TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CURE

  He watched, he was enchanted as she danced over the lake in the moonlight. She was wearing a blue dress, and her moonlight hair stood out, tied back in a ponytail like a second tail. At the same time, her tail was twirling with her on the lake.

  Everywhere she danced, water cascaded up to follow her rhythm. She reached out to him, “Wolf, you know how I feel. “ wanting him to join; could he dance on the water with her? “ Hey, it’s time. Come on, hey. “What an odd thing to say! As the world broke away…

  She did not know why he was sleeping in today, it was a big day, she was wagging her tail excited, he needed to get ready! “ Hey. It’s time to come on, hey, wake up, wolf!”

  “Today is a big day!” She saw his peaceful face morph to one of displeasure Oops guess he was cranky today, still she wagged her tail happily, waiting to see what he said.

  “Why did you wake me…”

  “You know why, brother!”

  “It’s a big day, you’re getting your own shop!” She could not hold back her excitement and climbed into bed with him.

  “Get off your heavy. “ he tried pushing her away, but she just wrestled with him instead, not listening. Leena heard the commotion and stopped by after they settled. She spoke, “Don’t overdo it, wolf, there people a lot of people wanting to pay respect from your potion. “

  “I’m trying; this oversized rock won’t leave me alone !”

  “Hey,” Nina was annoyed but still happy. She finally relented as Wolf was getting up to dress, and Leena had parting words.

  “Brother “

  “The family is busy, but we promise to check on you every day and even later today when things settle. Till then, stay safe, ok?” he was annoyed.

  “I’m not going to war… it’s a shop. You help dad run one for years, I’ll be fine…” he listened as Nina zoomed in the house, way too happy that their mom had recovered and everyone was doing well…

  He hated that Coby could not be here; he had to go back to the hunts. It seemed a bit cruel that one of the few people he wanted to witness his new treasure could not while the annoying one was here…

  He knew that wasn’t fair, she loved him and literally almost killed herself to help him, and Mom, she was just happy…. And just cause he had a good dream, it wasn’t her fault she took it away.

  His heart skipped a beat at the thought that it did not have to be just a dream. She said I knew how she felt…. Did I?

  The morning passed quickly with everyone getting ready for the day, Nina stayed close to Wolf, happy by his side. He was nervous personally, the shop was a gift for his selflessness and his willingness to cure everyone for free. His dad insisted they could pay, but the mayor, his uncle, was insulted he dared even mention money when he was rewarding, his nephew’s hard work and generosity.

  He was told it was a big shop, bigger than his dad’s, which scared him a bit. He did not want anything fancy, but his uncle promised he would be happy, that they were planning long term, he said with a smile. At least that’s what he said last time they talked. Wolf wasn’t sure what that meant, but would see.

  The trip there was easy enough, and he was amazed that, even at this early hour, there was a crowd there. He thought it was going to be more of a quiet affair, the shop wasn’t even open or stocked yet…

  He scanned the crowd and was surprised to see Arlin was there, he looked bored, standing in front of the shop with his uncle, who was talking to people in the crowd. As he got closer, he could hear the talk from his uncle beyond the murmur from the crowd.

  “–for it will be later today.”

  “And stop loitering.’

  ‘My nephew is not an idol to worship!”

  “We got gods for that…”

  “ he did it for all of us, so respect his space and his shop. Come back later when he opens.” He stared at them for a moment before saying

  “ NOT, before!” there were murmurs among the crowd, with few turning away, when they saw him, and all erupted into a frenzy trying to rush him, to praise him and offer thanks or trinkets as gifts, some even wept how he saved their lives or loved ones. It was way too overwhelming.

  He did not have to deal with this before? It was all just done and over with, he thought, but guess nobody got to say what their side was, and wanted to now he was randomly pushed and pulled, and Arlin formed a shadow surrounding him, scaring people back.

  “HEY.” Arlin was taking charge…

  “Leave the kid alone.”

