Chapter 279: Chapter 279 Secret Promise Made
Timothy crossed his arms in frustration, watching as Harlow copied his exact gesture. "Stop following me," he grumbled.
The little girl mimicked his words right back at him. "Stop following me," she chirped in her tiny voice, then burst into giggles when she saw his annoyance growing.
"Do you have candy?"
"No candy. Don’t ask me for any," he muttered under his breath. "Go back to your mother—she’ll start looking for you." He glanced toward Jude, who remained absorbed in her potion-making, completely unaware her daughter had wandered off.
"Mama’s busy. I’m bored."
"If you’re bored, go somewhere else to play," he said, pressing his lips together. This kid unsettled him—not because he disliked her, but because those eyes were identical to Jude’s. Talking to Harlow felt like speaking to a miniature version of her mother. The resemblance was striking.
"No." Harlow plopped down on the ground, her expression turning sad. The sight tugged at something in his chest.
"What’s wrong?" He found himself crouching down beside her.
"I don’t have friends."
"How come?" He wrinkled his nose. "Maybe it’s because you’re a troublemaker—that’s why nobody wants to be your friend."
Harlow’s lips formed a pout as she glared at him, attempting to look fierce. For a kid her age, the intimidating look came across as adorable instead.
"No, it’s because I was sick. That’s why I have no friends. I’ve been ill, so I had to stay inside the hut." She wrapped her arms around her knees.
Without thinking, he reached out and stroked her hair. He knew about this child’s illness—it was the reason Phoebe had been helping Jude create medicine for her.
According to Phoebe, Harlow nearly died before they figured out what was wrong with her.
The idea of this little girl suffering so much didn’t sit right with him. Yet fully accepting her remained difficult because he couldn’t shake the thoughts about how she came to exist.
"But you’re better now," he pointed out.
Harlow glanced around, making sure no one could overhear before leaning closer to whisper.
"Sometimes my chest still hurts," she confided in her small voice.
His eyebrows shot up. "Why haven’t you told your mother or the queen?" He wasn’t sure if this was concerning since he knew nothing about healing.
"No. I don’t want mama to worry. She cried so much when I was sick, and she just started looking happy again. I don’t want to make her sad." Harlow chewed her bottom lip. "But mama’s been acting strange since yesterday. She burned my food and the egg tasted awful." Her nose scrunched up. "I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to upset her, so I ate it all." She stuck out her tongue. "It was gross."
He didn’t know whether to laugh or not.
"Is there something special you’d like to eat?" He understood how dire their situation was. All the women living in the huts had to fend for themselves and their daughters. They were considered ’used goods,’ while the omegas in the omega quarters were still deemed suitable for the men.
The thought made his stomach churn. He needed to control himself before he frightened the little girl with his anger.
"Yes! I want meat." Harlow’s face lit up with excitement. "I had meat once—mama gave me a big piece, but that was so long ago. I remember crying for more."
He winced. He’d never imagined something so basic could mean everything to this child. It was hard to comprehend since he’d never struggled with food.
The only time he ate poorly was during war, but even then, meat was always available.
"I can get you meat." He actually hadn’t eaten well this afternoon—hadn’t even touched his portion—and now he felt guilty about that waste.
"Really?" Her eyes sparkled, and he found himself smiling without realizing it.
Before they could continue talking, Jude’s voice rang out as she finally noticed Harlow’s absence and began calling for her daughter.
He didn’t know why, but he didn’t want Jude to discover he’d been talking to Harlow or that he was even here. The words tumbled out urgently.
"I’ll bring you meat tomorrow. Meet me here, but don’t tell anyone, okay?" His rushed tone confused Harlow. "Don’t tell anyone you saw me, understand?"
"Why?" She tilted her head curiously.
"Because..." He scrambled for an excuse. "Because... I’ll get in trouble, and then you won’t get your meat."
Harlow’s eyes widened in alarm before she nodded seriously. "I won’t tell anyone I met you." She held out her pinky finger. "Promise."
"Good girl." He patted her head, stopping himself just before he kissed her forehead. That wouldn’t be appropriate.
He shifted into his beast form and bolted from the area. Seconds later, Jude appeared and found Harlow alone.
"What are you doing here by yourself? Don’t wander off—you scared me." Jude scooped Harlow into her arms. "Come on, your medicine is ready."
Harlow grimaced. "That tastes horrible," she complained.
"The queen promised you candy, remember?" Jude coaxed her daughter.
From his hiding spot nearby, Timothy listened to their conversation and made a mental note to bring candy along with the meat tomorrow.
