Giovanni's Perspective
The air in the room seemed to freeze, my eyes locked on Diana, like black holes intent on piercing through every secret she tried to hide. She stood on the other side of the desk, her fingers gripping the strap of her handbag so tightly that her knuckles turned white. I didn't respond immediately to her words, just stared at her in silence. But inside, my emotions churned like a storm, threatening to suffocate me.
"He's human," Diana repeated, her tone firm but betraying a subtle tremor. "Daniel is my child with a normal human. He has nothing to do with the werewolf world."
I rose to my full height, my towering frame casting a shadow over Diana's petite one. Slowly, I rounded the desk, each step deliberate. The air grew heavier, charged with the intimidating presence only an Alpha could command. Her small frame trembled slightly under the weight of my unspoken challenge.
"Diana," I said, my voice low and even, though it carried the sharp edge of restrained emotion. "Do you know why I came to you about this?"
Diana pressed her lips together, refusing to answer.
"It's because Daniel has an aura about him," I continued, stopping just a few steps from her. "An aura remarkably similar to mine—similar to my pack. It's not something an ordinary human could possess. Care to explain that, Diana?"
For a brief moment, my heart faltered. At the party, I'd sensed a connection to Daniel—vague yet undeniable. Now, I needed to confirm what I'd only suspected.
"That's just your imagination," Diana said, taking a deep breath, her voice steadier than before. "Daniel is ordinary. There's nothing special about him."
I scrutinized her, searching for any crack in her composure, any sign of deceit.
"Then let me see him for myself," I said suddenly, my tone dropping like a dark thunderclap. "So I can confirm it."
Diana's eyes widened, a flicker of panic betraying her.
"This… isn't necessary," she stammered, though her tone lacked conviction. "He's just a child. He shouldn't be dragged into this."
"It's precisely because he's a child that I need to be sure," I countered, my voice unwavering. "If he has no connection to the werewolf world, I'll leave him alone. But if he does… Diana, you know I won't let it go."
Diana inhaled deeply, struggling to maintain her composure.
"Fine," she relented, her voice barely audible. "I'll arrange for you to meet."
I raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by how quickly she gave in. After a brief pause, I nodded.
"Tomorrow night," I said. "Don't worry—I won't hurt him."
The following evening, I arrived at the restaurant, my steps slowing as I approached. A glance at my watch told me I was fifteen minutes early—an unusual occurrence. I wasn't the type to arrive ahead of time, but tonight, anticipation seemed to pull me forward.
Choosing a seat by the window, I let my gaze drift to the bustling streets outside. Sunlight filtered through the glass, scattering fragments of light across the table. A strange mix of nervousness and expectation tightened in my chest, though I couldn't quite place why.
I leaned back in my chair, letting my eyes scan the menu, though none of the words registered. My thoughts drifted instead to the photographs I'd received when I had Diana and Daniel investigated.
In one picture, Diana's eyes were soft as she bent slightly, speaking to Daniel. The boy looked up at her with a bright, innocent smile, his wide eyes radiating a purity that seemed to see straight into people's souls. A strange warmth flickered in me—an unfamiliar and almost unwelcome feeling that seeped through my defenses. It was as if, for a fleeting moment, something long dormant had stirred within me.
"Daniel..." I whispered his name.
Who was this child, and why had Diana been hiding his existence from me? And that familiar connection—could it be...?
I had so many questions, and today's meeting might answer at least some of them.
Ever since the banquet, one bold thought had consumed my mind, a thought that almost drove me to madness. It was something I dared not even speak aloud.
Just then, my gaze unintentionally drifted toward the entrance of the restaurant. My body froze, my breath caught in my chest.
Here she came.
Diana was dressed simply in a white shirt and dark jeans, with a pair of low heels. Her outfit was plain, but it had a kind of understated freshness to it. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, swaying gently with each step. And behind her, a small figure trailed closely.
That child... it was Daniel.
I couldn't look away. My eyes were locked on them, and for a moment, the world seemed to fall silent as I watched Diana approach, step by step.
Daniel was even cuter than in the picture. He wore a cartoon-print T-shirt and carried a small blue backpack, his eyes darting around with curiosity. Eventually, his gaze landed on me. The two of us locked eyes from just a few steps away.
In that instant, my heart skipped a beat.
A strange sensation spread from the pit of my stomach—a familiar yet foreign connection, as if a memory had been stirred deep within my blood. But just as quickly as it had come, the feeling vanished without a trace. I tried to grasp it, but before I could, Diana's voice interrupted.
"Giovanni, I've kept you waiting."
Her words sliced through the air like a pair of scissors, severing that delicate connection instantly. My brow furrowed imperceptibly before smoothing back to normal. I stood and nodded, gesturing for them both to sit.
"You're not late," I said, my tone neutral, though my eyes were firmly fixed on Diana and Daniel.
Daniel sat quietly, his hands resting neatly on the table in front of him. He glanced up at me, his large eyes full of curiosity, though there was a hint of wariness in them as well.
"This is Daniel," Diana introduced, her voice lightly detached. "Daniel, this is... Mom's friend, Giovanni."
Friend?
I couldn't suppress the faint twitch at the corner of my lips at her choice of words. Instead of correcting her, I simply nodded and kept my focus on Daniel.
"Hello, Daniel," I said, my tone softer than usual, though it was unintentional. I couldn't quite pinpoint why, but this child seemed to stir something inside me.
"Hello," Daniel responded in a small voice, his tone gentle but with a trace of timidity.
I leaned forward slightly, resting my elbows on the table, my eyes never leaving his. I felt a faint tension as I studied him, my brow furrowing just a bit. I was trying to sense something, anything—some kind of connection.
But no.
No matter how I tried, there was no power fluctuation in Daniel that belonged to a werewolf.
He's human.
The realization rippled through me. I had to admit it, though a part of me refused to accept it. What was that strange connection I had felt with him? What had just happened between us?