Nadia

I manage to make it to my room without any more interference from my dads. Once shifted, I slip on a sundress and sit on my bed, staring at the package.

Its brown paper wrapping gives nothing away, nor its light weight. My name is the only thing written on it.

Flipping it over, I find the seam and slide my fingertip along it, breaking the tape. Inside there is a small folded note and two pouches.

Nadia,

Forgive my forwardness, but I know what talix horn is used to treat. That you took it upon yourself to collect one yourself is both admirable and telling.

I hope I'm mistaken, but I assume the sickness is advanced. If so, these will help. The tea can be sipped as often as the patient will take it and aid in boosting the horn's effectiveness. Apply the salve twice a day to the wound to draw the infection out.

Adding finely ground horn to both will boost their efficiency. If you need more of either, I'd be happy to help.

Maybe our meeting was more than chance?

Finnegan.

I reread his note for the third time, my jaw ajar as my mind races. How could he possibly know about my mother's illness?!

But more importantly, if he does and this can help her, I need to come clean... which is going to raise so many questions!

I groan and flop back on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. Life was so much easier yesterday morning...

With a sigh, I sit up, grab the pouches, and head downstairs. Alder is in the study, grinding something and measuring other ingredients. He's oblivious to my presence; his sole focus is whatever he's making to treat mom.

"Dad?" I shift uneasily as his amber gaze lifts to mine. Thankfully, his anger has subsided some, though I can still see the worry.

"Is something wrong?" He straightens up and steps away from his project, giving me his full attention.

Before I can chicken out, I hold the medicine out for him. He raises a brow but takes the pouches from me.

"Oxamine tea," he murmurs, then sniffs the other pouch. "Camphor... no something more astringent..." he gives the salve another sniff and stares at it. "From your FRIENDS?"

I swallow hard and nod, hoping he won't press it any further. "I didn't tell him," I blurt out. "He must have guessed when I said all I wanted was the horn."

Alder steps forward and takes my face in his hands. He offers me a small smile and pats my cheek. "It was a very brave but foolish thing you did, girl." I'm frozen in place as his eyes search mine, willing me to understand.

"I know, dad, I just..." My throat tightens, unable to say the words. Watching mom get sicker and sicker was eating me up inside. I had to do something.

"I know, but don't ever put yourself in danger like that again. We were worried sick!" He turns back to his desk and measures out a portion of the tea and sprinkles something else in.

I reread the note and quote the instructions, making sure to not leave anything unsaid. When I look up, Alder is deep in thought, his expression unreadable.

"This FRIEND of yours is a smart one..." he picks up the tea and looks at it closely. "Skilled too I'd say. When you see him again, give him our deepest thanks."

"See him again?!" I gasp. "It was an accident... I doubt-"

Alder chuckles and cups my cheek. "My dear, you know a lot of things in this world, but nothing of some things." He smiles fondly at me, amusement dancing in his eyes. "But you need to rest. Go sleep. We'll wake you for lunch."

I want to protest, but he's right. I'm exhausted. On my way upstairs, I peek in on my mother. She's sleeping soundly, nestled in-between Frank and Sam. Instantly, I feel guilty for any worry I caused her.

'She's okay. Go to sleep, sweetheart,' Sam links.

Not needing to be told a third time, I go upstairs and curl up in bed after slipping the sundress off. Sleep claims me in record time, but my thoughts float back to the mysterious guys.

-----

"Time to get up," Loch calls, shaking my shoulder gently.

My eyes flutter open and find his in the low light, making me bolt upright. Sure enough, the last rays of sunlight barely peek over the horizon as night falls.

"Whoa there kiddo, what's the hurry?" He teases.

"You guys said lunch!" I glare at him, still feeling groggy and disoriented.

"He told you what you needed to hear." Loch shrugs and moves to the door. "You needed the sleep. Relax, you've got about an hour till dinner."

He walks out, leaving me glaring after him. I go to get up and feel my entire body ache. After a long hot shower, I'm feeling more myself. Even the lingering headache is gone.

