John entered Alpha Kaidan’s office shortly after breakfast carrying a sealed envelope.
"Sir."
Alpha Kaidan looked up from the documents on his desk. "What is it?"
John placed the envelope before him. "This came from Redridge Pack."
Alpha Kaidan opened it and read the letter. The request was from Redridge’s Alpha. Their senior healer would be away for several days attending a medical conference, and they needed someone experienced to assist at their healer’s quarters during that period. After hearing positive reports about Madam Naomi’s work in Blackclaw, they specifically requested her. The assignment would last five days.
Transportation and accommodation would be provided, and Redridge Pack would compensate Naomi directly for the work.
Alpha Kaidan reread the letter and set it down. "They want Naomi."
"Yes, Sir."
"For five days."
"Yes."
Alpha Kaidan leaned back in his chair. "She hasn’t been told yet?"
"Not by us, Sir. The person who brought the request also went to the healer’s quarters to give Madam Naomi a copy."
Alpha Kaidan nodded. "Good."
He looked over the letter again. "When do they need a response?"
"Today, Sir."
Alpha Kaidan nodded. "Let them know they will receive a response before the close of business."
"Yes, Sir."
John gathered the remaining documents. "I’ll inform them."
"Do that."
John left the office.
Alpha Kaidan remained at his desk, the letter still in front of him. He wasn’t against the assignment. Naomi had worked hard to establish herself as a healer, and spending a few days assisting another pack could be useful for her experience.
He assumed Naomi would come to him once she had considered the offer.
For four years, whenever something involved her life outside the ordinary routine, Alpha Kaidan had been involved in the decision. It seemed natural to him that this would be no different.
He returned to his work. He had no idea how wrong that assumption would prove to be.
At the healer’s quarters, Naomi received the same request later that morning.
The Redridge representative placed the document before her.
"Madam Naomi, my Alpha asked that I give you this personally."
Naomi opened the letter and read it carefully. Naomi looked at the document, surprised. She had not expected a request from another pack, let alone one asking for her name
"You’re requesting five days?"
"Yes, Madam."
"When would I leave?"
"Tomorrow morning, if you accept."
Naomi looked over the details again. Everything had been arranged. The accommodation was close to the healer’s quarters. Transportation would be waiting for her at the pack border. The work would involve assisting with regular patients and helping the remaining healers manage the increased workload.
It was exactly the kind of experience Naomi wanted.
She picked up the pen that had been placed beside the letter.
"I accept."
The representative smiled. "I’ll let the Alpha know."
Naomi signed the acceptance form. "Tell them I’ll be ready tomorrow morning."
"Of course, Madam."
The representative collected the signed document and left.
Naomi returned to her desk. She didn’t wait for the Alpha’s permission. She didn’t wait for his approval.
There was nothing left to discuss.
The job had been offered to her and she had accepted it.
Naomi finished her work earlier than usual that afternoon and went home.
Grace was in the sitting room when she entered.
"Madam."
"Grace."
"You’re home early."
"I have to leave tomorrow morning."
Grace looked surprised. "Leave?"
"Yes. I’m going to Redridge Pack for five days. They need a healer while their senior healer is away."
Grace nodded slowly. "Will you need help packing?"
"I’ve already started."
Naomi carried her small bag upstairs. She didn’t need much. Five days was short enough to travel light
She packed clothes suitable for work, comfortable evening wear, toiletries and her medical notebook. She checked the letter from Redridge one more time to confirm she had the address and contact information.
Everything was ready before evening. Grace came upstairs with a cup of tea.
"Madam, should I tell Alpha Kaidan?"
Naomi looked up from the bag. "He already knows about the request."
Grace paused. "He knows?"
"Yes."
"Then should I tell him you’re leaving tomorrow?"
Naomi zipped the bag. "You can tell him I’m leaving. I don’t have anything to hide."
Grace nodded. "All right."
Naomi carried her bag and left. She wasn’t trying to keep the trip secret.
She wasn’t going to turn a professional opportunity into another request for permission.
Alpha Kaidan returned to the pack house that evening. He walked into the dining room and found Grace arranging the table.
"Good evening, Alpha."
