The following morning, Alpha Kaidan was already in his office when John walked in with a folder tucked under his arm. He had barely looked through the first few reports on his desk, and although he’d been trying to focus on pack matters since sunrise, his attention kept drifting back to the previous evening.
He could still remember the way Naomi had looked after his mother pushed her, the brief moment when her balance had failed and he’d caught her before she hit the floor. He’d reacted without thinking, and even now, he wasn’t entirely sure what had come over him. It had been instinct, nothing more. At least that was what he told himself.
John placed the folder on the desk.
"Sir."
Alpha Kaidan looked up. "What is it?"
"The information you asked for."
His expression changed slightly. "The man?"
"Yes, sir."
John opened the folder and pulled out a few sheets of paper. "I checked the pack records, spoke to the transport team, and asked around. He isn’t connected to any of the neighbouring packs in any way that should concern us. He works with his uncle, who runs a small transport business between Blackclaw and the surrounding territories."
Alpha Kaidan leaned back in his chair. "And the night of the trial?"
"He was returning from one of the nearby settlements. He saw Madam Naomi standing by the roadside and stopped because it was already late."
"Did he know who she was?" "No, sir."
Alpha Kaidan scoffed. "He didn’t?"
"Not at first. According to him, he only realised who she was after she got into the car and one of the guards mentioned her name."
Alpha Kaidan looked down at the papers. "Did he ask for anything?" "No."
"Did he contact her afterwards?" John shook his head. "Not that I could find."
Alpha Kaidan was quiet for a moment. "So there’s nothing." "Nothing suspicious, sir."
He closed the folder. John watched him for a second before asking, "Is that all you wanted to know?"
"Yes."
John nodded but didn’t move immediately. Alpha Kaidan looked up. "What?" John hesitated. "Nothing, sir." "Then why are you still standing there?"
John gave a small smile. "I was just wondering if you’d like me to keep looking." "No."
"Yes, sir."
John turned toward the door. "And John." He stopped. "Don’t mention this to Naomi." John looked back at him. "I wouldn’t, sir."
Once the door closed, Alpha Kaidan stared at the folder for another few seconds before pushing it aside. The man had been harmless. There was no secret relationship, no hidden connection, no reason for him to have been concerned and yet, instead of feeling relieved, Alpha Kaidan felt something else entirely.
Embarrassment. He’d accused Naomi without knowing anything. He’d seen her getting into a stranger’s car and immediately assumed the worst, even though she had spent four years giving him no reason to question her loyalty.
He rubbed a hand over his face. "You’ve made a fool of yourself," he muttered.
A knock sounded at the door before he could think any further. "Come in."
One of the pack guards stepped inside. "Alpha, there’s been an incident at the eastern training grounds." Alpha Kaidan straightened immediately "What happened?"
"One of the younger warriors was injured during training. It’s not life-threatening, but the injury is worse than we first thought."
"Where is he?"
"They’re taking him to the healer quarters."
Alpha Kaidan was already on his feet. "Get the senior warriors there and clear the training grounds. I don’t want anyone else getting injured."
"Yes, Alpha." The guard hurried away.
Alpha Kaidan left his office a moment later.
By the time he reached the healer quarters, several people had gathered outside. He could hear voices through the open doors, but Naomi’s was the one that caught his attention. "Hold him still."
"He’s trying, Healer." "I know. Tell him to breathe slowly. Don’t let him move his leg."
Alpha Kaidan stepped inside. The young warrior was lying on one of the beds, his face twisted in pain while Naomi examined his injured leg. Another healer stood beside her, handing her whatever she requested.
"Bandage." The healer passed it to her.
"More tightly." "Yes, Healer."
Naomi glanced at the injured warrior. "Listen to me. The pain is going to get worse for a few minutes while I set it. You need to stay still, do you understand?"
The young man nodded quickly. "Yes, Healer."
"Good. Look at me, not your leg." Naomi positioned herself carefully while Alpha Kaidan stood near the doorway, watching.
