The Wolf Girl's Secret Box

Chapter8

“Come on, Ollie. I care about you. How can you treat a cousin who genuinely wants the best for you like this?” Benny stumbled back dramatically, as if he'd just taken a heavy punch.

Olivier stepped away a few paces, letting the theatrical Benny have the floor. A few curious glances drifted their way from the crowd. Benny quickly dropped the act and moved closer to Olivier again.

This time, he got serious: “If you like him, why don't you go for it? The Chief allowing Uncle Yade and Aunt Nasserie to return means he’s no longer against wolf-human marriages. What are you holding back for? Your parents are the perfect example.”

Benny's words brought back memories of Olivier's difficult childhood, spent wandering from place to place.

Olivier’s father, Yade, was a werewolf, while his mother, Nathalie, was an ordinary human. From the moment they got together, they faced opposition from all sides. Yade's father, the clan chief of the Hawksons, refused to accept a union between wolf and human and wouldn't welcome them. Nathalie's parents also opposed the relationship because of Yade's mysterious origins.

Because of this, Yade and Nasserine had no choice but to leave their homeland and live as nomads.

“You don't understand. A love that isn't blessed always faces trials,” Olivier said. His nomadic childhood had made him more mature and sensible than his peers. Having endured hardship alongside his parents for as long as he could remember, he understood the difficulty of such a relationship better than anyone.

“So you’re saying you don’t want the 'little beauty' to follow in your mother's footsteps and suffer so much?” Benny wasn't stupid; he immediately grasped the core of Olivier's meaning. “Have you forgotten that Nasserine is happy now? Isn't she? The Patriarch promised not to interfere with young people pursuing freedom and love. He's a man of his word—he’ll stick to it. What are you still hesitating about?”

Olivier turned his head away.

“Could it be… you’re just afraid?” Benny drew out the word, flashing a mischievous grin as he stepped around to face him, locking eyes. "Afraid that even if you give everything, the 'little beauty' won't appreciate it. He won't follow Yade through a decade of hardship without complaint, the way Nasserly did, nor will he ever warm to a tight-lipped fool like you. Am I right?"

“After all, the 'little beauty' has far too many options.” Finally, Benny couldn't resist delivering one last jab.

Olivier’s face darkened.

His cousin’s reaction was predictable. Benny knew when to quit while he was ahead. He dropped the subject, instead subtly nudging his cousin forward with a nod.

Olivier was utterly helpless against his cousin. Following Benny’s gaze, he looked toward the altar.

His Grandfather, the Clan Chief; Benny’s father, Zoe; and his own father, Yade—they were all there. Beside them, alongside several officials stationed daily in West Dam Town, stood six additional figures—or rather, their wolf forms. Judging by their intimate demeanor, they appeared to be several young couples. Zoe was delivering final instructions. Carried on the wind, Olivier faintly caught phrases like “Don’t be nervous… it’s very simple…”

“Those girls are from the Delant family,” Benny whispered in Olivier's ear, as if the person who had just rubbed salt in his wound was someone else entirely. “They came back with the patrol. Tonight's stars—the lucky brides.”

No wonder the pack had carried the scent of other clans throughout their journey. Olivier had initially assumed it stemmed from the patrol's long-standing cohabitation with other tribes, never considering that outsiders themselves were returning.

Olivier knew this custom—the very heart of the Full Moon Festival. When the moon reached its zenith, newlywed couples from the pack would dance in prayer. Beautiful love would earn the Moon Goddess’s favor, bringing hope and blessings to the entire tribe.

“The Delant girls are fiercer than the last batch. Only true warriors can win them over. The patrol really is made up of tough characters.” Benny's eyes sparkled with interest as he studied the three foreign brides, searching for differences from the Hoxen girls.

One of the girls seemed to catch his gaze. She turned and bared sharp fangs at him.

“...” A blatant warning. Benny sheepishly averted his gaze, pretending to look around casually.

“Stop pretending.” Olivier sighed, his expression softening at the interruption. Straightening his back, he admonished Benny, “Pay attention. It's about to begin.”

