Healing Hearts

C H A P T E R | 33

"We're cousins," Alpha Joey clarified, rubbing his jaw as he stared at Marley. The two stared at each other, both with their blond hair, and slowly noticed similarities to Cecilia Moon.

Marley sighed, "I know it's hard to believe, but it's true."

Alpha Joey placed his elbows on the table, "My mother was originally from the Healing Moon Pack, supposedly the next Alpha." He spoke, trying to clarify.

"Doesn't it explain the trips, though?" Marley added, keeping her stare at her cousin. "Always visiting someplace, without any warriors or guards.

"I can prove it, Aunt Cecilia will have the birthmark — like I do."

Marley showed Alpha Joey, moving her hair. The Alpha nodded, "She has that." He leaned back in his seat, taking a deep breath. His emotions were all over the place, but he couldn't understand why his parents never told him — he hadn't been a child in a long time, so there was no reason for his parents to keep it a secret.

"Are you ok?" Marley whispered.

"Of course," he answered, clearly lying, but Marley didn't call him out on it. "Now, shall we go find Denice and Layla?"

Marley nodded her head before she paused, "Actually, could you tell me where Luna Hannah is? There's something I need to do."

"If it's about Alpha Tyler's other mate, I'm afraid there isn't anything anyone can do," Alpha Joey informed, almost as if he tried himself.

Marley shook her head, "Luna Hannah is a friend of mine, and I need to give her something."

*•*•*•*•*

Gabby perked up when she saw Layla walking towards her. "Finally, the Head Doctor shows up for her job," she yelled, gaining the attention she wanted from a specific wolf.

Layla rolled her eyes, "What's going on?"

"Everyone is mysteriously waking up." The two were quiet, coming to the same conclusion: Luna Hannah. Albeit, they were both happy with the outcome, Gabby had a frown on her face with a running nose and stained cheeks.

Layla stared at her concerned, "Are you ok?"

Gabby shook her head, blinking away the next wave of salty tears, "Doctor Eliza died for me." She pushed her lips together, shaking her head.

The Head Doctor was frozen — with everything going on, her mind had pushed out the deaths her pack was suffering from.

"Everything is happening so fast," Nurse Gabby whispered, "and I hate it. My reactions, I feel, I feel like. I feel like I'm not sad enough, you know. Everyone is just continuing on, and there isn't time to celebrate their lives and mourn their deaths."

Layla agreed, "I rather mourn later and save as many lives as I can now."

"There you two are," Luna Hannah came towards them, clearly exhausted with the activities she was doing. Surprisingly, no stranger had made the connection. "Is there anyone I need to see before I take my leave? I got anyone I could get my hands on."

Gabby shook her head.

"Actually," Layla put her hand on Gabby, "can you bring someone out of a coma that has been there for two years?"

Luna Hannah thought for a moment, "Not at the moment, but I can do it later."

"Do you need help getting back home?" Gabby asked, concern when Luna Hannah took a step with her legs shaking.

Luna Hannah smiled sadly, "I'm afraid I'm not going home. I was going to check on the training."

Layla frowned, "I think it's best if you get some rest. Are you sure-"

"I can't go home."

Gabby nodded her head, "Alright, do you want to stay at my apartment?"

Hannah eyed her for a moment before giving in, "I would appreciate it."

"Let me file this paper work then I can probably leave."

Gabby jogged away before her body went around the corner.

Hannah and Layla stared at one another. The doctor stared at the pack's guest, a feeling of sadness went into her chest thinking about the woman's situation. She had a feeling she didn't trust her own mate, not that she would put her faith in Alpha Tyler. However, she wasn't happy when Hannah told Marley she couldn't trust her — that she would hurt her own mate.

"I wanted you to know," Layla grabbed her elbow as Hannah started to fall, "that I'm not like Alpha Tyler in anyway. I wouldn't hurt Marley like that, any shape or form."

Hannah pulled her arm away, leaning her body weight against the wall. "It's hard to trust people once you've been hurt, Head Doctor Layla. My mate and my best friend in the pack betrayed me, and have yet to feel guilty of their actions. At this point, I can't forgive either of them. My relationship with my mate is ruined, and when I gain the strength after being rejected, I will most likely live back at the Healing Moon Pack — where I know I will be safe and guided.

"Deep down, I understand that you have created a better environment for your mate. I can see the effort you do and the look in your eyes. So yes, I trust you because Marley does, but we are not friends."

Layla stared, speechless. She didn't know what to make out of Luna Hannah, but the Head Doctor nodded her head. "That... works, but Hannah, if you ever get lonely at your stay, you can always come have dinner. I'm sure Marley would want to you there — just maybe not when she's still mad."

Luna Hannah raised her eyebrows, but said nothing in return. It wasn't long before Gabby came back, whisking the Luna away back to her place.

Layla stared after them, swallowing as she turned away — she had work to get done. The faster she did them the faster she could go to see Marley. She often wondered during her day how Marley was holding up in the meeting.

———— A U T H O R N O T E | 35 ————

Anyone excited for Thanksgiving!

For those of you who don't know, it's an American holiday. I usually go up with to visit my grandparents with my family. I was also thinking of writing a short Thanksgiving special with Marley and Layla — maybe a chance to meet future characters.

QQ (#40): How do you celebrate Thanksgiving (and if you don't, what's a holiday you celebrate)?