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“I’m the only one in this room who isn’t likely to have an omega of my own. We all know Connor’s not the type to be alone forever.” Win cuts a look my way, stilling any protest I may’ve voiced. “I am not and never have been interested in keeping someone, let alone someone who will disrupt my entire life. Someone who wants every moment of my time and affection. I’m far too busy for that and we all know my priorities will never change. Why choose me to give the pep talk of the year if you expect me to hold his hand through it?”

Because hearing him talk about Daphne like she’s aninconveniencepisses me off. Even if on some level, I’ve felt similarly.

Every time my phone went off, I wondered if we’d made a mistake helping her. If inviting chaos into our lives right now was a bad idea. Then I finished it by making her feel like I didn’t trust her because I couldn’t give her the space to come to us with her problems afterless than a weekof knowing each other.

I really am a Grade-A prick.

Daphne deserves better than me. She deserves better, period.

“I want to make this right, but…” How do I put into words how badly my last attempt at forever scarred me? How do I explain I can’t jump into this without a parachute?

“I understand. Ensuring your pack’s protection should ease some of your fears.” Winter’s lip barely tips into a smirk before he pulls a legal pad out of the table beside him. “Let’s talk details. Are you officially courting?”

“Dez and Nate offered, but Daph said she needs time.”I can’t imagine why.

“Where does she live currently?”

“The other half of our duplex.”

“You moved?”

“The day after her heat ended.”

Win’s pen stops, hovering in midair. “Why the hell would you do that?”

“The boys wanted to prove they were serious. Daphne’s a little skittish.”

“Considering your exes, I imagine that could’ve been a bonding point for the two of you.”

Winter: 2. Me: 0.

Jace coughs into his hand, looking away when Win glares. “What about employment? Is she financially independent?”

“She owns her own business and is opening a brick-and-mortar store downtown.” My throat constricts and I have to swallow hard as I remember the way Daph spoke about her mom. “Her family situation seems unpleasant.”

Win hums, not commenting. “Does she own the store itself or the building?”

“I don’t know.” The more questions he asks, the more I realize that even in her heat, Daphne only offered the barest peeks at herself. Stories about her friends and her store. Nothing significant outside that.

Nothing we could use against her. Considering what I did with the first shred of information I found, that was pretty fucking smart.

My friends share a glance and Win settles in his seat. “Have you even discussed anything beyond courtship? Where does she want to live? What does her future look like? Does she want children, or will she be happy with a house full of birds?”

“I’m allergic to birds,” I choke, struggling through my racing pulse. Why can’t we take this one step at a point?

“You’re making my point, Connor. Your pack decided on a flighty omega—one you later found out is in the middle of a dissolution battle—without considering the consequences. Did you learn nothing from your divorce?”

It’s a sobering thought; one followed by a wave of anger so potent my vision whites out.

“Daphne isn’t like Shelby,” I growl. “She’s not the type to try to destroy our future because she can’t be in it.”

As soon as I say it, I know exactly what he’s doing. Forcing me to acknowledge what I’ve been avoiding, what my packmates have said.

Daphneisn’tShelby, but I’ve been treating her like she is.

Winter: 3. Me: 0.

Game over.