Wolf and a Group of Youngsters

Wolf and a Group of Youngsters is the twelfth episode of the first season of the Spice and Wolf anime.

Synopsis
Just as it looks like the smuggling plot will succeed, Lawrence learns a hard truth about wolves in sheep's clothing.

Plot
Lawrence leaves Ruvinheigen for Lamtra with Holo, Nora Arendt, and Martin Liebert, a Remelio Company businessman, to smuggle gold. To save time, they use a dangerous, rarely traveled route between steep, craggy hills and a thick, mysterious forest. Halfway through the forest, they make camp for the night and are approached by a wolf pack, but Nora keeps them at bay. Upon arrival at Lamtra, Liebert goes alone into town to buy gold with company funds and Lawrence's contribution. Holo teases Nora and Lawrence as they wait in the fields.

Liebert rejoins the group with a bag of gold, and they begin the return trip. This time in the forest, they face cold rain and are chased by wolves led by a young wolf deity. One of them jumps at Lawrence and Holo on top of their horse but fearfully aborts when Holo warns it off. Lawrence tells Nora and Liebert to go ahead. After they leave, Lawrence reluctantly departs as well to let Holo deal with the pack. He builds a fire near the edge of the forest and waits for her but is attacked, tied up, and left for the wolves by three men sent from the Remelio Company, which hopes to keep all of the profits from the smuggling for itself.