Chapter 102

Lucian’s POV

I braced myself for the rejection I knew was coming. Dr. A had even less reason to stay with the pack than Aria did. Yet, losing them both felt much too cruel.

Dr. A and I had only barely been friends. We’d had fleeting moments of closeness, but more often than not, those had been brought forward because of her similarities to Aria. Even now, pouring over her map, she reminded me of Aria.

In my mind, I could picture Aria doing the same thing. Looking at each pack, carefully weighing the pros and cons, before deciding where she wanted to spend the rest of her life. I wondered, bitterly, if Jasper would have a say as well.

Since they were in love, they would no doubt want to go wherever they were going together.

“No,” Dr. A said. “Though I have fondness for Nightfall pack, it is time for me to move on. I have this dream…” She hesitated, her face taking on a downtrodden expression. Was she embarrassed?

“I’d love to hear your dream,” I said. Honestly, any conversation would be good conversation to distract my mind from Aria. Despite the days that had passed since our divorce, I still replayed the event over and over in my mind. Aria was constantly at the forefront of my thoughts, and I seemed utterly powerless to do anything about it.

“I want to help people in need,” she said. As she spoke, her lips started to quirk upwards and there was passion in her voice. “I’ve been given a very special gift with my medical capabilities. All I’ve ever wanted to do is give back, to help people who might not otherwise receive the care they need. If I could save even one life of someone who would have otherwise suffered, then everything I’ve gone through would be worth it.”

“That’s an admirable dream,” I said, meaning it. She clearly felt so strongly about it. She was a kind soul, wanting to dedicate herself to helping others. How could I not appreciate her for the strong, selfless woman that she was?

Though… I still felt as if, in a way, she was running from something. Perhaps her ex, the father of her child. I’d never say those words to her, however.

“This pack doesn’t need me anymore,” she said. “I know I can do more good elsewhere.”

I could dispute her words. There were still plenty of sick people in Nightfall who could benefit from her abilities. But, perhaps not as many as there were elsewhere – especially after we finish work on our cooperative project. This project assured that those less fortunate would still be entitled to medical care.

Maybe she was right, after all. Maybe she would do more good in other packs, helping to bring them up to the same standards she helped us raise to here.

“I understand,” I said, unable to really say anything other than that. Her mind had clearly already been made. To argue would be futile, and I was so tired of fighting.

At this point, as defeated as I felt, I could only take the punches as they continued to rain down onto me.

“I hope you know that Nightfall pack are behind you. If ever you are in need of any type of assistance, you can depend on all of Nightfall pack, but especially on me personally,” I said.

“I do,” she said, but sounded distant. “Thank you.”

Though she was cordial, I had the sneaking suspicion that as soon as Dr. A crossed over the border out of Nightfall pack, I would never hear from her again.

This, with everything else, disappeared into the hollow of my chest. I didn’t feel anything anymore.

Aria’s POV

Later, I sit around a table with Cathy, Piper, and Jasper at one of the local pizzerias. The place was small and private, owned by a good friend of Cathy’s. Despite the relative popularity of the people sitting at the table, mainly Jasper and I, none of the other patrons ever really paid us much mind when we were here.

Either they had gotten used to seeing us here, or they weren’t ones for the political or social gossip. The people who ate here were all of the working class. They cared more about their own families, and their own pizza, than they did about whatever we were doing.

The laid back attitude of the place quickly made this into one of my favorite hangouts, and one of the few public places I trusted to visit without hassle.

Even though it was kind of a dive, even Jasper had taken a liking to it. In fact, tonight, he’d insisted we go out for pizza to celebrate me picking my new home pack.

“Moonglow,” I said after our breadsticks arrived but before our pizza did. “It’s a coastal pack.”

“That’s so far…” Cathy said, frowning a little.

It was, and with the war raging in the bordering packs, it was difficult to get to. The easiest way was to take a plan to the tropical pack lands to the south, and then board a ship back up. No fast way of getting there was part of their problem.

“The air traffic has been mostly cut off,” I said. “Boat is the safest means of travel, but it’s slow. And with the tourism down, many of the people there are out of work, which leads to a lot of hardships for any medical needs. Silas and Dr. A will be able to do a lot of good there.”

Cathy nodded, even as she said, “But it’s so far… I wish I could go with you.”

I shook my head lightly. “I know you want to be there for me, Cathy, but I can do this on my own. You have other responsibilities here.”

“I could go,” Piper said.

We all froze a moment and looked at her.

“You don’t have to, Piper. It’s okay.”

“No, I know but… I’m almost done with my schooling,” Piper said. “Another few tests and I’d be up for an entry level healer position anyway.”

“There are options here,” I started to say.

“But I share your dream, Aria. I want to do the most good in the world, too. I want to go where I’m needed, not where I’m simply filling an empty position. Let me come with you. I can be of help, I swear.”

“I know you can,” I assured her. “But you have to be sure. This is a long way away. You can’t just turn back.”

“I’m sure,” Piper said. Standing straight, she showed the same level of passion and enthusiasm that she showed for most things. Looking at her, I didn’t think she was lying. And she deserved a chance to prove it, just like anyone else.

“Okay,” I said. “Then let’s go together.”

Piper was all smiles.

“I’m relieved,” Cathy said, “knowing you won’t be alone. Thank you, Piper.”

Jasper’s POV

As Jasper watched the events unfold in front of him, more than anything he wanted to tell Aria that he too would be joining her on this trip. While he didn’t have any medical knowledge, he was sure he could still be of some use. Somehow.

Or maybe he just didn’t want to be separated from her.

But, in the end, he kept his mouth shut.

His love for Aria made him want to be a better man, one worthy of her love. Because of this, he couldn’t chase her across the continent, not without having something to offer her in return.

So, unbeknownst to the rest of them, Jasper had a few job interviews lined up at respectable companies.

He’d let Aria go ahead and set up her life in another pack. Then, when he was successful and deserving, he would follow her, sweep her off her feet, and make her his wife.