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."

Mia said, her tone thoughtful. "I think they're

blinked. "What do you

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

smile crossed Elyra's face. She liked Mia's voice-calm, steady, and without a

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

hanging around?" he asked one evening as the

my friend," Elyra replied, her

at Mia. "We don't

stopped walking, crossing her arms. "What's your problem with

Dain snapped. "You don't

said, standing her ground. "But

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