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Nate did redo the backyard for me.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Connor asks softly.

“My friends would like Travi.”

“She’s the best,” he agrees. “Do you want to invite everyone over sometime? Travi doesn’t have a lot of friends, and I know Pack Bellencourt would love to meet the women who threatened to ruin our lives on day one.”

“I refuse to be embarrassed about how far my friends will go to protect me.”

Connor squeezes my hand. “Good. We’re all glad you have people in your corner. Now, are you going to answer my question?”

I want Travi to meet them. If I’m honest, I want Pack Morgan to as well, but something holds me back. What if the guys don’t like them? There’s no way I can go back to the way things werewith Pack Parker. My friends are family and not being able to have them comfortably in my life was hell.

Let’s be scared together.

“I’m worried you won’t like my friends.”

“Do they love you?”

“Yes.” There’s no doubt in my mind.

Connor smiles easily. “Then what’s not to like?”

I tell him about Pack Parker’s rules for the group, the words rolling off my tongue smoother and easier than I ever expected.

He frowns so hard, I have no choice but to run my finger along the furrow until it settles again. “They isolated you.”

Did they?

It’s never registered to me before how locked down Pack Parker had me. I never left the house without one of them, which meant I hardly left at all. Despite having a car of my own and the money to go wherever I wanted, my exes made it seem like existing outside our pack made me a bad omega.

“Yeah. I think they did.” How did I not notice?

Connor presses my hand to his lips, a gentle kiss on the back warming the chill the revelation brought. Twining our fingers together, he sets them in my lap, his palm a reassuring weight against mine.

“I know the only way to prove we’re different is with time and patience, but I need you to hear me when I say we’re not your exes. If you want your friends over, invite them. We won’t mind.”

“I know.” Choosing to believe him is the hardest thing I’ve ever done and the easiest.

“Good. Now, tell me what you want and watch me make it come true.”

This time, I bring Connor’s hand to my mouth, kissing over his knuckles until he’s squirming in the driver’s seat. “How do you feel about a family barbecue?”

He gives the gentlest smile, so full of affection I want to explode. “I think it sounds perfect, angel.”

PUSSY POWER GROUP CHAT

Daphne

You’re all invited to a barbecue at my house this weekend. Rules of conduct to follow.

Mellie

We’ll be there, but why the fuck do we need rules?

Daphne

Because I know you.