While the Knights effortlessly slaughtered the adult Icefield Wolf, Louis and his team had already slipped quietly into the wolves' den.
"Light them," Louis whispered.
Several hunters swiftly pulled out torches and gently ignited them.
Warm orange light lit the cave's interior. The rock walls were rough, and the air was thick with the musky scent of beasts. Everyone scanned their surroundings, and before long, they spotted their target deep within the den.
More than twenty Icefield Wolf pups were huddled together, trembling in fear. They were not very large, their thick, snow-white fur like frost, and their eyes filled with terror at the sight of humans.
"So many pups," a hunter whispered in surprise.
Aige licked his dry lips, his gaze fervent. "These little ones… once grown, they'll be elite hunters."
A few wolf pups let out faint, growling warnings, their tiny bodies trying to project courage against the intruders.
When you're weak, even anger looks adorable to others.
"These little guys have quite the temper," Aige chuckled.
"Come now, little ones. Have something to eat."
A hunter gently placed a piece of meat near a pup hiding in a rock crevice, then stepped back a little to seem less threatening.
The meat had been coated with a mild sedative made from herbs—strong enough to calm emotions without raising suspicion. A few brave and hungry pups sniffed the aroma, hesitated, and then cautiously approached to nibble. When one finished without issue, the others scrambled forward, pushing each other with tiny paws, afraid to miss out.
Within two minutes, the sedative began to take effect.
The once-vigilant pups grew sluggish. Some staggered; others swayed gently as if sleepy, their resistance quickly fading.
"We can move now," Aige whispered.
"Be gentle," Louis instructed. "These are future war wolves."
"Understood."
The hunters carefully wrapped each wolf pup in animal hides, preventing them from injuring themselves as they squirmed. A few pups still resisted, twisting and growling softly, but they were too weak to break free. Each one was soon tucked securely into specially made leather bags, ensuring they wouldn't be harmed during transport.
Mission accomplished.
Louis glanced at the bags and smiled. "Let's go."
The hunters hoisted the bags over their shoulders and exited the cave to rejoin the Knights, then hurried back toward the Territory.
Upon returning to Red Tide Territory, the wolf pups were placed in a large, pre-prepared wooden enclosure.
The space was roomy, with thick dry grass covering the ground. Several soft nests made from animal hides lay in the corners, mimicking the wolves' natural environment to ease their anxiety.
Even so, the wolf pups remained wary after the sudden change. They huddled together tightly, ears perked, teeth bared—small but sharp—ready to defend themselves if needed.
Louis stood silently before the enclosure, eyes fixed on the most distinctive pup among them.
It stood out immediately—larger, with longer limbs and a raw, wild presence in its eyes. While the others whimpered or crouched, this one stood tall, gazing sharply at the humans on the other side of the fence, its stance firm and unshaken by fear.
The wild aura around it marked it as something different.
"This one…" Aige also noticed. His eyes gleamed. "It has the potential of a wolf king."
"A wolf king's potential?" Louis murmured, a small smile forming. "Then your name shall be Cold Fang."
The pup's ears twitched at the sound, as if it sensed it was being talked about. Still, it didn't retreat. It watched the humans warily, its eyes sharp and alert.
Louis turned to Aige. "How do you suggest we tame them?"
Aige's heart skipped. Though asked casually, the question felt like a test.
He knew Louis was observing him.
Not daring to be careless, Aige gathered his thoughts and answered respectfully, "First, we must build dependence. Wolf pups need security and food. Every feeding should be done by humans so they begin to associate us with survival. Make them see humans as their source of safety."
"But that alone isn't enough," he continued. "Wolves are born fierce. Food alone won't tame them. They will guard it fiercely—maybe even attack. We must be firm, direct—teach obedience."
"Be specific."
"If a pup guards food or resists, it must be disciplined immediately. If it refuses, pin it down until it stops resisting. In a wolf pack, strength dictates authority. That's how they understand order."
Louis nodded. "Go on."
Encouraged, Aige stood a little straighter, speaking with more confidence. "Step two: establish hierarchy. Wolves naturally follow leaders. That strong pup—Cold Fang—already shows traits of a future alpha. If we tame it first, the rest will follow."
Louis turned back to the enclosure thoughtfully, reaching out to lightly tap the wooden wall.
Cold Fang immediately looked up, locking eyes with him. It didn't retreat, only watched, sharp and alert.
"So what's your suggestion?" Louis asked again.
Aige took a deep breath and made his boldest proposal yet. "You should personally tame Cold Fang. If that pup sees you as its master, the others will follow without question."
A moment of silence followed.
The nearby hunters looked at Aige, stunned.
To suggest that their Lord personally tame a wolf? That was either sheer courage—or foolish audacity.
But Louis smiled.
The Daily Intelligence System had once informed him that Aige possessed a unique talent in beast taming. It appeared the system was right.
Louis stood up slowly, then patted Aige on the shoulder. "Very good. From this day forward, you are in charge of all beast-taming affairs in Red Tide Territory."
Aige froze, stunned.
But the realization hit a moment later, and his heart surged with gratitude and disbelief. He immediately dropped to one knee.
"Your subordinate will not disappoint you!"
Just a few months ago, he was a ragged wanderer in the frozen North, surviving day by day by hunting. If Louis hadn't passed by with his team, he might have frozen to death in the snow.
Now, not only had he earned the Lord's trust, but he had also been given a vital responsibility—something greater than he'd ever dared to dream of.
And knowing Louis's character, he was sure: as long as he Chapter 15: Direwolf Cub well, he'd be rewarded justly.
The other hunters looked on with envy.
"That Aige… he's lucky…"
"Yeah. His future just changed."