Chapter 288
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Lucas nodded once and guided me over toward the person he was just talking to. “Ellie,” he said, “this is Hanna, the coordinator for this event. She’s a long-time healer specializing in rogue and Omega care.”
The woman had a kind face and wore a sleek suit with a pencil skirt. She shook my hand and asked me some questions about my studies, which I answered honestly.
“A healer fresh out of the academy would be a great boon to our organization,” she said once I’d told her my graduation date ” And a Luna, no less.”
I felt Lucas stiffen a little at that, as did I.
“Let’s just focus on the healer part,” I said, smiling pleasantly.
Hanna seemed to understand and nodded. She went on to describe the organization’s mission-to provide free, quality healthcare to everyone, regardless of pack affiliation or socioeconomic status.
It was something I could get behind, honestly.
“Anyway,” Hanna finished, picking up a clipboard from a nearby table, “we’re not slated to start official work until next year. But in the meantime, we’ll be hosting various fundraising events to help us get a head start. If you’re interested in working at any of the events, we’re looking for volunteers.”
“I’d love to,” I said without hesitating. “And after? Once the organization is off the ground? How will that work for the healers?”
She smiled faintly. “As things stand right now, most of our funding will go toward medical supplies, travel costs, and running our various field stations. Healers will be volunteers, not paid employees.”
My face must have fallen a little, because she added quickly, “But each healer will be provided room and board at no cost to themselves.”
I let out a little breath. It wasn’t the pay that meant so much to me, but knowing that, if I got out of this situation with Dominic, I’d have a place to go. Somewhere safe and independent, not relying on any man.
“Well?” Hanna smiled. “What do you say? We’re looking for volunteer signups.”
“I’d love to do it,” I said.
Hanna looked relieved. “Oh, wonderful. We need all the hands we can get.” She held the clipboard out to me, along with a ballpoint pen. “In a couple of months, we’ll hold a meeting discussing the process for officially joining as a healer. We’ll require a degree, and you’ll have to pass a field test before joining. But no other prior experience is necessary-training will be done on the job.”
“Sounds good to me,” I said, taking the pen and clipboard.
I had just begun to sign my name when the door behind me suddenly flung open so hard that it made the other attendees gasp. Lucas growled low in his throat before I could even turn.
When I did, my heart stopped.
Dominic stood in the doorway, chest heaving, looking around the room with obvious suspicion. The moment he spotted me and Lucas standing together, his eyes darkened dangerously.
Without a word, he stormed across the room, snatched the pen from my hand, and slammed it on the table.
“We’re leaving,” he hissed.
I opened my mouth, but it was too late. Dominic grabbed my wrist and tried to pull me away. Lucas snarled, stepping forward.
I didn’t give either of them a chance to act.
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My hand flew before I could think twice. The slap echoed through the room, snapping Dominic’s head to the side. A red handprint had already begun to form on his cheek by the time I had picked up the pen, quickly signed my name, and grabbed my
purse.
“Fuck you, Dominic,” I whispered.
The room was silent. Dominic stared at me, face red not from rage or embarrassment, but from the slap.
Without another word, I turned and left, and I didn’t look back.
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