  He is still recovering. “

  “He does care, or wouldn’t help you all, but he is still just like us. “

  “Now respect his space!” Wolf was a little shaken up, it was almost a fight for his attention, which was too much. Nina seemed on edge. Also, he wasn’t sure about her mindset, but knew if they pushed anymore, she would be pushing back. Thankfully, Arlin nipped it in the bud.

  He turned and looked at Wolf, showing concern. “You good kid?”

  “Yeah, thanks, “ the crowd humbled, slowly dispersed his uncle’s red face, being so short, they ignored him with indifference, and he knew it was partly why he hired Arlin as a guard. When he saw Wolf, he calmed a little but still wasn’t happy.

  “Every day those pests came asking for you…” His uncle stared at the parting crowd.

  “I finally started getting them to settle and maybe even leave, and the moment they see you back to a bunch of chickens clucking and flying away like they found a fox”

  He looked at Nina. “No offense, “ she shrugged indifferently and rubbed Wolf’s back. His uncle guided him into the shop, which had a lock, and he gave Wolf the key.

  The location wasn’t bad, it was close to the lake, which made him happy; the inside was wide with many shelves his uncle spoke up.

  “As you can see, my bot we tried to give you as much space as we could.”

  “We want you to feel welcomed and free, unlike your old room,” which confused him… “Um, how is a shop like my room?” he supposed he did work out his room, so it wasn’t a bad comparison. He noticed his unlikely flinch in shock. “Your father did not tell you?!”

  “Uh, tell me what?” he wasn’t sure where this was going. He glanced at Nina and Arlin, who also looked confused. His uncle deflated.

  “He agreed you are a man yet still treats you like a child.” he shook his head, not really explaining anything. “Um, uncle, you’re making no sense.”

  He looked up at him, eyes full of pride. “This is not just your shop, child.”

  “This is your new home,” he heard Nina faint beside him. Arlin was shocked, but was still quick enough to catch her with his darkness wolf wasn’t sure how to feel the crowd was shocking this was…too much.

  “I…can’t.” He felt vulnerable and lost. He did not want to lose his family. He felt a little arm patting his leg “Nobody forcing it.”

  “But,” he waited before going on, watching wolf recover

  “This IS your home and shop.”

  “ We agreed to plan long-term, not treat you like a child.”

  “So this is us giving you what you always wanted, the adult life. “ he was excited as he said that, but Wolf just felt numb his uncle saw his lack of enthusiasm “This why he was supposed to talk to you!” he was getting angry “ this was supposed be an amazing new start for my nephew “

  “Not… this!” his uncle wasn’t sure what to say, annoyed. Wolf finally composed himself, watching Nina slowly recover, he checked on her to make sure she was ok and heard his uncle speak once more.

  “ I’ll talk to your dad, you were never forced, it was just supposed to be an option.”

  “We had many talks in the past about how best to raise you.”

  “But you more than proved we don’t need to anymore”

  “So, now you get to choose to live.”

  “This was…is our gift to you.”

  “It was also why the family agreed to visit and support your shop to keep close,” Wolf thought about what his uncle just said, it seemed Leena might have known also he wondered why she said nothing…

  “Thank you, uncle, this is an amazing gift, just …overwhelm me,” he said, deflating a bit the joy of showing off the shop lost a bit of its luster. He felt bad, so he wanted to try to show more joy.

  “Um… this is barely the entrance, what about the rest… You never show me?” his uncle smiled at that, getting a bit of pep back, and laughed.“I spared no expense for you child enchanted wood!” That was surprising

  “What, why?” he had to know his uncle laughed

  “You’re going to be cooking with magic?”

  “Can’t have the place burn up from one slip up”

  “NO!?”

  “You’re set for life, my boy.”

  “I got friends that deal with magic, keep it in check, money back they swore to me !”

  “I told them to shove the coin up their arse “

  “And ensure your safety, or I would ensure they had none!”

  “They made sure to work extra carefully after that,” he laughed, recalling the tell.

