CHAPTER 434: IT’S ABOUT BELIEVING

Evaline:

"Alpha," Elder Ren said softly, glancing at him.

Kieran gave a small, wordless nod, as if he already understood.

Before I could ask what was happening, Elder Ren turned... and in one swift motion, he drew a small dagger and sliced it across Kieran’s palm.

The sound of steel meeting skin made my heart stop.

"Kieran!" I gasped, rushing forward as blood welled up from his palm, dark and thick.

He didn’t flinch. Didn’t even make a sound. He just stood there, eyes locked on mine, calm even as crimson dripped down his hand.

Panic surged through me. "What are you doing?!"

I grabbed his injured hand, my breath shaking, and instinctively pressed both my palms over the wound. The moment I did, the familiar warmth exploded beneath my skin - pure, powerful, unstoppable.

Light shimmered between my fingers, and within seconds, the wound sealed completely. The blood vanished, leaving behind smooth, unbroken skin.

I stared, breathing hard.

Then realization hit me. I turned on Elder Ren, anger flaring hot in my chest. "You hurt him!" I snapped, stepping protectively in front of Kieran. "You-"

"Think," Elder Ren interrupted calmly, raising a wrinkled hand. "What were you thinking when you tried to heal the boy? And what were you thinking just now?"

I froze, his words slicing through my anger like a blade through silk.

"When you healed the boy," he continued gently, "you wanted to help him, but you doubted yourself. You hesitated. But when Alpha Kieran was hurt, there was no hesitation. No fear. Your will to heal him overpowered everything else... even your distrust in your own power."

He smiled faintly. "That’s why it worked."

My mouth opened, but no words came.

He was right. I hadn’t even thought when I saw Kieran bleed. I just reacted, driven by pure instinct, pure need to take away his pain. There had been no space for doubt. No room for failure.

My throat tightened.

Elder Ren’s smile turned softer. "A healer’s power is as much heart as it is ability, child. You can’t separate them."

I still stood protectively in front of Kieran, my body half-shielding him as I glared at the dagger in Elder Ren’s hand. "Still, don’t ever do that again," I said, my voice trembling between fear and frustration. "You could have hurt him seriously!"

Elder Ren’s eyes crinkled at the corners, and even Kieran’s lips twitched slightly at my defensive stance.

"I apologize," Elder Ren said sincerely, bowing his head slightly. "I promise I won’t cross that line again."

Only then did I exhale, realizing how tightly I had been gripping Kieran’s arm.

When I finally stepped back, Kieran’s gaze softened as he looked at me - something unreadable flickering in those golden-green eyes.

He didn’t say anything. But he didn’t need to.

Because I could feel see all his emotions in his eyes. He wasn’t innocent either. He was a partner-in-crime in Elder Ren’s plan.

I just stared at him, letting him know just how unimpressed I was with his stunt. I appreciated his efforts in helping me learn about my power, but I would prefer it if he stopped hurting himself for it.

After a while, the tension began to ease. Elder Ren placed the dagger back on the counter.

"Come," Elder Ren said, motioning toward the back door again. "We have people waiting. Let’s try again... with a clearer heart this time."

I hesitated, glancing once at Kieran. He gave me a small, reassuring nod, and that was all I needed. My pulse steadied, my palms stopped trembling, and I followed Elder Ren outside.

The villagers were still gathered in the yard, whispering among themselves. Some turned expectantly when they saw us return. Yao was chasing a chicken now, his laughter light and innocent, completely healed.

The sight made me smile despite the lingering embarrassment.

Elder Ren clapped his hands together, drawing everyone’s attention. "Alright, my apprentice is ready to continue," he announced cheerfully. "Let’s show her a little faith, shall we?"

A few villagers chuckled good-naturedly, though I still felt their curiosity and quiet skepticism.

He led me to a middle-aged woman sitting on a bench near the fence. Her arm was wrapped in a worn piece of cloth that was soaked with blood at one end. "She cut herself while chopping firewood," Elder Ren explained softly. "It’s not deep, but she’s in pain."

I knelt beside her and gently unwrapped the cloth. The gash wasn’t huge, but deep enough to make my chest tighten again. My fingers hovered above her arm as I closed my eyes.

No doubt, I told myself. Just trust. Believe.

I took a deep breath and let my power rise - not forcing it this time, just letting it flow. The warmth came more easily now, rippling through my hands in soft, steady waves.

I focused on her pain, her injury, the steady pulse of her heartbeat beneath my palms.

And then... the familiar glow appeared.

Golden light spread from my fingers, soft but sure, wrapping around the wound like liquid sunlight. The woman gasped softly, her body trembling slightly as the torn skin began to knit together right before our eyes.

When the light faded, the wound was gone.

Completely gone.

The woman blinked, then flexed her arm with disbelief written all over her face. "By the spirits..." she whispered, her voice shaking. "The pain... it’s gone!"

The villagers began murmuring excitedly, and I couldn’t help it... the smile that broke across my face was pure relief.

Elder Ren chuckled, his voice brimming with pride. "That’s it. That’s the touch of a true healer."

He motioned to another man, an elderly farmer with a limp. "Let’s see how you handle fatigue and old wounds," he said, his tone turning a bit more testing.

One by one, they came -"the farmer, a young woman with a sprained wrist, an old grandmother complaining of headaches. Some of their ailments were mild, others required more focus, but with each healing, my confidence grew. My power responded quicker, the warmth spreading deeper each time.

It felt... alive. Like a living thing that had been waiting for me to trust it.

By the time I finished with the last patient, the sun had begun to dip below the mountains, painting the yard in warm hues of orange and gold. The villagers were all smiling now, bowing or thanking me before heading back down the path.

Elder Ren stood beside me, hands folded behind his back, that knowing smile never leaving his face. "You see the difference now?" he asked quietly.

I nodded, feeling tired but still smiling. "It’s not about power," I murmured. "It’s about... believing."

"Exactly," he said, eyes twinkling. "A healer’s gift doesn’t obey fear or pride. It listens to the heart. You have both the gift and the heart, child. Never forget that."

Before I could respond, Kieran appeared from the shade of the tree, slow and composed as ever. His expression was calm, but his eyes held something warm, almost proud.

"You did so well," he said softly.

I felt my cheeks heat up as I wiped a bit of sweat from my forehead. "Thanks to Elder Ren."

Elder Ren chuckled. "Thanks to yourself, my luna. I only reminded you what you already knew."

I met Kieran’s gaze again, and for a brief second, the world seemed to quiet. The villagers’ chatter faded, the rustle of leaves became a soft hum, and all I could see was the smile tugging at his lips.

That tiny spark of pride shining in his eyes... it was worth every failure earlier.

And somewhere deep inside me, I knew - this wasn’t just about healing anymore. It was about trust. About connection.

Between me... and my power.