The Healer

Chapter 15

Tori POV

I sat there nervously, fidgeting with my fingers. My boots suddenly became the most interesting thing in the room. I kept tugging on the hem of my shirt and smoothing my hair. I quickly glanced up at Rick and gave a small smile.

“What… would you like to t-talk about?” I clasped my hands together and try to sit up with confidence. I could feel my face flush, my palms sweating and my mouth was dry. Although he’s my father and has shown no negative or angry attitude towards me, his presence does command attention in any room he occupies. I was very nervous about the conversation about to happen. I’ve opened the door to a new relationship with my father, does not mean he can order me around or prohibit me from doing something. I know he is going to try to talk me out of going to the Hidden Valley Pack to help the Alpha there. I’ve already made up my mind, and being as stubborn as I am, I won’t change it. I get the feeling my stubbornness came from him, so this should get very interesting.

“Tori” He sat down in his large leather chair behind his solid oak desk and clasped his hands on top of the desk. He gave me a pointed look as if to say, ‘You know what’. “Explain” He sat there patiently waiting for me to explain about helping the Hidden Valley Pack.

“Well, my boss asked me to help heal the nephew of his friend. Apparently, he was injured in a fire and needs more intensive treatment to recover. He is not where he should be mentally…. to take over control of his pack.” Our unwavering gazes locked on each other as he raised an eyebrow and tilted his head like a curious puppy.

“So, you’re going to a territory that you know absolutely nothing about, to help heal an injured wolf, and an Alpha at that. All by yourself?” I smiled brightly and nodded cheerfully.

“Yes” The longer he stared at me, the smaller my smile became. I looked between Rick and Victor, and both had the same brooding face. Not quite angry, but a look of frustration, pleading and a hint of confusion. “What? What’s wrong with that? I am a nurse. This is what I do.”

“Tori, have you ever done this before? I mean, heal a wolf? “Victor asked cautiously.

“Well…yes and no, not exactly. Healing is healing. It can’t be that different.” I explained. These two just don’t get it. I have a divine ability to heal any living creature. If Dr. MacDonald came to me asking for help, a total stranger to his friend, it must be very serious.

“Tori, sweetheart, do you have the … “He cut his words short not sure if he should say it or not.

“Healing abilities? Yes. Yes, I do. I have had my abilities for about five years now. My wolf can see into the soul of the injured and guides me in the healing process, but I can call upon them when I need them.”

“Wait, you call upon them? Are they not available all the time?” Victor asked as he came to stand beside me.

“Well, they are more like a faucet. I can turn it on slow so it dribbles out or I can open the tap and have it rush out like Niagara Falls. Although, I certainly don’t recommend that. A wide open faucet just creates too much turmoil even if it’s meant to be a good thing. I use it only when I need it, and on a slow stream. It gets very exhausting if I use it too much. So, I just turn it off unless I need it” Rick and Victor just stare at me with a gaping mouth and wide eyes. Victor regains his senses and sits down in the chair next to me.

“May I?’ He holds out his hands in front of me. I nod and he takes hold of my hands in his and closes his eyes. A moment later, he reopens them, and they are a darker ocean blue, the eyes of his wolf, Ivan. He looks me in the eyes without blinking as if searching for my soul.

“I can sense her…” It’s the voice of Ivan. I do not move a muscle. Not sure what he is doing, but I sit still and wait to see. I feel the rumble in my chest and my head starts to feel heavy. All signs of my wolf coming forward out of curiosity at the spirit sitting in front of her. I close my eyes and shake my head a little. When I open them, it’s as if I am looking through a sort of kaleidoscope. I see Victor sitting before me and Rick behind him. My sight is like tunnel vision, but I see everything. My wolf is now forward and curiously studying the men in front of her.

“Tori?” I hear my dad say almost whispering. When I answer him, I can feel myself talk, but it isn’t my voice.

“It’s still me here. My wolf is forward now, we are sharing the consciousness. We both see you.” Ivan tilts his head and inspects me.

“What is your name?” I hear Ivan ask gruffly. He doesn’t seem afraid or concerned, just cautious.

“My name….” I hear the voice answering, but it isn’t me. Wow, I never knew I could do that! I just thought it was a deeper level of consciousness kind of like a sixth sense. It feels like an entirely separate being in my head.

“I am Mystic” When I hear her name, I smile wide and squeeze Victor’s hand tighter.

“Mystic” Ivan repeats. “What a lovely name.” I can feel her peering through my eyes at both men sitting before me. She was sizing them up. I can feel her accepting their auras as if finding a long-lost friend. Rick stands from his chair and walks around his desk slowly as not to spook Mystic. I try to pull my hands back, but I have no control over my movements now. I try to speak to her, but she ignores me and continues to gaze out at Ivan.

