The smell reached us before the dining hall came into view.
Fresh bread.
Roast chicken.
Herbs.
Something sweet baking somewhere in the kitchens.
My stomach growled so loudly that Jace laughed.
“I’ll take that as you’re hungry.” Said Jace “I don’t think I’ve ever been this hungry.” “You say that every time you eat.” “Because I’m always hungry.” “Now you sound like a wolf.” Grinned Jace The dining hall was far bigger than I’d expected.
Long wooden tables stretched across the room, most already filled with people chatting and laughing as they ate.
Large windows lined one wall, letting the afternoon sunshine flood inside, while lanterns hung from the beams overhead, casting a warm golden glow.
The atmosphere was…
loud.
Not the angry shouting I was used to.
Happy loud.
Families laughing together.
Children arguing over desserts.
Friends teasing one another.
It felt…
Normal.
Tony was already collecting a tray.
“Grab whatever you like,” he called.
I frowned.
“Whatever I like?” Tony looked confused.
“Yes…There isn’t a limit?” He smiled sadly.
“No, Little Tiger….You don’t have to earn your dinner here.” Those words settled heavily in my chest.
For years every meal had come with conditions.
Finish your chores.
Stay out of the way.
Don’t answer back.
Don’t make mistakes.
Food had always been something I had to deserve.
Here…
It was simply waiting for me.
I slowly walked along the serving counter.
Roast chicken.
Rice.
Fresh vegetables.
Mashed potatoes swimming in gravy.
Homemade bread.
Fruit.
I stared at it all.
Jace nudged me.
“Can’t decide”?
He laughed “I’ve never had this much choice before”, said Lilah, eyes sparkling at all the different piles of food.
His smile faded.
“Then today…He picked up another plate and placed it on my tray.
..we’re fixing that.” We found a table beside one of the large windows overlooking the gardens.
For a few minutes neither of us spoke.
We were too busy eating.
I let out a contented sigh.
“This might actually be the best chicken I’ve ever tasted.” Jace laughed.
“I think that’s because it’s actually cooked.” Grinned Jace “I’ve eaten a lot of half-burnt food.” “I know.” We shared a quiet smile.
Eventually I put my fork down.
“So…Jace looked up.
” So?” “I was wondering…” I hesitated.
“Would you teach me?” His eyebrows lifted.
“Teach you what?” “Everything.” I looked around the room.
“Being a wolf.” “I don’t know anything.” “I don’t even know what I don’t know.” His face immediately fell.
“Oh…” “Lilah…” “I’m so sorry.” “What?” “I completely forgot.” His voice was full of guilt.
“Everything that’s happened…
I never even thought that nobody taught you any of this.” I smiled reassuringly.
“It’s not your fault.” “I know…..But it still feels like it.” He leaned back in his chair.
“Right.” “Wolf lesson number one.” I laughed.
“You sound like a teacher.” “I’d make an excellent teacher.” “You’d make an annoying teacher.” He pointed his fork at me.
“Cheeky.” “Okay,” he said.
“The first thing you’ll notice is your senses.” “I’ve already noticed smells are stronger.” He nodded.
“They will be.” “Hearing is usually the easiest one to practise.” “How?” “Focus.” I frowned.
“That’s it?” “Pretty much.” “Pick someone.” “Think about hearing only them.” I looked across the dining hall.
Two girls about my age were sitting several tables away.
They looked friendly enough.
I concentrated.
At first all I heard was the usual chatter.
Then…
Everything else faded away.
Their voices became crystal clear.
“…he’s definitely cute.” “I know.” “The dark-haired one.” “I hope they aren’t together.” The second girl giggled.
“Maybe she’s his sister.” She glanced towards me.
“Or maybe his brother.” They both starting giggling.
I looked down at my oversized hoodie.
Fair enough.
Jace interrupted my thoughts.
“So?” he asked “Did it work?” I nodded.
“Yeah.” “What did you hear?” I shrugged.
“Nothing interesting.” He grinned.
“Liar.” “Right.” He leaned forward.
“Lesson two.” “All your senses are stronger now.” “You’ll hear better…Smell better…See better.” “Especially at night.” I blinked.
“Really?” “You can see in the dark?” “Yep.” “Properly?” “You’re adorable.” he replied “I am not.” “You are.” “You’ll get used to it.” “You’ll also be stronger.” “Faster.” “And your reactions will improve.” “So if you accidentally throw something…
He smiled.
..try not to throw it through a wall.” I laughed.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Then his expression changed.
The humour faded.
His shoulders dropped.
“I hate this.” He said looking deflated “What”?
“The fact you don’t know any of this”.
“You should’ve learned all this years ago.” “My family stole that from you…They treated you like…” He stopped himself.
“I should’ve done more.” I reached across the table and gently took his hand.
“You were a child…..So was I.” “You stood up for me more than anyone else ever did.” He shook his head.
“It wasn’t enough.” “It was.” I squeezed his hand.
“You left your entire family for me…I’d call that pretty brave.” A small smile returned to his face.
“I suppose.” “You’ll always be family to me.” The words made my stomach tighten.
Family.
Of course.
That’s how he saw me.
“Always.” “So…” “What else?” He brightened immediately.
“Oh!” “This is the fun bit.” He said with a cheeky grin.
“You can partially shift.” “What?” “You don’t always have to become a wolf.” “You can just use certain parts….Like your eyes…Or your fangs.” I leaned forward.
“Seriously?” “Try it.” “Just imagine your wolf.” “Picture your eyes changing.” I closed my eyes.
I pictured the wolf I’d seen for the first time beneath the full moon.
Powerful.
Graceful.
Waiting patiently inside me.
Something stirred beneath my skin.
A strange warmth spread through my face.
My canine teeth lengthened.
My vision sharpened.
When I opened my eyes…
Jace froze.
His mouth fell open.
“…Whoa.” He said in amazement “What?” “Lilah…” His voice was barely above a whisper.
“Your eyes.” I frowned.
“What about them?” “They’re…” He leaned closer.
“They’re white….Pure white, i’ve never seen anything like it.” I stared at him.
“Really?” Confused he nodded slowly.
“They almost…” He searched for the words.
“…look like the moon.” Without thinking, he reached up and gently brushed a loose strand of damp hair behind my ear.
His fingers lingered for just a second.
The gesture caught me completely off guard.
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
I immediately released my wolf.
My eyes returned to normal.
My fangs disappeared.
Jace blinked as though only just realising what he’d done.
He quickly cleared his throat.
“So…” He looked away awkwardly.
“Tonight.” “We’ll go for a proper run.” I smiled gratefully at the change of subject.
“My first run?” He nodded.
“You’ve shifted.” “But you’ve never really experienced being your wolf.” “It’s…” He smiled.
“…the closest thing to true freedom you’ll ever feel.” I couldn’t help smiling back.
“I can’t wait.”