Nora POV

I was up at the crack of dawn the next day.

I quickly went through my morning routine before going over to the Pack’s Medical Center to work. I was still numb from the loss of my pup but staying home wouldn’t make me feel better either.

Dr Irene looked up from her desk, her eyes widening with surprise when she saw me. “Luna Nora, I didn’t expect to see you here today. You’re supposed to be home resting. Are you sure you’re ready to return to work so soon?”

I managed a weak smile. “Of course, Dr. Irene. I need … normalcy. Please let me help where I can. The people that were injured yesterday from the attack, can I see some of their files?”

Reluctantly, Dr. Irene handed me a stack of patient files and immediately, I immersed myself in the work. Finding solace in the familiar routine of organizing reports and caring for the patients.

After the ward visit, I was heading to the break room when Ryker stormed in, his eyes blazing with anger. In his hand, he clutched a medical report, his knuckles had gone white with tension.

“Nora,” he growled “Why didn’t you tell me about this?” he thrust the report in my face. The medical report was the miscarriage I had suffered yesterday during the attack.

I felt a flicker of anger, but it was quickly smothered. I was too tired – exhausted to argue.

“When should I have told you, Ryker? When you were too busy to attend the check-up? Remember you had that pack business to attend to and you came home late. I didn’t want to bother you.”

His eyes widened and guilt flashed in his eyes before the anger returned. “Still you would have told me. I know I have responsibilities as Alpha…”

“That’s why I didn’t want to bother you,” I said soothingly. “You have a lot on your plate already. It’ll be selfish to add my problems to it.”

He just stood there, trying to say something but no words would come out of his mouth. Finally, he sighed. “Well continue this discussion at home,” he said to me, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Without another word, he turned and left.

I let out the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulders. When I turned, it was Dr. Max – my mentor. He had a comforting smile on his face.

“Luna Nora,” he said softly “Could you step into my office for a minute?”

“Sure!” I nodded and followed him.

As soon as the door to his office closed, he turned to me. “I’ve been meaning to speak with you about something.” he paused as if he was gathering his thoughts. “I received a message from the High Alpha Council a few weeks back. They’re organizing a special training program with the famous healer wolves from the Northern Packs. They’ve asked if I would send one of our healers to train with them.”

My eyes widened. A similar opportunity had come like this before but I couldn’t go. I’d just gotten pregnant then and Ryker didn’t want me to go. Besides, the Northern Pack healers were renowned for their healing abilities and techniques. This would truly be a pleasure.

“That’s an incredible opportunity, Dr. Max. Who would you send?”

His eyes twinkled “I was hoping you would go, Nora. Your skills as a healer are impressive and by far the best in our pack. I also believe this experience could be … transformative for you.”

The offer hung in the air between us. I felt a stirring within me, my wolf perking up with interest for the first time in moons. The thought of leaving Silvermoon, of escaping the suffocating atmosphere of betrayal and loss, was tempting. But could I just leave? How about my duties as Luna?

As if reading my thoughts, Dr Max continued. “I know it’s a lot to consider…normally, I wouldn’t ask, seeing you just lost your pup but sometimes, Nora, the best way to heal others is to heal yourself first.”

“I nodded slowly. “How long would I be gone?”

“At least six moons,” he replied. “It’s a huge commitment but think of the knowledge you could bring back to our pack.”

Six moons away from Silvermoon, away from Ryker, away from the pain of losing my pup. The more I thought about it, the more it felt right.

“I’ll do it,” I said surprised by the firmness in my voice. “I’ll go.”

“Good!” Max beamed with pride “I’ll make the arrangements. You leave in a few days.”

The rest of the day passed in a blur but I was so busy that I didn’t notice it was dusk until my phone buzzed in my pocket. Ryker’s name flashed on my screen. Sighing, I answered.

“Where are you?” he asked immediately. “I’ve been waiting for you to come home. I’m starving.”

“I still have a lot of things to do at the hospital Ryker. I’m not your cook but if you’re really hungry you should fix yourself a sandwich or you could do takeout. It’s not that hard, is it?”

There was a pause on the other end of the line before his voice came again.

