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But that doesn’t change how much it’ll hurt.

Pack Morgan wants to court an omega together. As much as I love Dez and Nate, if Connor walks away from me, will our relationship survive?

Mellie, who’s seen me through some awful shit, reads my face and softens. “You know what? Fuck the boy drama. Let’s forget about them and get wasted. That’ll make you feel better.”

“I sincerely doubt that,” Maverick says.

She grins at him. “Don’t worry, big brother. You’re getting smashed with us.”

“I’m driving.”

“No, you’re not.” Mel turns a wicked look my way. “Daphne’s alphas are going to pick us up. I think it’s time we really trial by fire these men. Starting tonight.”

“Oooh, sleepover at Daph’s!” Lacey crows, tapping her glass to Mel’s before they both chug. When they slide Kai and I’s drinks closer, we share a glance.

“Bottom’s up,” I say, swallowing the rest and motioning to our server for another round.

Kai shakes her head but finishes her drink, anyway. “This is a terrible fucking idea.”

Turns out, everyone was right.

Getting drunk makes me feel better. It’s also an insanely bad idea because not only have my texts to the guys gotten more illegible by the beverage, but Kai’s aggressive tendencies go a little haywire under the influence. We’re kicked out when she nearly brains another omega for stumbling into Maverick then attempting to slip him her number.

Okay, it could’ve been Mellie threatening to pull her extensions out too. Who knows?

After we’re escorted to the parking lot and asked not to return for at least six months, we climb into the back seats of the SUV.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

Mellie’s smile is terrifying. “Your place as soon as you call your alphas.”

It’s the beer goggles or whatever the equivalent is to mixed drinks, but that sounds like the best fucking idea. And I know exactly who I’m dialing.

“‘Lo?” Connor answers, weary yet still wide awake.

I have to squint to see the time on the tiny, blurry screen. After one and I just know he’s in his office working.

“Daphne? Are you there? What’s wrong?” Every question gets sharper, more distressed.

“Sorry to bother you, but we need a ride.”

“Send me your location.”

I’m not sure why that hits so fucking hard, but it does. This man who barely spoke to me earlier doesn’t ask a single question when I call for help. Why is it so easy right now, but so hard every other fucking day?

I hear the door shut and an engine turn over. “What happened to Maverick, Daph? If he left you there alone, I’m going to?—”

“He’s here. We all had too much to drink.”

“Thank fuck.” The relief in his voice makes my chest hurt. How can he act like he’d lose his mind if I’d answered any differently and still be so absent? “Are you somewhere safe?”

“We’re in the car. Sort of got kicked out of the bar.” I sniffle.

“She fuckin’ deserved it.” Kai hiccups from her spot on Mav’s lap and he beams at her.

I expect him to be annoyed or upset the way my exes would have been, but Connor laughs. “Stay there. It’s too cold outside. We’ll be there soon.”

Fifteen minutes of drunken rambling later, I realize with a start that Connor hasn’t come on his own when two cars pull up next to us and all three of my alphas hop out.