Chapter 52

The night had fallen, blanketing the packhouse in a quiet kind of stillness. We were settling in, trying to make this place feel like home, though it was hard when everything felt so… unfamiliar. The fifth floor had four bedrooms, an open living area, and a kitchen that I had yet to really touch. It was luxurious, but cold—more like a polished cage than a home.

Lucien was nestled against me, his tiny lips latched to my breast, drinking sleepily. The soft rhythm of his breathing soothed the knot that had been tightening in my chest since we arrived. I stroked the top of his head, my body relaxing into the couch.

The door creaked open, and I looked up to see Seth step inside. He looked drained—his shoulders tense, his hand rubbing the back of his neck in a way that screamed exhaustion.

“Hey,” he whispered, his voice rough. Our eyes met, and I could see the weight of his day reflected in them.

“Hi,” I whispered back, my gaze drifting down to Lucien. He was dozing off, still latched to me