Chapter 3

*

It took me a hot second to process what I just saw. Did I really see a wolf right now? And it was on top of me?! Nah, maybe I'm still drunk from sleep.

I slowly opened the door a little. It's on the bed. It's staring at the door. It tilted it's head. I shut the door again then started panicking.

Why is it in my house?! I'm freaking afraid of dogs. Why did it have to be a wolf instead of a cat?! Then it bark making me jump.

Bad idea but I opened the door. It's just sitting there staring at me. I slowly and carefully approached it. Right before I got close to it, it barked again scaring me again.

"Alright, alright. I get it."

I tried again, slowly approach it. It's not attacking me, weird. I thought wolves attack prey. Maybe they attack only when they feel threatened or hungry.

I reached out to it expecting to get bitten but it just brought it's head into my hand. I can't believe this, I'm patting a wolf. And a big one at that. To be honest, it's kinda cute. It's fur is grey and white.

"Where did you come from?" I sat next to it on the bed.

"Woof!" It scared me again, I flinched. Dumb idea asking a dog a question and actually expecting an answer.

"I'm so stupid sometimes." It licked my face again. Ugh, so slimy. I wiped the spit off. "I guess you're not so bad. But what am I gonna do with a wolf? Should I call animal control?"

"Woof woof woof woof!" It started crying.

"Okay, I won't. But I don't know what to do with you. I've never had a dog before, let alone a pet."

"Woof woof."

"Do you actually understand me though?" It laid down.

"Guess not." I continued caressing it. "You're actually really cute." I smiled to myself. "But I can't keep you here with me. You're a wolf, you need a lot of space and my house is small. It'll be cruel to keep you here."

"Woof." This time it barked softly.

"How about I take you to the woods? The closest woods from here are about 2km away."

"Woof!" It put it's head on my lap. Huge head though. I've never seen a wolf this big before. It's more like beast than wolf to be honest.

"You don't want to go?" Now I'm confused. Am I really gonna live with a wolf? I don't know anything about wolves nor dogs.

Wait a second, what happened to the guy that was here last night? And how did I get into bed? Did he leave? If so, where did he go? And is he okay? I wonder what his name is, I never actually got to ask. He even left the clothes I bought for him. Does that mean he's running around naked?

"If you're gonna stay with me you're gonna need a name. What do you think?"

"Woof."

"Why do I keep on talking to you in hopes for an actual answer?" I face palmed. "I don't have a name for you though."

I took my phone that was on the night stand and opened G****e.

'Best names for wolves.'

"Wait, male or female?" I carefully checked then it barked at me. "Sorry, I was just checking."

Let's search for male names then. "What do you think, huh?" I showed it the screen. "I didn't even know there would be so many. Wait, Lupus? Latin for 'wolf'. What do you think?"

"Woof!" It licked my face again.

"I'm just gonna guess and say you like it. Then, welcome to your new home Lupus. My name is Keylan."

"Woof."

I searched about a whole lot of other things about wolves while it was exploring the house, I think.

Wait, I'm vegetarian. What am I gonna feed him? I'm 100% sure he needs meat. I guess I'm gonna have to start buying meat. Isn't it expensive though? I'm gonna have to ask mom and dad for extra cash, I don't like that. And they're gonna ask why. Am I gonna have to tell them? They don't want me to have a pet, they'll flip if they find out I'm living with a wolf now.

After running a thousand questions in my mind I went to the kitchen. Lupus is on the couch. Out of curiosity I turned the TV on. I was watching a Kdrama before.

Right after seeing people on the screen he started barking like crazy then ran towards the TV. He headbutted it causing it to crack then fall onto the floor.

"Hey, what's wrong with you?! It's just a TV." He literally just destroyed my TV. I sighed "I'm just gonna guess and say you're afraid of people. But why aren't you afraid of me though?"

"Woof woof!"

"Yeah, whatever." I'm not that mad since I don't watch TV a lot; I study a lot. Now that I think about it, dogs need regular walks. Do wolves also need walks? I'm sure they do need regular exercise though. I'm gonna have to make a plan for him to get regular exercise.

