Aria’s POV
The sudden movent startled Martin.
He hurried over, alarm flashing across his face, clearly trying to separate us. His reaction only sharpened my instincts. My wolf lifted her head, alert.
“Luna Aria,” Martin said quickly, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, “this child is quite naughty. She’s hurt others here before. Please be careful.”
He shot the girl a sharp look, clearly ordering her to leave.
She didn’t argue.
She simply lowered her head and turned away, obedient to the point of submission.
Sothing in my chest snapped.
“Wait,” I said sharply.
I dodged Martin’s outstretched hand and caught the girl by the wrist.
It was frighteningly thin.
My fingers barely t resistance, as if I were holding onto fragile bones wrapped in skin. My heart skipped violently, my wolf letting out a low, furious whine.
I offered Martin a polite, harmless smile. “I feel... a connection with her,” I said slowly. “How about she gives us a tour?”
Martin hesitated.
His gaze lingered on the girl, sothing dark and calculating flickering in his eyes before he masked it. The air felt wrong, almost heavy and tainted.
“Is it too much trouble?” Jonathan asked pleasantly, though his tone carried alpha authority.
Martin wiped his brow. “Well... I suppose it’s fine.”
I tightened my grip just a little, not possessive, but protective. Her hand was ice-cold, and I frowned, crouching again so I could see her face. Her head remained bowed, but her body was rigid as if ready to bolt at the slightest provocation.
“Martin,” I said calmly, “you can attend to your duties. She can show us around.”
“...Alright,” he agreed reluctantly. “Breakfast is ready for you both.”
As he walked away, he wiped sweat from his forehead, his steps hurried. I watched him go, my wolf morizing his scent.
Sothing’s wrong here, she growled.
I turned back to the girl and crouched again, softening my voice. “What’s your na?”
Her eyes flickered just for a second.
“Nala,” she whispered, biting her pale lower lip.
“Nala,” I repeated, smiling gently as I brushed her hair back. “That’s a lovely na.”
I didn’t know why, maybe because of Autumn, maybe because of everything I’d lost, but I had always felt a particular tenderness toward young girls. My wolf seed to agree, curling protectively around the child.
Nala shifted slightly, clearly uncomfortable with the attention.
Jonathan cleared his throat lightly. “Shall we tour the orphanage now?”
Nala nodded and turned, walking ahead of us in a strange, trance-like manner, always keeping exactly two steps’ distance.
As she led us through the halls, Jonathan and I exchanged puzzled glances, but neither of us spoke. Nala moved with eerie familiarity.
Eventually, she led us to the dining hall.
The mont I pushed the door open, my stomach sank.
It was too quiet.
Inside, several children, mostly five or six years old, sat eating. Children that age should be noisy, ssy and laughing. These ones ate in silence, their backs straight, their movents careful, like frightened animals afraid of drawing attention.
My wolf’s hackles rose.
Nala was one of the older ones...maybe eight or nine. She went behind the counter and returned with a bowl of noodles, placing it in front of . Jonathan showed his credentials and served himself.
The noodles were springy, glossy with hot oil, topped with fragrant at sauce.
I glanced at the children’s bowls.
They had plain broth with a few floating vegetable leaves, nothing else.
Nala returned with her own bowl, two poached eggs resting on top. She hesitated, then ate quickly, hungrily, as if afraid soone might take it away.
My chest ached.
I pushed my bowl toward her. “Are you still hungry?”
Her eyes flashed with instinctive greed but she forced herself to stop, shaking her head and lowering her gaze.
That restraint broke my heart.
I picked up my fork and carefully transferred most of my noodles and at sauce into her bowl. “I can’t eat that much,” I said gently. “Can you help , Nala?”
I t her eyes, sincere and steady.
The scent of the at sauce made her swallow hard. Finally, she nodded in a fast and eager manner.
As she ate, my expression cooled, my wolf burning with fury.
Beside , Jonathan discreetly slid part of his at sauce into my bowl. “I can’t eat much either, Aria,” he whispered. “Please assist.”
I chuckled softly and accepted.
When we stepped outside, the noise hit us like a wall.
Voices...Shouting...Cara shutters clicking.
Jonathan and I exchanged a sharp look and moved instinctively toward the disturbance.
What we saw made my blood run cold.
A crowd of journalists had gathered at the orphanage entrance, they were far too many. Caras lined up, all aid forward.
And standing there, directing them confidently, was a familiar figure.
“Make sure you get good footage,” Sophia said loudly. “We’ll start as soon as Nathan arrives!”
Her voice cut off abruptly.
Like soone had seized her throat.
Sophia stared straight at , shock and resentnt flooding her face.
“Aria?” she screeched, storming toward . “What are you doing here?”
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