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“I don’t know if you guys knew that.”

“I sort of heard…” Rian started and then squeezed her hand.

“I was on the plane,” she said firmly. “I just—sorry to ruin the mood. I figured I’d explain.”

“You don’t have to explain anything to us,” Ben said with a frown.

“I know.” She sighed and relaxed. “All of you have let me work through this at my own pace, which is why I feel ready. I was on the plane, and it crashed, and my designation flipped and it was a lot.”

“Shit,” I said. I took her other hand. “I am so sorry.” My mind reeled at the level of trauma. No wonder she was cautious.

Ember let out a breath. “It’s okay. I’m mostly okay now, but sometimes…” She gestured around us. “The nest set me off.”

“We will always be there for you,” Ben said firmly.

“You’re showing me that.” She beamed, her red hair tumbling down her shoulders in waves. “Alejandro told me today that, no matter what, he was there.”

“Me too, us, yes,” Rian said, tripping over his own words.

“You’re ours,” Ben said, looking at West. “All three of you.”

West’s shoulders unhitched, and I brushed my hand over his arm too.

“We’re a pack,” I said. I wasn’t afraid anymore to say it out loud. It was the truth we all knew in our bones.

“We are.” Ben gestured at me. “Always. We can bond now, or in years. I’m happy with whatever.”

Ember nodded, looking down at her plate. “Thank you. I, uhh, not tonight? But knowing I’m not the only one…”

“Madly in love with you?” Ben smiled. “You’re not the only one. I’m madly in love with all three of you, and I’m so happy we’re moving in together.”

“Yes,” Rian said. “I know I’m grumpy but?—”

“Get in line,” West said, and Rian laughed.

“Pretty sure we’re all on board with the grumpy male omega.” I laughed. “It’s very sexy.”

“Yeah, it is.” Ember shifted so she sat between West and Rian. “And I have two of them.”

I sighed, feeling like I’d managed to have it all. They weren’t mad about my weird work hours and just moved their schedules around it.

Looking at them around the table, I realized the pack was my home.

“Can we watch TV?” Ember asked. She looked exhausted again, and I only felt a tiny bit guilty for having such a heavyconversation in the wake of the tragedy. “I want to listen to Rian and Alejandro judge the chefs on TV.”

“I would love nothing more,” I said, meaning every word.

As we snuggled down on the couch, I considered my colossal luck. I had my pack, and I would do anything to keep them safe.

I checked my phone again. Raina had looped me in on the investigation to who broke into the nest. Ember would ask soon, but until she brought it up, I didn’t want to remind her.

So far, the police had no leads and no forensic evidence. The urge to go door to door to see who could have hurt her was strong.

When Ember was ready to go back to work, we’d set up some safety measures. Until then, she was at the pack house and in my arms.

It was the best I could do.

Chapter 40