Little Luna: ECLIPSE-BOUND

Chapter 2

Rachel was our pack's healer. Though in her late eighties was still supple and strong. She was already informed of our visit and was waiting outside her healing tent. Though she wasn't a werewolf like the rest of us, she was a witch.

They were different types of witches but Rachel was a healer witch. Normally werewolves didn't need a healer since they had self healing abilities. They were vulnerable to silver and wolfsbane. If attacked with either or both of them they could die.

It wasn't easy to come across a healer, so she was treated well. She was the only one who could stand up to Alpha Thorne and get away with it. Maids like myself weren't allowed access to a healer.

I heard her gasp and watched her emerald eyes widen in shock. When she saw my injuries. She made them carefully lay me on the bed, and her tenderness brought tears to my eyes as my mom's face flashed across my mind.

She turned to her helpers requesting a basin of hot water, clean napkins and some fresh clothes.

She turned back to me, spreading her hands over me as she spoke softly. "This may take a while, but it won't hurt you little one." Her magic felt like a warm touch caressing my broken body soon I calmed down and went into a peaceful slumber.

When I woke up I was in fresh clothes. The pain was gone from my body; only a bit of soreness remained.

Probably hearing me wake up Rachel approached me, she smiled softly at me as I sat up slowly.

"Come eat little one your stomach has been empty for days." My stomach growled agreeing to her words. It was then I noticed the table in the tent filled with food. My mouth watered as the delicious aroma wafted through my nose. But....... was I permitted to eat?

Rachel must have seen my skeptical look as she spoke next. "No patient of mine goes hungry!"

With that, I gently got off the bed, following Rachel to the table widened at the sight of so many dishes on the table. Maids like myself were only allowed to feed on left overs or stale breads. I've never had to eat such good food since Thorne became Alpha . So, despite the drool pooling beneath me, I was still very nervous to eat. It felt like a taboo for someone like me.

"You can eat, little one, no one will punish you". Rachel reassured me.

There was something about her that made me trust her words. So I sat down and began to eat.

By the gods, the food was delicious, I was stuffing up my face and Rachel had to remind me to slow down a bit so I wouldn't throw up.

I couldn't move by the time I was done and half of the table was cleared out by me, Rachel had eaten but a little, her emerald eyes had been watching me globe down the food. I was sure I looked like a maniac if not a rabid being, but Rachel only smiled kindly at me. It felt nice.

"What's your name little one?" She asked as she led me back to the bed.

"Liora". I answered wondering why she was leading me back to the bed. I should be out the door and back to work, even though I still felt a bit weak.

"Well Liora, you should rest now. You can go back to work tomorrow". She spoke.

I stared at her with wide eyes and blurted out a question. "Do you read minds?"

She let out a soft laugh. "We witches always know". She said wait a wink.

The banquet party Alpha Thorne was to host was drawing near and all hands were needed. That's why someone as irrelevant and weak as me became needed. I wondered what Luciana's fate would be since Thorne was not planning on having her as his Luna. It would be a show to look on to.

Over the week, the work doubled as preparations for the banquet was in full swing and I had no time to visit Rachel. She insisted I meet her to follow up on my recovery. I guess missing her would now be till the banquet was done. I was grateful to have been healed by Rachel, for the first time in years, I wasn't walking around bruised and swollen. Though I'd gone back to my rationed meal and stale bread, I was grateful for that food experience I had at Rachel's.

I finished setting the rest of the dishes. The rooms have been prepared, and soon most Alpha's and some of their pack members would be arriving. Today was the banquet's Eve and Thorne was holding a welcome party for his esteemed guests. The Alphas would stay in the Grand patch use where they'd be attended to 24-7, while pack members would stay in the lounge provided.

I was nervous, meeting new people wasn't my thing and the fact that my mate would be here made me even nervous. Thankfully, I wasn't going to be on duty tonight. My shift was tomorrow at the banquet. Setting the dishes was my last duty tonight.

I quickly took my supposed dinner and hurry back to my tiny room. I lay down with my gaze up on my make-shift cot. The night was beautiful and calm.

Tomorrow was my birthday. Another year without my mom. I sigh as happy memories flooded me. I recall how she would always wake up early to bake the biggest cake for me, how she would use the largest candle, how she always had so many gifts for me.

But those had been taken away by Thorne. I wae still grateful I had lots of happy moments with her. "I miss you mom" I whisper to the night, loneliness eating me insides out.

I laid on my cot, my thought running, I was turning eighteenth, if I was any other wolf, I'd be free to leave the pack if I wanted to. But my case was different. I didn't know how to bring it up. How would i survive after leaving the pack? The only option was to find my mate and leave with him.

But what if my mate didn't want me?

Forcing myself to sleep so i wouldn't be tormented by those thoughts. I prayed to the moon goddess, asking that I meet my mate tomorrow and that he wanted me.