CHAPTER 20
HAZY SUNLIGHT STREAMED through the translucent curtains, the morning light casting out yesterday’s shadows.
Pip zipped around the woefully empty kitchen—a major factor as to why Lenore was readying herself to leave. A constant stream of mutterings left her, no thought left unsaid.
“No one knows I know anything. Azelf helped me—why would he turn that against me? But maybe he will because of some pack politics I don’t know about, or because he’s friends with Arisa.
He might’ve been the worst werewolf to catch me alone.
” Pip tried to talk to her, desperately squeaking out sounds she couldn’t understand.
It waved its arms frantically at her face, but she turned away.
“I don’t think—you don’t think anyone is going to kill me…
right? Why does everything have to be so scary?
” Her hands covered her cheeks as her voice went up an octave.
“Arisa... she... is she a Lucyn? I think that’s what my scar is warning me about—the Lucyn.
But what does she want? The mithrial blood?
Auden? Wait—Fia said you don’t have a fated mate if you’re a Lucyn.
” Lenore’s fingers dug through her hair, the strands falling back into place as she groaned.
“And those ravens that attacked you—are there more of them?”
Lenore swung her outstretched hands in front of her. “You went one day without almost losing your cool. Add to that count, don’t subtract it. The last thing you need right now is freaking out and going crazy on everyone.”
Pip stopped to stare at her. “Pip, peep…”
She pouted at the sprite. “Don’t look at me like that—I’m not raving around like a lunatic. I’m the normal one here, Pip! And that’s exactly why I’m rambling out loud! I just went through a bunch of things that I can barely comprehend as a normal human—”
Pip went straight to her face, lifting up one side of her upper lip to expose her fang. It giggled as Lenore lightly poked its head in response.
“... Werewolf. As a normal werewolf, it’s still hard to wrap my head around everything. I’m getting nightmarish visions and my right arm feels like it’s drowning in the northern waters half the time.”
She fiddled with the dark-brown corset around her waist, brows furrowed as she continued to ruminate.
“I don’t know what to do. Something’s obviously wrong with this pack—with Arisa—but it’s like trying to peer into a realm that can’t be seen.
” Her hands adjusted the draping, dusty-blue fabric that hung off her shoulders.
“I took care of other women’s skin for a living, Pip.
Back then, blackheads were the worst enemy I ever faced. This is beyond me.”
Pip followed her to the entryway. As Lenore leaned against the wall to pull on her boots, she looked at the light sprite. “What about you? You must’ve seen all kinds of... dark things.”
“Pip.”
“Is that a yes? Well, if it is, is it possible to use your powers to bring this all to light?”
Pip lowered its eyes, dropping lower in the air. “Pip…”
“Aw, no,” Lenore consoled the light sprite gently.
“It’s okay. I guess that’s why we need a light mage...
it must be a team effort.” She stood steady, brushing her hands against the dusty-blue fabric layered on both sides of her white dress.
She lifted the top layer of her open overskirt, gesturing for Pip to enter the dress’s side pocket.
“In the meantime, we’ll figure it out together. ”
Happy squeaks answered her as it circled around her head. Lenore smiled, pressing her cheek against the light sprite before it dove into its hiding spot. She dropped the overskirt, then gently ran her hands down once more.
With one hand on the doorknob and the other fiddling with her black choker, she took a breath, then ventured forward.
Bright blue skies painted with thin wisps of white met Lenore’s gaze as soon as she opened the front door.
The shadowy veil over the trees was lifted by the sun’s presence, revealing an abundance of emerald green.
Lenore inhaled the sweet scents of fresh air and florals, sighing in appreciation when she stepped out completely into the open.
Her boots softly clacked against the smooth stone beneath.
“Good morning, Lenore.”
Lenore jumped, letting out a sharp gasp as she nearly ran back inside.
Her head jerked to where the voice came from, and there she saw Charie.
Seated among the tall blades of emerald grass was the raven-haired woman, who seemed perfectly comfortable on the ground.
A long stem of lavender swiveled back and forth between her thumb and index finger.
“Ch—Charie?” Lenore placed a hand on her racing heart. “What—How—How long have you been out here?”
“Oh—I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.
I thought you could use some more rest,” Charie said.
She pulled her sleeves down as she stood up, hiding her black leather gloves beneath the mauve fabric, as if out of habit.
Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she answered Lenore after a moment’s thought.
