18 Floors Above the Apocalypse



Cooper would often hang out with Snowflake by the fireplace, the two of them getting into all sorts of playful antics.

After a few days, Snowflake started responding to her name, especially when it was mealtime. Whenever Stella called, she'd come running, probably because she was so used to being hungry. Snowflake had quite the appetite, with a particular love for raw meat.

The downside? She was fiercely protective of her food. Sometimes, even Cooper would get a growl if he got too close, and Stella didn't fare any better.

The blizzard raged on for five days before finally calming down. Bundled up, Stella stepped outside for some fresh air. Cooper and Snowflake returned from their romp, frolicking wildly in the snow. When the scrappy pup nudged Snowflake's belly, Stella chided, "Careful, your lady's pregnant! Don't get too rough now, keep it gentle."

But Snowflake was wild at heart. Cooper tried to play it cool, but couldn't resist the little temptress, cavorting in the snow with abandon.

What could Stella say? Snowflake probably never had a mother's care, and even pregnant, she was completely unrestrained, clueless about her condition. Jasper had a bit more insight into animals, "Snowflake must've just reached adulthood."

Ah, Cooper was robbing the cradle. He had some charm, indeed!

After spending a few days together, the trio grew quite fond of Snowflake, thinking she could be tamed. With a mate by his side, Cooper stopped wandering off, spending more time playing with her. This joy was different from the companionship of a human caretaker. Sitting atop a snowy mound, Stella watched Cooper play in the drifts, feeling content.

Snowflake paused in play, gazing into the distance, her head turning this way and that. She longed for the wilds yet hesitated to leave. Cooper whined softly, nudging her head. Stella grew anxious, "Does Snowflake want to leave?"

Jasper reasoned, "She grew up in the wild. It's natural for her to yearn for it." Wolves and dogs are different after all. If not for the severe blizzard, she might never have entered the human domain. Stella opened her mouth to speak but found no words.

As dusk fell, Snowflake returned. She was too thin, carrying pups. Without enough nutrition, the risk of miscarriage or abnormalities increased. Stella took special care, offering chicken and pork. Snowflake preferred it raw over cooked. Learning quickly from her new pack, she began to show goodwill, exposing her belly to Stella. Stella, cautious, reached out slowly. Wow, she was touching a wolf's belly. It was soft and warm.

Of course, wild wolves weren't like domestic dogs, showing teeth and claws without restraint, and stronger. Cooper, worried she might get hurt, hovered nearby, whining protectively. Stella decided to forgive the scoundrel.

Of the household, Snowflake first

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warmed up to the one with meaty treats, then gradually to Jasper and Rosie. After several days, she allowed their touch. No helping it; they didn't have the allure of meat After ten days, Stella fully embraced Snowflake's place in their lives. She had considered finding Cooper a mate, but no opportunity seemed right. Now, he had impressively brought one home himself.

Snowflake, a lone wolf, still deserved a dowry. The intended dowry tile remained in Arcadia, but Snowflake only cared for fresh meat.

Left with no choice, Stella increased her portions. Pork belly one day, pork bones the next. With plenty of stock in Arcadia, there was no worry of shortages. Cooper was dumbfounded; why was his own diet getting worse? Feeling unjust, he protested to his human, "Woof!"

"Not satisfied?" Stella rolled her

eyes. "Look at your wife's appetite. If

Belt

you can't support her, why bring her home? From now on, any treats are going to Snowflake." Cooper, knowing he was wrong, quietly went back to eating. After dinner, Snowflake approached, seeking affection. The clever creature, now familiar with her benefactor, began to cunningly ingratiate herself. Watching her play up to the human, Cooper was initially pleased, but his expression soon changed. That had been his spot. If he hadn't brought her home, he'd have driven her away.

But the bigger shock was yet to come. Stella disappeared. She had taken Snowflake with her. Cooper panicked, "Woof!" Jasper and Rosie ignored him, absorbed in their movie on the couch. Cooper scratched the floor in distress...

Stella had taken Snowflake to Arcadia for a prenatal ultrasound. After ten days of care, with full meals and good food, Snowflake's lean body began to fill out. With her health improved, her beauty shone through. Even Stella was smitten, no wonder Cooper was so enchanted. With enough meat, Snowflake lay down obediently, letting Stella use strange devices to check her body. The ultrasound revealed three little shadows. In about twenty days, she'd give birth, and they looked healthy.

Just out of Arcadia, Cooper rushed up, whining anxiously. Oh, now he was jealous? Too late! Stella patted his head, "Cooper, Snowflake's having triplets. You'll be a daddy soon." Reproduction is an animal's instinct; Cooper couldn't grasp the concept, only knowing his share was less and his human's affection waned.Content © NôvelDrama.Org.

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"I've taken care of your mate, but once the pups are born, you're on your own." Stella laid out the plan, "Starting today, your kibble is halved. I'm saving it for the pups." Cooper feigned ignorance, continuing to charm for affection. To his surprise, Stella followed through; his next meal was not only kibble but scant as well. Meanwhile, Snowflake's bowl overflowed with chicken, duck, and fish, a veritable feast. Hungry Cooper approached, only to be greeted with Snowflake's snarl, retreating to his bed in defeat. Snowflake left behind two large pieces of fish, untouched. It left a piece for Cooper and trotted off with

another in its mouth.

Rosie, ever the curious one, stealthily followed behind. She watched as Snowflake dug a little hole in the snowy ground and carefully buried the fish. "Sis, Snowflake is stashing the fish away." Hoarding is a natural instinct in animals. They've known hunger, and when there's food to spare, they hide it for later. When Stella first brought Cooper home, he too had a habit of secretly hiding things. But as meals became a regular feast, he gradually dropped the habit.

Stella was about to be proven wrong, though. Snowflake wasn't just hoarding food because it couldn't eat anymore; it was planning ahead for the little ones growing inside her. Perhaps that's just a mother's instinct, kicking in even without experience, guiding her to prepare. Moreover, as its belly grew, Snowflake became gentler when playing with Cooper. If Cooper got a bit rough, Snowflake wasn't shy about baring its teeth as a warning. After being scolded a few times, Cooper got the message and started to behave.