All the guests attending Rowan's birthday party were werewolves, both male and female.
Some had hidden their ears and tails, while others tried to mimic humans, wearing suits, tuxedos, and evening dresses.
When Roderick appeared holding the cub's hand, the wolves turned their gaze toward him. Every werewolf present had some degree of standing to be invited to such an event.
They all knew a bit about Roderick's story, and upon seeing the child born of a human woman, some regarded him with curiosity, some pressed their lips in thought, and many more were simply charmed by the little cub's cuteness.
The werewolf clan currently numbered in the millions, with numerous Alpha of varying rank, each with followers behind them.
However, as Roderick approached, a sharp, overwhelming aura of dominance washed over them. They halted, instinctively lowering their heads and casting their eyes downward in a gesture of submission.
They were indeed capable, but that depended on whom they were compared with.
Though Roderick carried a trace of human genes, his pure wolf form was unnaturally large and fierce, almost mutated in appearance. Rumor had it that those who had glimpsed his ultimate pure wolf form claimed it was even larger than a snow mountain yak.
Just the thought of it sent chills down their spines, and they dared not look directly at him.
However, they felt fortunate that Roderick had grown up in the human world; he was ultimately bound by human norms and limitations.
He looked just like an ordinary human.
If he had grown up in the snowy mountains with his wild nature fully nurtured, who knows what he might have done?
Roderick had no interest in what the werewolves said about him. This was his first time bringing the cub out alone, so most of his attention was focused on the cub.
In the food area, various cuts of meat were piled up like small mountains.
"Mountain beef, want some?"
Like any ordinary human father, he lowered his long gaze and asked, "That's snow mountain yak meat. Want to try it?"
Cedric was silent for a moment, then nodded.
He knew that the snow mountains were home to all werewolves, and he was quite curious about them.
The waiters on-site were all followers of the Rowan pack. With their ears and tails showing, they wore white shirts and black vests, carrying food and drinks as they moved back and forth.
They weren't familiar with Roderick, but they instinctively felt his powerful aura. Meeting him for the first time, they couldn't help but tremble. "Please... this way."
Roderick cast him a faint glance, then softly asked the little cub what he wanted to eat before sitting down.
The snow mountain yak meat was tender and flavorful, while snow rabbit meat, though scarce, served as a light snack. The snow mountain lamb had a stronger gamey taste, just as the werewolves preferred.
As the werewolves praised the flavors, Roderick, for some reason, thought of Catriona.
Lately, they had been eating together often, and he had unconsciously learned her preferences.
She didn't eat strong-flavored foods, nor did she eat animal organs. Here, perhaps only the snow rabbit would be to her taste.
Besides avoiding heavy flavors, she didn't like sour foods, but she enjoyed spicy ones. Many times, her eyes would turn red from the heat, yet she would keep eating.
Realizing what he was thinking, Roderick furrowed his brow slightly and reined in his thoughts.
It was just boredom, he told himself—why was he thinking of that woman here among all these werewolves?
Cedric, as a little wolf cub, was thrilled at the gamey scent of the snow mountain lamb, his large amber eyes lighting up.
He licked his small lips and, thinking along the same lines as his dad, said in his soft voice, "Nothing here is what Mom likes to eat."
Roderick glanced down at him and gave a slight nod.
So, it was a good thing he hadn't brought her along.
Next to the food and drinks was a flower area.
Most were human flowers, but a small patch of white blooms surrounded by ice emitted a faint chill and delicate fragrance. They were flowers from the snow mountains.
The flower was called "Snowfall." When it wilted, its petals shattered into white fragments that drifted in the wind like falling snow.
Bringing items from the snow mountains to the human world wasn't easy, which was why it was said that Silas had put much thought into this birthday celebration for his brother.
Looking at the Snowfall, Roderick thought of how Catriona ran a flower shop, constantly carrying various floral scents on her. Tsk, she had probably never seen Snowfall. Maybe he'd bring some back for her when they left.
She would definitely be happy.
When that woman was happy, her eyes would curve like crescent moons.
As soon as this thought crossed his mind, Roderick froze.
Why did he want to bring her something just because she hadn't seen it? Since when was he so considerate?
Besides, bringing her flowers—wasn't that inappropriate for their relationship?
Roderick frowned slightly and took a sip of his drink.
He felt like his mind was clouded.
Better to focus on the little cub. He had promised her, and he didn't want to fail at something so small.
In the end, a long time passed, and when he came to his senses, Roderick realized he had been thinking of Catriona the entire time.
"..."
He was expressionless for two seconds.
