MY SUGAR MUMMY IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE

As the wolf approached, its muscles rippling beneath its thick fur, Blake's mind raced, searching for a way to escape the potentially deadly situation. He scanned his surroundings, looking for any sign of a weapon or a means of defense, but the forest offered nothing but trees and rocks.

The wolf, sensing Blake's fear, bared its teeth in a menacing snarl, its amber eyes gleaming with hunger and aggression. Blake knew he had to act fast before the situation escalated further.

With a steady hand, Blake reached into his pocket, his fingers closing around the hilt of a small pocket knife he always carried with him. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.

Keeping his movements slow and deliberate so as not to provoke the wolf further, Blake withdrew the knife and held it out in front of him, hoping to deter the animal from attacking.

"Easy there, big guy," Blake said, his voice trembling slightly despite his efforts to sound confident. "I don't want any trouble."

The wolf hesitated, its growls subsiding slightly as it regarded Blake with a mixture of curiosity and caution. Sensing an opportunity, Blake slowly began to back away, keeping his eyes locked on the wolf's as he retreated step by cautious step.

Just as he thought he might have a chance to escape, the wolf suddenly lunged forward, its jaws snapping shut just inches from Blake's outstretched arm. Reacting on pure instinct, Blake swung the knife in a wide arc, narrowly missing the wolf's snout as it recoiled from the unexpected attack.

Heart pounding, Blake turned to bolt but then a voice cut through the tension.

"Scar!! Heel!!"

Nana's sudden appearance and her command to the wolf took Blake by surprise, his heart still pounding from the adrenaline rush of the encounter. He watched in amazement as the feral wolf, now named Scar, obeyed Nana's orders without hesitation, halting its advance.

The wolf obeyed immediately, halting its advance with a graceful yet powerful movement. With a flick of his ears and a low rumble of acknowledgment, Scar turned and began to pad back up the hill, his gaze fixed on Nana as if awaiting further instruction.

Nana slid down from the hill with effortless grace, her movements fluid and confident. She approached Scar with a gentle demeanor, speaking to him in soft, reassuring tones as she reached out to stroke his fur. The tension in the air dissipated as the wolf responded to her calming presence, his posture relaxing under her touch.

Watching the interaction between Nana and Scar, Blake couldn't help but marvel at the bond between them. Despite the wildness of the forest and the inherent danger of encountering a feral wolf, Nana seemed completely at ease in Scar's presence, as if they shared a silent understanding that transcended mere words.

As Nana turned her attention back to Blake, there was a warmth in her eyes that belied her earlier laughter. She offered him a reassuring smile, as if to assure him that everything was under control.

"It's okay, he's harmless," she said, her voice calm and steady. "Scar's just protective of his territory, that's all."

Blake nodded, still feeling a lingering sense of unease despite Nana's reassurance. The encounter had been a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the forest, and he couldn't shake the feeling that they were treading on uncertain ground.

As Scar settled back onto his perch on the hill, his watchful gaze never leaving them, Blake couldn't help but wonder what other surprises the forest held in store. With Nana by his side, however, he felt a newfound sense of courage and determination. Together, they would navigate the wilderness and uncover its secrets, one step at a time.

Blake couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and lingering tension as he watched Scar retreat. He nodded in response to Nana's apology, still trying to process the whirlwind of emotions from the encounter.

"Scar's my wolf dog. He's really not that bad. He just saw you and thought you were one of them," Nana explained, her tone softening as she spoke.

Despite her reassurance, Blake couldn't shake the lingering unease that had settled over him. The realization that the forest held more dangers than he had previously realized weighed heavily on his mind, and he couldn't help but feel a newfound respect for the wilds and the creatures that called it home.

As Nana offered him a reassuring smile, Blake couldn't help but return it, grateful for her presence and her ability to diffuse the tense situation. With Scar safely back on the hill and the immediate danger passed, Blake felt a sense of relief wash over him, mingled with a newfound sense of respect for the bond between Nana and her wolf companion.

