4. Loved one..
The sun had just begun to rise over Shadowline City, painting the sky in pale gold when the four figures returned from their morning run. Their breaths were heavy, their steps weary, but their faces glowed with the refreshing calm that came after exertion. Alpha's fur shimmered with morning dew, Leo's mane fluttered softly in the breeze, Paradus's sleek coat glistened in the light, and Marcelline, with her mismatched grace of demon and angel, looked radiant despite her tiredness.
But the moment Sister Florence saw them, worry overtook her relief.
"Oh heavens—look at you all! Running around so recklessly again."
Her voice quivered between scolding and pure concern.
Marcelline's heart sank. She could never tolerate the slightest worry in the eyes of the woman who had raised her with love gentler than anything in her past. Without hesitation, she knelt down before Sister Florence, lowering her head and holding her ears like she used to as a little girl.
"I'm sorry, Ma," she whispered softly. "I didn't mean to make you worry. I just… felt this strange restlessness in my heart. I couldn't sleep at all. So I went for a run to clear my mind."
Alpha, Leo, and Paradus exchanged glances before lowering their own massive heads. They curled their paws together, purring and rumbling apologetically—an almost comical yet deeply touching gesture from creatures so powerful. They stood beside Marcelline not just as brothers, but as her constant guardians.
Sister Florence's sternness melted.
"Oh my child," she breathed, her voice soft with emotion. "Why didn't you come to me?"
Elli lifted her eyes, warm and gentle despite her exhaustion.
"Ma… you were tired. You take care of the church, the children, everyone who needs help. I couldn't bear to disturb your sleep."
Sister Florence's heart tightened. She was the church's High Priest, protector of the poor and the orphaned. And years ago, on a scorching day when the world had turned its back on a tiny child, it was she who found Marcelline lying weak and alone on the roadside, burned by the unforgiving 50° heat. Society had called the child misfortune, cursed, dangerous. But Sister Florence had only seen a trembling little soul starved for love.
She could still remember the way Marcelline's tiny hand had curled around her finger—weak, frightened, but trusting. From that moment on, Sister Florence had become her world, her safe place, her mother in every sense but blood.
Remembering all this, tears quietly welled in Sister Florence's eyes.
"Oh God…" she prayed silently, "why has my child grown enough to hide her pain from me…"
Unable to hold back, she pulled Marcelline and her three brothers into her arms.
"Don't ever do this again," she whispered shakily, but her embrace was full of warmth.
The four of them nuzzled closer—Marcelline resting her head on Sister Florence's shoulder while Alpha and Leo pressed their coats against her and Paradus wrapped his tail protectively around them. For a moment, it felt as if the entire world had softened.
Sister Florence wiped her eyes and stood, trying to regain her calm.
"Now go freshen up, all of you," she said with a tender smile. "I made your favorite breakfast."
Marcelline gave her a grateful glance before heading inside, followed closely by her brothers.
Amara, who had been leaning quietly against the doorway, let out a warm sigh and smiled.
"A lovely family moment," she murmured.
And it truly was—because she knew that Marcelline's love, fierce and everlasting, was the kind that built families out of broken pieces.
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