NORA’S POV
I found Greta in her chambers, going through a stack of papers with a slight frown on her face.
She looked up when I walked in and immediately set her work aside, and instantly, her face softened up into a warm smile.
“Nora!
What a lovely surprise.
Come in, come in.
Sit down.”
I sat across from her, with my hands clasped tightly together, trying to find the right words.
“Greta, I have been thinking about something, and I wanted to ask you.” I said finally.
She tilted her head, looked at me with curious eyes and asked, “Of course, dear.
What is it?”
I took a deep breath and said calmly with a bright smile on my face.
“I want to start working at the pack clinic.”
Greta blinked, clearly surprised.
“The clinic?
But Nora, you came here to rest.
You have been through so much.
You do not need to work.”
“I know,” I said, in a gentle but firm voice.
“But I need purpose.
I need to feel useful.
Sitting around all day, thinking about everything that is happened, it is driving me crazy.
I need something to keep my hands busy and my mind occupied.”
Greta studied me for a long moment, her eyes searching my face, and asked in a careful whisper.
“Is that the real reason?
Or are you running from something?”
I felt my cheeks warm and laughed nervously.
“Running from what?”
She smirked and leaned back in her chair.
“I do not know, Nora.
You tell me, because you have been acting strange ever since you arrived.
You have been distracted, distant, like your mind is somewhere else.
And now you suddenly want to bury yourself in work?”
I laughed nervously, and waved a hand dismissively at her.
“You are reading too much into it.
I just want to feel useful.
That is all.”
Greta did not look convinced, but she did not push either.
“Alright.
If that is what you want, I will arrange it.
I know the head healer, Mira.
She has been running the clinic for years, and I am sure she would welcome an extra pair of hands.”
I felt a wave of relief wash over me, and quickly said, “Thank you, Greta.
Really.
I appreciate it.”
She smiled warmly and reached over to squeeze my hand.
“You are welcome, dear.
Just promise me you will not work yourself too hard.
You came here to rest, remember?”
“I promise,” I said, even though I knew it was a lie.
I had no intention of resting.
I had every intention of staying so busy that I would not have time to think about him.
I walked back to my chambers, feeling lighter than I had in days.
This was the right decision.
If I was busy at the clinic, I would not have time to run into Lucian.
I would not have time to think about his silver-gray eyes, the way his voice dropped when he said my name, the way he had kissed me in my chambers like he could not get enough of me.
I shook my head, and forcefully pushed the thoughts away.
That was behind me now.
I had made my choice.
I was moving on.
The next morning, I woke up early, dressed in simple, comfortable clothes, and made my way to the pack clinic.
It was a modest building near the center of the palace, with warm stone walls and a wooden sign swinging gently above the door.
I pushed it open and stepped inside.
Rows of wooden shelves lined the walls, filled with jars of herbs and tinctures.
A few beds were set up along the far wall, and a fire crackled in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the room.
A woman looked up from the counter, her face kind and lined with age.
She was older, maybe in her late fifties, with silver-streaked hair and gentle eyes.
“You must be Nora,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron.
“I am Mira.
Greta told me you would be coming.”
I smiled, feeling instantly at ease.
“Yes, it is lovely to meet you, Mira.
Thank you for having me.”
She waved a hand dismissively with a cheerful smile on her face and said, “Nonsense.
We can always use an extra pair of hands.
And Greta speaks very highly of you.
She said you are a healer.”
“I am,” I said, nodding.
“I have been practicing for years.”
“Good,” Mira said, handing me an apron.
“Then you will know what to do.
We have a busy day ahead.
There is a young wolf who injured his leg, a pregnant she-wolf with a fever, and an elder who is been complaining of chest pains.”
I tied the apron around my waist and rolled up my sleeves.
“Where do you want me to start?” I asked eagerly.
Mira smiled, with a glint of approval in her eyes and nodeee at me.
“I like you already.
Let us start with the elder.”
She led me to a small bed in the corner where an older wolf lay propped up on pillows, his face creased with pain.
Mira introduced me, and I knelt beside him, gently pressing my fingers to his chest to feel for any irregularities.
“His heart is weak,” I said, looking up at Mira.
“Has he been seen by a healer before?”
“Yes, but he refuses to take the medicine we give him,” Mira said, shaking her head.
“Says it makes him feel worse.”
I turned to the elder and smiled gently.
“I understand, sir.
Some medicines can be unpleasant.
But I can prepare a different remedy for you, one that is easier on your stomach.
Would you be willing to try it?”
The elder eyed me suspiciously.
“And why should I trust you?” She hissed.
I laughed softly, and replied in a calm voice.
“Because I have nothing to gain by lying to you.
I just want to help you feel better.”
He studied me for a long moment, then nodded slowly.
“Fine.
I will try it.”
Mira shot me a look of surprise and admiration, and whispered, “How did you do that?
I have been trying to get him to take his medicine for weeks.”
I shrugged modestly.
“Sometimes, people just need to feel heard.
And maybe a gentler approach.”
Mira shook her head in amazement.
“You really are a natural, Nora.
I am glad you are here.”
The hours flew by.
I worked alongside Mira, tending to patients, preparing herbs, and listening to their worries.
It felt good to be useful again, to have a purpose, to focus on something other than my own tangled emotions.
But I could not help glancing at the door every now and then, half expecting him to walk in.
Half hoping he would.
I hated myself for it.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted but satisfied.
I had helped five patients, learned the layout of the clinic, and earned a warm smile from Mira.
“You did well today,” Mira said, patting my shoulder.
I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest.
“Thank you, Mira.
I needed this.”
“Come back tomorrow,” she said.
“We will find more work for you.”
I walked back to my chambers, my body tired but my mind peaceful.
I changed out of my clothes and lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, and for the first time in days, I did not feel the urge to cry.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand.
I picked it up and saw Tessa’s name flashing on the screen.
I answered with a smile.
“Hey, you.”
“Nora!” Tessa’s voice was warm and excited.
“How are you?
I have been thinking about you.”
“I am okay,” I said, totally surprised with how honest it felt.
“Actually, I think I am doing better.”
“Really?
That is great!
What has been going on?”
I told her everything.
About the clinic, about Mira, about the patients I had helped.
About how good it felt to be useful again.
Tessa listened quietly, then said, “That is amazing, Nora.
I am so proud of you.”
“It has been hard,” I admitted.
“I still think about him.
Every day.
But keeping busy has helped.”
Tessa’s voice softened.
“I know it is hard.
But you are doing the right thing, Nora.
Staying away from him is the smartest choice you could make.
You are protecting yourself.
You are protecting Lily.
And you are protecting your friendship with Greta.”
I sighed, closing my eyes.
“I know.
It just hurts sometimes.”
“Hurting now is better than being destroyed later,” Tessa said gently.
“You are strong, Nora.
You have always been strong.
And you are doing exactly what you need to do.”
I felt a lump form in my throat and groaned, “Thank you, Tessa.
I needed to hear that.”
“Anytime,” she said.
“Now get some rest.
And don’t forget to eat.”
I laughed.
“Yes, Mom.”
“Shut up,” she teased.
“Goodnight, Nora.”
“Goodnight, Tessa.”
I hung up and lay back on my pillow, staring at the ceiling.
I had wanted to avoid him.
I had wanted space.
And now I had it.
But instead of feeling empty, I felt something I hadn’t felt in years — like I was finally learning to stand on my own two feet.
I was doing something meaningful.
I was healing people.
I was finding my purpose again.
And maybe, just maybe, that was exactly what I needed.