Knowing I'm short on time, I slip on another sundress and head down for dinner. The kitchen is bustling and mouthwatering aromas remind me I haven't eaten since breakfast.

At the head of the table, my mom sits, still dressed in her housecoat but up! I grin and wrap my arms around her, feeling my chest tighten as she rubs my back.

"Well, hello to you too, dear," she says with a weak chuckle.

Her illness has taken a toll, leaving her withered and frail, but this is the first time she's been up in weeks! Even her eyes are brighter and her cheeks hold colour, once again giving me hope.

"Here, love." Sam sets down a bowl of beef stew and a fresh roll for her as my other dads carry the rest over. She smiles tenderly at him and gives his hand a squeeze.

As I look around the room, I see the lightness and hope on all of my dad's faces. I hadn't realized just how dark of a cloud had settled over us until now.

Dinner feels the lightest it has in weeks, even with mom going to lie down halfway through. Alder talks about her improvements and what comes next.

After dinner, I clear the table, bringing the dishes over to the sink while Frank puts the rest of the stew away. Movement outside the window catches my eye and in the low light, I swear I see a wolf!

My heart flutters in my chest, knowing I've seen it before, but part of me worries that my mind is playing tricks on me. I lean forward, searching the tree line, and see nothing. The evening breeze ruffles the leaves ever so slightly, making me think I'm just seeing things.

"You didn't hear a word I said, did you?" Frank chides. He stands behind me, arms crossed over his chest, frowning.

"What? Sorry." I force my attention away from the window and back to my dad.

"Is there anything you want to talk about?" He leans against the sink, grabs a towel and sets to work, making it clear he's not going anywhere.

"I'm good." I focus on scrubbing the dish in my hand, eager to get out of this conversation. "What did you say?"

"Right," he drawls. "I was talking about the party this weekend at the hall... for your sister?" Frank rolls my eyes when I don't react. "Nadia, we talked about this..."

Inwardly, I groan, remembering my promise to go. "I know, I know, I'll go."

To be honest, I agreed to go but never said for how long. Parties at the great hall lost their appeal long ago, what little they had to begin with.

Really, they're a farce, though the type depends on age. When you're under twenty, it's all fun and games until you realize it's a weird pageant to find young she-wolves a suitable match. Then comes the honeymoon stage where packs fight to keep her and she considers her options. And the final stage is showing off how well you mated.

Unless you're me...

Poor unmated Nadia. They talk about me like I'm diseased. By wanting my freedom, I became a cautionary tale of what happens to those who squander their youth.

"Maybe you will see your friends?" Frank pushes on. His guarded expression is hard to read and leaves me uneasy.

"Dad, they're just some guys I literally bumped into in the woods. I've never seen them before and doubt I'll see them again." I finish rinsing off the dish, toss it in the rack and pull the drain.

"Is that what you want?"

His question catches me off guard. I've been so sure of my place in life I never considered anything else... "Yeah, besides, it's Delilah's day."

Frank frowns, not fully accepting my answer, but thankfully doesn't press the matter further. He finishes putting away the last dish and gives my shoulder a squeeze on his way out.

"I'm gonna turn in early... Nadia?" He pauses in the doorway and waits for my attention.

"Yeah, dad?"

"You know we just want you to be happy, right?" His admission catches me off guard.

"I know, dad, and I am." I smile, trying to convince him. It's the truth after all, my family means everything to me.

"It's just... I think there's more out there yet for you Dia, just promise me you'll keep an open mind."

The sadness in his eyes tempers my frustration. My dads are all different in how they handle things, but I know they love me and just want the best for me.

"I'll try." I sigh, trying to meet him halfway.

"That's all I ask. Sleep well."

I step outside and breathe deep, taking in the crisp evening air. Fireflies dance in the twilight as a gentle breeze ruffles the leaves.

Once again, I search the treeline for any sign of the wolf I saw before. Just as I'm about to give up, I see twin shining spots reflecting the lights from our cottage.

"Are you-" my taunt dies on my lips as a charcoal wolf slips out of the shadows, green eyes locked on me. I swallow hard, knowing I've seen him before.

So much for never seeing them again...