Page 153 of Daisy

"Then you get to live in a world where your sons don't have to die in warehouses." My voice gets rougher. "Where being beta-born doesn't mean you're disposable."

The pulse hits me again. Stronger this time. My pack needs me.

"Week to decide," I say, already moving toward the door. "Mack has my contact."

I'm almost to the door when?—

"Wait."

Jake stands up. His hands clenched into fists.

"You really think we can change things? Really think it's worth risking everything?"

Something in his voice makes me pause. There's hope there. Fragile and desperate, but real.

"Yeah," I tell him. "Got people ready to fight. People who've had enough of the system crushing us."

Jake nods slowly. "Then I'm in. If you're willing to risk that quiet life with your beta, I can throw a few punches."

"Me too," says Knox. "Fuck it. Was gonna die in this warehouse anyway."

One by one, they start nodding. Agreeing. Committing to something bigger than themselves.

"Welcome to the revolution," I say.

And then I'm gone. Racing through the night to get back to my pack.

Back to the heat that's calling to every instinct I have.

Back to August, who's probably panicking about the timing.

Back to home, where bonds wait to be completed.

The revolution can wait a few days.

My pack needs me now.

And I've never been one to keep my family waiting.

Chapter 40

August

Where is Cassian?

I pace. Check my watch. Pace some more. The recruitment meeting should be over by now. He should be here. Tonight matters more than any heat we've shared before. This one's different.

Through my bond with him, I can feel Daisy's heat beginning to crest. That sweet desperation of honeysuckle and vanilla that's been building all day. It's about to bloom into something that will need all of us here. All of us.

Her scent grows stronger every hour. I can smell her body preparing. That slick sweetness that means she's ready. Soon she'll be burning with fever, aching with need, desperate for the bonds that will complete our pack.

"August, you're going to wear through the floorboards," Hawk calls from the couch. I hear the worry under his teasing. His nostrils flare as another wave of Daisy's pre-heat scent drifts from the bedroom.

Even he's responding to it now. I can see him adjusting himself. His hand drifts toward the growing bulge in his jeans without him even realizing.

"He should be here." I run my hands through my hair. Can't stop moving. "This heat is different. We're finally going to complete the pack bonds, and if he's not?—"

"He'll be here," Dante interrupts from the doorway. His pupils are already dilated from Daisy's strengthening scent. I catch him palming himself through his pants. "Cassian wouldn't miss this."