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“New lock.” Maverick fixes the metal until it clicks. “Law says an omega has the right to protect their things when leaving a pack, up to and including adding locks until they’re able to retrieve everything. If you break it, you owe triple what it’s all worth and get a guaranteed mark on your record.”

Pack Parker might’ve tried to break down the door before, but that will stop even Jacob from doing damage. No way they get another omega with a mark of violence on their record. I can’t say the system’s made to protect us, but when it does, itreallydoes.

“I didn’t know that,” I whisper.

A ghost of a smile crosses Mav’s face.“Guess it’s a good thing I do.”

Once the sewing room’s protected, he pulls out another lock for my bedroom door and secures that, too. We split the suitcases, so he has one hand free in case he needs it. Measuredsteps get us to the SUV parked damn near on the stairs without incident. It’s not until everything’s packed in the trunk and I’m sliding in the car that Jacob returns, face red and anger rolling off him.

“What about the bride payment? There’s no way you can pay it back, Daphne. Not without help.”

Maverick stiffens at my side, and I smile as if Jacob didn’t tattle one of my biggest secrets. “Don’t worry,I’ll pay back every cent.”

The hope was to wait a few days before I told my friends everything, but that’s off the table now.

Lance reaches for me. “We don’t want the money, Daph. We just want you.”

“Let her go,” Jacob barks, getting his crony back in line before giving me that cruel smirk he loves to hide. “Eight years in this pack and still have no bondmark? No one’s going to want an omega like you. You’re fucking used goods, Daphne.”

That stings more than I care to acknowledge, but I refuse to let him see. Instead, he gets my best airhead omega pout. “You promise?”

Taking advantage of his surprise, I climb into the SUV, slamming the door on whatever vitriol he might hurl.

Maverick climbs in only once the pack is back on the front steps, then carefully maneuvers us out of the driveway. “You okay?”

“Absolutely. It was time.”

“Beyond, if you ask me.” He gently pats my hand before scrubbing his palm on his jeans. Awareness hits a second later, and he stares at his thigh with a look of pure panic before ripping open the center console and dousing himself with enough descenter to nullify both our smells.

When I cough out the cloud of chemicals, Maverick’s ears tip the most precious shade of red. Adorable.

Kai and Maverick’s relationship is something of an open secret in our group. Not that we care if they’re together, but Kai’s a little jumpy. Until they’re ready to tell us, Mellie, Lace and I pretend we don’t know a thing, but we know Kai isn’t a fan of other scents on her beta. Territorial, that one.

“Sorry.”

I give him a toothy grin. “It’s okay. I know she gets jealous.”

His mouth twitches even as he levels me with a look. “They’re going to lose their shit about the payment, but we’ll figure it out. You’re not in this alone.”

“I know.”

And I do. Because I may’ve just lost the family I was born into, but I have the one I made to keep me going.

FRESH START

DAPHNE

Ten monthsago

In the two months since I left my pack, I’ve floundered more than I ever thought possible. Lacey says the shutdown after leaving such a stressful situation is normal, but truth be told, I think I’m mourning.

I was a housewife before I had the chance to be a woman, with no time to discover anything about myself without interference. Now, I’m almost thirty without a clue who I am when I don’t have a pack to consider.

As if that’s not bad enough, my parents only reach out when they want to berate me for ruining their lives with my selfishness.

And yes, that’s a direct quote.

I hoped I’d have some time to convince them to be on my side, but the harassment started as soon as Maverick and I arrived at Mellie’s apartment. Father’s incessant demands and Mother’s scathing texts came in one after the other until I was a wreck.