While Luke slept peacefully, the others continued talking in hushed voices.
Everyone except Thea.
She wasn't part of the conversation, remaining quietly occupied with the food Laila had handed her.
"That must feel nice, then," Monica said with a gentle smile. "You're finally going back home after such a long time."
From what she had heard, Roxanne had returned to her family only once after becoming Baldon's mate, and even then, it had been for her father's death ceremony.
So, in Monica's eyes, getting to see her family again after all these years should have been a joyful occasion.
Roxanne, however, didn't seem nearly as optimistic.
"Well..." she murmured. "They might not be pleased that my lord isn't coming with me."
Thea let out a faint scoff.
"Do they expect the chief to always have time for such trivial visits?"
Monica smiled awkwardly.
"That's true. Being a chief can't be easy. He must have countless responsibilities to take care of."