“I haven’t been here for too long. Maybe twenty minutes now? ”
“Twenty minutes?” Lenore echoed in disbelief. “I wouldn’t have minded letting you in.” She glanced down sheepishly as she added, “I don’t have anything more to offer other than tap water, but if you’re thirsty…”
A small laugh escaped Charie’s lips. “I’m fine, thank you. That’s exactly why I’m here. To help you properly settle in.”
The timing was impeccable, and Lenore almost relaxed her posture. But wariness kept her guard up as she carefully asked, “Did Arisa or Auden send you?”
“No. After last night’s festivities, she and many others are, um, recovering from the celebration.” Charie twiddled her fingers as she cleared her throat. Lenore caught a glimpse of relief in the other’s eyes. “It was Edmund who sent me.”
That took Lenore by surprise. “I see,” she said slowly. “Did he also happen to complain and say something like, ‘this whelp is probably dying somehow and won’t be able to figure anything out?’”
It was Charie’s turn to blink at her, wide-eyed in her expression, before she laughed. “That was... actually similar to what he said, yes.”
Lenore smiled in fond exasperation. “I’m learning pretty quickly that his way of looking out for others just has to be covered in thorns and thickets.”
Charie tilted her head to the side, looking up in thought. “He’s always balanced out Auden’s bright-eyed personality since they were kids. So for every werewolf Auden cheered up, another would cry.”
As Lenore wondered just how many werewolves cried because of Edmund, Charie brushed it off with a soft chuckle. “But let’s not dwell on that. I do, in fact, have a lot to go over with you. Shall we head off now?”
“Alright, let’s go then,” Lenore agreed. “Um, with brunch to start, if that’s hopefully okay with you?” She blushed as Charie knowingly smiled at her.
“Of course. There’s plenty I can still explain while we eat.
” Blades of grass swayed back and forth as Charie’s ankles pushed through the green clusters, walking ahead for a moment.
As she turned, her body shifted, and a small black wolf faced Lenore.
A shiny gleam danced along the ends of Charie’s fur. Hazel eyes met Lenore’s blue ones.
Lenore followed suit, and soon enough, she stood next to Charie in her silver wolf form, contrasting the dark hues of the other. Hidden within the thick ruffles of her fur was Pip, having transformed into a tiny speck of light to stay undetectable.
With nods exchanged between each other and simultaneous tail wags, the pair were off, disappearing into the dappled shadows of the forest trails.
Charie was right that the pack was currently in the middle of recovery.
Whenever Lenore saw any werewolves, they were the opposite of active.
Under the warmth of the sun, many wolves lay sprawled out, dozing as they soaked in the sunrays.
Seeing them so docile was a strange sight to Lenore, something she almost couldn’t believe.
“It’s usually like this after a special hunt,” Charie said once the pair had settled down at a large cluster of outdoor seating. They sat under a giant pergola, surrounded by cascading blue and purple blooms.
Lenore glanced around, taking in the long, empty wooden tables across from them. The women sat alone at the end of one of the tables with purchased food set before them. Though the surfaces had been scrubbed clean, a faint trace of wine lingered in the air.
“Is this where you were last night?” she asked.
Charie wrung her hands together. “Not here, no,” she mumbled. “I was here and there.” She shifted in her seat then added quickly, “This is… usually one of the more popular spots for the pack.”
Lenore looked down at the space in front of her, hunger rumbling in her stomach as she mentally feasted upon the assorted packs of food before her.
A delightful spread of sliced meats ranging in thick and thin cuts was sprinkled with a savory hint of spices that tantalized her eyes and nose.
A fine selection of cheese flanked the meat, complementing it with a sharp aroma.
Crackers and a few chunks of bread were nestled in the corner, completing what she considered a work of art.
Lenore’s mouth watered as she looked up at Charie, her anticipation impossible to hide. With polite restraint, she asked, “Is it alright for me to start eating?”
Charie nodded, using her hand to gesture toward the food. “Feel free to eat as much as you’d like.”
Lenore’s hand hovered over the different options, realizing that among the bounty of meat, there was not a single vegetable in sight. “Is this a werewolf’s diet then?” she asked, as she assembled a stack of meat together, sandwiched between crackers. “I don’t see any vegetables.”
“Vegetables? Um... like a potato?”
“That’s one of them, yes. What about broccoli, or beets, or carrots?”