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Rubbing bleary eyes, I clean up the studio and head inside. I’m desperate for a glass of water, a shower and bed. Actually, I’m desperate to pull a Nate and sneak into Daphne’s, but shehasn’t invited me over. Still, it’s getting harder to throttle the instinct to chase her down and tie her to us. To me.

I want to be with Daphne whenever I can. In her nest. Wrapped around her like she’s my very reason for existing, because the longer this goes on, the more certain I am that she is. How could anyone fit me so perfectly and not be mine?

Grabbing what I need, I head for the stairs and another lonely night only to find the light’s on in Connor’s office. A glance at the clock says it’s too fucking late for him to be working, yet when I backtrack, I find my pack lead pacing the room with his phone in hand.

Motherfucker.I know exactly who would call him in the dead of night.

“I understand, AJ.” Connor grits his teeth as Moore interrupts him, catching sight of me at the door. Face screwed up in irritation, Connor gestures toward the phone likewhat the fuck is his deal.He hangs on for another minute before ending things. “We’ll touch base on this tomorrow, Moore.”

The phone goes skittering across the desk, and Connor lets out a long, annoyed sigh. “What’re you doing up?”

“Finishing the last piece forWhispers.”

He nods, brushing a hand down his chest as he tries to recenter. “You should ask Daph to go with you. I’m sure she’d love it.”

“I’d like us to go as a pack.” Connor doesn’t answer and I just know he’s going to end up being too busy. It’s not that he’s intentionally doing it to hurt me, his priorities are just different.

Doesn’t change how I feel, though.

“What does Moore want now?”

Con sighs. “Nothing important.”

“Then he can call Sawyer in the morning.”

“He refuses. Says it’s me or he’s gone.” Connor looks like the world’s on his shoulders, and it pisses me off. I knew Moorewas going to be a problem. He can’t help but put himself on a pedestal and demand we all bow.

“So let him go.” My brother looks over sharply and I shrug. “We don’t need the money.”

“We have an omega in our pack now, Dez. Of course we need the money.” Something flits across his face too fast for me to track.

While Connor’s been trying to work through his past, some wounds take longer to heal, and I think this is one of them. It kills me that all the Moore stress could set him back.

“Don’t run yourself into the ground for Daphne’s sake. She wouldn’t want that.”

And it’s obvious he has been. Not just because of the dark circles under his eyes, but the way he’s been sneaking into the office early or working when he thinks we’re sleeping. Con thinks we don’t notice, but we do, and it’s getting pretty obvious that our omega doesn’t like his absence.

I understand the urge to provide, but he’s going to fuck this up if he’s not careful.

“What if I want to?” he asks, leaning against the desk. “Her exes were awful. She needs us to be better.” Con sighs, wearier than I’ve ever seen. “I can’t let Daph down, Dez. I can’t let any of you down.”

“You’ll only do that if you forget thatshe’swhat you’re doing this for. Put Daph at the center and the rest will sort itself out. But for the record, I’ve got your back if you want to fire Moore as a client. He’s not worth the stress and neither is the money.”

Connor doesn’t answer, but I know him. The only thing that will get him off whatever path he’s walking is for something to shatter it. I just hope Daphne isn’t caught in the middle until then.

“How is therapy?” If anything, maybe that will help Con figure shit out sooner.

“Slow. I feel like we should be farther along.”

“Maybe that’s the problem.” He glares and I raise a brow. “You’ve been through hell, Con. It was never going to be an easy fix.”

“I know. I just want better for her.”

Hand on his shoulder, I shake until he meets my eyes. “You’re doing amazing, Con. Keep it up, but don’t forget that she needs more than you fighting your demons. She needs youhere. With her. Nate and I are breaking down her walls, but it takes time, patience and attention. It takes all of us. Pack.”

Agony flashes on his face. “I know. I’m trying, but we’re so busy and—” His mouth clamps shut.

I’ve had suspicions for a while that Connor’s hiding something, but he’s always brushed me off. As things progress with Daphne, the more cracks I see. The more my instincts scream that something’s not right. “Con?—"