Page 67

“Very much.” Nate leans in and brushes his lips over my temple.

Despite my reservations, I want to say yes. Maybe we could go slow, court for a while and get to know one another before making any huge commitments. They could meet my friends, and I’d have time to see if we vibe before we’re packed up or bonded.

Or maybe Jacob was right, and they’ll realize I’m faulty and leave me.

No. There’s no way Pack Morgan is anything like the Parkers. No chance they’ll be so exacting when they were nothing but sweet during my heat.

But that’s a fairytale blip and courting is real life.

My phone goes off and I lunge for it, needing a distraction from my flip-flopping thoughts.“Sorry, could be work.”

Dez’s hands loosen, letting me go. “No worries. Check it.”

I click into my email app, hoping for a new client to distract myself with when I get home. Instead, I find one from Pack Parker.

They’re going after lawyer’s fees in their suit and need my financial records to calculate backpay from Nymph’s profits, too. More money owed. Another noose around my neck.

This can all be over if you come back where you belong, Daphne.

I forgot.

For a few glorious days, I forgot I’m in the middle of a shit show that could ruin my future. My career. There’s no room for romance when I’m barely treading water while my exes steal any buoy I grab.

And what if we did court? We’d be stuck paying off the bride payment until we’re old and grey. Tied to my exes forever.

My thoughts spiral, faster and more desolate with every second. What if Pack Morganislike my exes? I can’t live with these men, fuck them, run their household and not be bitten into the pack again. Not when last time nearly killed me.

“Daph? Is everything okay?”

My tears and scent answer for me. Dez scoots us back, closing the curtains around the nest so it’s just the two of us.

“I’m so sorry,” I rasp, clinging to him even when I shouldn’t. “There’s so much going on for me right now and I can’t do this.”

Dez squeezes tight, rocking me until I’m less anxiety attack and just anxiety. He tips my head back, brushing the tears awaywith his thumbs, his lips. “We intend to court you for however long it takes, as slowly as you need. As long as you’re interested in a future with us, we’ll be waiting.”

“That doesn’t seem fair.”

“Then you don’t see yourself like we do. Trust me, we’re the ones getting the better end of the deal.”

I wish I believed him, but the Daphne who trusted pretty lies from prettier mouths died under Pack Parker’s loving care and they still won’t let her go.

For alphas who just got rejected, Pack Morgan takes things remarkably well. I sulk in a blanket burrito on the loveseat while they set the suite to rights and if I even attempt to get up and help, one of them tuts at me. When Dez or Nate get close, they offer caresses and kisses and hugs. Connor maintains his distance, but cooks lunch, watching Nate feed me every morsel.

When it’s time to go, he carries me to the car, slipping into the back with Dez and I. Their hands rest gently on my thigh, bolstering me for the entire silent, uncomfortable ride.

The farther we go from Revelry, the farther I feel from them. Like the last few days happened to someone else. A dream life I can’t access now. We’re touching, but I’m not really here at all. Grounded and untethered all at once.

Fuck the Parkers for taking this from me when they’ve taken so much already. Fuck the universe for offering me my dream when I can’t reach for it. Fuck me for being too scared to do what I want, regardless of the consequences.

My stomach twists when we pull up to the duplex that just a few days ago felt like home. Except now, I’m pretty sure I’m leaving that in this car.

“Here.” Connor’s voice is light, but his eyes are shadowed. Haunted. He looks ready to speed away, and I can’t blame him.

I fucking hate this.

Nate pets my arm. “Feels weird going home without you, kitten.”

That makes me feel worse.