SHADOW
“Hey. Are you okay?” Califf wrapped the robe around me as I had just come back from the run.
Duke and Kindra rushed to us. They were still wearing the shocked look on their faces.
“What just happened?” She looked at me from head to toe. Then she touched my hair. “You get your hair colored while going for a run?”
What do you mean?” I touched and checked my hair. I had the same reaction as her. “What’s going on with me?” I looked at Califf, then to Duke and Kindra.
“I will call Zarah,” Califf said. “Let’s go to the pack house and get you cleaned up.
“Guys.” I felt so bad for them. “I’m so sorry I ruined your party.”
“Are you kidding me?” Duke was even happy and relieved. “If I’d known that the party is one way to get your wolf back, I should have thrown a party months ago.”
“Yeah. The party is almost over anyway, and it was a blast.” Kindra hugged me. “I’m glad you’re fine. Go and get changed. I’ll see you soon.”
“Thanks.”
Califf and I left for the pack house. He hadn’t said a word when I got inside the bathroom to clean up, but I felt he had a million questions in his head. I checked my hair in the mirror before I got out. He was there waiting for me, hands on his hips. My clothes were ready on the bed.
“You’ve never been this speechless, Alpha.”
“Goddess.” That was all he said before he pulled me in his arms and hugged me tight. Then he stepped away to cup my face and kiss me quickly. Then he checked me from head to toe. There was still a lot of worry on his face. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah. I feel great, actually.” I picked up my undies and put it on. Then I checked myself. Sadly, I didn’t have pubic hair if it was also platinum blonde, almost silver.
“What are you doing?”
I checked my underarms. I didn’t have hair, either. “Checking if I got the same hair color.”
“Funny.” He chuckled. “How do you feel?”
“You worry too much. I feel my wolf and our bond is stronger. I feel normal again, but we can test something if I still get the strength and enhanced senses. How about you? Do you still feel me?”
“Yes. Zarah is on the way.”
“Thanks. How do I smell now?” I put on my clothes before Zarah arrived.
“Like you.” He managed to put on a smile. “Your scent is sweeter.”
I rolled my eyes. “Seriously. How do I smell?”
“Baby, I’m not joking.”
“Really?” I stared at him.
“Yeah.”
I smiled. I felt so grateful and didn’t know how to control my happiness anymore. I jumped up and down and danced like crazy until a knock interrupted us.
Califf went to open the door.
“Oh, my Goddess.” Zarah got in. Her first reaction was expected as she strolled her gaze on me from head to toe, especially on my hair.
“Why did I get a new hair color?” I asked the obvious.
“I could ask the same thing. Do you feel something different?”
“Like the old me. I hadn’t tried if I’m still a hybrid, but I can sense it.” Then I suddenly remembered what my grandpa told me. “Grandpa Alexander got his hair white when he broke the law of nature to save my grandmother, but I didn’t do anything. I swear.”
“You saved August from getting killed,” Califf reminded me.
My hand went instantly to the spot where I got shot, but Zarah healed it, and there was no more scar. “But I didn’t use my gift. I didn’t have a gift at that time.”
“Exactly. When Kain said that if you have a pure heart and did good for people, maybe that was how you got your wolf back, but how about your healing gift?”
“Should I test it?”
“No,” they said in unison.
“Yeah. Me, too. I’m good with having Raven back. I wouldn’t ask for anything, and I don’t want someone to pay for the consequences of my actions.”
“Well, look at you. You’ve grown so much in a short time, kiddo.” Zarah smiled proudly. “But you’re aching to find out, right?”
“Zarah,” she got a warning from Califf.
“She’s not gonna heal anyone,” she assured him, “but she can manipulate and gather the energy around us if she has her gift back.”
“How would I do that?” I blinked excitedly, grinning even.
“Just focus on what you want to achieve.” She raised her palm. “Go on. Just follow what I’m doing.”
After I studied her hand, I drew a deep breath and elevated my hand to just my chest level. Then, I focused on my palm and used my heart as my driving force to summon the energy around me. I felt getting warmer. “Oh, my God!”
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Califf proudly said.
I watched as those looked like sparks and then transformed into somewhat fairy dust. Then, the golden magic effect weaved on the palm of my hand.
“Well, congratulations, Shadow. You just passed the test.”
Still wrapping my head, I clasped my hand, and they were gone.
“Unbelievable,” I said as I checked my hand for the after-effects but didn’t see changes.
“I have to inform Margaret about your healing gift so she can grant you to use it without any limit.”
“Thank you.” I felt suddenly emotional as I hugged her. “I couldn’t do this without you.”
“You did this. And I never doubted your heart and intentions towards other people, Shadow. I’m so proud of you. Your mother and your dad would be so proud of what you’ve accomplished, and I believe you can do more good and inspire people.”
“That’s very inspirational.” I blinked off the tears welling my eyes.
“I should go.” She turned towards the door. “Tell me if you sense something else even the slightest, okay?”
“I will.”
Once Zarah left, I looked at my palm again and sat on the bed. “How did I get it back?”
“You have a good heart, baby. Why are you doubting yourself?”
“I’m not.” I met his gaze. “I just don’t want someone out there to pay for getting back what I lost.”
“Baby, no one will pay. You didn’t use black magic or even undergo purification. You accepted what you were and let Moon Goddess do the rest. Remember what you said? Maybe that was what she was waiting for. Your acceptance. Take this as her gift for you. And you certainly deserve it.”
It was late, already morning. So I lay down, but my mind was still wide awake. Califf came behind to pull me in his arms as he hugged me tightly.
“My hair, though.”
“You actually look fucking hot with your new hair.” He kissed my shoulder.
I rolled my eyes, even if he couldn’t see it. “You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”
“We’re in this together, baby, and you can color your hair orange or pink. You can still pull it off. Trust me.”
“Really?” I drew a deep breath in my attempt to bring out my hybrid form.
He sensed it, and I got a spank on my ass instead. “Don’t ever try it when you’re in my arms.”
“How do you know?”
“We share thoughts, and your skin is burn hot.”
“Oh.” I giggled.
“Maybe you can mark me now?”
I faced him and looked at him in the eye. I saw nothing but love and devotion. “Why would you want me to mark you?”
“Because I’m yours. I want to wear your mark and show everyone how proud I am to have you as my mate. But it’s your decision.”
“And to ward off girls?” I arched a brow.
He smirked. “You don’t get jealous easily since we’re together, but if that helps, then yeah.”
***
It was beautiful out there. The flowers were blooming. Tall grass danced in the wind. It was supposed to be cold outside, and I was wearing a white dress, flowing in the breeze as I ran fast to get to the cliff.
The moon was so full and silvery, glowing as if calling me. It was almost at my arm’s length as soon as I reached the tip.
A gust of wind made me gasp. As my curiosity kicked in, I turned around, and a woman with the most beautiful flower headpiece and flowing white long hair smiled at me. How did I know she was smiling when I couldn’t see her face? I just felt it.
“Who are you?”
“You know me, Shadow.” Her voice was melodious and echoey.
“I’m sorry. How do you know my name.”
“Your heart. You have the kindest heart. I granted your wish because I wanted you to be the light, my daughter. Be the symbol of hope. Use your gift to those in need. And your heart will always guide you to see the truth. You can find me there.” And then she just vanished.
“Wait!”
“Hey. Are you okay?”
I gasped as I still felt the cold breeze on my skin and heard the voice in my head.
“You just had a dream again.”
I met Califf’s wide eyes. “Yeah, and I remember it. I saw her. I talked to her in my dream.”