49%


    Amber’s POV


    A few dayster, after the tests had been run and the potion sessfully developed and distributed for free, my office had be


    something akin to a zoo.


    There were just so many people. Not just patients or potential patients hoping to be added to my calendar, but also simply well- wishers or those who were grateful and wanted to thank me personally.


    The numbers for the terrible illness plunged down to nearly non-existent, and the whole of the pack took notice. No, not just the pack but other packs too. I was receiving packages and notecards from all over the world, including from pack leaders who were


    hoping I would choose their pack next to visit.


    There were some very tempting offers, but I’d mademitments here. I would stay until thosemitments were done.


    “If you weren’t a celebrity before…” Noah teased between phone calls. As soon as he put the phone down, ending one call, it


    immediately began ringing again.


    As it was, he could only turn down any of those looking to make new appointments. Since the release of the cure, my calendar was


    booked for six months out, excluding a few spots I was leaving open for my regr patients.


    Including Olivia


    As terrible as I believed her to be, she was still one of my patients and I still had agreed to treat her. Thinking of her bearing


    Julian’s children sent a pang of regret through me, but that was their choice. I had nothing to do with Julian’s life anymore, nor


    did I want to.


    No matter what my foolish, lonely heart whispered to me in the dark.


    That lonely whisper was easier to squash now that in the light of day, especially with the office so busy. I was being pulled in a


    thousand directions, but as an experienced Healer, I was used to that now. I almost preferred when things were somewhat chaotic


    as it gave me less time for doubts.


    I had a plotted course for my future, and I would stay on it.


    Julian and Olivia were just curves in the road. Soon, I would be past them and could focus on myself and continuing to provide


    Alice with the best, most hopeful future.


    As Noah and I worked through the line of people gathered at my doorstep, I was surprised to find Julian’s Beta among the crowd.


    As Beta, he was privilege to special treatment, so I was able to sate my curiosity by approaching him.


    “Do you need aid?” I asked him.


    “No, Healer,” he said. “I simply have been tasked with delivering this to you.” He held out a crisp white envelope. On the front, around my name was a swirling silver pattern. “I am to make certain that I see it enter your hands.”


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    ? 49%


    Curious, I took the envelope and opened it. Inside was a smaller rectangle of cardstock with silver edges and calligraphy writing.


    “This is an invitation,” I said, somewhat confused.


    “Alpha is holding a banquet to celebrate the sess of the cure,” he said. “You are a special guest, as Alpha wishes to thank you personally for all the good you’ve done.”


    “He could have just sent a thank you note,” I said. “I don’t need a party.”


    “He felt you deserved something more,” Beta said.


    While we had been married, he had kept me in the shadows. It felt strange now, to be called by him into the light.


    But this wasn’t a celebration of our rtionship, or an acknowledgement of what we were to each other.


    This was a thank you because I was a good doctor.


    “I’m sorry,” I said. “This is kind, but I am not interested. I don’t like these kinds of things.”


    I didn’t know if that was true or not. I never really attended something this seemingly mourous before. But it seemed


    unnecessary. As a Healer, I should be focusing on helping people, not attending parties to pat myself on the back.


    Beta nodded. “It’s in a few days’ time. Please think about it.”


    “I said… no…” I said, though my voice dropped as I realized Beta had started to walk away. I found it terribly rude and annoying,


    but I couldn’t be mad at him. I was sure he was just trying to protect himself and his Alpha.


    Maybe Julian told him I might say no, but to give me time to think about it.


    Sighing, I carried the envelope back into the office.


    Blissfully, just after lunchtime, there was a break in the crowd, which gave Noah and me a few minutes to catch our breath and quickly eat our own lunches. We didn’t think we’d have enough time to go to the breakroom though, so he pulled a chair over to


    my desk and we both used the desk as a table.


    As he was making room for himself, he noticed the invitation. Reading it, his eyes went wide.


    “Are we going?” he asked.


    “I don’t do any of this for the glory,” I told him.


    “I know, but…”


    He looked longingly at the invitation.


    “Do you want to go?” I asked.


    “We wouldn’t have to stay the whole time,” he said. “We could just make an appearance…”


    He did want to go. I frowned a little, thinking. Noah’s help was pivotal in the development of the cure and the running of tests to


    12:40 PM Tue 26 Aug


    ensure it was safe and effective. He deserved just as much credit as I did, just as much praise.


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    Maybe I’d gotten used to the praise over the years. Perhaps the novelty had worn off for me, and I was just taking the gratitude for


    granted.


    While I wanted to focus fully on helping more people and moving forward, maybe there wasn’t any harm in allowing for the


    asional celebration of sess. Especially if it made my assistant happy.


    “What would someone wear to an event like that?” I asked.


    “It’s ck tie,” he said. “Tuxedos and tailored three-piece suits for the men. The women likely will all wear gowns.’


    “Gowns?” I didn’t even own a gown.


    “I think it would be an event to remember,” Noah said longingly. “I can only imagine how good the food will be. I bet they


    decorate too. Since the invitation is silver, likely the whole room will be trimmed in it.


    He had so much excitement in his voice that I couldn’t deny him anymore.


    “Alright,” I said, giving in. “We can go.”


    “Yes!” he cheered, thenughed.


    Iughed too. “You could have gone without me…”


    “I’m just as assistant,” he said. “You are the main event, Healer.”


    I shook my head lightly. “I’m not that special.”


    A knock sounded at the door then. Great. I still had a lot of my sandwich left. But a Healer couldn’t dictate when her patients


    needed help, so I called out, “Come in!”


    The door opened and a familiar face entered. She didn’t see me right away.


    “Excuse me, I’m looking for Healer Amanda? I was told she might be…” Anna’s voice trailed as she finally locked eyes with me.


    I stood up at once. Anna. My best friend.


    Gods, it had been too long.


    Her eyes went wide, seeing me, but then she frowned and pointed at me, her face twisting with anger.


    “Why didn’t you tell me you were back in town?”


    X


    GET IT N…


    12:40 PM Tue 26 Aug