Esmeray-

My alarm went off and I woke up with a groan. It was 5 in the morning. Master and Madam wakes up at 6. Before that I have to finish cleaning and cooking breakfast or else I would get an extra hour of beating along with the regular hour of whipping, carving, burning, kicking. Whatever makes them happy. Sometimes that too.

My body wasn't allowed to heal and the wounds are too many. Some have festered and turned green. There's no good skin on my back. I have open gashes on my abdomen. I am not allowed to clean them or apply medicine or even stitch them up. If I do, it means an additional hour of beating up.

How am I not dead yet? Because their doctor friend tends to me when I'm on the brink of death. My ribs are probably broken because its hard to walk or even breathe.

I haven't had food for days. I can only drink water. If I have food, I am made to vomit by Madam, who says I'm fat. But I feel my bones and I can even count them.

I shook my head to wave of those thoughts and did my morning routine. The cold bath gave me little relief from the pain. I quietly took some painkillers which I hid in the hole on the wall.

After dressing up in an old hoodie and pants, I went up to the kitchen, quickly cleaned the dried up blood from my wounds from last night and then cooked some breakfast.

It was 5:45 AM. And they will come down now. I quickly laid it down on the table and hurried back down to the basement.

It was 6:30 AM, but there was no sound. Maybe they were happy today.

But as they say, you shouldn't be too happy. The basement door opened and I heard a few footsteps. My body was already in pain and I wasn't ready for any more beating this early in the morning, so I hid myself.

"Where is she? Find her." I heard a deep voice.

I started panicking thinking they sent some new people to do that to me again. I felt a very sharp pain in my chest and my vision blurred.

Please, not today.

I prayed before passing out.

*********

Third Pov-

The King brothers always knew that Rivera Jones and her husband Clayton were stealing from them. But what the couple didn't know was that they could steal from them, because they were allowed to.

But today, today they would be their last day, because the brothers had got all the information needed.

"Nate, take a group from the back. Ethan, Lijah, stay together at the front and keep eyes everywhere. Rest of you, with me to the front." Alexander gave orders and the brothers gave a nod and started moving.

Alexander saw the couple having breakfast, his two men quickly went behind them and Alex directly stood in front of them and shot them in their heads. Of course they had a silencer on the guns.

The men held them and slowly placed their heads on the table.

"Alex, there's a little girl in that house. Just make sure she's fine. We don't hurt children. Be careful with her." Nate warned him.

"Okay, got it." Alexander replied.

"Boss, this looks like a basement. Should we check it?" His men whispered.

Alexander opened the door and walked downstairs. His blood boiled at the dried up blood on the floor, the walls. The whips, the blades, the knives stuck on the wall had dried up blood as well. Then his eyes fell on the torn and dirty mattress in the corner. There was a small bag of clothes and a few torn and worn out books as well.

Something in his stirred. His protective instincts flared up.

"Where is she? Find her." He ordered and he himself started looking around.

He knelt besides the dirty mattress and saw a small cover peeking out from under the mattress. He pulled it out and turns out it was a diary.

He opened it and what a coincidence, it was an entry from last night.

13th March 2023

Today I was whipped again. My wounds haven't healed and they are festering. I really wish to die, but they won't even let me die. Their friend always treats me and once he gives a go, they whip me again, beat me till I'm passed out. My ribs are probably all broken. The open gash on my abdomen is infected. I can't even clean my wounds, because I'm not allowed to.

How long? How long do I have to live like this? I wish I had a loving family like the girls at my school. They have brothers who treat them like princesses and I feel jealous. Why didn't I have brothers? They would protect me from all of these, wouldn't they? Why don't I have normal parents? Why do they hate me so much? When I cry, scream in pain, why don't their hearts bleed?

Like always they just wanted to beat me tonight and so they did. An hour of daily whipping and then they kicked me till I couldn't even make a sound. Why? All because they felt so. Do all parents do these? Why aren't the bodies of other girls at my school filled with bruises and wounds?

School was an escape until they started bullying me for my white hairs. My teacher said, it's probably genetic. But then why don't my parents have the same hair color? I have nothing similar with them.

Please God, if you are real, please help me once. I am losing hope. I am losing all my strength, my will to live. I want to die, but they will keep me alive somehow and then beat me to death again. I can't take this anymore. My body can't take this anymore.

Please let someone find me. If I have to live, atleast let me live a painless, peaceful life. I love school, I love reading, but I will give up both of it in exchange. Just this once let me live.

Esmeray.

Alexander's eyes were filled with tears and he hadn't even realised his brothers were in front of him and looking at him.

When he looked up, all his brothers froze.

Alexander King was crying!

He had fucking tears in his eyes!!

They looked at him with worry, concern in their eyes. He just handed them the diary and they took it. Soon, their jaws clenched, eyes darkened as they read it.

