Eulalia helped prepare the wild boar.
She sliced a piece of lean meat, made it into a dish, and tasted it. She didn't quite like the flavor.
It had an indescribable gaminess to it.
Grey, on the other hand, simply boiled his portion and sat across from her, silently devouring it.
Eulalia: "So, uh, do you think it tastes good?"
Grey nodded. "As long as it fills me up, taste doesn't matter."
When he was still small, food was scarce in the human world, and even going up the mountain, hunting was difficult. Hunger became his constant companion, and he grew so thin he was practically skin and bones. He'd eaten anything he could find, no matter how unappetizing.
By the age of twelve, things improved. His size increased, and getting enough food was no longer a problem.
At fifteen, he considered himself a strong werewolf and tried to hunt a bison as a challenge. But he failed, getting hit by a human hunter's gun. It was then that Alpha Roderick took him back to Luna Palace to be treated.
Luna Palace was filled with werewolves; it was like heaven for him. Every werewolf there welcomed him warmly, treating him well. He ate fresh beef and lamb brought in from the plains every day, and his body grew larger.
Now, hunting food in the mountains was a breeze for him.
He planned to hunt a bison next time; he should be able to do it.
He'd never hunted alongside Alpha Roderick, though he'd heard Draven say that Alpha Roderick could take down a wild bull in under a minute. He admired the leader deeply and aspired to become strong enough one day to be of help.
Yet, the fierce, powerful Alpha he looked up to...
At this moment, he was at a children's playground, looking like an ordinary human, holding the young pup and buying him cotton candy.
The vendor was skilled, spinning the cotton candy into various animal shapes.
They looked just like a real family of three, watching the vendor's work, while behind them, parents and children strolled by, snippets of conversation drifting their way:
"Mommy, I want cotton candy!"
"Cotton candy? You need to eat less sugar!"
"Mom, I haven't had any in so long. Please, just one—please, Mommy?"
"No! Can't you listen for once? I said no. Be good, or Mommy won't like you anymore!"
It was a little girl. Hearing the final words, she pouted slightly and didn't dare to say anything.
But as she was pulled away by an adult, she turned back and looked at Cedric enviously.
Cedric watched the girl walk away, pursed his little lips, and looked at Catriona with hesitation. "Mommy, am I being good?"
As soon as they arrived at the amusement park, he had asked for a bunny-shaped cotton candy.
Catriona, standing nearby with her arms crossed and her bag on her back, smiled at his words. She hadn't expected the passing conversation between the mother and daughter to make her son worry. "You're the best, Cedric. Whether you're being 'good' or not, Mom always likes you."
She felt that sweets were fine in moderation, and on a rare outing like this, as long as the requests weren't excessive, she'd let him eat and play as he wished.
The most important thing about going out was to have fun; there was no point in spoiling his joy.
Being held by his dad, Cedric relaxed entirely at her words, his mood brightening, and the tuft of hair on top of his head swayed in the breeze.
Sensing the young cub's shift in mood, Roderick glanced over at the woman in white beside him. She stood tall and relaxed, her posture casual. With her hair pulled up in a bun, her slender, fair neck and pronounced collarbones were exposed.
Her smooth, fair skin was without a single mole.
Roderick's golden eyes deepened, and he unconsciously licked his sharp fangs. For a moment, he wanted to lick, bite, and leave a mark there.
The werewolves' ancient instinct over thousands of years drove them to bite through the necks of their prey during the hunt.
Similarly, the primitive and fierce ancient werewolves would bite their mates' necks during the most intimate moments to prevent them from escaping due to pain.
Later, as female werewolves became scarcer, the rough male werewolves were not chosen and were eliminated, leaving only those with genes to respect their mates.
Though they weren't as excessively fierce as the ancient werewolves, they retained a natural obsession with the neck—a unique and highly tempting place for werewolves.
Catriona was not his prey; she was the mother of his cub. This role should have meant she was his mate. If she were, he could act without restraint...
That spot would surely be a place he often visited...
Roderick squeezed his eyes shut, forcing himself to look away.
Cedric's little hand rested on Roderick's back, tugging at his shirt now and then. After getting his bunny-shaped cotton candy, his eyes sparkled as he held it out to Catriona first.
"Mommy, you eat first."
"Thank you, Cedric." Catriona wasn't too particular about sweets, but she didn't want to refuse her son, so she lowered her gaze and took a bite of the bunny's ear.
"Mmm, it's so sweet."
Cedric was delighted and took a big bite out of the other bunny ear, the sweet flavor spreading in his mouth. He suddenly noticed his silent father.
The little guy paused, looked at the cotton candy, then at his dad, and quietly held it up to Roderick's lips. "Daddy, have some."
As the forgotten third wheel, Roderick, the father, finally received his son's offer. This was also his first time trying cotton candy.
He stared at the bunny ear Catriona had bitten, his gaze darkening slightly, and he parted his lips, casually taking a bite from the same spot.
