Chapter 69 TROUBLE’S BACK IN TOWN
Edeline
Darius’s smile turned mischievous. “Mirabelle, huh? Trouble’s back in town, then. We were quite the troublemaking trio.”
I chuckled, remembering our mischievous escapades. “She’s hanging out with the oracle. I haven’t figured out the living arrangements yet, but she’s here to stay.”
“Nice,” Darius said, his grin widening into a knowing smile. “Looks like the Praimfaya Moon pack is in for some fun.”
Before I could fully enjoy the moment, Darius added, “Oh, and just a friendly reminder about tomorrow.”
I tilted my head, puzzled. “Reminder about what?”
“The healer is on their way!” he said, the excitement in his voice starkly contrasting with the gnawing feeling in my stomach.
Well, that was definitely not the news I wanted to hear. I’d completely forgotten about that, and a gnarly sensation twisted in the pit of my stomach.
…
The soft glow of sunlight filtered gently through the blinds, casting delicate shadows across my room. The serene blue of my curtains seemed to amplify the peacefulness, reminding me of an underwater world. I yawned, slowly opening my eyes, feeling the warmth of the morning. For once, I felt... rejuvenated.
I had woken up at 4 a.m. when Nixx came home, but thankfully, I drifted back to sleep quickly. Speaking of Nixx, he’s been slipping out every night, not returning until early morning. At first, I thought he might be hanging out with girls from other packs, but he’s never brought back any unfamiliar scents.
The delicious aroma of bacon wafted up the stairs, wrapping itself around me and making my mouth water. Another day starting with the familiar scent of sizzling bacon—a tradition Mom's kept alive for as long as I can remember.
I sighed contentedly, stretching out my limbs and letting out a soft groan before slipping out of bed. My cozy house shoes were a welcome comfort against the cold floor. As I glanced in the mirror, I noticed, with relief, that the dark circles under my eyes were finally gone. It was the first time in months I’d gotten some real sleep.
Descending the stairs, I entered the spacious living room that opened into the kitchen. Mom was already at the stove, diligently flipping the bacon, while Dad sat in his recliner, absorbed in his newspaper. Then, there was Mirabelle...
"Mirabelle?" I called out as I stepped into the room, catching everyone's attention.
Mirabelle looked up at me, a mischievous smile spreading across her face as she took in my choice of pajamas. "Oh, girl, we seriously need to talk about your sleepwear."
I frowned, glancing down to make sure nothing was out of place. "What's wrong with my pajamas?"
She wrinkled her nose. "Absolutely no style."
Dad, not even looking up from his newspaper, cut in with a stern tone. "Her pajamas are just fine. There's nothing wrong with them, my dear."
I rolled my eyes, trying to suppress my irritation. "Dad, I'm not a kid. You don’t need to defend my pajamas."
Just then, Nixx came barreling down the stairs behind me, unusually cheerful for this early in the morning. In his rush, he bumped into me, pressing me against the wall with a grunt as he hurried toward the kitchen, sniffing the air eagerly in just his boxers.
"Bacon," he mumbled, his voice laced with sleep. Mirabelle’s eyes followed him, lingering on his well-defined muscles.
A playful whistle broke the silence, and Nixx whipped around to face Mirabelle, his jaw dropping slightly as his gaze traveled down to his Superman boxers.
"Nixx, your boxers," she teased, giving him a wink. Nixx looked down at himself, sighed, and then turned back upstairs to change.
Laughter filled the room, even Dad couldn’t hold back a chuckle. Mom shot me a knowing smile as she expertly flipped a piece of bacon. The atmosphere today felt different—lighter, more normal. With my friendship with Darius back on track and Mirabelle around, it was like a fresh start. My thoughts still drifted to Percival sometimes, but they weren’t as intense as they used to be.
However, a storm was on the horizon.
I could feel it in my bones.
“Oh, Edeline…” my dad’s voice broke through my thoughts. He was looking at me with that stern expression he gets when something serious is on his mind. His mouth was a firm line. “We need to pack for the barbecue tonight. The healer’s arriving today. It’s in her honor, though I still don’t understand why.” He muttered the last part, almost as if talking to himself.
I remembered now—Darius had mentioned it yesterday, but the thought had slipped my mind until this very moment. What a perfect way to ruin my day.
Mom didn’t say a word, her face a blank slate as she continued with breakfast. I walked over and pressed my cheek against hers gently. “Good morning, Mom.”
She gave me a soft smile, one that held all the warmth of the sunrise. “Good morning, Edeline. Grab a plate before your brother and father eat everything.”
The eerie creak of wood, followed by the heavy thud of weights hitting the floor, pulled our attention as Nixx made his way back into the kitchen.
“I need more food,” he announced, stepping in with dark jeans and a black t-shirt, looking as if he’d just conquered the world.
Mirabelle and I exchanged a knowing glance. I sighed and flopped down onto the couch beside her, raising an eyebrow. “So, did you meet the witch? What did you think? Did you sense anything?”
Her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief as she locked onto mine. “I did meet her. She tried to befriend me, but I cut her off real quick, told her I’m loyal to Edeline. She just smiled at me, all sweet, while I laughed at her little hand gestures and head roll.”
“But yeah… there’s something off about her. She’s planning to stay with her aunt—they’re renting a cabin together. I’m getting my own cabin next to the Oracle. Gotta have my privacy,” she added with a sly wink, silently mouthing, “party.”