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Nate cradles my other cheek and kisses me so gently, I feel my knees waver. “The Barretts are family in every way that matters. When we say they’re going to love you, we mean it.”

I soak in the certainty from these men, their kisses and their touch bolstering me in a way I’ve never experienced. It takes a while, but eventually, my instincts chill. Still braced for impact, but less sure it’s going to come. I’ll take it.

When they’re sure I’m good, the guys grab the bags out of the car. Their items take up one bag together while mine requires all hands on deck. Apparently,drinkswas too fucking vaguebecause I got six different sodas, three seltzer waters, too much tea and enough booze to drown an elephant.

From the trunk, Nate picks up a massive box he’s covered with a towel. It smells like sugar and my mouth waters when I wander too close, but he won’t let me see what’s inside. When I pouted earlier, he nipped my lip and laughed his merry way to the car. He does the same now, leading us up the walk.

Pausing on the porch, he rings the doorbell, grinning at me. “Decided we should probably give them fair warning.”

Dez snorts, hand tangling with mine. “That won’t stop Mama from barging into our house.”

Nate shrugs. “Power of osmosis.”

“That’s not a thing,” I laugh and when he gives me this warm look, I realize that was the point. Damn these men for turning me into a puddle of goo.

Blowing him a kiss is as natural as breathing and, of course, that’s when the door opens.

“Aw, cute. Get out of the way, Nate. I want to see my sister-in-law.”

“Fucks’ sake,” Dez mutter.

As soon as Nate moves, I’m wrapped in the tightest hug of my life. Instinct has me stiffen at a man reaching for me and every one of my alphas growls.

“You scared her,” Connor snaps.

“I did not.” I get a whiff of something sweet as the hugger pulls back, takes one look at my face, and deflates. “I did. Shit, I’m sorry. I was just so excited. Forgive me?”

He looks so put out, I give him a wobbly smile. “I don’t even know you.”

Hands yank the guy away, stealing that scent before I can figure out what it is. Caramel something?

“That’s because he forgot to actually introduce himself. I’m Levi, and this is my husband and omega, Omar. Say hi first, babe.”

Omar sags into the embrace with a pouty, “Hi.”

He’s a little taller than me, with light brown skin and the most adorably chaotic black waves I’ve ever seen. Round glasses steal his face, but it only makes the red of his cheeks seem more at home. Like he’s always exuberant and a little embarrassed.

My heart clenches at the forlorn look on his face. Maybe that’s what has me holding my arms out. “Can we try the hugging again?”

“Really?” Even if I am nervous, the way he lights up makes me feel better.

“Yes. Now that we know each other, I’m sure I won’t be as stressed out.”

“You don’t smell stressed.”

“Omar,” Levi laughs, ignoring my pack’s warning growls. “You can’t say shit like that.”

“Sorry! I just meant—oh, whatever.” Omar pulls me into a hug that’s gentle and comforting. I get another hit of his scent and realize its crème brûlée with something else on top. Pistachios, maybe? I wonder if it’s his alpha’s, since I can see the pale flash of a mating bite on his neck.

The longer Omar hugs me, the more relaxed I feel. “You’re a good hugger.”

“I know,” he whispers. “That’s why I wanted to meet you first. Levi says my hugs are like Xanax and I thought you’d be worried about meeting the fam.”

“Terrified,” I confess. “I’m wearing three industrial strength descenters right now and I swear I could sweat through them all.”

His peal of laughter steals a little more of my anxiety and I find it easy to join him. I look over his shoulder at Levi, who mouths a quick, “thank you,” and holy. Fucking. Shit.

The man’s a spitting image of Dez, if he were a few years younger, clean shaven and slightly shorter. They both take after Mama B, except Levi’s skin is a shade darker than my alpha. He also seems leaner, but not by much.