The scenery outside the window kept receding.
Sitting in the back seat, Catriona looked outside. The warm, golden sunset light poured in, and she stared blankly, blinking only after a long while.
She was just an ordinary person.
Someone like her, what was the worst thing she had done since childhood? She once found a puppy and secretly kept it, but her cousin, who despised her, found out and threw it into the river to drown.
When her uncle found out, he retorted, "If you hadn't brought it back, none of this would have happened. Who told you to take it in? You can't even take care of yourself, and yet you wanted to keep a little beast? Ridiculous."
Her cousin didn't get scolded by his parents; instead, he smugly said, "It died because of you. You're the original sin. If you hadn't picked it up, where would I have found it to drown?"
She was filled with guilt at the time and cried bitterly, believing she had caused the puppy's death.
If she hadn't picked it up, maybe a kind-hearted person would have found it, fed it well, and taken good care of it.
Grey was a werewolf, of a different species, but to her, they could communicate, so he was a person. And now, that boy was dead.
His death was tied to her.
Her head felt like it was about to explode, and her chest was so tight she could hardly breathe.
She was just an ordinary person, experiencing something like this for the first time, and honestly, it was hard to process.
When Roderick's car drove up the familiar winding road on the hillside, the white buildings emerged amid the green grass and trees.
Over the past month, Catriona had grown familiar with this road.
At that moment, her heart tensed.
She felt a bit afraid to see the warm, friendly pack of werewolves, who would always come out to greet her.
They probably wouldn't want to hear her stories anymore.
At twenty-five, Catriona had endured so many painful things throughout her life. It was only two years ago, when her career picked up and she had a bit of savings—enough for her and her son to live decently—that she finally felt she had achieved true happiness.
Then, not long ago, her son fell ill.
The son's biological father, Roderick, had come looking for them, and he wasn't even human.
She thought, as long as her son was healthy, nothing else mattered.
She tried hard to accept the existence of another world. The werewolves treated her well, and gradually, she felt it was fine—even if one of them didn't like her.
But how had things turned out like this?
Catriona couldn't understand, and she felt utterly miserable.
Had she done something wrong? Thinking carefully, she hadn't. She had worked all day and was just hungry that night, wanting to find something to eat.
But...
Grey was dead.
Her head ached, and she closed her eyes.
She just wondered why her life always seemed a step away from happiness.
Every time she felt life was good, something new would happen.
Was she unworthy of happiness?
Catriona glanced over at her son beside her. His chubby, fair cheeks were framed by thick, long, straight lashes. One tiny hand clutched the seatbelt, while the other held onto the corner of her shirt, his face tilted toward her.
Catriona pressed her lips together, forcing the moisture in her eyes back.
She had already found happiness.
Just another six months, she told herself. She would hold on for six more months.
With her child here, she had to stay strong.
When they reached the gate, as expected, no werewolves came running out cheering.
Roderick got out first, picked up the sleeping cub in his arms, took a few steps, then paused.
He looked back at the woman who seemed lost in her thoughts.
He pressed his lips together and spoke, "Follow me."
Catriona slowly lifted her gaze to look at him.
Roderick, tall and towering, looked down at her and said, "I told you, Grey's death has nothing to do with you. You don't need to blame yourself."
He continued in a low voice, "No one would dare do anything to you. What are you afraid of?"
Catriona thought, she was indeed afraid, but not of being hurt—she feared facing the werewolves' cold stares and resentment.
It was rare indeed—a group of people who treated her and her son with such warmth. Well, they weren't exactly 'people,' but that hardly mattered.
As long as the kindness she felt from them was real, it was enough.
But now, that was probably gone.
All at once, the more she thought, the worse she felt.
"And you?" she began, only to realize her voice was trembling. She stared at Roderick. "You... don't blame me? If I hadn't come to Luna Palace, if I hadn't gone downstairs for food that night..."
Just like that puppy back then. If she hadn't picked it up, maybe it wouldn't have been drowned by her cousin.
Her gaze was chaotic, her calm demeanor from the past shattered.
Hearing her words, Roderick's deep, golden eyes fell on her, his brows furrowing, making his gaze even sharper.
At that moment, his voice was slightly cold: "As the leader of Capital's werewolf clan, I don't recall ever declaring you the murderer."
Catriona was taken aback.
