Two years had passed since Estella opened her shop in the village. She knew she couldn’t rely on Elena for everything - after all, the kind old woman wasn’t getting any younger, and Estella was determined to support her son by herself.
Having lived a life of privilege in a wealthy family, Estella had little experience of ways of earning a living. But she refused to let that hold her back. With her knowledge of medicine and her skill at producing pills and elixirs, she knew she could do something about it to make a living.
As she tended to her shop, carefully arranging her potions and herbs, Estella felt a sense of pride swell within her. She may not know a lot of things, but when it came to her ability to create medicine, she was one of the best in the field.
As Estella prepared to open her shop for another day, memories of her past brushed against her mind like a bitter gust of wind. These skills of hers were so renowned in the Vesper Pack, which was also the reason why the alpha had chosen her to be Carlos’s mate- it all seemed so distant now, yet still etched into the fabric of her being.
She shook her head, banishing the memories from her thoughts. With a deep breath, Estella pushed open the door of her shop, and almost immediately, customers began to flock in, their eager voices and bustling energy filling the air.
For the past two years, Estella had built a reputation in the village as a skilled apothecary, and her shop had become a popular stop for the villagers. She greeted each customer with a warm smile and proceeded with her day.
As Estella stood behind the counter of her shop, arranging vials of potions and jars of herbs, an old woman entered, her weathered face lined with worry.
“What can I do for you today?” Estella asked with a warm smile.
The old woman hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Do you have any medicine for wounded feet?” she inquired, her voice tinged with concern. “My grandson hurt his feet again while hunting.”
Estella’s smile widened at the familiar request. “Ah, your grandson’s injuries seem to be a regular occurrence,” she remarked with a playful chuckle. “Good thing I always keep plenty in stock for you.”
The old woman laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “What can I say? He’s a spirited young man,” she replied with a shrug. “I can’t very well keep him from hunting, can I?”
Estella nodded in understanding, reaching for a porcelain bottle on one of her shelves. She carefully handed it to the old woman, explaining again how to apply for the medicine and how often it should be used.
The old woman listened intently, her gratitude evident in the way she thanked Estella before paying for the medicine.
As the morning sun climbed higher in the sky, Estella found herself swept up in a whirlwind of activity. Customer after customer streamed into her shop.
The midday rush had finally subsided when it was lunchtime, leaving Estella with a moment of quiet in her bustling shop. Just as she began to relax, the door creaked open, and Devon bounced in, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Mama!” he exclaimed, rushing over to hug Estella tightly.
Estella chuckled, ruffling his hair affectionately. “Hey there, darling. What brings you here?”
Devon beamed up at her, his enthusiasm infectious. “I came to bring you lunch!” he announced proudly, gesturing towards Elena who was entering behind him, a basket of food in her arms.
Elena smiled warmly at Estella. “I thought you could use a break,” she said kindly, setting the basket down on a nearby table. “You’ve been working so hard all morning.”
“Thank you, Elena,” she said, her voice sincere. “I appreciate it.”
Elena waved off her thanks with a smile. “It’s the least I can do,” she insisted. “Now, let’s eat before everything gets cold.”
As Estella, Devon, and Elena enjoyed their lunch together, Elena couldn’t help but inquire about Estella’s day.
“Have you had many customers today, dear?” she asked, her gentle voice filled with concern.
Estella nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “Yes, quite a few,” she replied. “It seems like there’s always someone in need of my services around here.”
Elena chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Well, I suppose we should be grateful for that,” she remarked. “After all, it keeps you busy and provides you with a steady income.”
Estella nodded in agreement, a wry smile crossing her face. “True,” she admitted. “Sometimes I wonder if I should thank the villagers for getting hurt or sick.”
Elena laughed at the jest, shaking her head fondly. “Oh, Estella, you have such a wicked sense of humor,” she chided gently. “But in all seriousness, we are truly blessed to have you here with us. Without you, the villagers wouldn’t have any access to medicine and would just endure their pain and illness until their death.”
