In the hospital room.
Catriona sat on the sofa, chatting on the phone with Eulalia. The weather in Capital had started to turn cold in October. She wore a light white and purple sweater with a small V-neck and loose white casual wide-leg pants.
Her hair fell loosely around her shoulders. From Roderick's perspective, he could see her profile, her slightly pointed chin.
Roderick longed to pull her into his arms, to bury his head in the softness of her sweater and inhale the faint floral scent she carried. It was strange, though—she hadn't been to the flower shop lately, yet he could still smell that delicate fragrance on her.
The hospital room was clean, bright, and warm.
He quietly listened to Catriona's voice.
"You exchanged contact info, went out for a meal, and he sent you home? If you're happy with him, then you could give it a try," Eulalia's voice came through the phone.
Catriona laughed. "I hope he's the right one. Our Eulalia has been wanting to find someone for a long time."
On the other end of the line, Eulalia hummed in a teasing tone, "You're different now that you have Roderick. You're practically radiating the sour scent of love."
Catriona paused, then turned to glance at Roderick on the bed. He had his eyes closed and was already asleep.
She lowered her voice, feeling a bit awkward, and said, "Is that so? I've always spoken like this, haven't I?"
"Not at all! Your voice has this sweet tone to it, and you sound more energetic than usual!" Eulalia giggled on the other end. "Oh my, a woman nourished by love~~ In the adult world, I can hardly imagine what you two are up to every day!"
Catriona pressed her lips together and cleared her throat. "Not just talking about me, but soon enough, it'll be you too. I'm hanging up now."
Even though Roderick was asleep, she felt uneasy discussing such things.
Eulalia really had a knack for thinking about all these adult matters. They were adults, sure, but Roderick was lying here unmoved—what could they possibly do that was intimate?
Just... it was just a kiss, after all.
Catriona let out a breath, stood up, and looked at the hospital bed, her heart skipping a beat in surprise.
"You... you're awake?"
Roderick replied with a faint "Mmm," staring at her for a long moment before finally saying, "I'll be better soon."
"...Huh?"
It wasn't until two and a half months later that Catriona understood what that meant.
The recovery ability of werewolves was astonishingly terrifying; when the doctor nodded after checking that Roderick could get out of bed and walk, Catriona was left speechless, her mouth agape in shock.
She had completely lost her composure.
Roderick raised an eyebrow at her. "Well? I told you I'd recover quickly. Caddy, stop making me lie in bed all the time."
Catriona twitched her lips. "Oh, right."
You werewolves are impressive.
"Just half a month more of observation and recovery, and then you can go home."
After the doctor left.
Catriona still couldn't believe it, staring at Roderick sitting up in bed, taking him in from head to toe. "This is... too exaggerated."
She reached out and gently squeezed Roderick's knee. "Does it hurt?"
Roderick shook his head, and she went to squeeze the other knee. "What about this one? Do you feel anything?"
Before Roderick could answer, Catriona's attention shifted to his arms; she pinched and felt them, then her gaze landed on his back, unable to hold back her thoughts. "This is unbelievable! You broke so many bones, and yet you're fine now?"
Roderick: "..."
He clicked his tongue, staring at Catriona.
Catriona was so lost in her shock that she didn't notice his gaze, murmuring to herself, "Able to jump and run, climbing walls, tough skin, sharp claws—ah... you're really not human."
Only werewolves could possess such abilities.
She really found herself a werewolf mate.
Watching her in shock, Roderick frowned slightly, his eyes narrowing as he reached out and pulled Catriona onto his lap.
"Ah!"
Catriona felt like she'd just sat on a hot iron chair, quickly trying to stand. "Don't be ridiculous! Don't you care about your leg?"
Roderick's hands held her waist firmly as he leaned in closer, asking in return, "So, only now are you realizing I'm not fully human?"
"I..."
Catriona barely got out a word before Roderick pressed his fingertip against her lips, gently rubbing them as he smirked. "It's too late. Even if you wanted to back out now, Caddy, it's too late."
Catriona's lips were already turning rosy.
Roderick's gaze darkened slightly; he closed his eyes, seemingly entranced, and leaned down to kiss her.
"Mm..." Catriona wanted to say she hadn't backed out, to urge him to let her up, about his leg injury...
But Roderick seemed as if he had never been hurt, kissing her lips. Gradually, she felt herself falling into a soft and warm illusion. She saw his long, straight lashes, his well-defined nose, and his usually thin lips now pressed gently against hers...
They were inseparable.
So warm...
Catriona sighed inwardly, closing her eyes in comfort. The tenderness of his lips and the sweet sensation of kissing someone she liked was... so wonderful.
