Chapter 121: Fairy Tale — He Had a Little Gray Wolf (46)

When Ryder returned home, he found Mrs. Griffin peering out from her doorway, looking exceedingly vigilant.

The moment she spotted him, she pushed her door open and hurried over, pleading earnestly, "Ryder! Are you hiding a wolf in your house? They aren't good creatures—why would you keep one in your home?"

Ryder’s first reaction was to turn pale. He feared that Asy had been discovered, though looking at Mrs. Griffin, it didn't seem to be the case. Still, he could not bring himself to relax.

"Grandma, there are no wolves in my house."

Only then did Mrs. Griffin let out a sigh of relief. "Ryder, have you offended the wolf clan? I came over today to bring you some vegetables, and that female knight opened the door. I smelled a wolf’s scent in your home, and there was so much wolf fur everywhere! It’s fortunate that girl is a knight, otherwise, you would have been in real danger!"

Ryder gave a few distracted responses before heading inside.

As soon as he pushed the door open, he saw Asy in her wolf form, rolling around on the floor, leaving tufts of fur scattered everywhere. Hearing his footsteps, Asy was startled and stood up immediately, her dark eyes glaring fiercely toward the door.

"Asy, shh!" Ryder put a finger to his lips.

Asy, in her wolf form, would always whimper happily whenever she saw Ryder. Since Mrs. Griffin was already suspicious, she might be lurking right outside, eavesdropping. Asy immediately clamped her mouth shut and followed Ryder inside. Her coat was half-shed, leaving her with thick fur in some patches and thin, sparse fur in others, which looked rather comical.

Ryder crouched down to stroke her, helping her pull away a clump of loose fur.

"Asy, I bought sugar cakes and date cakes. Do you want to eat now?"

Asy’s eyes brightened. She flopped lazily onto the floor and opened her mouth, waiting to be fed.

Tan, having grown numb to this routine, couldn't help but mock her: "Asy, you’re too lazy! You even need someone to feed you? You’ll be abandoned by someone sooner or later if you keep this up!"

Asy glared at Tan with dissatisfaction. Just then, Ryder held out a piece of pastry, and after swallowing it, Asy stood up, leaned against Ryder, and rested her chin on his leg.

Then, she shifted into her human form.

Sitting on the floor with her chin still resting on his knee, her dark eyes shimmered with a mist of emotion. "Ryder," she asked pitifully, "will you ever abandon me?"

After she spoke, she pursed her lips seriously. The small dimples that usually looked so adorable now seemed remarkably solemn.

Ryder shook his head. "Never. Asy is the best. I will never, ever abandon you." He spoke each word with earnest sincerity. He would never tire of her; he only feared that Asy might come to dislike him.

"That's good. You have to keep your word, Ryder. You can never abandon me." Asy finally smiled, then opened her mouth again. "I want more. Ah."

Ryder, filled with joy, fed another piece of pastry into her mouth. When he offered another, she shook her head, patting her rounded belly. "My tummy is round already; I can't eat any more."

Asy took the piece of pastry, held it to Ryder’s lips, said "Ah," and added, "Ryder, you eat too."

The young girl curled her lips into a smile, her dewy eyes captivating. Ryder’s face flushed red, and he opened his mouth to take a bite. He thought it tasted incredibly sweet. Since it came from Asy, it was truly the sweetest thing.