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“Then why haven’t you spent time with her?” She watches me flounder, then takes pity on me. “Do you want advice from an omega?”

“Please.”

“You’ve mentioned how kind Daphne is and also how her former pack was. From what you know, they spent most of their time working and neglecting her basic needs. If I were in your shoes, I’d care a little less about handling everything at work and a little more on the omega waiting for someone to love her the way she deserves. Someone to put her before everything else. Your packmates understand that, but I’m not sure you do. Do you know why?”

“Because I’m doing exactly what her exes did?”

Bridget smiles kindly. “Maybe not exactly, but certainly in the same sphere.”

It’s not the first time she’s pointed out something obvious, but it is the most painful.

All Daphne wants is to be cared for and I’ve been holed away in my office, barely seeing her because I’mtoo busy. What the fuck does any of this matter if it means I lose my omega in the end?

Bridget’s smile grows as she watches me. “I think that’s enough for today. I’d like you to make some intentional time with your pack this week. Call it homework, call it a necessary recalibration, I don’t care. But while you’re with them, I’ll ask you to put work aside. Turn off your phone and tune into the people you love. I have a feeling everything will be clearer when you do.”

I can already see the notifications pinging on my phone when I turn it on again, but I have to trust that Bridget wouldn’t ask me to do something pointless. The discomfort is necessary for growth. “Thanks, Bridge. See you Thursday.”

“Good luck, Connor,” she says before turning to her alpha. “Do we have time for a snack before they come?”

Felix looks at her like she hung the moon. “Anything for you, darling.”

My chest clenches at how easily they love each other, how obvious their affection is. I want that casual intimacy with Daphne.

So do what it takes to make it happen.

In the parking lot, I pull out my phone and ignore all the texts and calls from Moore, maneuvering to my text thread with Daphne. It’s been relatively quiet the last few days, only some pictures of the sky outside, a cute dog passing the shop, or screenshots of flower delivery receipts so she knows when to expect them. Almost no genuine conversation at all.

Come on, Connor. You can do better than this.

My fingers fly over the screen, hoping that she’s near her phone so I don’t need to freak myself out while I wait for her to answer.

Me

Are you free this week?

Daphne

For you, absolutely.

My heart catches, staring at three simple words that heal more than I ever knew was hurting. I climb into my car as she types, the bubbles taunting me. Finally, another text comes through.

Daphne

Thursday seems best for me. I have a photoshoot in the morning, but I should be done by dinnertime. Does that work?

Me

It’s perfect. Come over to our place? It’s pack night.

Daphne

That sounds amazing.

I can almost hear her wistful tone, and it kills me. My omega should never have to wonder how long it’ll be before she sees all her alphas together. I have to do better. Be better.

Switching over to the Pack Morgan group chat she’s in, I type out another message. We still have a thread with just the three of us, which is mostly used for coordinating dates, sending candid snapshots of our omega and planning surprises, but every time I see Daphne’s name in this one, it makes me smile.

Me