Moonlit

Chapter Eighty-Seven

The yard was speckled with practicing wolves, Wren among them. Shayne watched the kid from the side of the wolf house, back pressed against the wall. The kid was impressive. He wielded a stick which he used like a shield instead of a weapon and preformed defensive maneuvers against an invisible enemy.

He casually bit into his apple and spared a glance to the door when it opened. Jessie stood in the frame and smiled when her gaze found Shayne's. He lifted a hand in greeting as he crunched into the apple's core next.

"Hey," Jessie said as she approached. "Everything okay?" she asked.

Shayne shrugged. "Yeah, I just...needed to get out for a bit I guess."

"Come on, then," Jessie said, offering her hand. "Let's go for a walk."

Shayne slipped his hand to hers without hesitation. "You sure we're allowed to?"

"Ah, why not? We won't bother anyone, and I don't think we look that threatening." She tugged him along with a grin, her hair bouncing as she walked.

A smile started to form despite himself, and Shayne hurried to keep pace with her. "Maybe not."

Jessie led him around the outskirts of the Compound, her hand swinging in his. "It's not all that bad here," she told him. "I mean, I'm not sure where we'll end up, but I don't really mind."

"It's just a little weird," Shayne admitted. "Living in a house filled with people you don't know? Do all wolves live like that? As...packs in one house?"

"I...don't know," Jessie admitted. "I've only been a wolf for...a year? Maybe a year and a half? I was only ever with two packs, and Sonya would never let them be separate. Terra would, after this is over. I think a lot of packs do, though, yeah. Unless they live as wolves."

"And some do that?" Shayne asked. "Live as wolves?"

"So I've heard." Jessie gave another small laugh and shook her head. "I couldn't. I'm not even good at shifting in the first place. Or fighting, for that matter."

"So that makes both of us," he said. "Good, I was starting to think everyone here was just born for battle."

Jessie shook her head. "I never was. I always liked taking care of people, and when I learned I could be a Healer...I knew it was right."

"Well, I think that suits you better anyway," Shayne commented. "You're good at it."

She paused and turned her head up to him. "Thanks," Jessie said. "I'm not always sure. I try my best, but..."

Shayne gave her an encouraging smile and even squeezed her hand gently. "Hey, I'm alive, right? So, I'd say that's pretty damn good by my standards. I've been to hospitals before. No doctor waits in your room to see if you survived the night."

Jessie's gaze slipped away but she was still smiling shyly. "I'm glad you're alive, Shayne. I hope you stay in touch. Even-even if you leave."

"Right now, I don't think I'm going anywhere," Shayne said. "Even if Terra let's me. But...I think that's okay right now. I've got a lot to explain to my parents but..." He shrugged and smiled wide at her. "You at least help to make it all seem normal."

"I'm glad I can do at least that." Jessie glanced at the Compound and tipped her head to it. "Want to check out the inside? We probably couldn't hang around long, but..."

"Oh, sure," Shayne said. "You know, you'd think it's a haunted mansion of demonic doom with how everyone talks about it."

"Demonic doom?" Jessie pulled open the door and held it for him. "I would go with a hellscape of psychopaths."

Shayne shrugged and took her place at the door, holding it open for her instead. "I'm not that creative."

Jessie snorted and covered her mouth with her hand as she went inside. "Creative? Sure I guess."

He followed in after her, barely looking around the Compound. His gaze simply followed the Healer instead. "So what do you think? What are you plans for after...everything?"

"Oh, I don't know." Jessie led them towards the mess hall, just to have a destination. "I like being a Healer, but Sonya's Healer will be around, too. I might ask him for more training. I like to see where life takes me."

"I guess that's a good enough plan," Shayne said for the sake of replying.

Jessie peered into the near empty mess hall and slipped over to where they kept mugs for coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. "I like things to be a surprise," she said.

"That does make life more interesting." Shayne selected a mug, mindful of the few watchful Hunters. He ventured to warming canisters with Jessie next and lifted the one with the hot chocolate label card sitting before it.

"Oh, of course!" Jessie stood back to let him do the work and started messing with her curls. "Hot chocolate is the best for every occasion."

Shayne chuckled a little and turned back to her with two filled mugs. "Especially in winter."

Jessie took one from him and sipped with a smile. "Well, I'll show you what's best once summer rolls around."

"Yeah?" Shayne asked and took a swift sip. "I bet Hunters make killer lemonade."

"Why wouldn't they?" Jessie glanced out as a small group of Hunters entered and started back to the door. "You can make frozen hot chocolate, too."

"You know, I've never tried that before." Shayne drank deeply from his mug, near draining it all at once.

"Well, you'll have to let me show you." She glanced back at him and paused in the hallway. Jessie grinned wide and said, "Promise?"

Shayne swiped at his mouth as he lowered his cup, then laid his hand flat against his chest. "With all my heart. No one else I'd rather experience it with."

Jessie's face went a bit red, but she gave a sharp nod. "Well, good." She kept her mug in one hand and offered out the other to him. "Come on, let's head back."

His smile widened and he took her hand again. "Sure," he said and simply came around to her side once more.