A month later, Isabella, Andrew, and Asher went on a trip together.
They set off in the morning and arrived at the town of Rochester by noon. Isabella found a distinctive guesthouse for their stay.
The guesthouse had a retro decoration, resembling the medieval houses seen in movies, with carved window frames. When the windows were opened, a vast expanse of lake and woods could be seen not far away.
The room wasn’t particularly large compared to those in five-star hotels. However, it was clean. Even so, Isabella still changed the sheets and blankets to new ones because of Andrew’s cleanliness habits.
After changing the bedding, she threw her luggage into the corner and started booking tickets on her phone.
Andrew smiled helplessly. Such occurrences didn’t seem surprising; Isabella’s self-sufficiency wasn’t much better than Asher’s.
He opened the luggage and hung clothes in the wardrobe, placed toiletries in the bathroom, and by the time he finished, Isabella had completed her booking.
“Ready to go,” Isabella said as she put on her coat, preparing to leave.
“Let’s eat first,” Andrew suggested.
“Oh, almost forgot,” Isabella slapped her forehead lightly. Then, she bent down and asked Asher, “What would you like to eat?”
“Meat, meat!” Asher replied with a serious expression.
“You little greedy cat,” Isabella chuckled and poked Asher’s forehead. “No, I should say little greedy wolf.”
Since learning that Asher is a Hybrid, she has understood some of his abnormal behaviors.
The trio walked out of the room, chatting and laughing along the streets near the guesthouse. Andrew chose a Spanish restaurant and ordered a few specialty dishes.
Isabella fed herself while Andrew took care of Asher.
Asher was a bit picky, liking meat but disliking vegetables.
However, Andrew was a typical strict father. In front of him, Asher dared not be fussy; he obediently ate whatever Andrew served. Although he wrinkled his brows while eating the dishes he didn’t like, his frowning expression was exactly like Andrew’s.
Isabella couldn’t help but put down her chopsticks, extending her fingertip to lightly tap Asher’s nose.
After the meal, the family of three drove into the forest. The forest was quiet and mysterious. Andrew mentioned that this was the closest place humans could go near the ancestral home of the Shadow Clan. Despite the place being off-limits for a century, Isabella remained curious.
They could only park the car in the parking lot at the entrance of the forest and couldn’t drive in. Fortunately, there were electric cars outside the large stone gate of the forest, so they didn’t have to walk too far.
The area was lush with flowers and tall trees, an ideal place for birds to inhabit. Many swans nested and bred there year-round.
They rode the electric car into the woods, where the river twisted and turned, and a long wooden walkway was visible on the water’s surface. Beyond that lay a vast meadow and even more magnificent ancient trees.
Seeing the lush meadow and ancient trees, Asher, who usually lived in modern society, suddenly became excited.
He pulled up his little legs and joyfully ran around on the grass. Isabella followed behind him, playing and laughing with him, the two enjoying themselves.
Andrew followed their mother-son duo at a relaxed pace, a warm smile on his lips.
The weather was great that day, with a clear sky and a deep blue color, and clouds as white as if they had just been washed. The forest air was fresh, carrying the sweet scent of grass.
Asher saw swans for the first time and pointed excitedly at the swans nesting on the lake’s surface, exclaiming, “Big bird, big bird.”
Isabella laughed and picked up her son, correcting him, “Asher, those are swans.”
“Swans?” Asher looked puzzled.
Isabella smiled and kissed his clean forehead.
The air was alive with the rustling of leaves and the gentle lapping of the lake against the shore. Asher’s youthful curiosity was piqued by a swan gracefully gliding across the water’s surface.
“Mama, look at the swan! It’s so beautiful!” Asher exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder.
Isabella smiled, delighting in her son’s fascination with nature. “Yes, it is, my dear. But be careful, darling. Swans can be skittish,” she cautioned.
Asher, however, was already drawn closer to the water’s edge, his eagerness propelling him forward. With each step, the swan seemed within reach, but just as Asher extended his hand, the swan took flight, its wings beating the air with a sudden gust.
Gasping, Isabella’s eyes widened in shock as Asher underwent an inexplicable transformation right before her eyes. Her son morphed into a small, sleek wolf, his fur a shimmering silver-grey. A mixture of fear and amazement coursed through her veins as she watched in disbelief.
“ASHERRR!” Isabella’s voice echoed through the woods, tinged with panic. Without a moment’s hesitation, she sprinted after her son, her heart pounding in her chest.
“Andrew!” Isabella called out frantically, her voice echoing through the trees. Suddenly, a shift in the air, a flicker of movement, and before her stood a magnificent, jet-black wolf.
Isabella covered her mouth in shock,”Andrew, is it you?”
The big black wolf nodded.