Estella just shrugged and said, “I’m the one who should be thankful to everyone.”
“Even though I’m hiding my identity from them, and they don’t know anything about me except that I have a son, they’ve accepted us with open arms, just like you,” she explained. “You and the villagers had treated us just like everyone else, without asking any questions or prying into our past.”
Estella couldn’t help but contrast her experiences there with the kindness she now received from the villagers.
“In fact,” she began, her voice tinged with reminiscence, “this is the first time I’ve ever experienced such warmth from strangers.”
Estella sighed softly, her gaze distant. “Back home, everyone had their own motives for approaching me. Be it my family or the members of the pack,” she explained. “Everyone wanted something from me- whether it was fame or access to my medicines.”
Estella’s thoughts lingered on her past encounters, leaving her momentarily lost in reflection.
Sensing Estella’s silence, Elena gently shifted the conversation to a lighter topic. “Would you like to join me later this evening at the village chief’s house?”
Estella blinked, drawing her attention back to the present moment. “Why?” she inquired, curious about the sudden invitation.
Elena smiled, “Well, you see, the village chief’s son, Brett Marrock, is returning home,” she explained. “And his father wishes to celebrate his homecoming with the entire village.”
Recognition dawned on Estella’s face as she remembered the young man who had left their village a year ago to venture into the city.
“Brett Marrock,” she repeated thoughtfully. “I remember him. He left quite a mark on the village before he departed.”
Elena nodded, her eyes twinkling with anticipation. “Indeed, he did,” she agreed.
“Did Brett manage to join a pack?” she inquired, her voice tinged with interest.
Elena nodded with a smile. “Yes, indeed,” she confirmed. “He succeeded in joining a formidable pack, although the village chief didn’t mention which pack it was.”
Estella’s brows rose in surprise. “The village chief must be overjoyed,” she remarked.
Elena chuckled softly. “Oh, you have no idea,” she replied. “He’s been boasting about Brett’s achievement to anyone who would listen... So, would you come with me later?”
Estella hesitated before shaking her head. “I don’t think so,” she replied softly.
Surprised, Elena pressed for an explanation. “Why not? It could be a wonderful opportunity for you and Devon to socialize with the villagers,” she suggested.
Estella smiled ruefully. “I appreciate the offer, Elena, but I’m not fond of crowded places,” she admitted. “Besides, I’d rather spend my time creating medicine than attending a party.”
Understanding Estella’s perspective, Elena nodded. “I see,” she said. “But what about Devon? He might enjoy the festivities.”
Estella considered the idea for a moment before nodding. “You’re right,” she agreed. “Devon should go. It’ll be good for him to interact with the other children.”
Devon’s face lit up with delight, and he clapped his hands in excitement after hearing that. “Really? I’m joining the party? That’s fantastic!” he exclaimed, his bubbly personality shining through.
Estella chuckled at her son’s enthusiasm and reached out to ruffle his hair affectionately. “Looks like someone’s excited,” she remarked with a smile.
Devon nodded eagerly, his eyes shining with anticipation. “I can’t wait to go!” he exclaimed.
Estella’s smile widened as she reminded Devon of something important. “Don’t forget to apply your medicine before the night ends, okay?” she said gently.
Devon nodded quickly, his eagerness undiminished. “I won’t forget, Mama!” he assured her.
With everything settled, Estella encouraged Devon to finish his lunch, so they could prepare for the party tonight.
***
With Devon and Elena off to the village chief’s party, Estella found herself alone in the quiet of their home. Though the night had fallen, sleep eluded her, so she turned to her work to fill the empty hours.
In the dim light of the kitchen, Estella busied herself with the herbs she had gathered from her garden. With practiced hands, she carefully measured and mixed, lost in the rhythm of her craft. Estella found solace in their familiar scents and textures.
