"Then let's leave it at that."
Having cleared the air, she felt much lighter.
A black luxury car pulled up in front of them, and the door opened automatically.
Draven was at the wheel, looking over at them.
"Draven, Thank you." Catriona smiled slightly, nodding politely.
In the car.
Catriona sat on the far left, gazing out the window.
Roderick sat on the right, looking straight ahead, his expression indifferent.
They both sat in silence, like strangers sharing a ride.
Through the rearview mirror, Draven glanced at the two of them and spoke slowly, "Catriona, on behalf of Grey, I apologize for tonight."
Catriona turned back.
"I'm not asking for your forgiveness. I just want you to understand that we don't dislike you. Aside from him, the rest of us welcome you and like having you around."
Finally, Draven added, "Right, Alpha Roderick?"
Catriona thought, Wow, he really knows how to put someone on the spot.
Roderick was one of only two werewolves in the mansion who disliked her.
Just when she thought the man beside her would scowl and deny it, she heard a low "Mm" from him.
?
Catriona thought her ears were playing tricks on her.
Roderick's expression was serious as he considered that Grey's actions were likely influenced by his own prior attitude.
He'd never hidden his dislike for Catriona among the wolves, so it probably...made Grey misunderstand, believing he was tormented and resented Catriona deeply.
From now on, he needed to adjust his attitude in front of the pack.
Just then, a loud "gurgle" sounded, followed by another, coming from...
Roderick lowered his gaze, glancing over nonchalantly.
The source was that woman's stomach.
Catriona: "..."
Catriona paused, feeling a bit awkward.
She calmly said, "Draven, please stop at the night snack shop if you pass one."
"Got it."
Draven said this and, upon spotting a shop, stopped and opened the door. "What would you like to eat? I'll buy it for you. You and the Alpha Roderick wait a moment."
"No! I'll go get it myself!" Catriona replied without thinking.
No way! Staying in the car alone with Roderick would be way too awkward!
The shop's sign read Barbecue.
Catriona ordered some food and sat down in the shop to eat.
3: 00 a.m.
Catriona returned to Luna Palace once more. After everything that had happened tonight, she was truly exhausted. She still had to take her child to kindergarten tomorrow, leaving only a few hours for sleep.
The three of them entered the house one after another. Without a word, she went upstairs to her room.
Roderick stood on the first floor, only averting his gaze after her figure disappeared.
"Alpha Roderick, Grey has already left."
Roderick was silent for two seconds, then gave a quiet "Mm" before walking to his room without another word.
Draven stood there, sighing after a long pause.
He wondered how the Alpha Roderick was feeling. The werewolves in the mansion were all his pack members. He had always generously accepted werewolves coming down from the mountains, and Grey was as devoted to the Alpha Roderick as humans might be to a celebrity.
But this time, Grey had really made a mistake.
That was the cub's mother, she was almost the Luna, after all.
The fact that the Alpha Roderick hadn't acted was the last shred of mercy he could offer.
...
In the morning, sunlight crept into the room, warmly enveloping the little cub on the bed.
The little cub, ears showing, rubbed his eyes and sat up.
He glanced at his mom, who was fast asleep beside him with her back turned. Sniffing the air, he noticed a strange scent on her.
He got up, ready to get closer for a better sniff.
He heard his mom, tired, reach out and messily ruffle his hair, "Don't make noise. Let Mommy sleep a bit longer."
"Okay." The little cub nodded seriously. Without seeing her face, he naturally didn't notice the small piece of gauze on her forehead.
He reached out his small hand, gently touching his mom's head before quietly getting up. Tiptoeing to the bathroom, he brushed his teeth and washed his face.
Then, with a determined little expression, lips pressed together, he began putting on his school uniform, carefully fastening each button.
The small tie was still a bit tricky for him, so he glanced over at his sleeping mom and, after a moment of concentration, managed to tie a wobbly knot.
He didn't want to wake his mom, hoping she could sleep a little longer.
Then, stepping on the soft carpet, he left the room and headed downstairs for breakfast.
He planned to eat breakfast first, then come back to wake his mom.
Sometimes, when he was asleep, Mommy would do the same.
At the stairway entrance, the little cub encountered his dad.
His dad, dressed in black, tall and imposing, with golden eyes, looked at him. "Come here."
Cedric walked over quietly. "Dad."
"Yes." The tall werewolf looked down at his cub, his gaze lingering on the crooked little tie.
"Can't tie a tie?" He slowly crouched down, reached out, and with a calm expression, undid the knot and began tying it properly.
"Your mom is still sleeping?" he asked in a calm tone.
Cedric nodded, "Yes, I'll go wake her up after breakfast."
Roderick paused and said, "Don't wake her. Let her sleep. I'll take you to school."
Cedric thought for a moment, nodding as if he understood, "Yes, Mommy is tired."
Roderick looked at his cub, so small, with soft, fluffy black hair topped by two furry black ears. His skin was fair and delicate, eyes big and golden, and his little lips, slightly thin, were just like his own.
It seemed he didn't know about Catriona's injury yet.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be so calm.
In his heart, Roderick didn't want the little guy to know about last night.
The cub was fiercely protective of his mom. If he found out that a werewolf had attacked her, he'd likely become wary of all werewolves again. It had taken so much for him to finally lower his guard and allow them close.
Cedric had already come to see this place as a safe zone.
But he didn't want to hide anything from the cub. Though young, he was an individual and deserved equal treatment and communication.
The cub kept a straight face, feigning seriousness, but those big eyes eagerly watched Roderick. His body leaned slightly toward him, indicating he liked his dad a little.
Roderick sighed, planning to take his son to breakfast before bringing up the matter.
