The days after John's visit dragged on, each one blending into the next in a haze of tension and exhaustion. Anna spent her nights poring over documents, her mind racing with strategies to protect the orphanage. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find a way to fight him. John was too powerful, his influence reaching into every corner of the city. All she could do was hold out, hoping he would tire of his threats, but deep down, she knew that was unlikely.
As she stepped outside for air one evening, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the glass of the orphanage door. She looked tired, older, her face lined with stress. She barely recognized herself. The children needed her, but she felt stretched thin, as if any moment she might shatter under the weight of it all.
"Miss Anna!" a voice called out, breaking through her thoughts. She looked up to see Mia, one of the younger children, tugging at her coat.
Anna knelt down, mustering a smile. "What is it, Mia?"
"Are you okay?" Mia asked, her small face scrunched up with worry. "You look… sad."
Anna's heart squeezed as she reached out to smooth Mia's hair. "I'm fine, sweetheart. Just a little tired, that's all."
Mia's eyes didn't lose their concern, but she nodded, clearly unconvinced. "You can sleep next to me if you want. I can protect you from nightmares."
Anna let out a soft laugh, warmth spreading through her chest as she hugged the little girl. "Thank you, Mia. That sounds perfect."
As she stood, she felt the weight lift just a little. The children were why she did this, why she refused to let John win. They were the only family she had left.
Luka watched from the shadows as Anna spoke with Mia, his heart clenching at the sight of her exhausted face. She was holding herself together, but he could see the toll it was taking. He could sense her sadness, her quiet resolve, and each day it grew harder to stay hidden, to watch her suffer alone.
He had decided, night after night, to keep his distance, to let her live her life untouched by his world. But his resolve was wearing thin. Every time he saw her struggling, he felt a surge of protectiveness that defied logic. Despite his hatred for humans, Anna was different. She didn't deserve this.
And he was running out of reasons not to help her.
Late one night, after the orphanage had quieted, Luka found himself standing outside, watching her window. She was there, sitting at her desk, her head in her hands as she stared at the mountain of paperwork before her. His heart ached, knowing she was carrying this burden alone.
But tonight, he couldn't just stand by. His mind raced as he weighed the risks, the consequences of what he was about to do. But in that moment, the thought of her facing John alone, of her being hurt, overrode every other instinct.
He made his way to the front door, moving silently as he reached for the handle, careful not to startle her. Before he could stop himself, he was inside, his footsteps echoing softly through the empty hallway.
Anna looked up, startled, her eyes widening as she saw him standing in the doorway.
"Luka?" she whispered, confusion and relief mingling in her voice. "What… what are you doing here?"
He hesitated, unsure of how to explain himself. "I… I had to see you. I wanted to know if you were okay."
Anna blinked, as if trying to make sense of his presence. "Why? How did you even know…?"
Luka took a breath, steeling himself. "I've been watching over you, Anna. For some time now. Ever since we first met."
The words hung between them, and he watched as the realisation dawned in her eyes. She looked down, her fingers gripping the edge of her desk.
"So… you know what's been happening, then?" she asked quietly, her voice laced with exhaustion.
"Yes," he said softly. "I heard what your uncle said to you. And I know you're trying to fight him. Alone."
Anna's shoulders slumped as she let out a shaky breath. "I don't have a choice, Luka. This place… it's all I have left of my parents. And John… he won't stop until he takes it from me."
Luka stepped closer, fighting the urge to reach out, to comfort her. "You're strong, Anna. But even the strongest need help sometimes."
Anna looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and fear. "Luka… if you get involved, he'll come after you too. He won't stop until he destroys everything in his way."
Luka's jaw tightened, his fists clenched at his sides. "Let him try."
He hadn't planned on saying it, hadn't even been sure he wanted to get involved, but the words spilled out before he could stop them. He would protect her, no matter the cost.
Anna shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You don't even know me, Luka. You have no reason to do this."
He looked into her eyes, feeling the weight of his emotions pressing down on him. "I know enough. And I know that you don't deserve this. No one does."
For a moment, they stood in silence, each of them caught in the intensity of the moment. Luka wanted to tell her everything—who he was, why he had been watching over her. But he knew that revealing his true nature would only put her in more danger, a risk he couldn't take.
"I can't let him hurt you, Anna," he said finally, his voice low but steady. "I won't."
A tear slipped down Anna's cheek as she looked away, a mix of relief and uncertainty in her gaze. "Thank you, Luka. But… I don't want you to put yourself in danger because of me."
Luka's gaze softened as he watched her. "I've faced worse dangers than your uncle, believe me. I can handle this."
She looked at him for a long moment, as if searching his face for some sign of hesitation. But she found none. And as she held his gaze, Luka felt the last of his doubts fade away. He had crossed the line, and he wasn't going back.
The next morning, John arrived at the orphanage once again, his smug expression faltering slightly as he saw Luka standing beside Anna. Luka's face was calm, but his eyes held a steely resolve, and John seemed to sense the shift in the air.
"Who's this?" John asked, his tone laced with suspicion as he looked Luka up and down.
"Just a friend," Anna replied, her voice steady as she met her uncle's gaze.
John smirked, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Luka. "I'd be careful if I were you, boy. This isn't your business."
Luka's face remained impassive, his voice cold. "It is now."
John's smirk faded, replaced by a look of irritation. He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "You don't know who you're dealing with. If you think you can scare me, you're mistaken."
Luka's gaze didn't waver. "I'm not trying to scare you. But if you continue to threaten Anna, you'll find out just how mistaken you are."
John's eyes flicked between Luka and Anna, his mouth twisting into a sneer. "Fine. Have it your way. But remember, I always get what I want."
With that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing through the empty courtyard. Anna let out a shaky breath, her shoulders slumping as the tension drained from her body.
"Thank you, Luka," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Luka looked down at her, his heart swelling with a mixture of protectiveness and something deeper, something he hadn't felt in a long time. "I meant what I said, Anna. I won't let him hurt you."
Anna looked up at him, her eyes filled with gratitude. For the first time, Luka saw a flicker of hope in her gaze, and it made his decision feel right. He didn't know what would come next or how he would protect her from someone as powerful as John. But for now, he knew one thing with certainty: He would protect her, no matter the cost.
Deep inside Luka was worried about what he had done just now, his anger simmering just below the surface. "I should have stayed away," he muttered, his voice tight with frustration. "But no, I had to get involved. And now, I'm fighting for Anna… a human I've always despised." He ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing.
"Why her? Of all people, why did it have to be her?" he growled under his breath. Luka's chest tightened as he glanced around, ensuring no one was watching. "They don't know who I really am—yet. But how long can I keep this secret buried?"