“Are you angry with me?” he asked finally “You’re not sounding yourself. I told you I haven’t eaten and you’re acting like you don’t care.”

“And I really don’t, Ryker,” I retorted. “Listen, you’re not a baby… you’re the Alpha of Silvermoon, I’m sure you can figure out what to eat. I’ll be home late, so don’t wait up!” I said and ended the call.

I no longer cared about him. I scoffed … If only he knew that I was beyond that. I was already done with him.

Nora POV

In the past, one of the things that would make me and Ryker go for days without saying a word to each other was me always – like he would say ‘nagging’ him about his closeness to Scarlett.

He would lash out at me and say I frustrated him but these days, I remained indifferent which unsettled him the more. He would come home late, sometimes he would leave the house again, telling me that Scarlett needed him to come to check her heater and I would just shrug without responding.

It was amusing, really… to watch him pause every time I said ‘okay’ or said nothing at all.

One morning, I was in the kitchen, preparing a new healing regimen for a patient, when he walked in. From the way he wrecked of smell and the tiredness on his face, I knew the night patrol he just got us from was indeed a long one.

“Hi!” I said not bothering to look up from what I was doing.

I heard him pause, probably waiting for more words but when it wasn’t forthcoming, he slumped onto the couch, letting out a long-exaggerated sigh. “I don’t feel so good, Nora,” he muttered. “Last night’s shift was hell, every part of my body aches. I think I might have caught something.”

In the past, as soon as he walked through that door, looking like he hadn’t slept in days, I wouldn’t even wait for him to tell me that he was sick. I would have rushed to his side with worry. I’d have dropped everything to tend to him, prepare his favourite soup, give him a massage afterwards – waiting on him hand and foot until he felt better.

But that was an older version of me.

“Oh, okay!” I paused for a second, then continued grinding the herbs.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw him freeze, as disbelief crossed his face. I guess he hadn’t gotten used to this new version of me yet.

“You’re not even going to ask me how I feel or if I need anything?” he asked with incredulity in his tone.

I stopped what I was doing and looked up, holding his gaze calmly. “Do you need anything?” I asked without concern in my tone.

“Seriously, Nora…” his eyes widened.

I returned to my grinding “There’s willow bark tree in the medicine cabinet. It should help with any fever or aches.”

He rose to his feet, stunned by my lack of emotion… yet! “That’s it?” he asked. “I tell you I’m ill and all you can say is there’s tea in the cabinet?”

I sighed facing him once more. “What would you have me do, Ryker? Abandon what I was doing when you walked in to nurse you through a mild illness? You’re the Alpha. I’m sure you can manage to make a cup of tea.”

His eyes narrowed. “What the hell, Nora? What’s happened to you? What’s with the attitude? You’ve changed. You’re so…cold.”

“Have I changed?” I asked him. “Or I’m no longer at your beck and call?”

His temper flared. “Wait! Is this about Scarlett? Are you still holding a grudge over that misunderstanding? I told you, we’re just friends. There’s nothing more to it.”

I shrugged casually as if he didn’t just say a whole sentence. “Okay.”

My response seemed to increase his annoyance into two folds. “Okay?” he repeated, his tone rising. “That’s all you have to say? Okay?”

“What else is there to say? Ryker?” I replied, my tone calm. “You’ve made your choices and I respect it a lot. I’ve also made mine.”

“No, you haven’t – you can’t!” he fired back. “You’re holding a grudge because I hang out with her and now, you’re being cold and distant and it’s not fair.”

I wanted to say ‘okay’ again but I restrained myself, instead, I continued grinding my herbs, acting like he wasn’t in the room with me. It wasn’t that I was holding a grudge – I simply didn’t care anymore.

I’ve stopped caring for him in general.

“Nora!” he called out my name “Say something for moon’s sake!”

I nodded, flashing him a smile. “I guess it’s fine!”

His eyes glinted with fury as he stared at me. I could tell I was driving him up the wall.

“Fine! If you want to play games, go ahead. I’m out of here!” he grabbed his jacket and stormed towards the door, slamming it behind him as he left.

“Good riddance!” I murmured with a smile.

For the first time in a long time, I felt truly free.