Chapter 45
THIRD PERSON POV
Before Sophia could dwell on her daughter’s disappearance, Mrs Henderson invited the parents and children to the home economics room for an exercise.
“Come on!” Klara said, pulling her mom and Sophia along.
They walked to the home economics room. The place smelled of sugar and butter.
Long tables were lined up in rows. Each one was set with bowls, measuring cups, sacks of flour, sticks of butter, and trays waiting to be filled. Children buzzed with excitement. Parents tied aprons and read instructions taped to the walls.
Ms. Henderson clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Alright, families,” she said brightly. “Today we’re making sugar cookies. Simple steps. Measure the flour, add the butter, crack the eggs, mix, knead, then shape. Work together p>
Sophia stood at her station with Patricia and Klara. Klara bounced on her toes, already eyeing the sugar bowl.
“Can I stir?” Klara asked immediately.
Sophia smiled. “You can help. That means listening p>
“I can listen!” Klara said, already licking the spoon.
Patricia laughed. “She says that every time p>
Across the room, the door opened late.
Tiffany walked in first. Ashley followed a step behind her, looking at the ground. The tension between them was obvious enough that even Sophia’s wolf felt it.
They took the last station in the far corner.
Ashley avoided looking at anyone. Tiffany didn’t.
She scanned the room like she was stepping onto a stage.
Sophia noticed the way other parents glanced over, then looked away.
Ms. Henderson began demonstrating.
“One cup of flour,” she said, scooping carefully. “Half a stick of softened butter. Crack the egg on a flat surface, not the bowl p>
Everyone followed along easily. Parents laughed as children spilled flour or dropped eggshells. Parents corrected gently, wiping messes with smiles.
Sophia and Patricia worked smoothly. Sophia measured while Patricia mixed. Klara “helped” by stirring once and then licking the spoon again.
“Hey,” Patricia said softly. “That’s not helping p>
“I’m taste-testing,” Klara replied seriously.
Sophia huffed a small laugh.
At the corner station, things went wrong almost immediately.
Tiffany picked up an egg, frowned at it, then tried to crack it against the edge of the bowl. It shattered unevenly. The shells of the eggs poured into the mixture.
“Ugh,” Tiffany muttered. “Ashley, get that out p>
Ashley leaned forward quickly, fishing out shell pieces carefully.
“Just crack it on the counter,” Ashley said quietly.
Tiffany ignored her and reached for the flour instead. She tipped the cup too far, sending a white cloud pouring across the table.
“Oh my God,” Tiffany snapped. “Why is this so messy p>
Ashley wiped flour off the counter with the sleeve of her cardigan.
Sophia watched from the corner of her eye. Her wolf felt uneasy.
Tiffany lifted her phone and angled it toward the bowl.
“Smile, Ash,” she said. “This is cute p>
Ashley frowned. “Can we just finish p>
Tiffany took the photos anyway.
When it was time to knead the dough, Tiffany finally set the phone down and pressed her hands into the mixture. Her long, sharp acrylic nails dug in awkwardly.
“Ow!” she yelped suddenly. She jerked her hand back.
Blood poured out from one nail, then dripped right into the pale dough.
The room seemed to go quiet.
Ashley stared at the bowl, eyes wide.
“Oh my God,” she whispered. “There’s blood in it p>
Mrs. Chen at the next station leaned over. She looked annoyed.
“That’s disgusting,” she said loudly. “That’s completely unsanitary p>
Heads turned.
Mr. Patterson frowned openly. “There are children here p>
Mrs. Rodriguez shook her head. “Honestly, after the piano incident earlier and now this… maybe some people shouldn’t be in kitchens at school events p>
Tiffany stood frozen. Her finger was bleeding. Her mouth was open but no words came out.
“It’s a health issue,” someone else muttered.
“What kind of example is that?” another added.
Ashley felt the heat rise in her chest. Her young wolf inside her felt defensive. She felt the need to defend Tiffany because she loved her.
“Stop,” she said suddenly.
Everyone turned to her.
“It was an accident,” Ashley said, louder now. “Anyone can get hurt p>
Mrs. Chen scoffed. “This isn’t about p>
“Yes, it is,” Ashley snapped “You’re being mean p>
The room fell silent.
“You’re not perfect either,” Ashley went on. “Mrs. Chen, your husband forgot Emma’s birthday last month. I heard her crying in the bathroom p>
Mrs. Chen’s face went pale.
“And Mr. Patterson,” Ashley said, turning. “You yelled at your daughter at soccer practice. She cried all the way home p>
Everyone was silent.
Ashley’s chest heaved. “So don’t act like you’re better p>
Ashley flinched back, shaking. Before anyone could respond, Sophia stepped forward.
“Enough,” she said clearly.
Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried authority. She still had her authority as Luna. It was strong enough to make people listen.
“These are children,” Sophia continued. “Whatever your problems are, do not take them out on them p>
No one interrupted her.
“You’re adults,” she said. “Act like it. Especially in front of kids who are watching everything you do p>
Patricia moved to stand beside her.
Ms. Henderson cleared her throat. “Alright. Let’s clean up and take a short break p>
People obeyed and moved silently. Nobody said anything again.
While people were busy, Ashley moved. She slipped past tables, past distracted adults. No one noticed until she was already out the door.
Tiffany finished wrapping her finger and looked up.
“Ashley?” she called.
No answer. Panic hit her hard and fast.
“Ashley!” she shouted, rushing into the hallway.
The corridor was empty. She checked the classrooms yet there was nobody there. She ran outside and the lot was empty.
Her breathing turned shallow as fear took hold. She pulled out her phone with shaking hands and dialed.
When Damien answered, her voice broke.
“Damien,” she said. “Ashley ran. I can’t find her p>