Donna sighs, her lips pursed as if she’s contemplating my remark. She’d always dreamed of leaving Nightmist once she attained her degree in psychology, and she’d been at the forefront of the vote to allow the Lunaris Pack members to attend college amongst the humans. She took an oath to keep her identity hidden from the humans, but I can’t imagine her taking an oath to practice in the pack clinic.
“These past few years have made me realize how much I’d miss Nightmist if I ever left. Since Dominic left…”
The mere mention of her older brother’s name startles me, but she doesn’t notice my cheeks paling when she turns her face toward the sun and sighs.
“... I guess I realized the importance of family. I’ve missed him so much, Cecelia,” her voice cracks, and she gulps. “I know if I ever left, it would kill me inside. I’d miss Dominic and our mother. And I’d miss you.”
When Donna turns again with a wavering smile, her eyes are full of sadness. Her bottom lip trembles with worry, and I instinctively place a hand over hers, wanting to offer her comfort.
My soothing smile is forced through the throes of my unease that surfaced the moment she mentioned her brother. He’s not someone I want to waste energy thinking about, but it’s hard to ignore his existence when I’m best friends with his sister.
But I have to hide my personal feelings and provide her the kind of reassurance she effortlessly gives me in my times of need.
“I would miss you too, Dons,” I whisper, reaching for the tear caught in the corner of her eye. “As much as I would love to see you chase your dreams, I’m glad you’re not going anywhere. As long as you’re happy.”
Donna nods tentatively, sniffing back her easy ability to become emotional at the smallest things. But knowing how close she is to her brother, it makes sense that she misses him more than she’s admitted.
He left Nightmist three years ago to join a black ops squad. Like a military camp for werewolves, packs in the New England region of North America send their best soldiers for black ops missions to strengthen ties between the packs and safeguard our existence from other supernatural beings.
Dominic’s decision to leave came as a surprise to Donna, while I couldn’t be more relieved that he was gone.
My heart couldn’t stand the sight of him any longer, but I’ve had to hide my reaction to the slightest mention of his name every time Donna’s brought him up these past few years.
As far as I’m concerned, his departure from Nightmist signified the day I put him to rest. Out of sight, and out of mind.
That’s why moments like these are never easy on me.
“I can’t wait for Dom to get back and hear the news,” Donna chirps, sitting upright with a hopeful smile on her face. “I can only imagine how happy he’ll be.”
“I’m sure he will,” I murmur as I sit up beside my best friend. Gauging the direction of the sun over our heads, I realize that it’s almost lunchtime. Thank Goddess for the chance to change the subject. “We should probably head back,” I say, placing a hand on Donna’s shoulder. “I don’t need Agatha screaming at me again.”
Donna narrows her eyes at me. “If she’s been bothering you so much, letmedeal with her!” She curls her fist beside her face. “I swear if that old hag—”
“It’s okay, Dons. I just want to avoid any trouble, that’s all.”
We both stand up to get dressed again, our bodies dry from the sunbathing. Donna goes on rambling about how much she wishes she could shut Agatha’s mouth, while I assure her that it’s nothing I can’t handle.
After all, I’ve been handling it for twenty-four years, and I’ve had many stolen moments of peace with Donna since we were kids to keep my mind off being the resident punching bag. It’s a fate I’ve come to accept, even though I sometimes wish that I could change it.
But again, there’s only so much one person can do to change the way the pack operates, and it’s not like the others care about me enough to vote for change.
As Donna and I take a stroll through the harbor toward the coastal town where our pack resides, she tells me about her classes and what it’s like to be a werewolf among humans who have no idea what she is.
“Toby always says that there’s more to me than meets the eye,” Donna titters, rolling her eyes playfully. “I always tell him that I’m a mystery, but I bet he has no idea that I’m not human.”
“Toby? Who’s Toby?” I ask with a frown, and Donna’s creamy cheeks instantly turn a rosy shade of pink.
“He’s, er—a friend,” Donna mumbles. “I’m sure I told you about him. He’s a human, and he doesn’t know—”
“Donna!” I exclaim, stopping in my tracks just as we’re about to enter the main part of Nightmist. “You’re supposed to stay away from humans. If the elders find out that you’re friends with them, they might take away your privileges.”
Donna spins around and rolls her eyes. “Oh, please! Imagine if the humans suspected that we were different ‘cause we refused to mingle with them. That would only draw more suspicion. I’m just…” she shrugs. “Keeping up pretenses.”
“You have a point,” I agree with a nod, but Donna’s twinkling eyes indicate that there’s something she’s not telling me. “But don’t get yourself in any trouble. I want you back in one piece, since you decided to stay in Bar.”
My best friend chuckles as she slips her arm through mine, and we continue down the cobblestone path that weaves its way between the pack’s main center and the training arena.She’s about to say something when she opens her mouth, but then turns to me with a frown.
“Do you hear that?” she asks, prompting me to focus my hearing on the chatter that’s coming from the far side of the training arena.
