The sun hung low over Silver Hollow, casting long, golden shadows across the cobblestone paths that twisted through the center of the village. Luna Brightwood, a 23-year-old beta with long brown hair falling in loose waves past her shoulders and dark green eyes, sat inside the old, creaking carriage. She stared out through the dusty window, taking in the familiar sight of the small houses with thatched roofs and the winding streets. Her heart raced with every bump of the carriage wheels, matching the rush of memories flooding her mind.
It had been seven years since Luna last saw her childhood home. The city had given her a place to hide and sharpen her healing skills, but it hadn't brought her peace. Now, surrounded by the village's bright colors, she felt a deep longing. The peace here contrasted sharply with the chaos of the city, and memories from her past crept in like sunlight breaking through the clouds.
The carriage slowed and then stopped with a jolt. The driver, an old man with a weathered face and sharp eyes, turned back to her. "Miss Brightwood," he said in a gravelly voice. "We're here."
Luna swallowed hard and nodded. She adjusted the pale blue dress she wore, the fabric hugging her frame and swaying slightly as she moved. It was a simple dress, one of her favorites, chosen for comfort rather than flair. "Thank you, Mr. Huxley."
She handed him a few coins, her fingers brushing his calloused palm before stepping down onto the packed dirt road, the soles of her worn shoes meeting the ground with a soft thud. The scent of wildflowers and freshly baked bread mingled in the air, underscored by the faint, earthy tang of the forest beyond. Silver Hollow looked unchanged from how it had been all those years ago, as if time had come to a standstill at the edge of the trees. Faces around her were a mix of old and new, some curious, others casting glances of faint recognition, their eyes reflecting the echoes of long-forgotten memories.
Mr. Huxley, the driver, watched her with a knowing look. He wasn't from the village; he was a man of the city, used to bustling streets and hurried conversations. Luna had first met him on a rainy night when she arrived in the city. He had been waiting in his carriage, lantern in hand, under the warm glow of the gaslight. Over time, he had become her trusted driver, skillfully navigating the chaos of the city's roads.
"Good luck," he said softly. "I hope this village gets to see your talents as a healer too, Miss Brightwood."
Luna nodded, a warm smile on her face. "Thank you," she replied, grateful for his kind words. He had come to respect her after seeing her work. "You're always welcome to visit me, Mr. Huxley, with your family whenever you need treatment."
He smiled back, admiration shining in his eyes. "Thank you. I'll definitely take you up on that. Your healing touch is a true blessing for everyone here." With a gentle nudge, he signaled to the horses, and the carriage creaked to life. "Take care of yourself, and remember, your kindness makes a difference in this world."
With that, he drove off, the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves fading into the distance as Luna watched him go, a sense of warmth and purpose filling her heart.
"She's back," an older woman whispered to her friend as Luna walked past. "After all these years…"
"Think she'll stay?" the friend replied, doubt coloring her words. "I heard she ran away because she didn't want to marry the chief's son."
The older woman's eyes narrowed slightly, recalling the rumors. "Yes, that's what they said. Poor boy, he was heartbroken when she left."
Luna ignored the chatter and stood taller, gripping the handles of her worn bags. Her eyes scanned the village, searching for the house at the end of the main path, the one that had once been her home. It stood near the woods, with the little clinic her mother had cherished attached to its side. Memories hit her in waves: the smell of herbs, the quiet hum of her mother's voice as she worked, her father's deep laughter. Each recollection wrapped around her like a comforting blanket, yet the weight of her past pressed heavily upon her shoulders.
She moved through the village square, noticing small changes. A new sign over the bakery caught her eye, its vibrant colors contrasted with the rustic charm of the village. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, tickling her senses and drawing her toward it momentarily. Children ran past her, their laughter ringing through the air. Some paused to stare, eyes wide with curiosity, as if Luna were a ghost returning from the beyond.
As she continued her walk, the familiar sights tugged at her heartstrings, each corner of the village echoing with fragments of her childhood. She passed the old oak tree where she and her friends had played countless games of hide and seek. The tree had grown, its branches stretching toward the sky, a testament to the years that had passed. She could almost hear the laughter of her younger self, carefree and filled with dreams.
When she reached the house, Luna's breath caught in her throat. The stone walls were cracked, and vines crawled over the doorframe, but it was still hers. She pushed open the door, the hinges groaning in protest, and stepped inside. Dust floated in the sunlight streaming through the window, swirling as her footsteps echoed in the empty space. She set her bags down and placed a hand on the small wooden table with four chairs in the center of the room. Here, she had sat with her parents to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the table the heart of their home where love and laughter had flourished.
Luna's voice trembled as she whispered, her eyes sweeping over the familiar yet empty room. "Mother, Father... I'm back."
Her words seemed to hang in the air, swallowed by the silence. The house, once full of warmth and life, now stood still, as if holding its breath, waiting for her next move. She closed her eyes for a moment, allowing herself to feel the weight of their absence, the echo of their voices still lingering in the corners of her memory.
Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away. There was work to do.
She stepped forward, her hand brushing against the cold stone wall, the chill reminding her that the years had passed. She could almost hear her mother's laughter, the way her father would hum as he worked in the kitchen. But those memories, as vivid as they were, couldn't bring them back.
"Enough," she muttered, her voice firming. "They wouldn't want me to linger in the past."
She moved to the window, pushed aside the heavy curtains, and opened it to let in the fresh air. A cool breeze rushed in, carrying the scent of earth and distant sounds of children's laughter. The view was the same, but it felt different now. The world had moved on while she had been frozen in time, running from everything that once tied her here.
