Naomi remained beside Alpha Kaidan’s bed long after he fell asleep again. Healer Evelyn had checked his wound and assured her that he was stable, but he still needed rest and close monitoring.
Christine sat on the other side of the room, unusually quiet. Every so often, she glanced at her son before looking away.
When Healer Evelyn returned, she checked Alpha Kaidan’s condition and adjusted the dressing around his injured arm.
"He needs to rest," she reminded them. "The wound is serious, and we cannot afford to have him straining himself. If he wakes, keep him calm and call me if his pain worsens."
She understood the instructions, but hearing them applied to Alpha Kaidan made it hard to think like a healer rather than a frightened wife.
After Healer Evelyn left, Naomi returned her attention to Alpha Kaidan. His breathing was steady, and the dressing covering his wound remained clean. She adjusted the pillow beneath his head when she noticed he was lying uncomfortably, careful not to disturb his injured arm.
Christine watched her for a moment before looking towards the door. "Has Healer Evelyn said when he might wake properly?" she asked.
"She said he needs rest. She didn’t give a specific time."
Christine nodded and fell silent again. A knock sounded at the door, and John entered. He kept his voice low as he approached them.
"Madam, I wanted to let you know that Serena will be handed over to the appropriate authorities. The arrangements are being made."
"Thank you," Naomi replied. "Please make sure Alpha Kaidan isn’t disturbed while you handle it."
"I will."
John glanced at Alpha Kaidan, then turned to Christine. "The pack’s affairs will be taken care of. Alpha Kaidan has nothing to worry about while he recovers."
Christine thanked him quietly. John then left to attend to the arrangements.
Naomi settled back into her chair. She had no reason to follow the proceedings concerning Serena, and she had no intention of leaving Alpha Kaidan’s side merely to hear news she could receive later.
For the next hour, she remained in the room while Healer Evelyn came in to check Alpha Kaidan’s condition. Each time, Naomi stepped aside so she could work, listening carefully to any instructions she offered.
Eventually, Healer Evelyn turned to Christine.
"You should go home and get some rest. We have everything under control here. You can return tomorrow, and we’ll update you if anything changes."
Christine hesitated. Her gaze moved from her son to Naomi. "Will you be staying here?"
"Yes," Naomi answered.
Christine seemed ready to say something more, but she settled for a quiet, "All right. I’ll return in the morning."
After Christine left, the room became quieter. Naomi was grateful for the silence. She could hear the occasional footsteps in the corridor and the soft movements of the medical staff outside.
Healer Evelyn glanced at Naomi before packing her supplies. "Naomi, you need to take care of yourself too. You’ve been here since the council meeting, and you’re still wearing the same clothes. Go and take a proper bath and change into something comfortable, eat something and you can return afterwards."
Naomi looked down at her outfit, finally noticing how uncomfortable it had become after hours at the medical facility. "I don’t want to leave him alone."
"He won’t be alone. I’ll make sure someone is nearby, and you can call me if anything changes. You need to freshen up and get some rest as well."
Naomi hesitated before agreeing. "I’ll have someone bring them over"
"That would be best. You won’t be able to help him if you exhaust yourself."
She contacted Grace and asked her to bring a change of clothes and food
When Grace arrived, she carried a covered tray and placed it on the small table near the window.
"Madam, I brought something light for you to eat."
"Thank you, Grace."
Grace glanced towards the bed. "How is Alpha Kaidan?"
"He’s stable. He needs rest."
"I’m glad to hear that." Grace hesitated before asking, "Will you need anything else tonight?"
"No, this is enough. You can go home and rest."
Grace nodded and left.
Naomi uncovered the tray and ate slowly. She had barely touched food since the shooting, and she knew she needed to take care of herself. When she finished, she put the tray aside and went to freshen up, taking a proper bath and changing out of the outfit she’d worn to the council meeting.
When she returned, Alpha Kaidan was still resting, and his condition had not changed. Naomi pulled her chair closer to his bed, relieved to be back beside him.
Later that night, Healer Evelyn came back to examine Alpha Kaidan. She checked his dressing, monitored his condition, and made a small adjustment to his medication.
"He’s responding well to the treatment," she told Naomi. "His condition remains stable. I’ll check on him again in the morning, but if you notice any sudden change in his breathing or if he becomes unusually restless, call me immediately."
"I will."
After Healer Evelyn left, Naomi moved the chair a little closer to the bed. She placed her phone on the table beside her and settled in for the night.
The hours passed without any significant change. Alpha Kaidan remained asleep, and Naomi followed the healer’s instructions, calling for assistance whenever she had a concern rather than trying to manage everything herself.
Close to midnight, she stood to stretch her legs and looked out through the window. The pack grounds were quiet, and the lights along the pathways cast faint shadows across the courtyard.
Her phone vibrated on the table. John’s message said the proper authorities had taken Serena into custody.
Naomi read the message, replied okay, and put her phone away.
She returned to her chair beside Alpha Kaidan’s bed, drew the blanket over her own knees, and rested her head against the back of the chair. She remained close enough to call Healer Evelyn if anything changed.
By morning, Healer Evelyn would examine him again. Until then, Naomi stayed beside him and kept watch.