Ellia was preparing and tidying up all her equipment in the orphanage, giving her clothes and belongings to her brothers and sisters who were there. She glanced at the clock hanging on the wall, it was still 4:00 PM. Jesy entered the room and sat down beside her. Ellia smiled slightly and handed Jesy a music box as a birthday gift for her upcoming 18th birthday in January. Jesy beamed and took the music box.

"You said you weren't going to give this music box to just anyone?" Jesy asked, examining the music box in her hands.

"That's because you are my sister. I would do anything for my brothers and sisters," Ellia replied.

"What if I ask you not to go? Will you stay?" Jesy asked, looking deeply into Ellia's eyes.

"Honey, I want to stay here with all of you. But my aunt needs me," Ellia replied, embracing her.

"Forgive me," Jesy cried, hugging Ellia tighter.

"Nothing's wrong... just take care of everything here for me!" Ellia instructed.

"I promise," Jesy replied firmly.

The sound of a car horn interrupted their embrace. Ellia and Jesy immediately stood up to see who owned the car. Her aunt was standing with the head nurse, and her aunt's smile filled Ellia with excitement. She took Jesy's hand and grabbed a small gray suitcase. They both went downstairs, where many orphans were already looking at Ellia with sad faces.

She tried her best not to shed tears, she didn’t want to see them all cry over her. The children ran toward her and immediately hugged her, causing her tears to spill.

"Ellia made a mistake, huh? With Vina, that's why Vina doesn't want to stay here anymore?" one of the orphans asked with swollen eyes.

"Ellia didn't do anything wrong at all, but Vina has to accompany Aunt, just like Vina always accompanied you," Ellia replied softly, kissing the child's forehead.

"Bobby will always miss Vina," said a chubby 5-year-old boy.

"Vina is going to miss all of you!" Ellia answered, trying to hug them all.

After the emotional farewell, Ellia and her aunt were in the car. Occasionally, her aunt prompted her to talk, and Ellia responded willingly. She glanced back out the window at the bustling night.

"Sweetheart, how about we eat first?" her aunt suggested.

"Are you hungry, Aunt?" Ellia asked.

"Of course... Aunt is very hungry. There’s a tavern over there. We’ll stop there," her aunt replied.

She parked the car in the tavern's parking lot. From the outside, the tavern looked narrow, but once inside, it was quite spacious. They sat at a dining table near the window. Ellia's aunt ordered while Ellia remained captivated by the stars outside.

"Do you have a new hobby?" her aunt asked.

"I enjoy cooking and walking," Ellia replied, turning her attention to her aunt.

"Aunt likes it when you have lots of good hobbies. You know, in the house Aunt bought, there are plenty of trees and various shopping centers that aren't too crowded but not too isolated either," her aunt explained.

"Aunt bought the house?" Ellia asked, incredulous.

"Yes, my aunt bought the house at a great price. You know it’s quite spacious and comfortable," her aunt exclaimed, reminiscing about her new home.

"So, where are we going to stay, Aunt?" Ellia asked.

"Sweden... a cold country. But it will be really fun if you can play in the snow or take pictures with a camera," her aunt answered.

"Wow... I really like snow, even though I don't enjoy the cold," Ellia exclaimed, smiling.

"Hahaha..." her aunt laughed and pulled out a map from her bag.

"What map is this, Aunt? Did you create this map?" Ellia inquired.

"Yes, this is our house plan. You can go on adventures using this map that my aunt made as a guide," her aunt replied enthusiastically.

"This is so cool!" Ellia said, examining the map carefully.

"Haha... Aunt will work until evening, and you can explore the outside world with a cat," her aunt added, using her imagination.

"I will have a cat, Aunt?" Ellia asked excitedly, as she really liked cats.

"Of course. Aunt doesn't want you to be lonely in the house," her aunt said just as their order arrived.

They began to eat, and occasionally, her aunt asked light-hearted questions. Talking to her aunt was always enjoyable, Aunt Lena was a fun and sociable woman. It was no wonder she was loved by those around her. After finishing their meal, they continued their journey until they arrived at the airport.

Ellia understood why her aunt took the early morning flight, it was because she only had two days off. Whether they liked it or not, they had to stay in the car, it was impossible for them to consider staying at a hotel or another lodging in case they missed the flight. Ellia watched her aunt as she parked the car in the airport parking lot.

"Aunt wants to buy something... do you want to come along?" her aunt asked.

"Of course!" Ellia exclaimed.

They walked together toward the supermarket, which was still open. Ellia watched her aunt pick up some candies, snacks, drinks, and medicine. She followed, carrying a grocery basket. Her aunt then returned to grab two toothbrushes, toothpaste, and a small towel. After their fun shopping trip, they got back into the car.

"Honey, lock the car door and roll up the windows. We'll be staying here," her aunt instructed as she opened her soda.

"Yes, Aunt..." Ellia replied, reaching for the blanket in the back seat.

"Do you need anything else, dear?" her aunt asked.

Ellia shook her head slowly.

"No, Aunt." After that brief exchange, she fell asleep, and her aunt soon followed her into dreamland.

Elsewhere....

A tall, imposing man walked confidently toward the parking area where his car awaited. He did not display a friendly expression, and two men followed closely behind him. The man was named Cander, and he was heading to one of the nightclubs in the city. They climbed into a luxury car. Cander wore a plain black shirt and jeans paired with black shoes, while the two men behind him donned simple red and dark green T-shirts.

Despite the biting cold and the fresh snow beginning to fall, the werewolves felt no chill, they wore jackets, perhaps to showcase their tattoos. Upon their arrival at the nightclub, the men who glanced at them instantly felt a wave of intimidation. The trio quickly became the center of attention, drawing hungry stares from the provocatively dressed women.

They settled at the bar counter and ordered strong alcoholic drinks, ready to unwind after a long day. Cander stared at the empty glass in his hand, a sad smile forming as he reflected on how the glass mirrored his own existence.

"Alpha, what's amusing?" asked Felix, a man adorned with tattoos on his neck and hands.

"I feel lonely," Cander replied.

"I'm sure Luna is somewhere around here, or she hasn't even been born yet," chimed in Dary, another man covered in tattoos with a beard adorning his chin.

"I hope so," Cander murmured, encouraging himself while receiving friendly pats on the shoulder from both of his best friends.