SERAPHINA'S POV
I'm speechless for a few seconds, my eyes flitting between Lucian's scowl and his folded hands.
Never mind my shadow, which just fucking moved on its own.
No, I'm laser-focused on the guy who seemingly materialized from nowhere to save me from what could have been a nasty concussion or worse, courtesy of my long-time bullies.
I'm not the only one silenced.
The girls are, too, clearly tense that they've been caught in the act for the first time in a decade. And they're staring at Lucian like he's a god, their not-so-subtle lust written all over their faces.
Can't blame them, really. His beauty is practically unnatural.
Even I had never really seen drop-dead gorgeous guys until I got here, with tall, ridiculously attractive werewolf teens parading around. Now I'm almost immune to it-almost.
Artemis is the exception.
I could lose myself staring at him, and every time I look away and then back, I feel like I'm about to melt.
He's magnetic like that.
And I'm irresistibly drawn to him.
"Are they disturbing you, Sera?" Lucian's captivating silver eyes finally meet mine, his glare switching into a soft, almost blindingly radiant smile.
Yeah, he knows what he's doing.
"Actually, um..." I start, taking a quick peek at the trio.
Their faces are hidden, but I can sense their disappointment. They wanted to harm me, but now they've been outed by someone like Lucian. They're embarrassed, and I suppose that's enough for now.
"Actually, they were just leaving. Came to say hi, and now they've got to run back home," I articulate, maintaining eye contact to make sure they get the hint.
If this is reported, they'd hardly get out of here unscathed. Their fate is literally in my hands.
"That's right, we were just leaving," Tina chimes in, quickly turning to dash off. The other two clumsily follow her, almost tripping over each other.
Once they're out of earshot, I let out a laugh, relishing this small victory. They used to scare the life out of me with their numbers and their knack for lying.
But they don't seem that intimidating anymore-just a trio of socially awkward teens. Or losers.
"Who were they?" Lucian inquires, breaking my train of thought.
"Just people I used to know," I reply, finally refocusing on him. The rock he's holding is large-large enough to have done serious damage.
"Thank you for your help," I say, feeling a wave of relief and gratitude.
"Yeah, just- I'm a bit concerned about the people you have around," Lucian says cautiously.
"Don't think about it too much," I reply, patting him on the shoulder.
He seems like he wants to question me further but lets it go, sighing and tossing a rock away as he dusts off his hands.
Now that they're gone, I can focus on other things, like how Artemis is doing at this very moment and what Lucian is doing out here-showing up just when I needed him.
"I was looking for you," he says, answering the question I was about to ask.
He falls in step beside me as we walk down the aisle.
"Why?"
"Well, someone was looking for you-requested you by your full name and all. She said something about being a mother to you."
I stop in my tracks, my heart skipping a beat.
"Where is she?"
He leads me to where he left her. With each step, my heart races, pounding so hard I feel like it might leap out of me.
We continue walking until we reach the school exit. There she is-standing and facing the opposite direction, bag in both hands. She sighs as she takes in the view of the school.
"Miss Lucy?" I try to keep my voice steady, but it cracks.
She turns at the sound of her name, and our eyes meet instantly. I don't even realize I'm crying until I feel molten tears leaving warm trails on my cheeks.
The next moment, I throw myself at her, wrapping her in a hug that's tight but not tight enough to harm her. She's an omega, after all. She hugs me back gently.
"Oh, my precious girl," she coos, patting the back of my hair just like she always did.
Memories flood in, and I recall all the times she was there for me: picking me up after each fall, teaching me how to tie my shoes, how to cook a decent meal.
She really was my mother.
We pull apart eventually, and I find myself sobbing uncontrollably.
"You poor thing. I missed you. It's not easy not having your helper around. The other girls your age rarely help out anymore," she explains.
Why am I not surprised?
"I missed you too," I say earnestly. I did-I missed her smell, her voice, and the solace her laughter brings me.
Remembering Lucian, who's standing there awkwardly, I wipe the rest of my tears and step aside to introduce him.
"This is Lucian, my friend."
Her face lights up instantly. She reaches forward, pulling at his cheeks and assessing him.
