Silver Hollow's morning bustle unfolded as usual, but whispers of curiosity and admiration wove through the village streets. Luna's Clinic had become a frequent topic of conversation, its healer's skillful touch and genuine kindness steadily earning the trust of even the most skeptical villagers. The quiet Beta, who had once retreated in the shadow of tragedy, now found herself at the center of the community's attention.
Zane sat in his chair, overseeing the duties of the chief, though his mind often drifted. As the village chief, he was no stranger to the rumors surrounding Luna, but what irked him most was the source of the gossip: the unmarried alphas, betas, and even omegas who found countless excuses to visit her clinic, some with minor ailments, others with none at all.
He had seen them. First, there was Garen Thorn, an alpha hunter, swaggering out of the clinic with a bandaged hand and a ridiculous grin plastered across his face. Then came Lydia Pines, a flirtatious omega, gushing to her friends about Luna's "delicate touch" after fabricating a complaint about stomach pain. Even Elder Marlow's grandson had shown up, leading a suspiciously healthy goat for her to "inspect."
Zane clenched his jaw. It wasn't as though he had a claim on Luna he couldn't, not after everything that had passed between them but seeing her surrounded by suitors gnawed at something deep within him. A tension he couldn't shake. He told himself it was concern for the village's welfare, not jealousy.
Inside the clinic, Luna carefully measured powdered herbs, her movements steady and precise. The familiar rhythm of her work grounded her, even as her thoughts churned. The villagers' gradual acceptance brought her hope, but it also brought a new weight to her shoulders.
The trust they placed in her was fragile, like the delicate herbs she handled daily. Any misstep could shatter it; she knew this all too well. It was a tenuous balance, one she carefully maintained with every action, every word, and every remedy she prepared.
Luna exhaled softly, her fingers steady as she worked. The villagers' newfound willingness to seek her help was a gift she cherished, but it was also a responsibility that weighed on her heavily. She couldn't afford mistakes, not when her role as their healer was still viewed by some as a gamble rather than a certainty.
A familiar voice called out, warm yet tinged with uncertainty. "Luna? Is that really you?"
Luna turned, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of a tall woman in the doorway, her silver hair loose and flowing down her back. Her black eyes sparkled, but the smile on her lips didn't quite reach them.
"Hazel," Luna said, her voice a mix of surprise and nostalgia. "It's been so long."
Hazel Jensen had been Luna's childhood friend or had been, once. They had grown up together with Zane, sharing laughter and adventures that seemed endless. But life had a way of unravelling even the strongest bonds, and the upheaval in Luna's world had pulled them apart.
Now, standing before her, Hazel was almost unrecognizable. She exuded an air of polished confidence, her beauty as striking as ever. Hazel had always been special, the most beautiful girl in their village and an omega who turned heads wherever she went.
The village elders often said Hazel was graced by the moon itself. Her silver hair and black eyes, rare and unlike anything her parents had, were seen as symbols of the moon's blessing. Her unique features set her apart, as if she embodied the moon's light and mystery.
To the villagers, Hazel wasn't just admired; she was revered. Yet now, standing before Luna, there was a tension in her stance, a weight that contradicted the ethereal image she had always projected.
For a moment, Luna wondered if the Hazel who had been her closest friend still lingered beneath the polished exterior or if that girl was only a memory.
"I heard you were back," Hazel said, stepping into the clinic. "I wanted to see if it was true. Silver Hollow hasn't been the same without you."
Luna hesitated, sensing something guarded in Hazel's tone. There was a distance between them now, a shift she couldn't quite place. "Thank you. It means a lot to hear that."
Hazel offered a smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Luna couldn't shake the feeling that her old friend was holding something back, as if there were more she wanted to say but wasn't ready to.
Hazel's gaze swept over the room, taking in everything around her. "Looks like you're settling in. The clinic's popular, I hear. Quite the stir you've caused."
Luna smiled politely. "It's been challenging, but I'm grateful for the chance to help."
Hazel's expression tightened ever so slightly. "It's not just your skills people are noticing," she said, her tone light but with an undercurrent of something else.
