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“Is that what Gabriele said?” I ask.

Lacey looks over at the big alpha doting on his women. “He told me the best things come when you’ve given up on finding them.”

“Exactly. If I can find scent matches out of nowhere, maybe you can too.”

“Maybe. Now, tell me more about this ‘first in line’ business. Sounds like someone has a breeding kink.”

She’s changing the subject, but I let her. I can’t force Lace to believe me and if I were her, I probably wouldn’t either. I just have to hope that fate finds her the same way it found me—unexpectedly and at the wrong moment.

By the time I’ve finished explaining Nate’s least favorite f-word, the rest the girls have joined the conversation.

“Damn. I didn’t know the big guy had it in him,” Mellie murmurs, grabbing a brownie square.

My skin flushes as I remember just how many times we had to change the sheets. Turns out, Icansquirt while knotted. “You have no idea.”

We’re still laughing when the ringtone I set for my mother goes off.

Kai plucks it out off the table before I can. She scrolls through, silencing the thread when the notifications keep rolling in and rolls her eyes. “She just won’t give up, will she?”

“Who is this?” Erin sits up, wary and a little protective. She’s an accountant, but she looks ready to fight to the death. Have I mentioned I adore her?

“My mother,” I sigh.

“What did she say?” Travi asks, just as curious.

“Nothing we should worry about.” A few more taps, and Kai passes my phone back.

“Thanks, babe.” The thread with my mother is empty and I already know she cleared the deleted messages, too. Anything to keep me from spiraling.

“You’re welcome. I just hope you’re not psyching yourself out about this anymore.” She waves a hand to encompass everything, the tiniest smile on her face. “Some people don’t get second chances at their dreams. Don’t fuck that up because some small-dicked assholes made you feel like they were the end of your world.”

The longer I’m around my alphas, the more I realize how right she is. “You’re pretty astute, you know that?”

“Keep it to yourself. No one likes a smart escort.”

“Yet your client list is overflowing.”

“What can I say? I’m good at what I do.” Kai tosses her hair, laughing as Maverick nuzzles her shoulder.

“Amen to that,” he mutters, lifting his drink. “To Daphne, for finally accepting that she deserves the world.”

“To Daphne!”

As I take a sip, I find Pack Morgan staring at us with these content smiles that get bigger when they catch me looking.

Cheers to me indeed.

TOPSY TURVY

DEZ

A few months ago,I was selected to display my art in a local Seaport institution.Whispersis a collection of all the pieces that make me who I am. I’ve always painted things that feel like home—my packmates, my family, my parent’s house, but the one on the easel may be my most visceral piece yet.

Daphne fills the canvas clad in only a large tee, freckled skin covered in the petals and ferns of my former greenhouse floor. Threads dangle everywhere, a few tangled in her hair with fairy knots as she brushes a bloom to her nose and inhales. She looks ethereal and unbound, at peace in a way she rarely is unless she’s with the pack.

She looks like mine.

I wince as my back pops and my dick throbs. Painting your dream girl for hours is torture. I’ve been tempted to jerk off just so I can get some relief from focusing on the way the light hits her lips and breasts, but I like the torment. Like knowing Daphne can turn me on even when she’s not here.