Naomi returned to Blackclaw late in the afternoon, eight days after leaving for Redridge.
The drive had been tiring, and all she wanted was a shower, something to eat, and a quiet evening. When the car stopped outside the main house, she collected her bags and headed inside.
Grace came out of the hallway as soon as she heard the door. "Madam! You’re back."
"Yes, Grace. How have things been?"
"Everything is fine, Madam." Grace reached for one of Naomi’s bags. "Let me help you with this."
Naomi handed it to her, and they walked toward the stairs together.
"How was Redridge?" Grace asked.
"The assignment went well. Their senior healer returned, so I was able to come home today."
"That’s good to hear, Madam." Grace adjusted the bag in her hand before speaking again. "A few things have changed here while you were away."
Naomi glanced at her. "Such as?"
"Miss Serena has been spending a lot of time with the former Luna. They’ve been handling pack activity arrangements together. She has also been receiving visitors who want to discuss upcoming events."
Naomi took that in without interrupting. "Is Alpha Kaidan aware of all this?"
"I believe so, Madam. Miss Serena has been working closely with the family."
"All right. Thank you for letting me know."
Grace looked as though she wanted to say more, but Naomi had already reached her room. She set her handbag on the bed and began unpacking, putting her clothes in the wardrobe and the Redridge documents in a drawer.
Eight days had been enough to settle into another routine, work with people who treated her professionally, and make decisions without waiting for her husband’s permission. Coming home did not mean going back to the way things used to be.
After changing her clothes, she went downstairs to get something to eat.
She had barely reached the dining area when she heard voices coming from the adjoining sitting room.
Christine was there with Serena, reviewing a folder of documents spread across the coffee table.
Naomi would have continued past them, but Christine noticed her. "Naomi. You’re back."
"Yes, ma’am. I arrived a little while ago."
"How was your assignment?"
"It went well. I learned a few things from their team, and the work was completed as planned."
Christine nodded. "Good. It is useful for healers to gain experience outside their own pack."
"Thank you."
Serena closed the folder she’d been reading and smiled at Naomi. "Welcome home. I hope you enjoyed your time in Redridge."
"It was a work assignment," Naomi replied calmly.
"And it went well."
"Of course. I only meant that a change of environment can be refreshing."
Naomi gave a brief nod. She had no interest in turning a simple greeting into a discussion about what she had or had not enjoyed.
Christine picked up the folder again. "Serena has been helping me with some of the arrangements for the next pack gathering," she explained. "There are several details to settle, and I thought it would be useful to have her assistance."
"That makes sense," Naomi said.
She knew Christine had continued to exercise influence in pack affairs after stepping down as Luna.
Serena helping with the arrangements was nothing Naomi needed to challenge.
Still, she noticed how easily the two women worked together. Serena had a document ready whenever Christine asked for one, and Christine spoke to her with an ease that was becoming routine.
Naomi did not comment on it. "I’ll leave you to your work," she said. "I came down to get something to eat."
"Go ahead," Christine replied.
Naomi continued into the dining area. Grace had prepared a plate, and Naomi sat down to eat. She was halfway through when Alpha Kaidan entered.
He had just returned from the training grounds, still dressed in his dark training shirt. He paused when he saw her at the table.
"You’re back."
Naomi looked up. "Yes, Alpha Kaidan."
"When did you arrive?"
"Less than an hour ago."
Alpha Kaidan pulled out a chair opposite her. "How was Redridge?"
"The assignment went well."
"I received the report about your work there."
"Then you already know how it went."
His jaw tightened slightly at the answer, but he did not challenge her. "I called you several times, but you didn’t pick up."
Naomi continued eating. "I was busy and refused to be distracted."
Alpha Kaidan stared at her. "You refused to be distracted?"
"Yes. I had work to do, Alpha Kaidan, and I wanted to concentrate on it."
"You could have returned my calls when you were done."
"I could have, but I chose not to."
His expression hardened. "You couldn’t spare a few minutes to speak to your husband?"
Naomi put down her fork and met his gaze. "Was there an emergency?"
"That’s not the point."
"Then what is the point, Alpha Kaidan? You called, I was occupied, and I didn’t answer. I don’t understand why this has to become an argument."
He drew a slow breath, visibly holding back his frustration. "I also wanted to ask about the extension," he said. "You agreed to stay longer without discussing it with me."
"Their senior healer needed a few more days before returning to full duties. They asked whether I could extend the assignment, and I agreed."
"You could have informed me."
"I could have," Naomi replied. "But the request was made to me, the work fell within my responsibilities, and I was free to accept it."
Alpha Kaidan studied her face. "You’re still my wife, Naomi."
"And I am also a qualified healer, Alpha Kaidan. The assignment concerned my work."
The words were not spoken angrily. That made them harder to dismiss.
Alpha Kaidan leaned back in his chair. "I’m not saying you shouldn’t have gone."
"I know."
"Then why does every conversation between us have to feel like this?"
Naomi put down her fork. "Like what?"
"Like you’re waiting for me to say something wrong."
"I’m not waiting for anything. I’m answering your questions."
He looked away. He was clearly unhappy with the conversation but unable to find a reply that wouldn’t make things worse.
Naomi returned to her meal. After a moment, Alpha Kaidan stood. "Get some rest. We can talk later."
"All right, Alpha Kaidan." He left the dining area without another word.
Naomi finished eating and returned upstairs. She had no intention of pursuing the conversation or explaining herself further. She had made her decision about Redridge, and the assignment was over. There was nothing left to argue about.
Downstairs, Alpha Kaidan crossed the sitting room on his way toward the main staircase. Christine was still there with Serena, the documents now arranged into separate piles.
"Alpha Kaidan," Christine called. "I need a few minutes with you when you’re free. There’s something concerning the council that should be settled soon."
He stopped. "What about the council?"
Christine glanced at Serena, then answered.
"Several members have been asking questions about the future of the Luna position. I think it would be better to address the matter formally than allow it to remain an ongoing subject of private discussion."
Alpha Kaidan’s expression hardened. "Who has been asking?"
"Some senior members. I will give you the details when we speak."
"Why am I only hearing about this now?"
"Because I wanted to understand what was being proposed before bringing it to you."
That answer did not satisfy him, but Christine had already gathered the documents from the table.
"We should arrange a council meeting," she said. "It would allow everyone to state their position openly."
Alpha Kaidan looked from his mother to Serena.
Serena remained composed, her hands folded over the folder she had been holding. She didn’t offer an opinion or urge him to agree. She had learned that pushing too hard made Alpha Kaidan defensive, especially where Naomi was concerned.
"How soon?" he asked.
"After Naomi has had time to settle back in," Christine replied. "There is no reason to rush the arrangements, but we should not leave the matter unresolved indefinitely."
Alpha Kaidan considered it, then gave a short nod.
"Send me the proposed date once you have it."
"I will."
He continued upstairs, but the thought of a formal council meeting followed him
For months, questions about his marriage had circulated in conversations. Now his mother said senior council members wanted to discuss the Luna position openly. Whatever their intentions, the meeting would force the issue into a room where he could no longer control who raised it or what they said.
In her room, Naomi had just finished arranging the last of her belongings when a message arrived from the healer quarters confirming her return to duty the next morning.
She replied that she would be there on time, then placed her phone on the bedside table.
She had work in the morning and a council meeting to face whenever it was called. For tonight, she intended to rest.
Neither she nor Alpha Kaidan knew exactly what Christine had already set in motion.
But the question of who should stand beside the Alpha was no longer staying behind closed doors.