Chapter27
Ziana’s POV
As I make my way to the orphanage some people wave, while others bow slightly. Word must have gotten out that I am their Luna. My lip curls at the thought.
“Stop it. It is a beautiful day. You should be enjoying that.” I mumble to myself then look around to make sure nobody heard or saw me. I see an older couple looking at me questioningly and I curse to myself.
I smile and awkwardly wave to them. They smile, wave and then rush off, not making eye contact with me. I huff then turn right, to go on the path to the orphanage.
I have been doing good about pushing all the negative thoughts from my head. It’s very difficult to do recently with everything that has been going on.
I shake my head and continue the path, admiring all of the architecture surrounding me. I take a deep breath and make my way up the sidewalk to the orphanage. I knock on the door and wait. Glancing around me I see few people walking the street. One stops to eye me curiously when the door in front of me creaks open. I turn around to meet the wide, surprised green eyes of Marissa. She opens the door further to now reveal her full body, and bows.
“Luna. Um. They children are at school, they should be back around 3:00.” She says and I smile.
“I figured. I came to see if you would like help with dinner preparations, or cleaning. Whatever you need help with, I am at your service.” I say and she cringes, but lets me through the door. She closes it gently and I turn to see her eyeing me warily.
“I appreciate the gesture, Luna, but I don’t feel comfortable accepting the help you offer. I have a routine and if it is thrown off I’m kinda a mess the rest of the day.” She says.
“I understand Marissa.” I say and I see the relief in her eyes. “Marissa, when is the last time you took some time for yourself?” I ask and she scrunches her face as though she is trying to remember.
“I. Uh. Once a week I meet my sister for lunch.” She answers.
“What of the pups?” I ask and she blushes.
“They come with me.” She answers, just as one of the pups starts crying. She starts to move up the stairs but I grab her arm. She turns to me wide eyed.
“Marissa, take the next few hours for yourself. Go for a walk, or visit your sister. I’ll take care of the pups and make sure everything else is done.” I say and he face pales.
“I could not possibly allow you to do that, Luna!” She screeches and I chuckle as the other pup begins to cry
upstairs.
“Consider it an order. Go relax or have fun. I used to give the caregiver of the orphanage in the Royal ck a break too.” I say.
After a few moments of consideration, she hesitantly nods. I think it was to see if I would change my mind. I smile then make my way up the stairs, quickly finding the pups room and caring for them.
4 hours later, I am cleaning the kitchen from prepping dinner when my mindless cleaning is interrupted.
Chapter27
“Why didn’t you go to your therapy appointment?” Killian asks me angrily through mindlink. My eyes widened slightly as I forgot about it.
“I am helping in the orphanage and forgot. I’ll be sure to go tomorrow.” I respond and hate that I am agreeing to go just so that he feels better.
“See to it.” His rough voice barks. I open and close my fists, taking a deep breath.
“Wow.” I hear from the kitchen doorway. I turn to see Marissa looking around the spotless kitchen and the two pups playing in the playpen I set up in the larger area.
“Hey! Yeah. I Was able to prep dinner and clean the first floor. Sorry I didn’t have time to clean the top floor. I have cookies for when the kids get home and I made mashed potatoes, pork chops, gravy, and bowled up the corn. It’s all ready to heat once the kids get home and it’s dinner time.” I explain. Tears blur her eyes and ! rush towards her.
“I’m sorry. Did I do something wrong? I was really hoping to help you.” I say and she shakes her head, pulling me in for a tight hug. I flinch slightly, but then ease into her embrace. She pulls back and wipes the tears from her eyes.
“Nobody has ever done this for me. Thank you.” She says, voice shaking with her emotions. My anger flares for a moment at the thought of her doing this for 3 years and not having a day off.
“Well, we will make this a weekly occurrence. What did you do today?” I ask and her eyes water even more.
“I surprised my sister at work and we went to have lunch. She was able to convince her boss to let her have a few hours off and then we walked around town. It was really nice. Thank you.” She answers and I smile.
“MISS MARISSA! WE’RE HOME!” I hear shouted at the same time hoards of footsteps come our way. I pull out the chocolate chip cookies I made and set them on the counter. The kids come barreling in, eyes wide when they see me, but grow wider when they see the cookies.
“COOKIES?!” One of the younger girl’s screeches, scaring the pups in the pen. I nod and hand her one.
“THANK YOU LUNA!” She screeches again as I chuckle.
The next hour is spent helping the kids with what homework I could understand, because apparently. I am
not smarter than a fifth grader. After that we play and I help Marissa set up dinner.
“Ziana, hon. Will you be joining us for dinner?” Zane’s voice sounds in my head.