As the cousins spoke, the clan leader and his entourage had already stepped aside. At the center of the wolf pack's encirclement, only the three grooms remained, forming a triangular formation with their backs to each other, facing three different directions of the wolf pack.

The wolves were eerily silent. Everyone held their breath, not making a single sound. Moments later, the brides from the Delant family, having resumed their human forms, emerged one by one from behind the concealing trees.

Bathed in moonlight, the beautiful brides wore snow-white, flowing gowns. The silvery glow enveloped them in soft radiance as they walked through the wolves, who instinctively parted to form a path.

Barefoot on solid ground, the brides danced with graceful steps, their light movements halting beside their wolf-shaped grooms.

In the silent night, Patrol Captain Zoe—the clan chieftain's eldest son—let out a short, sharp roar in his father's stead. The sound acted like a command, freezing the newlyweds' dance. At that moment, the brides were bending sideways, extending their hands toward their husbands.

Zoe turned to the clan elder, awaiting his next command. The old chief nodded lightly yet firmly. Zoe scanned the surroundings before slowly tilting his head toward the moonlit night sky.

“Awoo…”

Under his lead, every wolf on standby lifted their proud, unyielding heads one by one, unleashing howls that echoed in succession. A mighty resonance reverberated deep within the forest. In the absolute stillness, the sound seemed to coalesce into substance, lingering endlessly. Every creature in the forest chose silence at that very moment.

The vibration within his chest left Olivier profoundly shaken. This feeling of collective unity, this pride welling up within him, made him acutely aware—this was the moment belonging to the wolf tribe. They were the children of the Moon God, the guardians of the dark night, the favored ones of the jungle. They deserved the Moon God's blessing, and they were worthy of it.

The howling gradually ceased, returning to the previous stillness. They waited for the dance to conclude. Timing was perfect; amidst the pack, the playful chase dance performed by humans and wolves reached its finale. At the dance's end, the groom knelt low, silently inviting the beautiful bride.

A mischievous chuckle rippled through the wolves, soon swelling into a chorus of playful laughter. Their short, teasing whispers made the brides blush.

The three brides from the Delant family—oh, no, they were now part of the Hawkson clan. Regardless, they had once been the Drent family's most formidable warriors. Though shy, they mounted their husbands' backs with graceful ease. Each man and wolf stood beneath the moonlight, a sight of indescribable beauty.

Amidst the pack's playful commotion, the three couples made their way to the outer edge. Circling the wolves once, they charged into the forest without looking back.

Among the wolves, Olivier wasn't particularly tall. He could barely see through the gaps between his companions as three white figures vanished into the forest. This was the final part of the Full Moon Festival—young werewolves had to carry their brides through the forest all night long. It demanded stamina.

Olivier understood the earlier steps, but this last part…

“This last part’s just a joke,” Benny declared, acting like he knew Olivier's thoughts without needing to ask. “Those guys stole the show at the Full Moon Festival, so they’ve earned this. Carrying their bride through the woods all night on their wedding night? That's just cruel!” Benny pounded his chest in mock frustration.

“…” Olivier.

After the Full Moon Festival, the wolf pack roamed freely. Benny had been itching to take it out on the patrol guys. He bid Olivier farewell and charged straight into the patrol's midst.

Among the juveniles, Olivier and Benny were both big builds, but compared to the patrol's massive frames, they were no match. Benny's "small frame" was quickly swallowed up by the patrol, only his howls escaping their encirclement. Olivier turned away, unable to bear the sight.

His father, Yade, stood waiting beneath a large tree not far off.

This was the first time Olivier had seen Yade in a year.

“Father,” Olivier called out respectfully.

“You've grown taller, Ollie,” Yade said, sizing up his son with a satisfied look.

“Going home?” Olivier asked.

“Of course.” Yade crouched low, ready to sprint. “How about it, kid? Want to race your old man to see who gets home first?”

Without a word, Olivier crouched into position too.

“Hmph.” Yade snorted, taking the first stride. Olivier paused, then hurried to catch up.

Father and son sprinted back along their path. Many companions joined them, their numbers swelling until nearly half the pack raced homeward.

As the main pack swept past the clan leader, he stomped his foot in frustration. “Keep it down!”

