"When the cub grows up, you can give this to his mate."
Catriona paused. Yes, this was her son's real grandmother, so she could think of it as something kept for him.
These... are her son's family?
His true family.
She smiled, her eyes softening. How wonderful it was that her son had kind, loving family members. It really was a blessing.
Her heart warmed up as well.
Her beloved child wasn't alone in the world with just her anymore.
Look at him—he had a mom and dad, grandparents, an aunt, an uncle. They all loved him so much.
She, too, had family, but sadly, she hadn't felt that kind of love.
Madam Nightblade, seeing her accept the gift, also smiled, her earlier tears gone. "I raised three cubs. Only Roderick has been difficult, always with his own ideas. If he ever troubles you, just tell me."
Holding her hand, Madam Nightblade led her toward the dining room, saying as they walked, "Please come often. Tell me what you like to eat, alright?"
Catriona wasn't used to this young elder's gentle, affectionate approach, but she found herself somewhat liking Madam Nightblade. There had been too few adults like this in her childhood.
Her aunts and uncles hadn't liked her.
Perhaps if she hadn't lived with them, they would have liked her.
Madam Nightblade didn't make her feel uncomfortable. At least, she didn't seem to be pretending. Her gaze was gentle and wouldn't make anyone uneasy or feel offended.
Everything she said and did seemed so sincere, so effortless and natural. She was beautiful, warm, and kind, with an air of gentleness that made it impossible not to be drawn to her.
For a moment, Catriona felt envious of Roderick.
Envious that he was born into such a harmonious family.
But over the years, she'd had plenty of people to envy.
So soon enough, that envy was pushed to the back of her mind.
Envying others didn't help; she had her own little treasure now.
Catriona had originally thought Roderick's family would be like noble aristocrats, refined in every word and action.
But then she watched as they played cards, with the losing wolf deciding what tomorrow's meal would be, and fell silent.
Watching as Roderick's younger brother, grimacing, howled at having to eat a bowl of vegetables after losing a game made her even quieter.
It seemed they were indeed graceful... when they weren't speaking or moving.
"Hey, Catriona, you finally lost! Your turn to eat the veggies." Brigham bared his sharp teeth, a gleeful, smug expression on his face.
Catriona looked down at her cards and smiled helplessly.
"Yes, I lost."
But looking at that bowl of broccoli, she almost couldn't keep smiling.
Heaven knew, she hated broccoli.
Angelina, sitting across from her, rested her chin in her hand, smiling. "You could ask for backup, you know."
Catriona gave a dry laugh. This was Roderick's family; who could she call for backup? Her son? She hadn't even thought about it.
"No need, I..."
Before she could finish, Roderick took the bowl of broccoli from in front of her, saying naturally, "You don't like broccoli, right? I noticed that before at the restaurant."
As he spoke, Roderick picked up his fork and started eating the broccoli, his brow barely furrowing at the taste.
"Oh~" Angelina looked at her brother.
Madam Nightblade chuckled softly.
Catriona:...
What was this strange atmosphere?!
Her face started heating up uncontrollably.
Was this silly wolf a little too natural?! It was as if... they were already mates.
What would Madam Nightblade think?
Later, they had a fishing competition, then went to try on and pick out clothes with Madam Nightblade and Angelina.
Angelina fastened a necklace around her neck, saying, "Let's go shopping sometime. You have good taste."
"Sure, Angelina. Just let me know when," Catriona said, looking at herself in the mirror, dressed in a black fitted skirt with a small V-neck—Angelina's preferred style.
It looked good, but she rarely tried this kind of sexy style.
Madam Nightblade exclaimed from the side, "No wonder the little cub turned out so adorable. Child, you're even more beautiful than flowers."
Catriona:...
She had finally realized—whatever she did, Madam Nightblade would always praise her.
It was getting late, and it was time to head back.
She stood up.
Madam Nightblade sighed. "Are you really leaving? Happy times always pass so quickly."
Catriona tugged her fitted skirt down a bit and smiled softly. "Madam, I'll come to see you again soon."
She never expected that a visit to the old mansion would even mean a change of clothes—Angelina really enjoyed styling others.
But, trying it out once in a while was fine.
When she walked downstairs in the black, fitted, and stylish skirt.
Only Roderick was sitting on the sofa in the living room.
Sir Nightblade and Brigham had already taken the cub outside to play, but Roderick found them noisy, so he stayed back.
Hearing movement at the foot of the stairs, he lazily lifted his gaze, but the moment he saw her, he froze. His deep eyes darkened in an instant, as if a shadow had crossed over them.
Catriona hadn't expected that Roderick would be the only one downstairs.
"Why are you the only one here? Where's Cedric?"
She walked down, her gaze puzzled.
"It's time for us to go, isn't it?"
Roderick stared at Catriona's exposed neck and collarbone, his voice slightly hoarse. "Black suits you well."
Catriona paused, then understood what he meant.
Her face heated up. "...Oh, thank you."
The atmosphere felt odd. She cleared her throat. "Let's go."
She walked ahead, feeling that the neckline on the dress Angelina had chosen was a bit too low, making her neck feel chilly.
The black color made her skin look even fairer.
Roderick licked the tip of his teeth, took a deep breath, and felt heat rising in his body.
He gritted his teeth, trying to calm himself. "Is that the dress Angelina chose for you?"
"Yeah, I kind of like it."
Roderick curled his lips, wanting to throw that woman straight into the pool.
She did it on purpose.
Angelina deliberately...
Knowing full well that Catriona was the woman he liked.
Knowing how fixated werewolves were on necks.
He was tempted.
Successfully, and very easily, Catriona had tempted him.
And yet she had no idea.
Did she even know... that she was facing a werewolf who liked her? Was she... just too trusting?
Or... did she not care about him?
Roderick took deep breaths, trying to calm himself.
He had to leave first.
"I'll go get the little cub..." He quickened his pace, passing Catriona. In that fleeting moment, he glanced at her, and her collarbone, the soft, pale curve of her neck, instantly captured his gaze, lingering in his mind, impossible to shake off.
"Ah!"
Before Catriona could respond, she felt the world spin, and she was thrown onto the sofa, a heavy figure pressing down above her.
Roderick's breathing was heavy as he stared at her neck, asking seriously, "Sorry, may I bite you?"
"What did you say??" Catriona was completely dumbfounded.
"Your neck, may I bite your neck?" Roderick said, leaning closer.
Catriona: "I'm giving you three seconds to get off!"
"Roderick, stop being crazy!"
She was angry and embarrassed. "Do you have to lose your mind once every day?"
Roderick turned his gaze.
Catriona pursed her lips, swallowed, and started counting down. "Three, two..."
Roderick jumped up, his face red, gritting his teeth as he muttered under his breath, "Angelina!!!"
"Sorry, my bad. You go to the car; I'll go get the cub."
After saying this, Roderick turned and strode away.
Catriona took a deep breath. This pervert!! Scoundrel!! Who asks, "Can I bite your neck"? He wasn't a vampire—did he want to snap her neck?
Such a strange and terrifying question...
Catriona suddenly felt her neck grow cold—would a werewolf lose control and accidentally bite his mate to death?
It seemed she should avoid wearing this type of clothing around him in the future.
Suddenly, she kicked her legs in frustration and covered her face with her hands.
