After all, this was just a reality show. The best they could provide was a few cans of animal repellent, a long metal rod for each participant, and a survival knife.
None of these would mean anything if they got too close to the target and were caught off guard.
When everyone hesitated—shockingly—it was Harry who moved first. Even as he muttered under his breath, "Damn it, are you trying to act like some saint?" he still marched straight toward Aren without stopping.
The wolf sensed Harry's approach and instantly bared his teeth, snarling with a sharp, lethal warning. But Aren wrapped his arms around the white wolf and stroked its soft fur.
"He's trying to help. Don't be afraid… don't be afraid."
"Damn it, I'm the one afraid of those shark-like teeth, not him," Harry snapped, offended by the difference in treatment.
How could a wolf receive gentle affection while he got nothing but a cold glare—as if he had startled the wolf and committed some unforgivable crime?
"Move closer and try to remove that thing. It's hurting him."
Harry took two deep breaths to control his temper, then quickly moved behind the wolf nestled in Aren's arms.
After several attempts, he finally pried the clamp open just enough for the wolf to pull her leg free. The trap snapped shut again with a vicious force that nearly took Harry's hand.
Good thing Harry's bulk wasn't just for show. One glance made it clear he had well-defined, solid six-pack muscles.
His face wasn't delicate or pretty like Aren's; instead, he possessed the sharp, cold attractiveness of a charismatic CEO.
Once they freed the wolf, Harry stepped back instinctively.
Not because he didn't want to stay or touch the wolf—no, but because the ungrateful creature glared at him with such icy ferocity it looked ready to carve a hole straight through him. Threatening. Vicious.
A perfect example of: "Use him, then discard him."
After Harry stepped aside, Aren bandaged the wolf's leg using one of the thin scarves around his neck. It wasn't for warmth or anything practical—just for show.
But it worked well enough as a bandage.
Aren ignored the tiny pups tugging at the scarf, chewing at its ends as he wrapped it snugly around their mother's leg.
The scene was so gentle and striking that even those who had been terrified began edging closer, gathering near Harry to get a better view.
The photographers surrounded Aren and the wolf from a careful distance, capturing the moment from a full 180 degrees.
Then suddenly, a harsh, furious voice tore through the peaceful scene.
"Hey! Who the hell are you? That's my prey—back away!"
An older man stepped out, dressed in full hunting gear. He wore a thick coat as if he'd just climbed down from the upper, colder part of the mountain and hadn't realized the summer heat below.
He emerged from behind the bushes and rocks, his wrinkled face twisted into a scowl. "I set that trap myself, so that wolf belongs to me. Hand it over. Now."
Everyone's expressions darkened. Even the once-calm white wolf stood protectively before her pups, howling twice before baring her teeth at the man with deadly intent.
Compared to this, the snarl she gave Harry earlier had been nothing.
And who could blame her? Who would greet their would-be killer politely? The man was the one who set the trap and hunted her relentlessly.
If not for needing to protect her pups, she could have torn out his throat long ago.
As tension thickened, David spoke first, trying to ease the situation. "Sir, hello. I'm sorry, we don't want any trouble. We were just passing by and—"
"Don't joke with me," the man barked. "You took the prey I've been hunting for days. I don't want your excuses. Give me the wolf, or else—"
There was a reason David was speaking politely instead of telling the man to his face that he was hunting illegally.
The man held a long hunting rifle, the muzzle pointed straight at them.
"Hey man, calm down and lower that damned gun. You're threatening unarmed civilians. You should know that if we sue you, you'll get at least two years in prison."
Harry somehow managed to sound both smart and stupid at the same time.
His attempt at a threat backfired. The hunter grew angrier, snarling curses.
He stepped forward. "I don't care. I'm taking that wolf no matter what happens today."
He moved closer, rifle raised. One wrong step, and he might fire out of sheer rage.
Fear spread across everyone's faces. Even the live chat was filled with panic; some viewers had already called the local authorities, but climbing the mountain was no quick task. The filming team itself had needed over three hours of hiking.
Amid all the chaos, no one noticed how Aren's eyes quietly darkened, or how completely unfazed he remained.
Aren hadn't moved. He was still closest to the wolf.
Wolves were incredibly intelligent, and this one knew her chances of landing a fatal hit on the man were slim—especially if she attacked first. So she held a defensive stance, ready but unmoving.
"Move aside, you filthy brat."
The man glared at Aren with red, greed-filled eyes.
Greed for money. Maybe fame.
This type of hunter was a special kind of madman—fully aware of what species were illegal to hunt, yet arrogant and greedy enough to do it anyway.
"You know hunting this species of wolf is illegal, right?"
"Yes. And?"
He looked at Aren with mocking provocation, then laughed sharply. "Kid, you don't know anything about the world yet. Sure, it's illegal—that's why it's so valuable. Everything forbidden is desirable, and everything desirable has a high market price."
He seemed pleased with his twisted philosophy.
Aren studied him carefully, analyzing every detail—calculating what could be used as a weapon, planning his next moves.
His body wasn't as strong as it once was, but his accumulated skills weren't something to underestimate. If he used his intelligence well and executed a few precise moves, he might be able to take the man down with some effort.
Risky, yes—but far better than letting the man succeed.
Aren had no intention of giving the wolf to him, especially after seeing how fiercely she protected her family.
Aren had always felt envy toward other families—but that didn't mean he wished them harm.
He loved seeing the love and determination in the mother wolf's eyes as she guarded her pups. And for that reason alone, he was willing to take the risk to protect her and her family.