"What did you just say?" I demanded, my voice edged with disbelief as I stared at Dylan, who was leisurely enjoying his Chicken pasta. The nonchalance in his demeanor was infuriating.

Dylan looked up, an exaggerated innocence in his eyes. "What did I say?" he asked, his tone casual as he twirled his fork through the pasta.

I clenched my teeth, fighting to keep my composure. "I heard you clearly. You said, 'She is a virgin, I can smell it.' How in the world do you know that about me? And what do you mean by 'I can smell it'?"

His words had hit me like a jarring shockwave.

How could he possibly know something so intimate?

The implication of detecting it by scent was beyond me, and it unsettled me deeply.

The thought of spending just three more weeks here before I could escape was both a relief and a torment. I longed for the freedom of my previous life—traveling, exploring, and living unencumbered.

I would miss Bell, Blake, and Cole, who had become unexpectedly dear to me. But Dylan? I was resolute in severing all ties with him and leaving him behind without a second thought.

"Just eat your meal and stop annoying me," Dylan said with irritation, seemingly unfazed by my distress.

The audacity of him was infuriating. Here he was, riling me up, and yet he had the nerve to complain that I was irritating him.

"I'm irritating you?" I shot back, glaring at him. "You're the one causing me annoyance. Can't you just do your job without dragging me into your conversations?"

"I'll do whatever I please," he said, a smirk curling at his lips. "If I want to talk about you, I will."

"Oh really?" I challenged, crossing my arms and offering him a saccharine smile. I flexed my fingers, mimicking the motion of a slap.

"Try me."

Dylan's eyes narrowed, but he chose silence over further confrontation. I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure before gathering my plate and heading out of the room, Bell trailing behind me.

"Bell, I need to talk to you," I said in a subdued tone, eager to share my plans to leave. Yet, a sudden reluctance made me pause.

"Yeah?" she asked, glancing at me with curiosity.

"Never mind," I said with a dismissive wave. "I'll tell you later."

Bell seemed to sense my hesitation and offered me a sympathetic smile. "Why is Dylan like this?" I asked, seeking some understanding.

Bell's expression grew serious, and she hesitated. "Uh, it's because—"

Her response was interrupted by a burst of giggles. I turned to find a little girl peeking out from behind a table, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Hello, little one," I said, bending down to her level with a warm smile.

The girl emerged from her hiding spot and walked towards me. She gestured for me to bend lower, and with curiosity, I complied. In a swift, unexpected gesture, she planted a kiss on my right cheek before scampering away, her laughter echoing in the air.

A smile formed on my lips as I touched the spot where she had kissed me. "What was that for?" I wondered aloud, more to myself than anyone else.

Bell, watching with a dreamy expression, replied, "Kids love their Luna."

"Who?" I asked, confused by the term.

"Uh, I mean guests. Kids love their guests," she corrected with a smile.

"Wait, you said kids?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "There are more children here?"

"Yes, there are. Do you want to meet them?" Bell asked, her eyes brightening.

I nodded eagerly. "Of course."

Bell led me to a door, which she opened to reveal a room filled with the sounds of laughter and excitement. My heart lifted as I entered, greeted by a chorus of "Luna!" from the children.

"Luna?" I repeated, glancing at Bell for clarification.

"Uh, it's just a nickname," she explained, a slight blush on her cheeks.

"Hello, kids," I said, my excitement evident in my voice.

"Hello, Luna!" they chorused. Some of the children ran up to me, hugging my legs with exuberant delight. I chuckled, spotting the same girl who had kissed me earlier. She was back, clinging to my leg and giggling. I picked her up, hugging her tightly.

"What's your name?" I asked, placing a gentle kiss on her hand.

"Evangeline," she said, her eyes shining.

"Such a beautiful name," I cooed, making her smile even wider.

"What's your name?" she asked curiously.

"It's Aderyn," I replied, laughing softly when she struggled with the pronunciation.

"Okay, then call me Adie," I suggested, seeing her frustration with my full name.

"Adie," she repeated, trying out the name with a delighted laugh.

"That's right," I affirmed, gently setting her down. "Where do these kids come from?" I asked Bell, who was now playing with a little boy.

"The warriors," Bell said, continuing to play.

"Warriors?" I echoed, intrigued.

"Yeah, soldiers. Their parents are busy protecting the territory," Bell explained. Though I didn't fully grasp the context, I nodded in understanding.

The children continued their play, running and laughing with boundless energy. I was so absorbed in playing with Evangeline that I almost missed a boy sitting alone in the corner. His leg was bandaged, and he was quietly reading a book. The sight of his injury tugged at my heart.

I excused myself from Evangeline and approached the boy, whose eyes were downcast. "Hi, baby," I said, pinching his chubby cheeks gently.

"Hello," he replied in a low voice, a faint smile on his lips that didn't quite reach his eyes.

The sadness in his expression struck a chord within me. I knelt before him, resting my hands on the armrests of his chair. "What's your name, buddy?" I asked softly.

"Ryan," he whispered. The name hit me like a jolt. My heart skipped a beat as memories of my brother Ryan came rushing back. I froze, my breath catching in my throat as childhood recollections flooded my mind—moments of happiness, sadness, and everything in between.

"Ryan," I murmured again, my voice trembling. The wave of nostalgia and pain was almost overwhelming. I clutched my chest, trying to steady my racing heart.

"Luna?" I heard the concerned voices of the children, and Bell's worried gaze fell upon me.

"Are you alright, Adie?" Bell asked gently.

I forced a smile, nodding to reassure her. "Yes, I'm fine," I said, though my heart felt heavy. The children returned to their play, their cheerful energy momentarily lifting my spirits.

I turned back to Ryan, who watched me with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. I took a deep breath, struggling to compose myself. "Why are you sitting alone, Ryan—uh, buddy?" I asked, choosing a more neutral term.

"Because I can't walk," he murmured, glancing down at his bandaged leg.

"What happened to your leg?" I inquired, but Bell interrupted with an explanation.

"His father saved him from wolves. It was a wild wolf that did this," she said, her voice tinged with sadness.

My heart ached for the boy as I learned about his father's sacrifice. "And where is his father?" I asked, dreading the answer.

Bell's expression grew somber. "He died saving him."

The pain I felt for Ryan was profound. I couldn't help but feel a deep empathy for him, a connection that went beyond mere sympathy.

At that moment, a woman approached, calling out Ryan's name. I turned to see a brunette woman with a warm smile. "Sophia," Bell greeted her.

"Lu— I mean Ms. Brookes," Sophia addressed me. I offered her a smile, extending my hand.

"Please, call me Aderyn or Adie," I said.

Sophia hesitated briefly before nodding. "Alright, Aderyn."

She gently picked up Ryan, who looked up at her with a faint smile. "Ryan, let's go back to our room," Sophia said.

"Okay, Mom," Ryan replied softly.

As Sophia carried Ryan out of the room, I felt a pang of sadness for them both. I bid them farewell, watching them leave with a heavy heart.

"I feel bad," I whispered to Bell, who nodded in agreement.

Returning to my room, I changed into my vest and spandex, tying my hair into a ponytail. I sat on the floor, closing my eyes and beginning my meditation. I needed to find some semblance of peace amid the tumult of emotions that had overwhelmed me today. Meditation was my sanctuary, a place where I could seek solace and calm my restless mind.