The Hybrid Luna

Kimberly’s POV I smiled widely as another customer walked through the doors. Nothing made me happier than seeing people walk in and out of our shop. It was a reminder that we were valuable and it felt like we were changing lives one at a time. It was a bright Tuesday and I was at the flower shop, where I found the most peace. My parents could not be more displeased at my choice of a career or passion. I was a merger and as far as they could think, I ought to be invested in keeping my family legacy, but instead, I was invested in selling flowers. “Excuse me, Miss,” the man cleared his throat and leaned on the counter. I raised my head and stared at him with a smile, clutching a vibrant bouquet of roses, lilies and baby’s breath. “How can I help you, sir?” The man examined the flowers in my hands and nodded slowly. “It’s our anniversary. Twenty-five years. I want it to be special. You know…something amazing…beautiful…just like her.” The smile in his eyes as he described was the very reason I wanted to be in a flower shop. The love in their eyes when they showed up kept me hopeful. It told me that I could be happy. It didn’t always have to be duty and responsibility. I could be happy! “Twenty-five years, huh?” I responded with a broad smile, “I think I can get you something.” I assured “Congratulations.” I walked to the special section and he followed me with so much enthusiasm. I knew his bouquet had to be nothing but perfect. “Sometimes I think I don’t deserve her.” He continued talking about her as I tied the ribbon around the bouquet I had just put together. “She’s been with me through thick and thin.” He continued, “Do you have someone special?” he probed. I smiled sheepishly. I wished I could say that I did, but I seemed to have everything I wanted except for love, which was probably why I enjoyed the flower shop, because at least I get to see other people in love. “I…Uhm…” I was still looking for the words when Enzo, my brother, walked in. “Kimberly,” he called, walking fast towards me. Enzo had a superpower and it was knowing when I was in trouble and needed help. “I’ll take this,” he took the bouquet from me, walked over to the counter and pulled a receipt for the man. “Thank you very much for stopping by.” He waved the man goodbye, while I stayed and watched. “Thank you,” I whispered to him. “Don’t thank me yet. You are needed at home.” He announced and pulled me softly by the wrist, out of the shop. Nothing I said on the way made Enzo tell me what was going on, or why I was needed at home. I did everything I possibly could to stay out of home for most of the day, because of my parents’ critical and judgmental nature, so being summoned home in the middle of the day didn’t exactly excite me. At home, the aroma of simmering herbs and freshly cooked bacon hit me before I got the chance to close the door. My mother was stirring a pot in the kitchen and my father was seated at the table. His gaze was sharp and it was clear he had been awaiting my arrival. “Good afternoon, mum and dad,” I mustered a smile and made my way to my room, trying very hard to avoid a conversation. “Kimberly, we need to talk,” my father said, just before I made it to the door. ‘Of course, we need to,’ I exhaled with an eye roll. I turned in his direction. “We had another summon today,” he began, “The council was here?” I probed, “We both know they don’t have to come here. They sent their message and it was clear. We both know what that means.” He replied. “Your father is saying that this might be their final warning,” my mother hurried out of the kitchen and joined us at the table. “This would not have anything to do with the shop, would it?” I queried, “No. It’s about the family. It’s time, Kimberly.” My father came down heavy on me, “You need to take responsibility for your gifts, Kimberly. You can’t keep playing florist.” “Dad, we’ve been through this,” I fought back, “The flower shop…” “You’re not a kid anymore, Kim.” Enzo chipped in, and I felt my zeal to fight leave me. “This isn’t about you. It’s about the family’s magic. It needs to be restored and only you can.” Enzo was the one person I trusted to have my back. If he had this opinion too, then I was fighting a lost battle. “It’s not that simple,” I said faintly, “What’s not that simple?” Enzo queried, “Have we not been a good family to you? The mergers haven’t had a supreme in decades and we’re losing everything. Being in this family means being a part of this family, Kim.” “I’m here for this family, but you all are barely here for me. I…” I still had the rest of my sentence in my throat when the butler rushed in. He was breathing very heavily. His very disorganized entry caught all our attention. “What is it?” My father queried him with a sense of urgency. “Your grace, there has been another attack in the mountains.” My father’s face immediately darkened, as the butler reported. “How many?” my father questioned. “Just one,” he raised his eyes and stared at me. “Lucy,” My heart broke into a million pieces right on the spot. Everyone turned and stared at me. It was almost like they were trying to tell me that if I needed to act, it was now. Lucy was my best friend. “Who’s responsible for this?” My mother questioned. The butler hesitated for a while. “It’s a werewolf attack sir,” he replied. I finally agreed. It was time to do something.