Raphael POV
I was working in the office when I heard noisy voices coming from the door.
"Where's the little girl?"
"Where are her parents?"
"Send more people to look for her now!"
I frowned. Just in time, Maddox opened the door and came in to brief me on his latest investigation. He entered my office with a thick stack of papers and a hurried pace.
I asked him, "Maddox, what's going on out there?"
Maddox shook his head and said, "Mr. Lancaster, a little girl has run into the building. The security guards are looking around for her."
I suddenly thought of Essel sneaking out a lot, too. An inexplicable irritation ran through me.
"Tell security that if this happens again, they will be fired."
"Got it."
Maddox answered me carefully, nodding.
I gathered my papers, grabbed my bag, and headed out the door. Maddox reported as he followed me out the door.
The security guards who were busy instantly straightened their backs upon seeing me and greeted me, "Mr. Lancaster."
I walked toward the door of the building with no expression on my face.
A Toyota Alphard had been waiting at the entrance for a long time.
Just then...
I watched as a small figure ran toward me.
The next second, she hugged my thigh.
Was it the little girl?
Everyone froze, afraid to speak.
Maddox froze for a second and quickly came over. He reached out his hand, ready to pick up the little girl.
I held out my hand, blocked him, and shook my head.
Maddox was obviously a little confused, but he stopped.
I narrowed my eyes slightly and saw her little face.
Was it Araceli's daughter? I remembered her name was Valeria.
She did look pretty, much like her mother.
However, she was now dirty and had a lot of mud on her body, but that couldn't hide her clear, big eyes.
"Daddy ... Can you hug me?"
Her sweet voice came.
Looking at her face, I frowned slightly. Inexplicably, I actually felt like protecting her.
I took a deep breath and attempted to push these thoughts out of my head.
Suddenly, a voice came into my head.
Everything around me seemed to stand still.
I calmed down and realized that this was my wolf talking to me.
I was a little shocked because he hadn't spoken to me in a long time.
"Raphael, I like her. If you chase her away, I'll be mad, I promise."
I was stunned.
"Fine."
I said to him.
Then came the endless silence.
Suddenly, Maddox said, "Mr. Lancaster, we have to be there by 3:00 PM..."
I finally snapped back to my senses.
I interrupted Maddox before he could finish. "Cancel all the arrangements."
Then, I picked up Valeria and headed for the car.
Everyone was stunned and looked at me incredulously. Some passersby even took out their phones to take pictures.
I didn't care or explain, and I just wanted to get in the car as soon as possible.
Valeria hugged me tightly around my neck. I felt her tiny soft hands against my skin.
"Valeria, don't be afraid."
I patted her back gently and comforted her.
"Go back to the villa," I said to the driver.
The car started abruptly. I frowned slightly and said with some annoyance, "Drive slower. "
Valeria had just had a shock. If the car kept bumping around, she might get uncomfortable.
Maddox sat next to me. He looked at Valeria and said to me, "Mr. Lancaster, do you know this little girl? To be honest, I think she looks a little like Ms. Essel."
I took a look at Valeria's face and was secretly a little surprised. I then realized that Valeria really looked a little like Essel.
Maybe all the little girls looked alike.
Maddox said, "Mr. Lancaster, you can give her to me. This way you'll sit a little more comfortably..."
Valeria looked up, looked at me, and hugged my arm tightly.
I looked at her and suddenly felt my heart soften, as if all the pressure had disappeared. I felt as if I was the only person who could make her feel safe.
I shook my head and said, "No. I can hold her. It's okay."
Maddox visibly froze for two seconds and nodded.
When we got to the villa, I carried Valeria into the room. A maid came over and tried to take Valeria out of my arms.
She said, "Mr. Lancaster, this little girl might need a bath..."
I hesitated, but seeing the mud on Valeria's face, I decided to give her to the maid and let her take Valeria to the bath.
The maid reached over. As soon as she touched Valeria's body, Valeria cried out, "No!"
Then, Valeria clung to my neck and refused to let go.
I frowned slightly, patted Valeria's back and shook my head at the maid, signaling for her to leave.
The maid was at a loss for words, but left anyway.
I hugged Valeria and sat on the couch. "Valeria... Your name is Valeria, isn't it?"
She nodded her head.
I coughed twice, not knowing what to say, so I asked her, "Did you sneak out?"
She nodded again.
I talked to her for a while, took out the picture books that Essel liked to read before, and read one to her before she fell asleep in my arms.
I handed her to the maid, who took her to the bath, and changed into one of Essel's dresses.
I went back to the study and prepared to work on my papers. This afternoon's schedule was disrupted, so I had to make some more arrangements.
Suddenly, a familiar voice came from my brain.
It was my wolf, Adonis.
I remembered that he hadn't spoken to me since five years ago. I didn't know why, but he said I had lost my Luna.
I wanted to scold him for that because I had no idea what was going on.
All I remembered was that one night, it was as if I lost consciousness and was drawn to something...
Later, Melany came to me with her two children, but I never felt anything from her. I was a little suspicious at first, but now I was becoming sure she was not my Luna.
Adonis' low voice came. "Raphael, that little girl smells familiar. Don't you think so?"
I frowned slightly.