Cedric's fifth birthday was celebrated with great excitement.
Many people wished him a happy birthday, there was a massive five-tier cake, and many adults shook his hand, making him feel like the coolest cub.
The gifts were endless, with property deeds from the Nightblade stacked in a pile.
Some were rare treasures from the snowy mountains, like the Snow Mountain Crystal, which appears only once every hundred years and can cure all ailments.
There was also a bow and arrows made from the bones of prey, snow-white, beautiful, and sharp.
Madam Nightblade led the little cub around, introducing him to each relative.
The Nightblade lineage, with dozens of werewolves—not too many, not too few—would all lean in, taking in the scent of the cub, memorizing it deeply.
"May the Snow Mountain Moon bless you, my dear cub."
"The cold pools of the Snow Mountain will love you; may you grow healthy and strong."
"May the Heart of the Snow Mountain protect you; stay happy."
Surrounded by the tall, handsome, elegant, and imposing werewolves, Cedric stood in the center. Dressed in suits and beautiful gowns, each werewolf, after offering their blessings, would part their lips slightly and release a long, low howl. It was the wolf clan's blessing, a sound only Cedric could hear.
The little cub, dressed in a white suit, was slightly bewildered by the complex, mysterious wolf calls of blessing. But he felt warm, comfortable, and at ease.
Visions began to blur before his eyes. He transformed into his pure wolf form, running carefree across a wind-swept grassland. In the distance, everything was blanketed in pristine white snow.
Small, nameless flowers bloomed across the field, their fragrance sweet and enchanting.
Beautiful, unidentified butterflies fluttered gracefully through the air.
He howled joyfully, rolling in the grass one moment, biting at a flower the next, and leaping into the air to catch a butterfly.
So comfortable, so happy.
The distant snow seemed to gaze at him, embracing him with its silent warmth.
A large hand touched his hair, and Cedric suddenly returned to reality, blinking his big eyes. What just happened...?
Was he dreaming in broad daylight?
Madam Nightblade saw the cub's confused expression and smiled gently, her gaze full of kindness. "Don't be afraid; this is the sound of the elders' blessings."
Half-understanding, Cedric let out an "oh" and, looking at his werewolf relatives, parted his small lips. "Thank you."
The werewolves asked Madam Nightblade:
"When will you take the cub back to the Snow Mountain, to leave his mark?"
Madam Nightblade smiled. "Someday. That decision rests with his father and mother."
An older werewolf with a weary gaze sighed. "Alas, his mother is human. May Roderick not face her misfortune..."
This "her" referred to Roderick's grandmother.
Madam Nightblade's smile faltered briefly before she continued, "I believe my cub will have the blessings of the Snow Mountain Moon. Just look at him—he's as grand as a little snow mountain, like a child of the mountain itself."
She could tell that Catriona had feelings for her cub—she didn't lack for them at all.
It was only a matter of time, no rush.
Thinking this way, Madam Nightblade wasn't surprised when, a few days later, she saw her second cub arrive at the old mansion in silence, ignoring anyone who spoke to him, his face cold as he headed straight for the mansion's hunting grounds.
Madam Nightblade watched anxiously from the side. "Rory, we can't eat that much. Don't kill everything."
"What's wrong? Did something happen?"
The massive black wolf ignored her, as if driven mad, biting at anything in its path. Its sharp claws dug deep trenches into the ground, tearing apart the hammock and shredding the usual lounge sofa it used to relax on!
The giant wolf howled in fury, panting heavily, its once-sleek, glossy black fur now tangled and matted.
At the moment, only Madam Nightblade was at home, and she was genuinely worried the house might be ruined.
She strode boldly toward the rampaging black wolf, showing no fear of being harmed. As she reached out her hand, preparing to gently stroke the wolf's back...
The black wolf suddenly dodged, letting out a furious snarl, then sprinted across the vast lawn. With a splash, it leapt into the natural lake of the old mansion.
"Rory!!" Madam Nightblade furrowed her brows, her form shifting into that of a pure wolf—a magnificent golden wolf, its fur gleaming like sunlight. She moved with swift, graceful steps, chasing after him without hesitation.
"Awoo—"
The black wolf, feeling the suffocating sensation underwater, kicked with his legs and surfaced.
A pure golden wolf was looking at him with concern.
One paw dipped in the water, as if she was about to join him.
The black wolf let out a frustrated growl and climbed out of the water.
Soaked, he shifted to his human form and lay on the grass, his sharp gaze fixed on the sunny clouds above in silence.
Madam Nightblade also returned to her human form, asking with concern, "Is this... about that girl Catriona?"
Roderick didn't reply.
That was as good as an answer.
Madam Nightblade said, "No matter what happens, you can't force her, can't bully her."
A self-mocking smile tugged at the corner of Roderick's mouth.
"Then why else would I be here?"
Madam Nightblade gasped softly, "Oh... have I interrupted your relaxation?"
Roderick gave a cold laugh. "What do you think? Weren't you supposed to be out with Father?"
He went in the water, and his mother had to follow.
What was the point of that?
"So, what's going on with that girl Catriona?"
Roderick replied expressionlessly, "Nothing, she's just starting to pack up her things early to take back to her place."