“Do you know who I am?” Rick asks as he kneels beside Victor as not to appear threatening.

“Yes” Mystic answers almost cheerfully. “You are father” I can see Rick smile at that. I can sense happiness and excitement from Mystic. “I have missed father.” Ricks smile widens. “I have missed Victor” Ivan closes his eyes and shakes his head. Opening his eyes again, they are a soft ocean blue, Victor’s eyes.

“You remember me?” He asks quietly. I feel my head nod gently and a smile came over my face.

“Of course, I do. Victor is Tori’s friend from childhood.”

“Mystic, were you with Tori as a child?”

“Yes. I saw everything. I was with her from birth. I was only able to come forward when she turned eighteen. After mother died, I stayed close to her in case I needed to catch her. Although, it is against the rules, I would have healed Tori if she needed it. I love Tori and will keep her safe.” I listened to what Mystic said and felt tears in my eyes. Such a loving and selfless soul inside of me, and yet, I have never met her or seen her. I would love to see her face to face and hug her. I would do anything to keep her safe as well.

“Mystic, may I speak with Tori again? I promise you can come back later if you like.” Rick softly asks as he takes my hand and pats it. I can feel Mystic thinking before she nods her head and I feel her recede to the back of my mind, where she spends most of her time.

“Tori?” I look at my father and smile.

“She has gone back in her meadow, as she calls it.”

“Do you speak often with her?” Victor speaks up as he sits back in his chair.

“Not on a regular basis. Of course, she is up front when I’m using divine healing on someone, but other than that, she prefers to stay in her meadow. But I can always feel her presence.” Rick looks at Victor with a slight confused look.

“Have you ever shifted?” I immediately shake my head as my mouth falls to a frown.

“No. I wish I could meet her, but I believe her purpose is to heal through me. I don’t think she has an actual physical form, only a consciousness and I am a vessel for her abilities.”

“Tori…“ Victor starts, then looks down at my hands. He grabs my right hand and turns it over and back inspecting it for marks. He finds a slight bluish and yellow bruise on my knuckles. “Is this when you punched the truck fender?” I glanced at Rick before eyeing Victor, trying to send the message not to talk about it.

“What fender?” My father demands as he stands full height staring at me. I sigh and turn my head.

“I punched a truck. My ex was cheating on me. So, I punched his truck while he was in the driver seat with his bimbo.” I looked around the room to avoid my father’s glare.

“You punched the truck? Why didn’t you punch him instead? It probably would’ve hurt less too.”

“Oh, trust me, she did. Very impressive too” Victor responded with a devilish grin as he nodded at me. I huffed a little as I recalled the events at the bar the other night. I crossed my arms over my chest and blew a piece of hair out of my face.

“He deserved it and more! I’m just glad I won’t be seeing him anymore!” Victor chuckled a little and Rick just grinned shaking his head.

“I’ll explain later” Victor nodded to Rick.

“Why haven’t you healed yourself? These bruises will take days to go away.” Victor grabbed my hand again. I peered down at my knuckles with a frown.

“I don’t use the abilities on myself. I think I am meant to heal others, not myself. I’ve never actually tried it on myself. I’d rather use the energy to help someone else.” Rick dropped his arms and was about to argue when there came a knock at the office door.

“Come” He called out and the door slowly swung open to reveal a young lady with long dark hair, fair complexion, and beautiful grey eyes.

“Alpha, the pack is outside ready for the bonfire. They are ready for you to light the wood whenever you are.” She asked with head bowed and hands clasped in front of her.

“Thank you, Casey. I will be there shortly.” Rick’s gaze lingered on the young lady.

“Yes Alpha” She bows her head again before stepping back towards the door. Rick takes hold of my hand and pulls me from my seat.

“You are coming to the bonfire, aren’t you sweetheart?” Rick asks me with hope in his voice. I look back to the young lady who is just about to walk through the door, she glances back at me with such a look of pure hatred and evil, I feel a chill run down my spine. I don’t even know this girl, and she is plotting my demise. What did I ever do to her?

“Um… sure.”

“Wonderful! Let’s go, the pack is waiting.”

Wait, what? The pack? He wants me to meet the whole pack?!

Rick was so happy that I was here and now he wants to show me off to his pack. Problem is, he doesn’t want anyone knowing I’m his daughter... yet. I already have two unhappy she-wolves that would take me down at the first chance they got. Not exactly what I would call a fun evening!

This should be very interesting!