FIFTY THREE

FIFTY THREE
CIARA'S POV

The door to the healer's chambers burst open. Mother and Father rushed in, their faces tight with worry that melted into relief when they saw me.

"Ciara!" Father's voice boomed through the small room. "What is wrong with you? Do you know how worried we've been since yesterday?"

I wiped at my tears, but more replaced them. The blue glow from my hands dimmed, but didn't vanish completely.

The healer moved between us. "Alpha Cormac, Luna Jade," she said, her tone respectful but firm. "Your daughter has fully awakened as a healer."

Father waved his hand dismissively. "That is besides the point." His eyes fixed on me, softening slightly. "You're acting so strange, sweetheart."

"Even your mother agrees," he added, glancing at Mother who nodded, her eyes never leaving my face. "Acting like a wild child, destroying properties and ghosting us... It is not you, Caira."

Father's jaw tightened. "Is it because of that boy? Bastien's son?"

I shook my head. "Darragh is a good person." My voice grew stronger. "He's not the reason I'm acting this way."

Mother reached for my hand, her fingers gentle against mine. The blue light danced across her skin before fading. "Why then?" she asked softly.

I didn't know what to say. The truth felt too big, too wild to put into words. How could I tell them that I'd lived before? That their granddaughter—a child who didn't exist in this timeline—had sacrificed herself so I could have a second chance? How could I explain that I was scared that despite having this new opportunity, some things we're still not going to change?

I caught the healer's eye. She gave me a small nod, encouraging me to continue.

"I get visions sometimes," I said.

Father looked at Mother, his expression a mix of concern and disbelief.

"I know how it sounds," I added quickly.

"No..." Mother squeezed my hand. "Tell us."

I took a deep breath. "I saw you and Father die."

Mother's face changed, color draining from her cheeks. "What?" she whispered.

I hoped this wasn't the wrong move. But what better way to protect my family than to let them know the fate that could befall them? I couldn't lose them again—not after losing them the first time.

Father's face turned pale. "How?" he asked.

"Demons," I said, fresh tears forming. The word hung in the air between us, heavy with meaning.

Mother studied my face carefully. "And when did you have this vision?" Her voice grew quieter. "It must have been on our way to the ball, wasn't it? You've been acting strange since then."

I nodded, unable to speak past the tightness in my throat.

She pulled me into her arms. "I cannot imagine how it must have been, carrying so much."

I let myself cry then. Really cry. Not the elegant tears of a Luna's daughter, but messy, body-shaking sobs. I buried my face against her shoulder, breathing in her familiar scent of lilacs and vanilla.

Father's strong arms wrapped around us both. "You shouldn't worry about us," he said, his voice rumbling in his chest. "Nothing will happen to us."

"Promise?" I asked, feeling like a little girl again.

"I promise," they said in unison.

We stayed like that for a long moment—the three of us holding each other in the healer's chambers, while the blue light flickered and pulsed beneath my skin.

When we finally broke apart, Father cleared his throat. "This ability of sight," he said, looking at my hands with newfound wonder. "How long have you known?"

"It just happened recently," I admitted. "But I think it's always been there since I returned."

"Returned?" My father looked even more confused and that was when the healer stepped in.

"The gift often awakens in times of great emotional turmoil or need. Something Luna Ciara faced likely triggered it."

Mother touched my cheek gently. "Is there more you haven't told us? About these visions?"

The weight of Erin—her sacrifice, her love—pressed on my heart. But I couldn't speak of her. Not yet. Perhaps not ever in this lifetime.

"The demons," I said instead. "They'll come from the south. Through the forest. They'll attack during the Solar zenith day. Under the bridge of Elduric."

Father's eyebrows shot up. "That is close and oddly specific."

"Visions often are," the healer interjected. "The Goddess grants sight to those who need it."

"We should increase the border patrols," Mother said, ever practical. "Double the guards during—No, before the zenith."

Father nodded slowly. "I'll speak with the sentinel captains today."

Relief flooded through me. They believed me. They would be safe.

"There's something else," I said, remembering the other key piece. "The demons—they're not acting alone. Someone is puppetting them."

"Who?" Father demanded.

I shook my head. I couldn't say it. I knew it would cause my parents to fear about the house of Byrne. So I lied. "I don't know. The vision didn't show me that much."

Mother's expression hardened. "We'll find out who they are."

The healer placed a hand on my shoulder. "Luna Ciara needs rest. The awakening of healing powers takes a toll on the body."

Father nodded. "Of course. We'll continue this discussion later."

He helped me stand, his arm steady around my waist. "Can you walk?"

I nodded, though my legs felt like water.

Mother took my other side. "Lean on us, sweetheart. That's what we're here for."

I did. Their strength flowed into me, warm and solid and real.

The three of us walked slowly from the healer's chambers, out into the sprawls of space in the estate.
Werewolves bowed as we passed, but I barely noticed them.

My mind was on Erin. My bright, brave daughter who had loved me enough to give me this second chance. Who had prayed not for my survival, but for my joy. My freedom. My love.

I'll live fully, baby, I promised silently. I'll earn the right to see you again, somehow.

The blue light pulsed once more beneath my skin, like a gentle answer.

"Are you alright?" Mother asked, noticing.

I looked at her, then at Father. Both alive. Both safe. Both mine to protect this time.

"I will be," I said. And for the first time since this strange new life began, I believed it.

We stepped through the corridors of the estate, the silence between us warm rather than heavy. My father's hand hovered protectively at my back. My mother stayed close on my other side. For the first time in what felt like days, my breath came easy.

Then an Omega rounded the corner ahead of us. She dipped into a bow, eyes lowered. “Luna Jade,” she said. “There’s a guest here to see you.”

My mother blinked. “A guest?”

“Yes, my lady. Luna Margaret Morgan.”

I stopped walking. The name rolled through me like a whisper I hadn’t heard in years. My gaze snapped to my mother. “Margaret Morgan?”

My mother gave a small nod. “Yes. Maggie from the ball,” she said. “She called yesterday to speak with me about something. It’s one of reasons I kept trying to reach you.”

She placed a hand on my arm, her eyes gentle. “I was so worried, I forgot to cancel. But maybe that’s a good thing, now that you’re back.”

Something about the timing felt deliberate. Or maybe it was fate again, bending things into place because this too did not happen in my past life.

I furrowed my brow. “I’m confused.”

Her smile deepened. “Her daughter is of age now. She’ll be joining you at the academy in two days. Maggie thought it would be nice if you two met beforehand. To bond.”

The words hit me in a strange, sweet way. Sarah. My Sarah.

I could see her in my mind—messy curls, sharp wit, a laugh that filled whatever room we were in. My best friend in another life. The one who had never left my side.

I hadn’t even thought of her yet. Not until now.

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips, unexpected and soft. “We should meet them,” I said.

My mother’s eyes lit up. “Come on, then.”