The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power (by Emily Reed) novel Chapter 182

Chapter 182 The Fear Instinct

Cindy’s POV:

The table was already full of food.

There was a plate of meatballs, a bowl of soup, and several trays of small pastries.

I lifted him onto the chair.

“Go on, eat.”

The moment the words left my mouth, it was like a switch flipped in Astra.

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He didn’t even reach for a fork. He stuck out his thin, bony hands, grabbed the meatballs straight off the plate, and stuffed them into his mouth, swallowing as fast as he could.

Hot broth splashed onto his hands and face, but he didn’t seem to feel it at all.

“Slow down! Astra, slow down!” I panicked and reached for a napkin.

The instant my hand moved toward him…

“Clang!”

Astra jumped like a scared rabbit. He threw the meatball from his hand and slid straight under the table.

He curled up in the darkest corner beneath it, arms over his head. His whole body shaking as terrified whimpers spilled from his throat.

My hand froze in midair. My heart felt like it had been clenched in a brutal fist.

This was … an instinct.

An instinct shaped by years of being beaten, abused, or punished at the table. An instinct learned from being hit while fighting just to eat.

The second someone came too close, or the second he thought he’d done something “wrong” by eating too fast, his body reacted on its own-hide, give in, beg.

I slowly crouched down until my eyes were level with his.

“Astra, look at me.”

I held out my hand, palm up, showing there was no threat at all.

“I won’t hit you. No one will hit you.

“Look, that’s your food. All of it is yours. No one is taking it away. You can eat however you want-use your hands, lick the plate if you want. I won’t be mad.”

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15:27 Wed, Jan 21 MG.

Chapter 182 The Fear Instinct

Astra peeked out from between his arms, one eye showing, staring at me in fear.

Slowly, the fear in his eyes started to fade, replaced by sadness.

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Big tears ran down his cheeks, mixing with the grease at the corners of his mouth. He looked miserable- heartbreakingly pitiful.

I didn’t try to pull him out. I just waited quietly.

After a long while, he cautiously reached out and grabbed one of my fingers.

Once he was sure it was safe, he slowly crawled out from under the table and climbed back onto the chair.

I turned my back, biting down hard on the urge to cry, and quickly wiped my tears away.

When I turned back around, I was wearing a gentle smile.

“Come on. I’ll eat with you.”

I picked up a fork. I didn’t feed him-I took a bite myself, showing him that this place was safe.

Just then, there was a soft knock at the door.

Adam came in carrying a plate of fruit.

“Cindy, this kid-”

Before Adam could finish, Astra, who had just barely relaxed, exploded with tension again.

He dropped his spoon, bared his teeth, and let out a low growl from his throat. His silver-gray eyes were filled with sharp hostility and fear toward the unfamiliar Alpha.

It was the posture of a wild animal guarding its food-and its territory.

Prince Adam stopped immediately and raised both hands to show he meant no harm.

“Sorry,” Prince Adam said with a bitter smile, looking at Astra like a startled deer. “Looks like I’m not welcome.”

He placed the fruit on the cabinet by the door and didn’t step any closer.

“Cindy, I’ll eat outside. Call me if you need anything.” Adam said gently. “Also, I prepared some paper and pens for you. They’re on that cabinet. I remember you saying he started learning at three-he should be able to read and write.”

I looked at Prince Adam with gratitude.

This man always thought of everything when I needed it most.

“Thank you, Adam,” I said seriously.

2/3

15:27 Wed, Jan

Chapter 182 The Fear Instinct

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