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The one time I called Pack Parker at work, Jacob came home and berated me for ‘disrespecting his time,’ but the longer we go with no communication, the more worried I get. That awful feeling from earlier hasn’t gone away despite all the chaos I’ve already dealt with, and it’s sending my instincts spiraling.

Is he okay? Did he get into an accident? Fuck, no one would know to call me if he did. Not until the guys finally land.

My anxiety decides for me, and I dial the number Nate gave me a while ago, teeth digging into my lip as I wait out the rings.

Please be alright. Pleassseeeee be alright.

Finally, someone answers, sounding so stressed it amps up my concern. “Morgan Restorations, this is Missy. How can I help you?”

“Hi, can you connect me to Connor Morgan?”

There’s a slight hesitation as she covers the speaker, asking someone to wait. “Sorry, Connor’s not taking any calls right now.”

For a moment, I nearly crumble with relief.He’s okay.

Dread pools in my stomach at interrupting what’s obviously a busy time, but I beat it back.He told me he’d be here. If he needs to reschedule, that’s fine, but he’s not going to get mad at me for checking in.

Clearing my throat, I try not to sound like I’ve had my entire world upended today. “Sorry, could you tell him it’s his omega? It’s really important.”

“Oh!” Missy pauses, obviously surprised. Did they not tell their employees about me? I mean, I know we only been courting a few months, but that seems like a pretty huge thing to not announce. “Sure. Give me one sec, okay?”

Beep.

I think she tries to put me on hold, but it doesn’t work. I hear everything on the other end of the line including someone getting loud enough that Missy damn near has to yell to be heard. She mutters to herself amid the rustle of clothes on the phone receiver, then three loud knocks. “Hey, boss. There’s?—”

“Seriously, Missy? Now isnotthe time.”

I’ve never heard Connor like that. He’s so angry, I feel a wave of it lick my skin. That feeling in my gut gets louder, nearly screaming now.I shouldn’t have called. He’s going to be so mad.I almost hang up, but something tells me not to. He won’t be upset.

Unlike me, Missy doesn’t wilt. Her voice gets harder. Rougher. “Totally get that, but it’s your omega?—”

“I don’t care. No phone calls, meansno fucking calls. I don’t have time to deal with any more inconveniences right now,” he snaps, interrupting her.

My heart sinks, that tender rejection sensitivity breaking down under the venom of his voice.

“Understood,sir.You have a visitor in the lobby.” Missy’s tone is as cold as Connor’s, and I can hear the phone case cracking. He growls, and she cuts him off. “It’s Moore.”

“Fuck, fine. Send him in, but I don’t want to hear from anyone else for the rest of the day.”

“Fine by me.” The snap of a door closing and Missy’s muttered curses about my alpha take over the line until she remembers me. “Look, I’m sorry, but Mr. Morgan’s not taking anycalls right now. I’ll leave a message, though.”

“Thanks, I apprec?—”

The beep cuts me off and I try not to get upset. Something’s obviously going on over there, but it doesn’t feel good to have my alpha deny my call without even checking if I’m okay. I should let him off the hook, except I don’t want to.

Maybe it’s foolish, but Connor promised to be here and I’m counting on him to show up.Inconvenienceor not. He’s the one who promised to help and, he’s the one Ineedto fulfill it. I need to know that the man who walked through our neighborhood spilling secrets and swearing to put me first hasn’t forgotten the omega he claims to want. I need to know that this isn’t another fucking promise he’s going to break because if he does, I’m not sure I’ll be able to move past it.

If his word to me means nothing, then what the fuck do I have to hold on to?

Me

Just called the shop and it seems like you’re busy. If you need to cancel, no big deal. Just let me know.

When there’s no text back, I tell myself he’s obviously in his meeting, but thirty minutes later, I’m already wondering if this is Connor’s way of blowing me off. If he’s decided that I’m not worth the time he could be putting into his business instead of focusing on this relationship. That my fears, inability to trust, and needs have finally shattered something I want so badly.

Today is just a bad day,I tell myself,it’s not the end of the world.

But it feels like it. There’s a weight on my chest that I can’t quite get rid of, a doom spiral I can’t pull myself from even though I try. I reallydotry, but hope feels impossible when the world darkens around you with every blink.