It really was sweet, he thought, just as he noticed the cub's mother glancing at him with a peculiar expression.
She had seen it.
Roderick paused, his face heating up. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, he held the cub close and quickly turned around, clearing his throat with a low, serious tone, "Cedric, what do you want to play?"
"That one." Cedric, oblivious to the adults' affairs, pointed at something up ahead while chewing his bunny cotton candy: the drop tower.
A children's drop tower, not more than three meters tall, with seats for five kids per round.
Roderick carried the cub over to it.
Catriona savored the sweetness lingering on her lips, thinking that Roderick was truly a contradictory werewolf.
She found it odd, really—he'd always been so particular about even the smallest accidental touch, so mindful of physical contact. But now he was eating the cotton candy she'd bitten into. Realistically, that was way more intimate than a touch, wasn't it?
That was practically... an indirect kiss.
She smirked and gave a quiet "tsk," deciding that if Roderick ever brought up his no-touch rule again, she'd bring this incident up for sure!
Could it be that, in a werewolf's eyes, an indirect kiss is nothing compared to physical contact?
Even though she didn't know much about werewolves, she was pretty sure the former was more intimate.
Watching the man ahead acting as if nothing happened, Catriona was starting to think this werewolf might be a bit of a puzzle.
Meanwhile, Cedric, looking entirely unamused, had just gotten off a tame kiddie drop ride. Since it only rose and fell gently, there was nothing thrilling about it at all.
However, the kids he'd ridden with had been screaming wildly, and one even burst into tears.
Cedric glanced at them, looking a bit confused as to what they found so frightening, then quietly walked back toward his mom.
"Not fun?" Catriona noticed his expression and asked.
Cedric shook his head.
"There's a roller coaster over there. I think you'll like it."
A family-friendly coaster with seats for parents and kids, perfect for a trio. Cedric's eyes lit up.
And so...
Under the expectant gaze of the cub, Catriona and Roderick exchanged a glance and both took their seats, with the cub sitting in the middle.
Catriona thought it was just a children's roller coaster, nothing to be afraid of.
But, she ended up embarrassed.
As the roller coaster sped along the winding track, Cedric's chubby little face broke into a smile. "Haha! Mommy, we're flying!"
Roderick sat as if he were on flat ground, expressionless, with not a hint of excitement in his gaze.
Catriona underestimated it. She was the only one out of place. Just as the coaster rushed downhill, she let out an unguarded scream: "Ah!!"
The tension in her scream drew the attention of both father and son.
"Mommy? Are you scared? I'll hold onto you."
Catriona felt embarrassed. "No, Mom's not scared. What's there to be scared of..."
Roderick turned his gaze, noting her slightly trembling shoulders, thought for a moment, then stretched his arm across the cub's head, positioning it like a protective rail in front of Catriona.
He hadn't even said "Hold onto me."
Catriona let out another scream, grabbing onto his arm.
Roderick's eyes widened slightly.
In that moment, Catriona had no idea whose hand she was gripping; all she knew was that there was a sturdy railing right in front of her. She wrapped both hands around it, facing the fierce wind. The fear had vanished, leaving only the thrill and pure excitement.
She was exhilarated now.
"Ahhh! This is awesome! Whose children's roller coaster is this intense? Hahaha!"
"Cedric, are you scared? Ahhh, here comes another turn!"
Seeing that his mom wasn't scared anymore, Cedric swung his little legs, his face flushing as he let out a playful howl.
He wasn't scared at all; he just thought it was fun.
Since it was a children's roller coaster, they reached the end quickly.
Only then did Catriona realize whose arm she had been holding. Startled, she let go quickly, a bit like discarding something once it had served its purpose.
"!!! Sorry, I got a bit too excited just now."
She thought this werewolf would surely be upset again, probably judging her in his mind. Was he going to think she liked him or something...?
Unexpectedly, Roderick merely withdrew his arm quietly, replying, "It's fine."
?
Catriona wondered if the moon today was blue. She'd held his arm for so long! Surprised, she couldn't resist looking up at him.
She saw Roderick standing to the side, gazing down silently at the spot she had gripped, lost in thought.
Catriona pressed her lips together, thinking he surely had something on his mind but was holding back because of the cub.
The next second, Roderick noticed her gaze, turned to her, his dark eyes fixating on her as if entranced, and he extended his hand. "Want to hold on again?"
????
Uh, what? Catriona was stunned, shaking her head. "No... No need..."
What's there to hold onto now?
Roderick silently withdrew his hand, and Catriona actually thought he looked a little disappointed at that moment!??
It must be an illusion. Definitely an illusion.
In the amusement park, there was a fenced-off lawn area with a few rabbits, surrounded by children feeding them little carrots.
Catriona took her son to look at them as well.
The rabbits were pure white, soft, and extremely cute.
However, as soon as they arrived, the rabbits seemed frightened, huddling together and trembling.
