The livingroom welcomed me with afternoon sunlight streaming through tall windows, casting golden patterns across comfortable furniture. Miles had already arranged fresh flowers on the coffee table—delicate blooms in soft colors that perfumed the air with subtle fragrance.
I settled onto the plush sofa with a soft sigh, immediately sinking into the cushions that seemed to cradle my still-recovering body. The afternoon light was warm against my skin, and I found myself closing my eyes to better savor the sensation.
"Comfortable?" Miles asked, settling into the chair across from me with his ever-present gardening materials.
"Very," I murmured, then opened my eyes to study the flowers he'd arranged. "These are beautiful. What are they?"
"Sweet peas and baby's breath," he replied, his green eyes lighting up with pleasure at my interest. "I thought you might enjoy the fragrance without it being overwhelming."
He was right—the scent was delicate and soothing, adding to the peaceful atmosphere without competing with the other sensory input I was still adjusting to. Christopher appeared witha soft throw blanket, draping it over my legs gently as I let my body sag more into the cushions and before I knew it I was asleep.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Julian
I watched Lilianna's breathing even out as sleep claimed her, her face relaxing into peaceful lines I rarely saw when she was awake. The past week had been harder on her than any of us had anticipated, but seeing her finally resting without the tension that usually held her shoulders rigid, made something tight in my chest ease.
"She's exhausted," Christopher murmured, settling into the chair beside Miles with his own cup of coffee. "Even that short time downstairs took everything she had."
Nicolaus emerged from the kitchen, tablet in hand as always, but his expression was softer than usual as he took in Lilianna's sleeping form. "Her body is working overtime to recalibrate. The fatigue is expected, but she's progressing well."
I remained on the edge of the sofa, close enough to ensure she didn't slip sideways in her sleep but far enough to avoiddisturbing her rest. The trust she'd shown in falling asleep so completely in our presence wasn't lost on any of us.
"Her scent is definitely changing," Miles observed quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Stronger today. More...her."
He was right. The clinical, muted quality that had clung to her since arrival was fading, replaced by something warmer, richer. Something that made every alpha instinct in me want to move closer, to ensure her comfort and safety.
"Julian," Nicolaus said, settling into his usual analytical stance by the window. "About Saturday's shopping trip. We should discuss boundaries beforehand."
I nodded, understanding his concern. "She's going to be more sensitive to everything—crowds, noise, our reactions to seeing her in different clothes."
"Exactly," Nicolaus confirmed. "And given how she responded to Miles's brief touch this morning, physical contact is going to affect her more intensely. We need to be mindful of that."
Christopher leaned forward, his expression thoughtful. "Maybe we should limit it to one or two stores initially. Somewhere with a calm atmosphere and patient staff."
"I know a place," Miles said, his voice still kept low to avoid waking Lilianna. "Boutique downtown, run by a mated pair. They specialize in helping omegas discover their personal style. Very discreet, very patient."
I nodded approvingly. "That sounds perfect. Somewhere she won't feel rushed or judged."
Christopher's eyes drifted back to Lilianna's sleeping form. "She's never had the chance to explore what she likes, what makes her feel beautiful. It's going to be overwhelming in the best possible way."
"We'll need to watch for signs of overstimulation," Nicolaus added, making notes on his tablet. "And have an exit strategy if she becomes overwhelmed."
I shifted slightly as Lilianna made a small sound in her sleep, her body unconsciously seeking more warmth. Without thinking, I reached out to adjust the blanket around her shoulders, my fingers barely grazing her arm. Even that minimal contact sent a jolt of awareness through me. The simple touch was enough to make her scent flutter stronger, and I had to resist the urge to lean closer and breathe it in more deeply.
"You're fighting it," Miles observed with quiet amusement, watching my careful restraint.
"We all are," I admitted, pulling my hand back. "Her natural scent is...addicting."
Christopher made a soft sound of agreement. "I found myself lingering in her room longer than necessary this morning when I brought her tea. Just being near her feels..."
"Right," Nicolaus finished, his clinical mask slipping to reveal something more primal underneath. "Which is why we need to be especially careful not to overwhelm her. She's not ready for the full intensity of our responses to her."
I nodded, though every instinct I possessed was urging me to gather her closer, to surround her with our scents and presence until she was fully marked as ours. "She's still discovering who she is without the suppressants," I agreed, forcing myself to focus on what Lilianna needed rather than what my alpha instincts demanded. "She deserves space to explore that without pressure."
Miles set aside his gardening journal, his green eyes serious. "She asked about our reactions to her scent this morning. She's becoming aware of the dynamics between us."
"And she's responding," Christopher added softly. "Did you see how she blushed when you touched her hand, Miles? That wouldn't have happened a week ago."