“Wow, Andrew, your wolf is so handsome.”
“Wait for me here.”
Black Wolf made the same voice as Andrew, and Isabella’s turbulent heart finally felt real, it was really him!
With graceful strides, Andrew bounded effortlessly, his powerful form eating up the ground between him and the small wolf chasing the swan. His steps were sure, exuding both strength and gentleness.
Closing the gap, Andrew intercepted Asher, his deep growl softened into a tender rumble. “Asher, my son. Patience and control are the marks of strength,” he conveyed in the silent language of the wolves.
Asher, realizing his mistake, lowered his head in remorse. “I’m sorry, Dad” he said in a small voice.
The big black wolf brought the little wolf back to Isabella.
Isabella approached slowly, her eyes shifting between the large black wolf and the transformed Asher. Her fingers trembled as she reached out to touch their fur, feeling the softness beneath her fingertips.
“You scared mom, apologize to mom.” The big black wolf said in a stern tone.
“I’m sorry, mom.” Little Wolf lowered his head and rubbed Isabella’s leg.
Isabella’s heart almost melted, her baby is so cute!
“It doesn’t matter. Remember to stop when mom calls you.”
“Yes, Mom!”
Andrew turned his gaze to Isabella, his eyes conveying understanding. “Isabella, would you like to ride on my back?” he asked, his voice deep and resonant.
A mix of astonishment and curiosity coursed through her, but without hesitation, she nodded in agreement.
Andrew gracefully knelt before her, allowing her to climb onto his broad back. Isabella held Asher close as Andrew lifted them onto his back, his fur warm and comforting against her skin.
With a powerful leap, Andrew bolted into the woods, effortlessly carrying his precious cargo. Isabella felt a rush of exhilaration mixed with a strange sense of calmness as she held onto Andrew’s fur, her senses alive with the sights, sounds, and scents of the forest.
“You’re amazing, Andrew,” Isabella exclaimed, the wind tousling her hair.
Andrew’s pace was steady, his steps sure and purposeful as they weaved through the lush foliage. He glanced back at Isabella, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.
Finally, as the woods opened up, they returned to the same spot where their adventure had commenced. Andrew gently lowered Isabella and Asher from his back.
After Andrew and Asher returned to their human forms, the three of them left the forest and drove to a human activity area.
Inside the car, Isabella tried to calm her excitement from the supernatural sight she had just witnessed. She bombarded Andrew with numerous questions about werewolves throughout the journey. Andrew calmly answered her questions, completely different from her excitement. Meanwhile, Asher, exhausted from his first transformation into a wolf, fell asleep on his seat.
Half an hour later, they arrived, and Asher woke up just in time.
Occasionally, boats passed by on the river, and Asher kept insisting on riding one.
Andrew rented a boat. Apart from the staff operating the boat, it was just the three of them.
Andrew and Isabella sat at the bow, Andrew holding Asher in his arms while Isabella rested her head lightly on his shoulder.
“This place is really nice,” Isabella sighed.
“What’s good about it?” Andrew asked with a gentle laugh.
“It’s quiet, it feels isolated from the world. No need to worry about all those bothersome matters for a while,” Isabella said.
“Where there are people, there will be various disputes and bothersome matters. A quiet life is probably only suitable for retired old couples, and even then, only for those not worrying about livelihoods,” Andrew said calmly.
Isabella nodded, finding his words quite reasonable. “Then when should we retire?”
“At least, when Asher grows up,” Andrew replied.
Isabella looked at the little guy embraced by Andrew. He was just a tiny thing now; by the time he grows up, she’d be old.
At that moment, Isabella really wished to speed up time.
However, her thoughts were quickly interrupted by the cry of a crane overhead.
Isabella instinctively looked up, directly at the sky where two red-crowned cranes were flying together.
Even just watching them, it felt like they were deeply in love.
Isabella couldn’t help but exclaim, “I once read in a book that red-crowned cranes have the purest and most faithful love. Once they become mates, they will stay together for their 50 to 60-year lifespan. Even if one dies, the other won’t pair up again. It either follows its partner in death or lives out its days alone.”
She finished speaking, her eyes shining as she looked at Andrew.
But Andrew simply responded with a flat “Yeah.”
Isabella thought, what an unromantic man.
“Andrew, don’t you have any sentimental comments?” she asked.
“Our country practices monogamy too,” Andrew said. So, he didn’t seem to envy the birds at all.
“So what? Our country’s marriage laws allow freedom to marry and divorce. After divorce, one can remarry, or even have affairs while married. If one dies, the other can find a new partner. People are far less faithful than birds.”
At the mention of faithfulness, Andrew nodded seriously. “I hope when I die, you won’t remarry.”
Isabella: “…”
However, actually, werewolves live much longer than humans.