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My alpha doesn’t glance my way as he lies, too. “I do.”

What the hell?

I could assume Father doesn’t know because he’s never kept tabs on me, but Jacob and I have been planning my first heat for months. We all want it to be perfect.

When I try to speak, Mother snatches me away. My alphas growl softly, but she drops her gaze, shoulders bowed until my pack lead pulls his furious gaze away.

Lorelai Barnes embraced the idea of staying young with both fists and my father’s bank account. Strangers regularly assume she’s my poised older sister, much to her delight. To me, she’s always been this beautiful figure to see but not touch. In fact, this may be the closest we’ve ever been.

“Why are they lying?” I ask, careful to keep my voice down.

Mother’s lips pinch before smoothing out. “Because they’re tired of waiting for you to fully present. If we don’t sign today, they’re going to look for another omega.”

I was thirteen when the blood tests revealed I was an omega and at fifteen, I matched to Pack Parker. At first, I was terrified. They were older, with everyone but Corey in college already.What did I know about taking care of myself, let alone a pack of alphas? But they never pushed me, taking their time to ensure I felt comfortable. Letting me fall in love with them at my own pace.

And I did. I fell hard and fast for these men. The hardest part was waiting for my body to be ready, but it is now. My perfume’s come in, slick is a serious problem, and the telltale signs of heat are beginning. All we need to do is sign a few pages and my alphas will be my first everything. My only.

Across the desk, Lance shoots me a smile so full of promise, desire, and affection that it shores me up against Mother’s words.

“I don’t believe you.” My heart races, voice a shaking whisper as I try to assert myself. It’s hard when I’ve been conditioned to be seen, not heard, but there’s no way my alphas would walk away after waiting this long. Not when we love each other so damn much.

She’s lying. She has to be.

“You’re wrong,” I tell Mother, knowing I need to hear it too. Faith in these men is the least they deserve after waiting for so long to have me.

Mother’s face tightens as much as it can. “Let’s not find out.”

Taylorson spreads a few more sheets across the desk. “As discussed, since Pack Parker is already established, this contract protects their assets in the case of a dissolution.”

“That won’t be a problem. We plan to keep Daphne so happy she never leaves,” Corey says, giving me a wink that makes my knees shake.

That’s not something a man with one foot out the door would do. Is it, Mother?

“We’ll still go through everything for clarity’s sake, starting with Miss Barnes.” Taylorson turns to me with a professional smile. “Daphne, you are to remain committed to the alphas ofPack Parker. They’ve requested you be a stay-at-home omega, though you’ll have a team to help you maintain the household. You will entertain guests and do your best to be the perfect omega for your alphas in all ways. Do you agree?”

“Yes.”

We’ve discussed this over the last few years. The guys want a housewife, and I’m not interested in working for anyone else. Years of being on the wrong side of my parents’ reprimands make that untenable.

“And you understand that all parties have agreed to children, which you are required to carry unless surrogacy is medically necessary?”

“I do.”

Maybe growing up in a home devoid of anything but functional love—seeing affection offered to stave off the need rather than something to savor—has made me desperate for it, but I’ve always wanted a family of my own. We’ll have to wait a few years while Corey gets through college and into law school, but then I’ll have it all. The alphas, the bonds, the babies. My dream life laid out on a platter.

Tension blankets the room when Taylorson fidgets with the pages, cheeks ruddier with every passing second.

“What’s the hold up?” Jacob snaps.

Taylorson glances my way, pulling at his collar. “The rest of the omega’s duties are of adelicatenature. If you’d like, Daphne?—”

“Your alphas are entitled to sexual maintenance to keep them satisfied,” Father says bluntly. “Two times a week per alpha, minimum of one child, and access to you during your heat. They’ll also need entrance to your nest and bed regularly. No scent cancelling products or heat suppressants starting now unless requested by your pack. No birth control oncethey’ve decided they’re ready for children. Is that everything, Taylorson?”

The lawyer clears his throat, acting like the desktop is the most fascinating thing he’s ever seen. “Yes, sir.”

Oh my god.

My face goes up in flames and Mother smooths her pearl necklace with a grimace.