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Connor returns from his office, nodding. “Everything’s in place. Now we just need to see if she’ll accept it.”

There’s a twinge of hope in my chest, one that I hadn’t dared to feel since before last week when I was convinced the world was ending.

When I sleep in their spare bedroom that night, I realize that this has the potential to become our packhouse, if Devyn wants it to be.

If we can ever get to that point.

* * *

“Ben?”A booted foot taps my side. “Hey.Hey.”

I open my eyes to look up at River, who stares at me like I’ve just grown a second head. “What the fuck are you doing?” he demands.

I look at him wearily, my head throbbing.

I’m on the floor of the detective agency with a pile of papers spilled around me.

“What happened?” I ask groggily.

“You passed out,” another voice, this time not as harsh, replies. “It might be wise to get you to a hospital.”

Landon, Skylar’s other packmate who is also a detective, is staring at me with concern in his eyes.

“No, I’m fine,” I huff, sitting up and staring at the mess on the ground. Brightly colored macarons are also scattered around me.

“Are you sure? Because you scared the shit out of us,” River snaps. “And I’m not helping you up. You knocked over my cookies.”

Landon sighs and extends a hand. “You could be nicer to your cousin, River. He’s obviously not well.”

As I stand, River looks me over, scowling. “He’s not well because he’s being a dumbass and choosing to be away from his girlfriend. He’s making himself sick.”

I look at him in disbelief. “I’m notchoosingthis,” I snap. “She demanded space after everything.”

My cousin makes a face. “And that’s not doing any of you any good.”

Landon gives me a sympathetic look. “You’re ill because of the distance. The fact that you’re a Beta and it’s affecting you this much says a lot about your character.”

I frown. “Really? What does it say?”

“That you miss her just as much as she misses you.” A new voice enters the conversation, and Skylar steps into the office, her eyes full of concern. “Hey, Ben.” She hugs me, but her scent only makes me miss Devyn, and I release her quickly.

I don’t even want to touch anyone that isn’t my mate.

“How is she doing?” I ask carefully.

I’ll hold on to anything Skylar tells me about her. Devyn sent me a picture of the plush Wilson, and I responded with anI love you, but it’s been silent since then.

She chews her lip. “Terrible. Stubborn. Talks herself out of texting any of you.”

“Why?”

Skylar shrugs. “She blames herself for everything, no matter how much April and I tell her not to. She’s struggling, a lot.”

I’m going to be sick. My heart aches, and I’m starting to wonder if we made a mistake.

The space isn’t helping, not in the way I thought it would.

“I understand what you’re doing,” Skylar adds. “She’s terrified of the mating bond, too. Giving her space was the right thing to do, at first. But we’re going in circles with her.”