He thought, that damned possessive instinct toward the cub's mother was coming back again.
On one hand, he knew she was closer to Black and the others, who wagged their tails and fawned over her. He understood very well that his relationship with her was the worst of all.
On the other hand, he was angrily aware that he was the cub's father! His bond with her was far closer than any of the other werewolves. Did this woman even understand that?! Why didn't she seek him for help?
He stepped out of the car, his emotions complicated. He furrowed his brows slightly as the crowd pressed in, the noisy sounds, and a mix of human scents and floral aromas flooded in.
He closed his eyes briefly, steadying himself, trying to dull his senses a little.
Hearing that he was planning to help with the flower haul, Catriona glanced at him. "Just so you know, you're going to get your clothes dirty."
Roderick replied, "Mm, then you just wait over there."
Catriona's eyes widened in surprise, "Huh?"
Roderick glanced at her, noting her delicate appearance, "You human women really are more fragile."
Dressed in a black shirt, he rolled up his sleeves, "You have a regular supplier, right? Where?"
Catriona:???
She slowly raised her hand and pointed to a shop on the right with the sign Flower Nursery.
Roderick stepped forward and walked toward it.
Catriona followed behind, watching the man's tall frame and broad back, feeling more confused than ever about Roderick, this werewolf.
"Catriona, here to pick up supplies? It's been a while!" An older man stood on a small delivery truck, handing down crates of flowers for others to carry.
Catriona waved in greeting. "Yep, Mr. Smith, I'll be here all month!"
He glanced over at Roderick. "Oh, and who's this? Got yourself a boyfriend? Nice, nice—good-looking young man! And hey, he even looks a bit like little Cedric!"
Feeling a bit awkward, Catriona replied, "Sir, he's...just a friend."
But as soon as she finished, she heard Roderick's low, serious voice: "I'm the father of Catriona's child."
Mr. Smith chuckled, "Yes, yes, of course you are! A father indeed!"
Roderick: "Biological father by blood relation."
Mr. Smith's smile gradually faded, "Ah, so that's how it is?"
Catriona:...
She couldn't tell what expression to wear. Without looking at Roderick, she took out the list and mechanically handed it to Mr. Smith, "Sir, here's the list of flowers we need; take a look."
Might as well get down to business.
Next came the task of moving the flowers.
Just as she was about to step forward, the man walked ahead of her, "Wait here for me. Aren't you afraid of getting dirty?"
"I didn't say I was afraid; I meant you were afraid...'"
Roderick sneered, "Who do you think you're looking down on?"
As he spoke, he carried ten bundles of wrapped roses to the trolley. After doing this five times, he pushed the trolley to their car's trunk, handling everything smoothly and more proficiently than she could.
Mr. Smith laughed, "What strength! My son considers himself strong, but even he struggles with five bundles at once. Now that Cedric 's dad is here, Catriona, things will be easier for you."
Catriona:...
Realizing this, she hurried over, "I'll load them into the car..."
Roderick clicked his tongue, "Didn't I tell you to stay put?"
Catriona didn't know how to describe the scene before her.
This man, wasn't he the CEO of the Nightblade Group?
And also the Alpha of the werewolf?
"You..."
"What?" Roderick glanced at her while holding the flowers.
"...aren't you afraid your employees might see you like this?"
"They won't show up here. Even if they knew, it wouldn't matter much, just a bit troublesome with all the gossip about me."
As he finished speaking,
he suddenly frowned, raised his eyes, and saw two men approaching from ten meters away, watching as they came closer.
They were executives from his company.
"Do you have a mask?" he asked.
Catriona thought he still cared about his status, nodded, "I should have one."
She then pulled out a white mask from her pocket.
"It's not individually packaged, but I haven't worn it."
Roderick paused, looking at his already dirty hands.
Catriona noticed too, "I'll put it on for you. Do you mind? Or shall we go wash your hands over there?"
She clearly remembered that he didn't want her close to him.
Roderick gave her a deep look. Her face was naturally striking—radiant and beautiful, with a clear, rosy complexion untouched by makeup. He leaned down in front of her, lowering his gaze slightly.
"Here, you wear it."
He wanted to appear closer to her.
Only then would this woman cooperate and stay by his side for the next six months.
Physical contact, whether between pure humans or werewolves, would quickly warm up their relationship.
Catriona responded with an unemotional "oh" and put the mask on him.
Making sure her fingers didn't touch his ears, she quickly withdrew her hand.
The man with the white mask only revealed a pair of golden, slanted eyes. He said nothing and began bending down to move the flowers.
But his ears were slightly red, this woman had touched his hair.
"Why did you tell Mr. Smith the truth just now?" Catriona thought that fewer people knowing about their current relationship would be better.
He didn't seem to like her much, so she assumed he'd care more about this.
Roderick gave her a casual glance, "Since it's the truth, why lie?"
As someone who had been through the ups and downs of society for years, Catriona felt no guilt hearing this. In the adult world, harmless lies were commonplace.
Suddenly hearing something one would hear in elementary school left her speechless.
Roderick didn't dwell on the topic for long, changing the subject, "What does the little one fear? What does he like? Tell me."
Catriona felt he genuinely cared about the child, warming her heart slightly, "I'll write it down for you later. If I tell you too much now, you might forget..."
"Tell me now." The man's voice lowered slightly as he continued moving the flowers, "Don't compare me to yourself."
This woman didn't seem very smart; it was probably her who couldn't remember.
He glanced at her lightly, the meaning clear.
Catriona: "..."
Alright, considering he was helping move the flowers, she would tolerate it.
She bent down and started moving the flowers too.
Roderick slightly frowned as he heard the woman speak, "Cedric doesn't like places with strong smells, doesn't like noisy places, doesn't like water..."
