Werewolf sculptor? I frowned. “My dad was just a woodworker. No way he was a world-famous sculptor.” Max looked surprised. “He never told you? He went by the name Litchi—one of the most sought-after werewolf sculptors in the world back then. His work sold for crazy prices. But Greg never liked him. He didn’t trust an artist to take care of Vanessa. James was always traveling to find inspiration, and Greg didn’t think that was the kind of man who could be counted on. Greg thought it made him unreliable.” I couldn’t help but think about the quiet man I’d known—the one who worked with his hands in a small-town workshop, who lived a simple life for over a decade without ever seeking attention. That... was what true mate love looked like. Giving everything up for the one person who mattered most. Max’s voice brought me back. “So… where are your parents now? Do you think I could visit them?” I hesitated. My throat tightened before I spoke. “There’s something I need to tell you… My mom went missing. And my dad... he passed away.” Max stared at me, as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. “Missing? What do you mean missing?” I let out a quiet sigh. Honestly, I didn’t know all the details myself. But I told him everything I did know. “My parents got into a fight. It wasn’t violent or anything, but my mom ran out of the house and never came back.” Max’s expression turned cold. “I knew it. I always knew James wasn’t the right man for her. When my sister ran away from her arranged marriage, I should’ve dragged her back and made her go through with it.” I shook my head. “It wasn’t like that. They weren’t fighting because of some petty relationship drama. My dad was seriously ill. There was no cure. My mom sold her favorite jewelry to get him treatment, but he didn’t want her to keep sacrificing for him. He didn’t want to drag her down with him, so he broke their mate bond and pushed her away. But I know—deep down—I know he never stopped loving her. He waited for her, every single day.” Max looked stunned, but I wasn’t done. “My father was a proud man. He gave up everything—his fame, his work, even his identity—just to live quietly with her. He gave it all up for her—moved to a quiet little town, worked as a no-name carpenter, and never once complained. But as his illness got worse, he made the hardest choice: he let her go, hoping she could still have a better life without him.” Max looked stunned. “But why didn’t he let your mother take you with her?” I shook my head. “I don’t know. But I can guess. He still had some time left, and I think he wanted to raise me himself. Maybe he thought I’d hold her back. Maybe he just wanted her to be free—to find someone who could really take care of her.” Max was silent for a moment, then finally said, “He was a good mate… but not a good father.” I looked him straight in the eye. “He was a good father. He just loved her too much. He tried to give all of us the best ending he could.” He lost everything—his health, his passion, and the love of his life. And when he finally passed, not even his daughter was there by his side. Max sighed deeply. “Your mother... she could be a bit headstrong, but she was always exceptional. And maybe ‘missing’ isn’t the right word. She just... walked away. Maybe she was afraid to come back. Afraid we’d force her into another arranged mating.” I didn’t know what had happened after she left, so I didn’t feel right commenting. Max changed the subject. “Anyway, let’s not dwell on the past right now.” His eyes softened as he looked at me. “Greg doesn’t know he has a granddaughter. You’ve grown up so much… Why don’t you come back with us tomorrow? It’s time you were properly introduced to the family.” My heart gave a little jolt. “I’m not ready yet. I still have some things I need to take care of. Maybe once I’ve handled them, I can visit Greg myself.” “I won’t push you,” Max said, “but the truth is... Greg’s carried this weight for years. Meeting you would bring him a kind of peace he hasn’t known since your mom left. If you did visit, I promise it would mean everything to him.” I exhaled slowly. “Alright. Give me a few days. I’ll come to the Capitol myself and meet him.” Max nodded. “That’s fair.” After chatting a little longer, I stepped out of the room. Just then, a downpour hit. Adam and Nora came racing in, drenched from head to toe. Seeing them soaked and laughing made me chuckle. “You two are a mess,” I said, smiling. “Adam, seriously—you’re just as much of a kid as she is.” Adam grinned, squinting through the water. “Hey, don’t blame me. This little menace insisted I make her twenty-two flower crowns—for every kid in her class.” I laughed. “That’s actually kind of sweet. She’s got the spirit of sharing.” I ruffled Nora’s damp hair. “Alright, sweetheart, go take a shower and change before you catch a cold.” “Okay!” Nora chirped and ran off. I turned to Adam. “You should shower too. But I don’t think there are any clothes here in your size…” I eyed his tall frame with a frown. “I don’t have anything in my car that would fit you either. So now what?” The rain was coming down hard—no way was anyone going out in that storm, not even in wolf form. Thankfully, Max stepped in. He opened his closet and pulled out a clean set of clothes. “Here, try these. We’re about the same height. You’re thinner than I am, so it might be a bit loose, but it should work.” Max had surprisingly good taste. Adam didn’t argue—he grabbed the clothes and headed for the bathroom. The rain didn’t let up. If anything, it got heavier. By the time evening rolled around, I realized there was no chance I’d be heading home tonight. “No worries,” Mary said cheerfully. “We’ve got more than enough guest rooms upstairs. If you’re okay with it, why don’t you stay the night? Everything you need is here.” She handed me a fresh set of linens. “You two can stay in separate rooms, of course. No need to feel awkward.” I looked outside at the pouring rain, sighed, and gave in. “Alright. Looks like I’m staying.”