She smiled, looking at her son. "Cedric, aren't the bunnies cute..." She didn't get to finish "cute" before her smile froze.
Because her son was staring at the rabbits with a gaze that didn't look human—lighting and hollow. His lips moved as if he were licking his baby teeth.
"..."
He wanted to eat them.
He actually wanted to eat them!!
In that moment, Catriona became acutely aware that her son was indeed a little werewolf cub.
Though her mind was spinning, she said nothing on the surface.
Nearby, there was a fishing area where kids were using little rods to catch fish.
Cedric's eyes lit up, and he joined in.
He quickly caught a fish, holding the squirming little creature tightly in his small hand. He gazed down at it for a moment, his lips moving slightly...
Then, almost as if compelled, he began to bring it toward his mouth.
Catriona, seeing this, felt her heart skip a beat in alarm. "Sweetheart! No, you can't do that!"
Cedric snapped out of it, startled, and threw the fish away, standing there with an innocent look, a bit lost. He looked up at her, eyes wide. "Mommy... Mommy..."
He didn't even know what had come over him.
Some of the kids were already staring at him with fearful eyes.
"Mom, he just said he wanted to eat fish."
In that moment, Cedric felt completely out of place in this world, his gaze dimming.
Catriona quickly stepped forward, scooped her son into her arms, and turned to leave.
"It's okay, sweetie, don't be afraid. Everything's fine." She ruffled his hair and kissed his little cheek. "It's alright; if you want fish or rabbit, we'll have some at home."
Cedric froze, surprised his mother would say such a thing.
Even Roderick was taken aback.
For a pure human, Catriona's maternal love was, at this moment, on full display. She didn't care if it was bloody, unacceptable, or... revolting.
Her first thought was to keep the young one from feeling sad, to give him something to eat.
Holding the young cub and comforting him with the promise of rabbit back home, the mother in white stood there as the bright sunlight bathed her.
She was glowing.
Roderick swallowed hard; Catriona was... she was a wonderful human, a very special, gentle human.
His heart was pounding fiercely, and the wall he had built up inside was beginning to crumble.
For a moment, he felt like none of it mattered anymore.
What did it matter if she was a pure human?
What did it matter that four years ago, she'd slept with him and then left?
She was the mother of his young one; she should be his mate.
Why was she the mother of his young one but not his mate?
He thought this in a confused and irrational way, his eyes darkening, turbulent emotions swirling within them.
He had no memory of what he did next; it was as if two little voices were battling furiously in his mind.
The little dark figure told him not to jump in, that it would bring unbearable pain. Wasn't it better to stay lonely? If he jumped, one day he'd be more miserable than if he had died. Could he bear a mate's gaze that didn't love him?
The little white figure said, "Jump. What's there to fear? What does it matter? Don't you want to have her? You have so much to give. Just love her, spoil her forever, make sure she has no chance to love anyone else. Your pure wolf form is big, isn't it? Your pack is proud of you. Didn't you always dream as a child that one day, you'd carry your mate on your back to Snow Mountain, to see the most beautiful flowers there?"
Carrying her, running into the depths of the forest.
Carrying her, crossing streams, letting her feel the breeze, the scent of flowers, the beauty, and at the highest peak, letting out a proud howl for her to hear.
His pure wolf form is so large; he could shield her in his embrace in the coldest times, warming her with his body heat for a lifetime. She wouldn't bear to leave him, and no other human would ever fit into her gaze again.
The two little figures in his mind argued relentlessly.
Roderick closed his eyes painfully and, without realizing it, followed Catriona out of the amusement park gate.
"Sweetie, you and Daddy go on home. Mommy's going out with a friend. Be a good boy tonight and go to bed without waiting up for me, okay?"
Hearing this, Roderick snapped back to reality.
He wasn't a young cub, so of course, he understood what she meant.
Going out with a friend... wasn't that just a date? Telling the young cub not to wait up for her—did she plan on not coming back tonight?
What did she want to do?
For a moment, Roderick wished his son would act clingy, ask her not to go.
But Cedric didn't pick up on his dad's signals.
With a serious and understanding look, he nodded and said, "Yeah, Mommy, go have fun. Grown-ups need to have fun too."
Roderick:?
"Sweetie, you are right! Mommy's going to enjoy some grown-up life!"
She looked at Roderick. "Mr. Nightblade, can you take him back? While I'm away, please spend a little more time with him. When he bathes, keep an eye on him. He likes his bunny pajamas, and before bed, give him a cup of wolf's milk powder; he enjoys that."
Roderick's mind went blank, feeling as if a bear had struck him square in the chest. An adult evening? What kind of "adult evening"?
What were she and Lucian planning to do?
What they are going to do?
His throat tightened, and he nearly blacked out as he watched Catriona get into a taxi and drive off.
He could barely breathe.
She'd left him and the cub behind.
Left them stranded at the children's amusement park.
