Crippled Luna's Farewell: Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception

Chapter 77

The moment Cole spotted the little girl in Sarah’s arms, his face tensed with worry. He strode forward with urgency, his sharp eyes scanning Abby’s damp clothes and trembling hands.

“Abby,” he breathed, kneeling down to her level. “Are you okay?”

The little girl sniffled but nodded. Her wet eyelashes clumped together, and she clung to Sarah’s sleeve, hesitant to let go.

“She fell into the hot spring,” Sarah explained calmly. “I pulled her out right away. She was scared, but she’s fine now.”

Cole exhaled, his shoulders relaxing slightly. His jaw, which had been tight with anxiety, loosened as relief swept over him. He turned to Sarah, his gaze filled with something unspoken–gratitude, perhaps, or maybe something else.

“Thank you,” he said simply, but the sincerity in his voice was unmistakable. “She’s not usually this careless.”

Sarah gave a small smile. “Curiosity gets the best of children.”

Cole nodded, then turned his attention back to Abby. “Let’s get you changed, okay?”

Abby nodded again, this time more eagerly, but even as Cole scooped her up, she cast a longing glance back at Sarah.

Later, after changing Abby into dry clothes, Cole brought her to the dining area where Sarah sat sipping warm tea. The scent of fresh bread and herbal steam filled the air.

As soon as Abby saw Sarah, she hesitated for a brief second, then tugged at Cole’s sleeve. “Uncle…. I want to sit with Auntie.”

Cole raised a brow. “Auntie?” he repeated, glancing at Sarah with mild amusement.

Sarah chuckled. “I guess I’ve been promoted.”

Abby, small and shy, climbed onto the chair beside Sarah, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

“She doesn’t usually warm up to people this fast,” Cole murmured, watching the interaction with quiet curiosity,

her head.

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Luna’s Farewell. Half A Life

Chapter 77

usually very cautious around strangers.”

all now. She rested her head lightly against Sarah’s arm, a soft sign of

trust.

the little girl’s slightly damp

hummed, still observing.

buzzed. He frowned at the screen,

need to take this,” he muttered.

“I’ll be back in a

soon as he stepped away, Abby’s big brown eyes darted to Sarah, and

me,”

in, picking her up and holding her close. Abby snuggled against

hands played with the fabric absently, her sleepy

warning, she tugged–just

loose knot of

before she could react, she felt

skin

a second,

phone–just

in place. His eyes darkened, his fingers tightening around the phone in his

he

back into place. Her face burned with heat, though

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Half A Life