Chapter 2

Liniluna left the house late in the morning.

The echoes of voices still clung to her, but the heat itself had passed. Her body felt drained, quiet, no longer restless. The world seemed sharper now—sounds clearer, thoughts steadier.

The healer’s hut came into view just as the sun climbed higher.

The familiar scent of herbs and clean smoke settled her nerves the moment she stepped inside.

Clara looked up from a worktable and froze. Then she smiled.

“Well,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron. “You’re out.”

“I am,” Liniluna replied.

Clara crossed the room and inspected her openly, eyes sharp but gentle. “You look steady. Tired, but steady.”

“That’s accurate.”

“Good,” Clara said. “Sit. Or don’t. Just don’t pretend you’re fine when you’re not.”

Liniluna smiled faintly and moved toward the preparation table instead. “I’m fine enough to work.”

Clara snorted. “That’s not the same thing, and you know it.”

She followed Liniluna anyway, passing her a bundle of dried leaves. “So. First heat since the divorce.”

“Yes.”

“And you lived.”

“I did.”

“Alone.”

“Yes.”

Clara watched her carefully. “Was it… Bad?”

Liniluna considered the question. “No,” she said slowly. “It was quiet.”

“That sounds worse,” Clara muttered.

“It wasn’t,” Liniluna said. “There was no fear.”

Clara didn’t respond right away. She only nodded and turned back to her work.

“Did the herbs help?” she asked after a moment.

“They did. Especially the root blend you suggested.”

Clara smiled, satisfied. “Good. I worried about sending you into that without supervision.”

“I preferred it that way.”

“I figured you would,” Clara said dryly. “You always do.”

They worked side by side, sorting and cleaning herbs, hands moving easily from habit.

“You know,” Clara said, not looking at her, “they’ll say this proves you were wrong to leave.”

“They already have,” Liniluna replied calmly.

“They’ll say an omega can't endure a heat alone.”

“They say many things.”

“That you’re punishing yourself.”

Liniluna shook her head. “I stopped letting others decide what my suffering looks like.”

Clara glanced at her. “Pack society hates when omegas do that, getting clarity.”

“Yes,” Liniluna agreed. “It does.”

By midday, the healer’s hut filled with voices. Workers gathered for lunch, bowls passed around, conversation warm and familiar.

Someone smiled kindly at Liniluna. “You should rest more.”

Another added gently, “You don’t have to be strong all the time.”

A third voice followed. “There are good alphas out there.”

Liniluna listened. She nodded. She smiled.

Their concern wasn’t cruel. At least they weren't mean like her relatives.

She finished her meal and returned to work until the sun dipped lower.

When she walked home, her steps slowed as she neared the house.

Voices again.

More relatives.

The dining table was full when she entered. Her father’s glare met her immediately.

“She’s endorsing this,” he said to no one in particular. “Acting like this is something to be proud of.”

Liniluna sat.

Advice followed like a tide.

“You should reconsider.”

“He is a good Alpha.”

“You’re making life harder than it needs to be.”

She ate quietly, finishing her food without rushing. When she stood, her chair made a soft sound against the floor.

“Good night,” she said.

No one answered.

She closed her door behind her and leaned against it, breathing out slowly.

This was her life now.

And for the first time, it felt like it was hers.