The icy stones atop the snowy mountains remain buried beneath layers of snow year-round, kept in a state of perpetual chill. These crystalline stones glisten with a clarity much like the diamonds of the human world.
Werewolves raised on Snow Mountain grew up with ice stone toys, so it was no wonder Cedric liked the little ice stone carving.
Sitting in his grandfather's lap, Cedric gazed intently at the little ice-stone carving in his hands. The more he looked, the more he adored it, his lips curving up ever so slightly.
Then, with a push of his little legs, he was off again.
Sir Roderick, who wanted to hold the little one a bit longer, reluctantly let him go.
Cedric ran over to his mother, clutching the tiny ice-stone rabbit, his large, dewy eyes sparkling as he held it up. "Mommy, look!"
Catriona's eyes softened with a gentle smile. "That's from Grandpa. Did you remember to say thank you?"
Cedric let out a soft "oh," then turned to look at the gentle and refined Sir Nightblade, saying in his little voice, "Thank you, Grandpa!"
Then he turned back to his mother, "Mommy, look, the rabbit is all icy. You must like it too, right?"
Catriona reached out, ready to take it.
Her hand was gently held back by the cool, soft hand of Madam Nightblade.
"This is an ice stone, and since you're human, it's not suitable for you to hold it."
She spoke softly, "Things that feel cool to us would be painful for you to hold."
Cedric looked at his grandmother, blinked in understanding, then pulled the stone rabbit back and hid it behind him.
His little brows furrowed as he said seriously, "Mommy, I can't give you the rabbit."
For a moment, Catriona felt like a mischievous little girl.
She couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, hold onto it and play carefully."
Meeting Madam Nightblade's gentle, warm, and harmless gaze, Catriona felt a bit uneasy. She wasn't used to this kind of interaction, so she nodded slightly. "I understand. Thank you for the reminder."
She reached out and patted Cedric's head. "Little one, this is your grandmother." These were her son's blood relatives, and that made her genuinely happy.
At least her son wasn't like her. He had so many blood relatives.
"They're all your family, the closest family, okay?"
Cedric leaned against his mother, glanced at the blonde woman, pursed his little lips, and gave a soft "oh."
The closest family?
Relatives other than his mom and dad?
Grandmother... His grandmother was different from his classmates' grandmothers; she was so young, it was strange.
He didn't quite understand why they were all so young, but he didn't ask—it didn't interest him much.
With the little stone rabbit in one hand, Cedric leaned against his mother, blinking his big eyes as he looked straight at Madam Nightblade. Unlike most children, there was no shyness or timidity in his gaze. With a calm, serious expression, he called out in his soft, childish voice, "Hello, Grandma."
Following his mother's instructions, he just greeted.
"Good boy," Madam Nightblade smiled softly, nodding. "What a lovely little cub. Just like your father when he was young."
Seeing this little one reminded her of her own cubs; time had flown, and her cubs had all grown up.
Roderick sat on the opposite sofa, watching them talk for a while. Seeing that his mother didn't seem ready to stop, he clicked his tongue and spoke directly, "Mother, it's your first meeting, and don't you think you're talking too much?"
"Cub, take your mother back to her room to rest."
He could tell that Catriona wasn't very comfortable dealing with his family.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. Am I being a bit too forward? I must be intruding." Madam Nightblade realized, "We live in the old mansion. If you don't mind, I hope we can stay in touch more often."
Catriona nodded lightly. She didn't actually dislike Madam Nightblade, but with so much happening today, she really just wanted to retreat to her room, back to a space with only herself and her son.
To process everything and relax.
The mother and son disappeared upstairs to the second floor, out of sight.
In the living room, only Roderick's family remained; Black and the others had already left to give the family some space.
The blonde boy slumped lazily, drawling, "Ah, the little cub is so cute. How do I get him to let me hold him?"
Roderick's sister Angelina smirked, looking at him with a hint of schadenfreude. "Roderick, is this what they call unrequited love?"
Roderick ignored her.
Madam Nightblade sighed, her tone slightly regretful. "She's that girl from back then, isn't she? What exactly happened between you two back then?"
"I remember you used to dislike humans, but it seems you've changed your mind. Still, she's already had a cub, so she's part of our family. If she truly doesn't want to be your mate, you're not to get angry or harm her."
Roderick lowered his gaze, thinking about what had happened today.
"Did you hear me, Rory?" Madam Nightblade raised her voice slightly.
Roderick frowned in displeasure. "Mother, use my full name, especially in front of Catriona."
Angelina, always eager to stir the pot, teased, "Oh~ Having a mate you like really changes things, huh? Rory?"
Roderick scoffed, "Angelina, shut up."
He stood up, heading upstairs as well. "I know what I'm doing. No matter what, I won't let go—she's the only one. Don't make this more dramatic than it is."
Madam Nightblade shook her head, "Rory, girls don't usually appreciate the hard-line approach. Learn a thing or two from your father."
Angelina, crossing her legs, chuckled, "mother, he's had that temper since he was a kid. He's always been stubborn. Do you really think Roderick will listen to you?"
She added with a sigh, "The little cub is still the sweetest."
