It’S A Cat, Adopted By A Wolf Family? [EN]: Chapter 38

Kitty, adorned in a red cloak trimmed with wolf fur, continued her shopping spree nestled in Karis’s arms.

Karis hugged Kitty close, proudly displaying her as he chatted with the shop owners. Having finally revealed their long-held secret [that Kitty is a human child adopted by wolves], Karis seemed much more relaxed, and Kitty remained content in his embrace.

Theo and Deon sighed dramatically.

“Mother has her all to herself again today.”

“But… Mother was the one who saved Soft Paws.”

Reluctantly, they abandoned their hopes of monopolizing Kitty’s attention and focused on selecting gifts.

Meanwhile, behind them, a serious discussion unfolded regarding the fate of the fox shapeshifters who had launched the attack and Cride, who had failed to prevent Kitty’s kidnapping.

Having been briefed on the situation, Jackal addressed Cride in a chilling tone.

“Cride Foxstein. Even if you were taken by surprise by the panthers’ use of fox shapeshifters as pawns, you should have acted decisively.”

“…….”

“If the panthers continue to exploit fox shapeshifters instead of getting their own hands dirty, the wolves cannot afford to hesitate in assisting the foxes. It’s a cold reality, but it’s a necessary one. Our agreement is to protect each other’s packs.”

Each word seemed to weigh heavily on Cride’s shoulders. He remained silent, acknowledging the truth in Jackal’s statement.

The fox shapeshifters confined in the back of the carriage were still gripped by madness [a state of irrationality induced by exposure to the Blue Moon].

They would remain irrational for at least a month or two, necessitating their isolation in Gridwolf’s prison. Their condition rendered any attempt at interrogation futile.

Even in their deranged state, Cride struggled with the thought of harming the insane foxes. Even if he could rewind time, he couldn’t bring himself to hurt his own kind.

“Young Master, please, you must escape!”

“You must rebuild the family!”

The foxes captured by the panthers had suffered, sacrificing themselves to buy time for him, the heir, to escape.

He owed his life to their sacrifice, yet he felt utterly powerless. Cride suppressed his rising self-disgust and bowed his head in apology.

“I am deeply sorry for endangering the young lady. I will strive to do better in the future.”

Feeling a pang of sympathy, Elliot cautiously defended Cride.

“Jackal, if it weren’t for Cride, we wouldn’t have detected such a subtle form of madness.”

“Elliot.”

“…Yes.”

Elliot retreated, looking sheepish. He had sided with Cride out of pity for the young fox’s predicament, but…

‘If he rebuilds the fox family later, he will become as influential as Jackal.’

The foxes possessed a unique sensitivity to magic and were particularly vulnerable during the Blue Moon, but once that issue was resolved, their magical prowess would allow them to rise swiftly.

In fact, the foxes had only faced such dire circumstances recently, during the last appearance of the Blue Moon.

Jackal would undoubtedly remain a successful pack leader, but Elliot’s own position was less certain.

So, when Cride, as the future leader of the foxes, reflected on his past experiences at the wolf mansion, who would he resent the most?

‘Damn it, it’s probably me, who made him run errands every time we met in the training grounds.’

Elliot found himself in a precarious position, caught between loyalty and self-preservation.

Kitty, still nestled securely in Karis’s arms, quickly discerned the reason for Elliot’s growing discomfort.

‘Is Master being scolded by Jackal?’

Then Cride must be receiving a reprimand as well. Kitty vividly recalled Cride’s conflicted expression when he hesitated to attack the fox shapeshifters.

Despite his seemingly cunning nature, Cride clearly held a deep affection for the members of the fox race.

Kitty-ah, ever the quick-thinking cat, began to strategize.

‘Cride said he would become the leader of the foxes later.’

The foxes were renowned for their mastery of magic among all the shapeshifters. If she cultivated a good relationship with him now, he might reward her handsomely in the future.

‘Mom always said you never know with cat matters. I might end up settling in the fox territory after I get revenge on Jerian…’

Kitty decided to dream big and tapped Karis on the shoulder.

“Karis. Is Cride being punished?”