“No. I am having dinner at the orphanage.” I answer.
“Okay. Enjoy. I will see you later.” He says as I set the last water on the table.
All of the kids sit around the table and I join them. I smile listening to all of their stories and laughter, even
some of the older kids join in.
After dinner the kids go to wind down with a movie while me and Marissa are cleaning the dishes and putting
the leftover food away.
“Thank you so much for the help, again. I cannot begin to even think of how to repay you.” Marissa states as she puts the remaining food in the fridge. I bat my soapy hand at her.
“Oh stop, I am happy to help any way I can.” I say and I see her smile fade minutely. Turning off the water I turn to look at her with an eyebrow raised. “What is it?” I ask and she looks at me in confusion.
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“What?” She asks, looking around.
+8 Points)
“Something went through your mind just then. What was it?” I ask gently and she eyes me slightly surprised. “How did you do that?” She asks and I shrug my shoulders.
“I read people well. You don’t have to tell me, but if it is something I can help with, I would like to know.” I assure her and she sighs, rubbing her arm and looking towards the wall in thought.
“Are you helping the other orphanage like this too?” She asks quietly. I stare at her blankly and she shakes her head vigorously. “Forget I asked. It’s none of my business. Sorry, Luna.” She rushes and bends her neck submissively. I scrunch my nose in irritation.
“Marissa, you have nothing to be sorry about. I just didn’t know that there was another orphanage. I wasn’t shown that on my tour.” I tell her and she flinches.
“It’s an orphanage for the ‘troubled‘ kids with no family. Most people forget about it.” She says, air quoting the troubled part.
“Is it far from here? Would you be able to take me there after we are done cleaning?” I ask and she bites her lip in contemplation.
“I think I will be able to. It will take about 30 minutes to walk there. I can ask the older kids to keep a watch on the younger ones.” She says almost more to herself than me. I turn back and begin to finish the dishes. There weren’t but a few left and by the time I am done she has her jacket on and is waiting for me.
I smile and begin to follow her, saying goodbye to the kids as we head out.
As we walk Marissa seems to be looking around as if the boogeyman is going to jump out and attack her at any moment.
“Are you alright?” I ask, her eyes shoot to mine and her posture stiffens.
“Yes.” She says too quickly and I eye her. Clearly making her uncomfortable. “Well. I’m. Not sure. Maybe you
were not shown this place for a reason. Most people avoid it and are not very welcoming of the kids or the
mistress. These kids are supposedly the worst of the worst.” She says warrily. I watched as she spoke. The
way her muscles tensed at the last half of her statement tells me what I need to know.
“But you don’t think so.” I state and her eyes shoot to mine again, then look around.
“No. These kids lost their parents. Some lost their whole families. It’s only natural for them to act out. They shouldn’t be punished for it.” She finally answers and I nod.
“I agree.” I say as she eyes me with surprise and what seems like hope. We continued walking for another 15 minutes. By now we are on the outskirts of the pack and the area is looking more familiar as we walk. Within 5 more minutes I know exactly where we are. To the right is the open field where the attack happened. The land is more sparse since the attack. Buildings were destroyed, but it looks like this one building remained
Not to intact. It’s a three story, dark imposing building. It looks a lot less welcoming than it did be mention there is an electric fence/surrounding the perimeter of it.
“What the hell?” I ask and Marissa flinches, before cringing.
“It’s a safety measure that was put in place. The head of the orphanage Ms. Beryl was attacked and the kids tried to run away while she was unconscious.” Marissa answers and again, I watch her body language. She doesn’t believe that is what happened. I am about to ask her about it when we arrive at the large gate with a
3/4
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guard. He looks down at us and I scowl.
“No visitors.” He orders and my skin prickles in irritation.
“I can fry your balls without a second thought if you don’t let us through. SIR” I spit out. He narrows his eyes at me, but I don’t miss the way his legs tighten at the thought.
“I don’t know who you think you are, but to threat..” He starts but is cut off.
“Hector, this is Luna Ziana. Luna Ziana this is Hector, one of the guards in charge of watching over the orphanage.” Marissa cutts off and I watch as his eyes widen and face pales.
“L. Luna. I apologize. I didn’t realize.” He trails off and I narrow my gaze at him. To be fair I wouldn’t expect him to realize who I am, but he didn’t have to be rude.
“Luna Ziana asked me to introduce her to the children.” Marissa elaborates and he begins to nod his head vigorously.
“Of. Of course.” He stutters and opens the gate for use to enter. I scowl, but walk through anyway. Looking up at the house in the dark sends an eerie chill up my spine. Is it because I remember it, or because of something else?
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