I sat in a corner. The kids are napping and I am out of energy. Children are built different.

"Here." A water bottle appeared in front of me, finding its source, I was surprised to see Aiden.

"Thanks." I took it and he sat beside me.

After gulping the cold water, I almost want to splash it on my face. I'm beat.

"So, Nala is used to you. The kids are also starting to easen towards you." Their curiosity and innocence are mostly unbiased. Some say that they can see the good in people. So, if they like you, that's a good sign.

"They like you, too." Like? me?

"Fate has been cruel to them, their innocence is tainted by their past. But," I stared at the peacefully sleeping ones, "I don't want them to remember their past for what they lost. If fate has accursed them, I will protect them. If I don't, if something bad happens to them, I know it's not fate to blame, it is me who failed to protect them when I can.

I turned towards the window ensuring I did not change the weather again.

"You–"

*Bzzz... Bzzz...* I took my phone out and saw Duke's name. Does he have a sixth sense?

"Excuse me. I just have to answer this."

I went out of the room again.

"What?"

"Great job on retaining the sky."

"Yeah. Yeah. Is that all?"

"No. I heard a little news, barely a news but maybe you should know."

"What is it?"

"That Prince I was telling you, his henchmen are targeting a she-wolf."

"Which she-wolf?"

"I don't know. Something about someone's mate. You can warn your people there to keep an eye. This Prince sounds trouble."

"Okay, thanks."

"Do you want me to drive you home?" He asked, probably keeping an eye on the sky.

"Are you worried that I am that someone's mate?"

"No. You can handle your own. I'll be worried for them."

"Hmmm. Is that really what you think?"

"Let's just talk at home. Melo's here."

The call ended and I headed back inside to slump on my previous spot.

"He followed you here?" Aiden is unbelievably talkative today.

"He has a business here. His business is more important than anything else." His love for wine may go on for a thousand more years. "You still don't like him, I see." His narrowing eyes are enough evidence.

"He despises me the same."

"Pfftt.." I covered my mouth to prevent myself from laughing, otherwise, I will wake them up. Their instinctual anger is funny. It has a reason but still, they appear to be two kids throwing a tantrum.

"I'll tell him that you have a mutual understanding."

"Mu.. Mutual?"

"Maybe, he already knows. But still."

In our little conversation, I found contentment, whether it was short-lived, I didn't care.

The kids awoke a few minutes after. We continued looking after them until they headed to bed.

"Is he gonna come here?" We are about to leave since it is already dark.

"No, I can walk on my own."

"Walk? It's already dark."

"I've walked the same path for a couple of months now."

"It's dangerous."

"It's not."

He sighed. "I can drive you home."

I stared at him, he was being weird. Did he eat something? But before I could ask, someone dashed past us. Was that Theo? Headmaster and Miriel came running afterwards/

"What's wrong?" Their distressed looks are disconcerting.

"It's Riri."

"What happened?!"

"We can't contact her. She left early this morning but she has not returned yet. She was acting... different.""Acting different?"

"Why did you let her leave?" My anger is suddenly boiling. Riri is a different story.

I reached for my phone and tried to call. But there's nothing. I tried again and again but nothing. Duke's report flashed in my mind. Someone's mate.A she-wolf.Target.Riri, no!

I scrolled to my phone and contacted Duke. After pressing the call button, I mindlinked the headmaster.

'Ask Aiden to run after Theo.'

He did and without any question Aiden followed. Miriel heads back inside to check the children.

"Duke! Those henchmen can you pinpoint their location?"

"Hold on." He did not ask anything sensing the urgency. I impatiently waited.

"Laine." I pressed the loudspeaker. "They are in a villa at the far west corner of the town."I turned towards the headmaster.

"There's a villa, if you follow the main road, over there."

My eyesight immediately adjusted to where he pointed. There's a single lit house in the west."I saw it." I ended the call as I kept my objective in mind.Riri, I'll be there.

I closed my eyes and let the energy enveloped me. As I opened them, I was in the backyard of a villa. Immediately, I concealed myself.

"Yes, Sir." There's a guy on the phone. "They want to schedule a meeting...We already secured her... Ok, Sir." He went inside.

Her? Do they mean Ri? I let my power search for her, if she is nearby, I can use force mindlink.

She's here.

'Ri.' I called out in the mindlink.

'Huh? This voice. Neechan?'

'Ri. Are you okay? Where are you?'

'I'm... I'm alright.' But I heard a sniffle.

'You're not alright!'

She did not answer.

'Ri, where are you?' Someone's mate. If they mean that Prince's mate, then she should be in a nice room. Upstairs. I teleported to the 2nd floor balcony. I immediately saw Ri sitting on the bed hugging herself, trembling, crying.

I teleported inside.

"Riri."

Her eyes were red and teary as she turned towards me.

"Neechan."

"Ri." I wrapped her in my arms, she's scared. "Who did this to you?"

"Neechan." She pushed me away. "You have to go. Please. Go."

"No, What happened?"

"I have to do this. Please. Go before they see you."

"No! Tell me what happened?"

"I... I can't... I..."

The door swung open.

"Who are you?" The man asked.

"Riri, let's go." I held her hand.

"She's not coming with you. Tell her you are staying."

"I uh..." She's terrified. This person made her cry, he is the reason why she cries?! I put her behind me and I faced the man.

"Get out of my way."