Naomi arrived in the dining room to find Alpha Kaidan already seated. Grace was setting the last dish on the table, and Naomi took her place opposite him after greeting her.
Once Grace had served them and left, they discussed ordinary matters concerning Blackclaw. Alpha Kaidan mentioned repairs underway near the eastern boundary, while Naomi told him Healer Evelyn had been reviewing the healer quarters’ supply records and planning the next month’s schedule.
"Will the schedule be settled soon?" Alpha Kaidan asked.
"Tomorrow, if we don’t have any unexpected changes."
"Is there anything you need from the pack administration?"
"Not at the moment. Why?"
"I have a few pack functions to arrange next week. I’d like to know your availability before confirming the dates."
Naomi put down her fork. "You can send the proposed dates to me once they’re ready. I’ll check them against my schedule."
"That’s fine."
She nodded and continued eating. The exchange was brief, but she appreciated that he had asked before finalising anything.
After dinner, Naomi was preparing to leave the dining room when she remembered the opportunity Healer Evelyn had mentioned earlier that week.
"Healer Evelyn told me about a professional workshop being organised by the regional healers’ association," she said. "It’s next month, and they’re accepting applications from qualified healers."
Alpha Kaidan looked up from his glass. "Are you planning to apply?"
"Yes. The workshop will cover updated treatment methods, emergency response, and other areas of practice. There’ll also be sessions where healers from different territories can exchange knowledge."
"Then you should apply."
Naomi studied him briefly. "The application requires confirmation of my qualifications and a letter verifying my position at the healer quarters."
"I’ll arrange for the necessary letter."
"I can handle the paperwork myself. I only need the letter."
"I understand." He paused before adding, "I’ll ask John to prepare it tomorrow."
"Thank you."
She had expected him to ask whether the workshop was necessary or how long it would take her away from Blackclaw. Instead, he had listened, then offered help with the areas he could handle.
They left the dining room separately. Naomi went upstairs, found the information Healer Evelyn had given her, and reread the application requirements. The deadline was Friday, and she wanted to submit early instead of risking an administrative delay.
The application asked for her qualifications, current position, areas of professional interest, and a brief explanation of what she hoped to gain from the workshop. Naomi opened a notebook and began outlining her response.
She wanted to strengthen her practical knowledge, learn how other territories organised their healing services, and bring useful ideas back to Blackclaw. Her training had given her a solid foundation, but she knew there was more to learn beyond the walls of the healer quarters.
She polished the first draft of her application and set it aside to review with fresh eyes in the morning.
The following day, Naomi arrived at the healer quarters early enough to go through the schedule with Healer Evelyn before the day’s responsibilities began.
"I’ve looked over the dates for next month," Healer Evelyn said, showing her the updated schedule.
"There are two days when we’ll need to adjust the usual arrangement, but we can manage that if we plan."
Naomi checked the dates. "The workshop is scheduled for three days. If my application is accepted, I’ll need those days free."
"Then we’ll account for that now. We shouldn’t wait until the last minute to arrange coverage."
"Thank you. I didn’t want to make assumptions before I knew whether I would be selected."
"Applying doesn’t guarantee you’ll get a place, but there’s no reason to avoid an opportunity simply because you might have to plan around it."
Naomi smiled. "That’s what I thought."
They went through the rest of the schedule and listed what someone else would need to cover if Naomi attended. Healer Evelyn pencilled in the possible adjustments but would finalise nothing until Naomi was selected.
Later that morning, John arrived with the letter Alpha Kaidan had requested. He handed it to Naomi and waited while she checked the details.
"Everything is correct," she said. "Please thank Alpha Kaidan for arranging it."
"I will, Madam."
After John left, Naomi attached the letter to her application, reviewed her answers once more, and submitted everything before noon.
She returned to her duties without waiting for a response. The association would review the applications, and she had no control over how many places were available or who else had applied.
That afternoon, John briefed Alpha Kaidan on the day’s administrative matters.
"The letter was delivered to Madam this morning, Sir," he reported. "She completed her application."
"Good."
John opened his notebook. "We also need to confirm the time for Thursday’s meeting. The council members have different commitments that afternoon."
"Send me the proposed times."
"I’ll prepare them."
Alpha Kaidan glanced at the schedule on John’s desk. "Before you finalise any pack function that requires Naomi’s attendance, check her availability. She has her own responsibilities at the healer quarters."
"Yes, Sir."
"Don’t make her choose between a commitment we’ve arranged and the work she’s already responsible for. If the dates conflict, find another time."
John made a note. "Understood."
The discussion moved on to the remaining reports. Alpha Kaidan reviewed the urgent matters and handed off everything that didn’t need him. By the end of the afternoon, the office had returned to its usual rhythm, and he was able to leave without carrying a stack of unfinished reports home.
Naomi finished her duties at the healer quarters. As she packed, she checked her phone and found an email from the regional healers’ association.
She opened it expecting a routine confirmation. Instead, the message said her application had passed the initial review. She was shortlisted, with a brief online interview the following week.
Naomi read the message twice to make sure she had understood it correctly.
Healer Evelyn noticed her expression. "What is it?"
"They’ve shortlisted my application. I have an interview next week."
"That’s excellent news."
"I still have to get through the interview."
"Of course, but you’ve made it to the next stage. You should be pleased."
Naomi smiled as she read the interview instructions. The interview would focus on her experience, her professional goals, and how she intended to use what she learned to support her territory’s healing services.
"I’ll need to prepare," she said.
"You will," Healer Evelyn replied. "And we’ll make sure you have time to do that."
Naomi saved the interview date to her calendar and gathered her belongings. She wanted it, but there was work to do first.
When she returned to the pack house, Alpha Kaidan was in the sitting room reviewing a document. She had intended to go straight upstairs, but he looked up as she entered.
"Have you heard anything about your application?"
"They’ve shortlisted me."
He set the document aside. "Congratulations. When is the interview?"
"Next week. It’s online, and if I pass, they’ll offer me a place at the workshop."
"Have they given you the time?"
"Yes. I’ll need to make sure my schedule is clear that morning."
"Let John know if you need any arrangements made at the pack house. You shouldn’t have to deal with unnecessary interruptions during the interview."
"I’ll tell him if anything comes up."
Alpha Kaidan nodded. "I hope it goes well."
"Thank you."
Naomi continued upstairs, already considering the questions she might be asked and the examples she could draw from her training and work.
She had not secured a place at the workshop yet, but she had moved one step closer. For now, that was enough to give her something to look forward to beyond the usual demands of the healer quarters and pack life.
Downstairs, Alpha Kaidan picked up his document again. He knew the interview mattered to Naomi, and he intended to ensure that nothing within his control stood in the way of it. The choice to pursue it was hers, and so was the work of earning it.
For once, he was content to support her without trying to direct what she should do next.