186
Lucy
The White Moon Family Pack House had become a second home to me, a sanctuary where I could truly be myself. As I sat on the comfortable couch, surrounded by family members diligently working on their assignments, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. I glanced around the cozy living room, the soft glow of the fireplace casting a warm ambiance. My cousins were scattered around, each engrossed in their own studies.
I fiddled with my pen, my mind drifting from the pages of my criminal justice textbook to my own thoughts. It was easy to lose myself in the comforting atmosphere of the pack house, but a lingering question tugged at the back of my mind – was it time for me to make a more permanent move?
Despite the familiarity and sense of belonging, I felt within these walls, a small part of me hesitated. The pack house had quickly become a haven, but I still wanted to repay Stacy for all of her kindness. I still wasn't sure how I was going to do that, but I would figure it out.
"Lucy, are you okay?" Jessie's voice broke through my thoughts, and I looked up to find her giving me a concerned look.
I offered her a smile, hoping to dispel any worries she might have. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just lost in thought, I guess."
She nodded, understanding in her eyes. "You're always welcome here, you know. This place is as much yours as it is ours."
Her words warmed my heart, yet it wasn't enough to put me at ease. I wanted to belong, to be part of this close-knit family, but I also didn't want to be pulled back into all the werewolf politics. As much as I cherished the time spent with them, it still wasn't time for living here.
As the afternoon sun streamed through the windows, bathing the room in a soft glow, I took a deep breath.
"No deep sighs," Duke said as he walked through the living room.
"Where are you headed?" Jessie asked. "You're leaving already?"
"Training tonight with Maggie."
I sat up. "Your healing training?"
He nodded. "Curious? Want to come?"
"Can I?" I asked. "I don't want to be in the way."
He scoffed. "Come watch me struggle, and in exchange, I'll have a perfect method to distract Blue."
I laughed and nodded. I got up and said goodbye, heading out to get into the car with Duke. I let out another sigh.
"You know, no one is expecting you to move into the pack house, right?" Duke said. "If you never do, if I never do, we'll still be welcome to sit on their couch and eat their snacks."
I chuckled and leaned against him. "Thanks. It doesn't bother you?"
He shrugged. "Lucian was pretty clear that he's expecting me to be pack healer if he can't find another one, but he didn't say I had to live there… I think I want my own space."
"You're not going to stay at Blood Moon?"
His lips twitched. "Well… I've thought about it…"
I nudged him. "And?"
"And… I'm undecided."
I nodded, understanding. We spent the rest of the ride in quiet. Then, we got onto another road, and I gasped. The Blood Moon Estate looked just like the pictures. We got out, and Duke led me inside as if he'd been living here for years.
"Did you eat?"
Duke huffed and held up his lunch kit. "All of it! And I'm stuffed."
She pursed her lips and looked at him skeptically. "I'll get snacks ready for you and Lucy."
She smiled at me. "You sticking around for dinner?"
“Oh… If I’m invited…”
"Of course," she said, waving her hand. "You're family, and the more the merrier."
Duke let out a low sigh of relief and led me through the halls. The air felt charged with something. I wanted to say it was magic, but that seemed too simple. I walked alongside Duke, curious about his training with Hito. I hadn't heard much about Hito, so I was pretty curious.
As we approached the room, the atmosphere crackled with energy. Duke took a deep breath. He seemed nervous as he knocked on the door and entered.
"You're early," the man said. His voice was deep and velvety and seemed to echo around the room. He turned around with a stoic expression. "And you brought a cheerleader."
My face flushed as Duke laughed. "This is Lucy. She was curious."
"Lucy…" he said softly. "A pleasure. I am Hito. If you must be like the rest of Blood Moon, you may call me Maggie. It makes me no difference."
"Hi," I said. "Uhm… I'll try to stay out of the way."
"Training in adversity makes you stronger." He looked at Duke. "Are you ready?"
He let out a sigh. "I ate if that's what you're asking."
"Partially."
I looked around the spacious room. It was equipped with various tools and equipment, but it mostly looked like a medical examination room. Hito stood at the center, his sharp gaze fixed on Duke.
"You'll be healing a bird today," Hito said. "If you let it die, I'll just have to find another one."
My eyes widened. Duke looked a bit nervous, but he nodded and walked forward to the little table. My stomach churned as Hito revealed a still bird.
Then, it started to move with a small sound of pain. I stood off to the side as Duke approached.
"Focus on what you see, the worst of it and work outward."
He nodded. He looked so determined as he squared his shoulders, took off his ring, and took a deep breath. I didn't even think he realized that I was there. He seemed so focused. I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride for him. Light crackled between his hands and swirled around the small twitching bird. Its wing was torn and damaged, it looked like, and there was a small pool of blood beneath it.
I kept my mouth shut as I watched him work.
"Healing," Hito began. "Is not for the faint of heart. True magical healing comes from a place of empathy, a softness that must be wielded for the sake of many… It is more than technique, but a constant practice in honing one's instincts, harnessing one's magic, and reaching a level of self-mastery that allows you to do what must be done even when you are certain of your own death."
I shuddered at the thought. Duke seemed to be shaking. Sweat beaded up on his forehead. The bird had stopped twitching.
"What have you found?"
"Hurts," Duke said stiffly. "Hurts a lot."
"What else? Don't be an idiot."
"I…" He struggled on his next breath. "There's a pain in its chest. Hurts… A lot. Everywhere… Thrashed. Snarling…”
I blinked as Duke's speech turned sporadic and disjointed. There was light coming from his eyes like he was in a trance.
"Keep hold of yourself. You need to know what happened to know the extent of the damage. You don't need to lose yourself in it."
"Scared. Falling. Fear. Eaten. Death—"
Hito reached out to him, pulling Duke back. Duke shuddered, shaking as light covered the bird again. Sweat poured down his face. Hito grabbed him by the back of his neck and forced him to meet his eyes.
Duke blinked and blinked again before he seemed to lose a bit of color.
"Take a deep breath, recenter yourself."
"I'm sorry."
"You need not be. I expected it. Though I am impressed by how quickly you came back. Deep breath. Again."
I watched as Hito led him through some sort of breathing technique. Then, Duke was talking again. I couldn't make it all out, but I got enough to figure out that the bird had been injured twice and maybe half-mauled by something.
"Are you alright to continue?" Hito asked.
He nodded. "I-I can do it."
He stepped back. "Very well. Try again."
He let the barrier fall, and Duke went back to channeling his magic. Hito continued talking. His words were like a mantra. I was almost hypnotized by his words. I didn't feel anything that he was saying, but I could understand it, and I was a little horrified to think that Duke had to feel the pain of anyone and anything he tried to heal.
Duke didn't stop. He looked like he was on the edge of passing out or puking, but he didn't stop.
Duke's hands hovered over the fragile creature. The magic changed colors. I held my breath as his magic wove intricate patterns around the bird's body. The light in his eyes grew brighter. His lips trembled. The wing jerked, twitched and drew straight. Each feather lay back into place. The pool of blood shrank until it was all gone, and Duke pulled back his hands, swooning on his feet.
Time seemed to stand still as the magic took effect.
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