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The words don’t penetrate. His charm’s completely useless against a disappointment I don’t even feel anymore.

I’m just…done.

Without another word, I head for my bedroom and the suitcase sitting in the closet. I hear muttering, but I don’t stop. They’re so focused on how to make themselves look better, they don’t even realize it’s pointless.

Locking my bedroom door, I quickly change. The sweats feel almost as heavenly as throwing the dress into the corner does. Tossing my luggage onto the bed, I pack whatever I know will sell. Apology jewelry and clothes that don’t fit fill it fast. Bullshit gifts from trips I wasn’t allowed to go on. Luxury items still in their wrapping, ready for resale the second I can.

My weekender bag gets my comfort items. The clothes I actually use, the essentials—including my curl supplies—and a few sentimental pieces I want to keep for myself, all placed carefully so they aren’t jostled.

Nothing else feels like mine, so it can rot inside this house of horrors.

In my banking app, I transfer all my savings to an account the pack doesn’t know about. Every cent they’ve given me, every dime of my monthly allowance I’ve refused to spend—it’s all coming with me. Consider it an inconvenience fee for wasting so much of my life.

For safety reasons, I shoot a text to the group chat. Kai told me that the most dangerous time in a woman’s life is when she’s leaving a relationship, and I’m not interested in becoming a statistic.

Me

I’m leaving the assholes.

Who’s got a couch I can borrow? Be there in an hour or less.

Mellie

Me! It’ll be like the Academy all over again.

Lacey

Hell yes. Be right there.

Kai

Same.

Do you need Maverick?

Me

Don’t think so.

Kai

Sending him anyway. Share your location and keep us updated on your ETA.

Proud of you.

These women. By loving me exactly how I am, they’ve made me stronger. If I never fall in love again, I’ll die happy knowing that they’ve got enough to share.

I do as Kai asks, removing my exes from my location too. I’m just stuffing my phone into my pocket when the doorknob rattles and Jacob walks in. Of course, he has a key for the lock. God forbid anyone deny him access to his omega.

It’s not your nest, Daphne. It’s the pack’s. We have a right to be here.

Maverick can’t arrive soon enough.

Jacob’s smug face says everything. He thinks this is just anothertantrum,his favorite word for any attempt to fight for my needs. “We’re sorry we missed your birthday dinner. There was an issue at work and?—”

I pull out my phone while he’s still talking—a dangerous game on a good day—and check the alarm system. Out of all my alphas, Jacob’s always been the most volatile. Quick to lose it over a messed up meal or a long red light. He says he’s closest to his instincts, but really, he’s got the emotional depth of a teaspoon and enough intelligence to mask it beautifully.

The app finally loads, confirming my suspicions. “You got home three hours ago. Did you even realize I was gone?”