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Dez leans into me as he responds. “We have a pack house about fifteen minutes away, but we’re not sold on keeping it. Where we live will be up to Daphne because her comfort is our priority.”

“Even if it means renovating a duplex into one big house?” Maverick asks. “That’s a serious undertaking.”

There’s something sneaky in Dez’s smile. “Even then. We may have a few ideas on that front already.”

That’s it. My little omega heart explodes.

Lacey leans back, satisfied. “Tell us about your families.”

“Oh, I can help with that,” Travi starts, warily looking at Erin before she leans in. “Have you heard about Nate rigging MamaB’s birthday cake with sparklers, only for them to accidentally explode?”

After too many stories of the Barretts to count and my friends digging into the entirety of Pack Morgan’s history—up to and including their fucking souls—the men head in to do dishes after setting up a dessert buffet on the table for the rest of us.

Mellie grabs a mini cake and tosses it in her mouth, groaning obscenely at the taste. “Oh my god, Daph. I love these alphas.”

I can’t help tensing up at that, or the growl that leaks out of my lips. She turns, treat in hand, only to step back with wide eyes. “For you! I mean for you!”

Erin, who’s back to cuddling on Travi’s lap, laughs until she snorts water out her nose and her beta cracks up. They’re drunk little lightweights. I adore them.

Lacey, coming back from the bathroom, takes one look at my clawed hands and waves Mellie off. “You, go. I’ll handle little miss feral.”

“Sorry, Daph. Love you!” Can’t help but notice she skirts the back doorhard, making sure she’s as far from my men as she can before she snuggles into a new chair.Good.

“You know she doesn’t want them.”

“But my system doesn’t.” Even now, I’m tense, waiting for my friend to cross the line so I have a reason to snatch her by her hair and toss her tiny ass out.

Lacey settles next to me, making sure we don’t touch. “You’re fighting this too hard, Daph. Those guys are so committed, I’d bet they’ve got a ring picked out.”

“You’re not helping.”

“Why? Because you don’t think you deserve your dreams after being dicked around for so long? What did you want most that the alphaholes never gave you?”

We’ll bond you soon, Daphne.

You’ll have your baby in no time.

I don’t have to say it out loud because Lacey knows. Every time I broke down about it, she was there holding my hand and brushing away my tears. How many nights did we spend wrapped up crying in each other’s arms, sharing the pain of a future we weren’t sure we’d ever have?

Lace smiles. “These alphas couldn’t be more different from your exes. I bet the second you mention a baby, they’ll be fighting to get you pregnant.”

“Say the word, kitten. You already know I’ll be first in line to knock you up.” Nate appears out of nowhere, leaving my heart pounding for more reasons than just scaring me. There’s a visceral reaction to his words as he speaks to the cavewoman part of my omega brain that’s desperate for offspring to care for and protect. Specifically,hisbig ass kids.

Fuck, Nate’s babies are going to be giant.

“Do the others want kids?” I ask, worried.

“We do. I’m with Nate. Say the word and it’s on.” Dez promises, wrestling his brother away.

“See?” Lacey laughs as they tussle together before Connor separates them with a frustrated sigh. “Stop stressing about the what ifs and just enjoy this, Daph. One day, you’re going to tell your babies about courting their dads. You want to remember what it’s like.”

She sounds so wistful and haunted, like she’s conjuring up dreams that don’t quite fit anymore. Like she’s given up ever having it.

“I want this for you, Lace.” I grab her hand, cradling it to my chest when she tries to pull away. “No, listen to me. I knowyou’re scared that it’s not coming, but it is. I can feel it. You’re meant for so much more than a life alone.”

“It’s okay if it doesn’t happen. I have my life and our family. My fans. That’ll be enough.”

But it won’t because no matter how famous Lacey gets, there will always be a part of her that wants the white picket fence and the people inside it.