He carries me into the bathroom like I weigh nothing.
The mirror catches us briefly – my hair braided but still wild and tangled, skin marked faintly in places that make my stomach flip with secret pride.
Sol sets me gently on the edge of the bath and begins running water without a word.
Behind us, I hear Koa’s footsteps retreating downstairs.
“Breakfast,” he calls softly. “I’m going to make sure you eat all of it.”
Finn follows, murmuring something about coffee. Kai lingers for a moment, leaning in the doorway.
“You survived,” he says lightly.
“I thrived,” I correct with a small, proud smile. “Thanks to you all.”
He grins and disappears.
The bath fills with steam, warm and inviting. Sol kneels in front of me and begins carefully peeling away the last of the blankets and tangled clothing I’ve been wrapped in since the heat broke.
There is no urgency now.
Only care.
He helps me into the water slowly, supporting me when my legs tremble.
The warmth soaks into my sore muscles immediately, and I sigh softly.
Sol kneels beside the tub, sleeves rolled, and begins washing me gently. Not sexual. Not claiming. Just tender.
“You did so well,” he murmurs.
I look up at him.
“I waited my whole life for this,” I admit. “I didn’t know it – not to be an omega, I never even suspected – but just to belong.”
His thumb pauses briefly against my shoulder.
“And now?”
I smile, soft and certain. “Now I’m home.”
Downstairs, I can hear the quiet clatter of pans and low conversation.
The house smells like coffee and toast and something sweet.
My pack.
My place.
My new normal.
And for the first time in my life, I am not being managed.
I am cherished.
FIFTY-TWO
LANI