Chapter 94: [Fairy Tale] He Has a Little Grey Wolf (20)

Asi dashed out like the wind, glancing back from time to time. In a moment of distraction, he ran straight into someone's arms. Asi panicked, whimpering and struggling to break free.

A gentle, familiar voice whispered by his ear, "Little wolf, it's me." Ryder held the little wolf tightly in his embrace. His sapphire eyes were full of anxiety. Swiftly, he took off the basket from his back. "Go in—" Before Ryder could finish speaking, Asi had already slipped inside.

Harris and the others soon came running after them. The townsfolk, frightened by the appearance of the little wolf, had already retreated to their homes. The streets were eerily empty.

Ryder stood there, knowing that if Harris came to investigate, he would surely find the little wolf. Given the town’s hatred for the wolf clan, the little one would not survive.

Ryder pressed his lips together. His already pale face turned even whiter. His hand at his side clenched and relaxed again. At last, Ryder blinked, and a flame suddenly ignited in his palm. The black at the tip grew larger and larger. In a blink, Ryder vanished from the street.

"Damn it! Where did that evil wolf go?" Harris had seen the little wolf run this way with his own eyes, and now, in the blink of an eye, it was gone. Nothing could be more frustrating.

The wolf they almost had had slipped away. "It’s all your fault! It was obviously a wolf, but you insisted it was a dog! Now it’s gone, isn’t it? Don’t expect a single coin for today!"

-

Ryder brought Asi home. Mrs. Griffin was in the vegetable garden outside, and when Ryder suddenly appeared before her, she rubbed her eyes in surprise. "Oh? Am I getting old?" she muttered. "Ryder, when did you come back? Grandma didn’t see you," she asked.

Ryder’s face flushed red, and he stammered, "Just—just got back." He was always a bit tongue-tied, so Mrs. Griffin suspected nothing. She only sighed, looking down, lamenting that her age made her eyesight unreliable. She closed the gate and locked it. Only then did Ryder set down the basket from his back.

Asi immediately poked his head out, moving close to Ryder who was crouched in front of the basket, and stretched out his tongue in a friendly gesture. "Woo, woo," Asi called happily, his dark eyes shining.

Ryder, startled, quickly covered Asi’s mouth with his hand. "Danger, no—no barking," he whispered.

Asi blinked, his eyes wet and glistening.

Ryder’s cheeks flushed instantly as he looked at him. Suddenly, Asi licked Ryder’s palm a few times, startling him so much that he sat down abruptly on the floor. Asi looked at Ryder in confusion, crawling out of the basket and circling him, his tail wagging with delight.

Ryder kept his gaze down, unable to meet the pure eyes of the little wolf. He got up and brought Asi into the house. Careful inspection revealed that, in his rush, Asi had several scrapes on his paws, and his once-smooth gray fur was now dirty and matted.

Ryder’s eyes were filled with concern. He cradled the little wolf in his lap and applied medicine to his wounds. "Does it hurt?" he asked softly.

The soft little paw in his hand was still warm. Ryder found the sensation curious. When he looked up, his gaze met the little wolf’s eyes.

Asi let out two gentle whimpers and, in friendly affection, licked Ryder’s cheek. This time, Ryder didn’t recoil as he had before, so Asi wagged his tail happily and continued to affectionately lick Ryder’s soft, pale cheek.

(End of chapter)