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“He’s frustrated that I’m not his go-to person anymore and is getting aggressive. I’m not sure what to do.”

“And now I’m making things harder with this.” A hand claps down on my thigh, startling a yelp out of me. It doesn’t hurt, but it certainly steals my attention. This alpha’s good at that.

“You’re not a burden, Daphne. You’re our omega. Yes, I’m stressed, but that doesn’t mean your problems are inconsequential. I’m sorry I haven’t been here enough to prove that.” He pulls our mouths together, sipping from my lips until I’m putty in his hands. “Tell me you hear me, angel.”

“I hear you.”

We sit together for a long time, trading kisses and whispering plans. The more we do, the stronger I feel. After too long, Connor grabs my hand, lifting it for a kiss. “Come to bed with me, Daphne.”

And I do, knowing that when I wake up, this man will have my back exactly the way I need.

Pack Parker regimented mornings to the minute. They woke up and worked out, ate their plain oatmeal, showered, and got ready for work at the same time every day. If I was up, I got a perfunctory kiss on the cheek on their way out the door, and a half-assed good morning text if I wasn’t.

Things couldn’t be more different with Pack Morgan.

Connor is usually the first out of bed, burning the candle at both ends. Even half asleep, I feel him kiss my forehead, hearing his sweet whisper as I doze. Dez is usually next, pressing smiles to my skin even as he grumbles about it being too early. He tries to paint before heading to work, so he rarely stays long after his alarm. Nate’s the last to wake, dragged out of the sheets kicking and cursing about leaving me. We often eat together before theyhead out and every single one of them comes in to kiss me goodbye before they go.

It’s my new normal and damn, it’s perfect.

Today, I don’t get up with the rest of the pack. I’m too tired after tossing and turning, dreaming about the store falling apart in my fingertips.

“Daph,” Nate whispers. “We have to go, babe.”

I groan, trying to hide in the blanket, but he pulls it back.

“Remember, my parts guy lives in the boonies and service is terrible, so we won’t be able to call much. Connor will be here for whatever you need.”

“Mmkay.” I yawn, then snap my mouth shut for a goodbye kiss that decimates my exhausted soul.

Nate lingers, face pressed to mine. “I don’t want to go.”

“It’s only a day.,” I promise, scratching his scalp the way he likes. “Just get your part and come home to me.”

“Love when you call it that.”

I almost do it. Almost utter those three precious words that’ve been eating at me for weeks. But I don’t. Something like that deserves celebration and we certainly don’t have time for that right now.

When they get home, I’ll paint my declarations across their skin.

As always, Nate knows exactly what I’m thinking. He brushes our lips together. “Tell me later, kitten.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

His eyes twinkle as he kisses me again. “Of course not.”

Dez has to forcibly remove him from the bed, but I get it. My chest feels like it’s caving in at the idea of most of my pack heading out. Especially when I’m already stressed. Rather than worry them, I kept my midnight news to myself. My heart is begging me to spill so they can hold me up when all I want to do is fall apart.

Waiting a day won’t kill you.

“You going to be okay, little muse?” Dez watches me a little too closely, like he’s got that direct line to my feelings the way Nate does. “You seem off today.”

“Just nervous for you to go, but I’ll be fine.” It’s not a lie; it’s just not the full truth either. Pulling Dez into my grasp, I kiss away his worries and a few of my own. “I’ll miss you while you’re gone.”

“Miss you already. We’ll be back tomorrow night at the latest, but Connor’s here and available. Don’t be afraid to ask him for what you need, okay?” When I swear I will, he gives me another kiss. “If you’re good, we’ll bring you home a present.”

Damn these men and their gifts. I blame the omega genes, but also, whodoesn’tenjoy getting things from people they love?

“Fly safe, alpha.”