To Catriona, the Nightblade werewolves looked noble and beautiful as they sat on the sofa, tensely watching the little one in Roderick's arms.
The woman in the red dress arched her eyes. "Is that the little cub of Roderick?"
Beside her was a blonde youth, about fourteen, who bore some resemblance to Roderick. "Ah, Angelina!! He moved! Is he about to wake up?"
"Wow! He's awake!!"
Cedric rubbed his sleepy eyes, lifted his tiny hand to grasp Roderick's button, using it to pull himself up. Nestled in his father's arms, he turned his head, furrowing his little brows as he cast a curious gaze toward the sofa that held a faintly unfamiliar scent.
In an instant, the werewolves on the sofa widened their eyes, struggling to remain seated.
So... so cute!
With his black hair, golden eyes, soft, pale face, and serious expression, he looked exactly like Roderick as a child!
Roderick glanced at his stunned family, scoffing. He had anticipated they would show this hopeless expression.
The family of three approached the sofa, and only then did the members of the Nightblade seem to snap out of their daze. They reluctantly tore their gaze away from the little one, cleared their throats, and straightened up with a show of composure.
Standing with her back to the floor-to-ceiling window, a woman in a white V-neck sweater let her shoulder-length blonde hair frame her face. She was strikingly beautiful, though her complexion held a touch of pallor, and in her eyes lay a gentle, quiet calm.
Beside her sat a man with black hair and golden eyes, his face pale and handsome, with a gentle and refined demeanor. Just as Catriona assumed this was Roderick's brother, she heard Roderick call out indifferently, "Father."
Then he looked at the blonde woman and nodded. "Mother."
Catriona:????
She was completely shocked, unable to hide her widened eyes.
They... were too young! This wasn't just a matter of good maintenance; they looked to be in their early thirties, yet... they were Roderick's parents???
Roderick glanced at the woman in the red dress and introduced her to Catriona. "Her name is Angelina Nightblade."
Angelina clicked her tongue. "Rory, call me Miss Angelina!" Then she looked at Catriona, smiling and nodding.
Roderick ignored his older sister and instead looked at the blonde youth. Before he could speak, the youth extended his hand toward Catriona, a warm smile accompanying his gesture, "In the human world, a proper greeting involves a handshake, right? Hello, new Mrs. Nightblade, I am Brigham Nightblade."
Catriona paused briefly but still extended her hand for a light handshake, saying, "I'm Catriona Ashford, and just call me Catriona. Roderick and I aren't in a romantic relationship."
Upon hearing this, the blonde woman, Madam Nightblade, spoke in surprise, looking at Catriona. "I thought..."
She could see that her second son had feelings for this human woman.
Her gaze softened with worry. "Catriona, tell me, what's the matter?"
She stood up, walked over to Catriona, and took her hand gently. "Come, sit over here. Your hands feel a bit cold—are you chilly?" she asked softly.
Without a second thought, she picked up the coat folded on the sofa and draped it over Catriona's shoulders with a natural, gentle touch, like a kind elder.
Catriona was momentarily taken aback.
"Catriona, how old are you?"
"...Twenty-six."
"Are you hungry?"
Catriona shook her head.
Madam Nightblade looked at her thoughtfully and said in a gentle voice, "Look at you—you're as beautiful as an edelweiss blooming atop the snowy mountains. No wonder Roderick doesn't quite meet your standards."
"I... I didn't mean..." Catriona was almost at a loss for words. To be fair, when it came to looks, there wasn't much one could fault about Roderick.
Still, only a mother could say something like that about him.
"Didn't mean it?" Mrs. Roderick lowered her voice further, adding, "He has a mouth, but it's only good for saying things that stir up trouble, isn't it?"
Roderick, sitting on the opposite couch:...
Catriona felt a bit awkward; suddenly, it all became clear to her.
Madam Nightblade had first asked if Roderick's appearance didn't suit her, and now she was asking if it was his lack of words—she was clearly trying to figure out why she and Roderick weren't together.
How...how was she supposed to answer that?
Just then.
"Cub, can I hold you?" The blond youth appeared in front of Roderick, extending his hand toward Cedric.
Nestled in his father's arms, Cedric rested one small hand on his father's shoulder, his large, clear eyes fixed intently on the blonde young man. After a moment's study, he reached out his tiny hand.
Brigham's eyes lit up, thinking the cub had agreed.
Then, his face was suddenly pinched by the little cub.
The Nightblade:?
Brigham:?
For a split second, he remembered the terror of having his face pinched by his elder sister Angelina.
Brigham felt the small hand pinch his cheek, and then the little one pulled his hand back, murmuring, "It's real." With a faint sigh, he leaned back against his father, shaking his head in mild boredom, signaling that he was done being held.
This person looked a lot like his dad. His face was real, after all.
Madam Nightblade's eyes softened with affection. "Look, isn't the little cub just adorable? You gave birth to him, so regardless of whether you're Roderick's mate or not, you're family to us. No pressure—if you need anything, just let me know."
Catriona didn't know what to say. She could feel Madam Nightblade's warm acceptance, which was surprising. Before speaking to her, she had assumed Roderick's family would be hard to approach.
In truth, she wasn't wrong.
The mother of a cub was naturally accepted and became part of the family.
So, she wouldn't see the unapproachable side of the Nightblade.
Cedric declined Brigham's offer to hold him.
And also refused Angelina's hug.
Sir Nightblade, who hadn't spoken until now, sighed and gently advised, "The cub isn't familiar with you yet. Don't all crowd around him. Take your time to get acquainted."
The blond youth looked down, disappointed. "Alright."
Hearing this voice, Cedric turned his head slightly to sneak a glance.
A moment later, he climbed down from his dad's arms and headed over to his mom—he didn't know these people very well.
Still full, he trotted toward his mom, his little round belly leading the way.
Along the way, he had to pass by Sir Nightblade.
This man looked most like his father, and as Cedric toddled along, he glanced at him with curious eyes. Unaware of just how adorable he was, Cedric waddled with his little round belly puffed out, his big eyes blinking as he took tiny steps, passing by Sir Nightblade along the way.
"Cub, do you know who I am?" Sir Nightblade spoke up, pulling a small white object from his pocket. "If you answer correctly, this is yours. I know you're very clever."
Cedric stopped curiously, staring at the little toy in his hand. "You're... Daddy's dad."
"That's right. Here, it's yours."
Cedric reached out to take it. He'd never seen anything like it before, cool and comfortable in his hand.
The best part—it was shaped like a white rabbit!
"This is an ice stone from the summit of Snow Mountain. I carved it into a little rabbit. Do you like it?"
Cedric nodded.
The man in front of him smiled softly, and for a moment, Cedric thought he looked just like his dad when he was being gentle.
"Come on, the human term is...Grandpa, yes? How about a hug from Grandpa, and I'll carve more little rabbits for you?"
Cedric looked at him for a while, then nodded, "Alright."
A hug in exchange for a cool little rabbit stone—worth it.
Seeing this scene,
Angelina couldn't help but roll her eyes.
The young Brigham's eyes widened, "Father! Didn't you say we should get familiar with him first?"
So shameless!! He jumped the gun!
