Episode 38>
Kitty, wrapped in a red cloak adorned with wolf fur, continued shopping while nestled in Caris's arms.
Caris proudly held Kitty tightly and chatted with the shop owners. Having revealed her identity, which she had kept secret all along, Kitty felt more at ease and stayed close to Caris.
Theo and Deon let out deep sighs.
"Mother monopolizes her again today."
"But... it was Mother who saved Softpaw."
The two gave up trying to monopolize Kitty and instead focused on picking out gifts.
Meanwhile, in the back, they were discussing the punishment for Clyde, who had failed to properly prevent the fox beastmen's attack and Kitty's kidnapping.
Upon hearing the situation, Jackal spoke to Clyde in a cold voice.
"Clyde Foxtail. Regardless of the leopards using the fox beastmen as pawns, you should have fulfilled your duty."
"......"
"If the leopards continue to use the fox beastmen instead of getting their own hands dirty, and you hesitate every time, the wolves won’t be able to help the foxes. It’s harsh, but inevitable. It was a deal to protect our own kind."
Each word seemed to weigh heavily on Clyde’s shoulders. But since Jackal wasn’t wrong, Clyde could only remain silent.
The fox beastmen loaded at the back of the carriage were still in a state of madness.
They would likely remain irrational for at least a month or two, requiring isolation in Gridwolf’s prison. Without rationality, confessions were impossible.
Even in that state, Clyde found it difficult to harm the mindless foxes. Even if he could turn back time, he wouldn’t have been able to harm his own kind.
"Young master, you must go!"
"You must revive the family!"
The foxes captured by the leopards had all sacrificed themselves to buy time for their successor to escape.
Despite surviving such sacrifices, Clyde still felt powerless. Suppressing his rising guilt, he bowed his head.
"I apologize for endangering the young lady. I will strive to do better."
Feeling pity, Elliot cautiously defended Clyde.
"Jackal, sir. If not for Clyde, we wouldn’t have detected such faint traces of madness."
"Elliot."
"...Yes."
Elliot stepped back awkwardly. He’d spoken up partly out of sympathy for Clyde’s youth, but...
If the fox family rises again, he’ll become as influential as Jackal.
Though sensitive to magic and currently weakened by Bluemoon, the foxes would surge back once freed from its influence. Historically, they’d only fallen into such dire straits since Bluemoon’s recent emergence.
Jackal had been a prominent wolf leader even then, but Clyde hadn’t.
If Clyde became the foxes’ leader, who would he resent most from their bitter past at the wolf mansion?
Damn, it’ll be me—the one who always ordered him around at the training grounds.
Elliot found himself in an uncomfortable position.
Kitty, snug in Caris’s arms, instantly recognized why Elliot’s face flushed and paled.
Did Master get scolded by Jackal?
If so, Clyde must have been reprimanded too. Kitty vividly recalled Clyde’s conflicted expression when he couldn’t attack the fox beastmen.
Despite his cunning exterior, Clyde clearly cared deeply for his kin.
The shrewd cat quickly calculated.
Clyde will lead the foxes someday.
As the most magically adept beastmen, the foxes would become powerful allies. Showing kindness now might yield future rewards.
Mom always said cats don’t understand politics. After I avenge Jerian, maybe I’ll settle in fox territory...
Dreaming big, Kitty tapped Caris’s shoulder.
"Caris, will Clyde be punished?"
Caris answered firmly.
"You nearly got hurt. We can’t let that slide."
"But... today’s my birthday."
At her aegyo-filled voice, Caris faltered—just like when Kitty had kissed her cheek before. Seizing the moment, Kitty nuzzled against her.
"Having someone punished during my party feels a little..."
"......"
Caris reversed course toward Jackal. His golden eyes locked onto Kitty.
Eek!
Kitty instinctively recoiled. Already intimidating, Jackal looked terrifying with his shaved head.
But she couldn’t abandon Clyde’s potential future favor. Summoning courage, Kitty gave Jackal her sparkliest gaze.
"Um, Jackal? Will Clyde be punished?"
"...Do you wish him spared?"
"He did his best! I’d hesitate too if someone dear became the enemy."
"......"
"And today’s my birthday!"
"A day for only good things."
Jackal summoned Elliot to revoke Clyde’s punishment.