"Where is she?" Nathaniel asked his brother and Alexander shook his head.

"Boss, you need to come here." One of his men yelled and all brothers rushed to the other side of the basement.

The froze when they saw a tiny figure passed out in the corner of the room. The sudden instinct to protect her woke up in their hearts.

They've always wanted someone to protect, someone to spoil, pamper and give love to. Little did they know, they would find that someone in the place where they would have never dreamt even in their dreams.

Nathaniel rushed forward and checked for her pulse.

"Her pulse is very weak, Alex, we need to take her to the hospital. NOW!!" Nathan yelled and picked up the little girl her arms and ran out.

The boys ran after him, but Alexander stayed back.

*********

Alexander King-

If anyone had told me before today, that I would fall in love with a little angel, I would kill them for spouting such nonsence.

But here I was, I hadn't even seen her yet. Just reading her diary entry, woke up the fatherly instinct in me. I so badly wanted to protect her. I wnated to hide her away in my arms, away from this cruel world, even though I'm a part of it.

I didn't even know I was crying. I didn't even know when my brothers had arrived and looking at me with worry and concern in their eyes.

When one of my men called for us, we ran. And when we entered the other side, I froze.

There she was, as she described, her white angelic hairs tied up in bun, an old hoodie on her and some pants on, she lay there passed out. She had beautiful freckles on that spread on her nose and a little below her eyes.

They bullied her for having white hairs. They beat her up? Whipped her? The knives. What else did they do to her?

My mind was going crazy and my heart was bleeding with pain, with anger, with rage. I wanted to burn down everything.

I regretted giving those monsters and easy death. If I could, I would bring them back and torture them for a hundred years.

"Her pulse is very weak, Alex, we need to take her to the hospital. NOW!!" Nate yelled at and that broke me from my thoughts.

Everyone ran behind me, but my feet froze in place. I couldn't move at all. But I heard my name being called again.

I ran back, but stopped and picked up that diary. I tucked it in my gun holster.

"Get her books, that small bag and also, don't forget to take that small teddy. Actually give that teddy to me and keep rest of the things safe. Check if there's anything that looks important and get it all. Once you're done, burn this place down." I ordered and took the teddy that was handed to me and ran out.

I got into the car and drove away behind the car my brothers were driving.

"I'm right behind you, kids. Don't worry, I'm fine." I said over the earpiece.

"Alex," I heard Nate's soft voice.

"I promise I'm fine, my love. How is our little angel?" I asked and I froze when I realised what I had said.

Our little angel.

"Still passed out. She's running a fever too. We will have her checked out at the hospital. I've informed them already. Alice is already waiting for us at the hospital." Nate told me and I hummed.

"Okay." I didn't say anything after that.

I took out the ear-piece and called my friend who is also a lawyer. Mikhail Lorenz.

"Hey mate, you okay." His cheerful voice came and my lips slightly quirked upwards at his cheerfulness.

"Meet us at the King's Hospital. And get that police friend of yours as well." I just ordered him and hung up, not wanting to hear his 20 questions.

Little did I know that we would end up adopting the little girl and officially making her our little angel.

Esmeray-

I slowly opened my eyes to a white ceiling and some low beeping sounds. I looked around and saw machine, I was attached to it.

I looked at my slowly to see a man in a casual shirt and joggers. His tattoos peaked from his shirt at his neck.

"Hello," I whispered but he heard me and he smiled.

His smile, that unfamiliar emotion in his eyes warmed my heart.

"You saved me?" I asked my next question and he nodded.

"We did." He answered with a smile.

"Thank you. That was what I prayed before I passed out." I said the last part softly.

And if he heard, he didn't say anything. I was grateful.

"Can I be a little selfish?" I asked meekly and he looked surprised.

"Be as selfish as you can angel." He said with a smile.

I looked for any sign of sarcasm or if he is on purpose. But there is none.

"Come here." I pat the side besides me on the bed and move a little.

He looks at me with a raised eyebrow. I nod again pointing to my hand. He gets up and sits besides me.

I slowly lean on his side, resting my head on his chest. I pulled up the blanket over us and closed my eyes. His body was tensed, but he soon relaxed. His heart was beating so calmly, it felt like a lullaby.

"Can you run your fingers through my hairs, it helps me sleep. My friend used to do it before he..." I bit my lip to stop myself from crying and tighten my grip on his shirt.

He doesn't push me with further questions, but I feel his hand press me further into his chest as he lifts me up, sitting me in his lap. His fingers play with my hairs. And as I drift off into a land of slumber, I feel him kiss my head softly, mumbling something that I couldn't really understand.

********

Ethan King-

If anyone would have told me that there would be a time, I would have a little angel order me to sit besides her on her bed, making me play with her beautiful white hairs, I would start laughing and then kill the person.

But who am I kidding?

