Chapter 2

When I returned to the duty room, the computer screen was still glowing. Three hours remained on the withdrawal countdown.

I began searching for the latest briefings from the Northern border medical stations.

Last week, an ambulance had been ambushed and two healers had been killed. One treatment station, short on supplies, had been forced to choose which of the wounded could receive care.

But it was also where the most advanced combat-trauma techniques for werewolf patients were being developed, and where the world's best healers rotated through the front line.

If I returned after two years, that experience alone would allow me to compete directly for a Senior Healer position.

Maybe it was not so bad after all.

In the past, to fit into the stable life Leander wanted, I had given up three chances to take high-risk territory deployments.

Now, it seemed I no longer had to worry so much.

I shut down the computer. A message from my best friend, Maeve, popped up.

Elowen! I saw Leander and Celeste at pack social night! God, the two of them were practically pressed together during the game!

She sent me a video.

The lighting was dim, but I recognized Leander at once in the center of the crowd. Celeste sat beside him, her cheeks flushed.

Someone shouted, "Leander, truth or dare? If it's a dare... hug the nearest woman for thirty seconds!"

Amid the laughter, Leander turned and naturally pulled Celeste into his arms.

Whistles and cheers exploded around them. They looked so intimate that anyone would think they were the fated pair.

My heart stung as if pierced by a silver needle.

I replied to Maeve: I know. Leave them alone.

Then I began organizing the documents I needed to take with me when I left.

After all, there was not much time. I would depart in a month.

Two weeks later, Leander's beta delivered an invitation.

"Tomorrow evening, Alpha is hosting a project wrap-up dinner at the Mooncrest Medical Exchange Center. He asks that you attend."

"I'm busy."

The beta looked surprised. "But you contributed a great deal to this project..."

"I have plans."

He smiled. "You may bring a companion. Alpha specifically said he hopes you will be there."

Several colleagues looked over at us.

I accepted the invitation.

On the night of the banquet, Celeste stood at the entrance to the hall in a pink cocktail dress, holding a certificate for Outstanding Young Researcher.

The moment she saw me, her eyes lit up and she hurried over.

"Dr. Hart, you're here. Today is the day I passed my probation. I was afraid it wouldn't feel festive enough, so I begged Alpha to combine his project wrap-up dinner with my celebration."

Expressionless, I said, "Congratulations."

"Thank you, Dr. Hart."

Her smile was radiant. "We saved you a seat at the main table."

I found a seat in the corner.

Leander came looking for me. His suit was impeccable, his face handsome, his expression cold. "Elowen, go to the main table. What are you doing hiding here?"

"It's quiet here. I like it."

Leander took a deep breath. "I have let you give me the silent treatment for two weeks. Are you not finished yet? Since when have you not sat beside me at a celebration banquet? All this over a deployment order that has already been withdrawn?"

Several people looked toward us.

I met his eyes and said nothing. I also did not tell him that I had never withdrawn the order.

A familiar professor smoothed things over. "Dr. Hart, come sit with us. We have kept a seat for you."

There was indeed an empty chair beside Leander.

Celeste walked over naturally and took it. Then she turned to Leander. "Alpha, this is perfect. We were just discussing next month's Global Pack Medicine Summit. Now that I have become a full staff member, you said you would take me out to see more of the world."

She looked at me with clear eyes. "Dr. Hart should come too. The three of us can go together."

I lifted my glass of water.

I remembered the night Leander and I returned from South Sudan last year. He had said he would definitely take me to the next global summit.

"When the time comes, you need to take photos with those top experts," he had said while helping me smooth my skirt. "Let the people who say you rely on me see that this is your own strength."

The way my heart had moved then was real. The way it had gone cold now was real too.

"The two of you should go. I don't have time lately."

The moment I finished speaking, Leander's face darkened.