Alaska Gold Rush Diary

Chapter 13 Compensation

Just as Zhou Xin had predicted, the wolf's running speed gradually decreased.

But what Zhou Xin found strange was that when it ran to the base of a big tree, it suddenly stopped.

Logically, it should still have the energy to continue running, so why did it suddenly stop?

Judging from its appearance, it doesn't seem like it's going to fight back.

He aimed his shotgun at the wolf's body and boldly took a few steps closer.

Then, he froze.

A small pit was dug in the shallow snow at the base of the tree, and it was filled with dry branches.

A little wolf cub nestled in the pit, whimpering, rubbing its fluffy little head against the big wolf.

The ferocity in the wolf's eyes vanished completely, and it placed the frozen fish in its mouth in front of the wolf cub.

The wolf cubs were clearly starving, and immediately began to happily nibble at the food.

The adult wolf lay down in its den, wrapped the cubs around its body, and licked their heads with its tongue.

Zhou Xin suddenly realized that this was a female wolf.

No wonder it refused to put down the food in its mouth even when it was dying; it wasn't for itself, but for its offspring.

He stood there, stunned, overwhelmed by a strong sense of self-reproach and guilt.

Although he knew that if he allowed the hungry she-wolf to circle around the camp, he would be attacked by it sooner or later.

Hunting it down first is not only a way to protect oneself, but also a way to save oneself.

But he was still moved when he saw the beast display its maternal instincts.

It knew that after running all the way, the mother wolf had lost too much blood and was about to die.

Wolves are highly intelligent, and this mother wolf was clearly aware of her fate, so she risked having her cubs discovered to bring the fish back.

Although it would be dangerous for the child to be found, it would surely die if food wasn't brought back for it.

The wolf cubs happily munched on the frozen fish, unaware that their mother was about to die.

It was just a little strange that its mother's embrace wasn't as warm anymore.

The mother wolf drooped her head and breathed slightly.

Although it knew Zhou Xin was right next to it, it didn't move, only occasionally licking the child.

Zhou Xin put down his hunting rifle and did not choose to go forward to finish off the enemy.

He stood quietly in the snow, watching the mother wolf use her last breath to protect her cubs.

This will be the last time the wolf cub feels its mother's love, and also its final farewell to its mother.

Silence returned to the surroundings, with only the sound of the wolf cubs happily munching on fish.

After an unknown amount of time, the mother wolf stopped moving, and the wolf cubs, having eaten their fill, finally noticed their mother's unusual behavior.

It nudged the mother wolf's body with its head and pawed at her, but the mother wolf did not respond.

It whimpered, not understanding why its mother was ignoring it.

Zhou Xin sighed inwardly and slowly walked over.

Hearing something amiss, the wolf cub immediately pricked up its ears and looked warily toward Zhou Xin.

When it realized that it was facing a large creature it had never seen before, it was clearly frightened. It tried to burrow into its mother's arms while calling out to her more anxiously.

"Little one, I'm so sorry that you lost your mother at such a young age," Zhou Xin said with a hint of apology.

The little wolf cub whimpered softly, not understanding why its mother was still sleeping when there was a strange beast invading.

"To make up for killing your mother, I will take care of you in her place from now on."

Zhou Xin walked to the wolf den and saw the wolf cub look at him in fear, then press itself even closer to its dead mother.

He shook his head, reached out and grabbed the wolf cub by the neck, lifting it up.

The wolf cub struggled desperately, whimpering and filled with fear in its eyes.

It has to be said that this little wolf cub is quite cute, with fluffy fur all over its body, somewhat resembling a puppy.

He patted the wolf cub's head and said, "Little guy, staying here will only lead to your death. Come home with me."

After saying that, he stuffed the wolf cub into the pocket next to his winter coat.

Perhaps it was because the pockets of the winter coat were soft and warm, like a mother's embrace, or perhaps it really understood Zhou Xin's words, the little wolf cub struggled a few times, then nestled in the pocket and didn't move.

After looking at the mother wolf's carcass in the den, Zhou Xin changed his mind and decided not to bother with the corpse.

"Go in peace. I'll take care of your baby. I'll come back tomorrow to bury you."

The ground is frozen solid right now, and we didn't bring any tools, so we can only come tomorrow to take care of the mother wolf's "funeral arrangements".

Back in the cabin at the camp, Zhou Xin lit the stove, which was almost extinguished.

Once it got a little warmer, he gathered some firewood and built a makeshift shelter next to the stove.

Then he found a blanket that he had brought but hadn't used much and laid it in the den, then took the wolf cubs out of his pocket and put them in the den.

As soon as it came out of the pocket, the little wolf cub was startled by the firelight in the stove and began to struggle desperately.

Zhou Xin was prepared. He stroked the wolf cub's head like he would a puppy, and then took out a piece of luncheon meat and put it near the wolf cub's mouth.

Upon smelling the luncheon meat, the wolf cub immediately stopped struggling, its nose twitching, its eyes fixed on the meat.

Although it had just eaten frozen fish, how could that rock-hard, icy frozen fish compare to the fragrant, tender luncheon meat?

The little wolf cub boldly licked it and immediately began to eat it happily.

The delicious meat made it forget its fear of fire and its sadness at being separated from its mother.

Moreover, it allowed Zhou Xin to stroke its head without struggling, and even made whimpering sounds in agreement.

Zhou Xin was overjoyed; it seemed that his attempt to tame the wolf cub had been a success.

He had always wanted to have a dog, but his financial situation didn't allow it.

Owning a wolf is way more prestigious than owning a dog.

Moreover, his gold harvest is increasing rapidly at a visible rate, so there's no need to worry about not being able to afford to feed him.

Although wolves are wild and untamable, he still wanted to give it a try.

After all, what man could resist keeping a fierce tundra wolf as a pet?

When I have more free time, I should learn more about animal training, and hopefully I can train it to be as obedient as a hunting dog.

Suddenly, his mind wandered to "Drunken Wolf" Dawn.

I wonder if my wolf will be able to defeat Dawn when it grows up.

"Oh, right, first we need to give you a name!"

After a moment's thought, he came up with a good name.

"From today onwards, your name will be Logan!"

I hope you'll be like Wolverine, both fierce and loyal.

Logan the wolf cub seemed quite pleased with the name, and imitated his mother by tilting his head back and howling.

After finishing the meat, Logan didn't try to escape. Instead, he lay down in his den and closed his eyes, as if he truly considered this place his home.

Indeed, compared to the cold and hard nest in the snow before, this place is warm, soft, and much more comfortable.

Zhou Xin was satisfied with Logan's performance, but just in case, he still bolted the door.

If it gets away, wouldn't all my hard work be wasted?