"Now," she said. "On three."The warrior gripped the edge of the bed.
"One." Naomi looked at him.
"Two." He braced himself.
"Three." She moved quickly, the young warrior cried out, but Naomi didn’t panic. She immediately checked his leg again, her expression focused as she felt around the injured area.
"It’s back in place." The healer beside her released a breath. Naomi smiled slightly. "You did well."
The warrior looked at her with relief. "Thank you, Healer."
"You’re not thanking me yet. You’ll have to stay off that leg for at least a few days." "But I have patrol tomorrow." "You don’t have patrol tomorrow."
The warrior frowned. "Alpha will—"
"I’ll deal with Alpha," Naomi said firmly.
A few people around the room chuckled Alpha Kaidan raised an eyebrow, she hadn’t even noticed him. The young warrior looked toward the doorway and immediately sat straighter. "Alpha."
Naomi finally turned, their eyes met. For a moment, neither of them said anything, then Naomi looked back at the injured warrior. "Don’t worry about tomorrow’s patrol. I’ll make sure you’re cleared properly before you return."
Alpha Kaidan stepped farther into the room. "She’s right." The warrior nodded quickly. "Yes, Alpha."
Alpha Kaidan looked at Naomi. "Is he going to be fine?" "Yes." "How long before he’s fully recovered?"
"Assuming he follows instructions, a few days before he can walk properly and longer before he’s ready for training."
Alpha Kaidan nodded. "Then he stays off duty until you clear him." Naomi looked at him. "I agree."
There was no tension in her voice, but there was no warmth either. She spoke to him the same way she spoke to everyone else in the room. It shouldn’t have bothered him but it did. Before he could say anything, another healer entered hurriedly. "Healer Naomi, there’s someone outside asking for you."Who?"
"He says his daughter is sick." Naomi immediately turned toward the door. "Bring them in."
The healer nodded and left. Alpha Kaidan watched Naomi prepare another examination area. He could have left; there was no reason for him to remain there now that the injured warrior was stable, but still, he didn’t move.
A few minutes later, a man entered carrying a little girl in his arms. The child looked pale and tired, her head resting against his shoulder.
"Please," the man said. "They told me you could help her." Naomi walked toward him. "Put her here."
The man carefully placed the girl on the examination bed. Naomi touched the child’s forehead and frowned. "How long has she had a fever?" "Since last night." "Has she eaten?" "Very little." "Has she been vomiting?" The man nodded. "Twice." Naomi looked at the child again, then at the father. "I’m going to examine her, but I need you to answer every question honestly. Has she been around anyone else who’s sick?" The man shook his head. "No."
Naomi continued asking questions while examining the girl, and Alpha Kaidan found himself watching her again. She wasn’t even aware that he’d been standing there for several minutes. Her entire focus was on someone who needed her, and strangely, that was what made him finally understand that Naomi hadn’t stopped caring. She’d stopped directing all that care toward him.
Alpha Kaidan quietly stepped out of the room. Outside, he found Serena waiting.
She looked at him, then glanced toward the healer quarters. "You’ve been here for a while."
"I came because one of the warriors was injured."
"And stayed because of Naomi?"
He looked at her. "I stayed because there was another patient."
Serena smiled, but her eyes moved toward the doorway. "She seems very comfortable here." "I guess she is"
She doesn’t even seem to notice when you’re around anymore." Alpha Kaidan didn’t answer.
Serena moved closer. "Maybe that’s what she wants. A life where she doesn’t have to worry about being your wife."
His expression hardened. "You think so?"
Serena blinked. "I know so." Alpha Kaidan gave a quizzical look; before he could say anything she smiled softly. "I’m only saying that things have changed." "They have." The answer came before he could stop it.
Serena studied him. "Do you regret it?" "Regret what?" "Marrying her."
Alpha Kaidan looked toward the healer quarters and stood "I don’t know," he said.
Serena’s smile faded slightly. "You’ve never said that before." "I’ve never allowed myself to think about it before." She didn’t respond.