Chapter 3

The Wolf’s True Identity

Jania rushed back inside the house and went straight to the food storage room. Inside were neatly stacked supplies—dried jerky, blocks of cheese, and salted fish.

Scanning the shelves, she grabbed a piece of jerky and hurried outside.

Holding it up, she called to Alex.

“Here, be good, okay?”

“……”

“If you behave, I’ll give you this.”

“……”

But even when Alex looked at the jerky, he didn’t move. He just gave it a dismissive look, as if saying, That’s nothing special.

‘Oh.’

Jania suddenly realized—Alex had dragged home a whole deer before.

Why would a wolf that could hunt fresh, juicy meat bother with a little piece of dried jerky?

“What do I do now…”

Maybe trying to raise a wolf was a mistake.

Jania sighed, shoulders slumping.

“If I can’t wash you, I can’t keep you with me…”

The wolf stank. There was no way she could live with him like this. If nothing worked, she’d have to let him go. His wounds had healed anyway, and keeping wild animals around was dangerous.

“Hmm?”

Lost in thought, she suddenly felt something nudge her hand. Alex had come close and tapped the jerky with his long snout.

Her eyes widened.

“You… want the jerky?”

“Woof!”

“Really?”

“Woof, woof!”

Alex barked twice, almost like he was answering her. Thrilled, Jania quickly pushed the jerky toward his mouth.

“Is it good?”

“Grrr.”

While Alex chewed happily, Jania hurried to scrub him down. Thankfully, he behaved quietly, distracted by the jerky.

By the time she finished, she was drenched in sweat.

“Ugh, my whole body aches.”

Bathing such a large animal was exhausting. She groaned as she straightened her back.

But then—Alex suddenly shook himself like crazy, spraying water everywhere.

“Wait, stop—!”

Splash!

Water flew in all directions, soaking Jania’s clothes as if she’d been caught in a rainstorm.

“…Alex!”

“Woof!”

He looked smug, as if proud of himself.

“You little…”

Jania looked down at her dripping, see-through clothes, then glared at the shameless wolf. But eventually she sighed.

“Fine. No point scolding you.”

She wrung water from her skirt, grumbling.

As she lifted her head, she noticed Alex awkwardly turning his gaze away from her.

‘What’s with him?’

Was there something out there? Animals were supposed to sense things humans couldn’t. The way he stared into empty space made her uneasy.

“No, I don’t have time for this.”

She hurried back inside. She had other things to do.

***

Later that day, Jania wiped sweat from her forehead.

“Phew, I think that’s good enough.”

She had spent the whole day building Alex a doghouse. She’d skipped meals, hammering and assembling until it was at least somewhat usable.

It looked fragile, like it might collapse if kicked, but at least it would keep out the rain.

“Sorry, Alex. I’ll make it sturdier later.”

“Woof.”

Alex walked over and slipped inside. She had left a cushion inside, and he curled up on it comfortably.

“Thank goodness.”

Relieved, Jania stroked his head gently. Then she looked up at the sky, now growing darker.

“Good night, Alex. See you tomorrow.”

“Woof!”

She smiled at his bark, then hesitated.

The collar around his neck still bothered her. She’d left it on because he was a wolf, but maybe she could remove it at night? She started to reach out—then stopped.

‘No, that’s crazy. He’s still a wild wolf. I can’t trust him that much yet.’

She withdrew her hand, forcing a small laugh. At least the yard had high walls. Alex wouldn’t escape easily.

“Tomorrow I’ll give you something even tastier.”

“Woof!”

The clever wolf barked loudly, almost like he understood. Jania waved, then went inside.

***

That night, after the house grew quiet, Alex slowly opened his eyes.

He stood, looking around with narrowed eyes at the flimsy little doghouse.

The moon shone brightly above. Alex lifted his head to gaze at it. His body began to change.

“Grrr…”

His thick black fur receded. His paws stretched into hands and feet. In moments, the massive wolf had turned into a tall man.

The man’s muscular body gleamed faintly under the moonlight—broad shoulders, powerful arms, veins rippling across his skin. His hair remained jet black, and his golden eyes shone fiercely.

With a clink, the collar slipped from his now-human neck. He picked it up, his face unreadable.

“How dare she put a collar on me.”

He smirked. Naked, but exuding a dangerous charm, he wrapped a blanket around himself—the one Jania had left for him in case he got cold.

Then he walked quietly toward the house. The front door… wasn’t even locked.

“…Careless.”

Inside, he found Jania fast asleep. Her brown hair spread across the pillow, her delicate face peaceful.

She wasn’t the most breathtaking beauty he had ever seen—Rupert Ferdinand had grown up surrounded by stunning women.

But for some reason, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

His brows furrowed.

‘Is she really the purifier?’

As Duke of the powerful Ferdinand family, Rupert had come here for one reason.

Beastmen, especially wolves, often lost control of their strength and went berserk. He himself had been struggling with it.

A fortune-teller had told him there was only one way: find the “Purifier,” a rare human said to calm the raging power of beastmen.

And one of them, he was told… lived in this very forest.