It’S A Cat, Adopted By A Wolf Family? [EN]: Chapter 31

Upon hearing Cllieod’s words, Jackal slowly rubbed his temples.

Ever since he learned about the family history, he suspected Kittia might possess a special ability.

Icarus was a name passed down through generations, referring to the Goddess’s cats who resisted the Blue Moon’s madness.

Moreover, Kittia herself mentioned having a special power, though she seemed unaware of its nature.

“Could some of the Icarus power have passed to Kitty upon their deaths?”

“That seems the most plausible explanation for now. It’s the only apparent connection between the young lady and the Blue Moon,” Cllieod replied. Jackal couldn’t easily dismiss this.

“But the Icarus abilities are supposedly only inherited by the eldest child.”

“That’s what the mana records indicate. However, the young lady’s remarkable recovery ability is best explained as a special power linked to the holy relic.”

He knew she was special from the moment she didn’t even flinch at the imitation Blue Moon, but to think she truly possessed a unique ability.

Considering that Beastkin power sometimes transfers to animals closest to them at death, it was a curious situation.

‘Kitty doesn’t seem to have witnessed her father and older brother’s deaths.’

But for now, assuming the power was inherited through blood seemed most logical.

Jackal retrieved the imitation Blue Moon from his office drawer. Fortunately, it was in a specially made box; otherwise, the magic-sensitive foxes would have quickly succumbed to madness.

“C-Could you please put that away? Just looking at it gives me the creeps.”

“My daughter says it emits a warm aura.”

“……You’ve taken in a truly challenging cat.”

Jackal paused.

Given that an employee selling fake jewels infiltrated during clothing production, the Leopard forces likely already targeted Kitty.

If so, assigning a guard highly sensitive to the imitation Blue Moon was crucial.

“Cllieod Foxstein, from now on, you will guard my daughter from those wielding the imitation Blue Moon and monitor the flow of magic around her.”

“Understood. The young lady is an interesting subject, after all.”

Perhaps he could find a clue to rescue the captured foxes. Cllieod’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Seeing that smile, Jackal added, “It’s best not to develop any romantic feelings for her.”

“I understand.”

“Don’t even think about touching her palms. And absolutely no touching the cat ears or tail.”

“Yes, well……”

“Don’t speak to her more than three words at a time. Treat her like a wolf.”

“……”

“Just don’t look at her. Focus on the sky and the ground when you walk.”

“Then why are you assigning me as her guard?”

“Your job is to ensure Kitty’s safety the moment you sense the Blue Moon.”

“So, I’m to be a human shield. I understand.”

Cllieod made a sulky face and stood up. He couldn’t stand the wolves’ possessiveness.

As Cllieod left, Jackal quietly instructed Elliot.

“Investigate a man named Jerian, who claims to be the leader of the cats.”

His keen intuition told him Kitty harbored an even greater secret.

* * *

“Awoo……”

“Kitty, are you alright?”

A gentle voice came from above. I blinked and raised my head. My head throbbed briefly before settling.

Lord Caris was looking down at me, struggling not to laugh.

“Looks like you have a hangover, little one.”

“……”

The previous day’s events flooded back, and my cheeks flushed. If I weren’t in cat form, they’d be bright red, wouldn’t they?

Lord Caris gently massaged my paws and summoned the doctor. I quickly reverted to human form.

The doctors’ eyes widened after the examination.

“Yesterday’s results were amazing, but today is even more incredible.”

“I can’t believe it’s the healing power of an ordinary baby wo- no, baby wolf.”

They said the catnip energy had completely vanished from my body. But I couldn’t bring myself to smile.

Because I remembered biting Ethan’s hand yesterday. Ah, I have class today.

Even if that weren’t the case, being high on catnip in front of everyone was a huge problem. They’ll think I’m constantly high because I’m a cat.

‘When I leave this room, will there be a banner proclaiming I’m a cat?’

I looked at Lord Caris with pleading eyes. Misunderstanding my intentions, Lord Caris fed me a hearty breakfast.

“Baby wolves often get high on catnip. Don’t be too upset.”

“Ah…… is that so?”

Grasping at this explanation, I perked up my ears.

“Yes. Just avoid catnip from now on.”

“I’m sorry. From now on, I won’t go near it, even if I smell something sweet.”

I went to my room to change and trudged toward the training grounds. There, an unexpected person greeted me.

“Young lady, I heard you were quite drunk yesterday.”

Cllieod said kindly, offering me a glass of milk.

“It’s milk warmed with honey. It’s still warm.”

“Cllieod……”

Cllieod had secretly brought me snacks before, but this was the most touching. I soothed my stomach with the warm milk.

Cllieod took the empty cup and smiled.

“Lord Jackal has assigned me to guard you.”

“Starting today?”