Zoe walked beside him, soothingly saying, “It’s very late now. No one in town will notice. It's rare for everyone to gather like this. Just let them run free.”

The figures of Olivier and his son soon vanished from sight. The clan leader shook his head. “Those troublesome ones.”

Zoe smiled faintly. He knew the old man cherished his youngest son deeply, despite his words. Otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to the wolf-human intermarriage. Children born to wolves and humans could be incredibly powerful—just look at Olivier.

Unbeknownst to father and son, Grandfather and Uncle had exchanged these words. They soon returned to Xiba Town, parting ways with the others on the main road. Their family had been the last to relocate back to Xiba, their home still a short distance from the others'.

The lights at home were still on.

Nathalie, being human, couldn't attend the wolf clan gathering. Yet she insisted on waiting for her husband and son to return.

Yade’s heart melted. Yet he didn’t enter immediately, pausing instead at the doorway. Olivier thought he was feeling homesick. But Yade stopped his son too.

“?” Olivier looked puzzled.

Yade paused, then asked, “Remember when we were little, Oli?”

“A little.”

“When you were losing your baby teeth, remember the family we stayed with?” Yade pressed.

“Yes. That grandmother was very kind to me,” Olivier replied.

Yade nodded, satisfied with his son's memory. But this wasn't a visit for nostalgia: “We passed through their town on our way back. I went to see them. The grandmother has passed away.”

Clearly, Yade hadn't brought back good news. Olivier instinctively tensed up.

“She passed away in her sleep. It was peaceful. Don't be too sad.”

Olivier nodded, understanding. But that didn't stop his mood from sinking.

“Cheer up, kid.” Yade gave him a hard shove. "You've got a lot to do. “Know why we passed through their town?”

Olivier shook his head. As far as he knew, the town where the old woman lived wasn't on the patrol route back to Xiba Town.

“Because a demon escaped,” Yade whispered. "This is confirmed. We were delayed eliminating it and nearly missed the Full Moon Festival. I'm telling you this so you stay alert. Until every demon is dealt with, nowhere is safe. Though Xiba Town has our clan stationed there, making it much safer, you still can't let your guard down. Understand?"

“Got it.” Olivier nodded in understanding.

“The patrol won't stay in town for long. They'll be leaving soon. While I'm gone, you need to take good care of your mom and sister.”

“Understood.” Olivier affirmed again.

“Don't let your mother find out. I don't want her worrying.” Even if neither Yade nor Olivier mentioned it, Nasserie would still learn—she lived in the world of werewolves and couldn't remain ignorant of their lives. Yade paused. “Not a word in front of your mother. I'll speak with her myself.”

Olivier simply ignored him.

“You're such a sourpuss,” Yade sighed helplessly. “Come on, let's go inside.”

Olivier took a shortcut, leaping through a window into the house. The sudden appearance of the massive figure startled Nasserie. Her gaze fell on her son, but before she could utter a word of reproach, another enormous gray wolf appeared at the doorway, instantly capturing her full attention.

“Yade!” Nasserie exclaimed in delighted surprise.

Olivier sensibly retreated upstairs, leaving the living room to the reunited couple.

On one side of town, the Hawksons had just concluded their Full Moon Festival. On the other, the Cains had long since drifted into sweet slumber.

Except for Edren.

Not that he slept poorly—quite the opposite. His slumber was so deep that the alarm clock rang twice before finally waking him. Alec, on the other hand, was roused by his own shrieking alarm. He cursed at Edren's door for a full minute without success, until he finally hurled his slipper at his brother's face.

“…” Edren groaned, painfully pulling the slipper off his handsome face. This time, he finally woke up.

First period was math class. Edren took notes diligently. Soon, his ballpoint pen ran out of ink. He tried scribbling a couple of times, the tip leaving two deep scratches on the paper. Staring at the inkless marks, he suddenly realized he hadn't dreamed anything last night.

So the wooden box wasn't anything special after all. Dreaming about that black wolf was just a coincidence, right? —Come to think of it, that made sense. How could such unrealistic things exist in this world? Last night’s self had indeed been daydreaming. Edren shrugged, switched to another pen, and continued taking notes.