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I’m just saying, she’s not something we need to HANDLE, she’s a fucking person.

Connor

That wasn’t what I meant.

Me

But it’s what you said.

Connor

Find something to occupy your time and stay away from Daph. I mean it, Nate. We’ll talk to her together.

I don’t argue and by the time the guys blow in that evening, the fence is completely gone, debris hauled away, and I’m on the ground making sure there are no shards ready to stab our omega in the foot.

“You seriously couldn’t keep a secret thisonce?” Connor hisses, tossing a towel and a clean shirt at me. “Change so we can go explain.”

“Explain what?”

All three of us straighten, turning toward Daph like she’s our sun. She’s so fucking cute with her hair knotted on top of her head, threads hanging off her clothes as if to tell us exactly what she spent the last few hours doing. I’m sad she’s changed out of the set from before, but the fact that she’s drowning in one of my shirts makes it better.

Arms crossed and foot tapping the deck, she waits for our answer.

Connor mimics her pose. “About the house, obviously.”

See, if I were him, my tone would be a little less antagonistic and a lot more grovel-y, but I’m not pack lead.

Daphne’s hands drop to her hips and fuck me. Irritated looks hot on her.

Do not pop a boner right now.

“Were you planning to tell me you bought my house?” she asks.

“Ourhouse, and yes. When you were ready to hear it.”

Daphne storms toward us, only to freeze on the last step. Blue eyes shoot me a curious look and I swear my heart explodes when I realize she’s checking to see if it’s safe.

“All clear.”

Her prim nod is giving angry librarian and now I really have to duck behind Connor to adjust my dick. Dez snickers, straightening when Daphne gets close enough to touch.

She doesn’t, though she points at our pack lead. “How dare you make that decision for me, Connor Morgan.”

“It’s a courting present, not a declaration of war, Daph.” He snags her hand, holding tight when she tries to pull away. He’s not making it a battle of wills, he’s trying to steady her. To connect, even in anger.

“I didn’t ask you to do this.Anyof this.”

At first, I think it’s anger making her so upset, but then I see the flicker of fear and it clicks. She’s worried we’re going tohold this over her head like her exes. She’s terrified that we’ll give, only to take or control. In hindsight, we probably should’ve thought about that before we bought her home, but our instincts are going insane with her so close, yet doors away.

Sweet kitten.Daphne’s eyes water and we don’t hesitate, swooping her into a four-way hug until she can barely breathe around us.

“You didn’t have to.” Connor tips her head until their eyes meet. “Tell us why you’re struggling to accept this.”

Daphne’s voice shakes almost as much as her body does. “You bought the house I live in. That’s more than taking out the trash or washing my car. It’s too much.”

“Is it? We ensured our omega has a safe place to sleep, food in the fridge, and a roof over her head. Seems like bare minimum to me.”

Ever since she agreed to court us, she’s been struggling to accept even basic things like sending her lunch or ordering her favorite snacks with our groceries. God forbid we steal her car at night to fill up the tank.