  As he was happy they wanted so far as he looked at Nina, she stayed subdued, unable to speak, it seemed Arlin just grinned with pride. “Your own place?”

  “That’s amazing. “

  “You could party every night.”

  “No mom or a sister getting in your way!” Nina slapped him from the side

  “OW”

  “The hell is your problem?” he was ready to fight not liking her attitude but calmed a bit knowing she was a girl and had stronger magic than him… “my brother doesn’t need a new home…” he saw her stress and he felt bad this was a happy start for her and ended like this… maybe that why Leena said nothing not for him but her.

  “Sis,” he tried to calm her, rubbing her side.

  “Maybe… this will be my home, but you can always visit, nothing changing.” She did not believe him, but knew this was his day, not hers, so she just nodded. Arlin was still pissed about the slap in the head and not getting a resolution “If you need me I’ll be out front “ he wanted to leave but he was hired to guard for the day…

  His uncle still wanted to share this with his nephew. Tried to get things back on track, as you can see, you have many shelves to counters to display as you like. As he glanced at various things his uncle showed while it was all empty, it still was impressive.

  There was even an oversized window in front to let in light and display his crafts. Nina still sour tried to show some life. “It’s amazing, brother!” he saw her tail wagging, but felt it was a sham, but did not call her on it.

  As they went deeper, he was no less impressed, the front alone was worthy of praise, but it seemed like the house was slapped together with a shop… technically it was they were only halfway and still were in the shop… There was a side room he showed off for storage and an amazingly large area with multiple tables to brew and craft, confusing him, “Why so much? I can’t use all this at once…” his uncle looked at him confused.“Are you not planning to expand the shop child? “

  “Are you planning to do it all alone for life?”

  “I told you long term!”

  “We wanted a day you could have apprentices. “ he was amazed they thought that far. He was still reeling from all this… “ but… I can just make them from water at any time, why all this?” his uncle frowned.

  “True.”

  “But it's dangerous to assume only that gift is all you need.”

  “You still need other stuff made as a fail-safe, and when you get weak from mana overuse?”

  “Or worse mass selling?! And run out supplies…” he said, getting worked up.” No, my child, we want you set for life! The city has an alchemist, and so do we !”

  He heard Nina giggle. He wasn’t sure why this was funny, but as long as she was feeling better, it was fine. He watched as she wandered around, touching everything.

  They went back into the main corridor then conceted it all. he noticed the door. his uncle brightened at that. “Yes, my boy, this is not the main entrance, but well it is still one they went forward and he opened the door leading to a house. “No way” he was speechless beyond those words it was a large living room.

  It was indeed a house attached to the shop, he saw the front door nearby facing a different side. “Yes, that is the main entrance over there, and thier a backdoor too in the kitchen that leads to the lake.”

  “ the main door leads to the side of town we did not want to make it too easy for buggers to well bug you.” He shrugs well waiting for wolf to reply

  Nina wasn’t upset anymore for sure now as she was zooming around the house sniffing everything, it did have that new house smell. He noticed the couch and random furniture on the living room table in the kitchen, which was overwhelming him once more.

  “Again… this is too much, uncle,” he said, unsure how to feel.

  “My boy, the gift you gave us with indifference, this? Will never be enough…” his uncle slowly shook his head before going on.

  “Do you not realize the decades of suffering you ended?”

  “That you prevented?” he said with passion. Wolf felt bad because he did it for his mother, not the people. They were a happy bonus if he could only cure one… his uncle saw his dark thoughts.

  “Assuming it came to that, I would do the same,” his uncle, voicing wolf’s unspoken words, “but it did not come to that. “

  “So here we are now to reward the generosity of your gift.”

