Chapter 8 A Reunion of Old Faces

• Bryan's POV:
• I was about to board a flight for a business trip when Mr. Lane's call came through. He told me that Asty had gone missing.
• Rage boiled inside me. "You incompetent fools! There are so many of you, and you can't even keep an eye on a child? What use are you to me?"
• Asty was the girl's nickname. My daughter with Yvonne was named Astra.
• At five years old, she was frail and still couldn't speak.
• The thought of her alone and vulnerable was unbearable.
• Too young to have awakened her wolf abilities, Asty was beyond the reach of our pack's tracking. I had to rely on Steven and the Lockwoods' resources to find her.
• As I was issuing orders, a voice cut through my frustration.
• "Let's hurry. We don't want to keep Mia waiting. "
• I froze, my heart pounding.
• That voice—how could I forget it?
• I whirled around, searching the crowd.
• I caught only a fleeting glimpse of a familiar figure before it vanished into the throng.
• Yvonne—!
• Was it really her?
• Had she come back?
• I rushed after the figure, but it was already swallowed by the crowd.
• My grip on the phone tightened, anger surging through me.
• Yvonne, that heartless woman, had left so decisively years ago. How could she be here now?
• The thought of her brought a sharp pain to my chest.
• Six years had passed, and she had managed to stay away, ignoring even our child.
• But of course. If she could abandon Asty without a care for her, why should I expect any concern from that woman?
• As I thought of Asty's frailty and isolation, my resentment toward Yvonne deepened.
• Had she stayed, had she been present, Asty might have been different.
• I stormed out of the airport, scanning one last time, but the familiar figure was nowhere to be found.
• It seemed I had been mistaken.
• A wave of unexplained disappointment washed over me.
• "Cancel all my overseas plans, " I instructed Liam with icy resolve.
• Liam nodded. "Alpha, we've broadened the search for the young miss. She's so small, she couldn't have gone far. Try not to worry too much. "
• How could I not worry? A group that couldn't even keep track of a child—what could they possibly accomplish?
• Without another word, I headed to the curb where my Maybach awaited and told the driver to take me back to the Lockwoods.
• Yvonne's POV:
• As Bryan's gaze swept over us, my body moved with an agility I didn't know I had. I quickly maneuvered Dawn and Dusk into a nearby corner, out of his view.
• We navigated the airport with all the stealth we could manage.
• My heart raced as I glanced back frequently, checking to see if Bryan was following us.
• Thankfully, by the time we reached the airport exit, he had vanished from sight.
• I exhaled deeply, feeling a wave of relief wash over me.
• "Mama, what's wrong? " Dawn and Dusk, still holding tightly to my hands, looked up at me, their faces filled with concern.
• Before I could respond, a familiar, cheerful voice called from afar.
• "Yvonne! Dawn! Dusk! "
• I looked up to see a confident woman across the street, waving enthusiastically as she walked toward us with a warm smile.
• Seeing her, the tension in my chest eased, and I greeted her with open arms. "Mia! It's been ages! "
• Mia Wright was a werewolf classmate I had met during my time in Latveria. Her interest in medicine and potions was matched only by her loyalty.
• Despite my mixed heritage, she never shunned me. When others bullied me, Mia stood by me, and we grew close over time.
• Coincidentally, she was also from Pelloria. She was the daughter of the Beta of the Snow Pack.
• After we graduated, while I continued my research in Latveria with my mentor, Mia went back to work at the Snow Pack's hospital.
• Mia wrapped me in a warm hug and kissed my cheek. "I've been waiting for you forever. I've missed you so much! "
• I smiled, returning her embrace. "I've missed you too. "
• Although we had been apart for two years, we kept in touch online, though face-to-face meetings were rare.
• Mia gave my back a friendly pat before bending down to lift Dawn and Dusk, one in each arm. "My darlings, did you miss me? "
• Dawn and Dusk grinned, their faces radiating innocence. In unison, they replied, "Of course! We've dreamed about seeing you, Mia! You're still as beautiful as ever! "
• "You two are so sweet! "
• Mia's eyes twinkled with delight at their praise.
• I remained concerned that Bryan might appear at any moment, so I forced myself to stay calm and said, "Let's not hang around here. We can catch up later. "
• "Absolutely, let's head out! " Mia responded, helping me with our luggage.
• She drove us quickly to the restaurant.
• As we pulled into the restaurant parking lot, a little girl suddenly darted out from a shadowy corner…