"Good evening, Grace."
Alpha Kaidan glanced around. "Where is Naomi?"
"She came home earlier."
"She did?"
"Yes, Alpha."
Alpha Kaidan removed his jacket. "Is she upstairs?"
Grace hesitated. "No, Alpha. She left."
Alpha Kaidan looked at her. "Left where?"
"Redridge Pack."
His expression changed. "What?"
Grace remained calm. "She said she would be gone for five days."
Alpha Kaidan stared at her. "She left today?"
"Yes, Alpha."
"When?"
"Earlier this afternoon."
Alpha Kaidan looked toward the entrance as though Naomi might somehow walk through it.
"She went to Redridge?"
"Yes."
Alpha Kaidan’s face hardened slightly. "And she left without telling me."
Grace didn’t answer immediately. "She told me to let you know that she would be away for five days."
Alpha Kaidan looked at her. "That’s all?"
"Yes, Alpha."
He walked toward the table but didn’t sit.
Alpha Kaidan had known about the request. He had expected Naomi to come to him after accepting it.
He had expected her to tell him when she was leaving.
Instead, Naomi had accepted the assignment, signed the papers, arranged her trip, packed her belongings and left.
"She didn’t think she needed to inform me."
Grace lowered her eyes.
"I don’t know, Alpha."
Alpha Kaidan’s jaw tightened.
He wasn’t angry that Naomi had accepted the job.
He couldn’t be.
But the fact that Naomi had gone without him being involved bothered him far more than the length of the trip.
For four years, Alpha Kaidan had been accustomed to knowing what Naomi was doing.
Now she had made a decision and moved on.
And there was nothing in the contract that required her to ask permission to work elsewhere.
That realisation made the situation even more uncomfortable.
He took out his phone and called Naomi.
The call failed to connect.
He tried again.
Nothing.
Alpha Kaidan stared at the screen, then tried a third time
Still nothing.
He lowered the phone, then called again.
The same result.
"Her phone isn’t connecting," Alpha Kaidan said quietly.
Grace didn’t know what to say.
Alpha Kaidan tried once more. The call ended without connecting.
He was about to try again when, Serena entered the room holding a folder.
She smiled when she saw him. "Alpha Kaidan."
Alpha Kaidan looked up from his phone.
"I wanted to discuss the arrangements for the gathering."
Alpha Kaidan nodded toward the chair.
"Sit."
Serena did, placing the folder on the table. "I spoke with the staff this afternoon. There are a few changes we need to make to the family arrangements."
Alpha Kaidan listened as she went over the seating, guest list, and timing. But Serena noticed quickly that his attention wasn’t completely on the conversation.
She stopped. "Is everything all right?"
Alpha Kaidan leaned back. "Naomi left today."
Serena’s expression showed mild surprise.
"Left?" "To where?"
"She accepted the healer assignment in Redridge."
"Oh."
Serena’s voice remained soft. "She went without telling you?"
Alpha Kaidan looked at her. "Yes."
Serena lowered her gaze for a moment before looking back at him. "Maybe she’s trying to have some freedom."
Alpha Kaidan frowned. "She could have told me."
"She probably knew you were aware of the request."
"I was."
"Then perhaps she didn’t think she needed to ask you."
Alpha Kaidan didn’t answer.
Serena smiled gently. "Don’t worry about it."
Alpha Kaidan looked at her.
"If she’s trying to have the freedom she wants, maybe you should give it to her."
Her words sounded reasonable and supportive but Serena knew exactly what she was doing.
She wasn’t going to encourage Alpha Kaidan to chase Naomi that would only make Naomi feel more important to him instead Serena wanted Alpha Kaidan to believe that giving Naomi space was the mature thing to do.
Alpha Kaidan looked down at the gathering’s documents. "She’ll be gone for five days."
"Then let her work."
Serena opened the folder again. "Now, about the gathering..."
Alpha Kaidan nodded. "Show me what you’ve changed."
Serena smiled. She began explaining the arrangements and while Alpha Kaidan listened, Serena quietly noted the change in him.
Naomi had left. Alpha Kaidan was unsettled.
And Serena had been the person he chose to speak to about it.