Urania thought about Aldrich when he was still a werewolf pup, avoiding problems by running to her-these two were truly companions. Their habits were strikingly similar.
“No problem, but I suggest bringing some snacks next time you come. I don’t have much to offer guests here.”
After bidding farewell to Urania, Maggie walked the path back home alone.
Home-once a distant word for her. Back then, her heart’s desires were all about becoming a mother, willing to sacrifice everything for her child. But now, it wasn’t just about the child; she had a partner, carrying a heavier responsibility on her shoulders. The weight of that responsibility was too much, threatening to crush her at any moment.
Her mind replayed the stories Urania shared with her.
Urania mentioned knowing her father but never divulged what kind of person he was-whether he was of noble status, a human, or a vampire. Maggie kept guessing, but Urania never answered, only saying that her father was a noble person. She locked those words away, unwilling to reveal even a hint to outsiders.
She wondered, would the current situation be less difficult for me if my father were here?
Back at Blue Moon Pack, everyone was surprised to see her.
Aldrich said, “I was about to pick you up. Why didn’t you say you were coming back? Is everything okay?”
Maggie shook her head. She was exhausted but unable to sleep, wanting to find a quiet place to be alone.
Aldrich was genuinely concerned. “Do you need me to stay with you?”
“No, I want to be alone with my thoughts.”
She looked out of sorts, and Aldrich decided not to press further, planning to comfort Maggie after sorting out his own matters. When he had mostly dealt with everything, Maggie returned. The sky was already getting bright, and another day had passed. He went to the bedroom, thinking Maggie would be asleep, gently pushed the door open, and found Maggie sitting barefoot on the chilly windowsill.
“Why aren’t you wearing more? You might catch a cold.” He walked over, draping a blanket over her.
Looking up to see him enter, Maggie flashed a smile-not a happy one, just a polite, quiet one. “Thinking about things, always unable to figure them out. Then sitting here, looking at the moon and stars, thinking I should be able to understand by staring at this kind of sky.” She murmured, “But tonight, there are no stars, no moon. The clouds are murky too.”
“What’s going on with you? What did Urania say?” Aldrich was genuinely worried about her. Since she returned, her mood had been low. Thomas had someone deliver dinner, but the untouched plate was brought back as is. She didn’t even glance at her usual favorite desserts, barely drank any water. She sat on the bed with earphones in, listening to music, ignoring everyone.
Maggie’s eyes stared vacantly at a point in the sky. “The first time I saw you, I thought you would never be liked by anyone, even though you were handsome, wealthy, and promising. But back then, you looked so arrogant, as if there was no room in your eyes for anyone else. Do you know? I really disliked you at first.”
Aldrich couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward when she talked about the past. “I know. Some people thought I looked down on them with my chin up, even though I had no idea who they were.”
Maggie couldn’t help but laugh at his remark. This man remained as arrogant as ever, with a hint of foolishness mixed into his pride.
“But as we started getting to know each other, I discovered many aspects of you that outsiders couldn’t understand. I gradually began to comprehend some of the decisions you made that I couldn’t accept before. Though there are still many decisions I can’t understand because I haven’t stood in your shoes, unable to grasp what you’re facing. But I can understand you now.”
She sniffled, her eyes reddening. “In the past, I might have asked, why? You’re already the highest leader of a clan, why remain so indifferent to personal feelings? Now I understand.”
Those in high positions can’t see the world in terms of right or wrong. They can’t be black and white; they must tolerate many gray areas, even if those gray areas contradict their values. But only in those gray areas can more colors coexist. The world is never black and white; human nature is complex, obscure, selfish, and great.
Just as Urania described, deities have longer lives and greater powers. They can’t fixate on one matter to discuss right or wrong. Leaders hold supreme power, and if abused, the people in this land will suffer. Therefore, they must make decisions that go against their true selves continuously, even if not understood, even by those closest to them.
Maggie opened her arms. “Can I hug you?”
Aldrich firmly embraced her. “You can hug me directly, no need to ask for my opinion.”
Maggie didn’t know if this was the work of the Fates, but it seemed that if any link in the chain had gone awry, she wouldn’t be lying beside Aldrich now. All the breaking points occurred after she was betrayed by both Max and Linda simultaneously. At that time, she felt life had no hope, so she no longer considered work, life, or an ideal future. The only thought was, a child, I need a child; a child is my last refuge.
So, she found Alisa, taking a desperate gamble to grasp the last lifeline.
In these short months, it felt like she had been on a roller coaster, plummeting from the lowest point to the highest. She always slept poorly, unsure if she was dreaming or in reality. And fate even gave her a generous gift, making her the direct descendant of a deity.
She felt like her head was about to explode.
“Would you be willing to share what it was like when you first started learning to be an alpha? Were you ever scared back then?”
Aldrich was unaware of Maggie’s inner thoughts, only sensing her genuine desire to delve deeper into understanding him. “The specific process is quite vague in my own memory.”
Initially, he didn’t understand why his father didn’t intend to pass the alpha position to his brother. A naive expression of confusion appeared on his youthful face as he asked Elwin, “Why didn’t you choose my brother? Is it because he doesn’t like this position?”
Elwin’s expression carried a hint of sadness.
He replied, “Your brother isn’t suitable for this position. Besides, he refused it himself.”
Young Aldrich couldn’t fully grasp the hidden meaning behind the adults’ decisions, so for a long time, he genuinely believed that Marvin had actively turned down the position.
It wasn’t until one day when he had his own beta that Charlie said, “I am specifically here to assist you as your beta. Congratulations on becoming the new alpha of the Blue Moon Pack; the previous alpha should be pleased.”
No one mentioned Marvin. Aldrich asked, “Where is Marvin?”
Charlie answered, “Young Master Marvin couldn’t become the next alpha; he returned to the palace of the former alpha.”
It was then that he belatedly realized Marvin didn’t voluntarily reject the alpha role; rather, he was abandoned by their father.