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“Being an omegaisbeing needy. It’s part of who you are. Why would we be upset with that?”

Rewiring your brain to realize the right people will understand what you need without making you feel like a nuisance—unlearning habits you adopted to feel safe with people who never truly wanted you—is painful and jarring. You don’t know who you are outside the way you used to be. But the freedom that comes with discovering yourself when all the bullshit washes away is unmatched. Knowing the people you surround yourself with love you for exactly who you are makes the journey worthwhile.

“I’ll ask next time.” Connor’s purr makes me smile. The delicate sound unwinding the tension in my body until he’s holding us up.

“Good girl. Are we hiding in here all day?” he asks.

We smell like we spent all morning fucking and even though my cheeks heat, I like the blatant claim from my alpha. “Maybe until they get here?”

“Hate to tell you, but they’re outside.”

Oh, fuck. Is it too late to cancel?

What the hell was I thinking bringing everyone together like this? It’s too soon. I’m going to embarrass myself in front of Travi and the pack’s going to bail after one conversation withmy friends. I don’t have the best luck with partners meeting my people. Meanwhile, my instincts are screaming at me to bond my alphas so the girls won’t look twice at them.

It’s too much. “I think I’m going to throw up.”

“Breathe, angel.” Connor cradles my face. I always feel small like this. Protected. “Your friends love you and we’re already halfway there. This is a good thing, right?”

His insecurity sinks into my stomach. Despite everything we’ve already dealt with, this is my issues making an untimely appearance. I’m fucking this up and all they’ve done is try.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay to freak out, Daph. You can’t help your feelings.”

I let his words settle deep inside me, desperate to believe them. I want these men to support me. Want to open myself up to them and bring them further into my world.

Today, that means introducing all the people I love to each other.

Dez and Nate come in, stealing my attention. They’ve all kept it casual, with nice jeans and t-shirts. While Nate heads for the door, Dez wraps his arm around me, letting his warm floral scent settle across my skin. “You’re so fucking brave, little muse.”

His voice holds a purr and combined with the heady way they look at me, it steals the last of my nerves. “Praise will get you everywhere.”

He laughs against my neck. “I don’t want to be anywhere but here.”

Nate rolls his eyes, though his smile widens. “Enough sweetness. Can I let them in, Daph?”

One last deep breath, then I nod. “Do it.”

The door’s barely open before he’s pushed aside.

“You don’t call; you don’t write.” Mellie is a blur of movement, completely ignoring the alphas as she eats up thespace between us. Her arms toss around me so roughly, Dez and Connor have to correct my balance before retreating.

My omega side loves that they rushed away from her. There’s no telling what I’d do if they walked around smelling like Mellie all evening.

She squeezes until I can’t breathe, then throws her head back, cackling. “Never mind. I know exactly why you ignored me.”

Do not blush. Don’t fucking do it.

Shrugging, I give her my most innocent face. “If I did, you probably deserved it.”

“Asking if you wanted us to pick up a treat on the way isnota deserved offense.” She pokes my tickle spot, and I swat her hands, praying we don’t devolve into slap fights.

While the alphas head out to help the others, I check my phone under my friend’s watchful eye.

Mellie

Need a treat for the nerves? We just saw this adorable bakery.