Chapter 4

“Are you alright? Did he hurt you? I’m so sorry you got dragged into this mess.”

A soft voice whispers behind me and I turn around to blink. Beta John. Is he talking to me?

“ Yes. I am talking to you.”

He had a smile on his face and my cheeks flare. Damn. I said that out loud. Didn't I? His voice is filled with genuine concern, his eyes locked on my neck.

“ I am so sorry I-”

“ Don’t be. It wasn't your fault.”

He offers me his handkerchief and I take it with reluctant fingers.

His gaze is soft—so much softer than the cold, stormy grey of….his

“ There is a cut. Should I take you to the doctor?”

My eyes widen.

"Th-thank you. But I’ll manage."

My voice shakes, betraying the calm I’m trying to project. I’m not used to anyone caring, but I can’t let it show.

My eyes avoid his and I grip the shawl tightly around half of my face.

“Are you sure?” he asks, stepping closer, his concern unwavering.

"Yes. Thank you, Sir," I say, trying to keep my tone steady. I don’t know what to make of his kindness. It’s too much... too unfamiliar.

Does he want something from me?

Why is he being so nice?

“ Beta John. You can call me Beta John. And you are?”

He offers me his palm to shake and I rub my dirty hands on my jeans before shaking his warm ones.

He smiles.

And my heart thuds.

“ Eve.”

I stutter out.

Before I can say more, he pulls out a pouch from his pocket, holding it out toward me.

“This is for you—a token of apology for what happened back there.“

My eyes widened, staring at the pouch.

“ No Sir I can’r repay-”

Beta John shook his head. “You don’t owe me anything, Eve.” He spoke my name as though we knew each other since years.

“Take it. Use it for yourself, for your family.”

Hesitant, I accepted the pouch with trembling hands. The weight of it made my knees wobble.

“Thank you,” I whispered, overwhelmed. “You didn’t have to—”

“I insist,” he interrupted gently. Then, as though reading my thoughts, he added, “Not everyone in this world is as cruel as the people you’ve met today. You shouldn’t have to bear the weight of it alone.”

Something warm sparked in my chest, and for the first time that day, I felt like crying for a reason other than despair.

He was a great warrior. I am sure.

But he was even a better man at heart.

“Take care of yourself, Eve.”

And just like that, he was gone, leaving me standing there, clutching the heavy pouche filled with more coins than I’d ever dreamed of having.

The weight of the coins sinks into me. Wait... What just happened? Did I just get lucky?

I look down, eyes wide. There are so many coins. Enough to buy food for the whole group for days, maybe even weeks.

This isn’t just a handout.

This is... a windfall.

A reward.

For a moment, it doesn’t feel so bad. I didn’t just walk out of a death trap. I earned something.

A smile spreads across my lips. The thought of sharing this with everyone, seeing their faces light up with joy, makes my chest feel warm. But then those eyes flash in my mind.

Those cold, merciless gaze.

Scary.

No, more than scary. Deadly.

His eyes—the way they look right through me—like he could take my soul and I will only thank him for it. They burn into my mind.

I shudder and push the thought away. It doesn’t matter.

His Beta gave it to me himself.

These coins are mine now? Right? And now I will use them to spread more smiles and happiness. Just perfect!

….

I practically ran all the way back to the shelter, the excitement bubbling up inside me like a child with a secret.

Bursting through the door, I found everyone where I’d left them—curled up in thin blankets, huddled close for warmth. The sight always made my chest ache, but today was different. Today, I could make it better.

“Everyone, look!” I called out, and the room stirred with murmurs.

I emptied one pouch onto the floor, letting the coins spill out like a river of gold. Gasps erupted around me.

“Food,” I announced, grinning ear to ear. “Warm clothes. Enough for all of us.”

The children cheered first, their small voices filled with joy, and soon the adults joined in, their tired eyes glimmering with hope.

Within an hour, I’d returned with bags of bread, meat, and warm clothes. We sat together, eating and laughing like we hadn’t in years. A little girl named Tessa hugged my leg, her face smeared with crumbs.

“You’re an angel, Eve,” she said, beaming up at me.

For a moment, I let myself believe it. But then I realised it wasn’t me.

It was him. Beta John.

He was the reason behind everyone’s smile. He is right. Not everyone is bad in this world. Some good souls are still left in this world, and moon goddess will always protect them.