Page 145 of Daisy

Dante's honey and clove. August's cedarwood and parchment. Hawk's caramel and leather wrapping around Gunner's sandalwood and wild fig. Cassian's dark amber and musk. My honeysuckle and vanilla wound through all of it like we belong here. Like I was always supposed to be right here in the middle of them.

I'm basically plastered against Gunner's chest. His huge arms are wrapped around me like he thinks someone's gonna try to steal me. August is reading next to us, playing with my hair without even looking up from his book.

Hawk keeps glancing over from where he's messing with some camera equipment. Every few minutes he reaches out to touch my ankle or brush his fingers over my hand. He's been like this since my heat broke a month ago. Constantly checking on me. Touching me like I'm made of glass.

Which is ridiculous. I loved it when he completely lost control during my heat. The way he got rough with me, desperate and wild. Exactly what I needed. But now he's acting like I might break if he breathes on me wrong.

The rest of the guys are scattered around our little living room. All relaxed and bonded. It's perfect.

This is what being happy feels like. What actually choosing something feels like.

Two months ago, I would've been sitting in perfect posture on some delicate chair in the Omega House. Hands folded in my lap, speaking only when spoken to. Everything I said carefully measured to please whoever was listening.

Sometimes I look around at this cabin, at these men who love me exactly as I am, and it feels like those years of training were just a nightmare. Like maybe they happened to someone else.

But then I catch myself slouching against Gunner's chest. Or laughing too loud at something Hawk said. Or arguing back when Dante tries to be overprotective. And I remember—this is real. This is who I actually am when no one's trying to mold me into the perfect omega prize.

But the fear never really goes away.

Even here, even safe, I know Uncle is looking for me. I know he's furious that his perfect omega pawn escaped. He definitely wont care that we're scent matched. Won't care that they love me or that I chose them. He'll see four beta-born alphas who stole his property, he’ll see the forbidden love I have with my beta.

He'll want them dead.

And he has the resources to make that happen.

Every day we stay hidden, he gets closer to finding us. Every day I do nothing, he gets stronger. More omegas suffer. More families get torn apart.

We've been safe here for two months now. But safe isn't enough anymore. Not when I know what's still happening out there. Not when I could be doing something about it instead of just waiting for him to find us.

Through the bond, I can feel my guys' contentment with our little bubble of happiness. But underneath it there's something else, they sense my fears too.

I bite my lip. "I can't do this anymore."

August's fingers stop moving in my hair. Gunner's arms tighten around me. Dante's book snaps shut like a gunshot, those ice-blue eyes instantly focused on me. Even without looking, I can feel Hawk and Cassian's attention snap to me through the pack bond.

"Can't do what, princess?" Hawk asks. But his voice is careful now.

I sit up in Gunner's arms so I can see everyone. My heart is hammering. Hawk immediately moves closer, his hand finding my knee in that careful, tender way he's been touching me since his rut broke. Like he's afraid he was too rough with me. Even though I've told him a million times how good it was.

"I can't keep hiding while other omegas are suffering." The words come out stronger than I expected. "I can't keep pretending that what we have is enough when I know what's happening out there. And I can't keep waiting for my uncle to find us and kill you for loving and bonding me."

Their emotions spike so hard I can feel it in my chest. Alarm. Protectiveness. Love. Fear. Everything crashing into me at once.

"Whoa, hold back," Gunner rumbles against my back. "You're overwhelming her."

They all consciously pull back, dampening their emotions until I can breathe again. This bond thing is still weird. Sometimes they all hit me at once and I feel like I'm drowning.

"Thanks," I whisper. August squeezes my hand.

"What exactly are you saying?" Dante asks.

The words want to stick in my throat. Old habits from being the perfect, quiet omega. But I push through. I'm done with all of that. "I'm saying I want my uncle in prison for what he's done.I want the Choosing Day system exposed for the auction it really is."

The words flow stronger now, fueled by the memory of who I used to be versus who I am now.

"I spent nineteen years being told my only value was making elite babies and keeping my mouth shut. I want every omega to be able to look at their potential packs and say yes or no based on what they actually want. I want them to have what I have. The right to choose."

Emotions spike again across the pack bond. Rage from Cassian and Dante. Fierce protectiveness from Gunner. Determination from August. Something wild and reckless from Hawk.