"You're a strong young man, aren't you? A high-ranked wolf at that," she observes, giving him the kind of look only an elder could.
I laugh at Lucian's expression-confused yet tense. Suddenly, I'm filled with the desire for her to meet Artemis.
I wonder how she'd react to knowing he's the Alpha King's son-and that we're in a relationship.
"This is the first time she's introduced me to a friend in all the years I've looked after her," Miss Lucy says, spilling an unnecessary detail.
"Miss Lucy!" I exclaim, looking at her desperately.
"What? I'm not lying, am I?"
She isn't. Still, I'd rather not talk about my sad, pathetic antisocial past right now.
She finally releases his cheek after subtly complimenting his looks, and he blushes like a young boy before excusing himself to avoid further embarrassment.
We're left to ourselves, and we dive into conversations, heart-to-hearts-talking about nearly everything, save for the moments when I've nearly lost my life due to the intense competitiveness here.
"How is everyone at home? How is the orphanage?" I inquire softly, a pang of worry striking me as I consider the possibility of Miss Lucy running the whole show alone.
I mean, she always has - but like she'd said, I used to be her little helper.
"Oh, you know, the usual. The kids are more quarrelsome these days-over porridge, chores, even beds. A section of the orphanage collapsed recently, so we had to relocate everyone to the sitting room, and there aren't enough beds to go around. Even the sick children can't get sufficient food to balance their medications because someone's been stealing food at night. Things have gotten worse since you left, but it's good that you're experiencing better circumstances," she smiles warmly, as if relieved that at least I'm spared from their hardships.
My heart breaks.
"But what about the funding for the orphanage? Why aren't the damages being fixed? The beds? The food rations? Why is no one stepping in?" My voice quivers.
Miss Lucy sighs, her eyes filling with a glimmer of sadness.
"We lost our funding because I refused to sell the property for demolition. They planned to move the kids to a public orphanage, claiming they'd be well cared for. But we both know that's rarely true. Some kids end up abandoned on the streets, some are cruelly used as labor, or worse, trafficked. I couldn't let that happen-the children are like family to me. In refusing, I knew I was inviting hardship for everyone involved," she says, her eyes tinged with doubt and regret.
Unable to contain myself, I pull her into a heartfelt hug - the woman with the world's biggest heart.
I finally release her, looking into her eyes with a soft smile of understanding and reassurance.
"Miss Lucy, you're doing the right thing - you always have. You've saved those kids and given them a home in a world that couldn't care less. I promise I'll do my best to secure funding for the orphanage or ensure it's taken care of. Just hold on."
Her eyes well up as a small, hopeful smile graces her lips.
"Seraphina Hawthrone, you've always been a light. A true warrior. It's no surprise you're making a name for yourself here. My special girl," she says, lifting her hand to caress my cheek with pride.
"If you think that highly of me, then you should know that you're my hero," I tell her, holding back another wave of tears.
From there, our conversation shifts to my experiences in Raven Wood, carefully omitting any mention of the hate I've faced from her kind, lest it break her heart.
In turn, I learn about the children at the orphanage and the latest addition-baby Ruth, abandoned a month after I left. The news stirs something deep within me.
"Why do people abandon their kids, Miss Lucy? Why bring them into the world just to discard them?"
She seems momentarily surprised by the question, then sighs, taking my hand.
"There are countless reasons, and most aren't pleasant. Some people don't even have a reason."
As she speaks, I recall the note I found hidden in her drawer, a note I never told her I read: that my parents didn't want me.
"Did my parents hate me? Was I a mistake? What kind of mother never goes back for their child?" I bite my lip, wrestling with old emotions of hatred.
Miss Lucy squeezes my arm, her eyes softening.
"Sera, who could possibly hate such an adorable baby like you? No child is ever a mistake. They're blessings. Whatever their reasons, I know they must have their regrets because every one of you is wonderful."
Her words soothe me.
"Thank you," I mumble, feeling a bit lighter.
She leans in, her forehead touching mine for a brief, reassuring moment, before pulling away.
"So, where are Emma, Tina, and Riley? Weren't they supposed to find you before that young man did?"
I glance back toward the school, a casual shrug lifting my shoulders.
"I don't know, maybe they got lost."