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Them?

Nate

Mmhmm.

I kept the card—both the original and the one that came after, thank you very much—and used every fucking cent.

Connor exhales, slumping in relief. “That’s a great courting gift.”

“It is.”

We don’t discuss my ruined nest, but Nate showed me the group chat. Even though I’m glad to know the fabric didn’t get destroyed or stolen by some woodland creature needing it for their nest, I won’t bring it back into mine. I can’t. Those memories are tainted now, but everything in the nest now is new and exactly what I want.

And that’s way better.

Moving into the kitchen, I grab two glasses of water, though I’m too busy watching Connor’s throat bob as he swallows. He sets the glass down carefully, thumbing a drop off his lip with a smirk. “Like what you see?”

Kill me now. Chugging my water so fast I nearly choke, I put on my bravest face. “Speaking of courting.”

He hums, fingers tapping along the counter as he watches me like a hawk. “We can take our time, get back to a comfortable place together?—”

“I don’t want to do that.”

The tapping stops, and he looks at me. “What do you mean?”

“You aren’t the only one working through things. This is mine. I want a slow courtship with Nate and Dez.”

You’d think I just swung for his face, the way this man stares with utter devastation. “Not me?”

I can’t stop my little growl. “You didn’t even ask to court, Connor. The others did, but the second my heat was over, you acted like I was contagious.”

I’m not expecting the absolutely sinful way he looks at me. The way he rounds the corner and crowds my space. How he twirls a damp curl around his finger while he keeps me trapped against the counter. “Is that what you need, angel? A declaration of my intentions.”

He has intentions?This is exactly what I mean. I have no clue what the hell Connor wants.

“It wouldn’t hurt,” I sniff, trying to pretend my body isn’t burning at his proximity.

Stupid fucking hormones. Stupid scent-sympathy. Can’t an omega play it cool in peace?

Connor leans in until his lips brush mine and I have to close my eyes against the sensation. “Daphne Barnes, will you let me court you? Will you let my pack show you what it means to be ours?”

He whispers every word, keeping it between the two of us. My lips tremble, begging me to kiss him, terrified of taking this step. “I’m scared.”

Connor’s scent shifts, guilt creeping out before he presses our cheeks together in the world’s slowest scent mark. “Let’s be scared together. I’ll prove that you can count on me. Until then, we go at your pace.”

Believing him is terrifying. Opening myself up to heartache again feels so dangerous, but I want to. Every cell in my body is begging me to give this pack a chance. Courting is a leap of faith, but if I get this right? The rewards will be so,soworth it.

Please don’t let me regret this.

“Yes.”

Connor pulls back, brows high. “You’re letting us court you?”

“Yes.” Weirdly, it gets easier the more I say it. A little laugh bubbles up that he mirrors. “Yes, I’ll let you court me.”

“Thank fuck.”

He swoops in, pulling me into his arms, kissing my cheek as we laugh and twirl around my kitchen. I can’t help but think this moment is almost perfect. All we’re missing is the rest of our pack.