Roderick didn't consider himself a shy or reserved werewolf; he liked Catriona and wanted her to be his mate.
He was willing to take the plunge, putting aside all his insecurities and prejudices to pursue that little white rabbit.
Though Magnus didn't fully understand why Roderick wanted to commit so early, he didn't question him further. He always respected his friends' choices.
He looked at Roderick and said, "Good luck. I'm in no hurry—I'll think about it in a few years."
His expression was calm, almost numb, his face reading: No worldly desires here.
Roderick replied, "You're only in no hurry because you haven't met someone you like yet." He didn't believe Magnus would say he wasn't in a rush if he had feelings for someone.
Just like himself—he was nearly going crazy with urgency.
Catriona had no feelings for him whatsoever and even resisted his help. She could get together with Lucian at any moment. Being non-human put him at a disadvantage compared to Lucian.
Lucian knew far better than he did what human women liked, disliked, and wanted to hear.
At this thought, Roderick's thin lips pressed down even more, and he lost any desire to eat.
Not in a rush because he hadn't met someone he liked?
When Magnus heard Roderick's words, he paused, then replied indifferently, "Perhaps."
Perhaps he just hadn't met someone he liked as Roderick had. Right now, he was more focused on maintaining peace in the human world and fostering harmony between werewolves and humans.
Apart from a few fallen werewolves, most of them enjoyed the human world and liked humans.
In the werewolf clan, female werewolves were naturally fewer in number. Magnus had seen some average male werewolves who were overlooked by the females on the snowy mountain, but when they went down the mountain, they found human mates, lived happily, and even had cubs.
Among them were those who worked on construction sites to support their families and others who opened restaurants with their human partners. They had completely integrated into the human world. Simple, ordinary, and harmonious.
As a ruler, Magnus wanted to protect the happy smiles of his people.
Settling down early would only add more responsibilities, and he was too busy for that; it wasn't necessary.
But he couldn't help but picture that female werewolf from Luna Palace, with her red eyes and face full of affectionate dependence.
He had only saved her, as he had saved countless others, and when they expressed love, he would politely decline without giving it a second thought.
But that female werewolf from Luna Palace was a bit different... She cried too easily, was too fragile, too lovable, as if she couldn't survive without her kin, which made him worry a little.
Roderick's affection for that once-despised human meant that human must be quite special.
Magnus thought to himself quietly, listening to Rowan's incredulous voice beside him. "Who did you say you like? Catriona? The cub's mother?"
"Yes, I like her."
Rowan's eyes widened in disbelief. "You don't hate her anymore? Wait—are you saying you've forgiven her for that night she came into your room? I remember you and Snowheart were pretty close back then. Everyone thought you two would end up together. If it weren't for that night, you two probably would have, right?"
Roderick frowned. "Watch what you're saying. Don't spread rumors—I only know Snowheart."
"It's not just me," Rowan exclaimed. "Lots of the wolves think that way."
"Don't bring it up again," Roderick said, his frown deepening. He didn't want Catriona to misunderstand.
"And let's leave the past where it is. Right now, I want Catriona as my mate. She's wonderful, and until you've spent time with her, you won't understand."
Rowan stared, stunned. "Wow, you..."
He hadn't expected Roderick's change of heart. What had happened over these last couple of months?
Blinking, he blurted, "But you used to say you were just partners."
Roderick paused, then replied, "That was then."
Rowan scratched his head, baffled. "Weren't you always put off by how humans can be so fickle in relationships? What happened to that bias?"
He had always been outspoken, so he voiced his confusion freely about Roderick's affection of Catriona, unintentionally hitting Roderick's sensitive spots.
Roderick gave him a cool look. "Judging everyone with the same brush leads to unfair assumptions. I'll take back my bias."
Rowan gaped. "Wow! So you're serious, huh? I remember how you'd insist you'd never choose a human mate. Well! Looks like you're eating your words!"
Roderick:...
His gaze turned icy as he looked at Rowan. "Is that funny to you?"
Rowan, known for his low emotional intelligence and lack of awareness, laughed. "It's just funny, haha! I mean, come on, aren't you slapping your own face here?"
Roderick's thin lips pressed together.
He looked as if he was about to bite someone.
Silas, thinking about Roderick's full-wolf form and fearing for Rowan's life, quickly interjected, "Well, I actually think it's great. If you can let go of your prejudices, you two are a perfect match—both talented and attractive, and you even have a cub. Definitely fitting."
Those words struck a chord in Roderick's heart.
He and Catriona had shared the most intimate connection, and they had a child together. They were truly meant to be.
What was Lucian, anyway?
In the past, he hadn't understood Catriona, and prejudice had clouded his judgment. Looking back now, was that old resistance important? No, it wasn't. It didn't matter.
Being with Catriona meant the three of them could live together as a family, and she wouldn't take their cub away.
If she were his mate, they could hold hands, kiss, hug, and... do... Roderick didn't know what came to mind, but he suddenly choked on his drink, his handsome face turning beet red.
He thought he was... truly shameless.
What was he even thinking?
The girl wasn't even with him yet, and he was already being presumptuous.
The mushroom-headed youth spoke up, "So, You won't have to die alone now? Congrats."
With those words, everyone fell silent.
Yes, if Roderick truly let go of his past issues, and if Catriona loved him and was willing to be with him, wouldn't that be the best outcome?
Previously, their worry had been that Roderick might never have a mate.
They'd never considered that Roderick's mate could be Catriona.
Yes, Roderick's mate could indeed be Catriona. With a mate and a cub, wouldn't that be perfect?
They were Roderick's friends. If he, as the werewolf involved, didn't mind the past, then they had nothing more to say.
But could the cub's mother handle the intense, possessive, and unwavering love of a werewolf?
Every werewolf who paired with a human had been cautious, yet still, some returned to the snowy mountains, hurt and disappointed.
In fact, eligible male and female werewolves often met their kindred mates in the snowy mountains. If fate hadn't brought about an unexpected attraction, they usually wouldn't choose to be with a human.
Being with a pure human was a huge risk for a werewolf.
Different lifestyles, physical differences, varying lifespans, and loyalty in relationships—all were potential issues.
Most things could be worked out, but when it came to loyalty, this wasn't about prejudice or arrogance—humans were simply more relaxed about it, and that was a fact.
And the cub's mother did have a "bad history," which was hard for them to ignore.
But Roderick wasn't a fool. If he liked Catriona, it meant she was a good person.
Rowan hesitated, then asked nervously, "So... does the cub's mother like muscular guys?"
?
Roderick gave him a faint glance.
Rowan, who spent a lot of time in the gym, was strong and muscular, with a good-looking face. Women on the street would ask for his number, even invite him to hotels...
In his opinion, women who liked muscular men were often more dangerous and unreliable; it scared him.
His anxious and worried look appeared as shyness in Roderick's eyes.
In an instant, Roderick's face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot.
"Oh? So, you're trying to seduce her too?"
