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Bridget sits in a cozy egg chair, blanket draped on her lap and a notebook open while I fidget behind the couch. Sometimes I sit, but I’m too restless for anything but pacing.

As usual, she notices everything, brown eyes tracking as I start my circuit around my half of the room. “How was your day, Connor?”

“Frustrating.”

“Want to tell me what happened?”

Yes, I fucking do. It takes fifteen minutes to spew my feelings about Moore into the ether before I finally feel calm enough tostop. When I do, my chest heaves, irritation thrumming through my body.

Against the wall, Felix tenses, ready to catch me if I take one step toward his omega, but Bridget is completely unfazed. “We talked about boundaries in some of our early sessions. Seems like this may be the perfect time to work on setting them. What boundaries would you like this client to follow?”

“Well, not calling me at all sounds great.”

It’s sarcasm, but she nods and writes it down. “Okay, so you want him to go to the correct staff member with his concerns. What else?”

“I’d like him to respect office hours.”

“Good. Keep going.”

“Maybe he could utilize emails. That way, he can send however many messages he wants without disturbing Sawyer’s off time.” I don’t bother mentioning that I wish he wouldlisten. Pretty sure that’s too much to ask.

Bridget jots everything down then settles her eyes on me. “Those are great boundaries, Connor. What is it that’s stopping you from setting them?”

My mind flashes back to that day in Winter’s office. Scrimping and saving for years to pay off Shelby’s debt without my packmates knowing. The pack savings that’s finallyrebounded after my divorce. “Bailing on a client with this much spending potential doesn’t feel right at the moment.”

Omegas take money. That’s the truth of it, and Moore has plenty. Yes, he’s fucking annoying, but the padding of his projects alone is enough to get us through a tough season if we need it. Despite our courtship being new, it feels like we’re speeding toward the future. If so, that nest egg will be even more important than ever.

Bonding ceremonies cost money.Kidscost money. Not to mention our less-than-ideal housing. It all takes cash that Moore can provide.

“What does your pack think?” Bridget asks carefully, eyes on me, notebook ignored.

I think of Dez weeks ago, and Nate this afternoon, both telling me Moore isn’t worth the stress. But they don’t understand how fast things can go sideways. How easy it is to fuck your future without trying. “We don’t agree on how to handle this situation.”

She lifts one pointed brow, and I can practically hear her tell me to listen to my brothers more. Apparently, I take too much on my shoulders without asking for opinions. Who knew?

Bridget’s voice is that same gentle kindness it’s been since the start. Like she’s going to beat the right way to exist into my brain, even if she has to do it with a plastic hammer. “I understand your instincts are screaming to protect and provide for your omega and pack, but that doesn’t always mean you need to give in.”

That’s exactly what it means.

Daphne isn’t Shelby, but I’m still me. It’s hard for me to tell her no if she wants something and that’s only going to get worse the longer we’re together. She already means so much to me. How can I disappoint her?

Trick question, I can’t. If she wants a new house, a new car, or a bigger storefront, I’m going to get it for her, and in order to do that, I need money. Ergo, I need AJ fucking Moore.

Bridget must see my refusal, because she waves a hand. “We can come back to that in a minute. Right now, I want you to focus on something else. You’re in the early stages of courtship, so instincts are high to show your omega that you can give her the life she wants, right?”

“Yes.” It’s a constant loop in my brain.Woo, bite, bond, breed, happily ever after.

“With that in mind, do youalwaystell Daphne yes?”

“Of course. She’s my omega.”

Bridget tilts her head. “Really? Or do you say yes to anything she wants materially?” I don’t answer, so she asks another question. “Has Daphne ever asked for something you couldn’t give her?”

Yeah, my time.

The others have been busy wooing our omega through the streets, but with Moore breathing down my neck and my own demons threatening to reemerge, I’ve been pretty unavailable emotionally and physically. I’ve made an effort to be home for dinner, but I barely stick around to clean up after, rushing for my home office the second we’re done and not leaving until the witching hour.

Dez’s words ring in my head again.Be here with us.