Luna tilted her head in confusion, unsure of what Hazel meant. "Anyway, I'm glad you're back, Luna. How was the city?" Hazel asked, turning to look at Luna.
Luna smiled and motioned for Hazel to sit down on the bench. "It was a nice experience. I learned a lot, but it never felt like home. Coming back here, to Silver Hollow, feels like I'm where I'm meant to be," she said, watching Hazel carefully from where she stood.
Hazel nodded. "I'm glad to hear that."
There was a pause before Luna asked, "So, how is life for you? Are you married?"
Hazel shifted slightly, her gaze wandering for a moment before she spoke. "Life in the village has been... steady. As for marriage, no, I'm not married yet."
Luna noticed the brief tightening of Hazel's jaw at the last word, yet, but she chose not to mention it. "That's good," Luna said with a smile. "I'm not married either."
There was a brief silence between them, both women lost in their own thoughts. Luna studied Hazel for a moment, sensing there was more she wasn't saying. But Hazel remained composed, her expression neutral once again.
"So, what's next for you?" Hazel asked, her voice smooth, though Luna noticed the underlying curiosity in her tone. "Are you planning to stay here for good? Will you get married here, too?"
The question hung in the air, a sharp contrast to the quiet rhythm of the clinic. Luna took a moment, considering her response carefully. She hadn't given much thought to the idea of settling down in Silver Hollow, let alone marriage. But Hazel's question felt like it was aimed at something deeper, perhaps a challenge, or even a probe into her future intentions.
"I... haven't really thought about marriage," Luna said, her voice steady. "I've been focused on healing, but I plan to stay here for the rest of my life, as this is my home where I was born."
Hazel's gaze flickered for a moment, the faintest hint of discomfort crossing her face before she spoke. "I see," she said, her tone light but carrying a subtle edge. "It's... good that you're committed to staying here." She paused, glancing briefly toward the door as if something outside had caught her attention. "I just hope you won't be too disappointed if things here aren't exactly as you remember them." She gave a soft laugh, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
Luna's brow furrowed slightly, sensing the unspoken tension in the air. "I know that, Hazel," she said, her voice steady but tinged with a quiet resolve. "I've seen the village, and the villagers are not the same. I, too, am not the same. We all change."
Hazel's gaze wavered for a brief moment, and Luna caught a flicker in her eyes, perhaps surprise, or something deeper. But it vanished as quickly as it had come, replaced by a polite smile. "I suppose you're right," Hazel said, her tone steady. "Well, I really should be going."
She turned toward the door, her movements sharp and deliberate. "Take care, Luna. I'll see you around."
Luna nodded quietly, watching as Hazel left the clinic without another word. She stood motionless for a moment, the weight of their conversation hanging in the air, unanswered. Something had shifted, but Luna couldn't quite place what. It felt as if a barrier had quietly risen between them.
Luna knew that Hazel was no longer the person she once was, and in that moment, Luna wondered if they could ever be the friends they had been. The bond they shared seemed to have frayed, and she wasn't sure if anything could repair it.
With a quiet sigh, Luna turned back to her work. She couldn't shake the feeling that things between her and Hazel might never be the same again. The unease lingered, clouding the peace she had once found in her work. Luna wondered if something had happened with Hazel, something that had changed her in ways Luna couldn't understand. She had always known Hazel as a friend, but now, the woman standing before her felt distant, guarded, as though a wall had risen between them that Luna couldn't break through. What had caused it? Was it something she had done? And why did it feel as if Hazel hated her now? Was there still a way to reach the Hazel she once knew, or had their bond truly been broken?
That evening, murmurs rippled through the village. Hazel had been seen speaking with Elder Mabel Whitmore, a widow and the oldest member of the village. Her words had been soft but laced with implication, her gaze heavy with something unspoken. By the next morning, rumors began circulating like wildfire. Some said Luna was seducing unmarried men and women, taking advantage of their affections for her own gain. Others claimed she would abandon the village, only to return to the city, as if she were running from something. Some even whispered darker tales, suggesting she had killed someone in the city with her medicine and fled here to hide, seeking refuge in the quiet of Silver Hollow.
