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Chapter Fifty-Nine

Lilianna

I must have fallen asleep in the car on the drive back, lulled by the gentle motion and the emotional exhaustion of the day. When I woke, we were already pulling into the driveway of the house, the familiar silhouette welcoming against the darkening sky.

"We're home," Nicolaus said softly, reaching over to brush a strand of hair from my face. "You slept the whole way back."

I straightened in my seat, blinking away the remnants of sleep. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be such boring company."

"You were perfect company," he countered, his voice warm as he turned off the engine. "Besides, you needed the rest after our... active morning." The slight curve of his lips suggested memories that made heat rise to my cheeks.

"Thank you for today," I said, reaching for his hand across the console.

"It was my pleasure," Nicolaus replied, his fingers intertwining with mine. The simple touch carried a weight of intimacy that hadn't been there before today. "Meeting Lydia... was it helpful?"

I nodded, feeling a smile spread across my face. "More than I can explain. It's just... knowing someone else walked this path before me and found happiness on the other side. It makes everything feel more possible."

Nicolaus's thumb traced gentle circles on the back of my hand. "You're stronger than you give yourself credit for, Lilianna."

"So everyone keeps telling me," I said with a soft laugh.

"Because it's true." His eyes held mine, serious and intent. "What you've done—choosing your own path despite everything you were taught—that takes remarkable courage."

I felt warmth bloom in my chest at his words. Before I could respond, the front door opened , warm light spilling onto the porch as Christopher's broad silhouette appeared in the doorway.

"There they are," Christopher called out, his voice carrying the warmth of genuine affection. "We were starting to wonder if you'd gotten lost."

I smiled, watching as Miles appeared beside him, wiping his hands on a dish towel. The sight of them both waiting for us made something settle in my chest—a sense of belonging I was still learning to trust.

"Just enjoying the scenic route," Nicolaus replied, though his eyes remained on me as he spoke. "How was your afternoon?"

"Productive," Christopher said, stepping down from the porch as we climbed out of the car. "Though Julian's been pacing for the last hour. I think he missed having someone to fuss over."

I laughed, accepting the gentle kiss Christopher pressed to my temple. "Where is he?"

“Emergency call," Miles explained, taking the violin case from Nicolaus who had gone to grab the things from the trunk.

"Client crisis or actual emergency?" Nicolaus asked, his voice carrying the slight edge it always did when work intruded on our time together.

“I don’t know. Bit of both, from what I gathered," Miles answered, his free hand finding mine as we walked toward the house. "Something about a deal falling through at the last minute. He said he wouldn't be long."

I nodded, trying not to feel disappointed. Julian was a busy man; I'd known that from the beginning. Still, I'd been looking forward to sharing my day with all of them.

"He made me promise to tell you he'll make it up to you," Christopher added, his arm sliding around my waist as we climbed the porch steps. "Something about breakfast in bed tomorrow."

"That sounds like Julian," I said with a smile, the promise of tomorrow easing the slight sting of his absence tonight.

Inside, the house was warm and filled with the rich aroma of something delicious cooking. My stomach growled in response, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since our late breakfast.

"Perfect timing," Christopher said, hearing my stomach's protest. "I've been working on a new recipe all afternoon. Braised short ribs with root vegetables." He guided me toward the kitchen, his hand warm at the small of my back. "I was hoping to get your opinion."

The kitchen was filled with the rich, savory scent of slow-cooked meat and herbs.

A large Dutch oven sat on the stove, steam rising from beneath its heavy lid.

Christopher had clearly been busy—the counters were meticulously clean despite the elaborate meal preparation, and I could see fresh bread cooling on a rack near the window.

"It smells incredible," I said, inhaling deeply. "What can I do to help?"

"Absolutely nothing," Christopher said firmly, pressing a glass of wine into my hands. "You've had a full day. Just sit and tell us everything."

I settled onto one of the stools at the kitchen island, watching as Miles joined Christopher at the stove. They moved around each other with practiced ease, a silent communication born of years together.

"Where should I start?" I asked, taking a small sip of the wine—a rich red that warmed me from the inside out.

"The beginning," Nicolaus said, settling onto the stool beside me. His thigh pressed against mine, a casual intimacy that sent a pleasant flutter through my stomach. "Tell them about the cove."

I felt heat rise to my cheeks, remembering exactly what had happened at the cove. "It was beautiful," I said, carefully choosing my words. "The sunrise reflecting off the water was like something from a painting."

Christopher glanced over his shoulder, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "And the swimming? How was that?"

"Refreshing," I replied, my cheeks heating up at the mention of the cove.

Miles looked up from where he was stirring something on the stove, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Just refreshing? That's all we get?"

I shot a look at Nicolaus, who was watching me with barely concealed satisfaction. "It was... enlightening," I amended, taking another sip of wine to hide my burning cheeks. "Nicolaus is an excellent teacher."

"I'm sure he is," Christopher said, his tone rich with implication as he checked the bread. "And the violin lesson? How did that go?"

Grateful for the change of subject, I brightened immediately. "It was incredible. Elena is amazing—she made me feel like I wasn't completely hopeless despite the fact that I sounded like a dying cat for most of the lesson."

Miles laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "Everyone sounds like a dying cat when they first start.”

