TMDW | Chapter 015

Chapter 15

‘Has he gained a little weight?’

Indeed, he felt heavier than before. To the point that her arm trembled from holding him with one hand.

This wouldn’t do. Shayla began slowly submerging Callion into the basin, starting from his tightly closed hind paws.

Callion, watching her warily, gripped the edge of the basin and wriggled as if he might bolt at any moment.

“No, stay still!”

When she scolded him sharply, he began whimpering in a pitiful tone, as if begging for mercy.

“You’re not a chick, so why are you making peeping sounds?”

His fur was so thick that even when wet, it showed almost no change. Meanwhile, the water gradually turned black, forcing her to refill the basin with warm water several times.

“Look, all this dust came out of your fur. How dirty are you?”

“…”

“Now, let’s live cleanly, Leon. Agreed?”

Shayla had prepared mild herbal soap in advance and scrubbed Callion’s back vigorously.

‘He seems stronger too.’

When she touched his legs, back, and belly while spreading the soap, she clearly felt his muscles had become firmer. His body was no longer just skin and bones.

“How does it feel? Is it good?”

“Mm…”

His face said it was not good at all.

Surrounded by white foam, Callion waited for any chance. When Shayla turned to get more warm water, he executed a miraculous escape.

“Ah!”

Shayla tried to grab him but missed, catching only air and sitting down on the floor.

“Leon hurt me!”

The boy, who had fled the bathroom at lightning speed, rushed back to the door the moment he heard that.

“I hurt Shasha?!”

“Yes! Even if you hate bathing, how could you bite me? Boo.”

“I didn’t bite…”

“You hated me from the beginning. Every chance you got, you told me to go back to the capital, stay away because you didn’t want to see me!”

“I didn’t say stay away…”

“I was trying to wash you because I was worried about you, and you don’t appreciate my feelings! You even hurt me!”

“That’s not true… I didn’t do that…”

“Enough. I’m going to my room. Bathe or don’t, I don’t care.”

“Shasha…!”

The boy, who had been writhing at the door, finally came back on all fours.

“Shasha, I’m sorry. Don’t go, okay?”

A mass of white foam clung to Shayla’s dress as she grumbled.

“I’ll bathe. I’ll stay still. Okay?”

“This is a promise between us.”

Seizing the opportunity, Shayla quickly carried him back to the basin.

“I’ll be very careful. If you feel any discomfort, tell me. Alright? I’ll make sure no water gets in your eyes or ears.”

Animals often hate bathing because of the unfamiliar environment or water entering their ears.

But Shayla had learned early how to bathe carefully without letting water into the ears.

This boy made a fuss, but compared to bathing rabbits, it was nothing.

Even the usually calm Layla would act like an arrogant princess the moment she entered water.

Of course, rabbits aren’t supposed to be washed with water, but Layla wanted to experience everything humans did. So she would defy her instincts and insist on bathing once a week.

Even though she was the one who wanted it, she made a huge fuss. Even Ella couldn’t handle her, so bathing always fell to Shayla.

Outwardly she was the refined daughter of a count, but when it came to her sister, she was like a maid—so Shayla found no difficulty dealing with this stubborn pup.

“The water isn’t too hot, right?”

“No.”

Since he had returned of his own will, Callion hadn’t spoken a word. He became extremely quiet, remaining still like a doll no matter which part Shayla washed.

She carefully scrubbed his back, legs, belly, and neck.

With every precise touch, dirty water flowed out.

‘Just a little more and it’s done. Just a little…’

The lighter the color of the dirty water became, the more exhilarated Shayla felt. Finally, this boy would have a fresh scent!

At that moment, she heard a faint voice…

“Your hand?”

“What?”

“Shasha, is your hand okay?”

“Ah, it’s fine now.”

“Let me see.”

Suddenly, he stubbornly insisted on seeing her hand.

Perhaps… he noticed she had pretended to be hurt.

Shayla focused on rinsing the soap as if nothing had happened.

“Rubbing this spot makes it refreshing, right?”

Most four-legged animals collapse when their nape is targeted. And Callion was no exception. Shayla pressed with her fingertips and massaged his neck and head.

“Show me your hand.”

“I said it’s fine.”

“Shasha, quickly show me. Okay?”

This boy could be incredibly stubborn at times.

‘No wonder he’s a wolf.’

She had realized it from the time he ignored her for nearly a month and acted coldly, but this stubbornness was truly unbearable.

Shayla sighed quietly and extended her unharmed hand.

“Alright, actually I wasn’t hurt. I lied.”

“What, you lied?!”

The boy, who had been carefully examining her hand, raised his head quickly.

“That’s good.”

“…”

“I thought I hurt Shasha… That really scared me.”

The moment she saw his bright face, Shayla felt a pang in her heart.

How many times had she deceived this kind boy? Callion’s innocent, harm-free eyes settled deeply in her heart.

“I won’t move violently anymore and I’ll be careful. Shasha is soft and fragile, she can get hurt easily, and I didn’t know.”

“…”

“Don’t hate me, okay? Keep staying with me, Shasha.”

Shayla felt pain in her chest because of this little wolf licking the back of her hand.

‘Cute things hurt my heart.’

Why? Because they look fragile? Because I fear I might cry without realizing?

The desire to protect this small cotton-like lump made Shayla’s touches even more careful.

* * *

Despite all the fuss he made at the beginning, the bath ended more easily than she expected.

“Does it feel stuffy? Just endure a little longer. We have to dry your fur well so you don’t catch a cold.”

Shayla wrapped a thick towel around him tenderly and rubbed his body vigorously.

He had hated bathing for five years, yet he endured until the end.

Shayla couldn’t feel more proud of this little boy who peeked out with his beautiful face from the towel.

Unable to resist, she showered Callion’s wet face with a storm of kisses.

“You were amazing! You endured so well!”

The boy, wrapped in the towel, felt a little frustrated at being unable to move, but he didn’t refuse Shayla’s kisses.

“Now I don’t smell bad anymore, right?”

There was strange confidence in the boy’s voice as he asked.

It seemed he felt inner pride for completing the bath. It appeared the “bad smell” comment had really shocked him.

“Your scent is fresh now. My cute little pup!”

“I’m not a pup…”

“In my eyes, you’re the most beautiful and cutest pup in the world.”

“I’m not…”

Shayla quietly ignored his protest and carried him to the side of the fireplace.

“I know you don’t like your tail touched, but we have to dry it…”

“It’s okay.”

“What?”

“You can touch my tail.”

He looked at her with his clear, distinctive eyes.

“Everything’s fine with Shasha.”

“Really? Leon…!”

Overwhelmed, Shayla rubbed her nose against his wet black one while he sat on her lap.

When Shayla was a rabbit, if anyone touched her tail, she would instantly kick them fatally with her hind legs.

That part was extremely sensitive.

Yet he allowed his tail to be touched so easily…!

‘How can this boy be so kind and innocent?’

The image of Callion’s first appearance—snarling and growling fiercely—completely vanished from Shayla’s mind.

The little wolf with sharp fangs and a bad temper had transformed into a cute, lovable pup, lying quietly in Shayla’s embrace.

On one of Hamelock’s snowy nights.

With the sound of burning wood, Shayla hugged the small furball she wanted to protect, savoring moments of happiness.

She felt as though those happy moments would last forever.

•♡•

End of Volume 2 <Callion Graywolf>