Naomi was heading back to her room when her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and stopped when she saw the sender’s name.
It was the regional healers’ association.
The email answered everything she needed to know about the workshop.
She opened the email and read the first few lines. She had been selected for the three-day professional workshop.
A smile spread across her face as she continued reading. The email contained the programme dates, venue, arrival arrangements, and registration instructions. The email answered everything she needed to know about the workshop.
Naomi called Healer Evelyn.
"Have you received any news from the association?" Healer Evelyn asked when she answered.
"Yes. They’ve sent me an email."
"And?"
"I’ve been selected for the workshop."
"Naomi, congratulations!"
"Thank you." Naomi laughed softly. "They’ve sent all the details, including the dates and arrival arrangements."
"That’s wonderful news. You deserve the opportunity."
"I wanted to tell you before we adjust the schedule. I’ll be away for three days, and I want to make sure my responsibilities are covered."
"Don’t worry about that," Healer Evelyn assured her. "We’ll review the schedule and redistribute your duties where necessary. Your absence won’t disrupt the work at the healer quarters."
"Thank you. I didn’t want to leave you with more work than you could manage."
"We’ll handle it together. Forward the email to me, and I’ll make the necessary arrangements."
"I’ll send it now."
Naomi forwarded the email and continued with her day. She was pleased about the selection, but she still had responsibilities to fulfil before the workshop.
There would be time to prepare for the trip once the schedule at the healer quarters had been settled.
That evening, she joined Alpha Kaidan for dinner.
They had begun eating when Naomi decided to share her news.
"Alpha Kaidan, I received the result of my workshop application today."
He looked up. "Have you?"
"I’ve been selected."
His expression brightened. "Congratulations, Naomi."
"Thank you."
"When does the programme begin?"
She gave him the dates and explained that the association had included the venue and arrival instructions in the email.
"Have you spoken to Healer Evelyn about your absence?" he asked.
"Yes. We’ll adjust the schedule so my duties are covered while I’m away."
"Good. I hope you make the most of the opportunity."
"I intend to."
Alpha Kaidan smiled before returning to his meal. They continued their dinner, discussing a few ordinary matters concerning the pack.
Afterwards, Naomi went upstairs. She had an early start, so she set the workshop information aside and laid out what she needed for work. Then she went to bed.
The following morning, Alpha Kaidan finished dressing and checked the fastening of his shirt before reaching for his watch. The gunshot wound that had kept him under medical supervision was now fully healed. The skin had closed, the tenderness had disappeared, and he could move his arm without discomfort. He no longer needed dressings or restrictions on his daily activities.
When Naomi saw him later that morning, she looked him over carefully.
"Your wound has healed completely," she said.
"Yes. I checked it this morning."
"Good. You can finally stop treating every movement as though you might reopen it."
Alpha Kaidan smiled. "I wasn’t doing that."
"You were being careful."
"Because my healer instructed me to be."
"And now your healer is telling you that you’re fine."
He gave a quiet laugh. "Then I’ll take her word for it."
Naomi smiled and continued with her morning, satisfied that he had recovered.
At the administration building, John arrived at Alpha Kaidan’s office with an updated programme for the gathering with representatives from neighbouring packs.
"Sir, the organisers have confirmed the schedule.
The gathering will take place next Thursday evening, and they’ve settled the time for the opening reception."
Alpha Kaidan reviewed the details. "Good. Confirm our attendance and make sure the organisers have the correct names for the guest list."
"Yes, Sir."
"That’s all for now."
John was about to leave when Alpha Kaidan called him back.
"I need you to accompany me somewhere after we’ve finished here."
"Where to, Sir?"
"A boutique. I have something to arrange for Naomi."
John glanced at him, then nodded. "I’ll make the arrangements."
Before leaving the office, Alpha Kaidan asked John to have the final programme sent to the household so Naomi could see the details. He wanted her to know the confirmed time before making any further plans.
When he returned to the pack house later that morning, he found Naomi preparing to leave for the healer quarters.
"The gathering has been confirmed for next Thursday evening," he told her. "The organisers have finalised the programme, and I’ve confirmed our attendance."
Naomi nodded. "All right. I’ll make sure my schedule allows for it."
"I’d like you to attend with me."
"I will, Alpha Kaidan."
He was pleased by her answer, though he kept it to himself. "I’ll see you later, then."
Naomi left for work, unaware that Alpha Kaidan had already made plans for the afternoon.
He intended to choose something special for her to wear to the gathering, along with jewellery to complement it. He wanted her beside him that evening, not merely because she was his Luna, but because he wanted the people around them to see the woman he had chosen to stand with him.
Alpha Kaidan met John outside the administration building that afternoon, and they drove to an upscale boutique in the commercial district.
Inside, a sales assistant welcomed them and asked what they were looking for.
"An evening dress," Alpha Kaidan replied. "Something elegant, suitable for a formal gathering."
The assistant led them towards a collection of gowns displayed along the far side of the boutique. Alpha Kaidan examined several options while John followed, offering an occasional opinion when asked.
One dress caught Alpha Kaidan’s attention. It was a champagne-gold evening gown with a fitted bodice, a graceful neckline, and a flowing skirt that reached the floor. The design was elegant without being overly decorated, and the fabric shimmered subtly under the boutique’s lights.
He studied it for a moment. "This one," he said.
John looked at the gown, then at Alpha Kaidan. "I think it’ll look beautiful on her, Sir."
Alpha Kaidan nodded. "Let me see the matching accessories."
The assistant brought out several jewellery sets. Alpha Kaidan rejected the heavier pieces and settled on a delicate necklace with matching drop earrings. They complemented the gown without drawing attention away from it.
"Do you think she’ll like it?" John asked.
"She doesn’t have to like what I like," Alpha Kaidan replied, examining the necklace once more. "But I hope she does."
John said nothing. He had worked beside Alpha Kaidan long enough to recognise that this was more than a routine purchase. His Alpha, who had once overlooked the smallest things that mattered to Naomi, was now taking his time to choose something specifically for her.
Alpha Kaidan instructed the assistant to prepare the dress and jewellery for delivery to the pack house. Before leaving, he checked that the gown would be properly packaged and that the jewellery would arrive with it.
As they walked back to the car, John glanced at him.
"Anything else, Sir?"
"No. That will be all."
Alpha Kaidan settled into the car, already imagining Naomi wearing the gown. He knew buying her a beautiful dress would not undo years of neglect, nor would one evening erase the hurt he had caused her. Still, he wanted to make the gathering special for her.
This time, he wanted to give her a reason to feel cherished, even if he knew he still had much to prove.