The two of them picked up the little one from kindergarten.
The little one looked his mom up and down, worry evident in his eyes. Even in the car, he clung to her hand, his gaze full of concern.
"It's alright, Mommy's fine." Catriona patted his head.
They arrived at Luna Palace.
She was once again surrounded by an enthusiastic group of werewolves, just like that morning, all presenting her with small gifts.
That morning, after dressing and stepping out of her room, she had been startled by the eager wolves.
The werewolves were deeply apologetic about Grey's actions last night. With their tails drooping and large ears flattened, they approached her one by one, offering apologies along with small gifts.
Catriona felt warm inside. Grey's actions had frightened her somewhat last night, but now, looking at Black and Ruby, she felt no fear at all.
Black pointed up and let out a howl.
The lights came on in response.
"See! Catriona, the mansion is as bright as day now. No more dark corners! And if you're ever hungry, just call me. We'll bring you food."
Now, feeling guilty over Grey's actions, the werewolves were doubling their kindness toward Catriona, even ignoring Roderick, who sat nearby.
Roderick said nothing, heading straight to the dining table to sit, silently observing the lively scene.
He noticed Black's tail was wagging so fast it was almost a blur.
Roderick, who had initially planned to mimic the pack:...
Tch.
There were many ways to express friendliness and warmth.
Perhaps he didn't need to learn this particular way.
Still, the woman at the center of it all was laughing happily. For a moment, Roderick pursed his lips, then looked away.
He couldn't do it.
Unlike Black and the others, who could sway their tails and twitch their ears to show affection or charm, he had only his facial expressions to rely on—subtle shifts in his tone and manner of speaking were all he could manage.
But even that was brought up by an exasperated Catriona three days later.
After feeding the cub cool spring water, in the quiet hallway.
"Mr. Nightblade, if you have a problem with me, just say it!"
Roderick frowned slightly, "What are you talking about?"
Catriona's lips twitched, "Isn't it obvious? Ever since we cleared things up that night, you've been giving me this mocking look every time you see me. Did I leave something unclear?"
?
Roderick was silent.
After a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "What do you mean? Black and the others act like that and you laugh, but when I do it, it's a mocking expression?"
So his attempts to be friendly and smile over the past few days looked like mockery to her?
Roderick felt a sudden wave of embarrassment and frustration, leaving in a huff.
Catriona stood there, bewildered.
What was with the sudden mention of Black and the others?
After that night, Roderick returned to his usual indifferent expression. He no longer greeted her in that oddly light-hearted tone, nor did he tug at his mouth in a mocking smile.
Catriona found she was more comfortable with him like this.
Meanwhile, regardless of her relationship with Roderick, her rapport with the other werewolves in the mansion only improved.
When Catriona wasn't working late.
On the mansion's lawn.
Catriona would read story to a circle of werewolves who sat around her, listening attentively and with great interest.
They were curious about everything related to humans.
"Alpha Roderick, Catriona is going to tell another story. Are you really not going to listen?"
Roderick paused on his way upstairs, turning to reply coldly, "Do you think I'm as ignorant and foolish as you all?"
The werewolf who'd tried to make conversation was used to Alpha's sharp tongue. Rubbing his nose, he chuckled awkwardly, "That's right. Alpha Roderick, you grew up in the human world; you know so many words and has heard about all sorts of strange human things."
After that, no werewolf ever invited Roderick to join in for storytelling again.
Some didn't want to risk being snubbed, while others felt the Alpha Roderick wasn't too fond of humans, so they didn't call him over on their own.
As a result, Roderick would return to his room alone after every meal.
On the lawn, a fresh night breeze blew, and bright lights illuminated the scene.
Catriona held the book in her hands, turning a page as she continued in a gentle, serene voice, "Long ago, there was a poor old fisherman who had a wife and three children. He had a habit of casting exactly four nets each day, no more, no less. One midday, he went to the shore, took off his coat, and cast his first net, intending to let it sink to the seabed before reeling it in. But strangely enough, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't pull it up..."
...
"Old fisherman, I have some good news for you."
"What good news?" the fisherman asked eagerly.
"I'm going to kill you right now and slice you to pieces!"
At this point, a few werewolves couldn't help but voice their anger, "The demon just shows up and wants to kill people? That's so unreasonable!"
"This old fisherman is really unlucky."
Ruby let out a little howl, "I won't pick up bottles at the beach anymore!"
Catriona laughed at their comments and, after letting them discuss, gently said, "Picking up bottles is one thing, but I hope you all don't throw bottles into the sea."
The little cub cuddled up next to his mom and nodded emphatically, "I know! Throwing bottles around hurts the ocean."
