Catherine's POV
In the evening, I planned to leave Noah and Hedwig in the care of Mabel. I wasn't worried at all because Mabel had helped me take care of them when they were just born. A mating gathering would be held in Shadow Forest today, and my father's Black Moon Pack would go there, too. Thus, this was the best time for me to take back my mother's necklace. I squatted to touch Noah's head and whispered, "Noah, take good care of Hedwig and stay at home with Mabel, okay? Mommy has to go out to do something." Then I kissed Noah and Hedwig on the cheek. Mabel looked at me worriedly and said, "Come back soon after getting your thing." "OK." I saw Mabel's concerned look and nodded. "Mommy, be careful," Noah spoke to me in a soft voice after he ran toward me and tugged my sleeve. I squatted again and stroked his head. Then I smiled at him with a nod of my head before I got up and pushed the door open to go outside. I gathered my coat around me. I knew Mabel was worried that I would clash with my father and Elena. But I wasn't as impulsive as I had been five years ago. What I wanted was just to take back the necklace my mother left me. I would leave immediately after they gave it back to me. When I arrived at the square of Shadow Forest, I found it really hopping. There were many more werewolves at the mating gathering than five years ago. 'What's going on?' While I was pondering, I heard the buzzing of the surrounding werewolves. Thinking of my purpose, I squeezed into the crowd and walked towards the center of the square as the other werewolves watched. I looked around the square and saw Elena and Gina right away. They seemed to be celebrities in nearby packs now. Perhaps Gina had made a lot of money after she became a star. Elena was talking to others in a luxurious dress, holding a glass of red wine. Gina was surrounded by a group of young female werewolves. Standing not far away, I saw that each of them had an obsequious look on their face. I wondered, 'Why do they curry favor with Gina?' I couldn't puzzle it out. Anyway, my father's Black Moon Pack wasn't the strongest among the packs around Shadow Forest. Was it only because Gina was an actress now? It must feel good to be flattered by others. I saw Gina had a smile on her face. As Gina turned around and spotted me, she goggled at me in disbelief, and the smile froze on her lips. I guessed she probably didn't want to see me in her life anymore. I quickly walked through the crowd and stood in front of Gina and all the other werewolves around her. Gina was shocked for a while and asked, "Why are you back?" I calmly said, "Where is my mother's necklace?" A guilty look flashed across Gina's face, and then she stared at me with a frown. Before Gina could speak, a female werewolf looked at me with disdain and said, "Which pack are you from? How dare you talk to the future Lycan Luna this way?" "Fanny, don't say that. I'm not Lycan Luna yet." Gina put on a triumphant smile as she proudly jutted her chin forward and looked at me with contempt. "Even though the ceremony hasn't been held yet, you have been acknowledged by the Lycan King." Fanny stood beside Gina and glared at me. This news came as a shock to me. I thought, 'Gina is the future Lycan Luna? How is this possible? She is not even good enough to be the Luna of an ordinary wolf pack. Is the Lycan King really right about it? If this is true, the Moon Goddess must have made a mistake.' Gina seemed to have gained courage from those flatterers. She straightened up and said to me in a condescending tone, "Who allowed you to come back? Don't forget that you have been banished." "I came to take back my mother's necklace. I will leave after I get it," I replied coolly. "How dare a rogue be so arrogant? Gina, you need to teach her a lesson!" Fanny crossed her arms and said venomously. I saw a hint of malice in Gina's eyes. Gina nodded at Fanny and said, "You are right." With that, Gina turned to stare at me when I noticed that her face grew solemn. Gina spoke in a cold and serious tone, "I order you to leave." The werewolves standing next to Gina seemed to be frightened. They all lowered their heads and showed respect for Gina. But to tell the truth, I didn't feel I was surpassed by her strength at all. Instead, I sensed that my wolf had woken up and seemed a little impatient. I looked at Gina and couldn't help but snort. "I repeat, I want my mother's necklace back." "How is this possible?" Fanny covered her mouth in surprise when she found that I wasn't scared at all. Gina was also flustered, but she quickly calmed herself down and said to the people around her, "She is my half-sister. This is between me and her. You guys can enjoy yourselves now. I'll meet you guys later." After those people left, Gina moved closer to me and whispered, "If you want the necklace, go with me." I followed Gina and left the square, arriving at the periphery of Shadow Forest. "Catherine, you did pick a poor timing to show up. Are you here to embarrass me? Didn't you see that there were lots of werewolves at the mating gathering? Why did you dress like a beggar? If people know that you're my sister and have been banished from the pack by Daddy, I'll feel ashamed!" Gina snarled after she looked around to ensure that there was no one around. I didn't care about Gina's sneer. I said grimly, "If you think that I'll embarrass you, give me my mother's necklace now. I won't stay any longer." "It has been so many years. You didn't find the necklace five years ago, so how can I help you find it now? Besides, I don't have time. Don't you see that many friends are waiting for me?" Gina crossed her arms over her chest and said impatiently. Judging from Gina's attitude, I knew that she wouldn't help me look for that necklace. I erupted into fury and said, "I won't leave unless I get it." When I was banished out of the pack, I had no time to pack up my things. Neither had I had the time to look for the