Healed

EMERY

I came into this world hidden away. Our pack was nestled high in the mountains, surrounded by miles of forest. We lived in peace, relishing the solitude and the beauty of nature.

When I was born, my parents were overjoyed. They’d been trying for years to have another child after my brother. I was their miracle. But I was also their worst fear.

At the tender age of three, I started showing signs of a unique, rare gift.

I was a healer.

Healers were a rarity in the wolf community. Having a healer in a pack was a sign of power. My gift scared my parents for a long time.

It still does, but they’ve grown accustomed to it. I think they’re hoping I’ll find a mate within our pack. It’s the safest choice.

***

My alarm buzzed early in the morning, and I groaned, rolling over before forcing myself out of bed to start the day.

As a healer, I worked in the clinic as the receptionist and occasionally treated severe wounds. I walked into the kitchen to find my mom sleepily cradling a cup of coffee.

“Coffee?” she mumbled, still half in dreamland.

“I’ll get it…you might spill it,” I joked, grabbing a mug from the cupboard. I took a sip of the warm brew before glancing around the room. “Where’s Dad?”

“He left early. Something about helping the protectors this morning,” my mom replied, stretching to wake herself up.

“Is Titus still sleeping?” I asked, knowing full well my older brother was probably still out cold.

“Mhm...oh, I should wake him. He has training in twenty minutes,” my mom said, taking another sip before heading down the hall.

I grabbed my bag and left the Alpha apartment, descending the stairs of the packhouse. I stepped outside and walked down the road, watching the protectors warming up on the field.

My father caught my eye and jogged over, grinning. “Good morning, Squish.”

“How can you be so cheerful? It’s 6:30 in the morning,” I asked, giving him a sideways glance.

He shrugged innocently and gave my arm a gentle tap before jogging back to the field.

When I entered the clinic, I dropped my bag and headed to the backroom to start a fresh pot of coffee. I leaned against the cabinet, my eyes half-closed as I waited.

“Morning, Em!” Matt greeted cheerfully as he walked into the room.

I jumped slightly at the sound and shot him a glare. “That wasn’t nice.”

“But it was funny,” Matt chuckled, throwing an arm around my shoulder. “How are you?”

“Good, just not quite awake yet. You have a couple of appointments this morning, but nothing else until later,” I replied, grabbing a mug from the cabinet.

“Good, good,” Matt said absentmindedly before swiping my cup of coffee and leaving the room.

I watched him leave, shaking my head. I liked Matt. He was a good guy, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find him attractive.

His dirty blond hair and chocolate eyes were warm and inviting. He’d always been kind to me and had taught me a lot since I started working in the clinic.

He was several years older than me, but I hoped he would be my mate. I liked that we both helped people. But I wouldn’t know for sure until my twenty-first birthday, a week away.

“Can he be our mate? Pleeeaase?~”~my wolf, River, pleaded as we watched him walk away.

“Only one more week,” I whispered to myself before leaving the back room to take my seat at the front desk.

I looked up and smiled as the doorbell rang. “Good morn—Dad! What happened?” I exclaimed, rushing over to one of the limping boys he was helping into the clinic.

“These two thought it would be a good idea to start a fight they obviously couldn’t finish,” my dad replied, clearly annoyed.

“Alpha, good morning. Looks like we’ve got some nasty cuts here,” Matt said, walking out with exam gloves on.

We led them back to an exam room to be checked out. I watched as Matt cleaned and dressed their wounds.

“These should heal by tonight, but keep them clean until then. Understand?”

“Yes, sir…,” they both mumbled.

As they hopped down from the exam tables, one of them groaned in pain. “My chest…” he moaned.

After Matt and my father helped him back up, Matt discovered a couple of broken ribs. They all turned to me, and I gave a small smile.

“Our turn,” I whispered, my wolf purring in agreement.

I stood next to the table and closed my eyes, rubbing my hands together. When I opened them, I placed my hands on his chest above the broken ribs.

Warmth flowed from my hands, and I held them there for a few moments before lifting them.

“Better?” I asked, smiling.

“Much. Thank you,” the young protector grinned.

My father squeezed my shoulders before helping them out of the clinic.

“I still can’t believe how you do that,” Matt said as we watched them leave. “It’s an incredible gift.”

“Thanks,” I replied quietly, knowing it caused more problems than it solved.

Only our pack knew my secret. My father had sworn the pack to secrecy. An Alpha’s command was final, and in this case, the punishment for breaking that command was severe.

I didn’t like it, but my parents insisted it was for my safety and the safety of our pack. “Wars have been waged for far less,” my father would always say.

And because I was special, every alpha in the world would be at our doorstep, trying to either mate with me or steal me away.

But in a week, I would find my mate and wouldn’t have to worry anymore.

