Luna Aurora (Alpha Fenrir)

Chapter 208

Elyra sat in the art room, away from the chaos of the lunchroom. She wasn't sure how long she'd been sitting there, sketching aimless patterns on a piece of paper, when someone slid into the seat next to her. "Hi," the girl said, her voice soft but warm.

Elyra glanced up, startled. The girl had dark, wavy hair and kind eyes that sparkled with curiosity.

"I'm Mia," she said. "You're Elyra, right?"

Elyra hesitated before nodding. "Yeah."

Mia smiled. "That was pretty intense in the cafeteria earlier. Are you okay?"

Elyra's cheeks flushed. "It's fine," she mumbled. "People don't like me."

that's true," Mia said, her tone thoughtful. "I think they're just scared of what they

blinked. "What do

shrugged, leaning on the table. "You're different. That's not bad. People like to act tough when they're

of a smile crossed Elyra's face. She liked Mia's voice-calm, steady,

She was an artist, Elyra learned, always carrying a sketchbook filled with intricate drawings of fantastical creatures and dreamlike landscapes. Dain, however, was less

he asked one evening as

friend," Elyra replied,

his eyes at

her arms. "What's your

know her," Dain snapped. "You

yet," Mia said, standing her ground. "But I'm

them, glaring at Dain. "Stop it. She's nice to me, Dain. She's not