When she patted the spot besides her on the bed, I raised my eyebrow and she just nodded pointing to her hand. I was compelled. I just listened. Didn't fight back, didn't throw insults, nothing.

Just listened to her.

When she leaned on me resting her head on my chest, it took everything in me not to push her away. She pulled the covers over us and I let her do her thing.

"Can you run your fingers through my hairs, it helps me sleep. My friend used to do it before he..." she suddenly stopped, but I saw her lower lip wobble as if she was trying to stop herself from crying.

I didn't push her with anymore questions. Something bad must have happened and she will tell us in her own time, whenever she feels like it.

I put my arm around her pulled her close. Without thinking much, I lifted her up and sat her on my lap. She didn't mind. I did what she asked. I slowly my fingers through her hairs.

I felt her body relax, so I kissed her head.

"We won't ever leave you. I promise." I mumbled, not bothering if she heard or not.

A while later, the door opened and my brothers walked in. They froze in their steps as they saw our angel in my lap.

"Not. A. Single. Loud. Noise." I spoke in a low no nonsense tone.

She stirred, but didn't wake up. My brothers sat around the bed.

"What happened?" Alex asked and soon two more people entered.

"Nothing, she woke up. Asked me if we saved her and I said yes. Then she thanked us for doing so asked if she could be a little selfish. I said she could be all selfish. Then she literally ordered me to sit besides her and run my fingers through her hairs. It seems to help her help. Her friend used to do it before he, I don't know." I explained.

"He?" Rex asked. Already protective.

"Before what?" Elijah asked and I shrugged.

"She bit her lip to stop herself from crying. So I'm guessing something happened and it wasn't a pleasant memory. Therefore I didn't push further." I explained and no one spoke.

"You know what she prayed before she passed out?" I asked and all heads snapped to me.

"What?" Nate asked, his eyes very soft and glistening.

"She prayed for somebody to save her. But I don't think she meant for me to hear it. But I did. And I couldn't help wonder why she would pray so. But then, you see this." I said and pointed to her hand, the sleeve was a bit pulled up.

"These are cuts, and they were on purpose. Self harm. She wanted to die. Do you think we gave them easy deaths? We read her diary entry. She mentioned a friend who was a doctor. We can find him. We will know what happened. But again, she mentioned the whippings, beatings which were a daily routine. She's not even an adult, if I have to guess. I can feel all her bones, Nate. I wish we found her sooner, then we could have tortured those bastards for 100 long years." I ranted and the room was silent.

"She's worked her magic on you, Twinny. You never speak so much. Today feels like you've spoken your quota for the whole of next 10-15 years." Elijah joked and my lips quirked up slightly.

"Alex, my birthday's coming up in two days. I know what I want this year." I spoke up suddenly and Alex narrowed his eyes.

"Are we seriously talking about your birthday?" Nate asked gritting his teeth.

"I want her. Adopt her will you? I need a sister. We all need a sister. All our lives we've been wanting one. As cringey as it sounds, and no matter if you tease me for life after this for being all sappy, it's worth it. Please, Alex. I don't think I've ever asked anything willingly from you since I turned 16. But this year, I want her. Let's adopt her, yeah? Oh and good, Mikhail, it's your job to get the papers ready for adoption. Nathan get her DNA check to see if he has anyone. They can visit if they want to, but I'm not letting her go. Please." I said it and now fuck whatever happens.

Before anyone could say anything, I felt our angel hum and stir. But this time, she woke up and looked up at me.

"Good nap?" I asked brushing her hairs slightly from her face.

"Yes, can we go out. It looks beautiful out there." She whispered softly and I smiled.

"Sure, but do you want to meet my brothers who also helped in saving you?" I asked and she thought a little before nodding.

"Are they good as you? Will they like me? I don't want to be hurt anymore. I'm tired." She whispered and somebody took a sharp breath in.

She flinched. And she flinched hard at the sound. She slowly turned around, her eyes wide.

"I-" She couldn't speak.

Alex stood up and sat besides me facing her. He leaned in and kissed her head.

"We're not mad. You're right to think like that. People have been hurting you all along. I will tell you honestly, we are worst than the people you've stayed with. But if we have to put out lives on line to protect you, we will. In a heartbeat. But we won't ever hurt you. Okay?" He asked softly and we've never heard that voice from him in years.

"Okay," she answered after a while.

She slowly extended her arm and held his large hand in her tiny ones.

Alex and we all just watched her. She was unpredictable. And what she said later made us freeze.

