Naomi arrived at the Redridge medical facility early the next morning.
She had just finished reviewing yesterday’s patient records when a medical assistant hurried in.
"Healer Naomi."
Naomi looked up. "Yes?"
"We have an emergency."
Naomi immediately stood. "What happened?"
"A young woman was brought in a few minutes ago. She’s having difficulty breathing, and her face is swelling."
Naomi picked up her medical bag. "Take me to her."
The assistant led her quickly to one of the treatment rooms.
A young woman was sitting on the examination bed, struggling to breathe. Her lips and face were visibly swollen. One of the Redridge healers was already beside her, trying to determine what had happened.
"How long has she been like this?" Naomi asked.
"About ten minutes," a family member answered. "She was fine before she ate."
Naomi moved closer to the patient. "What did you eat?"
The woman tried to answer but struggled to speak.
Naomi looked at the family member. "What did she have?"
"She ate at a restaurant nearby. She started complaining about her throat shortly afterwards."
Naomi examined the swelling and listened carefully to the patient’s breathing. "Has this happened before?"
"No."
Naomi turned to the medical assistant. "Prepare the emergency medication." The assistant immediately moved.
"Check her blood pressure and oxygen level."
The other healer began taking the readings.
Naomi stayed beside the patient, monitoring her condition while the medical team worked.
"Stay calm," Naomi told her. "We’re going to help you."
The patient’s breathing became more difficult.
Naomi looked at the readings. "Her blood pressure is dropping."
The room became more active. "Get the emergency kit."
The assistant brought it immediately. Naomi administered the required treatment and continued monitoring the patient closely. "Keep her upright."
The other healer adjusted the patient’s position.
Naomi checked her breathing again. "Stay with her."
"Yes, Madam."
Several tense minutes passed before the patient’s breathing began to improve. The swelling around her face was still visible, but it was no longer increasing.
Naomi checked her blood pressure again. "It came down." The healer beside her released a quiet breath.
Naomi didn’t relax yet.
"Keep monitoring her. The reaction could return."
"Yes, Madam."
The patient’s family member stepped closer. "Is she going to be all right?"
"She responded well to the treatment," Naomi said. "But she needs to remain here under observation for a while."
The woman nodded quickly. "Thank you."
Naomi nodded and turned back to the patient.
She remained with her until the patient’s condition was stable enough for the other healers to take over.
Naomi had barely stepped out of the treatment room when a Redridge healer caught up with her.
"That was impressive."
Naomi looked at her. "What was?"
"You took control of the situation immediately."
"There wasn’t time to stand around."
The healer smiled. "Exactly."
Naomi removed her gloves. "She’s stable now. Just keep monitoring her and make sure she doesn’t eat anything else until we know what triggered the reaction." "We will."
Naomi nodded and returned to the main treatment area.
The emergency had taken up most of the morning, but the day wasn’t slowing down.
Patients continued arriving.
Naomi bandaged a young warrior’s hand, examined an elderly pack member complaining of weakness, and helped another healer with a patient who needed observation.
By midday, she had barely left her desk.
The healer who had worked beside her during the emergency eventually sat down across from her.
"You’ve only been here two days."
Naomi smiled. "Is that a complaint?"
"Not at all."
The healer laughed. "I’m beginning to understand why Blackclaw recommended you."
Naomi looked up from the patient file. "They recommended me?"
"Of course."
"I thought the request was simply because your senior healer was away."
"That was the reason we needed someone. It wasn’t the reason we chose you."
Naomi looked at her, surprised. The healer continued. "We asked around before sending the request. Your name came up several times."
Naomi lowered her eyes to the file again. "I didn’t know."
"You weren’t supposed to. You were just supposed to show up and do your job."
Naomi smiled. "Well, I’m doing it."
"And doing it very well."
Naomi shook her head lightly. "You’re making me uncomfortable."
The healer laughed. "Get used to it."
During her break, she stepped outside with a cup of water.
Administrative buildings ringed the medical facility, and vehicles moved through the compound all day. A few pack members passed, nodding politely.
Naomi returned their greetings before going back inside.
She had only been away from Blackclaw for two days, but the difference was already noticeable.
At Blackclaw, every part of her life seemed connected to Alpha Kaidan in some way.
By the afternoon, Naomi was reviewing patient reports when the door opened.