Karis replied sternly.

“I can’t simply overlook the fact that you were almost harmed.”

“But… it’s my birthday today.”

At the sound of her voice, laced with aegyo [a Korean expression for acting cute and innocent], Karis hesitated. It was a similar reaction to when she had kissed him on the cheek earlier, so Kitty rubbed her face against Karis’s chest.

“It feels a little… wrong if someone is being punished at my birthday party.”

“…….”

Karis deviated from their course and approached Jackal. Jackal’s golden eyes fixed on Kitty.

‘Hick!’

Kitty couldn’t suppress a shiver of fear. Jackal, already imposing, appeared even more intimidating with his shaved head.

But she couldn’t abandon the prospect of a generous gift from Cride after coming this far. Kitty directed her most endearing gaze towards Jackal.

“Um, Jackal. Is Cride being punished?”

“…You don’t want him to be punished?”

“He did a good job. I would have hesitated too if someone precious to me was an enemy.”

“…….”

“And it’s my birthday today?”

“A day when only good things should happen.”

Jackal summoned Elliot and rescinded the severe punishment he had imposed on Cride.

Cride felt a strange sensation as he looked at Kitty, who had spoken up on his behalf. When their eyes met, the cat even whispered a sly “Thank you, Cride.”

“…….”

Cride nodded, his body stiffening slightly. For some inexplicable reason, a tingling sensation spread through one side of his chest.

Thanks to Kitty’s few well-chosen words, the planned interrogation and punishment of the fox shapeshifters were also called off.

Furthermore, Jackal promised not to reprimand the fox squad members in Gridwolf, on the condition that he hold Kitty in his arms during the remainder of their shopping trip.

‘Is that cat lady thinking of me?’

After joining the wolf family, Cride had ceased to expect any special consideration or favor. It was simply part of the agreement between their races.

Perhaps that was why. The cat lady’s kindness resonated deeply within him.

Something akin to warm water spread through his chest. Kitty-ah, whom he had previously viewed solely as an object of analysis, now appeared in a different light.

“…….”

Cride hastily concealed his fox ears, which had involuntarily popped out.

Eden, who was leaving a store after purchasing Kitty’s birthday present, frowned at the scene.

* * *

Upon their return to the mansion, the birthday festivities commenced. The entire mansion was festooned with colorful garlands, ribbons, and balloons.

The Gridwolf temporary family and Eden gathered for a lavish dinner.

Kitty blew out the seven candles on the five-tiered cake and indulged in the delicious food.

Among the dishes, one in particular caught Kitty’s attention.

“This is…!”

It was a dish identical to Meow Soup, a special treat traditionally served to cats on their birthdays. Kitty carefully scooped up a spoonful and savored the taste.

“Mmm!”

An exclamation escaped her lips at the familiar flavor.

Karis and Jackal had obtained the recipe for Meow Soup and specially requested it from the kitchen, ensuring its authenticity and deliciousness.

Kitty looked at Karis, her eyes brimming with emotion.

“Did you prepare this because you knew I was a cat…?”

“It’s a dish prepared for a family with soft paws.”

Karis smiled gently and offered Kitty a handkerchief. Theo and Deon couldn’t conceal their envy.

“Here, Kitty. This is a gift from your older brothers.”

“Open it quickly.”

Kitty excitedly and carefully untied the ribbon. Inside were three pig-shaped piggy banks.

“Oh, piggy banks!”

“Ta-da! Their names are the Pig Brothers.”

“I’ll give you a coin too. Put it in quickly.”

“Yes!”

Kitty happily deposited a copper coin into the piggy bank.

But something seemed amiss.

Clatter—

When she shook it, it sounded as if the piggy bank was already full of coins.

Theo and Deon had secretly filled the piggy banks with some of their gold coins and jewels, hoping to alleviate Kitty’s potential anxieties about financial independence, but they feigned nonchalance.

“Wow, Kitty. The Pig Brothers are already getting fat.”

“……?”

“Pigs naturally gain more weight than they eat. Why else would people make piggy banks in the shape of pigs?”

“But the piggy bank makes money grow… Teacher, is that true?”

