My heart instantly melted.
I slowly crouched down to Sophie’s eye level, trying to make my Omega scent as gentle and harmless as possible. “Hello, Sophie. Auntie has lots of fun paints and clay here.”
Sophie blinked her big, pretty eyes, then suddenly reached out a small hand and gently touched my cheek.
“Auntie Aria… you’re so pretty,” she whispered. “Your scent… smells like my mommy.”
The air froze.
Gabriel’s expression changed slightly.
He crouched down, pulling Sophie tighter into his arms. “Sorry, Aria. Sophie’s mother, my sister, she… passed away a few years ago.”
My chest felt like a heavy stone was sitting on it.
I looked at this little girl who had lost her mother so young, and suddenly thought of my own cubs, Mason and Maya.
At least they still had Isabella, and Ethan’s protection.
But this child had nothing.
“It’s okay,” I said softly, reaching out to gently stroke Sophie’s hair, releasing my healing wolf’s unique comforting scent. “Does Sophie like fairy tales? Auntie has lots of beautiful picture books here, and materials to make your own story scenes.”
Sophie’s eyes lit up, and she nodded.
For the next half hour, I patiently guided Sophie in using colorful clay to sculpt the little animals she imagined, and using feathers and glitter to decorate her “secret garden.”
The little girl gradually relaxed, even taking my hand to ask me to teach her how to mix the colors she wanted.
Gabriel stood by, watching us interact with a soft look in his eyes.
By the time I, inspired by the little fox and rabbit Sophie had made, improvised a little story about friendship and helping each other in the forest, Sophie was completely snuggled into my arms, listening intently.
“You… you’re very good with cubs,” Gabriel said quietly after Sophie had fallen asleep. “Sophie is usually very shy, especially after her mother passed.”
I smiled, carefully wiping a speck of paint from Sophie’s cheek. “I feel a connection with Sophie too. I wish Sophie were my daughter.”
The words were out before I could stop them.
But Gabriel just nodded thoughtfully, without asking any more questions.
“Can we come back often?” As they were leaving, Sophie suddenly turned her head, looking up at me.
I crouched down again, gently tweaking her little nose, which was a bit rosy from just waking up. “Of course, you can. Sophie is always welcome to come play.”
Gabriel held the umbrella, one hand holding Sophie’s, and they slowly walked into the fresh, rain–washed street.
Sophie kept looking back, waving her little hand at me.
I stood at the studio door, watching them disappear around the corner, a long–forgotten warmth spreading through my heart.
2/2
