Page 57 of Healing Fate

I set her down, but her arms stayed wrapped around my neck as she pulled me back for another kiss.

My hands ran up and down her sides, but I could still feel a bit of apprehension within her, so I stepped back to give her a little space.

“Would you like something to drink? Sorry the place is a little messy. I’m not usually like this, it was just a really bad weekend.”

She sighed and sat down on the couch.

“Some tea would be great if you have it.”

“Sure. Be right back.”

I walked into the kitchen to retrieve drinks from the fridge.

“There are two beer cans in here and a crumbled blanket and pillow on the couch. Is this really what you consider messy?” she teased.

I laughed.

“Yes,” I admitted as handed her a drink and sat down beside her.

“You’re too cute. Vada makes a mess ten times worse than this every five seconds, it feels like.”

“I’m okay with that. It’s the leaving it part that bothers me. I can get messy. There’s a time and place for it. I mean look at me, I’m a mess right now, but drives me nuts to just ignore it.”

She looked me over. There was dirt caked onto my clothes and under my nails. My hands were always spotless. I cringed as I noticed them now. Lucy saw it and a darkness crossed her face.

“Are you really okay? Today was a lot,” she whispered.

“I know, and I really am. Thanks to you.”

She shook her head.

“Lucy, you have a true gift. You can’t deny it and you don’t have to hide it, not here, and certainly not from me.”

She sighed. “I should have told you sooner. I’m sorry. It’s just always been this dark secret. Witches terrify people. Why isn’t it bothering you?”

I relaxed and smiled. “I’ve had plenty of experience with witches. They fascinate me but I do make it a point of staying on their good sides.”

I was just trying to make a joke but saw immediately that it fell flat.

“I would never hurt you.”

“I know that. I’m not scared of you. I was only trying to make light of it, and I shouldn’t have. I can’t even imagine what you’ve had to deal with. It doesn’t have to be a secret here, but if you prefer it that way then…”

She cut me off. “Then it’s too late because half the Pack already saw me heal you and others today.”

“That was hardly half the Pack.”

Her jaw dropped in surprise. “How many people are in this Pack?”

“A lot. Even I don’t really know, but it is the largest wolf shifter Pack in the world and if you add in all the other animals we have living here now, it’s even bigger than that.”

“I hadn’t thought of that. Wow. That’s insane.”

I shrugged. “It’s still a small town where everyone knows everything, so yeah, it would be hard to lock this down, but not impossible.”

“It’s fine. I mean, everyone knows about Kelsey here, right?”

“Definitely.”