Clyde watched Kitty defend him with strange emotion. When their eyes met, she whispered mischievously:
"Thank you, Clyde."
"......"
He stiffened, nodding. An unfamiliar warmth prickled in his chest.
Thanks to Kitty’s intervention, the planned interrogations and punishments for the fox squad were canceled.
Moreover, Jackal agreed not to reprimand the remaining fox unit members—provided he could hold Kitty during shopping.
Did that cat lady consider me?
Since joining the wolves, Clyde had expected no kindness—only transactional alliances between species.
Yet this unexpected warmth seeped into his heart. The analytical target he’d observed now seemed... different.
"......"
He hastily hid his fox ears, which had popped up unconsciously.
Eden emerged from a store with Kitty’s gift, frowning at the scene.
The mansion erupted into birthday festivities upon their return. Garlands, ribbons, and balloons adorned every corner.
The temporary Gridwolf family and Eden gathered around an opulent feast.
Kitty blew out seven candles on a five-tiered cake before devouring sweets. One dish particularly stunned her.
"This is...!"
Meow Soup—the traditional birthday dish for cats. She tentatively sipped it.
"Mmm!"
The familiar flavor drew a delighted squeal.
Caris and Jackal had specially requested the recipe. Moved to tears, Kitty looked at Caris.
"You prepared this knowing I’m a cat...?"
"For our soft-pawed family."
Caris smiled, offering a handkerchief. Theo and Deon failed to hide their envy.
"Here, Kitty! Your brothers’ gift!"
"Open it!"
She carefully untied the ribbon to reveal three pig-shaped banks.
"Piggy banks!"
"Ta-da! Meet the Three Little Pigs!"
"Put this coin in!"
"Okay!"
Clink—
The bank already sounded full. Theo and Deon had secretly filled it with coins and jewels but played innocent.
"Wow, they’ve gained weight already!"
"...?"
"Pigs fatten faster than they eat—that’s why banks are pig-shaped!"
"But multiplying money... Teacher, is that true?"
Kitty glanced at Eden, who joined the charade.
"Of course. And since this is a wolf den, the pigs will work extra hard."
Ah...!
The Three Little Pigs are in danger!
Kitty protectively hugged the banks. The wolves smirked.
"Do you love it, Softpaw?"
"Yes! I used to bury treasures, but now I’ll use these!"
"......"
Theo and Deon mentally noted to buy her a safe next year.
Finally, Eden presented his gift. Kitty gasped.
"This is..."
"You lost yours earlier. Happy birthday."
A thicker version of her lost hat, perfect for hiding cat ears.
"Yay! Thank you, Teacher!"
As Kitty tried it on, the Gridwolfs held a silent family meeting:
Has Eden been watching Kitty?
All men are wolves—we should guard her.
She’s too young!
She still prefers family anyway.
Post-feast, they posed for a portrait in coordinated outfits—Jackal’s fierce demeanor contrasting Kitty’s fluffy twin tails. The painting would later dominate the mansion’s foyer.
Late that night, freshly bathed Gridwolf members gathered in Kitty’s room, honoring their tradition: sleeping together in animal forms to celebrate the birthday child.
Theo and Deon arrived first, admiring Kitty’s post-molt fluffiness.
"Look at you—so dignified at seven!"
"Thank you! Your fur looks extra fluffy too! I wish mine were darker..."
"Why? You’re a cat now!"
"But matching gray fur would’ve been cute!"
The brothers exchanged grins.
"Hold our paws while sleeping."
"Softpaw, did you know young ones can transfer fur colors?"
"Really?!"
Falling for the trick, Kitty sprawled belly-up. They clasped her pink paws.
"Happy birthday, Softpaw."
"Yawn... Thanks, brothers..."
She succumbed to sleep as they curled around her.
Meanwhile, Caris and Jackal paused in the hallway, listening to Elliot’s urgent report:
"I verified it myself—only the fox who kidnapped Kitty recovered from madness."
"Impossible... Bluemoon’s victims don’t heal so fast."
"The others remain affected. Only the one she touched shows improvement."
"Feed and rest him. I’ll visit tomorrow."
Entering Kitty’s room, they found the three children already dreaming.
As wolves, Caris and Jackal encircled them, deep in thought.
That fox’s recovery must relate to Kitty.
Their adopted daughter clearly hid extraordinary secrets beneath her innocent purrs.
