The Nymph of Black Forest
Chapter 31 ~I couldn’t allow that

Owen went out to get to Leonard’s camp before the rogues..it was slow going for them, since several were injured. Knowing Leonard’s response to losing half his fighting force will determine how we proceed. I want this over with.. Every moment, has been a whirlwind. It feels like Derek and I are constantly pulled in separate directions. For every second, we have peace..the other 59 are chaotic! Yeah, yeah! Slightly exaggerated..I know. Some days just feel that way. And I know I’m not the only one feeling it!

I grab a nice relaxing shower, and dress in a light green sweater dress..and dark green tight. Slipping into slouch boots, I go in search of Derek. He’s in his office…and I laugh at him, because his face looks miserable. I ask “paperwork?” He nods…telling me “A necessary evil. And I have been pawning it all off on Shawn, and that isn’t fair to him and Sadie. But…fuck me, I hate it!” I smile and ask if I can help. He pulls me into his lap and hands me a stack of requisitions from the pack.. supplies for the school.. X-ray machine for the hospital. Even a new freezer for the kitchen.

He says “Anything you believe is a legitimate request for something that is needed, go ahead and approve it. You’ll see the ones that are a definite no. Those are fun!” I ask him “Approve them? Like set them aside for your signature?” He shook his head “Baby girl, you are Luna..if there are things our pack needs…you approve it. You sign for them!” And, now, I feel all important and shit..so I get to reading.

Playground equipment for the daycare is a great idea. I approve that one immediately. Six new microwaves for the kitchen is an absolute no! We have one..and that is sufficient. I don’t like food cooked in a microwave..it taste bland, and I can’t wrap my head around consuming food cooked by electromagnetic waves.. it isn’t healthy.

More bandages..and suture kits. Forceps, scalpels..scissors..that’s easy. We will never scrimp on anything for our infirmary. The one for another incubator I signed immediately. The next one…I read it three times… then, I handed it to Derek, asking him “How in the holy hell would this even work?” He looked it over.. flipping the page over..I don’t know why..the backside is blank.. then he reread it..he pinches the bridge of his nose.. and asks “Where does he think we would get a laptop? How would it fit on his desk? And when did he become such a fucking demanding little thing? Have Monty tell Micah I want to see him!” And I started laughing.

Owen has returned, so we headed out to hear his report. On the way, we grabbed Monty… and asked him about Micah’s idea for a laptop…and he admitted “Yeah..that one might be on me..he kept distracting me when I was working the other day.. the noses of those little paper airplanes are like needles when they stick in your skin..so, I may have mentioned I could let him help me, if he had his own laptop” and Derek said “Then it’s on you to figure it out!” He groaned “The fuck am I supposed to do that?” And Derek said “Figure it out!”

We spent nearly an hour with Owen..and Derek called a meeting. Once everyone was there…he began explaining what Owen had heard.. “Leonard is not a happy camper. In fact, he was so angry that we had attacked, he killed five of the survivors before he calmed down. And, you were right, Edward..he is marching our direction, with a plan. He is going to challenge you for the throne.” Edward started laughing “Wait..What? Challenge me? Does he know how a challenge works? Is he stupid? Being the one challenged, it is my right to choose time, place, and method! I could literally set the challenge for after the blood moon! Then, this would all be a moot point!”

Monty started laughing “That boy is ignorant as fuck! Someone better be asking him if his mother had any kids that lived! Dumbass is a dead man walking!” A little paper airplane flew across the table and stuck in Derek’s cheek…causing all of us to bust out laughing..while Derek glared at Monty..who gulped and said “Working on it! Damn!” I scolded Micah and all he said is “Bored!”

When the meeting adjourned, I decided to spend some time with Adele.. we hadn’t talked for a bit.. and I wanted to ask her about my pregnancy.. I really don’t know much about what to expect. And Edina is running on instinct. She and I decided to collect some herbs and flowers.. I had run out of verbena.. so it might be a busy day. Stocking up before the snow flies is necessary, in my mind.

We walked along… and she said “You worry for nothing, child. I see your son. He will be a great Alpha, one day. He and his mate will change the world. Your daughter will be the mate of a king! Yours and Derek’s destiny has been intertwined and predicted for centuries. That’s not to say your life won’t be fraught with peril..danger lurks for all of us. But, all creatures will always come to your aid. You are their queen!”

I was thrilled…we found mugwort growing in a patch of shade in an open meadow! Even Adele was happy. We hadn’t used mugwort since my NaNa’s time. She planned on drying it and making it into a tea. I am going to use it for poultices. Nothing heals a deep muscle bruise faster than a mugwort poultice! I’m not crazy about it in tea..it’s too bitter, no matter what you mix it with.. but it knocks a fever out of you in minutes!

We found some wild blackberries,so we picked some..I am going to make a treat for the bears! I really like them.. especially Angus. He has such a huge heart.. I will travel to his home to meet his family one day! It makes my heart happy that they don’t have to hide anymore!

Derek linked we were needed back at the pack house.. Oscar had news. We hurried home and found everyone in the courtyard.. as I approached, I could hear crying.. so I started to run. I found Opal sobbing, and Owen lying on the ground..with an arrow in his chest. I knelt beside him… placing my hand on him, I felt for the depth of the injury. My eyes began to glow as they traced the path of the arrow through his skin, and muscle. I looked up… and knowing my eyes are glowing, I whispered “Adele, I need my lavender, peace lily and ginger drops… and Derek, once he is sleeping, I want you to gently push the arrow through his back.. it has to stay on the same trajectory, or you will puncture his lung..it has to go quickly, so I can heal the wound.” He gasps “What? No! What if I get it wrong?” I shake my head.. “I will guide you..I would rather do this in the infirmary, but there’s no time.”

As soon as I had given Owen the pain medication, he dropped into a deep sleep.. Keeping my hand on his chest, I focused my mind’s eye on the arrow, and carefully guided Derek’s path. Once the arrowhead pushed out his back, I snapped it off..quickly pulling the shafy out, from the front. I healed the wound completely..which is something I seldom do, because it exhausts me.. and demanded he be taken to the infirmary for the night.

Monty asked why the arrow had to be pushed through and I told him to look at the barbs on the head…they would have shredded his chest. I couldn’t allow that