While the knights efficiently dispatched the adult wolves, Louis and his team slipped into the den.

"Torches," he whispered. Several hunters lit their flames, and the warm orange glow spilled across the rough stone walls. The air was thick with the musky scent of beasts.

The party scanned the interior, and soon, deep within the cave, they found their objective.

Over twenty Ice Wolf cubs huddled together in a shivering mass. They were small, their fur thick and snow-white, their eyes brimming with fear of the humans before them.

"So many cubs!" one hunter breathed in delighted surprise.

Aiger licked his cracked lips, his eyes burning. "When these little ones grow up, they'll be apex hunters…"

A few of the cubs let out fierce little growls, trying to warn off the intruders. But when you're weak, even your anger looks adorable to others.

"They've got some spirit," Aiger chuckled.

"Here, little ones. Have something to eat." One of the hunters gently set chunks of meat in front of the cubs cowering in the rock crevices, deliberately stepping back so as not to appear threatening.

The meat had been coated with a calming herbal sedative, effective at soothing the cubs' nerves and helping them relax without realizing it.

A few of the bolder, hungrier cubs sniffed the aroma in the air. After a moment's hesitation, they crept forward and began to gnaw at the meat.

Seeing their littermates eat without consequence, more cubs soon joined in, jostling one another aside with their tiny paws, terrified of missing out.

Within two minutes, the sedative took effect. The cubs' initial wariness faded. Their eyes grew unfocused. Some swayed unsteadily, their small bodies wobbling.

"Now," Aiger whispered.

"Be gentle. These are our future war-wolves," Louis instructed.

"Understood."

The hunters wrapped each cub carefully in hide, minimizing their discomfort and struggle. A few remained alert and refused to cooperate, thrashing their tiny bodies against their captors—but they were far too weak.

One by one, they were secured into leather carrying sacks. All twenty-some cubs were neutralized and carefully packed, ensuring they wouldn't be harmed during transport.

Mission accomplished. Louis surveyed the sack-bound cubs and smiled. "Let's move."

The hunters shouldered their loads and rejoined the knights outside the cave. The party raced back toward Crimson Tide Territory.

…

Once the cubs arrived, Louis ordered them housed in a prepared wooden enclosure. It was spacious, its floor thick with dry straw. Soft hide-lined nests had been arranged in the corners, mimicking the wolves' natural habitat to minimize their stress.

Even so, after the upheaval they'd just experienced, the cubs remained on high alert. They bunched together, ears perked and tiny fangs bared, ready to defend themselves against any threat.

Louis stood at the fence, his gaze settling on the most remarkable cub at the center.

It was noticeably larger and sturdier than its littermates, with long limbs and a defiant glint in its eyes. While the other cubs whimpered and cowered together, this one stood tall, its sharp gaze sweeping over the humans beyond the fence. It showed none of a cub's fear.

The aura radiating from its very bones set it unmistakably apart.

"That one," Aiger breathed, having noticed it too. "That's the makings of an alpha."

"An alpha in the making?" A smile crossed Louis's face as an idea struck him. "Then your name will be Coldfront."

The cub's ears twitched slightly, perhaps sensing that it was being discussed, but it did not retreat. It only watched them warily.

"Aiger," Louis said, pulling his gaze away to look at the hunter beside him. "How would you go about taming them?"

Aiger's heart clenched. The question sounded casual, but beneath it lurked a test. He understood—his lord was evaluating his competence. He didn't dare be careless.

He quickly gathered his thoughts and answered with respect.

"First, we build dependence. Cubs need safety and food. Every feeding, they must see humans, so they learn to associate us with care and provision. But that alone isn't enough. Cubs are fierce by nature—food alone won't tame them. They'll guard their food and even attack. We need more direct methods to teach obedience."

"Specifically?"

"If a wolf guards its food, it must be disciplined immediately. If it resists, pin it down until it submits. In a wolf pack, strength is the only law."

Louis nodded with satisfaction. "Go on."

Aiger, encouraged, relaxed slightly. "Second, establish hierarchy."

He pointed at Coldfront. "Wolf packs have a clear ranking system. This cub is already the strongest—its size, bearing, and eyes all mark it as a natural alpha. Once we tame this one, the others will follow naturally."

Louis extended a hand and lightly tapped the fence. Coldfront instinctively looked up, watching him with wary eyes, but didn't flinch.

"So your recommendation?" Louis asked.

Aiger steeled himself. "You should personally tame Coldfront, my lord. Only by making him acknowledge you as his master will the pack serve you with absolute loyalty."

The surrounding hunters shot Aiger surprised looks. Suggesting that the lord personally tame a wolf? That took nerve.

But Louis wore a meaningful smile. The Daily Intelligence System had already tipped him off that Aiger was a master beast-tamer. Now he could see it was true. The old man had real skill.

Louis rose to his feet and clapped Aiger on the shoulder. "Excellent. From today onward, you are in charge of all beast-taming operations in Crimson Tide Territory."

Aiger froze for an instant. Then a surge of emotion flooded through him, and he dropped to one knee. "I will not fail you, my lord!"

A few months ago, he'd been a miserable wretch wandering the Northlands, scraping by on whatever he could hunt. If Louis's party hadn't passed through, he would have frozen to death in the snow long ago. Now, not only had he earned the lord's recognition, but he'd been entrusted with a vital responsibility. And knowing this lord's character, if he performed well, he would be richly rewarded.

The watching hunters cast envious glances his way.

"Aiger, you lucky bastard…"

"No kidding. His status is going to be completely different from now on."