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“Being scent-sympathetic?”

“Yeah. Did it create problems in the past?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never been with anyone else.”

Daphne rolls her eyes. “I know that. I meant when you courted Connor’s ex.”

Oh, hell no.“I wasn’t scent-sympathetic to Shelby.”

Her head jerks back and I cradle it automatically, not wanting her to topple out of my lap and get hurt. “Really?”

I get it. It’s almost unheard of for only two-thirds of a pack to match with an omega. Typically, scent matches like that are an all-or-nothing thing.

“Really. I was in middle school when Connor and Dez met Shelby, but I never felt anything toward her.” Daphne’s mouth drops, but I feel how pleased she is. Territorial little omega likes that she’s the only one to have me. My phone buzzes, but I don’t take it out. I know who’s texting. “We can talk more later, but there’s one more surprise.”

“I don’t know if I can handle anything else.”

Daph bites her lip, and I free it, licking over the spot gently. “You can take it. Promise.”

She squeezes her thighs, squirming in my lap. “You can’t say things like that in public.”

Definitely not, since hiding a boner is going to be a challenge. “But you smell so good when I do.”

Daphne’s glare makes me laugh, but I don’t tease her anymore. Nodding toward the parking lot, I point out what we’ve been waiting for. “Our guests of honor have arrived.”

Dez and Connor step out of the car and Daph holds me tight. “What is this?”

“Date night.” As much as I want her to myself, an omega needs her pack, especially after times of strife or argument.

She beams, her appreciation a warm glow in my chest. “You’re an incredible alpha, Nate.”

Only for her.

I help her off my lap, twining our hands together and kissing them. “Keep that in mind as I beat you, okay?”

“No promises.” Daphne laughs, dragging me toward my brothers. Toward our future.

GAMES AND GO KARTS

DAPHNE

Pack Morgan looks good.Fucking fantastic, really.

At my side, Nate’s wearing a hoodie under his large flannel and cargo pants. He’s even got a bag strapped across his chest. When I asked, he said it’s so I didn’t need to bring my purse.I’ll take care of everything.

And he has.

He drove us here, opening doors everywhere he could. He took me out for waffles and paid with a smile on his face. He brought me somewhere that mattered to him. Someplace that gives me a sense of who he really is.

This alpha gave me his pain, on our first official date because he wants me to know him. It means so much.

Dates with Pack Parker were public and formal. Long dresses to a fundraiser, dinner at a friend’s restaurant where I was expected to look perfect and act the same. We never watched a movie together. Never went out to a dive or ate at a food truck. It was never actually about getting to know one another or interacting with my partners outside our typical environment.

Nate squeezes my hand before we get to the others. “You good?”

“Yes.”

I have to stop comparing them because they couldn’t be more different and as terrifying as it was to commit to courting Pack Morgan, I haven’t regretted my decision. In fact, the more I consider it, the better I feel surrendering to my desires. Surrender isn’t about giving up, it’s about power. Knowing I have it and willingly putting it down for a chance at happiness.