Jade’s pov:
As I stood next to Alex, I felt my heart flutter and squeeze in anxiousness for the first time in a while. We were about to tell the pack the truth about my being a born healer. We wouldn’t want unease to keep festering among the pack, after what they heard about Jessica. Her parents had made it their mission to spread false rumors about their precious daughter, and it was all I could do not to growl at some of the whispers I heard over the past few days.
My hands began to get clammy, and it was all I could do to keep the smile on my face.
I loved Alex more than words could possibly explain, and I also loved the pack, but I wasn’t sure what was expected of me. I didn’t choose to be a born healer. Following this path was the only option I had. And if I could be but a regular wolf, I would choose that in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, for someone who didn’t like the spotlight, it seemed I had everything against me. Not only was I a born healer, but I was also the alpha’s luna… and that meant duties and responsibilities beyond what I could have ever imagined.
Luc gave Alex a nod that was probably to tell him that everyone had gathered for the big announcement, and soon enough my beloved mate raised a hand in the air. And that was all it took to silence the whispers and hushed chatter.
The pack stood at attention, waiting to hear about the reason for the summons, and I could only search for Tyler. When my gaze met his, I released a discreet sigh. Tyler was a friend, and he had never judged me for being the way I was.
I kept my focus on him all through the short speech Alex gave.
“Hello, members of the Moonlight pack,” he began in a calm tone of voice, “I stand here before you to tell you something of importance. My beloved Luna was never wolfless or a late bloomer.” Some pack members began to talk among themselves, until Luc glared at them, and Alex carried on, “Your Luna is a born healer.”
A woman’s voice rang out clearly at that point, “That doesn’t make her any less of a freak!”
I snapped my gaze away from Tyler’s comforting eyes, and soon found the woman who had spoken, and whom I recognized at once as Jessica Stevens’ friend.
The word freak didn’t sadden me coming from her. I had expected such a reaction. I wasn’t exactly normal after all.
“I dare you to speak ill of your luna a second time,” Alex let out menacingly.
“But I…” she began to protest, feigning an aggrieved look when Luc cut in at once.
“You should know better than to spew such nonsense,” he said. “Luna Jade has given so much for the pack already, even going as far as to put her life on the line to save a pack member.”
“We all would willingly risk our lives for the pack,” a man soon argued.
I could see the reasoning behind his comment, and soon felt compelled to explain, “Coming into my powers wasn’t easy, and I didn’t have a good understanding of how to use them or when to stop. Nevertheless, I would do it all over again, if it meant saving one of you.”
“Luna Jade has given me a second chance to live my life fully,” Trevor let out with a fond smile. “And I won’t hesitate to risk it all for her.”
“Same,” Tyler spoke up at that moment. “Luna Jade saved me from imminent death. And seeing as I owe her my life, so long as it’s within my ability, I will help her whichever way I can.”
I flashed Tyler a small smile, and it was then that his father cried out, “Imminent death? Why are we only hearing about this now?”
Tyler was conflicted, not sure if he could speak further or not. Alex gave him a curt nod, his silent consent to speaking freely.
“It happened just around the new school year. There was this vampire attack during which I got hurt.”
“You were not hurt though?” His mother let out in a mildly confused tone of voice.
“Only because Luna Jade healed me completely, which made her pass out in exhaustion.”
I could see her eyes turn glassy, and I figured when she tipped her head back that she was trying to keep her tears from falling.
Soon enough, she dropped to one knee and said without further delay, “Long live Luna Jade!”
Her husband, Tyler, Eli and a few others soon did the same. Before long, the only ones standing were the opposing faction if the shoe fit Jessica’s crowd.
“Please rise to your feet,” I implored them, unable to keep the blush from my face. I had never in my wildest dreams imagined this happening.
“Thank you everyone for your trust,” Alex told them with a soft smile. “You may rise to your feet.” Once that was done, he went on, “Because of Jessica Stevens’ big blabbering mouth, word has reached other packs about your luna being a born healer. I will do my best to avoid war, but if push comes to shove, I would appreciate it if you could stand by us.”
“Yay, more training!” Eli was the first one to cheer, to which everyone chuckled.
“Yes, more training,” Alex nodded at him, a genuine smile gracing his features.
“Alpha, please forgive my daughter,” Mr Stevens spoke up, and I wondered if he was trying to make more unease spread once again. “Her only sin was loving you.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” Alex told him dismissively before addressing the crowd once more. “Training tomorrow at 6 am, no excuses.”