Estella carefully ground the dried herbs in the porcelain pot, her movements methodical and precise. She added a few drops of wood oil to the mixture, the scent of pine filling the air as she worked. With each turn of the mortar and pestle, the herbs are transformed into a fine powder, ready to be used in her next batch of medicine.
When Estella was about to pour the powder into the boiling pot, the door of the house suddenly opened.
Estella looked up from her work, surprised by Elena’s sudden entrance and distressed expression. “What’s wrong, Elena?” she asked, setting aside the porcelain pot and wooden pestle.
Elena rushed towards Estella, her voice trembling with worry. “Estella, Devon’s missing,” she exclaimed, her breath coming in short gasps. “I can’t find him anywhere at the party… I’m sorry.”
Estella’s heart skipped a beat at the news. “Missing? How?” she asked, her mind racing with concern. “You left him alone?”
Elena nodded, guilt evident in her eyes. “I only stepped away for a moment to use the bathroom,” she explained. “But when I returned, he was nowhere to be found.”
As Estella stepped out into the cool night air, her heart pounded with fear and worry about her missing son. Her usually gentle features were now etched with lines of concern, and her hands trembled slightly as she scanned the area for any sign of Devon."Devon!"Every passing moment felt like an eternity as she called out his name, her voice tinged with desperation. Her mind raced with all the worst-case scenarios, imagining all the dangers that could befall Devon in his vulnerable state.With each step she took, Estella’s senses were heightened, her eyes darting from shadow to shadow, searching for any trace of Devon’s presence. She was acutely aware of the fading effects of the medicine, knowing that time was running out to conceal Devon’s true nature. And so, she had to find him before anyone else.***Devon is currently at the depth of the forest. Earlier, he sat quietly in the chair, his eyes scanning the area around him as he waited for Elena to return from the bathroom. The ch
In the depths of the night, a sleek black wolf dashed through the forest, its movements swift and silent. As it approached a looming castle nestled amidst the trees, the moonlight glinted off the dark stones, casting an ethereal glow. The castle stood tall and imposing, its architecture ancient and majestic, yet shrouded in an air of mystery.Inside, the halls echoed with a haunting silence, broken only by the sound of the wolf’s footsteps as it transformed into a human form. Now a man of imposing stature, the figure moved with a grace that belied his predatory nature.Stopping before a grand wooden door, the man’s hand gripped the handle, and with a slow, deliberate movement, he pushed it open.Inside the dimly lit room, a figure sat upon a throne-like chair, his presence commanding and imposing. His features were chiseled and handsome, yet there was a coldness to his demeanor that sent shivers down the spine.“I have returned, Lord Ariston,” said the man who entered the room with a
As the morning sun filtered through the windows of her quaint little shop, Estella bustled about arranging her shelves, her hands deftly arranging jars and vials of freshly crafted pills.The peaceful rhythm of her work was interrupted by the creak of the door swinging open. Turning to greet the newcomer, Estella’s warm smile faltered slightly as she laid eyes on the unfamiliar man standing before her.Nevertheless, she greeted him kindly, her voice gentle as she welcomed him into her store. The man returned her smile, his demeanor friendly as he introduced himself as Brett Marrock, the village chief's son.Recognition dawned on Estella’s face as she realized who he was, and she greeted him once again.“Welcome to my shop, Mr. Marrock.”Brett’s gaze swept across the shelves of Estella’s store, his eye searching for a particular sight. Not finding what he sought, he turned to Estella with a curious expression. “Where’s your son?” he inquired, his tone casual yet filled with genuine int
