Page 66

They packed everything we touched, including the fabric and their clothes from that first day. I like that their things smell like me. Makes me wish I could’ve rolled around on their outfits so they smelled claimed before they left.

You can’t scent mark strangers, Daph. Even thoughtful, gorgeous, god-tier dicked strangers.

I can literally feel myself pouting.

“What’s wrong?”

The yelp is undignified, but it’s the uncoordinated sprawl when I startle that really seals the deal. I’m a mess. My only saving grace is that I’m dress this time.

Fuck me sideways.

Nate bites his lip, holding back his smile as he rights me.

“Where were you?”

“Putting stuff in the car. You were in the bathroom when we got back.”

Which is why I didn’t hear them come in.

Out of the heat spike and haze, it’s finally registering how big Nate is. Tall and thick, like a cozy tree. I spent so much time snuggled into his warmth during my heat, and I already want to climb back into it. My big teddy bear alpha.

The others are easier to ignore the urge to claim, but this man is mine in every way. I took nearly every first he had and don’t regret a thing. I just wish I knew how to move forward.

He’s here. Focus on that.

“You good?” he asks. Now we’re both frowning.

“Yeah. Just updating my friends before I go.”

“Before we leave, Dez and I want to talk to you,” he says.

This is the end; I can feel it. They’re going to bat their eyes and saythanks for the heat, but we’re waiting for our omega and you’re not them. And that’s good. Great, even, because I’m a mess with way too much going on.

“Sure,” I say, trying to keep my voice cool and level.

Nate doesn’t notice, too busy nodding like a bobblehead. “I’ll go get him. Don’t go anywhere.

When he’s sure I won’t bail—a very real possibility—he sprints to the kitchen. There’s some murmuring that barely makes it past my heavy pulse, but I’m too busy suffocating in panic-sour scent to register any of it.

When Dez finally comes over with the other two hovering, he’s got this gentle smile that just breaks me.

In case you missed it, post-heat hormones are the worst. Case in point, I’m snot sobbing over three alphas I barely know giving me the brush off.

It gets worse when Dez cradles me in his lap on the edge of the empty nest, pressing kisses along my cheeks. “What’s wrong, gorgeous?”

Can he not be sweet? I can’t handle it right now.

“You don’t have to be nice to me. Just say it so we can all move on.” I sniffle and he brushes strands of hair off my forehead, forcing me to meet his eyes.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re gonna tell me this was nothing and leave. It’s okay,” I hurry to say., ignoring someone’s growl. “I know what this was. The waterworks are just hormones.”

My laugh is bleak and uncomfortable. Not a chance they believe it.

Dez sinks his hand into my hair, tipping my face to his. “You couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, we’d like to court you.” I must look like an idiot, all gaping mouth and wide eyes because he grins. “I know this is sudden, but you’re perfect for our pack. We’d be stupid to let you go.”

“You want to keep me?” My voice is small, scared and a little desperate.