I wake to a rich, mouthwatering aroma that makes my stomach tighten with hunger. The savory scent of slow-cooked meat fills Pico’s tiny hut. I blink up at the familiar woven ceiling, my body still heavy with lingering satisfaction. Memories of everything that happened before the nap flood back into my mind—Pico on all fours, her tight, warm pussy squeezing around me, her milk spraying across my chest as she climaxed beneath me. We fucked until we finally collapsed together, tangled and exhausted. A slow smile pulls at my lips.

I turn my head and freeze.

A six-month-old theriantrope pup sits beside the makeshift bed, staring at me with wide golden eyes. Soft gray fur covers her tiny ears and cheeks. She tilts her head slightly, then opens her mouth and says in a clear, innocent voice, "Papa."

The word hits me like a punch to the stomach.

Before I can respond, the hut flap opens. Pico steps inside carrying a steaming wooden bowl. Her swollen breasts strain against the thin cloth wrapped around her body, her pink nipples already damp with milk. Her furry tail sways gently behind her as she approaches, her eyes softening the moment they meet mine.

"Eat up, Jacob," she says softly, placing the bowl in front of me. "You need to regain your strength."

The broth smells incredible—rabbit meat, herbs, and rich bone marrow. My mouth instantly floods with saliva. I’m starving after everything we did. I grab the bowl and inhale deeply, but something immediately feels wrong. Pico just stands there empty-handed, quietly watching me.

"Why aren’t you eating?" I ask.

She lowers her gaze. "You should eat first. You helped the village... saved us from the ghost. You deserve it more."

I shake my head and reach into my inventory. With a single thought, several fat wild rabbit corpses—F-rank monsters—appear on the floor beside us. Pico’s eyes widen in pure shock, her ears shooting straight upward.

"Jacob... you don’t need to be so generous."

"You’re a nursing mother," I reply firmly. "We eat together. Store these. They’ll feed you and the pup for weeks."

Her cheeks flush a deep shade of red. She nods quickly and stores the rabbits away with practiced movements. Then she brings another bowl for herself and sits beside me. We eat in comfortable silence, the warm broth sliding down my throat and spreading heat through my chest. The pup crawls closer and leans against Pico’s leg, occasionally sneaking glances at me.

As I chew, my thoughts begin to wander. If Pico hadn’t already given birth to a child, I would’ve asked her to come with me without hesitation. She’s warm, loyal, and looks at me like I’m not some kind of monster. But becoming a father figure? Her husband is dead, and I’m not ready to step into those shoes. I don’t want that burden. Besides, the mission reward already includes a young virgin maiden from the wolf clan. I already decided I’d pity the girl and give her enough money to live comfortably instead of dragging her along with me.

I set my empty bowl down and pull out ten shining gold coins. I slide them across the low table toward Pico.

"Take these. Use them well—for yourself and the pup."

Pico recoils as though I burned her. Her eyes go wide with disbelief.

"T-ten gold coins?!"

She has probably never seen this much money in her entire life. With trembling hands, she quickly pushes the coins back toward me.

"I don’t dare accept this, Jacob. It’s too much."

I keep my voice calm and steady. "If you refuse, then it means you consider me your enemy."

Her breath catches sharply. Tears instantly gather in her eyes. With shaking fingers, she slowly gathers the coins and clutches them tightly against her chest.

"Thank you... thank you so much," she whispers, her voice cracking with emotion. Tears slip down her flushed cheeks.

I say nothing and simply watch her. Unlike every other theriantrope I’ve met, Pico has never looked at me with suspicion or hatred just because I’m a vampire. The gentle way she looks at me stirs something deep in my chest.

After a moment, she wipes her eyes and speaks again.

"Most of the villagers have returned now that the ghost is gone. The village head wants to see you."

My ears perk up. Finally. He’s ready to hand over the promised reward—the young maiden.

I stand and stretch my muscles. Pico lifts her pup into her arms and quietly leads the way outside.

Without the thick fog covering everything, the village looks completely different in daylight. Pico’s hut is noticeably smaller and far shabbier than the others, its patched walls weathered by time and neglect. We walk toward a sturdy brick house near the center of the village. Pico knocks softly, and the door swings open moments later.

A burly, middle-aged wolf theriantrope fills the doorway. Tattoos cover his powerful arms and chest, while a deep scar cuts across the left side of his face. His sharp eyes slowly scan me from head to toe. I catch the flicker of contempt the moment he realizes I’m a vampire, but he forces a broad smile and clasps my forearm in a firm handshake.

"Adventurer," he booms. "You have my thanks for saving our village from that vengeful spirit."

Then he drops two gold coins into my palm.

"This is a small token for your efforts."

He turns his head toward the interior of the house and calls out loudly, "Reinga!"

Soft footsteps approach.

A beautiful young wolf theriantrope emerges from deeper inside the house. Her furry ears are large and luxurious, covered in thick silver-gray fur. A finely tailored gown hugs her full breasts and wide hips, while a long majestic tail sways proudly behind her like a banner. She bows gracefully toward the village head.

"Father, I am here."

Then her gaze shifts toward me.

The warmth vanishes instantly.

Pure hatred and disgust burn in her eyes. My first impression shatters completely. She looks at me like I’m filth.

The village head smiles proudly. "As promised, I will betroth my daughter Reinga to you. She is pure, untouched, and a strong warrior. A fine reward for a hero."

Silence stretches between us.

I let out a slow breath, once again reminded how difficult wolfkins are. Only Pico has ever looked at me without that instinctive revulsion. I glance toward Pico standing quietly beside me, cradling her pup close to her chest.

"I decline the betrothal," I say clearly. "Instead, I want to take Pico with me."

Pico gasps sharply, her ears flattening against her head in shock.

The village head’s expression immediately twists. He stares at Pico like she’s nothing but garbage, his lips curling with open disgust. The look alone makes her shrink backward, her shoulders hunching as she cowers beside me.

The air grows heavy with tension.

Reinga’s tail bristles violently with anger, and she clenches her teeth so hard it looks like the veins in her neck might burst. The village head narrows his eyes dangerously at me, silently waiting for me to explain my insane decision.