Downstairs.
The group of werewolves looked at each other.
"What's up with the Alpha Roderick?"
Catriona was also a bit puzzled. "Maybe he forgot something?" She took her son's hand and headed towards the dining table.
Cedric pouted his chubby cheeks, walking a few steps before glancing back at the staircase. Just now, he thought he'd seen that person's ears... and they were black, just like his.
The other wolves were all baffled, except for Kitchen man with scar, who leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, staring thoughtfully at Catriona.
He was the only werewolf besides Roderick who didn't show his ears or tail, and he was the oldest werewolf in the house. Even Roderick was only twenty-nine.
He even had a proper name: Draven Grimford.
He used to handle the meat cooking in the kitchen, but with the arrival of two human chefs, his tasks were taken over, and he was effectively pushed out.
Werewolf food was easy to prepare—a few seconds in boiling water was enough. Catriona's meals were simple as well.
He idly thought that the Alpha Roderick's recent behavior seemed more like a hasty retreat; he knew that look all too well, for he once...
"Wow, the Alpha Roderick is here!"
"Alpha Roderick, have some breakfast!"
Draven looked over and saw Roderick descending the stairs with a calm expression.
"Wolf lads! Time to bring out the food!" Two middle-aged ladies, around fifty, stood in the kitchen. At their call, the werewolves all howled and ran over.
Catriona curiously observed the two ladies, who laughed cheerfully and even patted Black's back.
They got along well, showing no trace of fear.
Seeing Roderick, they greeted him warmly, "Mr. Nightblade, we meet again!"
Then Catriona saw Roderick actually nod slightly.
The plump lady smiled and said, "We're delighted to help you again."
Roderick pressed his thin lips together slightly, "Thank you."
As he spoke, he took the seat at the head of the dining table.
He didn't spare a single glance at Catriona. This woman was seizing every opportunity to show him kindness, and the last thing he wanted was to accidentally reveal his ears or tail here.
If Catriona had mind-reading abilities, she'd probably be speechless.
"Alpha Roderick," Black wagged his tail and said, "Didn't you notice? I already hid my scent!"
Roderick gave him a faint glance.
"I heard the Alpha Roderick doesn't want our scent to cling to Catrio..."
"Shut up!" Roderick's face darkened. "What nonsense. Once you're full, go find something to do."
"But Alpha Roderick, I haven't eaten yet," Black replied, feeling a bit wronged.
Roderick thought that maybe this silly wolf, Black, really should go back to the snowy mountains.
In the werewolves, their naturally strong possessive instincts meant they disliked having the scent of other werewolves on their mates.
They preferred their mates to carry only their own scent.
He didn't see Catriona as his mate, but as the cub's mother, her role sometimes stirred possessive instincts typical in werewolves. After all, among werewolves, only partnered pairs could have cubs.
He and Catriona were probably the only pair in the werewolves with a cub without being mates.
Simply put, he knew it was his instincts acting up; he shouldn't care or mind it.
But his body refused to listen, ignoring his commands.
Like when Catriona was moving, he ended up calling to tell them not to touch her clothes.
When her clothes carried the scent of so many male werewolves, just smelling it made him angry and annoyed.
He knew it was his instincts, but his body had already made its choice.
At this moment, with Black saying it so bluntly, he remembered a term in human society: "social death."
Catriona had no idea a certain wolf had just experienced social death.
Watching Roderick get inexplicably angry.
She only thought Roderick was the most temperamental and difficult werewolf to get along with here.
After breakfast.
She put her child in a black luxury car with a child safety seat installed. Just as she was fastening Cedric's seatbelt, Roderick came out the door.
Cedric clutched his shirt, blinking his big eyes as he looked outside. That person was coming over! Mommy said he would take him to kindergarten.
That day, this man appeared at his room door, claiming to be his biological father, wanting to take him and Mommy to a new living environment.
In his world, there had only ever been Mommy.
He didn't need anyone else.
Even if this person was his father, he was someone the cub had never seen since birth, so there was no emotional connection.
He resisted strongly. He didn't want to leave with this strange man, who had a very dangerous scent.
But this person said he could cure his illness.
During that time, Mommy was so worried her eyes were red from crying.
That person said, "If you don't get better, she'll keep crying."
He somehow knew exactly what he feared most.
What scared him most was seeing his mother in pain, helpless and crying. He was still so young, unable to do anything to help her.
So, he gave in.
Soon, he drifted off to sleep, and when he awoke, he was in an unfamiliar place. This person gave him something delicious to drink, and after that, his body stopped hurting. From that day on, he felt no more pain.
What this person had said was true!
He hadn't lied to him at all!
Alright then, this powerful guy is indeed his dad.
Roderick got into the car.
He saw the cub clutched the hem of his shirt tightly, letting out a small howl in his direction, his eyes wide open. It was hard to tell if he was happy to see him or a little scared.
He raised an eyebrow and asked while fastening his seatbelt, "What, still growling at me?"
