I headed to my next batch of chores which was in the pack clinic.
The only place I actually loved being in the entire pack.
I found Miss Emma stitching up one of the Beta's arms.
Her face lit when she saw me. "Jackie you're here."
And then she frowned as if knowing something had happened.
The Beta backed me and so when she had said my name, he had looked back to be sure he had heard well.
He ignored me as if I wasn't present.
She finished stitching him up and then he said a thank you and completely ignored me on his way out.
"What happened to your face and your eye?" Miss Emma asked worried.
Miss Emma didn't belong to our pack.
She had come from from her own pack and journey through different packs.
It was a program the werewolf community carried where pack healers were changed to make a smooth and different practice of their healing methods.
Every four years there was a new pack healer.
I had met Miss Emma when I was fourteen and she was the only person in the pack j was friends with.
That meant she was also going to he leaving this year.
She hadn't treated with me resentment or contempt.
Even after she found out who I was and the treacherous stories they had said about my parents, she had still opened her arms to me.
She was quite young and in her early thirties with dark hair and dimples on both cheeks.
"They hit you didn't they?" She asked me after I hadn't said a word.
I nodded.
Her face was a mask of thunder and she sat me down as she helped me with boiling water and a towel to press my swollen face.
"Happy birthday." She said trying to shift the mood.
"Thank you." I said in gratitude.
"I got you something." She said.
"You shouldn't have." I said modestly.
"Of course I had to. It's your eighteen birthday." Miss Emma said. "You are finally going to be free from the pack in a few months. Don't let them take away your happiness."
I didn't want to tell her what had happened Amy.
It would only infuriate her.
"How are you preparing for the ceremony?" I asked her, trying to change the subject.
She shrugged. "Just there. They are going to hand out whichever poor girls to the other side."
"What do you think really happens?" I asked.
She shrugged. "To be honest? I don't know. It's been such a long tradition that I don't think they've kept track on what really happened. All I know is that it was because of the Great War. Maybe the Alphas know, but people don't question it."
I sighed.
"Your birthday gift." She began. "You know I only spend four years in a pack and your years of service to this pack is ending this year."
"Yes…?" I asked wondering where she was going with this.
"Jackie, I want you to come with me." She said shocking me. "You and your sister Amy. I don't know if you have other people. I doubt it. And it could be. A fresh start. You can leave all of these and start all over. Work with me as a healer. The next pack we are going to would provide better feeding and accommodation, even pay for your time. Away from all of this."
I felt the tears fill my eyes.
After a while of not saying anything, Miss Emma started to add. "If you're not comfortable I can unders-
I threw my arms around and wept saying thank you over and over.
She engulfed me in the hug and said a very gentle. "You're welcome."
I finally let go.
"Happy birthday Jackie." She said.
And then she got up. "I need to check some of the omegas that just arrived guard. I'll see you later."
I watched her leave and I closed my eyes and thanked the goddess from the bottom of my heart.
I now had something to look forward to.
Amy was going to be so excited with the news I had.
I heard the door open.
I turned around and found it was none other than Adrian.