_Katherine’s POV_
The next morning came slowly, dragging with it the heavy weight of my restless thoughts from the night before. But the scent of warm bread, sizzling bacon, and honey-sweet tea was enough to pull me out of bed.
I needed my life to return to normal.
I needed to feel like everything was okay—even if it wasn’t.
I dressed in a soft cream blouse and simple jeans, tied my hair into a loose braid, and walked down to the dining hall. The long wooden table was already half full. Aaron was buttering toast with far too much energy for someone that early, and Dylan was trying to sneak a sausage from Lucian’s plate.
Lucian caught his hand mid-air and gave him a warning look. “Really?”
Dylan grinned. “You weren’t eating it, Alpha.”
“I was getting to it,” Lucian replied dryly.
I
