Half of You

The Darold Witchtes - 25 - Payne

Thea's nervousness is a palpable force felt through the bond. It ripples outwards and to me, urging me to bring her close, ease her worry.

Nothing I say will soothe her. She's picked every aspect of her appearance apart, down to the way her hair sits, in preparation to meet the princess.

There's always a sense of inadequacy shrouding over her thoughts. She's constantly worrying if she's enough. If she is capable of becoming a Luna to lead by my side. I want to ask her, who else but you?

Her mark wears proudly on my neck. I will never cover it.

She doesn't have faith in her blood, her nature despite it being generations thick, running right back to the wolves of old.

Her family are warriors in every part of their lineage. Not a weak wolf to be found.

Training with mother will help her. Nobody is born knowing how to be a Luna - but I can feel the raw instinct that bites through her, to protect, kill if necessary, for her pack. For me. She is constantly discrediting herself where it matters the most. She never wondered if she was enough until Matias.

I taste blood just thinking of his name.

Her wolf will become a force of nature once she begins her training.

Our

real training.

The wolf understands that she is an equal, even if she does not. The only others who could hold my stare so effortlessly are mother and father. Once Giselle could too, but that is not true anymore.

Shay holds out an open-palmed, flat hand out to Thea, staring at her expectantly. I understand the gesture even if she does not. Uncle Lorcan comes from the north, where such a gesture is only reserved to assimilate someone into the family.

Thea composes herself well - smiling politely as she takes her hand. But she feels shaken inside.

“You must be Thea. It's a pleasure to meet you; but we can skip the formalities. I'm Shay, and you may refer to me as such.” Even since we were pups, the princess always had a way of making people feel as if they belong, regardless of perceived differences.

That's how Thea is beginning to feel. Little by little, she is beginning to see this as her home, despite missing her family dearly.

“I suppose since our families have been friends for so long, it only makes sense that we would become true family now.” Thea doesn't understand what she means - does she not know that her own grandparents helped train Lorcan's pups?

“I'm not sure I understand.” Thea says. I watch the sway of her hips, the swing of her hair.

To my left I can hear father talking with Luka. The girl with them, Lyla, is silent. They talk of the silver mines - I bite my tongue on the subject of Lorcan sending Shay there. It was a punishment, Luka says.

It is not a place for a female, amongst murderers, rapists and thieves. Despite the fact that she seems to have recovered well.

“How is your brother doing, Castor?” Shay calls back to my sister's mate. The yellow of his eyes traces her with a certain distaste that I've not dared ask the reasoning of. We've grown closer over the years, but not that close. He grows sore speaking of personal matters.

The female that came with her notices this too. Plum eyes squint in his direction as if she would steal the breath from his lungs without hesitation. I will watch her closely from now on.

“Well. The Moon blessed him with a mate, a seer who trained underneath The Lady Eye.” Castor answers her question the same as anyone else. To the point, with as little talking as possible.