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."

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

blinked. "What do you

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

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

the next few days, Mia began sitting with Elyra at lunch and walking with her between classes. She was an artist, Elyra learned, always carrying a sketchbook filled with intricate

one evening as

my friend," Elyra replied,

narrowed his eyes at Mia.

arms. "What's

don't know her," Dain snapped. "You don't

said, standing her ground.

at Dain. "Stop it. She's