The time rewinds to the afternoon.
Watching Catriona's taxi pull away, Roderick stood in silence for a long time before finally picking up the cub and heading back to Luna Palace.
He kept telling himself that dating was Catriona's freedom, and staying out all night was too.
While eating, his mind was a mess. He couldn't help but wonder, what was Catriona doing now? Was she dining with that pure human? Were they sitting close?
"Alpha Roderick, where did Catriona go?" Black asked.
"Yeah, why didn't she come back with you?"
Before Roderick could respond, the cub piped up, "My mommy went on a date, living an adult's life!"
Well, he didn't really understand what adult nightlife was, but if his mommy liked it and wanted to go, that was all that mattered.
As soon as the cub finished speaking, the hall fell silent.
What? A date?
An adult's life?
They looked at each other, then at the Alpha Roderick.
No wonder—Alpha Roderick had returned with a cold face, radiating a terrifying aura that made them feel instinctive fear and discomfort.
Alpha Roderick definitely cared, didn't he?
At eight o'clock, the werewolves nervously played with the cub, while Alpha Roderick sat alone on the sofa, silent as a statue.
At nine, Roderick took the cub to the room for a bath. The little cub, in his pure wolf form, swam around the bathtub happily, splashing water everywhere with his wagging tail. It was Roderick's first time bathing the cub, and he stood on the side, utterly at a loss.
His clothes were soaked, the culprit being the little wolf cub swimming around in the tub.
Yet, he seemed oblivious, his thin lips pressed tightly together, his gaze distant and unfocused, lost in silent contemplation.
Cedric gripped the edge of the tub with his little paws, curiously watching his father, feeling like his dad had lost his soul.
"Awo... awooo?" The cub's soft howl carried a hint of confusion.
Dad didn't seem to hear, not even blinking.
Cedric opened his mouth, revealing his tiny sharp teeth, and raised his voice, "Awooo!!"
Only then did Roderick snap out of it, his golden eyes falling on the cub. "Are you done?" He grabbed a towel, wrapped the little wolf in it, dried him off, and began blow-drying his short fur.
The little cub stayed still, enjoying as his dad dried his short fur.
Then he shifted to human form, put on his bunny pajamas, drank his wolf milk powder, took a sip of ice spring water, and let out a tiny yawn, ready to sleep.
Roderick sat on a chair beside the bed, wanting to stay by the cub as he fell asleep.
It was already ten o'clock.
But Catriona still hadn't returned!
After the cub fell asleep, Roderick didn't know how he managed to leave the room filled with her scent.
Downstairs, Draven was drinking again.
Roderick silently went downstairs and sat beside him.
It was almost half-past ten. When would Catriona finally come back? Was she coming back at all?
He was struggling to maintain his calm and indifferent facade. A powerful, restless unease and panic filled him, leaving him both shocked and incredulous.
His sickness had returned.
Right now, he only wanted to bring Catriona back, to keep her within his sight, as if only then would his sickness subside.
Draven took a sip of his drink and suddenly spoke, "Alpha Roderick, I envy you; your beloved is still alive."
Roderick didn't respond.
Draven didn't mind. His thoughts drifted far away, and under the numbing effect of the alcohol, he saw her again—a gentle, well-bred lady from a distinguished family. She turned her gaze toward him, softly calling his name: "Draven."
A glimmer of a smile appeared in Draven's eyes, and he murmured in acknowledgment.
But his lips wouldn't curve upward; they even pressed downwards, a sad, pained arc.
The sorrow was too deep—he could barely summon a smile for her.
In the end, he gave a smile that looked sadder than tears.
"Alpha Roderick, humans... they're truly fragile. They have short lifespans, weak immunity, fall ill easily, can't jump or climb, have no fangs or claws, and they get hurt at the slightest bump."
As he spoke, he looked at Roderick. "If you're not careful, they can lose their lives just like that. Sometimes, they're smiling at you one moment, and the next, they're gone forever."
Roderick's pupils constricted, his heart feeling as if it was clutched by an invisible hand.
"Most of us werewolves go through life without ever meeting a true mate. If we miss the chance, it must feel worse than death."
Roderick closed his eyes, deeply troubled.
That river appeared before him once again.
He resolutely jumped in.
The black rabbit had fallen in love with the white rabbit.
He was mad, frantic, unable to care about anything else; he just wanted to drive away the yellow rabbit and be with the white rabbit.
The night breeze blew in, the clock approaching eleven, and the city's nightlife was just beginning.
The towering werewolf stood outside the gates of Luna Palace, closing his eyes and letting his senses expand. Instantly, a deafening, piercing noise assaulted him. He frowned, cold sweat quickly forming on his brow. Amid the unimaginable chaos and agonizing cacophony, he managed to catch a familiar sound.
"Eat up... Mmm, does it taste good?"
"Don't cry; I'll let you eat my phone too."
For a moment, Roderick thought he was hearing things.
His car moved through the streets, and the woman's voice grew clearer.
"Here... have a glass to chew on; it's nice and crunchy."
"Not good? Then how about some popcorn?"
"..."
Roderick frowned as his car slowly stopped in front of a quiet bar, retracting his hearing. The surroundings were so noisy his face had turned slightly pale.
Following the scent, he could locate the booth where Catriona was, but he was afraid she'd be angry if he showed up uninvited...
So he had no choice but to take out his phone and call.
Sylvaine listened to the voice on the phone, putting the pieces together instantly.
"Are you Cedric's 'cheap' dad?"
The voice on the other end instantly became guarded, cold and stern. "Who are you?"
"Sylvaine, Catriona's friend, and godmother to Cedric. Got it, Mr. Nightblade?" Sylvaine's last words carried a hint of gritted teeth.
There was a brief silence on the line before the voice softened slightly. "Hello, I am Cedric's father, Roderick Nightblade."
"Who in Capital doesn't know Mr. Nightblade? Never thought you'd come in person to pick up our Caddy?"
Roderick didn't pick up on her sarcastic tone and answered earnestly, "It's late. As her cub's father, I came to take her home."
Sylvaine scoffed, "Then tell me, Mr. Nightblade, why haven't you shown up as her cub's father before?"
Roderick finally caught on to her tone—Catriona's friend was questioning his absence over the past few years. He was prepared to face Catriona and her friends' questioning.
He was about to respond when he heard Catriona's voice over the phone, "I should head home. My Cedric might start crying."
Sylvaine smirked, "There's a call from someone named 'Silly Wolf' saying he's here to pick you up."
Then, Roderick heard Catriona's voice, "Huh? Silly Wolf? No idea who that is; tell him to get lost."
The silly wolf about to be dismissed:...
Roderick pursed his lips tightly.
