Page 43

“I’m sorry you’re having to uproot your life.” My nose burns at the scorched edge of my scent.

“That’s not what he meant. We own our own business, so we need to cover a three-way absence. We can stay as long as you need.” Dez gently loosens my fingers until he can hold my hand, and I crave the touch almost as much as I want to run from it.

Why didn’t I think of that? Why was my first reaction that I’m the problem?

Why am I so fucking broken?

Connor flashes his phone at me before dropping it in the cup holder. “Sawyer’s good to be there as long as we need. We’ll give him extra time off when we’re back.”

“See, kitten? All good.” Nate wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his body almost frantically. I let him comfort me, sucking in lungfuls of his summer scent until myown mellows. “We should get your emergency contacts so we can check in occasionally, too.”

Oh, shit. My friends are going to lose it.

In the mayhem of the heat spike, I completely forgot to update them. Getting a vetted heat pack is one thing, but corralling strangers to fuck me stupid is…well,stupid.

Dez squeezes my hand, the pressure sending tingles across my limbs. “What’s wrong? Did you change your mind?”

“No. I forgot to text my friends an update.”

“And this is a problem?”

“No?” I hope not.

Connor clears his throat. “To be clear, you’re not worried because you have a pack, right?”

“I already asked,” Nate interrupts, glaring at his pack lead.

Tension winds through the car, and it sets my teeth on edge. I squeeze Nate’s thick thigh, staying a little too long. He’s just sobigeverywhere. I want to ride this alpha until we’re both too tired to breathe. I go to take my hand back, but he doesn’t let me and I almost purr as he inches closer. “I’m unbonded.”

There’s an irritating voice in my head telling me they should know about Pack Parker, but I shove it away. Separation with no intent to reconcile is a breakup, so I’m no longer anyone’s omega. We’re done. Over.Fini.

I wouldn’t disclose my dissolution status to one of Revelry’s heat packs and I’m not going to disclose it to this one even if I kind of want to.

“So, your friends are protective,” Dez says. I nod as he winds a curl around his finger, stroking gently.

“Like, will make us disappear for slighting you or will avenge your honor by keying our cars?” Nate grins.

“Both?”

Connor tenses, scent spiking. I think he’s going to call it all off, but he settles fast. “Good thing we took Dez’s car.”

“Worth the risk.” The alpha in question drags my hand to his mouth, pressing gentle kisses along it. “Better call now while you can. You’re getting warmer.”

Nate drops my phone in my lap as the need to be fucked and filled becomes harder to ignore. “I’ll do it while we drive. If we don’t get there soon, I’m going to end up knotted in the car.”

“I volunteer.” Dez’s words skate across my hot skin, and I’m ready to rip his pants open. I need my hands on him, my mouth.

Oh, fuck. He’s going to taste so good.

The car fills with perfume, sticky sweet and calling these alphas to take care of me. Lips trail my neck and Nate’s thick fingers get up close and personal with my shorts.

“No fucking until we’re in a nest.” Connor mumbles about being on chauffeur duty as we pull out of Diamonds.

With no time until we get to Revelry and a pervasive itchiness crawling over me, I call Mellie. Even with her unhinged personality and the constant worry she’ll end up in jail, she’s the closest thing to a sister I have. She’s also the one most likely to understand running with my impulses.

“Hey, bitch. What’s up? Thought you’d be pussy deep in knots.”

Because I put the call on speakerphone, her words echo through the car. Connor’s ears flush, Nate preens, and Dez chokes on a laugh.