The Cursed Luna's Second Chance

heart of the village. I'd spent countless hours here over the years, patching up the young and old alike under the guidance of Mari

r pain. The old woman, who'd sprained her ankle during her morning walk, watched me with a kind, knowing smile, her eyes so

y, her voice gentle as a whisper. "The same patience,

was like she'd faded into a memory that no one dared to touch. Maybe they thought it would bring me pain, or maybe they didn't know what to say. But I

akeshift stool. "Thank you, Ms. June. I only wish I'd had mor

those they love, so even when they're gone, a part of them remains."Her eyes grew distant, thoughtful, as

eeded it. Ms. June's words were a balm, soothing some small, raw part of me. It wasn't often people spoke kindly of me these days; not since the rumors of the curse had

oked on with faint smiles, but others had a look that was harder to shake-pity, maybe, or a kind of wary curiosity. I trie

er voice low but steady."People fear what they do

her bandage and gave her hand a gentle squeeze before standing up to gather the leftover herbs and salves. I could still feel the weight of those passing glances, the s

of the room. Old Nan, another elder of the pack, was seated in the shadow

, her voice barely more than a whisper."A reminder

as talking to me or if I'd imagined it. But her gaze was steady, unblinking, as

ruggling to keep my voice

y're just another way to show us the truth we're too afraid to see."Her gaze flicked down to my wr

arely breathe. A memory? I glanced down at my wrist, my heart pounding. It was as if she knew a

ng as if she'd already forgotten our conversation. I tried to focus on cleaning up, on f

ws across the ground. I walked slowly, lost in thought, trying to make sense of what Old Nan had said. A curse as a memo

quieted, their eyes following me as I walked by. I could feel their stares,

em murmured, her tone pitying."They s

I'd heard the whispers before, but somehow, hearing it now, after everything today, cut deepe

, but I pushed it down, swallowing hard. I wouldn't let their words define me. I couldn't. But a part of me-

neath. It was strange, almost otherworldly, a symbol that didn't belong to any pack or tradition I knew. My f

spered, my voice barely audible."

e it fully. Whatever this curse was, whatever darkness it held, I would face it. I would uncover the truth, even if it meant ste