The days following Fawn's confrontation with Beth were a blur of emotions-sadness, anger, and an overwhelming sense of loss. But amidst the pain, there was something new stirring inside her. A small ember of determination, one that had been ignited by her own anger and the reminder that she didn't need Lucian or his validation to be whole.

Fawn woke up early, the pale morning light filtering through the small window of her cabin. The air was crisp, a reminder that winter was approaching, but she welcomed the coolness. It felt like a fresh start, a new beginning she desperately needed.

She padded barefoot to the mirror, hesitating as she looked at herself. White hair framed her pale face, and her heterochromia eyes stared back at her, the green and blue stark against her skin. For the first time in weeks, she forced herself to really look, not just glance and turn away in shame.

This was her. Fawn. The girl with the rare white wolf, the omega who had been strong enough to become a doctor despite the odds. The girl who had been rejected, yes, but who still had a life ahead of her.

Taking a deep breath, Fawn turned away from the mirror and began to get dressed. Today was different. Today, she wasn't going to wallow in her pain. She had work to do, lives to heal, and she wasn't going to let her broken heart stop her anymore.

By the time she reached the pack's clinic, the morning was well underway, and the village was bustling with activity. The clinic, nestled in the heart of the pack's territory, had always been her sanctuary. Here, she could focus on others, push aside her own pain, and do what she was born to do-heal.

As she stepped inside, the familiar scent of herbs and antiseptic greeted her. Shelves lined with medicinal supplies and dried herbs filled the small space, and the gentle hum of life around her grounded her in the present.

"Morning, Fawn," said a soft voice from the back room.

She turned to see Rowan, her fellow healer and close friend, emerging with a tray of supplies. He gave her a warm smile, though his eyes carried a hint of concern. Rowan had always been attuned to her emotions, and he knew how deeply the rejection had affected her.

"Morning," she replied, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Rowan set the tray down and crossed his arms, leaning against the counter. "You look... better," he said cautiously. "Still not quite yourself, but better."

Fawn sighed, knowing she couldn't hide from him. "I'm trying," she admitted, her voice soft. "I can't keep letting it tear me apart. I need to move forward."

Rowan's expression softened, and he stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're stronger than you think, Fawn. What Lucian did-it doesn't define you. You were amazing before him, and you'll be amazing long after."

She bit her lip, fighting back the wave of emotion that threatened to rise. "I just don't know how to let go," she whispered. "It's like every time I think I'm getting better, I feel the bond again. I feel the pain."

Rowan's hand squeezed her shoulder gently. "It'll take time. But you don't have to do it alone. You have friends who care about you. We're here for you, Fawn."

She nodded, grateful for his support. Rowan had been her rock through all of this, never pushing her but always offering a shoulder to lean on when she needed it. His presence in the clinic had kept her grounded when she felt like she was unraveling.

"I just wish it didn't hurt so much," Fawn muttered, running a hand through her hair. "Every time he's with her, it's like a knife to my heart."

"I know," Rowan said quietly. "But the bond will fade. It always does after a rejection. You just have to give it time. And in the meantime, focus on you. You're not defined by your connection to Lucian. You're so much more than that."

Fawn took a deep breath, nodding again. "I'm trying to believe that."

Rowan smiled and nudged her playfully. "Well, how about we start by focusing on work? There's a steady stream of patients this morning, and I'm pretty sure they'd rather see you than me. Your bedside manner is way better."

Fawn chuckled, the sound weak but genuine. "That's because I don't accidentally scare people off with my 'doctor face,'" she teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Hey, my 'doctor face' is a finely tuned tool of intimidation," Rowan shot back, grinning. "It keeps people in line."

"Or gives them nightmares."

"Semantics." Rowan waved her off with a playful smirk. "But seriously, let's get to work. It'll be a good distraction, and the patients are piling up."

Fawn felt a small surge of gratitude toward Rowan. His lightheartedness, the way he could make her smile even when she felt like falling apart-it reminded her that she wasn't completely alone in this. And maybe that was what she needed right now: distraction, purpose, something to focus on other than the constant ache in her chest.

Together, they got to work, tending to the wolves who came in with various injuries and ailments. Fawn's hands moved on autopilot as she cleaned wounds, bandaged cuts, and brewed healing teas. Her focus shifted from her own pain to the needs of those around her, and for a while, she felt like herself again.

It wasn't until mid-morning, when the flow of patients slowed, that Fawn had a moment to breathe. She stood by the counter, washing her hands and letting the soothing smell of herbs calm her mind. But even in the quiet moments, the thoughts of Lucian and his rejection lingered, like a dull throb at the back of her consciousness.

