Chapter 115

Third Person POV

Scarlett had been stuck in a void.

This void was one she had fallen into many times in her life. Her mind screaming in the dark. Her awakenings to her weak body always painful and tiring.

It had been a good day.

Her breathing had been gone as of late. She felt well enough to move around. It was one of her good days.

She had been so eager to see her favorite cousin. She had felt guilty for the way things had been left during the pack meeting. She wanted to explain herself.

She had pulled Lionel away privately for a few moments to do just that.

“Scarlet,” Lionel had said. “I understand.”

“I am sorry.” Scarlett had said. “It just…”

“Needed to be said. I’m just grateful it was you who voiced it. Anyone else would have been less generous.”

Lionel had smiled at her in understanding then. “I know what you were trying to do. Thank you for setting up an opportunity for Nan to be taken more seriously.”

Scarlett could only hug him. Relieved that he understood her intentions. If the jewel of the pack was seriously contemplating Nan as the Luna…perhaps others would take a step back to do the same.

It was not much. Not nearly enough for her favorite cousin. But it was all Scarlett could do to help at the time.

She did not have the same prejudice against Nan that the pack did.

Scarlett had wished to interact more with the woman when her wedding had taken place. Nan had taken her dreams and turned them into a reality. But there had been so few precious free moments.

Scarlett had resolved to get to know this woman who had brought out that gentle boy in Lionel that she had not seen in ages.

Their conversation made Scarlett like Nan all the more. The woman was a breath of fresh air. Sincere and light-hearted.

It was all too bad that things had taken a turn for the worse.

Scarlett was in the void once more. It might have been better if she was fully numb. Adrien’s anguish had vibrated unpleasantly in their bond.

Scarlett was beyond shocked when she woke.

Scarlett had never felt so good.

Her doctor was dumbfounded. All previous signs of Scarlett’s illness is gone. It’s almost like she had never been sick a day in her life!

Adrien was beside himself with joy. He peppered kisses along her sweaty face. Whispering reassures in her ear.

Scarlett felt her own happy tears blurring her vision. She sobbed softly. Not out of sorrow or pain.

No. She cried out of pure relief. The burden of illness lifting from her shoulder for the first time.

Nan was dumbstruck.

She had known that her powers were growing. That had been clear for some time now. But on this scale…

To nearly heal someone from death. Purging illness from someone. Making them as good as new.

She had no idea she had this ability…Just what else could she do?

Lionel was of a very different mind.

His beautiful fiancé had glowed like a goddess. A white light had poured out of her skin. Her grey eyes glowed like twin moons across a dark sky.

He and Adrien had been left speechless. Unable to move. Absorbed in the amazing scene before them.

A dark smoke began to rise from his cousin’s mouth. Lionel had to lock his arms around her mate to prevent him from intervening.

“Not yet,” Lionel had hissed urgently. “We must not interrupt.”

He did not know how he knew this. He just did. Something powerful in his bond was taunt with tension.

He did not want to find out what would happen if that tension was suddenly cut.

Scarlett began to transform before their eyes.

The raspy quality to her breath was gone. Lionel could no longer hear the strain of a weakened heart. No…her fluttery heartbeat became a strong, steady patter of rain.

Her cheeks began fuller. A soft blush filled her waxen face. The sharp chemical tinge to her scent from a lifetime of medications dissipated.

It was a miracle.

Lionel could not yet rejoice. A gnawing concern for Nan was the only thing on his mind. How many people had been around when she performed her miracle?

He could imagine all too well the greedy hands that would covet Nan’s abilities.

He began damage control. Putting the mansion under lock down. Doing a media blackout.

It was only hours later that he returned to everyone’s side.

His cousin and her mate were wrapped up in each other. Nan sat to the side. Tired but proud.

“How are you feeling?” He asks Scarlett.

His cousin beams. “Amazing.”

“That’s great.” He replies sincerely.

“It’s all thanks to Nan.” She says warmly.

Lionel feels a jolt of unease.

“I’m just glad you’re okay.” Nan comments. Kindness radiating from her.

Lionel takes a steadying breath. Trying to find a nice way to breech the subject. Not wanting to offend.

He decides to just rip the band aid off.

“That’s what we need to discuss.” He says authoritatively.

Nan frowns at the sudden change in him. He ignores it. Needing to get his point across.

“I need you both to swear to me you will tell no one of this No one can find out about Nan’s abilities.” He orders.

“Lionel.” Nan protests. “They’re your family.”

He raises a hand. “No Nan. This needs to happen.”

Scarlett and Adrien exchanges glances. Silently conversing. Debating.

Adrien speaks first. “Of course, Alpha Lionel.” There is a formality in his voice now.

“We swear by the Moon goddess’ mercy never to tell another soul of Nan’s abilities without either of your permission.” Scarlett’s voice is firm and steady.

Nan sucks in a sharp breath. The implications of such a vow hitting her. Her dove grey eyes widening.

There was an inherit magic to vows spoken with the Moon goddess’s title. The magic would bind them to their words. Nasty complications would arise if the vows were broken.

The only vow more serious than that was one using the true name of the goddess.

“Thank you.” Lionel tells them. Appreciation for them making the stress lines around his mouth relax.

“It’s the least we could do for the gift Nan has given us.” Adrien proclaims.

“I had no idea what it feels like not to struggle with my very breath. How amazing it feel not to tire after a few hours of sitting up. Or what it’s like have a clear head.”

Years of unacknowledged sorrow unveil themselves in Scarlett’s confession. It makes Nan’s heart ache for her. She reaches out to squeeze her hand.

Scarlett returns it. Her skin soft and unblemished beneath Nan’s calluses. Dainty.

“There are no words for the gratitude I feel for you, Nan.” Emotion clogs up her throat. “You’ve given me a new life.”

Nan has no words to offer in the face of this woman’s appreciation. It had not felt like such an amazing thing. Not really.

“You give me too much credit.” Nan finally says.

“I did it because it felt right. Because I could.” She voices to them.

Scarlett’s eyes crinkle as a wide smile overtakes her voice.

“Then let me offer this. Adrien and I will change the packs minds about making you Luna.” She announces.

Adrien nods his head. “It’s a start. We have a lot of pull within the extended family.”

Nan felt uncertain about this. She did not do this as a reward. She did it because she wanted to.

“Why?” Nan asks. “Your concerns before…”

Adrien chuckles. “I think you’ve more than proven you are up for a challenge. What better Luna for this pack than the one who saved the pack’s jewel?”

Scarlett grins. “Why? Because I can.”

“You should let them.” Lionel whispers in her ear. “Like it or not…they now owe you a life debt.”

“Fine.” Nan throws up her hands. The three wolves cheer happily.

The warmth of Lionel’s presence at her back helps her let go of her annoyance.

‘I have bigger concerns anyway,’ Nan thinks. ‘Everything is changing to rapidly now.’

She needed answers more now than ever.

‘Trial first.’ Nan thought. ‘Let us get through this last trial before anything else.’

Then Nan would be having some serious words with Mr. Holder.