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It’s everything I ever wanted, yet part of me says this isn’t for me. I remember Pack Parker’s laughter when they found out about Nymph. The way Father used to hang up when I asked a business question, or every time Mother called me spoiled for wanting something of my own—undeservingof the alphas who kept me fed and safe.

My lips move to say no, purely out of habit, but what comes out is, “Thank you.”

Mellie leans in, so hopeful I can’t stop my smile. “Is that a yes?”

“It’s a hell yes.” I laugh, feeling bubbly and full of appreciation.

My friends whoop and holler, the energy around us buoying into something so bright there isn’t a word to describe it. The group hug is long and obnoxious, only ending when we nearly tip into the street. Maverick saves us from certain death, and Lacey pulls us to the door, clapping when I turn the key.

The others immediately head inside, flipping on lights and making plans to get a crew out to clean things up, but I’m rooted. Unable to take that next step again.

Maverick waits nearby, attention everywhere and on me at the same time. “What do you think, Butterfly?”

“Why do you call me that?”

He started a few years ago, and it pissed my alphas off to no end, but I never had the courage to find out why. Something tells me today’s the day to do it.

A ghost of a smile flies over his face. “You remind me of them. Beautiful, resilient. Able to withstand so much more than people think and still share your light with the world.”

Oh, shit. I can’t handle the niceness. “You know they turn themselves into goo, right?”

“Exactly my point.”

“Hey!” The indignation is only half real. “Are you saying I’m goo right now?”

Mav bumps my shoulder while we look at the most precious gift I’ve ever received. “I’m saying you’re so close to transforming, Daph. So close to becoming what you need to be. Just remember, there’s always a better ending, even if it hurts to get there.”

Damn, I really am going to cry. He’s the best big brother I never wanted. “Did you really do this for me?”

“Nope. This is an omega-only project. I just found the building.”

“You know you’re part of this whether you put money in or not, right?”

“Yeah, I do.” Snagging me in a hug, he gently nudges me toward the door. “Come inside, Daph.”

We walk in and Kai slips past me, scent marking the shit out of her beta until she’s purring.

Lacey pulls a box of fancy chocolates from her bag with a flourish. “Audio sent these. I’ve been saving them for a special occasion. Want one?”

Normally, I’d refuse to take anything from a fan, but he always has food shipped directly from the company, so there’s no way he tampered with it. “Absolutely.”

The chocolate melts on my tongue, the richest thing I’ve ever tasted. Or maybe I’m just richer in ways money could never buy.

Mellie pulls out a bottle of champagne and we take turns sipping directly from it while Kai orders our favorite takeout. Over shared trays of food and too much bubbly, we sketch out a starting point for the storefront before I drag them with me to do something impulsive. Something I never thought I’d be able to do.

“Are you sure?” Maverick asks, staring up at the storefront.

“Hell yeah.”

We go in and my family holds my hand as I get my first tattoo, a beautiful half-sleeve that would’ve given my alphas a coronary.

That night, with my sore arm holding the pen, my friends watch as I sign the dissolution papers with my maiden name.

Daphne Barnes.

It feels so fucking good to be me, even if I’m still not sure who that is.

KNOCKED DOWN