"My mom, dad, they were killed in front of me. I was six. I was made to watch as they killed them, as life left them. Then Master and Madam took me away. They whipped me, beat me, kicked me, carved on my body with knives and burned me. It was a routine. Every day one hour. If I did anything or even if they were just in mood to do beat me up, an extra hour would be added or it continued till I passed out. My parents had some debts which they couldn't afford to pay. They still made some money and sent me to school. I was bullied for my white hairs. My mom dad didn't have white hairs. Master and Madam didn't either. My school teacher said it's genetic. I was told my mom dad weren't parents either. I don't know where to go after this or what to do. I want to live too. I've had enough and I don't think I can handle anymore pain. Because although I so badly want to die, I feel like living might not be as bad." She sobbed still holding Alex's hand.

The room was silent and the only sound was her sobs. We all felt so helpless, so powerless. Nobody knew what to do with this new information. We didn't know how to comfort her or soothe her pain.

"Can I adopt you? Will you be okay with that?" Alex asked and my head snapped up to him. But his eyes were on the little girl.

"Esmeray, the choice is yours. We won't force you. All you have to-" He was cut short and she jumped into his arms wrapping her tiny arms around his neck.

"Yes, please do. Thank you so much." She sobbed, her hot tears scalding his skin under the shirt.

He instantly wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head.

"Mikhail, you and your police friend have heard everything, there won't be a repeat. Get things done as soon as possible. Is that understood?" He asked firmly.

"Consider it done." Mikhail answered.

"And we will change her name too. She will be Luna Estelle King. Is that okay, princess?" He asked her resting his cheek on her head.

"Whatever you think is good for me. I know you know the best." She replied and he kissed her head again.

"Always the best for my baby." He answered.

"Yeah, always." The others answered too.

Nathaniel King-

Alex gave her our mom's name.

Luna Estelle King.

My eyes widened as he said the name looking down at the little girl who captured our ice cold hearts and was warming them up with the light that surrounded her like a halo.

She was truly an angel. I took a sample for DNA, and turned out, her real family was dead. There was no one. I sighed. I felt bad as well as relieved. Bad because, there was no one left for her. And the fact that, we wouldn't have to kill anyone who tried to take her away from us brought me relief.

Mikhail as promised finished up everything and came in this morning to get the papers signed.

She was now officially Luna Estelle King.

I smiled at the thought not realising my older brother was leaning against the door and watching me.

He cleared his throat and I jumped and held out a gun. But relaxed when I saw it was just Alex.

"Jesus Christ, Alex." I cursed and held a hand over my chest and lowering the gun.

"Come in. I know you want to talk." I said knowing my brother well.

He smiled and walked across the room seating on the couch. I went and sat on the same couch. But to my surprise, he just laid his head on my lap and closed his eyes lying down.

"Alex," I called his name and he hummed.

"Are you okay, my baby?" I bit my lip to laughing. I knew he hated it.

"Yes, mom." He replied completely shutting me off. I didn't miss the smirk on his face.

I ran my fingers through his hairs. And I felt him relax. I knew something was troubling him. I knew him very well.

"Alex, what's on your mind, love? Come on, just talk to me." I said my voice a bit soft.

"I'm thinking, of our angel. I don't seem to understand how to help her. She's a girl. She will grow up soon. I want to spoil her, make her feel home, make her believe she belongs. That blood doesn't always mean family. But I don't know where to start from Nate. For the first time in 30 years of my life, I'm scared shitless. I don't want to hurt her. Because I know I'll die before even thinking about it." He stopped and took a deep breath.

I didn't speak. I had the same thoughts. I was scared as well. But hearing Alex speak about it, somewhat gave me relief that I wasn't alone.

"How do we help her, Nate? She's been through so much. And it's not even started yet. The trauma, the past, will all catch up until she learns to let go. It will be difficult and painful. The nightmares, the sleepless nights, the exhaustion from it all. She's broken, but beautiful. She's tired, yet she's strong. She's lost everything, yet she holds on to the hope of new tomorow. I don't know how to show love, Nate. With you guys, you know me well. But with her, words won't matter and she won't care. She will need to know it through our actions and I just don't know how to show it to her."

I was speechless, would be an understatement. Where was my Alex? Where was my Ethan. I wanted to know where Elijah and my big baby Rex stood. I would handle them all. But Alex, he was our rock, seeing him like this was doing something to me.

"Nate?" He called out and I looked at him, his forest green orbs looking straight in my midnight black ones.

"Yes, what is it?" I asked him.

"You think we will be able to give her a life she wishes to have?" He asked, his voice trembling, him being so vulnerable that it tugged my heart.

"Yes, love. Why not? I just know we will be the best brothers ever. We will love her, protect her, and we will keep her safe. I know we all will." I said assuring myself along the way.

"I believe you, like always. You know me the best. I love you Nate." He spoke closing his eyes again.

"I know. I love you too, brother. Rest for a while. I'll be right here when you wake up." I murmured, playing with his hairs.

He liked it since he was a child. Mom did that for him. After Mom, he used to come to me. And just like today would lie down on my lap and go to sleep.

Luna was really bringing a change. She was changing each one of us. And the change, it felt right.