It’S A Cat, Adopted By A Wolf Family? [EN]: Chapter 54

The wolves, having just returned to the mansion after a year, wouldn’t be thrilled to hear about parting ways.

‘Especially since Theo and Deon have to spend another year in the training camp dormitory…’

I admitted I hadn’t considered their feelings and quickly apologized.

“I’m sorry. I completely forgot that you two have to leave soon.”

Theo and Deon turned even paler.

“That’s right. If we subtract the time at the training camp, we really don’t have much time to spend with Kitty…”

“Bro, let’s take a leave of absence.”

The two quickly debated the rules of the central training camp and how much time they had left.

Their 모습 [Korean: appearance, figure] overlapped with the day they first met me, when they were plotting the adoption without their parents’ permission.

“I’m suddenly realizing how long it’s been since I came to the mansion.”

When I said that, Jackal and Karis’s faces darkened even more. Um, maybe I should be quiet.

‘Come to think of it, I’ve never had a serious conversation about my plans for independence.’

Since Theo and Deon were on vacation, it seemed necessary to discuss it this time.

It wouldn’t be right to suddenly disappear on the day I become an adult without any warning.

First, after dinner, I should subtly bring up my plans after becoming independent in a conversation with everyone.

“Kitty, please don’t look so worried.”

“Fluffy Paw, shouldn’t we enjoy dinner first?”

Theo and Deon, noticing my expression, spoke earnestly. I nodded, promising to focus on enjoying time with them since they had just returned.

* * *

After dinner, we took a leisurely stroll around the mansion, explaining the changes that had occurred during the year Theo and Deon were away.

Then, we sat around the fireplace on the fluffy rug and chatted.

“Fluffy Paw, come here.”

“I’ll brush your fur.”

“……!”

I love brushing!

I quickly transformed into my cat form and climbed onto the cushion placed between them.

Theo would brush my fur, and Deon would try to roll me into a cat ball. My fur always fell out like dandelions, so their brushing skills, honed over the past few years, were amazing.

Feeling drowsy, I stretched out my front paws. Deon gently stroked my neck as if scratching it and asked.

“How have you been, Fluffy Paw?”

I was just thinking about how my independence preparations were going well, so it was a perfect question. I asked Lena to bring the box I had prepared in advance.

Theo and Deon picked me up and hugged me tightly, their voices full of emotion.

“Seeing you like the box reminds me of Kitty’s baby wolf days.”

“We’ll tuck you inside, brothers.”

…They think I asked for the box because I wanted to get inside.

Deon, who received a fairly large box from Lena, quickly realized there was something inside.

I tried to hide my excitement and said to them.

“I made it to give to you when you came on vacation.”

The two, who hadn’t expected me to prepare anything, opened the box with sparkling eyes.

I sat on the upturned box lid and waited for their reaction.

“This is, well…”

“Incredibly wonderful…”

It seemed they were so deeply touched by the gift I had prepared that they couldn’t find the words.

“It’s a pretty scarf, right?”

“A sc-scarf?”

“Ah… That’s right, a scarf.”

The two then wrapped what they were holding around their necks. Hmm, should I have made it a little thicker?

The two with the scarves around their necks looked like they were being threatened by thin, long snakes.

“…Is it a little too thin?”

When I asked worriedly, Theo and Deon quickly shook their heads.

“No, it’s just right. If it’s too warm, it’ll stretch out, so it’s better to have some ventilation.”

“This scarf seems comfortable for activities.”

“Is that so!”

I felt good to see they were happy with the gift. I explained with sparkling eyes.

“It’s made of very fluffy yarn, so it’ll feel nice to the touch. If you go back to your animal form and press it with your front paws, it’ll feel like you’re riding on a cloud. The name I gave it is ‘Press-Press Scarf.'”

As expected, things made of yarn should be enjoyed with front paws.

“Press-Press Scarf…”

“Ah, Fluffy Paw is always overworked, even when she’s all grown up.”

The two chuckled at my explanation and said they would definitely do that.

“Thank you, Kitty.”

“I’ll use it well.”

Their reactions didn’t seem bad. Then I was about to slowly tell the Gridwolf family about my future plans.

After diligently practicing knitting with yarn, I had finally reached a level where I could create something.

After avenging Jerian, I was ready to start my dream knitting business.

“When I become independent, I’m going to put something made of yarn in a big box and sell it.”

“Huh…?”

For a moment, the Gridwolf family blinked. I got into the box that contained the Press-Press Scarf and continued speaking.

Ah, it’s so comfortable.

“I know you’re worried about my independence. But I’ve prepared hard, so I’ll do well.”

“So, you’re saying you’re going to sell this to make a living…?”

When I nodded at Theo’s question, everyone’s expression became even more serious. Jackal, who was carefully examining the scarf, said to me.

“Kitty, there’s still a lot of time until you become an adult, so I don’t think it’s too late to think about it slowly.”

Of course, as Jackal said, two years wasn’t a short time. But I was planning to say it clearly now that my temporary adoption had about two years left.

‘If I bring up the story of independence near the end of the adoption, it might sound like I’m asking you to hold me back.’

