HIDING 15

Posted by admin, ? Views, Released on October 24, 2024

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Encounter

THIRD PERSON’S POV

An Hour Earlier

The kids were scattered around the playground, running in a hurry and excitement. Lily quietly

giggled as she dashed across the field, hearing her brother Liam’s voice counting.

“Three… Four…” Liam was standing in the middle of the playground. He was covering his eyes

with both of his hands as he continued counting.

Lily moved fast, her golden curls bouncing with each step. She had to find the best hiding spot

before Liam reached counting to ten!

A large bush near the edge of the playground suddenly caught her sight. It was the perfect

hiding spot for her! Without a second thought, she slipped behind it, her heart racing with excitement. Lily crouched down, her slightly chubby little body finally hiding behind the bush.

But as she turned, something suddenly caught her attention. It was a narrow pathway made

of cobblestone. Like a hidden path leading towards a certain place, away from the playground.

Curiosity bubbled up inside her. For a moment, she forgot all about their hide and seek game

as she decided to walk down the narrow path which opened up into a vast open area.

Lily’s eyes widened when she spotted the only building standing alone in the area. The building was large and looked strong and it was surrounded by busy pack warriors. With this

sight, she hesitated to continue approaching the building. She realized that this was no place

for a child.

But before she could turn back, her gaze suddenly fell upon a man sitting on a huge rock. He

was leaning on the tree beside him with his eyes closed, as if he was sleeping.

The man was dressed in a long coat, but even from a distance, Lily could see that he didn’t look like a pack warrior or someone from their pack. But still, she walked closer towards the

man, noticing the bugs and mosquitoes buzzing around the area where the man was sleeping.

Even she, herself suddenly felt itchy, noticing that she must’ve been bitten by the bugs and mosquitoes too. However, the man seemed unfazed by the surrounding as he remained

unmoving.

But still, Lily’s heart tugged with concern. She gathered her courage and finally stepped

forward. When she was finally in front of the man, she tugged his coat gently.

“Uncle, wake up…”

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After she spoke, the man’s eyes snapped open, revealing piercing green eyes that took Lily by

surprise. She openly gawked at the man, wide–eyed and somewhat dumbfounded. Lily realized

that the color of the man’s eyes was a familiar shade. – one that mirrored her own eye color

and her brother’s.

But then, she noticed the coldness in the man’s gaze, which was unlike anything she’d ever

seen before. They stared at each other, and Lily noticed that the man had a handsome face,

like her uncle Raymond and uncle Xander.

However, a long scar ran from the lower side of the man’s left cheek down to his neck, which

added to his stern appearance. Yet, despite his intimidating presence, Lily felt no fear.

Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her curiosity and concern getting the better of her.

“Uncle, there are bugs and mosquitoes here. It’s not a good place to sleep.” She told the man,

her voice was soft and gentle while a sensible look was reflected on her little pretty face.

The man in front of her was Xavier.

Earlier, Xavier had noticed a presence, but realizing that it was only a kid, he remained on his

spot and didn’t pay her any attention.

But Xavier hadn’t expected such a bold approach from her. Back at the Lunar Crescent Pack,

most kids were either too scared or too respectful to come near him. Yet, this little girl, didn’t

even seem the least bit intimidated. She actually had the guts to disturb him.

At first, Xavier was somewhat displeased with being disturbed all of a sudden. But when his

eyes met the little girl’s big and innocent eyes looking at him in concern and curiosity at the

same time, he felt his heart soften.

The little girl was too cute and pretty even at a young age. Her golden blonde wavy hair was

tied into pigtails, and her complexion was rosy. Her body was slightly chubby, but it only made

her look even more endearing. Xavier felt an inexplicable feeling rising in his chest as he

looked at the little girl. There was something oddly familiar about her, but he couldn’t quite place it.

“Why are you here?” He finally spoke, but his voice came out low and stern, though he didn’t

intend to frighten the little girl. He was just slightly awkward. In the past, he was not really

fond of kids, therefore, he didn’t know how to interact with them.

However, at this moment, he found himself genuinely curious as to why she was wandering

alone, here near the woods and the Bluemoon’s Pack conference hall.

“We were playing hide and seek,” Lily explained with the same soft tone, her voice brightening. “I was hiding at first, but then I saw a pathway and so I wanted to see where it leads to.”

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Xavier was quite relieved that the little girl seemed unfazed by his earlier tone. He cleared his

throat, adjusting his tone before he continued speaking with her.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he said more gently this time. “This area is for adults, not for little. girls like you. You should go back.”

“But how about you? Will you keep staying here?” The little girl looked at him, curiosity etched

on her face.

“I’ll go to that building later.” He pointed to the conference hall, the only building standing

alone at the area.