It seemed that he had gotten too close to Catriona recently—picking up the cub from school together, eating out, and taking the cub out to play.
Today, he hadn't brought her along suddenly, which was why he kept thinking of her now. It made sense—quite normal.
As they were leaving.
He thought for a moment and asked the cub, "Those are flowers from the snowy mountains. Want to take some back?"
"Yes! Mommy will like them."
Roderick thought, he felt the same...
So then.
Silas specially brought a large container filled with ice and packed all the Snowfalls inside.
The large box fit perfectly in the trunk.
Father and son got in the car.
Halfway through the drive, Roderick's phone chimed once, then several more times in quick succession. He glanced at the sleeping cub beside him, a slight frown appearing between his brows. Unlocking his phone, he noticed the messages were from Catriona.
He hadn't even noticed, but his fingers acted faster than his mind; before he realized, he had already opened the chat.
Catriona had sent four pictures.
"Mr. Nightblade, is this wolf an ordinary wolf or a werewolf? Can you tell?"
"The fur is grayish-black. Please reply quickly."
Roderick hadn't even opened the larger image yet, but he could already see a large gray-black wolf lying on the bed from a somewhat blurred, clandestine angle.
Another image showed the large wolf lying weakly on the tiled floor, seemingly at the entrance, covered in variously sized bandages.
Roderick stared intently at the phone, and just then, Catriona's call came through.
Roderick answered.
"Mr. Nightblade, I sent you photos—have you seen them? If not, please look at them now. Do you recognize the wolf?"
"My friend said she was saved by this werewolf, and then she carried the injured wolf home." On the other end, Catriona's voice trembled with excitement. "Is he... is he..." She seemed to want confirmation but was afraid to be sure.
Roderick spoke, "Yes, he's Grey."
"Really?" Catriona's voice trembled. "It's really him? Are you sure?"
Roderick took a deep breath, "Yes, he's alive. Where does your friend live? I'll come over right now."
After Catriona provided the address, Roderick instructed the driver to head in that direction.
They arrived.
Catriona and another woman stood at the entrance to the neighborhood as Roderick got out of the car.
The round-faced woman's eyes widened as she covered her mouth. "Oh my gosh, he really came!"
Roderick narrowed his eyes, looking at her coldly. The scent of Grey lingered on this woman.
Grey was alive.
Catriona hurried over, her brows furrowed. "Go up and check, confirm it."
Roderick's gaze landed on her face. "It's already confirmed. It's Grey."
"Your friend carries the scent of Grey all over her."
Catriona's eyes turned red. "That's wonderful."
It was the first time Eulalia had seen Roderick in person. She was overwhelmed by his commanding presence; just a casual glance from him made her breath catch.
Feeling awkward, she greeted stiffly, "Mr. Nightblade, this way to the elevator."
Only today had she learned that Mr. Nightblade was, in fact, not human.
Like Catriona, she had now fully stepped through the door to a new world.
Fifth floor.
Grey had already climbed off the bed and was holding a watering pot in his mouth, watering the succulents on the balcony.
This woman was hopeless—how long had she gone without watering them? Even the succulents were on the verge of dying.
The next second, he seemed to catch a scent, and his whole body stiffened, turning towards the direction of the sound at the door.
The door opened.
He let out a howl, shook his head, and, with weak limbs, scrambled desperately toward the door.
Alpha Roderick.
That was Alpha Roderick's scent.
Even though he kept his scent well-concealed, Grey could still recognize it.
In the hallway, he suddenly stopped.
Roderick stood at the doorway, looking down at him.
Grey also saw Catriona.
He thought of what he had done before, and suddenly didn't know how to face Catriona and the Alpha Roderick.
He lowered his ears and tail, softly whining, "Aw... ooo..."
Roderick's lips tugged into a slight smile, his mood lifted somewhat. "You look quite spirited."
Grey looked at the Alpha, bewildered.
Roderick didn't look at him; instead, he turned to Eulalia and said sincerely, "Thank you."
"Oh, no, no need, it was because he saved me that he got hurt."
Catriona stared at Grey without blinking and murmured softly, "You're alive. That's truly wonderful."
Grey's keen hearing picked it up, and he immediately looked up at her.
Catriona gave a small smile. "You're still alive—that's good. You saved my friend, so I won't hold anything against you anymore. Let's call it even."
Grey was stunned.
Was Catriona really friends with this round-faced woman?
She wasn't angry anymore?
Alpha Roderick... didn't seem angry either.