"I'm so hungry right now." He came running towards me after hearing me say that. "What, you hungry too?"

"Woof!"

I sighed, "Alright. Give me 10 minutes." I went and changed my clothes then ran to the store.

"Since when do you buy meat?" Jerry asked while putting the 5kg steak I just bought into my reusable bag.

"It's not for me." I gave him the money. "See ya." I hurried back home. Right after I opened the door Lupus jumped onto me. "Bruh, I was gone for less than five minutes. Calm down." I got up. I took out an old plate and put the meat onto it for him. I was completely grossed out the entire time. Meat is so gross.

He immediately dug in. "You must've been really hungry. I am too, buddy." I made myself a sandwich and sat on the floor next to him while eating.

I smiled to myself. I guess having Lupus here is therapeutic. I didn't think once about Mike all morning. I'm not counting it now. I'm actually thinking about forgiving them since I don't care anymore.

I called mom. She immediately answered as usual. "Hi sweety!" She sounds as ecstatic as usual.

"Hi mom. How are you doing?"

"I'm wonderful and you?"

"Just fine."

"Really? You don't sound too well. Are you getting enough sleep?"

"I'm just a little tired, that's all."

"I told you to stop abusing yourself too much. You don't have to over study all the time. You're already smart."

"I did stop. But that's not why I called."

"Oh, then what is it? You wanna come back home? I already bought your plane ticket."

"No, mom. And did you really buy a ticket again?"

"Of course I did."

"Mom, you're wasting a lot of money buying tickets nonstop."

"You sound exactly like your father."

"Anyways, I wanted to ask for a favour."

"Of course, anything for my baby."

"I need extra cash."

"Oh? What for?"

"I-uh, I'm eating a lot these days for...for brain power."

"O-kay. How much do you need?"

"Just a little over~ $2000?"

"What? Are you hearing yourself right now?"

"I know it's a lot. I promise I'll pay it back."

"I told you to stop with your nonsense of paying your parents back. I told you that I'll do anything for you by choice, okay."

"Okay, sorry."

"I'll send the money later when your father gets back."

"Okay. Thank you mom."

"No problem. I have to go now. Take care of yourself, okay."

"I will. Bye."

"Bye. Love you."

"Love you too, mom." I hung up. Small conversations like these make me miss them.

Then I noticed Lupus was staring at me. "Oh you're done. Now your face and my floor are covered in blood." I chuckled. He tried licking my face again but I dodged it. "No, not with your blood breath. It's time for a bath."

I finished my sandwich then took Lupus to the bathroom. He got into the tub without any trouble. "I'm just gonna use my soap since I don't have anything else, okay." He was just busy trying to drink the water. "No, stop it." I pulled his big head up.

I brought a small step and sat on it while washing him. He kept on splashing me with the water though. When we were done I felt like I also just took a bath because of how wet I was.

*****

Two days passed and I'm kinda used to waking up with a big wolf next to me, even though every night he howls like crazy. He just goes to the living room, sits next to the sliding door then howls like crazy. I'm guessing he misses his pack.

Now I have to get to class and I'm not sure about leaving him alone.

"Can I really leave you alone?" I held his head in both my hands to make him face me. His eyes are so beautiful. They kinda remind me of that guy since their eyes are similar.

He's just breathing loudly with his tongue out as usual. "Ncaw, you're so cute." I gave him a kiss on the cheek. He tried licking my face but I dodged. "No, you can't this time. You're not gonna wet my face right before I go out." He winced.

I got up and took my bag. "Now I have to go. You'll be fine, right?"

"Woof!"

"I'm gonna take that as a yes, okay?"

"Woof!"

"No?"

"Woof woof!"

"Now I'm confused. I'll bring you some steak when I get back, okay."

"WOOF!"

"You big baby. Bye." I left. Right after closing the door I bumped into Mike. "The hell?"

"Who were you talking to?"

"Why are you here?"

"Oh, wanna go to school together?"

"Why?"

"J-just. It's been so long since we talked, you know." He smiled. I am now sick of seeing his face.

"And whose fault is that?" I passed by him.

"Wait, Keylan." He followed.

*