A man in a dark suit entered the medical facility.
A staff member rose at once.
"Alpha."
Naomi looked up. The man nodded to the staff before looking toward her.
"Madam Naomi?"
"Yes."
"I’ve heard you’ve had a busy first two days."
Naomi stood. "I’ve been working."
He smiled.
"I am Alpha Marcus of Redridge."
Naomi returned the greeting respectfully. "It is nice to meet you, Alpha."
"I wanted to thank you personally for coming."
"You’re welcome."
"Our medical staff have already spoken highly of you."
Naomi glanced toward the other healers. "They’re very kind."
Alpha Marcus smiled. "They’re not usually that generous with compliments."
The healer nearest Naomi laughed. "She’s earned them."
Naomi shook her head slightly. "I’ve only been here two days."
"And you’ve already made an impression."
Alpha Marcus looked toward the patient files on the desk. "I heard about what happened this morning."
Naomi understood immediately. "The patient is stable."
"I was told."
"She’ll need to remain under observation."
"I’ll make sure the medical team follows up."
Naomi nodded. Alpha Marcus looked at the healers.
"They’ve already told me you handled the situation well."
Naomi gave a small smile. "I was doing my job."
"I know."
He looked at her for a moment. "That is exactly why I wanted to thank you."
Naomi didn’t know what to say to that, so she nodded. Alpha Marcus continued. "Our senior healer is away for only five days, but we’ve already seen the difference your presence has made."
Naomi glanced around the facility. "I’m glad I could help."
"I hope you won’t mind if I ask you something."
"Of course."
"If Redridge needs temporary medical support again in the future, would you be willing to return?"
Naomi was slightly surprised. She hadn’t expected the question so soon. "I would consider it."
Alpha Marcus smiled. "That’s enough for me."
He handed her a card. "Give this to the administrative office before you leave. They will make sure you have my direct contact."
Naomi accepted it. "Thank you."
He nodded before leaving. The healer beside Naomi waited until he was gone. "You realise what just happened?"
Naomi looked at the card. "What?"
"You’ve been here two days and the Alpha is already asking you to come back."
Naomi smiled. "I still have three days left."
"Exactly."
Naomi laughed quietly and returned to her work.
But the offer stayed in the back of her mind.
It was simply good to know that her work could take her beyond Blackclaw.
At Blackclaw, Alpha Kaidan was on his phone when John entered.
"Sir."
Alpha Kaidan looked up. "What is it?"
"An update from Redridge."
Alpha Kaidan held out his hand. John passed him the report. "They sent their first assessment of Madam Naomi’s work."
Alpha Kaidan opened the document. His eyes moved down the page. Naomi had handled several routine cases. She had assisted with an emergency.
She had been praised for her judgment.
The Redridge medical staff had also recommended that she be considered for future temporary assignments.
Alpha Kaidan read that section twice. "They want her back?"
John nodded. "That is what they’ve indicated."
Alpha Kaidan looked down at the report again. "She has only been there two days."
"Yes, Sir."
"And they’re already asking her to return?"
"Yes, Sir."
Alpha Kaidan closed the report. "She seems to be doing well."
"She is."
John sat opposite the desk."Their senior staff specifically mentioned her ability to handle emergencies without needing constant supervision."
Alpha Kaidan nodded. "That’s good of her."
John looked at him. "You sound proud."
Alpha Kaidan glanced up. "I am."
The answer came so naturally that Alpha Kaidan didn’t seem to notice it. John did, but he didn’t comment.
Alpha Kaidan looked at the report again. "Make sure Redridge knows there won’t be any problem if they need her again."
John paused. "You’re approving future assignments?"
Alpha Kaidan shook his head. "No. I’m saying Blackclaw won’t create unnecessary difficulties for her work."
John gave a small nod. "Understood."
He gathered the remaining documents. "I’ll let them know."
"Do that."
John stood and walked toward the door. When the door closed, Alpha Kaidan remained alone in his office. His phone sat beside the report. He picked it up
Naomi’s name was still there. He didn’t call.
Instead, he opened the message screen and stared at it for several seconds before locking the phone again.
Across the room, the Redridge report remained on his desk.
For the first time, Alpha Kaidan was seeing something he had never paid enough attention to.
Naomi’s life did not stop at Blackclaw and apparently, neither did her future.