Naomi had barely finished breakfast when she received a message from the regional healers’ association confirming the time of her interview.
She read the instructions carefully, noting the expected duration, and the topics the interview panel intended to cover. They wanted applicants to discuss their qualifications, practical experience, and plans for applying what they learned at the workshop.
She saved the message and took her notebook upstairs.
For the next hour, she worked through possible questions, writing down the points she wanted to make. She had completed her training and earned her place at the healer quarters through hard work. She knew what she had learned, but she wanted to explain it clearly without sounding as though she had memorised a speech.
When she reached a question about the le challenges facing healers in smaller territories, she stopped to think.
Blackclaw had its own difficulties organising supplies and ensuring responsibilities were distributed properly. Naomi could speak about those challenges, but she wanted to offer practical solutions, not just list problems.
She wrote down a few ideas and reviewed them.
A knock sounded at her door.
"Come in," she called.
Grace entered carrying a folded garment Naomi had left to be washed. "Madam, Alpha asked whether you’d be joining him for lunch."
Naomi glanced at the time. "Tell him I’ll be at the healer quarters. I have some things to finish before my interview."
Grace nodded. "Would you like me to send something to the healer quarters for you?"
"No, thank you. I’ll eat before I leave."
After Grace went out, Naomi returned to her notes. She had no intention of spending the entire day preparing, but she wanted to feel ready before the interview began.
At the healer quarters, Healer Evelyn found her reviewing the same page for the third time.
"You look as though you’re preparing for an examination," she remarked.
Naomi closed her notebook. "It feels like one."
"An interview is a conversation. They want to know what you understand and what you hope to learn. You don’t need to recite everything you’ve ever studied."
"I know. I don’t want to waste the opportunity by giving poor answers."
"Then answer honestly. You have the qualifications they’re looking for, and you know your work. Let that speak for itself."
Naomi smiled. "I’ll try to remember that."
They spent part of the morning discussing the workshop and the subjects Naomi hoped to explore if she was selected. Healer Evelyn encouraged her to focus on the areas where further training would be useful to Blackclaw, rather than trying to impress the panel with an unnecessarily broad list of interests.
By midday, Naomi felt more confident about the interview. She put her notebook away and returned to her scheduled duties.
Across the territory, Alpha Kaidan was meeting with John to review plans for an upcoming gathering involving representatives from several neighbouring packs. The event needed Blackclaw’s leadership there, and the organisers had already received the proposed date.
John placed the schedule on the desk.
"The gathering is planned for next Thursday, Sir. They’ve asked whether you and Naomi will attend the opening reception."
Alpha Kaidan examined the page. "Have they confirmed the time?"
"Not yet. They’re waiting for our response before finalising the programme."
"Then don’t confirm Naomi’s attendance until we know whether she has any commitments that day."
John glanced at him. "Would you like me to ask her?"
"I’ll ask her myself. You can tell the organisers that I’ll confirm our attendance once we’ve checked the schedule."
"Very well, Sir."
After John left, Alpha Kaidan finished reviewing the remaining documents before heading to the healer quarters. He had a brief administrative question for Naomi, but when he arrived, Healer Evelyn informed him that she was occupied and would be available shortly.
He waited in the small reception area rather than asking someone to interrupt her.
A few minutes later, Naomi came out carrying a folder.
"Alpha Kaidan? Is something wrong?"
"No. I wanted to ask about next Thursday. There’s a gathering with representatives from neighbouring packs, and they’ve invited us to the opening reception."
Naomi considered the date. "I don’t have the final schedule for that week yet, but I’ll check with Healer Evelyn before I give you an answer."
"That’s all I need. The organisers can wait until we confirm."
"Will you be attending?"
"Most likely. There are matters I’ll need to discuss with the other Alphas."
"Then you should go."
He studied her face. "I would like you to come if you’re available, but I won’t confirm on your behalf."
Naomi adjusted the folder in her hands. "I’ll let you know when I have the schedule."
"All right."
He returned to the administration building, leaving Naomi to her work.
She thought briefly about the conversation before going back inside. The gathering was a normal part of her responsibilities as Luna, and she had no objection to attending when her schedule allowed. What mattered was that the choice was hers.
The rest of the afternoon passed without interruption. Naomi completed her duties, checked the following week’s schedule with Healer Evelyn, and found that Thursday’s commitments would end early enough for her to attend the reception if necessary.
She noted it down but decided to wait for the organisers to confirm the programme.
When she returned to the pack house that evening, she found Alpha Kaidan in the sitting room. A few documents lay beside him, but he had set them aside when she entered.
"Healer Evelyn has confirmed my schedule for next Thursday," Naomi said. "I should be available for the reception."
"Thank you for letting me know. I’ll confirm our attendance tomorrow."
"Is there anything specific I need to prepare?"
"Nothing beyond what you’d normally need for a gathering like this. John will send us the final programme once it’s ready."
Naomi nodded and started towards the stairs.
"How is your interview preparation going?" Alpha Kaidan asked.
"Better. Healer Evelyn helped me organise my thoughts this morning."
"When is the interview?"
"Tuesday."
"I hope it goes well."
"So do I."
She went upstairs to review her notes one last time before setting them aside for the night.
On Tuesday morning, Naomi dressed neatly, arranged her documents beside her laptop, and joined the online interview a few minutes early.
The panel introduced themselves and asked her to explain her training, her current responsibilities, and why she wanted to attend the workshop.
Naomi answered each question carefully, drawing on her education and her work at Blackclaw’s healer quarters. When asked how she would use the training afterwards, she explained that she wanted to share relevant techniques with her colleagues and contribute to improving the way their work was organised.
The panel asked several follow-up questions. Naomi took a moment to consider each one before answering, and as the interview continued, her initial nervousness eased.
At the end, one interviewer thanked her for her time and said applicants would hear back once selection was complete.
Naomi closed the meeting and sat back in her chair.
She couldn’t tell whether she had been successful, but she was satisfied that she had represented herself honestly.
Later that afternoon, she returned to the healer quarters and resumed her work. The interview was over; now she would have to wait for the decision.
That evening, Alpha Kaidan found her in the sitting room checking her email.
"How did it go?" he asked.
"It went well, I think. They asked about my training and what I hoped to contribute after the workshop."
"And what did you tell them?"
Naomi summarised her answers.
He listened without interrupting. "It sounds as though you were prepared."
"I was. Whether they think I’m the right person is another matter."
"You’ve done your part. Now you wait for their decision."
She closed her laptop. "That’s the plan."
They spoke for a little longer before Naomi went upstairs. She had no result yet, but she was already thinking about what she wanted to learn if she received the place.
Alpha Kaidan returned to his documents, leaving her to make her own plans. For Naomi, the interview was a chance to move forward in a field she cared about. Whatever the outcome, she intended to keep pursuing that path.