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The moment he sees me, Nate’s eyes warm. It’s affection and appreciation mixed with some serious heat. I wish we could just stay home. I haven’t explored this alpha nearly enough yet.

“You look incredible,” he rasps, not taking his eyes off me.

Do I give him a twirl? Abso-fucking-lutely, I do. “You don’t think it’s too much for court?”

“I think anyone who judges you on how you look is a cunt. Wear what you want, kitten. I’ll be there to put them in their place. Now, sit.”

I do, and Nate kneels in front of me, sliding his hands up my legs in a torturously slow pace.

“You look positively edible, Daph.” With a wicked smirk, he snaps the garter against my skin, expression darkening when I moan. “Fuck. You have to stop. We don’t have time for me to have you like I want.”

“You haven’t had me at all,” I pout and heat flashes across his face.

“Have I left you needy?” he asks, carefully tracing fingers along my leg.

“Maybe.”

Nate kisses the hollow of my ankle before slipping the soft boots on and zipping them up. With another kiss on the inside of my calf, he settles on his knees. Gaze razing over my body, heating me from just a look, he takes in the outfit again. As soon as he sees the chain, everything comes alive.

The space separating us vanishes as Nate presses between my legs, stretching my thighs and the skirt wide. His finger trailsalong the chain at my neck. I can’t look away as he tugs, a gentle pull that I have to follow, leaving me breathless and far too close. “Are you wearing this for our pack?”

He says it like me joining them is a foregone conclusion. This alpha is so fucking sure of me, it leaves no room for doubt.

“Maybe.”

When our lips touch, I can’t hold back the noise of relief. Nate doesn’t push it further, rumbling with a purr that steals the rest of my nerves even as he pulls away. Those fingers yank the chain again and my breath stalls. “What if I’m not ready for more?”

I don’t know why I say it when I’m desperate to have my way with him. Maybe it’s a test to see how he’ll react. Another way to prove this alpha is nothing like the rest.

He proves me right, kissing me softly before pulling away. “Better tell me now, then. I’ve been dreaming of fucking you again, so be clear about your boundaries or I’ll have you on your back the second we’re done with this shitshow.”

“No, I don’t want you to go slow anymore.”

His scent warms, sticky summer heat and all the freedom it brings. Nate’s lips caress my cheek, mindful of my makeup. “I’m going to be so good to you.”

“Promises, promises,” I taunt.

“Don’t worry, baby. When we get home, I’ll show you just how much I love keeping them.”

The lust dies a sad death as soon as we get in the car.

“I’m coming in,” Nate says again when he puts the car in park near the courthouse.

“No, you aren’t. I’m not sure if it will change things with the actual case, but having a new alpha in the room will make my exes go even harder on me. If I have a chance of saving Nymph, I need you to stay outside.”

Preferably in the car where he won’t meet my mother.

After learning firsthand how wonderful Mama B is, I can’t in good conscience allow Pack Morgan around Lorelai. Either she’ll unhinge her jaw and eat them, or they’ll end up in jail for losing their shit on her. Watching her lie on the stand stole any faith that she’ll follow the rules.

Nate growls. We’ve had this argument four times since I told the pack about my hearing. Dez and Connor finally gave up, but he can’t let it go, protective instincts flaring hot.

He could bark at me, force me to bring him in regardless, but he doesn’t. Instead, Nate settles in his seat, seething but resigned. “Please text me as soon as you’re done so I can walk you to the car. I don’t want them cornering you.”

It’s a concession I can live with, knowing I’ll wait until Pack Parker’s gone before I go anywhere. Leaning over the center console, I wrap a hand around the back of Nate’s neck and haul him to me for a kiss that’s just this side of indecent.

“Thank you,” I whisper, taking his mouth again.

“Don’t thank me yet. I’m not guaranteeing I won’t lose my shit on them later.”