Grey's dark wolf eyes shifted to Catriona's forehead, where her skin was smooth and unscarred. Had her injury... completely healed?
Before long, the wolves from Luna Palace all gathered around.
Eulalia had owned this house for two years, and it had never been so lively or crowded.
She watched as the wolves, ears and tails showing in their excitement, crowded around Grey, howling joyfully. Though she couldn't understand them, she could tell they were happy.
Catriona stood at the doorway, smiling softly at the scene, then turned and went downstairs.
Dusk was falling, and her son was asleep in the car.
At this moment, all she wanted was to see her child.
Arden, watching over the young master, saw her and nodded slightly. "Miss Ashford."
Catriona smiled at him and got into the car.
Cedric was still asleep. Ever since he started drinking the cold spring water each night, he no longer frowned in pain while he slept. His eyes remained gently closed, long lashes casting shadows on his cheeks, and his small lips were softly pursed.
Catriona sat beside him, watching her son for a moment.
She leaned closer, whispering softly, "Cedric, Mommy's finally not a 'criminal' anymore."
She blinked, her eyes misting over.
"Just five more months, and we'll be able to go home—to our own home, alright?"
"Your dad is way richer than I am, little sweetie. Will you still want to go home with me then?"
Not long after Catriona went downstairs, Roderick, noticing her absence, also left.
As he stepped out of the elevator, he immediately heard a familiar voice—a woman's gentle murmur, soft yet weary, drifting into his ears.
He paused slightly.
His hand by his side tightened unconsciously.
Five months... what did she mean by five months? Catriona was still planning to leave in five months.
Roderick stood motionless in the elevator, his tall figure unmoving. For some reason, he felt a sudden wave of discomfort.
Catriona's murmuring continued to reach him.
"Cedric, were you happy today? Did he open your eyes to new things?"
"You really like him, don't you? You want to stay with him, right? After all... he's your dad. I don't want to take away your happiness..." Her voice dropped even lower, and she murmured something else—words Roderick was desperate to hear.
In that moment, he released his heightened senses, instantly pulling in sounds from three hundred kilometers around. The sudden flood of noise crashed into his mind, sending a sharp pain through his ears, and he grimaced, stifling a groan.
At the same time, he managed to capture Catriona's voice amidst the noise.
He caught the barely audible words she whispered.
"...He hates humans... he hates Mommy too."
Roderick's chest tightened painfully.
"Mommy's being selfish; I don't want to let him raise you. So, you'll come with me, alright?"
Upstairs.
The wolves wanted to take Grey away, but for some reason, Grey glanced at the round-faced woman, busying herself with serving drinks, and shook his head.
"Catriona has already forgiven you."
"She even said last time that you should come back."
Black couldn't help but add, "She's actually really nice. It's okay if you dislike other humans, but don't hate her."
As they mentioned Catriona, they realized she was no longer in the house.
Brownie lowered his head slowly, recalling his recent behavior toward Catriona. Although he hadn't openly expressed his resentment, his evasive gaze must have hurt her.
The other wolves thought about it too and fell silent.
Catriona was truly wonderful. Whenever she had time, she'd tell them stories and cook delicious meals.
Her gaze was always warm and accepting; she wasn't afraid of them, nor did she show any distaste for their tails.
She had fully accepted them.
But what about them?
Had they really, truly, accepted her?
Ruby's eyes were rimmed with red. "That morning... I didn't go downstairs to eat what she'd made. Do you think Catriona was hurt by that?"
"I didn't go down either."
"I also..."
A wave of guilt crept up from within, accompanied by a resolute thought.
From that day on, Catriona felt that these werewolves were being overly kind to her.
Every morning when she woke up and walked to the second-floor stairway, the werewolves lying around on the first floor would suddenly spring to their feet, "Good morning, Catriona!"
"Ruby, hurriedly."
With a howl, Ruby darted up the stairs and, before Catriona could react, scooped her up horizontally and gently placed her on a dining chair.
"..."
What on earth are they doing...
The table was filled with food and drinks.
"This is tea for humans, here's milk, watermelon juice, warm water... What would you like?"
"...Warm water, please."
As soon as she spoke, Bruce howled joyfully, "Catriona wants to drink what I prepared, yay!"
"..."
Later, she casually mentioned, "Snow rabbit meat tastes pretty good."
And then, two werewolves packed their bags and headed back to the snowy mountains, saying they'd bring her back some snow rabbits.
Catriona didn't know where the snowy mountains were or how far away they were, but it took three months before she saw the werewolves return with the snow rabbits.
"..."
She had completely forgotten she'd said that.
