The dress arrived at the pack house the following afternoon.
Naomi had just returned from the healer quarters when Grace informed her that a delivery had been brought for her. She followed Grace downstairs and found a large garment box resting on the sitting room table, with a smaller jewellery box placed beside it.
"Madam, Alpha Kaidan asked that these be delivered to you," Grace explained.
Naomi looked at the boxes. "Did he say what they were?"
"He said they were for the gathering."
She approached the table and opened the larger box. Inside was a champagne-gold evening gown. Its fitted bodice had a graceful neckline, while the skirt flowed elegantly to the floor. The material shimmered softly, catching the light without seeming too flashy.
Naomi ran her fingers gently over the fabric before opening the smaller box. Inside lay a delicate necklace and matching drop earrings.
She stared at them for a moment. Alpha Kaidan had chosen all of this himself, though he could have asked anyone to do it. She hadn’t expected him to go that far.
"It’s beautiful," Grace remarked.
Naomi nodded. "It is."
She carried the boxes upstairs and put them away.
On the evening of the gathering, Naomi stood before the mirror in her room, fastening the necklace at her throat. The dress fitted her beautifully, and its subtle shimmer flattered her complexion.
She wore her hair neatly styled, allowing a few soft strands to frame her face.
After putting on the earrings, she took one final look at her reflection.
There was a gentle knock at the door.
"Madam?" Grace called.
"Come in."
"Alpha Kaidan is waiting downstairs."
"I’m coming."
Naomi picked up her evening purse and left.
Alpha Kaidan waited near the staircase. At the sound of her footsteps, he turned, expecting to see her ready to leave. The moment his eyes settled on her, he went still.
For a few seconds, he said nothing. The champagne-gold gown suited her more beautifully than he had imagined. Its elegant design highlighted her figure, and the jewellery he had selected rested perfectly against her skin. She looked confident and graceful, carrying herself with the quiet composure he had always admired.
"Are you ready?" Naomi asked when she reached him.
Alpha Kaidan blinked, bringing himself back to the moment.
"You look beautiful," he said.
"Thank you."
His eyes remained on her for another moment before he offered his arm.
Naomi glanced at it briefly, then accepted. They walked towards the waiting car together.
The gathering was being held at a large event centre where representatives and guests from neighbouring packs had begun arriving. The entrance was decorated for the occasion, and several attendants stood ready to welcome the guests.
When Alpha Kaidan and Naomi stepped out of the car together, a few conversations nearby paused.
Their arrival attracted attention almost immediately.
Alpha Kaidan offered Naomi his arm again, and they walked into the venue side by side. He kept his pace with hers, never ahead of her, and occasionally leaned toward her when he spoke.
Several Blackclaw pack members noticed the difference.
They had seen Alpha Kaidan attend pack functions countless times, but his attention had rarely been directed towards Naomi in this way. Tonight, he remained beside her as though her presence was exactly where he wanted it to be.
"Alpha Kaidan," one of the guests greeted, approaching them.
"Good evening," Alpha Kaidan replied.
His attention shifted to Naomi. "This is my wife, Naomi, the Luna of Blackclaw."
Naomi returned the greeting politely.
The guest nodded respectfully. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Luna."
"The pleasure is mine," she replied.
As more guests approached, Alpha Kaidan included Naomi in every introduction. When they moved toward the reception area, he guided her through the crowd instead of leaving her to find her own way.
At one point, a server approached with refreshments. Alpha Kaidan accepted a glass for himself, then turned to Naomi.
"Would you like something?"
"Water, please."
He asked the server for a glass and waited until she had it before continuing the conversation.
It was a small gesture, but Naomi noticed it.
Later, they joined a group of pack representatives near the main hall. The conversation turned to cooperation between territories and the importance of maintaining good relations among neighbouring packs.
Alpha Kaidan joined the discussion without losing sight of Naomi. When one of the representatives asked about the healer quarters at Blackclaw, he turned towards her.
"Naomi oversees some of our healing operations," he said. "She would be better placed to answer that."
Naomi glanced at him, then explained how the healer quarters divided their responsibilities and why proper records and training mattered.
The representative listened with interest and asked a few questions, which she answered confidently.
Alpha Kaidan remained beside her, allowing her to speak without interrupting.
When the discussion ended, the representative thanked her for the information.
"You have a capable Luna, Alpha Kaidan," he remarked.
"I know," Alpha Kaidan replied.
Naomi heard him but kept her expression composed.
As the evening continued, Alpha Kaidan remained attentive. He checked whether she was comfortable, made room for her during conversations, and never treated her presence as an obligation.
At one point, Naomi stepped away from the crowd to get some fresh air. She stood near the open terrace, looking out over the grounds when Alpha Kaidan joined her.
"Are you tired?" he asked.
"A little. It’s been a long evening."
"We can leave whenever you’re ready."
Naomi turned towards him. "We don’t have to leave because I’m tired. You still have guests to attend to."
"They can manage for a few minutes."
She gave a small smile. "Then I’ll stay a little longer."
Alpha Kaidan nodded and stood beside her.
For a moment, neither spoke. Conversation and music drifted out from inside.
"Thank you for the dress," Naomi said eventually.
"You chose beautifully."
"I’m glad you like it."
"I do."
He looked at her, and a quiet smile crossed his face. "I wanted you to have something special for tonight."
Naomi lowered her eyes briefly before looking back at him.
"I appreciate the effort, Alpha Kaidan."
"That’s enough for me," he replied.
They returned to the gathering together. By the time the evening ended, the people who had seen them arrive and spend the night together had little doubt that Alpha Kaidan was making a visible effort to stand beside his wife. Naomi had been introduced and treated with the respect her position deserved, and Alpha Kaidan had not attempted to hide his admiration for her.
On their journey home, Naomi sat quietly beside him.
The evening had been pleasant. She had enjoyed the conversations and valued being included. More importantly, she had seen that his attention was not limited to private moments at the pack house.
Alpha Kaidan had shown it in front of their people.
She was not ready to forget the past, but she could acknowledge the effort he was making now.
For him, that small recognition was enough to make the evening worthwhile.