Chapter 79 Almost Caught (Bonus)

For a while, no one spoke. The four little wolves, who had been so noisy only moments ago, suddenly became remarkably well-behaved. Each of them had quietly claimed a different gap between the bundles of hides and was taking turns peeking outside, keeping watch with such serious expressions that Xue Yao couldn’t help but see them in a different light.

Her gaze eventually settled on Little Ancestor, who was sitting beside her with his ears twitching every so often as he listened to the sounds outside. After hesitating for a moment, she lowered her voice. "...About last night."

His ears flicked once, but he didn’t turn around.

Xue Yao rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly before continuing. "I really am sorry. I shouldn’t have called you a dog." She paused briefly before adding with an embarrassed smile, "...I know you’re a wolf. I wasn’t trying to insult you. I just... panicked."

Little Ancestor stayed quiet for another moment before finally looking at her.

"I know."

"You do?"

He nodded as though it were obvious. "I could smell that you were sad and irritated."

Xue Yao blinked. "...You can smell emotions?"

"Not exactly." Little Ancestor tapped the tip of his nose with one finger. "People smell different when they’re scared, sad, happy...Brother can tell too. Uncle Han Luo as well. Most wolves can."

Xue Yao instinctively touched her own face. ’That’s terrifying. Does that mean they always know when I’m lying too? No wonder I keep feeling like I can’t hide anything from Lie Lang...’

She had been about to ask another question when Mu Dou suddenly lifted one hand. "...Shh."

The atmosphere inside the wagon became tense. The little wolves stopped moving, and evenLittle Ancestor’s ears stood upright.

Outside, heavy footsteps approached the wagon at an unhurried pace before stopping right beside them.

Xue Yao instinctively held her breath.

A rough voice came from outside. "...Did this cart always have this many hides?"

Another hunter answered lazily, sounding as though he hadn’t fully woken up yet. "I loaded them myself."

"It looks fuller than usual."

"Probably because you’re still half asleep."

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. Then...

"...Wait." The canvas covering the wagon shifted slightly.

A thin ray of sunlight slipped through the opening.

Xue Yao’s heart almost jumped into her throat. ’Please don’t look inside. Please don’t look inside. If you look inside, we’re all finished.’

Before anyone else could react, Little Ancestor suddenly let out a loud, exaggerated snore.

The four little wolves understood immediately. Mu Dou stretched and yawned so loudly that it sounded completely genuine. Tie Tou mumbled a few sleepy words that no one could understand before rolling onto his side. And Xiao Feng curled himself into a little ball beneath one of the hides, pretending to be fast asleep.

Outside, the hunter froze. "...Young Master?"

Another hunter laughed. "So that’s where he disappeared to."

"What are you doing?" the second hunter said with a chuckle. "Leave him alone. If you wake him up and he starts complaining to Beta Han Luo again, you’ll be peeling potatoes in the kitchen for the next month."

The first hunter immediately let the canvas fall shut.

"...You’re right but we are going to hunt dangerous beast, if anything happens to him, we will lose our lives."

"Let him sleep. We will let the Alpha know about him." The other replied.

Their footsteps gradually faded as they walked away.

Inside the wagon, nobody moved until the voices had disappeared completely. Only then did everyone quietly let out the breath they had been holding.

Tie Tou broke into a proud grin. "That was close."

Mu Dou patted his chest dramatically.

Little Ancestor looked at Xue Yao with a smug smile that practically screamed I told you so.

"I told you," he said proudly. "No one checks the supply cart."

Xue Yao looked around at the five little wolves sitting in front of her.

A few minutes ago, she had honestly thought they were just children playing on an adventure.

Now... She wasn’t so sure anymore. After studying each of their proud little faces, she slowly nodded. "...I take it back."

Little Ancestor tilted his head. "Take what back?"

"You aren’t just a gang of little bandits." The five pairs of golden eyes brightened all at once.

Xue Yao couldn’t help smiling."...You’re experienced little bandits."

For some reason, all five little wolves looked absurdly pleased with themselves.

Little Ancestor even nodded in satisfaction, as though being called an experienced little bandit was a title worth earning.

After what felt like forever, the creaking of the wagon gradually slowed until it finally came to a stop.

Outside, the order of the convoy immediately gave way to movement as voices rose around them. "Unload the supplies!" someone called, while another voice ordered the hunters to set up camp and send scouts toward the eastern ridge.

A third voice mentioned that the Alpha’s group would continue deeper into the mountains, and the sound of boots, shifting crates, and wooden wheels quickly filled the air.

Inside the supply cart, the six of them remained perfectly still beneath the rolled hides. No one spoke, and no one dared move while the hunters passed close enough for Xue Yao to hear the leather of their armor creak.

She kept one hand pressed against the floor to support herself and tried not to breathe too loudly. ’We made it all the way here. It would be truly embarrassing to get caught before I even see the mountains.’

Beside her, the five little wolves were unusually quiet, their ears turning toward every nearby sound. Only after the footsteps scattered and the voices moved farther away did Little Ancestor carefully lift one corner of the hide. He peeked outside for several breaths, his white ears twitching as he listened, then looked back at the others and whispered, "The coast is clear."

The little wolves climbed out one after another, moving with far more practice. She followed last, carefully lowering herself over the side of the cart. The moment both feet touched the ground, cool air brushed across her face, carrying the rich scent of damp soil, wild flowers, and something clean and sharp that she could only describe as spiritual energy. She straightened slowly and lifted her head.

Her eyes widened. For several long moments, Xue Yao forgot she was supposed to be hiding.