Chapter 9: Healing and Killing

*Ada*

In the midst of my fear, questions swirled in my mind. "Why the hell are there wolves out here?" He whispered to me, his voice barely audible over the rustling of leaves. "And how does such a massive creature even exist?"

As we stared at the strangely friendly wolf, curiosity battled with fear inside me. "Shouldn't it have devoured us by now?" I whispered, voicing the question that haunted me.

The wolf lowered itself onto all fours, its head dipping down toward me. There was an odd gentleness in its posture that made it almost resemble a giant, wild puppy. Its eyes held a knowing gaze, as if it understood our apprehension yet offered solace in its presence.

I felt his protective instinct kick in as he positioned himself slightly in front of me, a subtle shield against any potential threat. But strangely, I didn't feel afraid of the wolf. Instead, a sense of connection washed over me, as if there was some unspoken understanding between us.

"Ada, are you okay?" He asked, his voice filled with concern. "Are you scared?"

"No, I'm not," I replied, though his protective stance touched me deeply. "I don't know why, but I feel... drawn to it somehow."

I nodded, understanding his sentiment. "I want to pet it," I admitted quietly, my hand itching to reach out despite the lingering fear. As I extended my hand tentatively, the wolf's eyes softened, and I felt a strange sense of familiar wash over me.

As Bryson instinctively positioned himself between me and the wolf, ready to drive it away, I felt conflicted. Despite the fear lingering in the air, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wolf meant us no harm.

"Wait, Bryson," I said softly, reaching out to touch his arm. "I don't think it wants to hurt us."

Bryson glanced at me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes, but he reluctantly nodded, trusting my judgment.

Cautiously, I stepped forward, my heart pounding in my chest as I approached the wolf. With each step, I spoke softly, hoping to convey our intentions.

"We're just passing through," I murmured, crouching down to meet the wolf's gaze. "We won't harm you if you don't harm us. Please, let us pass."

To my surprise, the wolf seemed to understand. It let out a low whimper, its eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions. Then, without another sound, it turned and disappeared into the darkness of the forest.

I turned to Bryson, my eyes wide with disbelief. "Did that just happen?" I whispered, still in awe of the encounter.

Bryson could only shake his head, a mixture of wonder and disbelief etched on his face. "It's unbelievable," he murmured, his voice filled with awe.

As the wolf disappeared into the shadows, Bryson helped me to my feet, his expression a mixture of astonishment and admiration. He seemed surprised that I could communicate with the wolf, realizing that I might not be an ordinary person after all.

As we continued on our way, Bryson mentioned Queen Luna, his voice tinged with a hint of urgency. "I just thought of Queen Luna," he said, his tone serious.

"Oh, you haven't heard the stories?" Bryson asked. "I used to hear them all the time when I was growing up. I'm not sure if they were real or just scary stories I guess, but it was all about the cursed Luna of the Western Pack and how she was finally brought down in a fierce battle. Though it was rumored that her curse stayed in the Western Pack."

Another pang of pain radiated through my chest and I felt as if I couldn't breathe. I doubled over, trying to force air back into my lungs, but the air seemed hot. There was something not right about Bryson's words…they didn't sound like the truth for some reason.

Had I heard this story before and just couldn't remember it?

"Ada?!" Bryson exclaimed, worry clear in his voice as he bent down in front of me, trying to inspect me. "Are you alright?"

I nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. Whatever secrets lay hidden in these woods, Queen Luna might hold the key to unraveling them. With Bryson by my side, I knew we could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

When he pulled my hands away from my face I was suddenly aware that there were tears streaming from my eyes. I hadn't even realized I was crying.

The worry in Bryson's eyes turned to full panic.

"What is it? What's wrong? Are you hurt?" His questions kept firing.

I shook my head. "No…it's just…it's just…that's so sad. That poor Luna."

A sob shook my chest and I watched as Bryson's panic turned to compassion. His arms reached out and wrapped around me, pulling me tightly against him. Without pause, I buried my face into his chest and clung to the back of his shirt.

Bryson didn't speak, he just let me calm myself down while rubbing my back and stroking my hair slowly. He probably didn't know what to say, which I couldn't blame him for. This minor mention of a story had caused such a severe reaction in me that even I was a little worried.

