Ch. 10: Puppet

                                    

                                          
Kaia
I didn't know what to say. 
Surprised by Nero's question, I shook my head. "No. I'm not."
"I've only known witches to achieve feats like that. He was on the verge of going rogue, but you managed to reverse that." 
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "If you test my blood, you won't find anything out of the ordinary. I'm only a wolf shifter."
That was the truth. 
I'd had frequent bloodwork done, since Maverick preferred to keep me in top condition so his business affairs could be dealt with. 
"A wolf shifter who can reverse the effects of a rogue transformation," Nero corrected. 
"Brodie was lucky. He hadn't fully turned yet, which was why I was able to help." 
"Do you have a healing affinity or a variation of it?" 
I shook my head. "No. I don't know how to explain why I can do this, but it just is. I found out about it when I accidentally saved a shifter from turning." 
"Does anyone else know about this ability?" 
Although he asked, I knew what the real question was.
Did Maverick know I could do this?
"Maverick has no idea, and I don't plan on him finding out." I whispered. 
Something serious crossed his face as he moved closer to me. "This is dangerous. If someone were to know..." 
"I know." I didn't need him to explain. My gift would mark me as a target, or even death for those who desired the miracle of it. 
"It seems like you have a lot of secrets, Kaia." 
There was an odd note in his tone as we walked out of the warehouse. I didn't know how to take it. 
Now wasn't the right time to talk, either. 
Outside, the small pup was now a lanky boy with ruffled brown locks and matching eyes. Someone had retrieved a giant shirt for him to don which hung loose on his petite form. 
When his attention snapped to Nero and I, his earlier smile turned sheepish. He hid behind Aurora's leg but peeked up at me with a lively flush on his cheeks. 
I found it adorable.
Aurora raced to me, holding my arms. Her eyes still glistened with tears. "I don't understand how you managed to help him. His eyes were black, and no one seemed to think he'd be able to return to his usual self." 
"I believe the Moon Goddess saw fit that he would survive," I replied. There was a small part of me that warred with the idea that maybe this wasn't a good idea to have been so careless with but I needed set things back into balance. 
"Are you a healer?" she asked with wide eyes.
"No."
"Then how—"
"It matters not how your brother was returned to normal. We have been blessed that the Moon Goddess has spared Brodie from the torment of becoming a rogue," Nero intercepted, glancing my way with a firm look. 
"I didn't mean to sound so ungrateful." Aurora bowed her head, "I'm just so happy. We're in your debt." 
***
By the time Nero and I returned to the pack with Emmanuel, it was already eventide. 
Taking the path that would lead to the pack house, there was a sizable crowd present. I could scent Red River in the mix as we drew closer.