  “With a gift in return, “ Wolf nodded solemnly at that. They kept exploring, there were three big rooms, only one had furniture and a big bed with a desk, a magic light lamp. Nina spoke up in curiosity. “Um… why three rooms?” his uncle laughed. “Why do you think? “

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “We want grandkids!” Both Wolf and Nina blushed at that. The last thing on Wolf’s mind was kids… and knowing his family was planning for it was a bit much for him. His uncle patted his leg in reassurance. Relax”

  “We don’t expect them tomorrow! You got time!” Nina ran away, giggling, which annoyed him. His uncle just beamed with pride, thinking of the little one running around, whom he could carry and love. Wolf sighed, “Thank you again. “

  The day ended on that high note even as they left back for home…his old home. Things remained calm. Arlin kept guarding the shop, but nobody was going to show any disrespect; Wolf was a hero to them, and nobody dreamed of destroying his gift.

  At dinner with the family, once things settled, Wolf felt comfortable enough to confront them about his gift…. “ So when were you going to tell me?”

  “I had to learn it from uncle.” His dad was chewing and stopped at that. Leena and Mom looked mildly uncomfortable.

  Nina and Nebo, who are now welcome as part of the family, were also there and showed discomfort for different reasons. Nina did not like the family fighting, and Nebo knew about the gift house but kept quiet…

  Dad sighed, knowing he was the cause. “ I made a choice, son, and stand by it.”

  “ We wanted you to stay with the family, so we did not do anything.”

  “If you want to be mad, know that bother your sister Len and Nebo opposed the secret, though your mother agreed to support me, nina knew nothing.” he finished speaking and ate some more he wasn’t made just annoyed and a little scared It was all of a sudden, his dad finish hi bite watching his son, and spoke slowly one more “ you never have to leave but what you did?…”

  It was a major change for all.”

  “In a good way.”

  “But it also means you will be seen differently by all and have new expectations from them, vs as my son.”

  “I did not want that.” His dad watched him seriously

  “But as an adult, it is your choice.” He finished

  “You will always have your family,” Len spoke up from the side

  “And he's not leaving, he's just moving out. I might one day myself. “ he doubted that and saw the same doubt in his dad’s eyes, but knew she trying to support him. Nebo cleared his throat. “We will be delivering the supplies.”

  “First thing in the morning,” he casually started eating as if he meant nothing at all. Nina was upset, so was his mother, so he wanted to brighten the mood despite his fear that this was a good thing…

  “I…do want this.”

  “And thank you for trying to keep me safe… “

  “As Len said, I’m not moving away just down the street, “ he smiled

  “He never left his room anyway, so nothing changes. “She tried to lighten the mood, but Nina barked a disagreement, “HE'S LEAVING US!”

  “NINA!” Nebo scolded from the side. Mom and Len tried to comfort her, but she was crying and still upset. His dad looked done casting his meal, and his mood soured. “Perhaps keeping a secret hurts more than it helps.”

  “I'm sorry for that.”

  “I could handle it better, your uncle was right.” Mom went to her husband’s side to console him, and Len helped Nina Nebo, much like Wolf felt out of place, and the dinner felt ruined despite nothing but good news to share. He tried to make it better. “We knew this was coming.”

  “It just sooner than all planned… even me.” his dad was about to protest, he did not have to go, but he held up a hand. “ I do want this.”

  “Now that I can choose, I want to see what a new life could be like.”

  “A new adventure, “ he looked at Nina, “ and Nina, I’m still part of your life, just growing up.” he knew it wasn’t what she wanted to hear, and he did agree this all felt out of nowhere, yet same time. His own place, his own rules… that tempted him to want to go more than he thought it would…

  Nina watched Wolf’s indifference. Why was he so happy to leave? Did they not make him happy, did she not? Len kept trying to make her feel better, it helped, but it wasn’t the same. She wanted her brother’s attention he was always fun to be around now she felt he was just going to leave, just like Teva…

  Dinner wrapped up with all in a mix of sour or somber moods, tomorrow was a new day, and they all knew they would move forward from it. She visited Len in her room since Wolf closed his door, not wanting to be bothered; he had been doing that more lately. I guess now he won’t be here to do it anymore, that made her ear drop and her tail limp. She wandered around Len’s room in a circle, lost while Len sat on the bed watching.

