Chapter Four

Andalia finished her meal faster than ever, eager to get her hands on that ice cream.

With a quick excuse about restocking groceries, she grabbed some extra money and changed into fresh clothes, a white oversized shirt tucked into a denim jean skirt that reached her ankles, with a split at the back for easy movement.

She let her hair down, knowing her mother would kill her if she wore it in a bun outside, and slipped into a pair of white sandals.

She walked to the nearest cab stop, intending to visit the city close to their home.

Humans lived there, which meant she was safe, and, more importantly, she could finally enjoy human food again, like pizza and pasta, not just the rice, meat, and noodles that wolves had learned to make during the slavery era.

The moment she stepped into the mall, she was bombarded with an overwhelming mix of aromas, freshly baked bread, sizzling noodles, grilled chicken, and, best of all, the sugary sweetness of cotton candy.

Ignoring her age, Andalia let her inner child take over, following the scent of cotton candy like a hunter stalking prey.

She arrived just in time to see the vendor holding up the last one, waiting for the fastest person to claim it.

Her eyes flicked to the man standing across from her, a tall figure in a mask, holding a little girl in his arms. He had the same target.

A Texas-style showdown.

Without a second thought, Andalia changed her stance, ready to sprint. The masked man lifted his daughter higher, preparing for the chase. Then, as if on cue, both of them bolted forward.

They weaved through the crowd, dodging stalls and shoppers, racing toward their prize. Andalia spotted a shortcut, a narrow path only she could take, and immediately changed course.

But she wasn’t the only one with a plan.

The man and his daughter split up, taking separate paths toward the cotton candy vendor.

Andalia was nearly there, mere feet away, when something far more enticing hit her senses, the unmistakable, creamy scent of ice cream.

Her focus wavered.

Her steps faltered.

Without a second thought, she changed direction, abandoning the race entirely as she followed the intoxicating aroma, leaving the last cotton candy to the man and his daughter.

As Andalia sat outside the mall, waiting for her cab, she absentmindedly stirred the ice cream in her bowl. The day had been exhausting, and she felt foolish for how easily distracted she had been.

It wasn’t until a small presence beside her shifted that she realized she wasn’t alone.

A little girl sat close, her tiny frame radiating an air of quiet sadness. One look into her large hazel eyes, so similar to her own, and Andalia knew exactly who she was.

“Did you like the cotton candy?” Andalia asked softly, turning toward the child.

The girl shook her head and scooted even closer, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Daddy smashed it when he couldn’t find you….”

A soft chuckle escaped Andalia. “Your father must be a nice man,” she mused, hoping to lighten the mood.

To her surprise, the girl smiled. “I ran away from my bodyguards, and now I’m lost. Can you stay with me for a while?”

Andalia hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Of course, I’d love to…” She trailed off, realizing she didn’t know the girl’s name.

As if sensing her thoughts, the child giggled and stretched out her tiny hand. “Quincy Devon.”

A small smile tugged at Andalia’s lips as she shook the girl’s hand. “Andalia Finsely.”

Quincy looked up at Andalia as they walked through the mall, her small hand gripping Andalia’s.

“Your eyes are exactly like mine,” she said, her voice soft yet certain, and Andalia could only reply with a gentle smile.

They had been walking for nearly ten minutes, but there was still no sign of Quincy’s father.

Andalia had already sent the things she bought home and told the cab driver to return in an hour. She wanted to make sure Quincy got home safely.

They stopped in front of a ball pit playroom, where children and their parents were playing.

Andalia swiped her card at the automated machine, paying for both of them. She placed her bag in a safe meant for belongings that couldn’t be carried inside.

The room was filled with colorful ball pits, leaving little space for resting areas. A large trampoline stood in one corner, and an obstacle course stretched across the room.

Andalia strapped Quincy to the safety wires attached to the ceiling, ensuring she could move freely and be easily found if she got stuck in the balls. She strapped herself in as well.

It had been a long time since she practiced her leaps, and even longer since she last shifted. The last time she tried, they had nearly been discovered by humans.

She climbed onto the trampoline and started jumping, reaching incredible heights with each bounce.

The obstacle course caught her attention, sparking an idea. She removed her holster, placing it in a safe spot before stepping onto the rope bridge.

It led to a narrow balance beam, then to a horizontal climbing wire. She moved swiftly, her body remembering the agility she once had.

After ten minutes, she landed back on the trampoline beside Quincy, breathing heavily from all the jumping.

She noticed the little girl fidgeting and realized she was hungry. Taking her hand, Andalia led her to a small food stall where grilled chicken and milkshakes were being served.

As they ate, Andalia observed Quincy’s behavior. The girl sometimes drifted into deep thought, staring at nothing in particular. When Andalia called her attention, she quickly pretended nothing was wrong.

“ADHD?” Andalia asked gently.

Quincy nodded.

“I have that too, but mine is a lot worse,” Andalia admitted with a small laugh. “That’s why I left the cotton candy and walked off earlier.”

Quincy gave a tiny smile. “My daddy would love you,” she mumbled.

Andalia heard her but chose not to react. She didn’t want to make things awkward. She had no plans of getting involved with anyone, at least not yet. But a small part of her still hoped.

After finishing their meal, they headed toward the mall entrance.

There, Quincy’s bodyguards were being scolded by a masked man, the same one Andalia had raced earlier.

“Are you seriously telling me this?” He yelled, causing the guards to jolt in their spots. “I specifically said to keep an eye on her while I go take care of something ... .And you tell me she ran away?”

“Quin is three…four…I don't care, how could you lose a child in this world?!”

“What are you still even doing here?! Find my kid or I'll have your heads on skewers tom…..”

The moment he saw them, he paused, whispered “Thank your stars and the moon goddess so that she did not get kidnapped.”

He then strode forward and pulled Quincy into his arms, instantly.

“Thank you so much,” he said, bowing slightly with a grateful smile.

Andalia mirrored his expression and said goodbye to Quincy. But before she could step away, the little girl rushed into her arms, hugging her tightly.

It was a warmth Andalia hadn’t felt in a long time. A child’s embrace.

“Will I see you again, Miss Andalia?” Quincy asked, her big doe eyes looking up at her.

Andalia nodded, pressing a soft kiss to the girl’s cheek before letting her go.

Quincy ran back to her father, who now wore a stunned expression. Andalia tilted her head slightly. “Is everything alright, sir?”

“Y-yeah… yes, everything’s fine,” he said quickly. “What’s your name, miss? I wouldn’t want to forget the woman my daughter took a liking to so quickly.”

His words sounded genuine, so Andalia gave him her full name, hoping she wouldn’t regret it later.

“Andalia Finsely.”

“Andalia?” He muttered, His brows furrowed for a second, but then he smiled, a little too knowingly. “Thank you.”

Then he turned away, but not before Andalia caught the way his eyes darkened.

It was not something she expected from a human, especially one meeting a stranger. But she didn’t dwell on it.

Exhausted from the long day, she made her way to the waiting cab, ready to go home.