After eating four fish in one go, the little wolf cub felt more energetic with each swim, just as Black had said.
He caught a carp, which was quite big for him—the largest fish he'd caught so far, weighing over four pounds.
He didn't eat it, deciding to bring it back as lunch for his mom.
The pale tail of the carp thrashed in resistance, sending ripples of water splashing into the little wolf cub's eyes, blocking his view. After a few failed attempts, he let out an angry yip, sinking his sharp little teeth into the fish's flesh, and the carp finally stilled.
Catriona watched as her son swam over from afar, clutching something white in his mouth. As he drew closer, she realized it was a fish.
Delighted, she called out, "You caught a big fish, little one! So impressive!"
Hearing this, Cedric paddled even faster toward her.
He ran eagerly toward his mom.
Reaching the shore, he proudly ran to his mom with a fish in his mouth.
With his two short, chubby front paws pressing down on the fish to stop it from flopping around, he looked up, opened his mouth, and howled, "Awooo... Awoo awooo!"
For you, Mommy.
Mommy, isn't your cub the best?
"Awoo! Awoo awooo!!"
Mommy! I'll catch fish for you from now on!
Catriona squatted down with a smile, pulling out her phone. "Mommy's taking a picture—my baby has grown up and can catch fish! So impressive!"
"Mommy's in for a treat!"
The little cub proudly lifted his chin.
Catriona took a photo, then naturally reached out and plucked a fish scale from her son's head.
While asking, "Are you cold? Are you full? Do you want more to eat?"
"Awoo..." Cedric shook his head. He wasn't cold, and he wasn't hungry anymore. He wanted to catch fish for his mom.
He turned around, let out an "Awoo!" and went back into the water.
Meanwhile, Catriona was messaging Eulalia.
She pressed her phone to send a voice message. "Did you see the photo I sent? Cedric caught that fish! Impressive, right? You're in for a treat, Godmother!"
Roderick glanced at the fish on the ground and suddenly said, "I can catch a bigger one."
Catriona: "Oh."
Isn't that to be expected?
Comparing himself to a four-year-old cub, this huge wolf really...
Before she could process it, Roderick suddenly revealed his large ears and tail. His hands widened, nails growing sharp and long, transforming into powerful wolf claws. With a swift, fluid leap, he dove gracefully into the water.
"..."
Really? He's seriously going to compete with his son?
Isn't this kind of bullying? Is this huge wolf a bit too childish?
Catriona was genuinely speechless.
The next second, the water's surface broke as Roderick's upper body emerged, his massive wolf paw tightly gripping the gills of a large fish, which was flailing wildly, splashing water everywhere.
This... was way too fast, wasn't it??
Catriona was stunned. That was inhuman! He'd only been in the water for less than a minute, right?
It was as if Roderick was using cheat codes; he threw six large fish in front of her—bass, carp, mandarin fish—all around a meter long.
The largest, a giant mandarin fish that probably weighed almost twenty pounds, made Catriona take a deep breath. This would have cost expensive at the market she used to go to.
Since coming to Luna Palace, she hadn't been to the market to buy groceries in months.
Mandarin fish had tender meat, a delicate, fresh flavor, and hardly any bones—she quite liked it.
She stared at the big mandarin fish for a while, and then Roderick threw another fish of the same size next to it.
Catriona couldn't help it and exclaimed, "Oh my goodness..."
Roderick emerged from the water, his entire werewolf form giving a vigorous shake, sending droplets flying off his fur. Only then did he stride toward Catriona.
His arms returned to human form.
The tall werewolf stood in front of Catriona, water dripping from his chiseled face as he looked at her, his eyelashes damp.
"I caught more fish."
"Won't you praise me too?"
Catriona:...?
For a moment, she couldn't react. She was still processing the shock from the giant fish, and Roderick's request for praise left her at a loss for words.
Was he really the powerful Nightblade leader the news talked about?
He had such a large pack of wolves following him, and... this?
Now, this?
"I didn't know you liked fish. If you'd like, I'll catch fish for you every day."
Roderick's voice was low and serious as he continued, "What else do you like to eat?"
After asking, he pressed his lips together, looking down. "I'm sorry for asking so late."
It seemed he had overlooked her in many ways.
He didn't even know her preferences beyond her liking spicy food and disliking offal.
Roderick was disappointed in himself; if this was his way of pursuing someone, it'd be surprising if she agreed.
"Our relationship wasn't close back then; there's no need to apologize," Catriona said, speaking honestly.
This was Catriona's true feelings. Her and Roderick's connection had always been somewhat awkward, and she didn't even know what he liked to eat.
"Uh, no need to catch fish for me every day, thank you." Catch fish for her every day? No way—he wasn't her family or husband.
Even if they were friends, she couldn't feel comfortable eating fish caught by someone else every day.
Oh, her son knew how to catch fish now.
Eating fish caught by her son? That felt great—completely guilt-free.
Roderick pressed his thin lips together, feeling a bit sour inside.
He could see that Catriona was pushing him away, rejecting him.
"Alright, I won't bring it up again. But you'll take these fish, right?"
If she wouldn't even take the fish, then he'd be standing here, dripping wet, for absolutely nothing.
Catriona glanced at him, unsure what else to say.
She didn't know when it had started, but Roderick had been lowering himself before her.
It was as if all she had to do was shake her head and say no.
And Roderick would feel sad.
A werewolf as high in status as him had given her control over his emotions, letting her decide his mood.
She felt a complicated mix of emotions. What did this wolf want...?
With his status and position, he could have anything he wanted—yet here he was, coming to her, only to be turned down.
She wouldn't open the door of her heart, and he'd just keep running into the wall.
Even if he ended up bruised and battered, would he still be fixated on her?
Most of her past pursuers would knock, and if she didn't answer, they'd leave.
Maybe Roderick was just a bit more persistent than the others.
Maybe two months, or half a year, and Roderick would give up and leave.
She would see that day come.
"I can't eat that much by myself; I'll just take this one." She pointed at the large mandarin fish.
As for the rest, he could deal with them as he liked.
This lake would probably be a frequent spot for her son from now on.
"Alright."
Catriona noticed that Roderick's expression hadn't changed, but the large tail behind him had started to sway.
He was happy?
She was a bit curious and glanced again at the tip of his wagging tail.
Then she heard Roderick's slightly uncomfortable voice. He cleared his throat and said quietly, "You... still haven't praised me."
Catriona felt a bit embarrassed as well for no reason.
Who else would act like this? He was a grown werewolf, yet he kept asking for praise...
"Uh, well... I think you're amazing. And I'm not just saying that. You're really strong."
She forced herself to say a few words, feeling her cheeks heat up from embarrassment.
Cedric came back with another fish over four pounds in his mouth.
As he climbed ashore, he saw several huge fish laid out in front of his mom. With the comparison, his own fish from earlier suddenly looked small and pitiful—nothing in comparison.
Cedric froze.
Looking at his dad, he immediately understood what had happened!
Dad cheated!
Dad was being unfair!
"Awoo! Awoo!" He was a bit mad and let out a howl.
"Awoo! Awoo!!" The little wolf cub, feeling wronged, tossed the fish aside and ran to his mom, looking for comfort.