But as quickly as the rumors spread, they faltered. The villagers who had visited Luna, those she had healed or comforted, defended her fiercely. Emma and Ethan's grandmother, a sharp-eyed woman with a no-nonsense attitude, dismissed the rumors outright. "That girl helped my grandchildren and their rabbit. She's more than earned her place here," she said, her voice strong and unwavering.
The elderly couple also came to Luna's defense. "She's a healer, a best one, too. The old healer of mine couldn't heal me well, but look, I can walk without pain anymore, thanks to her," the elderly man declared, his voice proud as he demonstrated a steady stride. His wife nodded beside him, her expression warm and appreciative. "Anyone who can do what she does deserves respect, not gossip."
Even the unmarried men and women who had been caught in the whispers of scandal stepped forward in Luna's defense. "Luna hasn't done a thing," said Clara, an alpha woman known for her quiet strength, who had brought her mother to Luna for treatment just a day ago. "She's kind and gentle. Don't let these rumors twist the truth."
The village, it seemed, was split. But for every voice that whispered suspicion, there was another that shouted loyalty. Slowly but surely, the tide of gossip began to shift. The whispers faltered. The accusations lost their power when the voices of those who had witnessed Luna's kindness and dedication rang louder.
Seeing this, Hazel's anger flared. Her plan had failed. Meanwhile, Luna, unaware of the brewing tension, sat in her clinic with the twins, enjoying their cheerful conversation. Ever since she had helped their bunny, the twins had visited her every day, bringing light and warmth to her otherwise quiet days.
Luna smiled as she placed a tray of freshly baked cookies in front of the twins. "These should be cooled enough to eat," she said with a soft chuckle. Ethan picked one up eagerly. "These look even better than last time!" He took a bite, his eyes lighting up. "Delicious as always, Miss Luna."
Emma grinned and took her cookie. "I bet Grandma, Grandpa, and Father would love these too. Can we bring some to them?"
"Of course," Luna said, her smile genuine. "I'll pack them up for you to take with you."
Luna had a simple wooden box on hand. She placed the cookies inside, arranging them neatly before closing the box. Then, she tied a piece of cloth around it into a neat bow.
"There we go," Luna said, handing the box to Emma with a smile.
"Thank you, Miss Luna," Emma said, smiling as she took another bite of her cookie.
Just as the twins were finishing their cookies, a knock echoed through the room. Luna turned to the door, and her gaze met Zane's.
"Father!" the twins exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with excitement.
Luna's heart skipped a beat as Zane stepped inside, his tall frame casting a shadow in the doorway. He gave Luna a quick, curt nod, his expression distant and unreadable. The warmth and joy that had filled the room with the twins' laughter seemed to evaporate as soon as he entered. His cold demeanor was a stark contrast to the cheerful atmosphere the children had created.
"Ready to go, Emma and Ethan?" Zane asked, his voice soft but carrying an undertone of authority. His eyes briefly lingered on the twins, then flicked over to Luna without a hint of warmth.
The twins, however, were unbothered by the tension. "Yes, Father!" they said in unison, their voices still filled with excitement. They quickly hopped down from their seats, eager to leave with him.
Emma, holding the box of cookies close to her chest, turned to Zane with a bright smile. "Look, Miss Luna gave us cookies to share with you, Grandma, and Grandpa!" she said, her eyes shining with the joy of her gift.
Zane's gaze flickered briefly to the box, but his expression didn't change. He gave a simple nod and motioned for the twins to follow him. "Let's go," he said, his tone flat, before turning and walking out. The twins, however, paused at the door, waving to Luna.
"Goodbye, Miss Luna!" they called in unison, their voices still full of warmth and excitement.
Luna smiled softly, waving them back. "Goodbye, little ones. Take care," she replied, watching them leave with Zane, her gaze lingering on the doorway as they disappeared from view.
Luna stood there for a moment, the weight of the silence settling over her. The room felt emptier now, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of longing. When had she grown so attached to the twins? She sighed softly, realizing how much their presence had brought a sense of warmth to the clinic.