Chapter 2

“Don’t worry. Once I transform and grow up, I’ll study and work.”

Lai Ân remained still.

Looking down from her head, I could see lowered lashes and a straight nose.

Ah.

If only I could be so beautiful after transforming.

The butler rushed over and accidentally knocked me away.

“Heavens! Stop talking!”

“You’ve pecked the master’s forehead red already!”

I stared.

Only then remembered my beak was different from other beastkin’s.

Lai Ân kept her back to me, hanging up her coat.

Her back was straight.

The uniform shirt tucked into her belt emphasized broad shoulders and a narrow waist.

I tilted my head.

So tall.

After transformation, I would probably reach only her chest.

The butler relayed:

“Go to the pool first.”

“The master will change and join you.”

On the way, I whispered:

“Can’t Lai Ân speak?”

“…Yes,” it answered.

“A recent diagnosis.”

Through the steam, a silver wolf slowly appeared and entered beside me.

She lazily spread her arms along the edge.

To entertain us, the butler projected a new drama.

Lying on Lai Ân’s head, I said quietly:

“When I was little, other mothers bathed their children.”

“My stepmother never wanted to.”

“She was always busy.”

“I’ve always washed and cleaned by myself.”

“I didn’t know bathing with someone could be so nice.”

Onscreen, the newest horror film showed zombies swarming and a city surrounded by a virus.

Wide-eyed, heart pounding, I hid in her fur and peeked out.

Lai Ân abruptly raised her head.

I lost my grip and splashed into the pool.

She lifted me back onto her head, then headed for the bedroom.

“The master means bedtime,” the butler translated.

“Tomorrow, you’re enrolling at the academy.”

At my bedroom door, she meant to set me down and leave.

I clung tightly.

She looked baffled.

“Can I sleep beside you? The film was frightening.”

She fell silent and glanced at the butler.

“I… I chose the top family film…”

That night, I shamelessly insisted on staying with her.

Hugging her arm, I buried my head against her neck.

She was rigid.

“Am I squashing you?” I asked helpfully.

She said nothing.

Only switched off the light.

I slept badly.

In a dream, my stepmother abandoned me again.

I demanded to know why they hadn’t called the police.

Father frowned.

“You wandered off. Couldn’t you find a patrol officer to bring you home?”

“We have your new brother and sister now. Stop making trouble.”

I wanted to peck their eyes out.

A silver wolf charged from nowhere and seized my stepmother’s throat.

Blood gushed.

I woke with a start.

In the dim room, dawn filtered through thick curtains onto a figure changing clothes.

Lai Ân had left her animal form.

From behind, she looked like a young human man.

But the curtains remained closed. I couldn’t see clearly.

I rubbed my eyes.

When I opened them, she was dressed.

“Lai Ân?”

I reached for the light.

“Work again?”

She caught my claw before I could switch it on and tucked me back beneath the blankets.

Silently stroked my head.

Even I realized she didn’t want me seeing her face.

I widened my eyes, searching the darkness.

Only those cool blue-gray eyes were clear.

Half an hour later, my enrollment notice arrived.

I had never attended a nursery for young beastkin.

Father and my stepmother said it was too expensive.

I taught myself reading and arithmetic from books.

Only a minority could attend an academy here.

Tuition was substantial.

Many others my age finished nursery, transformed, reached adulthood, and went straight to work.

I thought I would too.

But the notice clearly read:

【Junior Academy】

“Miss Tiểu Ngâm.”

Lai Ân’s subordinate politely gestured.

“Please get in.”

“The master asked me to take you for enrollment.”

“What about Lai Ân?”

He choked.

After a long pause:

“The master… is waiting at the academy too.”

New students filled the grounds.

None had reached adulthood.

Some remained in animal form.

“You’re Tiểu Ngâm?”

The registration teacher consulted the file.

“A long-tailed tit?”

I nodded quickly.

“Yes.”

“Not transformed yet? Applying for healing?”

“Yes.”

“Master Lai Ân’s mate?”

“Yes.”

Halfway through, I realized.

“No!”

My face burned.

“I’m her adopted daughter.”

Immediately, curious, excited beastkin whispered together.

“Lai Ân adopted her…”

“No wonder those social invitations were refused…”

“What a size difference. Perfect!”

“Stop pairing everyone up!”

I didn’t understand.

I could only conclude that educated beastkin were different.

Well-read people were more accepting.

I was seated beside a canine beastkin.

Ô Ca introduced himself enthusiastically.

“Mom says I transform in two days. You?”

I lowered my head shyly.

“I don’t know…”

He looked sympathetic and gave me a little flower.

“For you.”

“After I transform, I’ll take you to our farm.”

That evening, I secretly climbed into Lai Ân’s bed again and tucked in the blanket.

I told her about school.

“A boy gave me a flower today.”

I placed a winter jasmine blossom in her palm.

“He’ll take me to the farm after I transform.”

She lowered her head to the flower in her wolf’s paw.

Said nothing.

That night brought another nightmare.

Every bone seemed crushed.

Pain curled me into a ball.

I couldn’t cry out or open my eyes.

Only pray for dawn.

At last, light appeared.

I forced my eyes open.

I lay on a silver wolf’s chest.

Tried to flap.

Saw a slender arm.

What?

Lai Ân opened her eyes.

Paused at my face.

Lowered her gaze slowly.

Froze.

I noticed nothing, only exclaimed happily:

“Have I transformed?”

“I really have!”

I moved to embrace her.

She scrambled up in panic, threw a fleece blanket over me, wrapped me completely, and fled the bedroom.

All day, I didn’t see her.