She didn't want to think about him, didn't want to remember the way his eyes had looked when he spoke those fateful words. But it was impossible to forget. Even now, with her hands deep in her work, Lucian's presence loomed over her like a shadow she couldn't escape.

Rowan's voice cut through her thoughts. "You okay?"

Fawn blinked, startled, and turned to find him watching her with that same concerned look he'd been giving her for weeks. She managed a small smile. "I'm fine. Just... thinking."

Rowan wiped his hands on a towel and leaned against the counter. "About Lucian?"

Fawn looked down, biting her lip. There was no point in denying it. "Yeah."

Rowan sighed softly. "I get it. It's hard, Fawn. Rejection-especially from a mate-it's one of the hardest things a wolf can go through. But you don't have to carry that burden alone."

"I know," she whispered. "It's just... I thought we were supposed to be together. I thought being mates meant something more. And then he rejected me, like it was nothing. Like I was nothing."

Rowan's expression darkened, and his jaw clenched slightly. "You're not nothing, Fawn. Lucian's a fool for what he did. Anyone with half a brain can see that you're worth more than he ever deserved."

Fawn chuckled bitterly. "Tell that to the bond. Every time I feel it snap-every time he's with her-it's like I'm being torn apart all over again."

Rowan opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, the door to the clinic burst open. A familiar voice called out, lighthearted but tinged with urgency.

"Hey, are the superstar healers in?"

Fawn turned to see Kira, one of her closest friends, sauntering into the room with her usual air of confidence. The tall, raven-haired she-wolf grinned as she approached, but Fawn could tell something was off. Kira was never one for subtlety, and the faint lines of tension around her eyes were a dead giveaway that something was wrong.

"Kira," Fawn said, surprised. "What's going on?"

Kira's grin faltered slightly, and she crossed her arms, glancing around the room. "Can we talk? It's... important."

Fawn exchanged a glance with Rowan before nodding. "Of course. Let's go to the back."

Once they were out of earshot of the main clinic, Kira's playful demeanor slipped away, replaced by a more serious expression. She sighed, running a hand through her hair, clearly debating how to start.

"I didn't want to say this in front of the whole pack," Kira began, her voice low, "but I thought you should know-Beth's been running her mouth again. About you."

Fawn's heart sank, though she wasn't surprised. Beth had made it her mission to rub her relationship with Lucian in Fawn's face every chance she got. Still, the thought of Beth spreading rumors-or worse-about her made the knot in her stomach tighten.

"What did she say this time?" Fawn asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Kira hesitated, her eyes flickering with anger. "She's been telling people that you're 'fragile,' that you've lost your touch as a healer because of the rejection. That you're not fit to be part of the pack's medical team anymore."

Fawn's breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, all she could do was stare at Kira. Beth's words hit harder than she expected, not because they were true, but because they played directly into Fawn's deepest fears. Her confidence, already shattered by Lucian's rejection, now felt like it was crumbling even further.

Kira's gaze softened, and she reached out, placing a comforting hand on Fawn's shoulder. "Listen, Fawn. You know that's bullshit, right? Beth's just trying to get under your skin because she knows Lucian still feels something for you."

Fawn shook her head, disbelief clouding her thoughts. "He rejected me, Kira. How could he possibly-?"

"Because he's an idiot," Kira interrupted, her voice firm. "Lucian might have made a terrible decision, but that doesn't mean he's stopped caring. He's just too stubborn to admit it. And Beth knows that, which is why she's trying so hard to tear you down."

Fawn clenched her fists, frustration bubbling up inside her. "I don't understand why she even cares. She won. She has him."

Kira snorted. "Beth doesn't want Lucian to just be with her-she wants to erase you from the picture entirely. And she's threatened because, deep down, she knows she can't."

Fawn's mind whirled as she processed Kira's words. Could it be true? Could Beth's cruelty stem from her own insecurities? It seemed impossible, but then again, Fawn had seen firsthand how toxic Beth could be when she felt threatened.

"I'm not going to let her win," Fawn said quietly, more to herself than anyone else.

Kira's face broke into a fierce grin. "That's the spirit. And you don't have to fight this battle alone, Fawn. We're all behind you. Rowan, me, the whole pack-we've got your back."

Fawn felt a surge of warmth at Kira's words, the solidarity of her friends lifting some of the weight from her shoulders. Maybe she couldn't heal her broken bond with Lucian, but she could heal herself. Piece by piece, with the support of those who truly cared about her.

For the first time in a long while, Fawn felt something she hadn't felt in weeks-hope.