Alpha Kaidan returned home later than usual, his mind still occupied by John’s report. The information had unsettled him more than he cared to admit, but he had no intention of discussing it with anyone in the household.
As he entered, Grace approached to greet him.
"Good evening, Alpha."
"Where is my wife?"
"Madam is in her room."
Alpha Kaidan glanced toward the staircase. "Please tell her I’d like her to join me for dinner."
"Of course, Alpha."
Grace went upstairs while Alpha Kaidan headed to the dining room. He loosened his collar and took his seat, but his attention remained elsewhere.
A few minutes later, Naomi appeared. She wore a simple house dress, her hair neatly arranged. She greeted him with a brief nod before taking the seat opposite him.
"Good evening," she said.
"Good evening."
The staff served their meal and withdrew, leaving them both alone.
Naomi began eating without attempting to start a conversation. Alpha Kaidan watched her across the table, noticing how naturally she continued with her evening. She no longer seemed interested in filling the silence between them or finding something to say merely because they were sharing a meal.
He picked up his cutlery but barely ate. Naomi noticed his attention for a moment, then returned to her food.
"Is something wrong?" she asked eventually.
"No."
She gave a small nod and continued eating.
Alpha Kaidan wanted to ask about her day, her patients, and the work she had taken on at the healer quarters. Yet the questions remained in his mind. He had spent years knowing the details of Serena’s concerns while overlooking the ordinary parts of his wife’s life. Now, even a simple conversation with Naomi felt unfamiliar.
He couldn’t decide whether to speak or leave her in peace.
Naomi finished her meal, dabbed her mouth with her napkin, and stood.
"Thank you for dinner. Please excuse me."
Alpha Kaidan looked up. "You’re leaving already?"
"I’ve finished eating."
She didn’t sound angry. That somehow made the distance between them more difficult to bear.
"All right," he replied.
Naomi left the dining room without looking back.
Alpha Kaidan remained at the table long after the staff had cleared the dishes. He had asked her to join him because he wanted her company, but he hadn’t known how to make her feel welcome in it. He had expected her presence to be enough to ease the uneasiness in his mind. It wasn’t.
He eventually went upstairs, but he didn’t knock on Naomi’s door.
The following morning, Alpha Kaidan visited his mother’s section of the house.
Christine was having breakfast when he arrived. She looked up in surprise, then gestured for him to sit.
"You’re here early," she remarked.
"I wanted to ask you something."
Christine set down her cup. "What is it?"
Alpha Kaidan sat opposite her. "Do you still believe Serena’s story about being kidnapped?"
Christine’s expression changed immediately.
"Of course I do. Why would I doubt her?" she replied.
"She was gone for four years, Alpha Kaidan.
Whatever happened to her during that time, she has already suffered enough. I don’t see any reason to question her account without proof."
He studied his mother. Her confidence was as firm as ever. "You don’t think there could be more to what happened?"
"More to what?" Christine asked. "She returned after years away, and now you want to question her story? She’s been through enough without us making her defend herself at every turn."
Alpha Kaidan’s jaw tightened slightly. Christine leaned forward, studying him more carefully.
"Why are you asking me this? Has something happened? Is there something I need to know?"
"No," he answered.
The response came too quickly, and Christine noticed.
"Then why bring it up?"
"I was curious about what you thought."
Christine watched him for another moment, unconvinced, but Alpha Kaidan offered no further explanation. He had no intention of telling her about John’s investigation until he understood the full extent of Serena’s deception.
"If that’s all, I have work to attend to," he said, rising.
"Son," Christine called after him. "Whatever doubts you may have, don’t forget what Serena means to this family."
He paused at the doorway. "What she means?," I keep that in mind, Mother."
He left before she could continue. As he walked away, Christine’s words followed him. She still believed Serena without hesitation, just as he once had. He couldn’t tell her the truth yet—not when he was still trying to understand how much of Serena’s story had been a lie.
Naomi’s morning at the healer quarters began before the waiting area became crowded.
Healer Evelyn had already informed her about the additional duties she would need to cover while the other healer was away. Naomi reviewed the schedule, checked the available supplies, and organised the patients according to the urgency of their needs.
There was little time to dwell on anything outside her work.
By midday, Naomi had worked through most of the morning’s appointments.
Healer Evelyn stopped beside her desk to review the schedule.
"You’ve handled the additional patients well," Evelyn said. "The transition seems to be going smoothly."
"I’m doing my best to keep everything organised."
"And it shows. If the workload becomes too much, tell me before it starts affecting your patients."
"I will."
Evelyn gave her an approving nod and returned to her own duties.
By the time Naomi finished reviewing the schedule, Healer Evelyn had left for the day. Naomi gathered her belongings and checked that the records she had been using were returned to their proper place.
As she stepped outside, she noticed a message on her phone from Grace.
Grace: Madam, Alpha has asked whether you will be joining him for dinner tonight.
Naomi stared at the message for a moment before typing her reply.
Naomi: Please tell him he shouldn’t wait for me. I’ll eat when I get home.
Naomi slipped her phone into her bag and left the healer’s quarters. She had no intention of promising Alpha Kaidan her company simply because he had started asking for it.