Page 7 of Crystal Luna

“But if she wants to, she can?”

With a sigh, Heath relented. “We’ll see.”

Chapter Four

Velora

As soon as the door closed behind her, Velora dropped her bag. Her muscles finally relaxed, and the tension eased away. She took in the small space, noting a small kitchenette, sofa, and TV. There wasn’t much decoration, but everything one would need for a short stay.

She was afraid to move. She hadn’t had a roof over her head for months. After reaching Swiftport, she’d stayed a few nights at a motel room which had been her last nights in a bed. She then travelled further south through the mountains, which had been the hardest part of her journey. She’d had her fair share of encounters with hikers over the span of a few days and decided then to only travel at night. In the dark, she’d often lost her way and ended up much further west than she’d anticipated. The oncoming winter weather hadn’t helped either. She wasn’t able to hide her tracks very well in the snow. After escaping the mountains, she’d began to move south-east again, but with the snow still present she had to spend most of her journey as human.

Her money had run out and it had been hard to find a job. She’d been so desperate at times that she’d stolen here and there when there was no wilderness to hunt.

She’d only been able to run with her wolf somewhat freely again a few weeks ago when the snow had begun to melt. Her eyes fell on the couch, and her body began to move. As soon as her aching body fell on to the plush cushions, her eyes fell shut.

She only awoke when there was a knock at the door. She shot up to a sitting position, her heart racing as she tried to remember where she was.

“Do you think she left?” A soft, sweet voice whispered behind the door. Mia.

“Wayne didn’t say she did. Maybe she’s asleep.” That voice Velora recognized as Evelyne’s.

“She’s been sleeping all day and night?” Mia asked, baffled.

“She’s had a long journey. Let’s just leave the clothes here for her to find them when she wakes up.”

“Should we leave breakfast too? Someone might eat it.”

Evelyne laughed softly. “I don’t think they’ll do that.”

Velora listened as the two set down a few things and left. She waited until she couldn’t hear them anymore. Only then did sheopen the door to find some neatly folded clothes and a covered tray in front of the door. Unable to resist the sweet smell coming from the dish she picked both up and brought them inside, setting them on the small table.

The tray had some porridge, pancakes with maple syrup, and fruit. She sat down and dug in. Though she could’ve eaten more, stopped after a few bites. She was no longer used to eating big meals, especially in her human form. She turned to the clothes, unfolding two dresses, a pair of sweatpants, a hoodie and a new pack of underwear.

The new clothes were nice, but as she held them in her hands, she suddenly felt every bit of dirt and grime covering her body. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a proper shower, only able to wash herself in creeks along the way. Remembering what the little boy, Curtis, had told her, she stood up and opened the only door in the cabin. It led into a bedroom where she found a second door that hid the bathroom.

Her heart skipped a beat when she saw that the cabin truly had a bathtub. A large one, old fashioned with claws for feet. She grabbed the soap left for her and rinsed herself under the shower first. She scrubbed herself three times, watching as the water faded from a dirty, dingy grey to clear. Only then did she let the hot water fill the tub. Her skin burned when she sank into it, but that was forgotten when she submerged herself to her shoulders and her muscles relaxed.

She stayed in the bath until it turned cold, then put on one of the dresses Evelyne had left for her and threw all her dirty clothes in the wash.

She forced herself to eat a little more before storing the food away on plates she’d found in the cabinets. She washed Evelyne’s dishes, then walked out the front door. She felt guilty for not having answered them earlier, so the least she could do was return the dishes. With deep, calming breaths, she started walking towards the village.

She caught a few people curiously eyeing her but no one stopped her. When she knocked on Evelyne’s door, she was a little taken aback when the beta opened it. Of course she should’ve expected it since this was his home, but she’d mentally prepared for Evelyne.

“I see you have awoken.” Wayne grinned and stepped aside, silently inviting her to come in. “We were a little worried, to be honest.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologise.”

Velora stepped in and found Evelyne on the couch with her feet up and a book in her lap. By the size of her bump, she seemed to be fairly far along in her pregnancy.

“Oh that dress looks lovely on you.”

Velora stared at her. She hadn’t heard a compliment in years and almost wasn’t sure how to react. “Th-thank you,” she stammered, before holding out the cleaned tray. “I brought this back.” It felt stupid to point out the obvious, but she wasn’t sure what else to say.

Wayne grabbed the dish and took it into the kitchen. “Would you like to join us for dinner? I believe you left quite the impression on Alpha Heath’s children. They are eager to see you again.”

“I didn’t mean to,” she quickly defended.