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“Why? You don’t like your scent on me?”

“I don’t want my slick on my friends. They didn’t consent and we’re not that fucking close.” Pointing to the sink again, I growl. “Wash.”

He pouts, but does it, only to do it again, just in case. His expression clears when I dry his hand, only to trail my face across it, making sure there’s not a speck of skin that doesn’t smell like me.

“Sorry,” he says softly. The crackling intensity of his energy settles. “It was an instinct thing, but that doesn’t make it okay. It won’t happen again.”

“Thank you.” I let him pull me into his arms, feeling his sincerity. “While we’re at it, no more fucking around them—in person or on the phone. It was hot, but I feel weird about it now.”

Connor’s ears pink adorably as he flushes. “I can respect that.”

Dez knocks on the doorframe, leaning in for a slow kiss. “I see our pack lead’s been put in place. Does that mean you’re ready to face the masses? Because Travi’s crew just arrived.”

Grinning, I pull them both down the hall. “Absolutely.”

Two hours later, the ladies and I sit around one of the long picnic tables, drinks in hand. When I tried to protest getting shoved out of the kitchen, Nate silenced me with a kiss that made my toes numb. “We’re handling everything. Just relax and enjoy your time together.”

I’ll admit, it’s been incredible. Anytime I’ve looked at Connor, he’s come to check if I need anything. The second I miss Nate, he’s there, asking for a kiss or rubbing my shoulder. When the clouds cover the sun, Dez whips out a hoodie, dropping it over my head without tangling my curls.

There’s never been a time where I’ve felt this in-tune with another person before, let alone three. And my friends are the icing on top of it all.

As expected, Travi fits in beautifully with Kai, Mellie and Lacey, but her omega is also a fucking delight. Witty, dry, and so god damn sarcastic. My face hurts from smiling as Erin tells us stories from when the alphas courted her and Travi together.

In no time at all, it feels like these women have always been around and whenever I look over at Travi, she looks like she’s seconds away from crying.

“Ignore her,” Erin says with a fond pat to her wife’s thigh. “She’s an emotional lightweight.”

“Oh, we’ve got one of those, too.” Lacey nudges an indignant Mellie, laughing when she sulks.

By the time the food’s done, we’re all a little tipsy. Nate grabs a plate first, filling it from the table they’ve piled high. It’s not until I see what he’s choosing that I realize he’s doing it for me.

Watching the man I’m falling for pick out the best cut of meat and the perfect scoop of mac and cheese is such a small, unexpectedly emotional thing. Nate avoids the crispy bits of the casserole because he knows I don’t like them and piles a second plate with strawberries because I eat them all the time. And he’s not the only one.

While he’s on dinner duty, Connor gets me a water and a soda, because I always have two drinks, and Dez grabs a small plate with two Petit Fours because I prefer dessert before dinner. All without me lifting a finger or uttering a word.

Mellie nods in approval, nearly gloating as they dote on me, but Lacey watches with unrestrained desire. Not for the men, but for the action. The affection and intimacy they’re offering.

A couple years ago, after far too much wine and disappointment, we decided to forgo alphas and be platonic wives. Plans were made to build a home together and foster a bunch of kids. We figured we’re both queer, we’re both desperate to be moms, and we love each other enough to get through the hard days as a team. Not a bad place to start, right?

Not long after, I left Pack Parker, and we thought that would be our life. But things change. Now, I’ve got a pack that looks better by the day, but Lacey’s still alone. No heat to be seen, no love prospects in the wings, and no bestie to grow old beside.

It breaks my fucking heart watching her wish she could have this and knowing it may not happen.

While the rest of the guys get plates for their partners, Gabriele, Erin and Travi’s alpha, grabs food for her and Mellie. He sets it carefully in front of them, sitting beside Lacey so the two can talk quietly. When she looks away, eyes glimmering justa touch, he pats her hand and whispers something that makes her smile.

“Good?” Dez whispers, hand settling on my thigh. He nearly shoved Connor out of the way to get a seat next to me, forcing our pack lead to talk to Casey and Erin, but I’m glad. His grounding presence is exactly what I need.

I clear away the tears that threaten and pop a sunny smile on my face. “Absolutely.”

“You’re lying.”

“Obviously, but this isn’t the time to discuss it.”

He watches me for a long time before finally nodding. “Are you having fun other than whatever this is?”

Dez looks so uncharacteristically nervous that I have to kiss him. “I am. You did amazing.”

Just spending time with my friends has been hard with how much I’m working at Nymph. Building a storefront isn’t for the faint of heart and they’re just as focused on their careers. It means so much to me that the pack made today a priority.