Chapter 374: Feels Right, But Also Wrong

"These," Caius said calmly, examining the fluffy things at the top of Arian's head, "are wolf ears."Arian froze. "...What?"

Caius leaned closer, his expression serious. "You can turn into a wolf."

Arian blinked once. Twice. Then slowly, as if realising for the first time that his ears existed, he lifted a trembling hand to touch his head. Ears. Actual, furry, moving ears. And when Caius' fingers brushed one lightly again, it twitched.

"Oh."

He suddenly felt something pressing between his back and the tree. A lump of… something. His hand moved down to check, and his fingers brushed soft fluff. He turned, craning his neck, and—

"TAIL?! I have a tail?!"

It wagged. It actually wagged.

Caius stared at him like he was the dumbest creature alive. "Apparently."

Arian looked at his own body, completely scandalised. "I—why do I have a tail?! I mean, wasn't I human? I have—hands! Feet! I talk! Humans talk!" He spun in a small circle, his tail flicking in panic, just like a dog.

Caius sighed. "I do wonder how a wolf ended up here," he said coolly, "but unfortunately, you don't remember anything and can't provide any answers."

Then, before Arian could spiral any further, Caius casually reached out again, this time pinching Arian's ear between his fingers. Not hard, but just enough to make the wolf-boy jolt.

"Hey! That's—ah—sensitive!"

Caius smirked faintly. "So I see."

Arian crossed his arms, still pouting. "So… if I can turn into a wolf, does that mean I can, you know, run out of here faster?"

Caius actually chuckled, a low, velvety sound that made Arian momentarily forget his embarrassment. "No. You're not built for this environment. You'd trip over your own paws before you took ten steps."

"Hey-" Though Arian had no way of verifying if that was the correct assumption.

"Then—what if you shift again," Arian said, eyes gleaming mischievously, "and I, you know, sit on you? It'd be efficient! I'd provide moral support!"

Caius turned to him with a slow, dangerous glare — those golden eyes gleaming like molten amber. The look screamed Don't even think about it.

Arian shut his mouth immediately. "Right. Walking is good. Walking is… character-building, uh no, body building."

Satisfied, Caius started leading the way again. "We're not too far from here. There's a river that runs through this forest. We'll take a short detour — you can wash up there."

Finally! Arian felt very sticky.

Caius moved ahead with his usual quiet grace, stepping over roots and stones as if he'd memorised the terrain. Arian, on the other hand, stumbled every few steps, his tail swishing in irritation each time a branch snagged it.

When they reached the river, it was like stepping into another world — a calm stream that sparkled under the sun, winding lazily through mossy rocks. Caius knelt by the bank, scooping a handful of water to wash his face. It was a serene, quiet moment… until Arian loudly splashed into the river with a satisfying plop.

Arian resurfaced with a gasp, pushing his soaked black hair out of his face. His eyes gleamed as he grinned. "It's hot! The clothes will dry while we walk, and this'll keep me cool for a while."

He said it so cheerfully, Caius could only stare for a moment. Then he sighed — deeply, like a man who'd already accepted that logic didn't work on this creature. "You're going to catch a cold."

"I'll risk it!" Arian said brightly, floating lazily on his back, tail half-submerged like a soggy rope.

Caius ran a hand through his hair and muttered under his breath, "Wolves."

To be fair, it made sense. Wolves were used to crisp air, highlands, and snow. The heat of the jungle was suffocating to them. Still, watching Arian splash around in his soaked white shirt like a carefree child made Caius… oddly tense.

Arian eventually climbed out of the water, dripping wet and grinning like a fool. His white shirt clung to his skin, sheer enough to reveal the faint outline of his collarbones and the lines of his torso. He tugged at the hem, trying to wring it dry, oblivious to Caius' sharp gaze.

Caius frowned and turned abruptly. "We're leaving."

"Wait, what? But I just— hey!" Arian scrambled to catch up as Caius picked up the pace, striding through the undergrowth like he was running from something.

"Slow down!" Arian complained, half-running.

"Follow," Caius said curtly, not looking back.

Arian groaned in response.s

When they finally stepped out of the dense greenery, Arian blinked at the sight before him. The treeline opened up to reveal a sprawling town, single stone carvings, buildings made from large stacked stones and greenery surrounding it all, vines decorated the town, banners fluttering lazily in the breeze, and streets bustling with people.

The entrance was guarded by two women in uniforms that immediately caught Arian's attention. "Whoa…" he blurted before he could stop himself.

Caius glanced at him. "What is it now?"

"Those guards," Arian said, pointing and promptly flushing. "Aren't they afraid of… Judgment?" After saying it, he realised that it was inappropriate to say such a thing.

The women were dressed in deep green silk blouses that cut off just below the bust, paired with airy silk pants that shimmered with gold embroidery. The outfits were beautiful, daring even, showing a good amount of skin to make Arian's brain short-circuit for a second.

Caius's tone was dry. "And why would they be?"

Arian blinked. "I… Don't know. I just thought… Society wouldn't accept it? People might judge them. I mean, I heard that—"

He hesitated, voice trailing off.

"That men are animals," he finished softly. "And women have to be careful."

Caius raised an eyebrow. "You, a man, heard that?"

Arian froze. Right. A man. He looked down at himself, at his hands, at the faint reflection of his face in the river's edge earlier. It felt true, and yet… Somehow not true.

I am a man, he thought. That feels right. But it also doesn't.

He swallowed the lump in his throat and said nothing.

Caius, after a pause, continued, "Both men and women are animals here. Literally. You say you don't remember anything, but you clearly recall how conservative the wolf clans are."

"The wolf… Clans," Arian echoed quietly, as if testing the words on his tongue.

"Yes, they are conservative, they have a whole section of people who are considered weak from birth and mistreated. I believe... They are called omegas. Quite discriminatory."

Arian looked down at his feet. He didn't remember growing up anywhere, but something in him — a faint ache, a shadow of familiarity — stirred at those words. Weak omegas. Mistreatment.

He knew what a house was. He knew that stealing was wrong, that murder was worse. He knew what language to speak...

But himself? His family? His name?

Nothing.

"Come on," Caius said, motioning toward the entrance. He didn't even have to look back to know Arian had stopped again — he could feel the pause in his steps. "Arian," he sighed, "follow." He had to keep reminded Arian the Amnesiac.

Arian hurried after him, his tail swishing. "I am following!"

As they passed the two guards, Arian beamed at them. "You guys look beautiful!" he said sincerely, eyes sparkling with admiration.

The guards blinked, then exchanged amused glances before laughing softly. "Thank you, sweetheart," one said, clearly charmed.