***

EMERY

“Mom, this is absurd. Why are we having such a big party?” I complained as I tried on my seventh dress.

“Well, word got out that the Alpha’s daughter is of age, and what was supposed to be a small gathering has turned into a huge event,” my mother grumbled, clearly annoyed that my father had agreed to this.

“Now, try this one,” she said, holding up another dress, much to my chagrin.

I was anxious about tomorrow. I’d have to keep my abilities under wraps for who knows how long, until I could trust whoever my mate turned out to be. Unless I got lucky and it was Matt.

***

For the first time in ages, I didn’t wake up to an alarm. I had the day off to get ready for tonight. As I rolled over and stretched, I lay there, thinking about what today meant.

I was going to find a mate.

I was going to find a mate.

Panic surged through me. I’d been warned my whole life about what would happen if outsiders discovered my secret. Today, the entire pack house would be filled with outsiders.

“Relax…,~”~ River soothed. ~“~Whoever our mate is, he’s MEANT for us. Hiding it for one day won’t kill us. Now breathe before you pass out.~”~

I sat up in bed, took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and placed my hands on my chest. I let the warmth wash over me, calming me until I was able to let go of my worries about tonight.

“Emery?”

I opened my eyes to see my mother peeking in from the door. “Hey, Mom,” I smiled, finally calm.

My parents walked in and sat on the bed, wrapping their arms around me. “Happy birthday, Squish,” my dad said, giving me a bear hug.

“So…today…,” my mom said, her smile nervous.

“Today…,” I echoed, unsure of what to say.

My father’s face turned serious. “We’ve had this talk before, but I—”

“I know, guys,” I interrupted, placing a calming hand on each of my parents. “No using my abilities today. At all. I won’t talk about it or mention it to anyone. You don’t need to worry.”

My mother took a deep breath. “I know you understand, but we’ve never been around so many strangers…”

“Hey, for all we know my mate could be from our pack and tonight will go smoothly,” I replied, hopeful.

“Ohhhh…maybe Matt…,~”~River purred. I knew she liked him. He was kind, and she enjoyed his teasing. I rolled my eyes at her but hoped the same.

“Well then, let’s go have breakfast. We have a lot to do today,” my mother said, patting my knee and smiling.

I spent the day helping set up for the party, keeping busy so I wouldn’t have to think about my future mate or the possibility that he might be from another pack.

In the afternoon, I went upstairs to get ready. When I stepped out of my closet, my mom gasped.

“What?” I asked, eyes wide. “Is it bad?” I turned to the mirror to see myself in a dark, emerald-green tea-length dress. It was simple, yet flowy and elegant.

My long, dark brown hair was curled and cascaded in waves down my back and around my shoulders. My hazel eyes seemed to pop against the color of my dress and the light makeup I had applied.

“Honey, there’s nothing wrong! You look beautiful!” my mother exclaimed, gripping my shoulders. “Let’s go down, people will be arriving soon.”

I exhaled deeply before linking my arm with my mom’s. “Let’s get this over with…”

In the summer, the evenings were warm, filled with light and fireflies.

We walked outside to the large, outdoor event area where hundreds of people had gathered to celebrate and to see who would be the mate of the Alpha’s daughter.

I held onto my mom a little tighter as we walked down the hill and onto the grass. My father approached us with a smile and a hug. “You look beautiful, Squish.”

I laughed at the fact that even at a semi-formal pack event, he still used my nickname. We walked around the edge of the event area before stopping by the large platform in the front.

“Welcome to our pack members, and to all those visiting tonight to celebrate my daughter, Emery’s birthday!” my father announced.

“We have food, drinks, and music. Please enjoy yourselves!”

He stepped down and led me to the dance floor, where we twirled to the music for a while. I was grateful for my father; he always knew how to make things fun.

After dancing and chatting with what felt like every single male in existence, I finally got a chance to grab something to eat.

“Oh my gosh, thank goodness…,” I whispered to myself as I stuffed half a hamburger in my mouth.

“Do they not feed you in the pack house?”

With wide eyes and full cheeks, I slowly turned around at the familiar voice. “Matt!” I choked, trying to quickly finish my burger.

“Happy birthday, Em,” he said, smiling brightly.

“Thanks, Mattie,” I replied, grinning before realizing nothing was happening.

“Sorry, hun, it looks like it’s not him…,~”~River whined, disappointed.

I forced a small smile, trying to hide my disappointment. I was surprised when Matt took my hand in his and stepped closer, his face almost touching mine as he spoke softly.

“I won’t lie and say I’m not disappointed, Em. I was really hoping for us to—”

Suddenly, Matt was yanked backward. A tall, gruff man held him by the collar of his shirt. “How dare you touch her,” he growled.