necklace. "Are you threatening me? Catherine, I'm not what I used to be. Open your damn eyes and see who I am now. You're even too cheap to be my servant. How dare you shout at me? I'll have the guards throw you out like trash." Gina snorted and got her arrogance back. It had been a few years, but I never thought that Gina would become more domineering and annoying now.Once inside the car, Cedrick turned to Jessica. "You didn't tell your mom about this, did you?""Nope. Don't feel like it." Jessica's face was tense. She stared out the window, avoiding his deep gaze.Cedrick knew she was being stubborn. He gently patted her hair. "Then don't. No need to worry her.""Cedrick, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to snap," Jessica realized she was being moody and apologized softly."Shh, I get it. Let's drop it. Where you headed now? I'll drive you." Cedrick just wanted to make sure she wasn't mad at him. With a light laugh, he asked where she was going."Set, of course. You can drop me off there." Jessica no longer worried about being spotted by reporters. Her relationship with Cedrick was already public."Works for me." Cedrick skipped the company morning meeting. His whole morning was hers.As they drove toward the set, Jessica blurted out, "Cedrick, what if your mom's against us? What'll we do?"She'd bee
"Quit your nonsense! Do you have any idea what you're talking about? They aren't even distant relatives! There's a world of difference between their statuses!" Tabitha slapped his hand away and stormed out of the room.Benjamin frowned, thinking to himself that Cedrick was in deep trouble.He had anticipated this day, but it came sooner than expected.He hoped Cedrick's love for Jessica was strong enough to weather this storm.But Benjamin was in a tough spot. On one side was his beloved elder brother, and on the other, his respected mother. Who should he side with? It was a dilemma.After brushing his teeth and getting dressed, Benjamin went downstairs. Tabitha was sitting at the dining table, eating breakfast with a sullen expression."Mom, have you seen Cedrick?" Benjamin quickly took a seat and started eating."I went to find him last night and ran into Jessica. She must have been upset by what I said and left in a huff. If she ca
Moira, of course, knew that Sunny had gone abroad, but she couldn't just tell him outright."Has she gone missing? That's strange, where could she have gone?" Moira feigned surprise."Even you don't know where she is? She didn't tell you where she was headed recently?" Leo's heart sank further, sensing something was amiss."She didn't mention it. Oh, right, she told me she wanted to visit my mother," Moira hastily thought of a way to buy time."Where's your hometown? Do you have a phone number? Can you give her a call?" Leo frowned, wondering if the woman had really returned to her hometown without a word."I know where it is. Boss, if you want to go, I can show you the way!" Tasha interjected excitedly, seeing an opportunity to involve herself.Moira shook her head. "My mother is old and doesn't use a phone. If Sunny's phone isn't reachable, maybe she just forgot to charge it. Why don't you wait a bit longer?""I can't wait any longe
"She's not that foolish!" Leo sneered, convinced that Sunny wouldn't commit suicide.Leo stepped out of the bedroom and opened the refrigerator, only to find it empty.With Sunny gone, it seemed his passion for life had left with her.When she lived here, she always kept the fridge stocked, filling it to the brim whether the items were useful or not.Now, the empty fridge mirrored his hollow heart.Originally planning to have breakfast at home, Leo realized he'd have to eat out.He returned to single life, waking up alone and heading to work by himself.At a red light, seeing a cheerful couple in the car beside him, Leo felt a pang of envy and frustration.Love had made him vulnerable, unable to withstand such reminders.As Leo approached the company, a sudden impulse struck him.He slammed on the brakes, made a sharp turn at the next intersection, and headed toward the coast.The coastal scenery along the
Tabitha's face turned blank. Her eldest son, who had never raised his voice to her, was now speaking to her in such a tone.Tears welled up in her eyes as she grabbed her bag. "It seems my trip here was in vain. I'll go talk to Benjamin. I can't control you anymore!""Mom..."Cedrick snapped out of his shock and tried to stop her, but Tabitha was already gone.Jessica returned home, opened the door with her key, and froze at the sight of her mother sleeping on the living room sofa.Veronica was curled up, fast asleep, without a blanket, just hugging herself tightly.Jessica's heart ached. She couldn't believe her mother was sleeping on the sofa—it must be cold.Her eyes brimming with emotion, Jessica rushed to her bedroom to fetch a blanket. As she returned to cover her mother, she accidentally woke her.Veronica bolted awake, her guard up. Seeing her daughter's face, she sat up in surprise. "Jess, why are you back? What
Blame lay solely on Cedrick's secrecy.His mother had rushed here upon learning he had a girlfriend."Mom, please don't be angry. I know I was wrong to keep this from you. I'm sorry."Cedrick had been thoughtful and easygoing since he was a child. He was the kind of kid that adults could trust. Tabitha had always been proud of him.Tabitha's anger stemmed partly from Cedrick's maturity and discretion. He had kept his relationship hidden, a sign of independence that now made him difficult to control."Why apologize? I'm asking you, with so many women out there, why did you choose her? She's just a child, not even an adult!"Tabitha was also upset by Jessica's young age, deeming her unsuitable for marriage.While she thought Cedrick was excellent, their age gap was too big.Cedrick's face flushed as he admitted, "She is of age, nineteen years old.""Nineteen? That's so young! At your age, she should be in school, not datin