Blake's heart rate gradually returned to normal, he couldn't help but voice his curiosity about Nana's unusual choice of companion.

"Not judging you but a wolf dog? What happened to crabs or even a gold fish? I'm sure there are lots of fishes around here! Why...him?" he asked, his voice tinged with lingering apprehension as he pointed at scar who kept a close eye on him still. Just looking at the animal from hill, Blake realized just how huge it looked. Not to mention, a moment ago, he was just about to become wolf dog lunch.

"I've never seen a wolf dog before." He said, taking in the full size of scar.

Nana chuckled, a light, musical sound that seemed to dance on the breeze. She turned to face him, her expression softening as she spoke.

"Scar's mother was my dog," she explained, her gaze drifting off into the distance as if lost in memory. "She was a loyal companion, but she had a wild streak in her. One day, she disappeared into the forest and came back with a mate – a wolf."

Blake's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the unexpected revelation. A dog and a wolf mating seemed like an unlikely pairing, but he couldn't deny the result standing before him in the form of Scar.

"So, Scar's a mix of wolf and dog?" he asked, still trying to wrap his mind around the concept.

Nana nodded, a fond smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Yes, he's a bit of both worlds. His mother passed away a few years ago, but Scar's always been by my side since then. He's my protector, my companion."

With that, Nana turned and began to ascend the hill once more, her movements graceful and surefooted. As she climbed, she called out to Blake, her voice carrying easily on the breeze.

"What took you so long, Blake? I've been waiting for you all morning!"

Blake was taken aback by her words, his surprise evident in his expression. He hadn't expected Nana to be waiting for him, let alone showing concern for his whereabouts.

"I... I didn't realize you were waiting for me," he admitted, feeling a flush of embarrassment creep up his neck. "I guess I lost track of time."

"Next time, don't keep me waiting too long," Nana teased, her tone light but tinged with a hint of mischief. "You might not find me here, but you might stumble upon something else." She nodded toward Scar, who padded alongside her, his keen eyes scanning their surroundings with a vigilant gaze. "Like my furry friend here."

Blake chuckled nervously at her playful warning, glancing at Scar before meeting Nana's gaze. "Got it, I'll make sure to be on time next time," he replied with a grin, though a flicker of apprehension danced in his eyes. Nana's easy confidence in the forest's inhabitants both reassured and unsettled him, reminding him of the untamed nature lurking just beyond the trees.

The sight of the wolf-dog brought a mixture of awe and wariness to Blake's expression. "I'll keep that in mind," he added, his eyes lingering on the majestic creature. Despite Nana's assurance that Scar was harmless, there was still an undeniable primal energy emanating from the animal, a reminder of the untamed wilderness that surrounded them.

As they continued their trek through the forest, Blake couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, the hairs on the back of his neck prickling with unease.

Her curiosity piqued, Nana gestured towards the knife secured at Blake's side. "And what's with the knife? Have you always carried it around?"

Blake nodded, his expression serious as he glanced down at the gleaming blade. "Yeah, I've had it for a while," he admitted. "It's for protection, you know? Just like how you walk with Scar."

Nana's laughter tinkled through the air, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Protection, huh? Well, if there's anything out here in the forest looking to make a meal out of you, I doubt that little piece of cutlery will do much good," she teased, her tone light but tinged with underlying concern.

Blake chuckled, though he couldn't shake the niggling sense of vulnerability that crept into his thoughts. Gripping the knife's hilt a little tighter, he glanced around the forest, acutely aware of the unseen dangers lurking in the shadows.

"Hey, you never finished telling me about Duncan Salvador and his wife Artemis," Blake reminded Nana, his curiosity piqued by the unfinished tale.

Nana flashed him a mischievous grin. "Ah, but I also didn't finish my breakfast this morning, did I?" she replied, her tone playful. "I think I'll save the story for later. Besides, I brought some food along with me. It's waiting for us at the old oak tree." She gestured in the direction of the tree, a knowing twinkle in her eye.