The Healer's Touch

Rose's POV

The morning after the attack, I woke with the hum louder than ever. It pulsed through my veins like a second heartbeat. Demanding. Restless.

I went to the infirmary before breakfast. The two wolves I'd healed were sitting up, their wounds pink and fresh but closed. The healer looked at me with wide eyes.

"I don't understand how you did it," she said. "Those wounds should have taken weeks to heal. Months, maybe. But they're almost gone."

"I don't understand it either," I admitted.

"The Old Moon blood works in mysterious ways." She shook her head. "I've heard stories. But I never thought I'd see it."

The younger wolf, a boy barely older than me, looked at me with something like awe. "You saved my life."

"I just did what felt right."

"Thank you." His voice was rough. "I thought I was going to die."

I didn't know what to say to that. So I just nodded.

I left the infirmary feeling strange. Light and heavy at the same time. I'd saved lives. But the cost was still unknown.

---

Rose's POV

Lyra found me by the river. I was sitting on my rock, staring at the water. The hum was quieter now. Content.

"Hey." She sat beside me. "You look like you're thinking too hard."

"That's all I do lately."

"Then stop." She bumped my shoulder. "Come on. Let's do something normal."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Skip stones. Talk about nothing." She grinned. "Pretend we're just two regular wolves without prophecies and ancient enemies."

I almost laughed. Almost. "I don't think I remember how to be normal."

"Then let's figure it out together."

She picked up a flat stone and skipped it across the water. Seven times.

"Your turn," she said.

I picked up a stone. Tried to mimic her throw. It sank immediately.

"Terrible," Lyra said. "Absolutely terrible."

"Show me again."

She did. I tried again. It skipped twice.

"Better. Keep practicing."

We spent the next hour skipping stones. Laughing when they sank. Cheering when they skipped. It felt good. Simple. Normal.

For a little while, I forgot about the Shadow Wolves. About the prophecy. About everything.

"See?" Lyra said. "You can still be normal. You just have to let yourself."

"Maybe."

"Not maybe. Definitely." She met my eyes. "You're not just a prophecy, Rose. You're a person. Remember that."

I thought about her words long after she left.

Maybe she was right. Maybe I needed to remember who I was. Not the weapon. Not the prophecy. Just Rose.

---

Edwin's POV

I watched Rose and Lyra from the wall. Their laughter carried on the wind. It was good to see Rose smile. Really smile.

But there was something else too. A weight I couldn't shake. The Shadow Wolves were out there. Waiting.

I walked down to the river as Lyra was leaving. Rose was sitting alone, watching the water.

"Mind if I join you?"

"Never."

I sat beside her. "You seem lighter."

"Lyra helped." She smiled. "She made me forget. Just for a little while."

"That's good. Everyone needs that."

She was quiet for a moment. "Edwin, can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Are you scared? About the Shadow Wolves?"

I thought about it. "Yes. I'd be stupid not to be. But I'm more scared of losing the people I care about."

"Like who?"

"Like you." I met her eyes. "I've lost a lot, Rose. I can't lose you too."

Her expression softened. "You won't. I promise."

"You can't promise that."

"Then I'll promise to try." She reached over, taking my hand. "That's all I can do."

I held her hand. Felt the warmth of it. The steadiness.

"Okay," I said. "I'll take that."

We sat there until the sun started to set. I didn't let go of her hand.

And she didn't let go of mine.

---

Rose's POV

That evening, Aiden called me to his study. I found him at his desk, looking at more maps. More scrolls.

"I've been thinking," he said. "About the Shadow Wolves. The attack. The message."

"What about them?"

"They knew you were here. They knew who you were." He looked at me. "Which means someone told them."

"Someone in the pack?"

"Or someone outside. A spy." He leaned back. "I've been going through records. Trying to find who might have been compromised."

"Have you found anything?"

"Not yet. But I will." His voice was hard. "Whoever it is, they'll pay."

I felt a chill run down my spine. "What if it's someone close to me?"

"Then they'll pay even more." He met my eyes. "You're not safe until we find them."

"I'm not safe anyway. Not while the Shadow Wolves are out there."

"That's true." He stood up. "Which is why I want you to train more. Harder. You need to be able to defend yourself."

"I'm trying."

"I know. But trying isn't enough. You need to become." He stepped closer. "The Old Moon blood is powerful. But it's not invincible. You need to learn to fight like a wolf. Not just like a healer."

I nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll do whatever it takes."

"Good." He paused. "And Rose. Be careful who you trust. The spy could be anyone."

I left his study feeling unsettled. The thought of a spy in our midst made my skin crawl.

Who could it be? Someone I'd talked to? Someone I'd shared meals with?

I didn't know. But I knew one thing.

I had to be careful.

---

Rose's POV

That night, I dreamed of the Shadow Wolves again. Their eyes glowing in the darkness. Their whispers promising pain.

I woke in a cold sweat. The room was dark. The hum was screaming.

I sat up, trying to calm my racing heart. My hands were glowing. Silver light spilling from my palms.

I focused. Breathed. The light faded.

But the fear remained.

I walked to the window. The moon was thin. The river glittered below.

Somewhere out there, they were watching. Waiting.

I thought about what Aiden had said. About the spy. About trust.

I didn't know who I could trust anymore. The thought made me feel more alone than ever.

A soft knock at my door.

I opened it. Edwin stood there, his face worried.

"I felt something," he said. "Your power. It spiked."

"I had a nightmare."

He stepped inside. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know." I sat on the edge of my bed. "The Shadow Wolves were in my dreams. They were talking to me. Threatening me."

"That's not a good sign."

"I know."

He sat beside me. "I'm sorry you're going through this, Rose. I wish I could make it easier."

"Just being here helps."

He reached over, taking my hand. "I'll always be here. Whenever you need me."

I looked at him. At his steady eyes. His warm presence.

"Thank you, Edwin."

"Always."

We sat in silence. The hum quieted. The fear faded.

For a moment, I felt safe.

For a moment, I felt like I wasn't alone.