The little girl nodded her head, but her curious gaze didn’t fade. “Uncle, are you new here? I think I haven’t seen you in our pack…”

“I’m a visitor,” Xavier found himself answering more patiently than he realize. “I’m here to

attend an important matter.”

“Oh, is that so…” The little girl nodded her head slowly.

Xavier noticed that she was shifting her body in an uncomfortable manner, her hands swiping

from side to side, as if shooing bugs away.

“It’s not good to stay here. You should go back now,” He pursed his lips, somewhat feeling

reluctant over his own words.

The little girl’s eyes dimmed for a moment. But she obediently nodded her head afterwards.

“Okay. I’ll go back now, uncle.”

When the little girl finally turned to leave, Xavier felt somewhat hesitant, his eyes still fixed on

her small form. He didn’t know why he was suddenly having these unfamiliar feelings. It was

odd, but he feels as if there was some sort of connection between the two of them.

But seconds later, Xavier noticed that the little girl seemed to be pacing back and forth as she

faced the woods, looking around in confusion.

Without realizing it, Xavier found himself walking towards the little girl. He didn’t even realize

that his face now showed some rare gentleness which hasn’t occurred for how many years

already.

“You’ve lost your way, haven’t you?” He asked once he finally reached the little girl’s side.

“Uncle!” The little girl looked surprised for a moment, before she stared at him with a cute,

embarrassed look on her face. “I… I think I forgot which way I came from.”

Lily was confused. There was only the woods ahead of her. She couldn’t even find the narrow

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pathway she took earlier.

A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of Xavier’s lips, which was a rare sight. He hadn’t smiled for as long as he can remember… especially after the event that

happened five years ago…

“Follow me,” he said, his voice now carrying a hint of warmth. He wasn’t usually fond of children, but there was something about this little girl that made him soften. “I’ll take your back to the playground.”

“Thank you, uncle!” Lily’s eyes lit up in delight.

When Xavier started walking, she followed closely behind him. Her pigtails swaying gently with her steps. Lily was smiling the whole time, looking at the handsome uncle who had a somewhat cold appearance. She realized that despite his intimidating aura, this uncle was

actually nice… And she felt safe walking next to him.

Xavier led her back to the playground, but when they arrived, the area was already empty.

“Where are your friends?” Xavier glanced around and turned to look at the little girl standing

beside him.

“Uhm… They must’ve gone back to the packhouse.” Lily replied, quite unsure herself. But then,

she immediately wore her sunny smile back as she looked up at him.

“Uncle, is this your first time here?”

Xavier nodded and her smile widened. “Then let me tell you, our pack is really big! You can get

lost easily, just like I did!” She said with a giggle. “How about I’ll show you around this time?

Let’s go to the packhouse!”

Xavier stared at the little girl with slight amazement, chuckling softly at her enthusiasm. She was speaking like a tour guide of the entire pack, and seeing the proud and excited look on her

face, he couldn’t bear to say no.

“Alright, lead the way.” He said in an indulging tone.

Lily chirped happily as she urged him to follow her. As they walked, Lily chatted animatedly about all the places she loved within the Bluemoon Pack, pointing out landmarks and even sharing some stories. Her energy was infectious, and Xavier found himself charmed by the

little girl’s innocence.

After a few minutes, they finally approached the packhouse. But then, the Bluemoon pack members got into a commotion once they saw the Alpha of the Lunar Crescent Pack strolling with the little girl from their pack.

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People were looking at him in surprise and curiosity, and some even have a feared look on their faces. But then, Xavier ignored them and only focused on the little girl trotting beside

him.

“Where are your parents?” He asked in curiosity. Lily turned to face him, her face brightening.

“Mommy must be inside the packhouse,” she answered in a confident tone.

Just as when they reached the entrance of the pack house, a man suddenly rushed over and

scooped Lily up into his arms.

“Lily! Thank goodness you’re here.” The man had a relieved expression on his face, carrying the obendient–looking little girl in his arms as she replied sweetly.

“Uncle Raymond…”

Xavier frowned slightly, recognizing the man now carrying the little girl. He knew it was the beta of the Bluemoon Pack. Then the moment their gazes met, Xavier noticed how the man’s gaze hardened.

“Thank you for finding her, Alpha Xavier.”

Xavier only hummed as he noticed that there was a slight resemblance between this beta and the little girl. But before he could speak, another figure suddenly appeared on the scene.

“Alpha Xavier,” Alexander arrived with a feigned smile. “I see you’ve met our little Lily. Your accommodations are ready, allow me to show you the way.”

The two alphas clashed with their eyes. Xavier had a rough relationship with Alexander, with their packs in rivalry for power. But Xavier knew that he needed to keep his composure as he was now in the lands of Alexander’s pack.

He nodded at Alexander, before throwing one last look at the little girl in Raymond’s arms. She waved at him with a bright smile, a cute dimple showing in her cheeks.