“Yes. I’m very pleased about it.”

Cllieod’s smile seemed to hide something, but if Lord Jackal assigned him, there was nothing I could do.

‘Was he worried I’d get high on catnip again?’

Well, if I smell something sweet again, I might run toward it regardless of my will…….

I shook my head and greeted Sir Elliot, who was approaching. Sir Elliot chuckled as he looked at me.

“Young lady, I’ve heard all the rumors. I heard you made quite a mistake.”

“Haa……”

A sigh escaped me as I thought about biting Ethan. I looked at Sir Elliot with pleading eyes and asked.

“Master, what’s the best way to gain favor with a wolf? I’d like a slightly more mature method.”

That way, Ethan won’t tease me for being a cat.

Sir Elliot shrugged and shook his head.

“I’ve decided, after hearing your last question, not to answer any more of your difficult questions. My job is too precious, you see.”

“But…… if a reliable and cool wolf like Master answers, it would be very helpful.”

Ethan seemed to respect Sir Elliot quite a bit. I flattered Sir Elliot, wagging my tail.

“Besides, Master is the most handsome wolf, right?”

Unlike Ethan, Sir Elliot’s shoulders straightened.

“Well, I knew you had excellent eyesight, but it’s a bit embarrassing to hear you state the obvious.”

With a face that didn’t seem embarrassed at all, Sir Elliot continued.

“A way to gain favor with a male wolf, huh? Simply put, it’s like this.”

Sir Elliot gazed into the air thoughtfully and then raised his eyebrows once.

“Umm, that’s it?”

“Yes. If the other person also likes you, that’s all there is to it.”

“What about the rest?”

“The rest depends on your face [attractiveness].”

“Ah……”

I carefully wrote down Sir Elliot’s words in my ‘How to Speak Like a Wolf’ dictionary in my head.

I should ask him one question every time I train from now on.

“Then did Lord Jackal and Lady Caris raise their eyebrows and get married too?”

“Ah, if I told you how those two got married, I’d probably get fired…….”

“My brothers said that Sir Elliot’s abs look bumpy and hard, just like a turtle shell.”

“Well, the young masters have excellent observation skills……”

“They said it was a hundred-year-old turtle?”

“The young masters seem to be paying attention in biology class. Caris and Jackal had an accid- um.”

“Accident?”

Did they become close after experiencing an accident together?

“What kind of accident was it?”

“Well, you could say it was a minor fender-bender. Let’s stop talking and start class.”

Even though the weather was chilly, Sir Elliot’s forehead was covered in sweat.

I was curious about what kind of accident Lord Jackal and Lady Caris had, but I diligently followed the martial arts class.

As time passed, I grew more worried about the afternoon class with Ethan.

As we finished class, Cllieod approached and reported.

“Young lady, the young master of the Weebis family has arrived.”

“The teacher?”

I wondered how angry he was that I had ‘nyam’-ed [eaten/bitten] him, that he came all the way out here. With nowhere to run, I hesitantly approached Ethan.

Ethan looked at me with a strange expression.

It’s less painful to get it over with. I said timidly.

“Ethan, I’m sorry…… You can bite me as much as you want until you feel better.”

“……”

“A-Anywhere you want!”

A voice trembling like a baby sheep escaped me because I was so nervous. Ethan reached out his hand.

Was he going to flick my forehead? I put my hands together and closed my eyes tightly. My cat ears popped out from fear.

But I felt no pain.

Pats pats—

Ethan gently stroked my cat ears and hair. His face was turned away, so I couldn’t see his expression, but his touch was quite gentle.

“Um, Teacher?”

“What.”

“Aren’t you going to bite me?”

“Later.”

Ethan’s voice was a little lower when he said that, so I tilted my head. I thought he hated me, but is he planning to see me later?

“By the way, why are you so scared when you see me? Did you think I would hit my student?”

Ethan continued to stroke me as he spoke. Hearing the words ‘my student,’ I suddenly remembered what Theo and Deon had said.

“Don’t give Ethan any reason to think you have a special relationship. Got it? He might become obsessed with you.”

Could this be…….

I narrowed my eyes and asked Ethan.

“Is this wolf obsession?”

Ethan chuckled and immediately replied.

“No?”

“Ah, it’s not. It’s still difficult to understand.”

“Do you believe everything I say?”

“Well, Teacher is smart, right?”

Ethan’s eyes curved into a crescent shape as if he was enjoying it.

“Yeah, so keep asking me from now on.”

“Will I ever be able to understand wolf obsession?”

“Yeah. You’re my student, so I’ll teach you. You don’t need to know about other guys’ obsessions, Kittia.”

Was it effective to ask him to be kind while I was high on catnip? Ethan’s tone seemed a little kinder.

From afar, Cllieod looked at me, smiling brightly, with a strange expression.