Deep in the night, Estella tossed and turned, unable to shake off the unsettling news Brett had delivered. The audacity of their actions left her restless. Seeking solace, she slipped out of her bedroom, craving the cool embrace of the outdoor air. The bench outside her house beckoned, offering a sanctuary under the moon’s pale light.Sitting there, Estella sighed heavily. “They have no shame,” she muttered to herself, her mind replaying Brett’s words.How could they betray her like that? Her regret swelled, a bitter taste in her mouth. If only she had destroyed all her research before - perhaps then this wouldn’t have happened.As Elena noticed Estella sitting outside, her concern deepened. Estella’s usually composed demeanor was replaced by a troubled expression, clear evidence that something was amiss. Earlier, when Estella had returned from her shop, Elena had sensed that something was troubling her.Elena briefly went into the kitchen and returned carrying two steaming cups of mi
The next morning dawned with a sense of purpose as Estella, accompanied by Devon, made her way to the shop. Elena had other commitments that day, leaving Estella with the responsibility of tending to the shop with Devon following her.As they entered the herbal shop, Estella turned to her son with a tender smile. “Darling, I’ll be at the back processing some herbs. If a customer comes in, just call me, alright?” she instructed, her voice filled with warmth.Devon nodded, his expression was serious yet reassuring. “Don’t worry, Mama. I’ve got it,” he assured her, a hint of pride in his tone.Estella leaned down, pressing a soft kiss on Devon’s forehead. “Thank you, sweetheart,” she murmured.With that, Estella retreated to the back of the shop, her mind focused on the task at hand. She knew that if she was to seek vengeance and confront the Erylis family, meticulous preparation was key.In the secluded work area, surrounded by shelves laden with dried herbs and vials of potent elixirs,
The rhythmic clang of the bell chimed as Brett lumbered out of the shop. Estella watched him disappear down the dusty street, a wry smile playing on her lips.Turning, she saw Devon standing in the doorway with his brow furrowed. Unlike most children his age, his expression at this moment wasn’t one of childish curiosity, but something deeper which surprised Estella.“Mama,” he began, his voice surprisingly deep and serious for someone so small, “are you sure about that man, Mr. Marrock? He seems suspicious.”Estella knelt before him, her warm smile a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within. She knew that Devon was a smart and perceptive child however, she did not realize that it was to this extent.“He’s not the most pleasant fellow, that’s for sure,” she admitted, choosing her words carefully. “But sometimes, Devon, you need to work with… undesirable ingredients to create the perfect pill.”Devon’s expression remained serious. Unlike most children who might have pictured bubblin
Brett Marrock trudged along the dirt path leading back to the Vesper Pack territory. His vacation was over, and the brief respite from the grueling demands of his life as a low-rank werewolf in the pack had ended.The Vesper Pack territory loomed ahead, a sprawling expanse of fortified barracks and watchtowers. Brett’s position within the pack was far from prestigious; he was a humble soldier, working tirelessly to prove himself worthy in a world that often overlooked him.As he approached the barracks, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows, his presence both comforting and exasperating.“Brett! My friend! Back from your grand vacation?” Lucian Grum’s voice was a warm blend of sarcasm and genuine delight. Lucian was also a low-ranked soldier, but what he lacked in rank, he made up for in his vast knowledge of the pack’s intricate social web.Brett’s face broke into a tired smile. “Lucian, it’s been a while,” he said, his tone light despite the fatigue weighing him down.Lucian ch
Estella carefully packed her bag, her skilled hands selecting and arranging various vials, jars, and bundles of tools with precision. As she tightened the straps on her bag, a small figure appeared at the doorway. Devon stood there with a curious gleam in his eyes.“Where are you going, Mama?” Devon asked, his voice sweet and innocent.Estella looked up and smiled at her son. “I’m going to the forest nearby to gather some ingredients.”Devon’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Can I go with you, Mama? Please?”Estella hesitated, her protective instincts flaring. The forest, though beautiful and bountiful, was also filled with hidden dangers. She didn’t want to expose Devon to any risk. “I don’t know, Devon. The forest can be a dangerous place, you see.”Sensing her reluctance, Devon’s expression shifted into an irresistible pout. He widened his big, doe-like eyes and jutted out his lower lip, looking up at her with an expression of pure innocence. “I promise I’ll behave, Mama. Please let