LUCIEN’S POV

Naomi.

She stood there, rigid as a statue, her hands clasped in front of her like she was holding herself together. Her dark hair was pulled back tight, and her eyes—those familiar hazel eyes—darted to mine before dropping to the floor.

It had been years since I'd seen her. She used to be my personal maid, efficient and quiet, always fading into the background. Then one day, she was gone. Said she'd found her mate and left to start a life with him.

But she wasn't alone.

Hiding behind her legs, peeking out with wide, curious eyes, was a little boy. He couldn't have been more than three...