"And then we tell her." I met his eyes. "You got the information?"
"Everything. Birth records, hospital records, the kidnapping report. DNA confirmation that the woman who raised her never had children." He pulled out his phone, showing me the documents he'd compiled. "And the scent match records from when she was born. Witnessed by three pack elders. It's all here."
"She's going to hate us."
"Maybe. But she deserves the truth."
The door opened and Naomi appeared, leaning heavily on the doorframe. She looked exhausted, dark circles under her eyes, her hair a tangled mess, her body moving like every step hurt. But she was beautiful. And she was ours.
"Hi," she said softly.
"Hi yourself." I moved to help her, but she waved me off.
"I can walk. It's just slow."
She made her way to the tub, staring at the lavender water. "What is this?"
"Post-heat recovery bath. A healer recommended it. Supposed to help with the soreness."
"A healer."
"We wanted to make sure we were doing this right. That we were taking care of you properly." I gestured to the water. "It’s time to mix in the cold water. Want help getting in when it’s ready?"
She looked between us, then nodded. "Yeah. I don't think I can do it alone."
We helped her undress, I tested the temperature, and then we guided her into the water. The moment she sank in, she moaned.
"Oh my god."
"Good?" Rowan asked.
"Better than good." She closed her eyes, sinking deeper. "This is incredible."
"Good. Stay as long as you want. We'll be right here."
We settled on the floor beside the tub, close enough to help if she needed it, far enough to give her space. She soaked in silence for several minutes before speaking.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "For everything." She swallowed. "For not taking advantage."
"You don't have to thank us for basic decency," I said.
"I know. But I want to." She opened her eyes, looking at us. "I was so scared. And you made me feel safe. That's not nothing."
"It's everything," Rowan said quietly.
We stayed with her while she bathed, washing her hair when she asked, helping her when her arms got too tired to continue. By the time she was clean and dried and dressed in fresh clothes, Kira was calling from downstairs.
"Dinner's ready!"
I was happy to get food in everybody’s belly, but dinner meant that it was also time to get the truth out there for Naomi to know. Whether we were ready or not, it was show time.
NAOMI
The dining room was beautiful with hardwood floors, a table that could easily seat ten, and windows overlooking a garden that would be ready for spring harvests.
Kira had made enough food to feed an army. Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, scallop potatoes, three different vegetables, fresh bread, and what looked like apple pie cooling on the counter. My favorite things.
"You made all this?" I asked.
