Chapter 58

As I emerged from the nest, the sounds of morning rituals beckoned me. In the kitchen, Harlen stood by the stove, the kettle whistling softly as he prepared my favorite tea—green tea and mint, just the way I liked it. I watched him for a moment, his movements precise and deliberate.

“Morning, darling,” he greeted, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine. “Tea will be ready soon.”

I smiled, padding over to him. “You’re a lifesaver, Harlen.”

He poured the hot water over the tea leaves, the aroma filling the kitchen. “Anything for you,” he replied, his tone casual, but his eyes betrayed a depth of feeling that warmed me more than the steam from the cup.

At the dining table, Axel was a flurry of activity, his long hair tied back as he juggled pans on the stove. Jin stood beside him, offering guidance with a playful smirk. When he saw me, he shot me a wink.

“Remember, it’s all about the seasoning,” Jin reminded him, and Axel mock-saluted in response.

I chuckled, leaning against the counter. “I never thought I’d see the day when you would make us breakfast.”

Axel shot me a grin, his eyes gleaming with mirth. “Desperate times call for desperate measures. Besides, I can’t let Jin have all the fun.”

Jin rolled his eyes, but there was a fondness in his tone when he spoke. “Just make sure you don’t burn the place down.”

Pietro, meanwhile, was engrossed in his laptop, the screen’s glow illuminating his face. A cup of coffee sat beside him, the steam curling into the air. He was the picture of calm, a leader even in the quiet of the morning.

I approached him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Working hard or hardly working?” I teased.

He looked up, a smile tugging at his lips. “A bit of both, printsessa. But don’t worry, I’m all yours once we’ve eaten.”

Breakfast was a lively affair, filled with laughter and easy conversation. We talked about everything and nothing—plans for the day, memories from our pasts, even the latest tech gadgets that piqued our interest. The dynamic between my alphas was fascinating to watch—each so different, yet united in their dedication to me and to our pack.

As I helped Jin clear the table after breakfast, I caught him watching me with a soft smile playing on his lips.

“You seem deep in thought,” he observed, taking a stack of plates from me.

I shrugged, a playful grin forming. “Just thinking about how domesticated we’ve all become.”

Jin chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Speak for yourself. I’ve always been this amazing.”

I rolled my eyes, nudging him with my hip. “Sure, you have.”

He mock-frowned, placing the dishes in the sink. “You wound me, Darcy.”

I laughed, the sound light and carefree. It was a sound I’d grown to cherish—a reminder of the freedom I now possessed.

Jin dried his hands on a dishtowel, leaning against the counter as he regarded me. “What do you feel like doing today?”

I paused, considering his question. “I think I’d like to spend some time coding. It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to really dig into a project.”

A genuine smile spread across Jin’s face. “That’s fantastic, Darcy. You should set up a workspace here. It’ll be good for you to have a dedicated area to pursue your passions.”

I nodded, the idea resonating with me. “I’d like that. Maybe somewhere with lots of natural light?”

“Consider it done,” Jin declared, his tone full of determination. “I’ll help you set it up. We can make it as comfortable and as functional as you need it to be.”

I felt a rush of gratitude for Jin’s unwavering support. “Thank you.”

Jin’s gaze softened. “We just want you to be happy, Darcy. Your happiness is our happiness.”

Together, we explored the house, searching for the perfect spot for my new workspace. We settled on a cozy nook by a large window, the sunlight streaming in and illuminating the room with a golden glow.

As we began to arrange the space, Jin proved to be an invaluable assistant, offering suggestions and listening intently to my preferences. “What about an ergonomic chair? You’ll be spending a lot of time here, and we want your back to thank you.”

I laughed, pretending to weigh the options. “Hmm, that does sound important. But only if it swivels.”

Jin raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Swivels, huh? I suppose we can arrange that.”

By the time we finished setting up my workspace, it was a reflection of who I was—a blend of comfort, functionality, and a touch of whimsy. I stood back, admiring our handiwork, a sense of pride swelling within me.

Jin wrapped an arm around my shoulders, his voice a low purr in my ear. “What do you think, Darcy? Does it meet your high standards?”

I leaned into him, my heart full. “It’s perfect, Jin. Absolutely perfect.”