Chapter 4: The Girl Alex Could Not Ignore
1151 Words
The next morning, Luna woke up before the sun had fully risen. For a few moments, she remained still on her small bed, listening to the familiar sounds of the orphanage slowly coming alive around her. The quiet footsteps in the hallway, the voices of children greeting each other, and the distant sounds coming from the kitchen reminded her that yesterday had not been a dream.
The rain had stopped, but the memory of the stranger who had helped her remained.
Luna sat up and looked toward the chair beside her bed. A black coat was neatly folded there, waiting to be returned to its owner. She reached out and touched the fabric carefully. It was soft and expensive, something she could recognize even without knowing anything about the person who owned it.
She still remembered him.
The cold expression on his face. The confidence in the way he carried himself. The feeling that he was someone who lived in a completely different world from hers.
Yet, despite that, he had stepped into the rain and given her his coat without hesitation.
Luna shook her head softly.
"I need to return this."
She carefully folded the coat again, making sure it was arranged perfectly. Keeping something that belonged to someone else never felt right to her. She had always appreciated kindness, but she had also learned not to take more than she needed.
Before she could think about it any further, a small voice called her name.
"Luna."
She turned toward the doorway and saw one of the younger children standing there with a book pressed against his chest.
"Mrs. Grace said breakfast is ready," the child said.
Luna smiled warmly.
"I'll be there."
She placed the coat safely aside and followed him.
The orphanage was old, but it was full of life. The walls needed repairs, some furniture had grown weak with age, and the kitchen was smaller than it should have been. But Luna never looked at the building and only saw what it lacked.
To her, this place was home.
She moved through the rooms naturally, helping prepare breakfast, fixing a child's messy hair, and reminding another child not to forget their school books. These small moments were part of her everyday life.
It was not an easy life.
There were struggles.
There were things they needed but could not always afford.
But there was love.
And for Luna, that mattered.
Mrs. Grace watched her quietly from across the room before finally speaking.
"You came back late last night."
Luna immediately turned around.
"I'm sorry."
A gentle sigh escaped Mrs. Grace.
"There it is again."
Luna blinked.
"What?"
"That apology," Mrs. Grace said with a small smile. "You apologize before anyone even gets the chance to be upset with you."
Luna lowered her eyes.
"I just don't want to cause problems."
Mrs. Grace walked closer and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Luna, you are not a problem."
The words were simple.
But they were words Luna still needed to hear.
Across the city, Alex Blackthorn sat inside his office, surrounded by everything that represented his success. Important documents covered his desk, business reports waited for his attention, and the city stretched beneath the glass walls of his office.
Normally, nothing could distract him.
Today was different.
His eyes moved over the same page several times, but the information refused to stay in his mind.
Nothing was wrong with the report.
Nothing was wrong with the numbers.
The problem was somewhere else.
A girl standing alone in the rain.
A small paper flower between her fingers.
A quiet voice saying, I can manage.
Alex frowned slightly.
Why was he remembering details that should have meant nothing?
Because she matters.
Shadow's voice echoed inside his mind.
Alex leaned back in his chair.
"Do not start."
You are thinking about her.
"I am thinking about why you reacted."
For a moment, Shadow remained silent.
Then his answer came.
You are curious.
Alex did not respond.
Because that was the truth.
He was curious.
Not only because of the bond.
Not only because Shadow had recognized her.
But because Luna herself had caught his attention.
There was something about her that did not fit into the world he knew.
A knock sounded on the door before Adrian entered without waiting for permission.
"You know," Adrian said, looking around the office, "most people would be surprised to see the Alpha King distracted."
Alex looked up.
"I am not distracted."
Adrian glanced at the untouched documents on the desk.
"Of course not."
Alex gave him a warning look, but Adrian only smiled.
"The human girl."
The room became quiet.
That silence told Adrian everything.
He leaned against the desk and studied his friend.
"I have known you for a long time, Alex. I have seen people with beauty, wealth, and power try to get your attention."
A slight amusement appeared in his eyes.
"But somehow, one girl with a paper flower has you staring at documents without actually reading them."
Alex looked away.
"Find out what you can."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"About Luna?"
"Basic information."
"Why?"
Alex paused.
Because he did not know how to explain it.
He did not want to admit that he wanted to know more about her.
Not yet.
"Because Shadow reacted to her."
Adrian watched him carefully.
He knew Alex well enough to understand there was something more behind those words, but he chose not to push.
"Fine. I'll find out."
Later that afternoon, Adrian returned with the information he had gathered.
"Luna Everly. Twenty-two years old. A college student. She lives at Grace Haven Orphanage and helps take care of the children there."
Alex listened silently.
"She has no criminal record, no connection to powerful families, and nothing that explains why Shadow recognized her."
Alex looked up.
"Nothing?"
Adrian shook his head.
"Not yet."
Alex turned toward the window.
A human girl.
A simple life.
Nothing about her explained why his wolf had awakened after so long.
Yet something about her remained in his thoughts.
Not her appearance.
Not only the bond.
Her kindness.
That evening, Luna sat beside the orphanage window with her books open in front of her. The small paper flower she had made the previous night rested beside her.
She looked at it for a moment and smiled faintly.
She still did not know the name of the man who had helped her.
She did not know why he felt different.
To her, he was simply a stranger who showed kindness during a storm.
Tomorrow, she would return to her normal life.
At least, that was what she believed.
Because somewhere across the city, Alex Blackthorn was already making a decision he did not fully understand.
He would see her again.
Not as an Alpha.
Not because of an order.
But because he wanted to know the girl behind the paper flower.
- Writer
