Soft morning light streamed through the tall glass windows of my new home, spilling golden hues across the gleaming marble floor. Seated cross-legged in the middle of the vast living room, I closed my eyes and centered my mind on the unfamiliar current of energy coursing through me.
I hadn't slept a wink. Somehow, as soon as I found myself at peace again, my head began to spin with the flow of knowledge streaming through it, keeping me on edge this entire time.
It almost felt like an enormous book had opened up inside my brain, revealing the ancient and sacred knowledge of every healer that had ever lived.
So I simply embraced it all – I let the power brew inside me, spreading around like unstoppable liquid, and fueling my body and mind with everything it could offer.
When I finally opened my eyes, the room had already been basking in the afternoon sun.
I raised my hand against the white glow, utterly fascinated by the ethereal glow dancing on my skin.
"This can't be real," I whispered, rising to my feet. I felt like a magician bursting with power, or a fairy ready to enchant everything around her.
Something deep within me urged me to test my skills once again. But what could I have done?
It took me a few minutes of wandering around the terrace as I thought about the possible way to wield my power again. At first, the only possible solution was to harm myself and use my healing powers to reverse it, but then, another surprising thought flashed through my mind.
"A rotten leaf?"
As soon as I spotted a large fig tree standing in the corner of the terrace, my eyes instantly snapped to the brownish leaf closer to the stem.
I had no idea whether my power could work on plants, but there was no harm in testing it. So I did exactly that – I gently touched the rotten leaf with my fingertips, channeling my focus into its damaged cells.
"Goddess, it worked!" I gasped as the subtle purple glow moved from my fingers and covered the leaf, restoring its surface to its healthy state.
My heart raced with exhilaration. All my life I'd been treated like dirt beneath everyone's feet, but now... Now, I was overwhelmed with valuable power.
And I was itching to use it!
But I couldn't get too cocky too quickly. According to the share of knowledge I had already processed, my power can expand, improve, and grow as long as I use it properly and train to get better.
I could also make my own medicine, but I needed resources. Specifically, I needed herbs to create tinctures that would help with my progress.
I searched my pockets for any money, and couldn't help but sigh when all I could find was a measly twenty. My weekly allowance.
Sam never gave me access to the family bank accounts, so unless it was for groceries or pre-approved errands, I had to make do with scraps of cash that were "generously" thrown my way.
But there was nothing I could do. Along with my powers, I had to test my luck as well.
After showering, I changed into a set of new clothes I found hidden in one of the closets. I felt weird wearing someone else's things, but the dirty, off-brand things I owned would have been an eyesore in this neighborhood for sure.
According to the map of the area, there were a few pharmacies around, and considering how Moonlight Heights mostly hosted werewolves, I figured I could find useful herbs in one of them if I tried.
But just as I walked out of the building and reached the end of the secured area, a sleek black car pulled up, blocking my path. The back door swung open, and Sam stepped out, his face twisted with anger. Behind him emerged Miranda Johnes, her slender arms already crossed over her fake breasts.
"Goddess!" Miranda spat. "She's stalking us! How on earth did she even get here?!"
I stared at her, struggling to hold back my laughter.
Then, my eyes moved to Sam, and my heart contracted with disgust. Was this the man I'd been infatuated with for so long? What had I ever seen in him despite his hollow shell?
"I live here," I finally said calmly, enjoying the flash of confusion on their faces.
"That's such an obvious lie," Sam stepped forward, hovering over me in his favorite intimidating manner. His expensive suit couldn't hide the brutish nature beneath. "People like you don't get to be anywhere near such places. Security is probably on its way to remove you as we speak."
"People like me?" I smiled, crossing my arms to imitate Miranda. "And what kind of people would that be, Sam?"
"Worthless parasites," he snarled. "Women who leech off their husbands' families because they're too pathetic to provide for themselves."
Miranda circled me like a predator, her designer heels clicking on the pavement. "How did you even get past security? Did you jump the fence like a common criminal? I'm calling the police. This shouldn't be allowed!"
"Go ahead," I shrugged casually. "If anything, I have more rights to be here than both of you combined."
"And who gave you such rights?" Sam demanded, his voice bordering on a growl.
I decided to leave Logan's name out of it. I figured it was better to leave him out of this for now. "Why are you here anyway, Sam? Couldn't stand to spend one night without me?"
"Don't flatter yourself," Miranda scoffed, brushing me off. "I have business with a client who lives here. We are shopping at the department store here after I'm done. Running into you was... an unfortunate coincidence."
"How convenient," I noted. "I bet you got worried after our call last night. Is this making you nervous, Sam?"
He stepped closer, his face inches from mine, his eyes darkening. "Be careful, Amelie. Whatever game you're playing, I advise you to stop. My pack is about to close a very important deal with Blood Moon, so if you do anything to jeopardize that—"
"Do you mean that uncovering the truth about how your pack "deals" with people will sabotage your hard work?" I interrupted, a playful pout on my lips. "Or how the woman they're considering doing business with is sleeping with another woman's husband?"
Miranda grew impossibly pale. "You wouldn't dare."
"I haven't decided what I'll do yet," I replied honestly. "But calling me worthless and pathetic isn't exactly motivating me to keep quiet."
"You ARE worthless!" Sam hissed, his composure cracking. "Three years I put up with your incompetence. And even now, all you can do is resort to cheap tricks!"
"Cheap tricks?" I laughed bitterly. "You mean like the ones your mother used to sabotage my medical studies just so your brother could take my spot instead, even though he did not deserve it?"
"Always blaming others for your failures," Sam shook his head, grinning with disgust. "Pathetic till the end."
All of a sudden, something inside me snapped. All the rage, all the humiliation of the past three years snowballed into a cold fury. "You're the pathetic one, Samuel Crane. A spoiled, empty shell of a person who's never worked for anything in his entire life. You're garbage wearing designer clothes!"
Miranda raised her hand for a slap, but my enhanced reflexes were faster. I caught her wrist before her hand connected with my face, holding it firmly enough to make her gasp.
"Don't ever try to hit me again," I said through gritted teeth, releasing her arm.
Although Miranda could have easily shifted and torn me to pieces, instead, she chose to collapse against Sam's chest, whining and rubbing her wrist as if she were dying from pain.
The man turned his burning eyes on me, his wolf threatening to step forward and lunge at me without a warning. "Apologize to her. Right. Now."
I looked into his eyes, seeing nothing but a bully used to getting his way through intimidation. In the past, it might have worked on me. Today, I felt nothing but disgust.
"No," I said coldly, meeting his eyes without wavering. "You are the ones who will kneel and apologize to me."