The young merchant Kraft Lawrence has only his carthorse for a companion, traveling the back roads in search of wealth through his trade in meat, seed, fur pelts, and anything else he can get his hands on. It is a monotonous life but Kraft loves it, until one night he discovers a harvest goddess sleeping under a sheet in his cart, disguised as a beautiful girl with wolf ears and a tail. Naming herself Holo, the girl joins Kraft on his travels, hoping someday to return to her home in the north, but for now content with having adventures on the merchants' road.

"First published in Japan in 2008 by ASCII Media Works Inc., Tokyo"--Colophon. Translation of: Ookami to koushinryou. Printed manga-style: book opens from left to right and pages are read from right to left. "Parental advisory, warning, explicit content"--Cover. Cover title. Includes an excerpt from the Spice & wolf, vol. 1 novel.