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She destroyed her nest.

Dez

Is she okay?

Never mind. Obviously, she’s not.

Fuck. I’ll clean it up. Put everything in the garage in case Daph wants it later.

Give her a kiss for me.

I do, pressing them to her curls over and over again, whispering how much we care.

Connor says nothing.

To distract myself, I make an order for her. Then another. A third, a fourth.

My inheritance was mostly used for the shop, but three life insurance policies and a means I have enough money to be comfortable. It felt like blood money before, but now I see it as a gift. A way to treat my omega to what she deserves.

The smallest courting gift, one that marks the start of our future, even if she’s not ready to acknowledge that.

Only when I’m sure Daphne’s got what she needs, do I set my phone aside and nuzzle into her.

Tonight was the first test of many, the reality of being scent-sympathetic. Four people with separate lives coming together was always going to be messy. Four sets of histories and fears to overcome. Triggers we may not understand waiting to slice us at the knees. But I know we can make it. I know this pack is meant to be together, and it’s not our fucking scents saying so. It’s the ache in my chest that instinctively I understand is Daphne. The way I feel her even when I shouldn’t.

This beautiful, scarred woman is mine, and I won’t lose her. Not to our demons and not to herself.

If it’s Daph and me against the world, then I’ll ensure we always win. Together.

RAGE AGAINST THE ALPHA

DAPHNE

I waketo Nate wrapped around me, face pillowed on my breasts and mouth open. Sleep was hardly restful, but every time I woke, he was there stroking my arms, petting my hair. No matter how many times it happened, he handled me with so much kindness, my throat went tight.

I worried I’d regret letting him stay over. Now, I’m not sure how I would’ve managed alone.

Carefully grabbing my phone so I don’t wake him, I stroke his hair and dive into my notifications. I’m unsurprised to find a litany of texts from my friends asking how my new neighbor situation is going. The guilt of keeping secrets weighs on me with every supportive and inappropriate message.

They still have no idea what happened with Pack Parker or how it’ll affect them. I know we need to talk soon, but I can’t do it right now. I’m not ready, especially after last night’s shitshow.

Thankfully, I don’t have to. Not when there’s a gorgeous alpha blowing up my phone.

Dez

Connor was so fucking wrong for how he treated you and I’m so sorry our night was ruined.

I hope Nate’s taking care of you. I wish I was there too.

To be clear, the only reason I’m not at your door is because I don’t want to overwhelm you, but I’m here if you need to talk or if you just need me.

Then he sends a picture. A full page of sketches, his hand still clutching the pencil. Nate and I laughing as we eat dinner. Dez talking to me on our porch. Connor staring at me like he’s not sure I’m real.

I look away from that one.

These must’ve taken all night. My fingers ache to touch the pages, to smell Dez’s warm scent all over the fibers. Something soft and squishy builds behind my chest.

I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to express how much it means that this alpha knew I was hurting, and instead of forcing his way in here, he gave me something to make me happy again. He offered himself at my discretion despite instinct demanding otherwise. Not that I’m mad at Nate, but I don’t think I’d have reacted well to two alphas in my nest last night.