A Luna’s Place

A Luna’s Place

The applause continued long after I stepped away from the edge of the platform. Faces that had watched me with cautious curiosity only moments earlier now carried expressions of approval, and although I knew a single speech could never earn complete trust, it was enough to open a door that had previously remained closed.

As the crowd slowly dispersed, several elders approached to formally welcome me into Shadowfang. The eldest among them, an elderly woman with silver hair braided down her back, bowed respectfully before offering me a carved wooden staff no taller than my forearm.

“This belonged to Luna Eleanor,” she said with a warm smile. “She was the Alpha’s grandmother and one of the greatest healers Shadowfang has ever known.”

I accepted the staff carefully “It is beautiful.”

“It is also symbolic.” She rested a wrinkled hand over mine. “Every Luna who truly served this pack carried it during her first inspection of the healing sanctuary.”

A quiet murmur of agreement passed among the other elders “You honor me with this gift.”

“No, my Luna,” the woman replied gently. “You honor us by accepting it.”

Before I could thank her again, Damon stepped beside me “The sanctuary is expecting us.”

The elders bowed once more before moving aside and as we descended from the platform, I noticed children peeking curiously from behind their parents. One little girl with chestnut curls stared at me with wide blue eyes before gathering enough courage to step forward. She could not have been older than six and she held a tiny bouquet of wildflowers clutched tightly in both hands.

“My Luna?” Her voice was barely louder than a whisper.

I knelt so we were at eye level “Yes?”

She extended the flowers toward me “My mama said every Luna deserves flowers.”

My heart softened instantly “They’re beautiful.”

“They’re my favorite.”

I accepted them with genuine gratitude “Then I shall treasure them.”

The little girl’s smile lit up her entire face and before she could run back to her family, I gently tucked one blossom behind her ear.

“I think one belongs with you.”

She giggled before rushing into her mother’s waiting arms and the woman mouthed a silent thank you and I smiled in return.

When I rose to my feet, I found Damon watching the exchange “You seem comfortable with children.”

“I helped raise many of Silvercrest’s orphaned pups.”

He looked genuinely surprised “I didn’t know that.”

“There was never a reason for you to ask.”

The words escaped more sharply than I intended and a brief silence followed.

“You are right.” His admission caught me off guard “I should have.”

Before I could respond, he resumed walking toward the waiting carriage and the conversation lingered in my thoughts long after it ended. It was a small apology and almost insignificant yet it was the first time Damon had openly admitted fault.

The healing sanctuary stood several streets away from the Alpha Manor. Unlike the imposing fortress that served as the pack’s political center, the sanctuary radiated warmth. Large windows allowed sunlight to flood every room, while fragrant herbs grew in carefully maintained gardens surrounding the building.

The moment we entered, healers paused in their work to bow respectfully.

“My Alpha.”

“My Luna.”

A middle-aged woman wearing pale green robes stepped forward “Welcome.”

She smiled warmly “I am Healer Miriam, chief healer of Shadowfang.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“The honor is ours.” She glanced briefly toward Damon “The Alpha has spoken highly of your knowledge.”

I looked at him in surprise and he calmly folded his arms.

“I merely stated the truth.” Miriam led us through the sanctuary.

Every room reflected remarkable organization as shelves overflowed with carefully labeled medicinal herbs, patients rested comfortably in clean beds while apprentices quietly prepared remedies under the supervision of experienced healers and several children recovering from minor injuries waved enthusiastically when they saw us.

I waved back “The sanctuary is impressive,” I said honestly.

“We are fortunate,” Miriam replied “The Alpha never refuses requests for medical supplies.”

Damon answered without looking away from the patients “A healthy pack is a strong pack.”

Simple, practical and yet impossible to argue with. As we continued the tour, something unusual caught my attention. The herb storage room contained hundreds of jars arranged with meticulous precision and most of the medicinal plants were familiar, lavender, yarrow, silverleaf and moonroot. Then I noticed several shelves nearly empty.

I walked closer “When were these herbs last replenished?”

Miriam frowned “About two months ago.”

I examined one of the labels “These should never run this low.”

“We’ve struggled to find enough traders willing to cross the northern mountains during winter.”

I nodded thoughtfully “The problem isn’t supply.”

She blinked “It isn’t?”

“No.” I pointed toward another shelf “These herbs naturally grow together.”

Understanding slowly dawned across her face.

“You mean…”

“They should be cultivated here.”

Miriam stared at me for several seconds before smiling. “I had never considered that.”

I turned toward the windows overlooking the gardens “You have fertile soil.”

She nodded eagerly “And enough space.”

“You could become self-sufficient within a year.”

Excitement spread among the healers gathering nearby.

One apprentice hurried closer “My Luna, would you truly teach us?”

“If you wish to learn.”

The young woman beamed “We would.”

Miriam laughed softly “I believe you’ve just volunteered yourself.”

“I don’t mind.”

The chief healer’s smile grew even warmer “Neither do we.”

Damon remained silent throughout the exchange and only when the healers became absorbed in discussing new planting arrangements did he quietly step beside me.

“You solved a problem that has frustrated them for years.”

“It wasn’t difficult.”

“It was for everyone else.”

I looked toward the bustling healers “My mother always believed knowledge should be shared.”

His gaze rested on me for several thoughtful moments “You speak about her often.”

“I miss her every day.”

He nodded once “I understand.”

The quiet sadness in his voice surprised me and before i could ask what he meant, a loud commotion erupted outside. A young warrior burst through the sanctuary doors carrying an unconscious boy in his arms.

“Help!”

Every healer sprang into action.

“He fell from the western cliffs.”

Miriam immediately began issuing instructions “Prepare the treatment room.”

The boy looked no older than twelve and blood stained the side of his tunic while his breathing came in shallow, uneven gasps.

I hurried beside the treatment table “What happened?”

“He was gathering firewood.” The warrior’s voice shook with panic “The rocks gave way beneath him.”

Miriam carefully examined the injury “Three broken ribs.” She frowned “And possibly internal bleeding.”

The apprentices rushed to gather supplies and without hinking, I reached for the boy’s wrist. His pulse fluttered weakly beneath my fingertips “He needs willow bark for the pain.”

Miriam nodded “And crushed moonroot.”

I glanced toward the herb shelves “No.”

She looked at me.

“The moonroot will slow his breathing.”

Realization flashed across her face “You’re right.”

I quickly mixed several herbs together before handing them over “This will reduce the swelling without suppressing his lungs.”

Miriam immediately prepared the remedy and the treatment continued for nearly an hour. Finally, the boy’s breathing steadied and color slowly returned to his pale face. Relief swept through the room.

His frightened mother collapsed into tears “You saved him.” She reached for my hands “Thank you.”

I gently squeezed her fingers “The healers saved him.”

She shook her head “They followed your guidance.”

Emotion tightened my throat “I only did what anyone should.”

The woman embraced me before hurrying to her son’s bedside. As the sanctuary gradually returned to its normal rhythm, Damon quietly approached Miriam.

“Will he recover?”

She smiled “Because of the Luna, yes.”

Damon turned toward me once more and there was no trace of skepticism left in his expression only quiet admiration that he made no effort to hide. Neither of us realized that among the frightened families gathered outside the sanctuary stood a cloaked man who had watched everything from beginning to end.

As he slipped unnoticed into the crowded streets, he smiled to himself before disappearing into the shadows.

“The Silver Moon has begun to shine,” he murmured. “The others will want to know.”