  “You know I love you, sister, but I cannot help if you won’t talk.”

  “And I assume that’s why you are here?” Leena asked calmly, she shrugged at those words, “ Nothing to say.”

  Leena laughed at that, startling Nina. “Sorry, “She covered her mouth to stop more laughs that got her tail wagging. She liked the positive mood. Why was she mopping? She had a family. She jumped into bed with Len, still upset but happy. She at least still had her sister and confessed her fears. “Why is brother leaving?” Len stroked her hair in comfort. “Wel…”

  “He has been trying to grow up for a while. “

  “Uncle knew it, so did Dad and Mom,” She reflected for a moment

  “Guess the only ones who did not know it were you and Wolf, but I think you both also knew, just did not say it.” nina didn’t like this answer she knew Wolf was always trying to find adventure but leave the family, Why? is everything better together… “ still stupid,” she said flatly

  “I know, but he will be a dad one day too, and raising his own kids, he won’t want only us, no matter how much we want him.” The talks went on, mostly meaningless words, she fell asleep, held by Len, and dreamed of adventure with her brother of berries and jam and all the sweet things of a past long gone.

  She awoke early with len dad and Nebo was already loading the things for Wolf’s shop and home… so she helped she wanted to show support and be there besides maybe this could be fun he would be begging for attention after being alone she smiled at that thought comforting her brother inspired her to work faster surprising the others how she always seem to bounce back.

  She wanted to wake up but was trying to give them some space and also show how much he needed her, but he awoke with indefinite to her plight of being asked why she did not wake him there still time later, she thought she would get him to care then.

  They unloaded it and had to take care of the other shop, but Nina stayed with Wolf, happy to be needed and setting things up. Everything was going amazing till she looked out the glass window and saw a cat come to play and sour the mood…

  The night before

  “Enjoy your berry drink, and the chicken is good even though I hate sweet meat, it is still tasty “She set down the meals for the table as they thanked her, and she spun to deliver to another table with a different order it was busy with talks that kept going on about wolf’s new shop, and his god sent to cure.

  She knew it was amazing but hated she had no part in it he did stop in a couple of times since then but always with others and she had to work she could not really visit him like and she was scared that the distance would grow if she waited again now with everyone and their mother mention his name he wasn’t a secret she could keep but a prize all wanted and she hated it...

  She was surprised when talking that night turned to how they saw him, and her heart skipped a beat listening in secret, “It's true, I was there.”

  “Whatever, John, you drunk.” “Ask anyone here, half of them were there too, trying to see him, I swear.”

  “His uncle broke us up, and then a shadow man was there too.”

  “Like I said, you're drunk…” another voice chimed in from the side

  “Aye, he is a drinking fool, but I was indeed their kid, looked good strong, worthy of praise.”

  “Really? So the shops open, we can go there?”

  “Uh…no uncle got right mad to kick us out, but it should be soon. “

  “Bah, why say anything, then a waste of time. “The man, speaking annoyed glance and saw her standing nearby and was mildly surprised and smiled, “Hello, miss.”

  “Mind getting me another drink ?” she smiled and did so, she still had to work… but tomorrow?

  She was up early trying to look nice she wanted something loose fitting to be free and went with a short top to show off her belly and shorts to show off her legs she was debating changing as the color was turning her off she wasn’t sure tan short and white shirt was working it felt off and to casual and not something to catch an eye. A voice spoke behind her, startling her a little.

  “Why not your violet top?”

  “It’s not as short, but it matches your eyes more, he will notice.“It was her mother casually giving advice, so she decided to play coy.

  “I don’t know what you are talking about,” her mother tsked at that

  “Child, I mastered the game long before you were born.”

  “Well, it was how you were born…”

  “MOM,” she was mortified, she did not want a casual sex talk, not like this… her mother laughed, enjoying her daughter’s discomfort.

