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“Such a good boy,” I croon, and he groans.

“This is so unfair.”

“Tomorrow,” Dez offers. “I should be okay by then.”

“You better be.”

“I’ll wake you up with a blowjob,” I say, winking when Nate glares at me.

“That’s not helping.”

“Oops?”

“Menace.” He risks poking me, both of us glancing at Dez warily. He doesn’t give a fuck, though, too busy fucking every brain cell from my head.

“Adore you,” I whisper to them both. Dez buries his face in my hair and Nate softens.

“Adore you too, kitten. Now, focus on your other alpha. I’ll steal you back tomorrow.”

My nails dig into Dez’s shoulder, teeth clenching against the tidal wave of pleasure threatening to ruin me. He keeps me close, whispering against my skin. “That’s it, baby. Come for me one last time. Make my dreams come true.”

So, I do. I come, Dez comes, and Nate groans as he soaks his boxers. The scent of our mutual release fills my nest perfectly, like it was always meant to be there.

We collapse in a puppy pile, trying to catch our breath. Dez lays kisses everywhere he can reach. “That was perfect, Daph.”

“You’re perfect.” I stroke his back, marveling at the twist our night took.

Sticky and disoriented and so fucking tired I could cry. I’ve never felt as loved as I do right now.

It’s a long time before Nate laughs.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing, it’s just…” He giggles—fucking giggles—before lifting a damp curl. “Your hair is everywhere. Looks a little like you stuck your finger in a socket.”

“Hey!” I protest, swatting at him. “That’s so mean.”

Nate thumbs away my pout, smiling down at me. “Aw, don’t be mad. You’re the prettiest electrocution I’ve ever seen.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”

Nate keeps laughing at me as he slips off the bed, making sure not to jostle my head too much as he goes to change.

When we’re alone, Dez nuzzles into that space on my neck he loves, warming my chest with his body heat and the contentment that flows through him. “Don’t worry, little muse. I’ll do your hair later. Maybe while you’re locked on my knot again.”

“That sounds perfect.” Stroking his hair, his neck, his shoulders, it all feels so instinctual for me because I know it’s what he needs right now. “Are you okay?”

“I’m amazing.” Dez leans back, staring at me with that perfectly gentle look on his face. “Thank you for inviting me to your nest, omega.”

I know what he’s saying, even if he isn’t doing it out loud.

Thank you for choosing me.

I steal another kiss, sealing him as mine in the only way I can right now. “Thank you for being worth it and for showing me I am, too.”

“Always, little muse. Always.”

Because Dez and I, we share the same battle scars, and together, we’re going to heal them. One day and one intentional choice at a time.