"The important thing is that you enjoyed it," Nicolaus said, his voice carrying a hint of pride. "Elena said you have natural intuition for the instrument."

"She was being kind," I laughed, though the compliment warmed me. "But I loved it. I've already been practicing the finger positions she showed me." I demonstrated with my left hand, my fingers curving in the air as if holding the invisible neck of a violin.

"When's your next lesson?" Miles asked, coming around the counter to refill my wine glass.

"Next week," I replied, excitement bubbling up at the thought. "She said we'd start on actual melodies then, once my fingers get used to the positioning."

"We should clean up the music room upstairs," Christopher suggested, stirring the pot on the stove. "Give you a proper space to practice."

I blinked in surprise, before a smile made it’s way to my face. “Really?”

"Of course," Miles said, his voice warm with affection. "It's about time that room got some use again. It doesn’t get regular use. I use it…so does Julian but it isn’t that often with how busy our schedules can get.”

"I'd like that," I said softly, the idea of having a dedicated space for something that was just mine—just for pleasure—still felt surreal. "I'll try not to torture you all too much with my practicing."

"The sound of you learning something you love could never be torture," Miles said, his voice carrying such sincerity that my chest tightened with emotion.

Nicolaus's hand found mine under the counter, his fingers intertwining with mine in a gesture that felt both protective and proud. "Tell them about Lydia," he prompted gently.

"She was wonderful," I said, my voice softening at the memory of our conversation. "It was... I've never met another Omega who chose her own path before. Someone who understands what it's like to leave everything behind."

Christopher turned from the stove, his expression curious but patient as he waited for me to continue.

"We talked about family expectations, about the courage it takes to walk away from everything you're supposed to want," I continued, swirling the wine in my glass as I gathered my thoughts. "She had a bag packed for months after she moved in with her pack—just in case she needed to run again."

Miles paused in his stirring, his expression thoughtful. "That makes sense. When you've spent your whole life being told your choices don't matter, it's hard to believe someone won't take that freedom away."

"Exactly," I said, grateful for his understanding. "But hearing how she worked through it, how her pack supported her... it made me realize I'm not as alone in this as I thought."

"You're not alone at all," Christopher said firmly, turning to face me fully. "You have us, and we're not going anywhere."

The simple declaration made my throat tight with emotion. I set down my wine glass, overwhelmed by the certainty in his voice and the matching expressions on Miles and Nicolaus' faces.

"I'm still learning to believe that," I admitted quietly. "But conversations like the one with Lydia help. She said something that really stuck with me—that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is let someone else be brave for us."

Miles moved closer, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder with gentle warmth. "What did she mean by that?"

"That I don't have to face everything alone anymore. That it's okay to lean on you when I'm scared or uncertain." I looked between the three of them, seeing nothing but acceptance in their expressions. "It's harder than it sounds, letting go of that need to be completely self-sufficient."

"You've had to be," Nicolaus said, his thumb tracing gentle patterns on my knuckles. "But you don't have to anymore. We want to share those burdens with you."

"I know," I said softly, then paused, considering my words. "Actually, I think I'm starting to really know that. Not just understand it intellectually, but feel it."

Christopher smiled, the expression transforming his face with warmth. "That's progress."

"Speaking of progress," Miles said, moving back to the stove to check on dinner, "how are you feeling about your family situation? Has meeting Lydia changed your perspective at all?"

I considered the question, taking another sip of wine as I organized my thoughts.

"It's given me hope that even if they do find me, I can stand firm.

She said her parents eventually stopped trying once they realized she wasn't going to break.

" I paused, my fingers tightening slightly around Nicolaus's hand.

"But I'm not sure it would be that simple with my mother.

She's... persistent in ways most people aren't."

"We'll cross that bridge if we come to it," Christopher assured me, his voice steady and confident. "Together."

I nodded, drawing strength from his certainty. "Lydia also mentioned something about legal action. That her Alpha—Lucian—threatened her parents with it when they wouldn't leave her alone."

Nicolaus nodded, his expression thoughtful. "That's always an option. Restraining orders exist for a reason, and harassment is a serious offense."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Miles said gently, turning back to the stove to stir the rich-smelling sauce. "But it's good to know we have options."

The sound of a door opening interrupted our conversation, followed by quick footsteps in the hallway. A moment later, Julian appeared in the kitchen doorway, his tie loosened and his expression harried but brightening immediately when he saw me.

"There you are," he said, crossing the room to press a kiss to the top of my head. "I'm sorry I missed your return. How was your day with Nicolaus?"

"It was perfect," I said, leaning into his touch as he settled his hand on my shoulder.

Julian smiled, his thumb brushing the nape of my neck in a gesture that sent pleasant shivers down my spine. "I'm glad to hear it.”

"Everything alright with the client?" Nicolaus asked, his voice carrying the professional concern that always surfaced when work intruded on our personal time.

Julian's expression tightened slightly. "Nothing that can't be handled. A merger fell through at the last minute, but we'll find another solution." He shook his head, as if physically pushing the work thoughts away. "But enough about that. I want to hear about your violin lesson."

I launched into an animated description of my time with Elena, watching Julian's expression soften with each detail. I was just happy to just talk about my day with the…just exist without any expectations.

I was just home.