Page 99 of Fool Moon First Aid

“No worse than popping an antidepressant, I suppose,” Mia says, throwing one back before passing the bags to Eloise. “Be ready for a slumber party in your bed tonight.”

“Spare blankets are already out!” Eloise beams, nearly tripping over herself to get to her stash of takeout menus. “Ava, what’s your craving?”

“Mexican, like Mama’s,” I say, a wave of homesickness crashing over me. At the mention of my mom’s cooking, Eloise and Mia exchange a look of shared sorrow.

“Your mom’s cooking was legendary.” Eloise hands me the takeout menus, her eyes soft with remembrance.

“I was a fan too,” Mia adds, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Let’s go with Mexican.”

“Thanks,” I say, my voice catching with all the feelings I’ve been holding back. They’ve been my pillars, my steady ground, when everything else seemed to fall apart. I’ve missed this feeling of togetherness and safety. I breathe steadily, brush away a stray tear that dares to escape, and then turn my attention to the menu, ready to be distracted. “P-six, and make it spicy.”

“How many fire emojis are we talking?” Eloise jokes, pen in hand.

“Three.” I manage a laugh, despite the heavy moment. “I’d like to sleep tonight without heartburn.”

“Any kind of tacos for me,” Mia says, her eyes never leaving the paper. “One emoji.”

“Got it,” Eloise sings, already dialing on her phone.

“Sometimes, I worry about her,” Mia whispers, her gaze lingering on Eloise. “She’s just too much of a free spirit.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?” I can’t help but frown, puzzled by where Mia’s heading with this. My eyes go back to Eloise. Sure, she’s a wildcard, but she’s always played it safe.

Mia scoffs, her voice laced with a mix of worry and exasperation. “She’s flirting with danger.”

“It’s her life,” I murmur, a shadow passing over my heart as I think of Eloise and my mom. They share this fierce independence, and even if I had the chance to do it all over again, I wouldn’t dare dictate their choices.

“I get it’s her choice,” Mia admits, her face clouded with concern. “I just—” She pauses, sighing deeply. “I can’t stand the thought of losing her like we lost your mom.”

Eloise strides in then, breaking the tension with a tray of mocktails that glow green. “Hey, no need for all that pessimism,” she says before turning to Mia with a softened expression. “Your worry means a lot.”

“That’s it?” Mia’s frustration bubbles over.

“What should I say? Thank you?” Eloise’s voice lifts, confused and a bit playful. “Let’s not bring Ava’s mom into this with guesses and what-ifs.”

“What are we talking about?” I cut in as I accept one of the mocktails. It’s a blend of peach juice, carbonation, and a splash of cherry—absolutely divine.

“When your mom passed,” Eloise presses on, ignoring Mia’s disapproving glance, “there were whispers.”

“I need details,” I press, the mocktail forgotten in my hand.

Mia turns to me, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I was at the gas station after the funeral, and I overheard a conversation. They didn’t see me, but they mentioned seeing your mom having lunch with Alpha Hughes’ beta.”

I’m speechless, my mind racing to piece together this new information. “Can you say that again?”

“They were talking about your mom living on clan lands,” Eloise chimes in, her voice steady. “Those guys were shifters, Ava.”

“I shifted,” I whisper, the revelation feeling both foreign and eerily fitting. A few days ago, I would have scoffed at such an idea, but now, everything falls into place. Mama was trying to live on clan lands?

“Did you just say—” Mia’s eyes widen in disbelief.

“Shifted.” I nod firmly. “Into a wolf to escape Elijah.”

“That’s…unexpected,” Eloise admits, taking a sip of her drink.

Mia shakes her head. “Yeah, didn’t see that coming. How about you give us the quick version, and we can unpack the details after?”

“Sounds like a plan, because my brain is on a mini vacation this week,” I joke, trying to lighten the mood. I don’t feel lighthearted, far from it. “So here’s CliffsNotes—we’re fated mates, his pack is constantly under attack, and Ethan is lined up to be the next pack alpha. Then there’s the dinner my dad insisted on.” I shoot Mia a pointed look. “You were the one who told me to take off the rose-colored glasses about him, and boy, did I listen,” I say with a mix of gratitude and annoyance.

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