Catriona patted her son's head, "That's right, little one. Well said."
The little cub's mouth curled up into a gentle smile.
Roderick came downstairs for a drink of water. The large living room was silent.
He didn't need to guess to know where they were.
On the sofa, only one werewolf sat, holding a can of beer.
"Alpha Roderick bringing Catriona to Luna Palace is really a good job."
Through the floor-to-ceiling window, he could see the lively and joyful scene on the lawn.
Roderick responded with a neutral hum and turned to leave.
Draven took a sip of his beer, daring to ask, "Alpha Roderick, aren't you going to listen? Did Catriona forbid you from going?"
Roderick let out a cold laugh, "That's something only school kids want to hear. Are you sure I'd be interested?"
Draven laughed, "Alpha, with a mind as sharp as yours, do you really think it's the story that's important?"
It's the person.
A unique woman telling a story with her soft, sweet voice.
Roderick didn't reply, pressed his lips together, and strode upstairs.
Him going to listen to Catriona's story?
Impossible!
Back in his room, he looked out the window at the group of werewolves laughing happily.
For some reason, Roderick felt a bit annoyed and coldly pulled the curtains closed.
He definitely wasn't interested in such childish stories.
It was his disinterest, his choice not to listen.
Three more days passed like this, and even Draven had joined the story-listening group.
Roderick mocked him, "Haven't you ever heard a story?"
Draven replied earnestly, "I have, but never heard Catriona tell one. Alpha Roderick, do you want to go?"
"No interest." Roderick turned and headed upstairs.
Catriona, on the other hand, found her days quite pleasant recently. She would have breakfast, take her son to school, and return to work at her shop.
In the afternoons, she would pick up her son with Roderick.
After Roderick's attitude returned to normal, she felt more at ease. She avoided speaking to him unless necessary and avoided seeing him whenever possible.
She thought she was doing quite well.
She wouldn't make a nuisance of herself by seeking attention in front of Roderick.
And so, half a month passed.
One day, the two went to pick up their son from school again.
Once in the car.
Both Roderick and the cub couldn't help but glance at Catriona's pocket.
The next second, Catriona, like a magician, pulled a fresh, delicate flower from her bag. "Here, this is today's freshest little flower from the shop."
Roderick thought, today's flower was a sunflower.
Every day, this woman would bring a flower from the shop when she picked up their child, always a different flower, like a random draw. She would always say the same line, "This is today's freshest..."
Cedric carefully cradled the plump sunflower, his lips curving up a bit, "Thank you, Mommy."
What flower would Mom bring tomorrow?
Cedric thought eagerly, wondering what would happen next.
Roderick lowered his gaze thoughtfully, idly curious about what flowers she might prepare tomorrow.
They arrived at Luna Palace.
Catriona, surrounded by the werewolf pack, seemed to forget all about Roderick's presence.
In the past, when Roderick entered the residence, the werewolves would swarm around him, calling him "Alpha Roderick". Now, because of Catriona's storytelling, they quickly shifted their allegiance to her.
He didn't actually need that kind of adoration; it was troublesome. He just felt embarrassed! These guys were losing face for him.
How disappointing, that woman had them all in the palm of her hand just by telling stories.
"Catriona, are you working overtime today?"
"Yes, yes, are you going to tell a story today?"
Catriona replied, "If nothing unexpected happens, I won't be working overtime; the shop isn't busy now."
The werewolves cheered.
Roderick, however, narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.
If the shop wasn't busy, it meant no business, no money earned.
This woman seemed to be short on cash?
Thinking of the card he hadn't given her, Roderick clicked his tongue. She didn't want it herself, so it wasn't his fault.
He certainly wouldn't be chasing after her to give her money.
But at night, looking out the window at the circle of werewolves, the woman smiled gently, her long hair swaying lightly in the wind.
Roderick found himself staring at her for a long time, inexplicably.
Brownie stood close by, and the woman's hair brushed against his clothes repeatedly.
Hmph...
Roderick felt inexplicably angry.
Well, he just didn't want to see the werewolves acting so dismally.
So...
The next day.
Even though it wasn't a special holiday, business at Catriona's two flower shops exploded.
It turned out that a company in Capital had organized an event and placed a large order with her shop. She was swamped, but Ruby and Sapphire came to help.
Naturally, Catriona wouldn't let them help for free; she paid them wages and taught them the simpler tasks before busily packing flowers non-stop.
She thought it would only be one day, but over the next week.
Almost every day, companies placed orders, and Catriona was earning money hand over fist. She worked overtime daily, leaving her with no time to sit on the lawn and tell stories anymore.
