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Daphne stares at me, a fragile bloom of hope rising and shuttering in those perfect blues. “He’s not wrong. I’m technically packed up.”

If Connor had used his brain for half a second, he would’ve seen what I do when she says it. Utter revulsion. There’s no love for her former alphas. Only determination to be free.

But fear makes a mockery of us all. Connor’s sins are his own to atone for, the demons his responsibility to exorcise. Mine is the woman standing in front of me, begging me to leave but desperate for me stay. Aching for love I was fucking built to give her.

I lay her hand against my cheek, rubbing slowly in the gentlest scent mark. My heart skips when she holds steady, watching me with raw vulnerability as I do it again. “You don’t want them.”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes.” If Daphne was with us to hurt her former pack, that would be a deal breaker, but she isn’t. “Our souls call to each other. They have since that first moment, and we both know it.”

“Nate,” she says hoarsely, staring at me with so much longing.

“He doesn’t speak for me.” Pressing my lips to her skin, I inhale the mix of us. Soft, loving. As natural as breathing. “Connor doesn’t decide how I feel.”

“He’s your pack lead.”

“He’s a fucking idiot.” She laughs, and despite how watery it is, I take it as a win. “I’m my own man, and I want you.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“I will.” There’s no doubt about that. Our eyes catch and hold as I beg her to hear my truth. “Tell me to stay or tell me to go, but I’m yours, Daphne. Even if I’m doing it alone.”

Her body locks, fingers sliding into my hair, rooting me to her stomach. It takes away some of the agony of seeing her wallsfly up. She doesn’t want me to leave. Hates pushing me away. It’s just easier to run than to stay and fight for something that may not survive.

That’s okay, though. Daphne can sprint to the ends of the earth if it makes her feel better, because I will always be right behind her, protecting her while she works through her shit. It’s what you do for people you love.

My lips brush whatever I can reach in chaste presses, and I inhale with pleasure as her scent sweetens. Less charred. She’s still hurting, still flayed open from Connor’s anger, but Daphne’s here. Reaching for me. Asking for help. We’ll take this one step at a time.

“Can I join you in your nest, omega?”

Her inhale is choppy, voice uncertain. “Normal people ask before they break in.”

“I don’t think I can say I’m normal anymore. Your fault, I’m afraid.”

Those plump lips twitch.“Please.”

I hear everything in that one word.

Stay.

Don’t leave.

Be gentle with my heart.

And I offer her a silent promise in return. No matter what happens, I will always put her first. I will always protect and guard her as fiercely as I can. My omega. My Daphne.

Our fingers twine together as she pulls me off the floor and farther into her space.

Daph’s nest looks nothing like the soft whites and blues of Revelry. No fluffy clouds, just endless sunsets. Pinks and purples and oranges, with only a handful of pillows and blankets left. My heart stalls. She destroyed her nest when she had almost nothing in it to begin with.

She watches me as I take it all in, eyes dropping to the floor in what feels too close to shame. “I started over when I left my pack. There’s not a lot of money for extras right now, but I did what I could.”

Her anxiety prickles along my skin and I wrap myself around her, soothing us both with the touch. “It’s beautiful.”

My chin rests on her head, and I purr when she leans back into me, hands creeping up to hold my forearms tightly. I can’t believe how much I missed her touch. How deep the craving is to keep her plastered to my body all the time.

“It’s plain.” The vaguest pout takes over her mouth and I kiss it away.