Chapter 102

Chapter 102
Brodie came in next, “Perhaps you could pick one out for them? We have a lot of little girl wolf cubs with different-coloured bows on their heads. Could you tell us their favourite colours? It will help us make sure they get the right one.”

Lucas's eyes widened with interest, the first genuine spark of animation Ioannis had seen. He clutched Shadow closer to his chest while considering Brodie's question.

"Ellie likes purple," he whispered after a moment, his voice gaining strength as he focused on his friends. "Dark purple. She said it's royal. She wants to be a queen someday."

The pendant warmed against Ioannis's skin as she watched the boy's posture relax slightly, his attention fixed on helping his missing companions. Through their bond, she felt Nickolas's tactical mind absorbing this information, cataloguing details that might help identify the other escaped children.

"And Micha?" Brodie prompted gently, keeping his distance while maintaining an open, friendly posture.

Lucas stroked Shadow's fur, his thin fingers finding comfort in the repetitive motion. "Green. Like trees. He never saw real trees before we ran." His voice dropped to a near whisper. "He cried when he touched one. They would have put him in the quiet room for that."

Ioannis fought to keep her expression neutral despite the cold fury building in her chest. The pendant pulsed once, an acknowledgment of her controlled rage that these children had been denied something as fundamental as trees.

"How old is Micha?" she asked softly, watching Lucas's face for signs of distress.

"Eight," Lucas replied, his hazel eyes distant with memory. "He's small, though. They don't feed the ones who can't complete training properly."

The pendant turned ice-cold against Ioannis's skin. Through their bond, she felt Nickolas's protective rage surge like wildfire, though he remained out of sight to avoid frightening the boy. Brodie's usually mischievous expression had hardened into something dangerous, though his voice remained gentle when he spoke.

"We'll make sure Micha gets a green wolf, then," he promised. "And we'll find him and Ellie. You've been very helpful, Lucas."

The boy looked up, sudden fear clouding his face. "You won't tell them I helped, right? If they find me?"

"No one will find you here," Ioannis assured him, resisting the urge to reach out and comfort him physically. His body language made it clear he wasn't ready for touch. "Many strong wolves protect this place. And no one will ever take you back there."

Lucas didn't look convinced, but he nodded, clutching Shadow closer to his chest. The plush wolf emitted another soft, comforting rumble in response to the pressure.

"Are you hungry?" Sera asked, changing the subject with gentle practicality. "The healers said you could have something more substantial now that you've rested."

Lucas hesitated, wariness flickering across his thin face before he gave a small nod. "Can Shadow stay with me?"

"Of course," Ioannis replied immediately. "Shadow will stay with you always."

Miles spoke next, “When your friends get theirs, Shadow will become friends with theirs too, just like real wolf cubs would within the pack. If the healers allow it, you might get to join some of the other cubs in the pack at the nearby school, nothing too overwhelming, but it will help you to learn more about yourself and werewolves as a people. We’ve also given the packs' children a cub of their choice as well, and I believe all of the 11 packs helping to make the toys are doing the same. So little Strom there can make as many friends as he likes.”

Lucas's eyes lit up, a flicker of hope breaking through the fear that had dominated his expression. "There are other cubs here? With wolves like Shadow?"

"There will be," Ioannis said gently, encouraged by his interest. The pendant warmed against her skin, pulsing in time with her heartbeat. "Children from all the packs will have companions like Shadow."

"And nobody takes them away?" Lucas asked, his thin fingers clutching the plush wolf tighter. "Even when training is bad?"

The question broke Ioannis's heart. She exchanged a quick glance with Sera, careful to keep her expression calm despite the rage building inside her. "There's no training like that here, Lucas. Children go to school to learn about history, math, and science. And about being werewolves, too. But no one is punished for crying or for touching trees."

Lucas considered this, his hazel eyes narrowing with the scepticism of a child who had learned not to trust good news. "What about the quiet room? Is there one here?"

"No quiet rooms," Sera assured him, her voice steady. "No punishment rooms of any kind."

The boy didn't look entirely convinced, but he nodded, his attention returning to Shadow. The plush wolf emitted another soft rumble as Lucas stroked its fur, the sound soothing both of them.

"I'm worried about Ellie and Micha," he whispered after a moment. "The men with the machines were looking for us. Ellie said to hide in water because it masks our scent."

Ioannis noted this detail carefully, knowing Nickolas would be cataloguing it through their bond. Smart girl, this Ellie. Teaching younger children survival tactics that might save their lives.

"That was very clever of her," Ioannis said. "Can you tell us what direction they went when you separated?"

Lucas's brow furrowed in concentration. "Ellie went toward the mountains. She said higher ground was safer for watching. Micha..." His voice faltered. "I don't know. We got separated at the river crossing. He's not a good swimmer."

The pendant cooled against Ioannis's skin. A child who couldn't swim well, alone in an unfamiliar wilderness. Through their bond, she felt Nickolas's tactical mind already calculating search parameters, prioritising waterways within escape distance of the facility.

"We'll find them," Ioannis promised, infusing her voice with a certainty she prayed was justified. "We have many wolves who are excellent trackers. They're looking already."

Lucas studied her face, searching for deception. "Will they get wolves, too? Like Shadow?"

"Yes," Miles assured him from his position near the door. "Ellie will get her purple wolf, and Micha will have his green one. Just like we promised."

The boy nodded, some of the tension leaving his thin shoulders. He yawned suddenly, his body finally feeling safe enough to rest.