Roderick spoke coldly, "Listen, I was the one who brought you to Luna Palace. It's your choice when to come downstairs to eat; you have every right to do so."
"You are the cub's mother; no one can harm you. That's my stance."
Even if he had to do it all over again, he would still make Grey leave.
"The killer who took Grey's life is already in the Bureau. Why are you pretending to be the culprit?" Roderick's gaze bore into her.
Somehow, Catriona felt her eyes begin to sting, and she shook her head, wiping at her eyes haphazardly.
She thought once again of that puppy that had drowned.
In Roderick's cold, dark eyes.
She seemed to hear him saying, "The one who drowned that puppy was your cousin. Why are you taking the blame?"
Catriona took a deep breath, but her vision remained blurry.
As a child, she had firmly believed that she was the one responsible for the puppy's death, and she had cried for a long, long time.
Roderick's words may have been an accidental coincidence, but they overlapped with that memory.
Through blurred vision, she looked at him, her voice shaking uncontrollably, "Thank you."
Whether it was in childhood or now, she owed him thanks.
At the living room's entrance.
Draven leaned against the door, watching the silent wolves in the living room; they had all heard the rulers' conversation.
Draven added, "I also believe this has nothing to do with Catriona."
Black, staring at the floor, also spoke up, "I think so, too."
Ruby whimpered softly, her eyes still red. "We live and eat in the Alpha's house; we ought to respect the cub's mother, the Luna. Grey was impulsive."
At her words, everyone fell silent.
Yes, the Alpha Roderick had taken them in, not to harm the cub's mother.
Even if Grey hadn't meant any harm, the fact remained that Catriona was hurt.
Brownie stayed silent for a moment before saying, "If only there were no fallen lone wolves in this world."
"We all wish that," said Draven, opening the living room door and bowing slightly to the family of three approaching. "Alpha Roderick, Catriona, cub, welcome home."
Roderick held the cub, and Catriona followed two steps behind.
Then she saw Black, Brownie, Ruby, and Sapphire appear behind Draven. Their eyes were swollen and red, but they still smiled and greeted her, "Welcome back, Catriona!"
Catriona's breath caught.
Finally, with red eyes, she nodded.
Roderick cast a deep, serious gaze over each pack member.
"I can't promise to kill all the fallen wolves, but I can assure you that from now on, no wolf in Luna Palace will die at the hands of a fallen lone wolf."
"Wipe out all the scum!!"
"They will all meet terrible ends!!"
"Awoooo—"
"Awoooo—"
The wolves howled sharply.
Nestled in Roderick's arms, Cedric suddenly opened his eyes, only for Roderick to quickly cover his ears and eyes.
"Sleep now. I'll carry you back to your room."
Cedric nodded and gave another "oh", and then asked:" Where is mommy?"
"She's right here beside me."
Hearing her son's voice, Catriona called, "Baby."
Satisfied upon hearing his mother's voice, Cedric closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.
He was in his growth phase, a time when his body needed ample sleep and often felt drowsy.
The next day, Monday.
As Catriona descended the stairs, she saw a brown-furred werewolf carrying a suitcase and a large backpack, surrounded by Black and the others.
"Are you really leaving, William? Do you realize how dangerous it is to be alone, away from the pack?"
"Grey just... and now you're doing this too. Calm down!"
William had already caught her scent. He glanced at her briefly before looking away.
"This is the Alpha Roderick's place, and now I want to leave."
He and Grey had been close; it seemed he was the only one who still hadn't forgiven Catriona.
Not that it was about forgiveness exactly—he just held a bit of resentment toward her. But, as Ruby had said yesterday, Catriona was the mother of the Alpha Roderick's cub.
If anyone had issues, it should be him who left.
"And where will you go?"
"Yeah, without any social ability to become a lone wolf, how do you plan to find work and support yourself? Back to the snowy mountains?"
William shook his head. "No need to keep talking. I'm determined to leave."
"I won't keep you here if you wish to leave, and you can come back at anytime," a deep voice sounded from behind Catriona.
She turned to see Roderick descending the stairs, dressed impeccably, his expression indifferent, and his steps steady.
As he passed her, he glanced her way and asked, "Not going down?"
Catriona was momentarily taken aback but nodded.
She followed him down the stairs, his tall, broad figure blocking the wolves' view of her, and she felt a slight sense of relief.