As Luna stood there, her heart heavy with the weight of memories, she realized how much had changed. The house, the place she had once called home, felt foreign now. The walls that had witnessed her childhood now seemed to hold a quiet sadness, like they too remembered the void left by her and her parents' absence. The space that had once been filled with laughter and warmth now felt cold and hollow, as if the house itself mourned their loss.
Luna let out a slow breath. She could almost hear her mother's voice, urging her to stand tall, to face the world with courage. But it felt so much harder now. "I miss you, Mom... Dad," she whispered, the words barely escaping her lips as a wave of grief washed over her.
Luna spent the day cleaning, moving from room to room. She swept the floors, wiped the walls and tables, and dusted off old books with cracked spines. Each item brought back memories: her father's chair by the fireplace, carved with their family name, and the colorful paintings on the walls, each one a reminder of her mother's artwork.
Her fingers brushed against the wooden frames, made by her father, feeling the textures of the paint as if they were alive with color and emotion. Each painting, done by her mother, told a story.
She also made sure to clean the small clinic that was attached to the house, a space her mother had dedicated to healing. Her mother was the only woman, or omega, who had studied healing in their pack. She had come from the city, and that's why Luna had initially left for the city, hoping to carve out a life of her own.
As she worked, Luna's mind wandered back to the day she left. She had been sixteen, heartbroken after her parents died in an attack by a rival pack. After their funeral, the elders pressured her to marry the chief's alpha son, Zane, her best friend and secret crush. But Luna didn't want a future chosen for her. She wanted to choose her own path, just like her parents had. So she left in the night with only a few belongings, leaving behind a hurried note to Zane that read, She hadn't looked back or tried to contact anyone, too afraid to face their disappointment.
As she sorted through the remnants of her childhood, Luna wondered if she had made the right choice. She shook her head, dismissing the thought. There was no use dwelling on what could have been; she knew she had made the right choice. It was time to focus on the future.
After cleaning the house and clinic, determination hardened in her chest. Tomorrow, she would go to the village chief and ask for permission to reopen the clinic.
As the sun dipped behind the trees and cast a warm glow over the village, Luna wiped her brow. The voices of the villagers drifted through the open window, mingling with the soft rustle of the leaves. Their laughter echoed through her mind, pulling her back into the reality of her surroundings. She took a deep breath and turned back to her work, finishing the last corner of sweeping and sorting through an old basket of clothes.
With each motion, she felt more connected to the life she had once known, but also more aware of the challenges that lay ahead. She knew it wouldn't be easy; people would talk, and the elders would judge her. She could already envision the whispers, the doubtful glances that would follow her. But Luna was no longer the scared young girl who had run away. She was a strong woman now, a healer shaped by loss and independence, ready to face whatever came next. The fire of determination burned brightly within her, pushing her to reclaim her place in the village.
For now, as the first stars dotted the darkening sky, she allowed herself one moment of calm. Tomorrow would come soon enough, full of challenges and the hope for a new beginning.
After a bath, Luna made dinner with the food she had brought from the city: a loaf of bread, some cheese, and cooked chicken. She poured a glass of cool water and sat at the small wooden table. The simple meal felt like a feast after a long day of work. Each bite filled her with warmth and made her feel closer to the home she wanted to rebuild.
As she ate, memories of her best friend flooded her mind. What had happened to him while she was gone? Did he blame her for leaving, or had he moved on with his life? Was he married now, perhaps with a family of his own? Each bite brought more questions, and her thoughts swirled around her like leaves in the wind.
The memories of their childhood together played in her mind. Days spent with the other kids, exploring the forest, sharing secrets under the stars, and making promises in the innocence of youth. She had realized she had a crush on him when she was fifteen, but as a beta, she wasn't sure she was the right fit for an alpha. In the village, only alphas and omegas mated, while betas usually paired with other betas. She often wondered how, with her mother being an omega and her father an alpha, she had ended up as a beta.
Luna finished her meal and washed the dishes, finding comfort in the simple tasks. The steady sound of water splashing against the porcelain was calming. As she dried her hands, she looked around the room. She had cleaned well, but the walls still needed repair. The flickering candlelight cast shadows, and it felt like a piece of her soul was returning to the house, linking her past with her future.
As night fell and shadows filled the room, Luna struggled to calm her racing thoughts. The weight of her memories pressed down on her, and she felt the familiar ache of grief for her parents. It reminded her of what she had lost but also fueled her resolve to honor their legacy. She curled up in her old bed, the familiar creaks and scent wrapping her in comfort.
Closing her eyes, Luna let herself drift into sleep. The past whispered in her mind, blending with dreams of healing, helping others, and reclaiming her place in Silver Hollow.
A man stood in his dimly lit house, staring out the window at the full moon, its pale light casting a silvery glow over the night. He had heard the whispers from the villagers about Luna's return. A bitter smile curled his lips, and his heart tightened with emotions he had long kept buried.
"So, you finally came back," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper in the silence. His dark grey eyes, worn from years of pain, flickered with a mix of anger and longing.
The moon seemed to watch him back, as if sensing the turmoil in his heart. Luna. The name carried so much weight, yet time hadn't eased the pain she had left behind. He had waited for her, hoped she would return, but now that she was here, he wasn't sure he was ready to face her.
He clenched his fists, his body tight, caught between wanting to face her and fearing what it might do. Would it bring answers or just reopen old pain? The thoughts stayed in his mind, but for now, all he could do was watch the moon, waiting for what would happen next.