  “My words stand violet, which catches his eye”

  “And do try and bring back something “

  “What's the point of you dating a master alchemist if we don’t get any treats?”

  “He was not a master AND were not dating…” She was annoyed she had to see that she wasn’t even sure he liked her still, it had been rough trying to get close, and she sure was still afraid to push.

  “Daughter, you’re wasting both your time and mine.”

  “Catch the mouse or leave it be.”

  “If not, I dream of free things that never will be.”

  “And that hurt more than you know.” She wanted to splash water at her to cool her down, but knew it just ended up in her face instead…. She was more skilled than her, and her mother’s smug knowing look told her she knew too. “Enjoy your visit together.” She let it at that and as much as she hated it, she changed her shirt and it did help her eyes…

  The trip there was easy enough; it was toward the lake, but it was one of the bigger buildings, almost like they were trying to make it a main attraction. She supposed it was smart to visit the lake and the shop all in one.

  Thier been a lot more shops growing in a short time, and more and more people randomly wandering around few boys tried to get her to notice them while she was approaching the shop, and while she was flattered, she already had someone else in her eyes.

  She nervously brushed her hair back. It was getting longer and bothered her a little bit. She was used to it being short, but when it grew a bit more, she had to braid it to keep it still… as it was, it barely reached her neck, still too short to do much with.

  As she got closer, happy to finally be getting so close she couldn’t help but smile, he was here! She saw him in the window moving items to a shelf It was only after a moment her mood soured aha…right she liked to hang around too… it was Nina staring back and no happier looking than she felt.

  Well, whatever she thought, I came this far, I’m going all the way, and opened the door to meet Wolf.

  “Hey, cutie, I missed you,” she said it casually, but she wasn’t sure how he felt and was afraid to be too playful or flirty, but when she saw him stop stocking a shelf and a smile that said he was happy to see her. The fear melted away, she felt like he was never gone and everything might just be ok… even as the fox threw daggers with her eyes saying otherwise.

  “It has been too long, “he said with joy, and she agreed. When was the last time they got to be alone, well ever? She thought back and precious few memories existed where they were… even now, Nina was glaring at her, souring the good vibes.

  “Nina, it’s good to see you too.” She saw Wolf grimace

  “Right, we're working,” she panicked, afraid he would send her away

  “I can help!” she said quickly to stay included, and she wanted to stay and it could be fun and learn more about his new life. She heard a huff from Nina, “Just don’t destroy anything, brother. I worked hard to earn this, it’s not a game…” She knew that and gave a flat stare back, tail swishing in annoyance and wanting to slap her with it or spray her with water, cool that attitude she had been nice.

  Yet they both looked to Wolf after that, since this was his shop and in the end, regardless of how either felt, he would be the mediator and decide their fate.

  She saw the panic in his eyes as he had to settle this dispute, and she felt bad knowing she was ruining their day.

  “I’ll go, sorry I did not mean to spoil your fun.” Before she could even turn.

  “NO!”

  “Sorry, no.” he gently put his hands on her shoulder and said, “ I want you to stay. “

  “We can work something out, so no fighting, ok, nina?” he said while facing her, she saw the sternness in his eyes as he was not going to let his step-sister dictate what he wanted it was nice to know he was standing up for her even if it just petty fighting.

  A sigh from Nina, “Fine if that’s what you want, brother, she was my friend too.” That confused her, you were willing to let me leave with idffrnce a second ago… but she bit her tongue, this was still a good visit, and she wanted to keep it that way.

  Wolf had a lot of things they still needed to sort and place on a shelf or stack in a side lab he had. He promised to give the full tour later, but for now, he wanted it semi-decent to start receiving people soon.

  Nina calmed a bit and was less pushy as the visit went on, she almost like her old self as time passed, reminding her of old times.

  She still kept pushing her away when she got too close to Wolf or made sure she was on top of him whenever he did not push her off.

  To keep her from getting closer, which bothered her a little, but her goal was getting her friend back first anything else she worried about in time.