Roderick asked calmly, "Is the cub still asleep?"
"Yes, I'll wake him after breakfast; there's still time."
Roderick responded with a casual "Hmm."
He headed toward the group of wolves near the door, his gaze landing heavily on William.
"You're free to leave if you've figured out where to go."
William nodded. "Yes, to my human friend's place."
Roderick said, "I won't stop you if you want to leave, nor hold you back if you return. Go ahead."
William bowed deeply. "Yes, Alpha Roderick."
William walked away, his figure growing smaller in the distance.
Roderick was silent for a moment, then left without a word.
Black, looking at the meat on his plate, hesitated before speaking, "Alpha Roderick, could we leave Grey's room as it is? Sometimes, when I miss him, I like to go in and have a look..."
Roderick paused, his grip tightening slightly on his knife and fork. "I never considered touching his room."
Catriona watched him closely; in that moment, she sensed Roderick was grieving.
Though he didn't show it outwardly, he must be feeling the pain as well.
Catriona lowered her gaze and ate in silence.
Then Black spoke up, "Grey grew a lot of flowers and plants on his balcony. Does anyone know how to take care of them?"
Most of the wolves didn't bother with plants, but Grey had loved tending to them.
"I do..." Catriona replied without thinking.
As soon as she spoke, the other wolves turned to look at her.
Catriona hesitated, wondering if it was right for her to volunteer. Though the werewolves didn't blame her, perhaps it felt inappropriate for her to tend to Grey's plants...
Roderick glanced at her briefly. "Teach me, and I'll take care of them."
"Alright." Catriona nodded firmly.
It would indeed be inconvenient for her to manage things on Grey's balcony.
Besides, Grey hadn't liked her much; he probably wouldn't have wanted her touching his plants.
The werewolves all wished for Grey's room to remain as it was, so moving the flowerpots out wasn't an option.
She quickly finished her breakfast.
She took a small notebook, wrote down instructions for tending the plants, and handed it to Roderick.
"I'll go wake up Cedric..."
Roderick looked up, his golden eyes curving slightly. "No need."
Sensing something, Catriona quickly turned around.
There stood Cedric in his little uniform, rubbing his eyes at the top of the stairs, a tiny tie clutched in one hand.
"The cub is up!"
"Little cub! Good morning!"
...
On the way to take Cedric to kindergarten, Catriona once again found herself sitting across from Roderick.
Her mindset felt different somehow.
Their relationship hadn't changed much, but she felt she understood Roderick just a bit more now.
She had to admit, this silly wolf, aside from his ego and abrasive tone, wasn't too bad.
She watched her son enter the kindergarten and disappear from view.
Roderick turned. "Let's go; I'll take you to the shop."
"Thank you."
She got in the car and started fastening her seatbelt.
Roderick instinctively looked away.
They drove in silence all the way.
——
In the afternoon, when it was time to pick up Cedric.
Catriona had wrapped the flower for her son and got in the car.
Roderick spoke first. "What flower did you bring for the cub?"
Not being interested in flowers, he couldn't tell what it was, even from the scent.
Catriona pulled a carefully wrapped flower from her pocket—a delicate, white gardenia.
Roderick didn't say anything further.
But when they picked up the cub, seeing him clutching Catriona's gift flower with a bright smile—while ignoring him entirely—Roderick pressed his lips together, feeling a bit disgruntled.
Arden was also in the car, and once they returned and were alone.
He spoke up, "Mr. Nightblade, would you consider preparing a small gift for the young master every day? That might help him warm up to you."
Roderick agreed.
Arden received a raise.
The next afternoon.
After picking up Cedric, Catriona took out the prepared flower under her son's expectant gaze: "This is the freshest flower in the shop."
It was a rose.
"Thank you, Mommy!" Cedric's eyes curved in a smile, revealing his little sharp teeth.
Roderick watched the mother and son for a while, cleared his throat lightly, and slowly pulled a delicate gift box from his suit jacket pocket.
He placed it on the table.
Amid their curious and puzzled gazes.
He looked at the cub and said, "See if you like it."
Cedric looked a bit puzzled.
Why was Dad giving him a gift too?
He glanced at his mom.
Catriona nodded, "It's from Dad. Take it and say thank you."
"Oh..."
"Thank you, Dad."
——
