Chapter 0021 Even with him looking straight at me , I knew he wasnt talking about inviting me .
That would be outrageous .
No way was that happening Lucian looked away from me , back to Sheila .
His anger was clear in his features : his eyes like icicles , his mouth a hard slash .
Ive warned you not to disrespect Dr.
A again , he said .
Even his voice was frosty .
Sheila paled a little , though her tears continued to drift down .
Did you hear the things she said about me ? It was all untrue .
Lucian ignored her , turning his attention to the older Healers standing just inside the door .
You should leave , Lucian told them .
I will handle this matter on my own Forgive me for speaking out of turn , Alpha King , said one of the Healers .
Healers , by nature , being as rare and well reputable as they were , had a reputation for being outspoken .
Because of their status , not many people would talk back to them .
Even as Dr.
A , Id taken some liberties , speaking out more than I ever would have as Aria .
But typically , 1 only did this for medical matters , where I simply had more expertise .
That , I assumed , was what gave the old Healer the courage to speak out against the Alpha King The foolish Healer pressed onward .
We need our packs greatest Alpha King in history to be clear headed , not blinded by a lying female wolf like Dr.
A ! A healer with an unidentified status like Dr.
A should not be admired ! The second Healer added .
While we are unaware of the specific details of the Nightfall packs project with the hospital , we are aware of its existence .
A project like that should be taken over by one of Nightfalls own Healers ! Not some interloper ! Lucian glared at the men for a moment , then , surprisingly laughed .
It wasnt a laugh of kindness , however , but more one of annoyance and ill humor .
It died quickly in his throat .
Looking through the door to the office , he made a motion to someone outside .
Ben , the Kings Beta , walked inside carrying a briefcase .
Ben excused himself , pushing between the two Healers to join Lucians side .
The projects paperwork , Ben , please , Lucian said .
Ben opened the briefcase , then pulled out a folder and passed it to Lucian .
This is the official project plan that Dr.
A and I have been collaborating on .
Look it over .
See if you can do better .
Lucian passed the plan to the two Healers .
Opening it , they dipped their heads together to read the notes .
Youll notice that Dr.
A has been fundamental in bringing this plan together in a cost effective and utilitarian way .
In doing so , she has already achieved many medical successes for the pack , Lucian said.- The clear pride in his voice made my own chest swell .
Youll see that while we were investigating the best solution to bring medical care to the common people , she was able to diagnose a new contagious disease that had been festering among those most vulnerable who had not access to treatment .
In less than a day , she found and implemented a cure .
+25 BONUS Id already suspected that strand of illness had been growing , though I hadnt seen it yet for myself.
The cure had taken far longer than an afternoon to create , as Id been testing it for a few days .
But I wasnt about to correct him when he was putting these jerks in their place .
Besides , even a handful of days was a quick timeline for a cure .
It wasnt something either of them could have done .
I doubted they even would have known where to start .
Can you do this ? Lucian asked .
Why should we choose you ? one of the Healers said , shock in his face and his voice .
As they glanced at each other , a hint of guilt passed between them .
A cure would take months to develop , and wed need a research team .
The other Healer , though guilt stricken , was still adamantly against me .
Looking back to Lucian , he said , her identity is unknown , Alpha King ! She could be deceiving you , and all of us ! Lucian stood slightly straighter .
Do I look like someone who can be easily deceived ? Secret or not , Dr.
As identity is fine .
No ! Sheila cried out , loudly and suddenly .
Lucian , you have to listen to them .
They are Healers .
They know ! Lucian simply turned his back to them , and to Sheila , facing only me instead .
Behind him , Sheilas face crinkled up as more tears fell .
With a loud sob , she swiveled on her heel and ran out the door .
Lucian didnt turn to look at her leave .
He didnt even flinch , keeping his gaze steady on me .
I apologize to you , Dr.
A.
I promise this will never happen again , he said .
I will be spreading the word that you are under pack protection .
If anyone dares to offend you again , I will directly exile them from the pack .
His face was stern , but his eyes were sincere .
A man of his word , Lucian usually kept his promises .
Voice softer , he added , I appreciate all that youve done for the Nightfall pack , Dr.
A.
Genuinely .
It was so strange hearing him talk like this to Dr.
A , when in the past , as Aria , he had never given me so much gratitude.
As his housewife , Id almost given up everything for Lucian , desiring so greatly for him to see me and to love me .
Yet he never did .
Now , absurdly , as Dr.
A , I barely had to try to receive his kind words and compliments .
In such a short time , Dr.
A had accomplished that which Arla had tried to earn for three years .

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I wondered , if I had told him my true identity at the beginning , would that have changed anything ? Or maybe , everything ? With a sigh , I looked away .
What did it matter now ? I had decided to divorce .
Thinking about what could have been in our marriage was meaningless .
Lucian didnt love me the real Aria- at all .
If you will excuse me , Lucian said .
Turning toward Ben , he held out his hand .
Ben reached into the briefcase for more paperwork .
Then he handed it to Lucian .
When Lucian had it , he turned to me , and handed it out for me to take .
I simply wanted to bring you these new files pertaining to the project .
Thank you , I said , meaning it for this and for his early words .
He nodded , then , gesturing to Ben , they both walked out of the office .
The older Healers left as well .
With the office returning to normal , Piper returned to the phones and I moved into my private office , hoping to shut out the world for a while .
23 SMAA Not too long after I sat down at my desk chair , a knock sounded on my door .
Come in , I said , relieved when only Cathy came through This was left for you , Cathy said , handing over what looked like a card in an envelope .
Written on the front , in Lucians handwriting was , Aria With curiosity , I opened the envelope and pulled out an invation .
The time and date was for the family gathering Sheila had mentioned .
Lucian had sincerely invited me the real me , not Dr.
A.
Under the invitation , Lucian had personally written , Aria You must attend .
In lighter lettering , as if he had added it as an afterthought , he wrote , -Please .