The group quietly journeyed through forest while occasionally looking back. The girls would constantly take photos while James gave a Ark a raised eyebrow every time he looked back.

Unable to beat it anymore, Ark turned around and yelled.

"GO AWAY! WHY DO YOU KEEP FOLLOWING ME! YOU ARE A WOLF FOR HEAVENS SAKE! NOT A DOG! SHOO!"

The wolf tilted its head and proceeded to hide behind a tree.

The little puppy on the other hand gave no mind to the yelling human and proceeded to happily bounce towards Ark.

Olivia crouched and extended her hand towards the pup with a warm smile. However the pup arrogantly lifted her head and ignored Olivia and continued bouncing her way towards Ark.

Hanabi sighed.

"What a pity that she only likes Ark and doesn't like anybody else... She looks so soft..."

The pup rubbed her head on his leg and sneezed causing the three girls to almost faint.

Ark sighed and turned to look at the not well hidden wolf.

"I give up, follow me if you want."

The little wolf let out a bark and the mother wolf came out from behind the tree.

James let out a smile.

"It seems my little boy Ark is finally becoming popular."

"Shut it James."

"Hahahaha, only a shame that you can only attract animals instead of actual girls."

"Shut up James."

"At least she is still a girl-"

"Bite him."

The wolf leapt and attacked James who had let his guard down to laugh.

The three girls were about to help James when Ark said something that made them stop in there tracks.

"If you leave James alone, I'll convince the puppy to let you guys touch him."

Without a slight hesitation, the girls coldly glanced at James and watched him get mauled by the adult female wolf.

"HELP! I'M SORRY ARK!"

"I'm not going to stop."

"HELP ME KALI, OLIVIA, HANABI!"

Each of the girls gave an answer that was crueler than the last.

"I'm sorry, I want to help but I also want to touch the wolf."

"I will remember your sacrifice."

"Just die already."

Ark glanced at the dying James and shook his head.

Sorry brother, but cute will always beat handsome.

Ark picked up the little wolf and whispered to it.

"If you let the girls hold and pet you, I will let you stay with me along with your mom."

The wolf was in deep thought before expressing its wish to be put down by barking. Ark happily put it down and watched as the wolf held its head up high and sauntered towards the three girls. It distastefully looked down on the feet of the girls before looking up towards the girls.

The girls squealed and picked her up and started to touch her all over. The puppy turned its eyes towards with the eyes of a child being molested my old men.

Ark couldn't bear the look on her face and turned away.

"I'm sorry child, I promise that I will repay you."

The little pup closed her eyes and shed a tear, unwilling to be touched by anyone other than her mother and Ark.

Ark felt a lick on his hand. He turned around to see the mom licking his hand with sad eyes as if begging.

Ark reached down and turned her away from the gruesome sight.

"I-I'm sorry, if I knew how horrible it would be, I would have just let you two come with me. I didn't expect that this... that... that she would have to go through this."

Ark took a quick glance back at the pup and quickly turned away with a pale face.

"I wish we could save her, but I fear it is impossible, lest we risk our lives. We can only wait and hope for the best."

The wolf started to howl in sadness and there was nothing Ark could do to help her but silently stroke her fur.

—————————————————————

After the very intense petting session came to an end. The puppy developed Aphephobia and was reduced to a shivering bundle of fear every time a hand reached for it. The only way to calm it down was for Ark to pet it gently.

They exited the forest with the wolf in tow with joy but they soon met an obstacle.

"Sir, you can't take the wolf with you."

"But why not?"

"It's a wild animal, it might attack citizens out on the street."

Ark tilted his head.

"I just tamed it in the forest so it shouldn't bite."

"I cannot allow it, sorry but rules are rules."

Ark started to finger his pendant as he thought of a solution. He made an enlightened expression as he hit his fist on his palm.

"So if I show you how tame they are then you will let us through?"

"Yes. However, you only just tamed it so I do not think you will pass."

Ark pointed at James, causing James to back away suspiciously.

"What are you going to do?"

"Bite him."

"NOOOOO"

The wolf leapt on top of James and proceeded to maul him.

"Come back."

The wolf came back while wagging its tail hoping for a reward.

"Now sit."

The wolf obediently sat down while still wagging its tail.

"Roll over."

The wolf rolled over.

"Stand on your hind legs and howl then chase your tail three times."

The wolf obeyed.

The DZ manager watched this while internally complaining.

Are you sure this is a wolf that was tamed today? It seems like a loyal dog that has followed you for years.

"You... you may pass."

"Thank you sir. Drag him."

The group exited the forest as the wolf dragged the unconscious James out.

On the way to the dormitory, many people stopped and stared at the black wolf with weary eyes, but of course they all disappeared when they saw the little puppy happily sniffing around at the new environment it was in.

A few brave girls asked if they could touch her but Ark declined. He wouldn't let the poor thing go through that ever again.

Ark saw the mother wolf staring at a food stand that sold chicken skewers and sighed.

"Hey mister, how much for a chicken skewer?"

"Three copper."

"Can I have three?"

Ark tossed the man nine copper coins and in return gained three skewers.

He gave one to the mother who immediately devoured the whole thing. The pup sniffed the skewer once and opened its mouth waiting to be fed.

Ark sighed.

"It's like raising a kid."

Ark proceeded to tear the skewer into small pieces and placed it in the puppy's mouth causing a bunch of girls to squeal in adoration.

Satisfied, the pup barked once expressing its wish to be held. Ark picked her up and turned around only to see the black wolf wistfully staring back at the food stand. It faced back at Ark and let out a heart wrenching whine.

Ark gritted his teeth.

You god damn glutton, you don't have to eat anymore.

But another look at the sad face of the wolf made Ark want to cry.

...sigh, there goes my wallet.

"Hey sir, can I have two more skewers?"