The Lycan's Healer Mate

Chapter 7 Shadow

Ryan's POV

"How do I look like?" I look into the mirror, mind-link Shadow and ask him to be a judge.

"You are grinning like an i***t," Shadow comments.

I ignore him and continue adjusting the bow tie. My mind is occupied by the thought of the reunion with Mia. I am in such a good mood that nothing can ruin my day." I appreciate your honest feedback, but currently I'd prefer a pep talk."

"What else would you expect me to say? You are the most handsome man in the world? "Shadow mumbles, "What are you? Snow White? Then you'd better get your evil cousin to enchant your mirror instead of asking my opinion."

"I had thought you liked Aurora." I muse in surprise, "Did she do something wrong to offend you?"

"Offend? She insulted me! That kid is one of the wryest witches I've ever met." Shadow grumbles.

"Really? Is that an exaggeration or a serious accusation? Aurora is nice to me."

"Well, that's partly true." Shadow corrects me, "She isn't nice to you when you are in your wolf form. I won't blame you for being unaware of this though, since you are unconscious when I am in charge of the body, and you wouldn't be able to know what I've experienced."

"Tell me about it." I encourag him.

"The first time Aurora saw me. She pulled my tail to test if it could extend like Pinocchio's nose, claiming this was one of the homework assigned by Madame Agnes. If she failed the job, she would be sent back to the witch clan and die of a broken heart."

"And you were persuaded?" I can't help laughing.

"I was tricked into believing her. Your cousin lied to me and I don't think there are any laughing matters in it!" Shadow yells.

"Nah, 'die of a broken heart' is a kind of hyperbole. Aurora didn't mean it."

"Whatever you say, children are horrible, especially when they happen to be witches." Shadow huffs, "I gradually understand why human beings are fond of hunting them and burning them to death."

"I kind of like her. "

"You are not the one whose tail got pulled!" Shadow snarls furiously.

"Alright, alright, stop yelling at me. I heard you. I would talk to Aurora, ordering her to leave me alone when I am in wolf form. Anything else I can do for you, my dear friend?"

"You only call me dear friend when you're planning something and need my assistance. Just cut the crap and tell me what you really want from me."

"You are the cleverest wolf I've ever met in my entire life, yet such smartness makes it hard for people to please you. On average, you would criticize 17 ladies per party and your best record is 22 per night. So tell me, why haven't you mocked at the lady we met in the Silver Wood and asked me to stay away from her? Did you enjoy her company?"

"I can't believe you actually counted it." Shadow scoffs, "No, I felt nothing about her company. The lady is wolfless and I cannot tell her personality by her wolf. Nevertheless, I don't like her being around you."

"I've been seeking an interesting soul through my life and now I eventually met one. Shouldn't you be happy for me? "

"This is not personal. The truth is I don't want you to fall for anyone. Love makes people blind and fenced. Once you are in lover with her, your mind would never romp again like the mind of God." Shadow informes me in a serious tone

"Um, as a wolf, you have a solemness beyond your age."

"The fear of intimacy has possessed me more than ever in recent months."Shadow lets out a melancholy sigh, "Sometimes I hate myself for that—Will you find another wolf to replace me if someday you can no longer stand my imprudence?"

"Never. I assure you that won't happen."

"What if the Great Council are desperate to get you a Luna and you can't find one because of me? They might make a proposal, demanding Madame Agnes to perform surgery to remove me from your mind."

I am astonished at Shadow's wild imagination and comfort him, "Don't you worry. They have blind spot and it would never occur to them that you have something to do with my alienation from those ladies. Even if they discovered it, I won't forsake you. You are my good fellow, a gift given by the moon goddess. We've known each other for more than six years and you are irreplaceable. Guess we'll be stuck together till death do us apart."

"Ugh," Shadow says in disgust, "Save those sugar-coated words for your future Luna."

"Don't get jealous. I'd prepare something sweeter for her." I laugh.

"Are you really fond of the lady we met tonight?" Shadow suddenly asks.

"The lady evoked my curiosity."

"I think you have a crush on her. You look so nervous and you've been fiddling with your bow tie."

Whether I am doing that or not, I stop it immediately and retort, "I'm just adjusting it to the right place."

"And I assume you agree on the former part that you have a crush on her?" Shadow teases and accuses me, "Perhaps this is why you terminated the link we shared as soon as you chatted with the lady. You were afraid that I would criticize her and advised you to stay away from her, right? The decision is understandable. I know I am a badass. Still, I was a little bit offended by your bad manners. You are the one who mind-linked me in the first place, asking me to inspect if she was a spy. And all of a sudden you ended the link without any explanations. The link ended so abruptly that I had worried it resulted from a failed connection or something."

"Sorry buddy." I quickly apologize and explaine, "I like the lady and I sincerely hope you can praise her instead of keeping rebuking her. But a more important reason that provoked me to end the link was that somehow she could hear the conversation between us."

"What?" there is a tremor in Shadow's voice.

"You heard me." I smirk, "she heard us."

"Stop playing with words Ryan! What the lady did was eavesdrop. This is offensive. Rude. Horrifying. Evil." Shadow mutters, "I must say now I appreciate your decision to end the link. You were sharp-witted enough to keep us away from the potential danger."

"Nonono, that's not what I mean." Shadow's accusation of Mia makes me unease and I have a sudden impulse to defend her, "The lady didn't realize that she was able to listen to our conversation. She actually mistook what I said to you for an order for her. I asked you to say something, remember? She responded before you could answer."

"Maybe you are right. But I wouldn't say anything to you when the lady is around and that's final. Perhaps she has earned your trust, but mine was harder to be obtained."

"Ok." I agree to his proposal and say, "Would you do me a favor later?"

"Depend on what the favor is."

"Help me identify the lady as quick as you can. I want to be the first one to dance with her."

"I don't get it. Identify?"

"Yeah, we're holding a Masquerade ball. The idea came from your biggest enemy Aurora, and Aunt Agnes took her advice."

"Why?" Shadow whines.

"Aurora thought it would be fun." I shrug.

"No, I am asking why Madame Agnes would agree." Shadow sighs, "I had thought she didn't like Aurora."

"Aunt Agnes could be strict with her apprentice—apprentices." I correct myself quickly, "But it doesn't mean she didn't like them. Are you helping me or not?"

"Fine. I will help you. But how? Your lady doesn't have a wolf and I cannot track her."

"I have a plan."

"I am hearing, genius," Shadow asks and doesn't bother to hide the sarcasm in his tone.

"When I mind-linked all the guests to raise their glasses and toast to the moon, the one who didn't raise her glass will be my lady."

"Sound alright to me, but you'd better stand on the balcony on the second floor, or I won't be able to spot her in the crowd."

"You've got the point. Thank you, my dear friend."

"Don't mention it. I also need a favor from you."

"What's it?"

"Stay away from Aurora. You shall not hug the little witch, nor kiss her on the forehead. It might be a sweet moment for you, but it will be a lifelong nightmare for me." Shadow grumbles.

I grin and reach out to the mirror as if I were going to have a handshake with Shadow, "Deal."