The Gridwolfs had taken such good care of me. They had always kindly taught me this and that, and provided me with plenty of warm beds and delicious meals.

So, I didn’t want to burden Karis, who couldn’t forget her stillborn youngest daughter.

If her mind wasn’t settled and she decided to keep me by her side because time was running out, Karis would surely blame herself while thinking of her daughter.

‘Because Karis is the warmest person, more than anyone.’

There is a wound that only those who have experienced and shared the feeling of someone’s body temperature slowly cooling in their arms can understand.

Not all, but I, who buried my mother with my own hands, could understand Karis’s heart.

‘It’s better for me to say clearly that I’m going to be independent first.’

Since we’ve grown fond of each other, I can come to visit, but I shouldn’t be indebted to the Gridwolfs any more than this.

Jackal made a serious face and lifted me up in the box.

“Kitty, you decided to settle in the wolf territory after independence.”

“But if I start a business, it might be difficult to stay in one place.”

“…Then where else are you thinking of going?”

“Um… Eden said he would let me stay at the Weebies mansion for a while.”

“…”

“Ah, Clyde also said he would help me settle in the fox territory.”

The wolves suddenly narrowed the distance and came close to me.

“No, Kitty. The fox territory is too far.”

“Weebies is not a good place for a lady to live.”

“I’ll prepare a mansion in the Gridwolf territory for your birthday next year.”

“Fluffy Paw, all men are either wolves or foxes!”

The wolves’ voices overlapped, so I couldn’t hear anything properly. I tilted my head slightly and asked.

“Um… Is this perhaps wolf obsession [a possessive, overprotective behavior common in wolves]?”

Even though I’ll be seventeen in a few days, I didn’t really know what wolf obsession was. Eden only said he would teach me.

At my question, the Gridwolf family slowly shook their heads as if they had never been impatient. It was the same movement as if they had practiced in advance.

‘Just how great is wolf obsession?’

Since I’m not a wolf, I couldn’t understand at all. Karis took me out of the box and held me in her arms, whispering.

“Kitty, you don’t know what will happen with the beastman [a person who can transform into an animal], so it’s better not to think about it hastily.”

“But the knitting business… Haaam.”

“There’s no need to think about it urgently, baby.”

Karis gently rocked me and softly stroked my ears, so I suddenly felt sleepy. I tried to hold back because I wanted to talk more, but….

Thud―

I soon fell fast asleep.

* * *

Theo, Deon, and Jackal looked at Karis with respectful eyes as she put Kitty to sleep in an instant.

“Wow… How do you put her to sleep so quickly?”

“When you were young, I used to hold you both in my arms and put you to sleep in an instant.”

Jackal subtly praised Karis’s ability. It was time to start an emergency family meeting since Kitty was fast asleep.

The wolves began to talk in hushed tones so that the cat wouldn’t wake up. Jackal asked worriedly first.

“Theo, Deon. How’s the scarf?”

“…The wind is blowing right through it.”

Besides, Kitty’s knitting skills were obviously terrible. If she started a business with these knitting skills, she would surely starve. If she doesn’t eat well, Fluffy Paw will shrink.

It was a scarf with yarn stretched out in places and a messy weave, but…

“If it’s uncomfortable, give it to me.”

“Hey, that’s not right. Kitty made it for us, so we’ll wear it every day.”

“Don’t covet it, Father.”

“…”

Jackal, who wanted to have something Kitty had made, tried to hide his disappointment.

Karis was still carefully massaging the lovely pink jelly paws and sighed.

“Does Kitty really want to be independent? Or is it because of me…?”

“Eden heard that she seems to have decided to go after Jerian as soon as she becomes an adult.”

“…”

That was a big deal in itself. The wolves looked at Kitty, who was purring, with concern.

The small ball of fluff that could be held in both hands at first had grown big enough to fill her arms, but it was impossible to face Jerian alone.

Unless it was a fight where a cat with more fur wins, there seemed to be no chance of winning against Jerian, who had his own organization.

“So, we have to settle the score before Kitty becomes independent.”

“Yeah. This time, absolutely…”

I will never lose a precious child again. Deep sadness and anger filled Karis’s eyes as she strengthened her resolve.

Jackal put his arm around Karis’s shoulder and revealed an important fact to his two sons.

“It seems that Eden and Clyde are showing interest in Kitty.”

“Ah… But she’s so lovely, so it can’t be helped.”

“Our Fluffy Paw is always overworked.”

However, Theo and Deon, who had been carefree, froze when they heard Jackal’s next words.

“…Kitty has started to be conscious of Eden.”

The two brothers were stunned as if they had been struck by lightning out of the blue.

The image of Kitty trying to get a job by disguising herself as a baby wolf was still vivid in their minds, but she had a crush on a member of the opposite sex.

“As you know, Eden will be entering the central training camp next month. He asked me to keep it a secret, but…”

“He’s shaking Kitty’s heart before going to the central training camp… All men are wolves.”

“As expected, the Gridwolfs are the safest for Kitty.”

“Yeah. Even if she becomes independent, Weebies or Foxstein territory is out of the question.”

Karis also nodded silently in agreement. Kitty was wagging her tail in her sleep, unaware that the wolves were showing their obsession towards her.