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I shiver, eyes dropping of their own volition as Dez moves me. Praying he’s about to bend me over the nearest surface and get rid of this ache, I’m shocked at that all too familiar icy heat along my front.

“Oh.”

Connor’s chest nearly brushes mine, those shadows from before living in his eyes. I want to smooth the creases between them, soothe the stress. My hand actually lifts to do it when his phone vibrates.

I flinch, stopping immediately.

We’re busy men, Daphne. If someone calls, we need to answer.

How many times have I heard that? Told I couldn’t ask for attention when my alphas had so much to deal with. Things far more important than their omega.

I try to pull away, but Connor’s hand snaps out, anchoring me at the hip so I can’t move. Can’t run. There’s fabric between us, yet I burn with his touch.

“Ignore it,” he rasps.

I wish I could, desperate to enjoy this moment where he seems unguarded, but the phone keeps going off.Bzz. Bzz. Bzz.

The barely audible sound sinks into my brain, unearthing memories that feel like battle wounds. Dinners, movie nights, the nest during my heat. A million moments accompanied by a noise that still haunts my dreams.

Bzz. Bzz. Bzz.

The goosebumps are no longer from these men’s proximity. It’s a warning. A reminder that I should cut this off before it gets too far.

Four days spent fucking does not a relationship make. And even if we’re not courting, they’re busy. They have lives and here I am, interrupting it. Always the distraction. Always the one left behind.

Leave before they leave you.

“You should get that.” Against very obvious complaints, I move out of the comfort of their arms. My ears ring, smothering the sound of the phone.Focus on right here. Right now.

And I do. My attention slips to the room around us, trying to find something to tether me. Weirdly, it’s Connor’s feet that trap my attention. There’s something so intimate about seeing them bare beneath his jeans, something I wish I’d earned.

“Daphne.” My name’s a rumble in Dez’s mouth. A plea.

It would be so easy to share the truth, to lay my problems down. Maybe they’d surprise me, supporting me in ways I’ve only dreamed of. Craved in the vast emptiness of my nest and my relationship.

I almost do it, mouth open to spill my heart onto the floor, but Pack Parker’s voices echo in my ears, as they so often do now. All the times I begged for more, only to get reprimanded.

It’s not our job to fix your feelings, Daphne. You’re so selfish. Can’t you see we’re busy?

Yet, I persisted. Asked until my tongue went numb from the words. Rejected over and over until the only solace I found was in myself and what little independence I carved out. Now here I am, standing in front of an alpha who’s already proven to be a flight risk, wondering if he’ll take my pain away.

What’s the definition of insanity again? Doing the same thing and expecting a different result? That feels pretty apt right now.

“We’re here for you, Daph. Whatever you want to say, I promise we’ll listen.” Connor’s quiet and intense, only relaxing when I offer my hand, gripping it tight.

The touch anchors me in this unexpected way, like he’s stealing some of my pain for himself, and it gives me the courage to whisper part of my truth. “My exes’ phones used to go off at all hours and they’d have to leave to take care of things.”

“Did they leave the room or the house?”

I don’t answer and both alphas growl. Connor looks away, jaw tight and scent sharp. It strikes a nerve, panic rushing forward.Soothe the angry alphas. Fix this.

“It’s fine. They were busy. I know you are too. My heat messed things up.”

Connor’s hand tightens around mine. “Messed what up?”

Dez’s voice is calm, but I feel his anger, a deep well behind me. This is an alpha who doesn’t get upset often, but when he does, he’ll do what it takes to make things right.

“Everything?” He doesn’t seem to like that answer. “I’m just saying, we’re not even together. You don’t deserve that kind of inconvenience.” Especially when I’m so back and forth. Fuck, I’m getting sick of my own feelings, at this point.