Chapter 3

Once the application is submitted, it takes three days to be formally released from a pack. Today was my last day in Nightshade.

"Aria, the Alpha wants you to bring a calming draught to his office."

"Understood." My last task for Caden, I thought.

When I pushed open the door to the Alpha's office, I saw Vanessa sitting on Caden's lap, pressed tightly against his chest.

Caden was gently massaging her temples, his Alpha pheromones soothing the Omega in his arms.

"Still hurting?" he asked softly, his voice laced with tender concern.

"A little better," Vanessa cooed, leaning into his embrace. "It's all your fault. You were too rough last night."

I stood frozen in the doorway, the tray in my hands nearly slipping.

How many times in the last four years had my own energy been drained from treating his wounds or researching potions to fight enemy packs? How many times had I been curled up in a chair in pain, only for him to toss me a cold, "Go rest. Don't delay the important work."

And now he was this heartbroken over a little complaint from Vanessa?

"I brought the draught," I said, my voice flat.

They both looked at me.

Vanessa's expression immediately soured. "You again?"

Before I could speak, Vanessa's hand flew out and slapped me across the face.

My ears rang, a thin line of blood beading on my cheek.

Caden shot to his feet, his voice laced with shock. "Vanessa, what are you doing?"

But the woman’s eyes instantly filled with tears. She pointed at me, crying to Caden, "She just showed up at the house, and now she's still working by your side! What is she doing if not trying to seduce you?"

"And you lied to me! You said she had no interest in you!"

The air froze.

Caden’s complicated gaze flickered over me for a second before he gently pulled Vanessa into his arms, kissing away her tears.

His tone was a mix of exasperation and obvious adoration. "Even if she does have feelings for me... my heart only has room for you."

A triumphant smirk flashed across Vanessa’s face as she snuggled into his chest. "Then get rid of her! I don't want to see her again!"

Caden’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, as if he hesitated for a moment.

Seeing this, Vanessa grabbed the "calming draught" I had brought and suddenly screamed, flinging the hot liquid at me.

"Ah—Caden, it's hot! My hand!" she shrieked, holding her fingers out for him to see.

Looking at her barely reddened fingertips, Caden's face turned to thunder.

He glared at me, completely ignoring the blistering skin on my own bare arm.

"Aria! You're a professional healer, and you can't even handle a simple task like this?! Were you trying to hurt Vanessa on purpose?!"

Before I could explain, Caden summoned his Beta.

"Liam, Aria was negligent. Dock her entire provisions for the month! Announce her failure at the next pack assembly!"

Liam shot me a pitying look. "But Alpha," he said carefully, "Miss Aria has... already applied to leave the Nightshade Pack. Haven't you already approved it?"