12 Officially meeting them

"... The bathroom had been custom made to the young miss' taste. The entire room can be wet. Above are small knots giving it an illusion of rainfall. This can be further adjusted to suit or you can just use the portable head hidden here. Once you scan here... The sunken tub with retractable seats; able to seat four. It is connected to the bedroom area where you can have it filled for your arrival... Behind the left glass are all towels, robes and shoes. For the young master, there is a smaller tub... Benefactor of the third young master I have explained everything you need to know. Please if you may first take a shower and then prepare for the family meal at the main house. A servant will return in a while to lead you there."

With that, she waved her hand, and the water began to fill the tub. I returned to the master bedroom with the small human slipping first off the shoes followed by the peach dress, then the small human.

Finished, I lifted his small form and walked towards the shower to first clean both of us, making sure we were thoroughly cleaned then headed towards the tub.

The maid had already slipped out to leave us two alone by the tub, which was filled and adjusted until the temperature was acceptable for both of us. I entered the tub making sure the small human was secure, taking a seat and laying, placing him on my legs which were slightly raised, covering his entire form except for his face and half of his head.

Opening my mouth, I spoke to him in the human tongue, stuttering a bit.

"W-w-we... have- have... a ho-hom-home no- now, little... O-one."

Hm, the human language, though strange, isn't as hard as I had thought.

If I practice by speaking to the small human more often everything will be fine.

The small human made a small sound. He really was filling out well, I thought, watching him those bright dark eyes, the plump bow lips and long lashes with the small button nose and chubby face.

I sprinkled water onto the crown of his head, watching the silky straight hair stick to his scalp.

Then smiled, feeling that the movement was less stiff. 

"O-o-okay, Le-let us e-e-ex-exit."

I told the small child half an hour later.

He made a small sound humming; I stood walking to the glass panel and took out a fluffy robe to cover him and threw one over my shoulder returning to the room.

Placing the child down, my gaze landed on the small table not too far away from where I stood.

Curious, I approached it. There sat a few tubes of what looked like famous skincare products for the both of us. Picking them up, I quickly read the back. Making sure the ingredients were not harmful to either of us. Especially him. He was still a fragile child, after all.

Once everything seemed alright I smiled, thinking once again of the privilege this family had.

Once we were fully moisturised and dressed. 

I slipped from the room to meet the first mistress. 

I felt extremely subconscious about myself. "The clothes prepared suit you, benefactress." The servant fixed a few areas before stepping back in satisfaction. "Benefactress if you may, let us take our leave for the evening meal."

I nodded. The servant dipped her head before walking ahead. I followed close behind, holding the small human close in my arms.

The path we walked was not long and most seemed familiar. It also did not take long for us to finally arrive at the designated area.

Seeing everyone present, I struggled with myself. Thinking, 'So many sheep, will I react the right way? Studying by reading those books is OK but actually putting it all into practice would be slightly difficult no?'

"Benefactress, please," the maid spoke up, jolting me from my turbulent thoughts. I exhaled slowly, gripping the small human and stepping further into the room. "The benefactress and the third family's young master has arrived." The words were not loud, but they were not spoken in a soft tone either, but the speech was clear and pleasant to my ears even if it is in the common human tongue.

Upon entry fully, I saw the first mistress; I thought as the head of the family I should show this sheep a bit more respect, that is, at least for the sake of my small human.

A smile suddenly graced her face like a rose in bloom she looked extremely beautiful.

"Come, pull the chair out for the benefactor and place the seat for the third family's firstborn."

A maid quickly stepped forward, doing her bidding pulling the chair out while Hua, who had arrived with me, tugged another closer, handing the small one over as I took my seat.

"Tonight's family meal is to welcome the third family's first young master and to show our gratitude to the young benefactor. In order to do that we would like you to bestow his official first name?"

I blinked shocked at the revelation. What was the motive?

My mind whirled. I had learned the various faces humans said that wolves... We're cunning.

Though that cannot be disputed by making that fact true, I also have to applaud the humans for they brought us in that aspect extreme shame.

Neither predator but mere prey they had evolved occupying their own realm dominating those who were supposed to be above them.

The question was simple but the answer was complex.

Never trust a human, never allow yourself to be lulled into false hope, wasn't that no different from the lions?

Still, if I refuse I felt I will suffer and right now this small human needs me as much as I did him.

"Tau," I softly said I'd already decided on it anyway not too long ago, I felt a cold gaze on my form refusing to acknowledge the owner who was no other than the firstborn son from the first family.

"Why Tau?"

A feminine voice questioned.

"Tau is an-n-nam-e-e I had se-e-en in a bo-book of names-s-s a while ago. The mea-n-nin-g in the vymos language r-representing the nineteenth star in o-o-our original world conste-l-lation system."

"Good, good, the meaning is not bad for generations our family has placed importance on the stars."

The first mistress said I agreed somewhat.

Wolves placed importance on the moons. The main one represented the mate to the alpha Selene, the second Luna, third Aylin.

" Serve the dishes, serve the wine... Benefactor, what is your name, where are you from? Who is your family and how old are you?"

"My name is Gravatrix. I-I am e-e-igh-t my family... I no longer have a famil-y-y and I no longer can remember where I am from.."

My words trailed off. Everything I had said was true, at least to me. I know fully that this place is not my home, where my home is... After being chased and tossed here did I have one?

My mother was still over there probably focusing on her new pup perhaps happier.

Why did this girl ask such an outright question now?

I felt so... Ashamed.

It was an uncomfortable feeling, a feeling that I knew all too well.

"Su Mei you have gone too far!" A masculine voice said suddenly. Even though it was pleasant, the underlying warning was clearly heard.

The girl Su Mei who seemed to be around fourteen made an aggrieved sound then spoke softly.

"How? She has an unknown origin. The only survivor after that devastating incident."

"She saved the only heir to the third family." The cup in his hand was placed gently but there was murderous intent within.

I felt confused, had the maid Hua not said that this girl Su Mei was the fiancé of the second family's firstborn son?