silver & stardust

wands

When we got back to Livia's house, it was long past sunset. The energy began to die down as everyone returned home. My stomach grumbled when we entered the house, in response to a set of smells I'd grown up knowing since childhood - Livia's dad's cooking.

A riot of spices and smells welcomed us into the space, with Liv's parents moving around the center island and stove. "Shirin!" Liv's mom pulled me into the signature Diaz hug that threatened to send me into a full-body cast.

"Hi," I said a little dumbly, a pit of anxiety deepening in my chest as I realized everyone in this room wasn't human. People I'd considered family were werewolves. Creatures out of fiction, of supernatural strength - and now I was one too. I'd possibly put that fact aside when I'd been out with Liv.

This was all hitting me like a hurricane right now but I forced it down and remembered the love I had for them all and tugged my lips into a smile. I returned the hug.

"How are you, sweetheart?" Concern glittered in her familiar eyes, looking me over. "You're all healed up?" She seemed to silently ask if all of me was okay, too.

I didn't know the answer either.

"Yeah, that supernatural healing has some perks," I said lightly, trying to force calm into my voice. I told myself, this was familiar. This was like home.

I knew I would have to return tomorrow, face my parents as this.

"You're telling me," Liv's dad muttered. "I hit my hip into this damned corner of the table and I swear if I was human, I would be wheeled off to the hospital every week."

"Drama queen over there," Liv's mom pointed at her husband, affectionately rolling her eyes at him like she always had. "You must be starving after that whole day walking around."

"We are," Liv quipped helpfully, sidling next to her dad and peering at what he was making. I focused on my breathing, thinking about happy things. Like about the five star meal I was about to have. "Where are Izzy and Kami?"

"Izzy's on her way back and Kami's stuck at the meeting with the council. She'll be stuck there late - you know how the council members can be," her dad murmured but I caught the words with my upgraded hearing. Isabelle and Kamilah were Liv's older sisters who I'd thought were a doctor and a lawyer. Apparently not.

I settled into one of the bar stools, thinking about everything I'd been told about her family. "Shirin, how'd you like the town?" Liv's mom asked, pulling out a stack of plates and utensils.

"It was great," I said, adding "I didn't realize there were so many werewolves so close to Ridge."

"We've been here a long time, right under human noses. But the government knows about and keeps tabs on us," Liv's dad added thoughtfully. "A good many politicians and government officials are werewolves."

"Really?" I asked, genuinely interested. I left the twisting in my stomach behind for a few moments - letting myself be in this moment. I could deal with my own s**t later.

"Of course," Liv said. "We're fully functional and integrated into society. Not every werewolf belongs to a pack though. But most do - because of the danger of being a lone wolf." Meaning I would have to choose - going solo or joining Blood Moon. I set that thought aside for now.

"What other supernatural creatures exist? I know vampires don't exist but.."

Before I got the answer, a plate of food was pushed in front of me, piled high with steaming rice and meat. I sighed as I took a bite, the meal warming my bones. I was rewarded with Liv's dad's satisfied smile.

"We work with warlocks and witches a lot. Most packs employ several for their healing magic," Liv's mom added through bites of food. "You might see Rowan around - he's the head warlock of Blood Moon."

"Do they use wands? Like a Harry Potter kind of deal?" I asked, taking another forkful of chicken. My new senses enhanced the taste of the food, making it even better than I remembered.

Liv's dad choked on his food, her mom patting his back with a strong hand while her lips twitched. "No, they don't. Be glad you asked us and not Rowan. He might have turned you into a worm for that question."

Liv chuckled at the imagined scenario. "He might be generous with turning her into a worm. Rowan is very.....temperamental to put it lightly. Better to stay in his good graces."

The front door opened with a rapid whine and Izzy's clicking steps. She strolled into the kitchen, dressed in workout gear and her dark hair grazed her shoulders in the famous Diaz curls. "Shirin!" She greeted me with another fracturing hug that nearly sent my dinner upwards. "How are you? Are you feeling better?" Her questions came out fast like a whip.

I blinked, before answering, "I'm good. All healed up."

She hugged me again, and I felt like a child with her embrace. "Oh, by the way, Jules is gonna come by later to see what you had on the new security measures," she told her parents. "And the council is also finalizing on a hearing date."

Liv's mom shared a look with her husband, keeping their thoughts restricted to themselves.

"We're all going to have to go meet with the council soon," Izzy said, trying to sound light. "They asked for Shirin to be present too."

My hand stilled halfway to my mouth and my appetite began to dull. "Why me?"

"What happened last night was a premeditated attack," he continued, his mouth a taut line, a fire igniting in his usually kind, green eyes. The girl who'd done this - Reyna - would have to face the wrath of the Diaz family. I wouldn't wish that fate on anyone. "We believe Reyna was supposed to send some kind of message. Some kind of warning - we've been having issues with her pack, Crescent Hill."

My dinner was lurching in my stomach. I looked at my best friend who'd paled slightly. She already knew this. She had said she'd known the wolf - but I decided I would ask her in private.

"The council wants the official testimony from Livia - they have to confirm that she didn't break any laws as well as gathering information on what happened. As well as an answer on whether you," Izzy looked at me now, "will be joining Blood Moon or not. They said Livia can speak on your behalf if you're not up for it. They have...ways of getting the truth."

The Diaz family shared a collective knowing look that had me dying to know what they meant.

I felt the blood return to my face. "Yes, I would prefer that." I didn't feel like revisiting that night. Especially in front of people I didn't know. "I can't decide something like that right now. I....need more time."

"You'll get all the time you need. The urgency is only for your safety, so you're ensured under our protection," Izzy said comfortingly. "You're always under Diazs' protection."

That was one thing I entirely sure about even when I felt like I didn't even know myself anymore.