"Did you know her?" Bryson asked finally, trying to make the strength of my emotions make sense.

"No," I answered. "I don't even know the story. I guess her death just makes me sad. I've never handled death well ever since…well ever since my favorite uncle and aunt were both killed by rogues."

I held my breath. This wasn't something I told people very often. And it had happened long enough ago that most people didn't even remember it.

I wouldn't forget though.

"My," Bryson cleared his throat. "My mother died when I was younger as well, so I understand what you mean."

"She did?" I asked, leaning back to look into his face. "That's awful, Bryson, I am so sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," he said, looking back down into my eyes. "Losing loved ones is never easy."

We stared into each other's eyes. Our confession made me feel even closer to him than before. There were certain things in life that just affected a person and death was one of them. I couldn't imagine what he had gone through.

And for some reason, I felt responsible for it.

Or at the very least, I felt as if I owed it to Bryson to make it up to him. The feelings made no sense to me, but maybe I was just trying to be sympathetic.

"How did it happen?" I asked quietly, unable to resist. "Was it rogues as well?"

Bryson looked up for a moment as if debating whether or not to tell me, but then he looked back down.

"No," he said. "Well, actually, I guess it could have been. Her death happened when I was very young, and I actually don't know all the details. Nobody has ever found out for sure what really happened."

"Tell me everything, and I'll help any way I can," I said immediately. "I mean, if that's what you want, I will help you find the truth!"

Bryson looked surprised for a second, but then his face was overtaken by a serene sort of smile.

His warm hands slid down to my hips and he squeezed, pulling me towards him more. I was suddenly aware of how close our faces…and our lips were now. My cheek tingled again as the heat rushed to it. I glanced to his lips for a moment, but then drew my eyes back up to his gorgeous eyes.

They seemed more clear than I had ever seen them.

Bryson leaned down, and my eyes began to hood as I anticipated the lips I had just been staring at. It wasn't his lips I felt though, but his breath.

"Thank you," he whispered out.

"O-of course."

Get yourself together girl.

I couldn't though...there was just something about Bryson. Just as I had been drawn to heal him, I was now feeling drawn to help him.

"And I'm still going to help with your poisoning as well," I rambled out, my voice still at an unusual octave. "I just need you to help me find that herb and we will get you back up and out of here in no time."

Bryson's hands gripped a little tighter.

"Are you in that much of a hurry to get rid of me?" He asked, but I could see he was smiling.

"Depends…" I smiled back. "How good are you at staying undetected?"

"Better than some, but worse than you," Bryson said. "You have to be the best at staying under the radar since nobody else seems to know that the most beautiful girl lives in the Western Pack."

What was it about this guy that made me feel like I was the best person in the world.

"Speak for yourself, handsome," I managed to come back.

"Plus, I haven't even mentioned the fact that you promised that I would get to be with you for a year if I wanted to fully heal," Bryson said with the same crooked smile.

"That was meant as more of a warning than a promise," I said with a nervous laugh.

"That's not how I took it."

He reached down and kissed my cheek gently, making a shiver pass up my spine. When I managed to open my eyes again there was humor clear in Bryson's eyes. He knew what he was doing to me and he enjoyed it.

"You will still have to put up with me then," I said. "I still need that herb. I just can't leave right this instant."

Bryson's eyes twinkled and he looked around us. "What do you need this fancy herb for anyway?"

"Oh, it's to make poison of course," I joked. "Can't expect the weak girl to stay weak forever. Healing is all about learning how to kill people so we better understand how to save them."

"I don't think you're weak," Bryson whispered and I felt my legs tremble.

His face remained serious though. I had meant my words as a joke, but he seemed to be genuinely analyzing them. Our bodies were still close together, but he seemed to have forgotten it and was off in his own world.

"Hey, it was a joke," I said softly. "I don't actually want to make poison, and I would never hurt you."

He looked down at my words and gave me another light, genuine smile, making my heart skip. It didn't reach his eyes though.

"What are you thinking?" I asked, pushing to know what I had said that had changed his mood so much.