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Then we’ll be on our best behavior. Right, Mellie?

*Silence*

Kai

If you don’t stop screaming, I’m going to kick down every fucking door in your place.

Maverick

*puts more money in the bail fund* We’re going to need this.

FUCKING BUTTERFLY

CONNOR

There’sno way I’m going into our first meeting with Daphne’s family with anything less than the best, which means multi-day meat marination, prepping the best recipes Mama B’s got to offer and as much time in the yard as possible so it’s nice for our omega. The added stress is worth it for Daphne’s excited grin alone. Especially since I’d otherwise be spending my day dealing with Moore’s meltdowns or going through my shit in therapy.

The journey’s slow and brutal, but already, I feel so much better. Knowing that I’m doing the work to put everything behind me and move on with the woman who captivates me even when she’s not trying matters so much more than I thought it would. Not telling Daph is killing me, but the last thing I want to do is let her down if I end up stopping like last time. For now, therapy’s my little secret.

The day of the barbecue is unexpectedly clear. Chilly and slightly overcast, but a rare day without predicted rain. While my brothers set up the backyard with picnic tables and last-minute plant additions, Daphne’s been fussing in our kitchen. Wiping counters that are already spotless and rearranging food trays in whatever order her frazzled mind wants.

Despite being excited for the last few days, she’s been an absolute tornado since she woke up. I haven’t even gotten ahiyet. The nerves would be cute if she wasn’t leaking stress pheromones all over. It’s setting off instincts that are already struggling at the idea of other alphas around my unbonded omega. I can’t imagine how Daph feels with three biteless friends coming into her territory.

My teeth grind together as she bends for the antibacterial spray for the fifth time. After she opens the fridge to deep clean itagain, I decide it’s enough.

Careful of the arrivals and the outfit she’s changed more than once, I pull her into my arms and away from the kitchen. Daph immediately bucks in my grasp, reaching for the towel. “Connor, no. I have so much to do!”

Sometimes words and conversations are the right way to go. Not in this case.

Primal instinct drives me forward, teeth going for her neck to force her submission. Her quiet. It’s not a punishment, but a plea. A desperate call from mate to mate and an offer to help.

Daphne freezes under the pressure, and my pulse races when I feel her sag under my touch.Perfect little omega.

Kissing the reddened skin, I let go. “The food’s ready and the house is clean. What else is there to do?”

“I don’t know.” Daph whines, twisting to burrow into my chest. Her scent gets thicker, stress burning my nose.

Cocooned against my body, she settles a little. Swaying helps too, but it’s not enough.

“What’s wrong, angel?” Long fingers dig into my shirt, and I just know she’s going to lie. Squeezing her tighter, my voice lowers, that pounding dominance take over. “The truth now or I’ll drop you on my knot until you spill. Fuck the guests.”

For a moment, I worry I’ve gone too far. We haven’t had sex since her heat, haven’t even discussed it, but I know I didgood when sweetness rises around us. The first hint of it I’ve smelled all day. Pushing further, I rub our cheeks together in an outrageous scent mark.

“Come on, tell Daddy what’s wrong,” I coo.

Daphne sucks in a surprised breath, then tosses her head back and cackles. Which is good because Daddy isn’t my thing. I’d do it if she asked, but I have other interests I’d prefer exploring with my omega.

She cuddles closer, chin pressing against my sternum and the eye contact alone releases some of the tension in my body, but those gorgeous blues are nervous. Wary.

“This feels huge,” she says, looking like she wants to steal it back from the air. Especially since each word bleeds with insecurity. She doesn’t think she’s ready for this. She doesn’t thinkwe’reready.

If there’s anything I’ve learned about Daphne since we met, it’s that she’s fighting some major demons. Ones her exes birthed and raised to live inside her head. She was a toy to them, a prop to pull out and discard as soon as they were done. She wasn’t and has never been a real person to those assholes. Her fear of repeating history makes sense when I consider everything she’s been through.

Their neglect changed something fundamental in Daph As her alpha, it’s my job to prove I see her.Wesee her.

And we want every fragile, broken piece.

“Do you want to reschedule?” I offer. “If this is too soon?—”