Kitty tilted her head towards Eden. Eden, complicit in the Gridwolf brothers’ scheme for the day, played along.

“Yeah. And this is a wolf’s den. If the pigs know that, they’ll try harder to make money grow quickly.”

“Oh…….”

The story of that she had learned long ago flashed through Kitty’s mind.

‘The Pig Brothers are in danger!’

Kitty hugged the piggy banks tightly. The wolves exchanged satisfied smiles.

“Do you like it, Soft Paws?”

“Yes! I used to bury precious things near my house, but now I can put them in here.”

“…….”

Theo and Deon resolved to buy her a safe next year.

Finally, Eden presented a gift box. Kitty’s eyes widened as she examined the contents.

“This is….”

“You lost it earlier. Happy birthday.”

It was a hat with a design similar to the one Kitty had lost when she was kidnapped by the fox shapeshifters. It was thicker than her previous hat, ensuring that her cat ears wouldn’t be noticeable even if they popped out.

“Kyaa—! Thank you, Teacher!”

As Kitty happily tried on the hat, the members of Gridwolf held an emergency family meeting with their eyes.

‘It looks like Eden has been watching Kitty all along?’

‘All men are wolves, so we have to be wary of him instead.’

‘Absolutely not. Kitty-ah is still young.’

‘She’s still at an age where she likes her family more.’

Regardless, it was a peaceful and joyous birthday party.

After the meal, the Gridwolf family gathered together to have a portrait painted. Dressed in the clothes they had ordered beforehand, they presented the image of a warm and loving family.

“Then I will draw with this composition.”

This painting, which highlighted Jackal’s gangster-like hairstyle and intimidating presence, alongside Kitty’s cute and fluffy pigtails, was prominently displayed in the center of the mansion.

Late at night, the members of Gridwolf, having finished their baths, gradually assembled in Kitty’s room.

It was a Gridwolf tradition for everyone to transform into their animal forms and sleep together in the room of the youngest child on their birthday.

Theo and Deon, who arrived first, smiled contentedly as they observed the cat, whose fur had grown even more luxurious after shedding.

“Oh, Kitty. You’ve become so dignified now that you’re seven years old.”

“Thank you! You look very fluffy too, older brothers! I wish my fur was a little darker….”

“Why? It doesn’t matter if you’re not wolf-colored anymore since you’re a cat now.”

“But if everyone has gray fur, it’s like we’re wearing matching clothes.”

At Kitty’s endearing response, Theo and Deon exchanged knowing glances and smiled.

“Then come here and hold one of your older brothers’ hands and sleep.”

“Soft Paws, you know that fur color transfers easily when you’re a kid, right?”

“Oh, really?”

Kitty, oblivious to their playful deception, happily exposed her belly and lay on her back. Theo and Deon held Kitty’s pink soft paws tightly.

“Happy birthday, Soft Paws.”

“Haaam… Thank you, older brothers.”

Kitty succumbed to the overwhelming sleepiness and drifted off to sleep. Theo and Deon curled up and embraced Kitty warmly, ensuring she wouldn’t get cold.

Meanwhile, Karis and Jackal, en route to Kitty’s room, paused in the hallway to listen to Elliot’s urgent report.

“I don’t fully trust the adjutant’s report, so I’m returning from the underground prison. Only the fox shapeshifter who kidnapped the young lady has completely recovered from the madness.”

“For a shapeshifter exposed to the Blue Moon to recover from madness so quickly….”

“The other foxes remain consumed by madness. The only one exhibiting a special reaction is the fox shapeshifter who directly touched the young lady.”

“For now, provide that fox shapeshifter with ample water and food and allow him to rest. I’ll examine him personally tomorrow.”

Jackal and Karis entered Kitty’s room. The three children, exhausted from their shopping excursion, were already fast asleep.

The Gridwolf couple, having transformed into their wolf forms, encircled the three children and fell into deep thought.

‘The fact that the fox shapeshifter is okay must be related to Kitty.’

No matter how they analyzed the situation, it appeared that their adopted daughter, whom they had taken in without knowing her true nature, harbored a significant secret.