Mia's POV
Steam curled upward from the simmering pot as I stirred the rich broth with deliberate strokes. The kitchen held the warmth of a late evening, filled with the aromatic blend of rosemary and thyme that drifted through the air. Garlic lingered beneath the herbs, creating a comforting scent that would soon nourish the night shift workers.
These simple meals were my contribution to the Omegas who labored through the dark hours. Hearty food that would sustain them when exhaustion threatened to overwhelm their duties. I took pride in this small act of care, even as larger schemes occupied my thoughts.
The tranquil atmosphere shattered when hurried footsteps echoed from the corridor beyond the kitchen entrance. Voices carried through the walls, elevated with excitement rather than alarm. The kind of animated chatter that emerged when momentous news spread through the compound like wildfire.
